I'm having an issue with a Redhawk.

SunnySlopes said:

Any Redhawk that cannot reliably fire 44 special loads is not acceptable. Every 44 I own (except this one), and every 44 I've ever owned, has been able to fire my favorite load, viz. 240 grain swc ahead of 7 grains Unique.

Click to expand...

Agreed. But first you said "very light", then .44 Special, then you posted a midrange load, and then you said you've never used .44 Special loads. That sort of thing makes the problem harder to diagnose. Regardless, I hope Ruger makes it right for you.

Whatever you do, don't tell them the problem is with reloads. Read the owners manual if you wonder why. Hint, (no manufacturer, to my knowledge) authorizes use of reloaded ammunition. Even though it is expected.

SunnySlopes said:

Lemme forward that thought to the guy who sold me the gun.

But, yeah, you're right. "For sale. Ruger 44 mag Redhawk. Shot little. But must be used only maximum loads. Otherwise it locks up tight as a drum."

I'm confident Ruger can fix it, though.

Click to expand...

Personal integrity needs to be important. We don't usually get to test fire guns before we finalize a sale.

My Redhawk 44 Mag did this as well. The problem was the firing pin was getting stuck in the forward position, thus locking up the action with it buried in the spent primer. I took the firing pin out, reamed the inner firing pin channel where it goes out to the breech face, then reassembled. That fixed the problem. The pin was wedging itself into the frame because of a small flange where it holds the return spring, pointed out in my picture. I felt this to be a bad design flaw, however you usually don't hear of Redhawks locking up so I guess it's still rare. Maybe my return spring was out of spec.