Which .45, Redhawk or S&W 25 Series?

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I make this real simple. S&W for old world good looks and loads up to 240's at 1200fps.

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The Super Redhawk as a heavy duty hunting sixgun capable of up to 355's at 1350fps. They are worlds apart and I don't condemn the S&W for not being able to handle nuclear loads any more than I condemn the Ruger for being aesthetically challenged. What it lacks in visual appeal, it more than makes up for in capability and utility. It is no small thing to be able to mount a quickly detachable optic over the frame and maintain your iron sights. The beauty is in what it does and what it does, the S&W is incapable of.

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Targa said:
Hold on just a second before you show yourself out sir. You say .45Colt belongs in a single action revolver while at the same time saying a auto cartridge belongs in a revolver!! Absolute blasphemy you maverick.
Just having a bit of fun of course...:D
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{as mcb scurries out of the thread and from over his shoulder}

...the pinnacle of revolver technology is a modern S&W double-action revolver, chambered in a rimless cartridge, feed by moonclips....

{scrambles faster looking for cover} :D
 
CraigC said:
I What it lacks in visual appeal, it more than makes up for in capability and utility. It is no small thing to be able to mount a quickly detachable optic over the frame and maintain your iron sights. The beauty is in what it does
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Agree.
I personally would take capability over looks any day. If one wanted to take it a bit farther, the Super Red Toklat in 454 would cover ya from gofers to Alaskan Brown Bear
 
Thanks for all the responses, guys! I'll have to get to them tonight after work.

For now, I'll just answer the question about have I handled them before. Honestly, this is going to be a sight unseen purchase for the most part. I haven't seen a single Smith & Wesson 25 live and in person in years, sometime before it became a consideration for purchase. And the only Redhawk I've seen in a looong time is the ugly Super Red in10mm with the long barrel. Which I plan to go handle today if it hasn't magically sold. Only handgun that place has that's been there for a year LOL. It's likely longer than I'll be able to get in .45.

I like the aesthetic of Redhawks...mostly; I really hate the way the long barreled Super RedHawks look, but love the look of the standard Redhawk. And if I could find a five and a half inch barrel, that's what I'd get, but anything longer than 4 in is rare as hen's teeth, even on GunBroker. Tho if someone here has a 5 and 1/2 they're looking to sell...

Thanks!
 
StrawHat said:
So, which one do you carry most? Since OP said his position is one NOT both.

Kevin
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Unfortunately there is an element of physics involved as my Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan with a 2.5" barrel in 454 Casull that I only shoot 45 Colt through will always carry better than my 6" barreled S&W Model 25-5.

Bottom Line: If you are going to hand load, buy the Ruger.

-Stan
 
If you ask an opinion online you will get many opinions. I have one Ruger and Three S&Ws in .45 Colt. I like them all.

I normally shoot a 270 grain LSWC at 900-950 FPS. If I need more power than that for something, I will take a .41 or .44 magnum, or more likely a rifle.

Get the one that is the best value and fits your hand and shooting style.
 
Scowboy said:
I like the aesthetic of Redhawks...mostly; I really hate the way the long barreled Super RedHawks look, but love the look of the standard Redhawk. And if I could find a five and a half inch barrel, that's what I'd get, but anything longer than 4 in is rare as hen's teeth, even on GunBroker. Tho if someone here has a 5 and 1/2 they're looking to sell...

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Super Red Toklat.....5.5" barrel. I see em here and there
Load the mildest 45 Colts all the way to the stoutest Casull loads(My disclaimer: Do what you think you can handle there, 36.5g of 296 is some real boom boom)
 
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S&W revolvers in .45 Colt are an addiction for me, but I would never suggest pushing the limits on one. Don't magnumize them, just enjoy them for what they are, and they'll serve you well. I do want a Redhawk in .45 Colt, though...
 
I have a Super Redhawk and a 625.

For carrying around all day and a better trigger, I would choose the Smith.

For hot loads, it has to be the Ruger.

Mine were both purchased used at reasonable prices. If the OP waited until the gun market calmed down, he might could buy both of them used for not much more than the price of one new one.

Smith And Wesson Model 625

Smith And Wesson Model 625

 
bigpower491 said:
Super Red, I know, but would certainly be right in the ballpark with your requirements..

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/893998812

Nothing says "This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no foolin around" like one of theae.....
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Exactly what I did a few years ago, was hooked on 45 colt and wanted big power. Anyone who deals with hot 45 colt loads risks the cartridges finding its way into a gun that isn't a ruger. It's worked out great for me and hot loads stay in 454 cases. 20200719_163727.jpg
 
I have both - a 4" S&W Mountain gun 45, and a 4" Redhawk 45. As about everyone has said the Redhawk is incredibly strong and will handle the heaviest loads you will likely want to shoot. It is about 6 oz heavier than the Smith which can make a difference if carrying for a long time. A friend of mine owns Garrett Cartridge of Texas and makes a 265 gr 1000 fps load, his lightest which is S&W safe. While I will not feed my Smith a steady diet of these one is very well armed in the woods with it I think. If I feel the need for more I'll go Redhawk. I think it is also easier to get fine action/trigger work done on a S&W as the Redhawk can be a little particular with its spring set up.
 
The .45 Colt Redhawk (3rd from top) is a stout revolver to launch miniature anvils from. Plenty accurate too.

Looks are subjective...I like the barrel and grip profile of this particular Redhawk the most out of several I own.

Not surprised you're having problems finding one (at least a new one). I picked mine up during the Obama years...close to the end. Supposedly Ruger had suspended production of some products and put all hands on deck for the semi-auto handguns and rifles. May be what's happening here.

Strap that Ruger to your hip and you'll know its there...not a problem if you're 'walking' the woods...another issue if you're carrying a rifle and going vertical for long stretches on a hunt or carrying a heavy pack. That's why you see that 329PD in the picture.

Since its been mentioned a few times in the thread...Top gun is a 25 year old Blackhawk Convertible in .45Colt with the ACP cylinder. I have other dedicated ACP options so it doesn't get used. I remember thinking at initial break in that .45ACP accuracy was acceptable but nothing spectacular....for what that's worth without any concrete numerical data to back it up..

RCR321 makes a good point.....If the OP is using the gun consistently for heavy loads (300grain+) then those additional ounces in the RedHawks frame will be appreciated.....even by those of us that aren't recoil sensitive.

Lastly....factory ammo for the .45 Colt ain't cheap in the best of times, let along the 300+ grainers if you can find them. Hope you either are already, or contemplating reloading for that specific round.

pjrpNz5.jpg
 
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While not a Ruger fan by any means, I recognize that the Redhawks will tolerate nuclear type 300grn + loads whereas like CraigC mentions a Smith should be sparingly used if at all with them.
Its pretty subjective really. Most of the time with many shooters given a factory loaded option of a standard recoil producing loading will use that for practice staying away from the punishment of the truly pumped up rounds. So your going to have to decide if with the Smith, that can handle some pretty aggressive loads if not the fire breathing kind, or one that can. For me, I never cared for how Rugers handled and never needed a truly monster handgun, making sure to have an adequate longun avaliable if I put myself into a situation like that.
Were it me, now after years with Smith Wesson I would look around for a Freedom Arms convertible who's quality and versatility surpasses both Ruger and Smith
 
Okay, I didn't get a chance to answer last night, and I've got a short break in work today, so please forgive any weird spellings, this is done talk-to-text in a hurry .

I think I've come to my decision: the Ruger. Between what y'all have said about the Smith & Wesson's marginal ability to handle more than a few heavy ish loads, and the fact that much to my surprise, got to handle both yesterday, I think the rugers the better choice for me. I got the handle 2 RedHawks, neither of which were 45, but they are reasonably good stand-ins and a Smith in 44, which is not a bad analog to 45. I just like the way the Ruger felt better than the Smith. Even though I hated the finger groove Hogue grips on the one Redhawk, it's still sat in my hand better than the S&W. The guy that the one gunshop insisted that I dry fire them a few times because that's the only way I could come to a informed decision. The Smith had a really good trigger, really wide smooth trigger, and it was smooth in operation. But the Ruger, felt better, and was actually smoother. I have a feeling that's going to vary from gun to gun, but it does tell me that in general I'm probably not going to be giving up much if anything to the Smith on the trigger. And I kind of like the narrower profile of the Ruger trigger. Combining that with the stronger build of the Ruger and what you guys have said in the way of warnings about too much +p through the Smith... and the fact that I like the look of a standard Red Hawk better than the Smith & Wesson... I know that's blasphemy, but I like that more single action like shape better.

As far as the suggestion for Freedom Arms, if I had the money to buy one of those, I would have never had to make this thread in the first place, I actually would have been able to buy both the Red Hawk and Smith & Wesson 25 LOL.

Interestingly, the guy at the gun shop absolutely insisted that I try out the Freedom Arms 454 they had in the case. After handling it, I get why it's a $2,000 gun. The only explanation I have for how they got a gun that heavy to balance that perfectly is sorcery. I told the guy at the gun shop that I couldn't even come close to that price tag, he said you can either buy a Timex or a Rolex. And I told him if you can't afford the Rolex, but you still need to tell time you buy the Timex LOL

So, as long as I can get a reasonable deal on one, I think I'm going to go with the standard Red Hawk. I just can't handle the looks of the Super Redhawk, I need to be able to visually enjoy my gun LOL.

There still is an outside chance of a Taurus in 454, but I don't think I want an 8 inch barrel. I'd have to find a borderline ludicrous deal to put me on that over the Red Hawk though.

So if anyone has a five and a half inch Red Hawk they're looking to get rid of ; )

Thanks!
 
Good you got to check em out side by side.
If in your search you get a chance to handle a Bisley Blackhawk, I suggest you do. I know it's a single action, but they have a real nice feel to them. Also, they are also IMO easier to find in 45 Colt than a Redhawk, and in the barrel length you're looking for. As a plus, very fine examples can be had for very reasonable prices.
And of course, Blackhawk, so Ruger only loads aren't a problem, as long as it isn't a flat top. Unless you're set on a double action, those are worth a little bit of your time to check out
 
For cool and precision, Smith. For strength and utility, Ruger. I have had both. I wouldn't shoot the Ruger only loads in my So it unless my life depended on it. Both great guns. Each has its place. My 625 is the most accurate cap I've owned.
 
Looking at your posts Scowboy I would buy the Redhawk with confidence. You definitely seem to be leaning that way, I doubt you will be disappointed in it.
It really is fun to have the option to load them hot, I have a Redhawk and S&W 629. If one had to go it would be the 629.
 
A Blackhawk is definitely a want. That one, I probably will go .454 on. The dude who had me test out the Freedom Arms (which I would get if I could afford it), told me about the Lippsey's(?) model Super Blackhawk Bisely, and the MSRP wasn't horrifying for Blackhawk, so it may be a possibility one day.

I've always heard Smith was more accurate, but in practical terms for me...I don't think I'd notice. Not for some time. By then hopefully, I'll be to afford such luxuries as multiple high-end guns lol.

I think you're right, Targa, since handling them I've had a lot less analysis paralysis. There's not really any doubt left, in fact. Of course, the Blackhawk vs Redhawk debate still rages, but I think having the DA Red on my nightstand is a better choice than an SA Blackhawk lol. And in case of bear, too (or bobcat--those little monsters are quick!)

Thanks!
 
Crazy thought Sounds like you want a .44 magnum, then you can run the spectrum from .44spl cowboy loads to .44 mag full power with no worries. The Smith is going to be more refined and more accurate. The redhawk is going to be larger...and harder to get a good DA trigger. You will have a much easier time finding a .44 mag Redhawk than a .45 convertible.
 
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