Red hawk or Anaconda

I've heard the same thing for the last few years. If there was such a thing (RedHawk barrels failing at the frame juncture due to improper adhesion is how I've heard it "explained"), nobody seems to know the serial number range involving the RedHawks so affected.

castile said:

What about all the issues with the barrels blowing off? I have read so much back and forth, what is the skinny on this?

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The barrel threads are lubed before screwing into the frame. The story goes something like the lube was applied way too soon and by the time the revolver was assembled, the lube had dried (or thickened is probably a better way to describe it) and a stress in the barrel/frame was unintentionally created.

Ruger discovered the issue quickly and corrected it. I’ve only ever heard that this happened to the earliest run of RedHawks and hasn’t happened in decades. Someone with more knowledge will hopefully chime in.

I have a 4.2" redhawk I wouldn't sell for all the tea in China. I love Colt snake guns but this fire breather isn't going anywhere!!

castile said:

This is a picture of my RH View attachment 1090098

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I couldn’t part with that beauty.

Anchorite said:

The barrel threads are lubed before screwing into the frame. The story goes something like the lube was applied way too soon and by the time the revolver was assembled, the lube had dried (or thickened is probably a better way to describe it) and a stress in the barrel/frame was unintentionally created.

Ruger discovered the issue quickly and corrected it. I’ve only ever heard that this happened to the earliest run of RedHawks and hasn’t happened in decades. Someone with more knowledge will hopefully chime in.

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Generally speaking, threaded joints in stainless steel require lubrication otherwise they gall and can eventually lock up while screwing the pieces together.

This may have been what Ruger experienced with the Redhawks. The barrel/frame joint may have begun to gall as it was approaching its finished position weakening the joint.

It sounds like Ruger discovered the problem quickly corrected it.

castile said:

That makes sense. But mine was made in 1982, when did they fix the issue?

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Mine was made in 1982 also. Lots of people are able to describe the fault and some go so far as to say Ruger corrected the problem "quickly" but no one seems to know which RedHawks were affected in terms of a serial number range.

I'd keep that redhawk but I'm a ruger revolver-holic. The colt will likely be a bit more refined but there's something to be said for brute strength and extreme durability. I don't have much experience with snake guns new or old but I do know they're prized for smooth actions and good looks which are both very good things. On the other hand rugers are often criticized for heavy triggers and hit or miss fit and finish. If you've got a ruger that's fit nicely and has a decent trigger it's one to hold on to.

The only reason I sold my 44 super redhawk was because I got into 454 casull and didn't shoot it at all anymore. I regret selling it only because I know I won't get another and I did really like that gun. So, if you like the redhawk I'd say keep it. The devil you know is better then the devil you don't .

The barrel issue only affected a handful of guns, not something that plagued all of production. I've never heard a serial range given. The "fix", before they found out what was causing the problem, was the Super Redhawk.

Onty said:

I still don't understand why Ruger didn't create, let call it, New Redhawk, using frame and mechanism from Super Redhawk, but barrel from current Redhawk. That will simplified production, and such revolver will have the best of both; Redhawk and Super Redhawk. Bowen did just that, using as a basic revolver SRH Alaskan, he called it GP-44.

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I agree but they did, sort of. That thing they call a "Super GP100" is just that. They just never took it further than the competition-oriented model. I've been very tempted to have JRH build me one with a Dan Wesson barrel.

Anchorite said:

I like both, have both, and had to screw on an Anaconda pipe to one of my
RedHawks.

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Hey, how 'bout that! A "Couger Redhaconda!"

castile said:

I have a Ruger Red Hawk. Its the older version not the hunter. Its like new. I had two 44mags one was the Ruger and the other I sold, the Colt Anaconda. Now that they are not 4500 dollars I was thinking of selling my Red Hawk and buying an Anaconda. Any thoughts on if this is a good idea and why it is or is not? My opinion is they are both very good guns. My Red Hawk is SS 7.5 inch barrel. Its like new. I don't know what I could get for the Red Hawk. I am thinking around 1k and the Anaconda would be around 1400 give or take a bit. Thanks for the opinions.

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I've regretted every gun I ever sold. Perhaps SAVE SAVE SAVE and then buy the Anaconda? I think you'll be happier.

IMO the Redhawk is the finest DA revolver Ruger makes. It would be foolish to sell it after it has been proven good and expecting a replacement to be better.

Pics, range report…yada yada yada….you know the drill!

Good on yah for keeping the Redhawk!

Wham Bham said:

...I will most likely sell my Anaconda since my stiff and constantly sore hands can't handle the 44mag.recoil any longer.

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Did you try Ruger Bisley? Also, if you want to shoot considerably bit hotter loads than Special level, I highly recommend 41 Magnum in Bisley. I can shoot 210-220 grains at 1100-1150 fps all day long.

FYI, 44-250 at same fps gave me tingling in my wrist after after just 50-60 rounds.

Also, some handgun writers had a same problem you mentioned, and switched to S&W 57/657.

Personally an Anaconda doesn't do much for me. I would stick with the Ruger if choosing between the two.

My person preference is my Dan Wesson 744 that came with a scoped 8" barrel and I have since added 4" and 2.5" barrels to it. It is overbuilt like a Ruger but has an incredibly smooth trigger like a S&W. I really like having multiple length barrels for the same gun. Swapping barrels takes under a minute after you have done it a few times.

This might sound stupid but I sold my Taurus Raging Bull to buy a Ruger Super Red Hawk and put a scope on the Ruger. It was great but hurt my arthritic hands more to shoot so I traded the RH for the Raging Bull because it is ported and recoils much less. I really liked the RH though. Colt might be nicer but the Ruger is more robust.

Here is my response to OP’s initial inquiry:





Actually, this Redhawk is in 357 rather than 44 magnum. But you get the idea…

Bayou52

I have both and love them both.

To me, it's like comparing a really good cheeseburger to a really good pastrami on rye. They're both really good, just different.

castile said:

From what I can find the new Anaconda is beefed up over the older ones.

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How so?

The cylinder, barrel and frame are a bit larger on the new production models vs. the originals. No personal experience in that just what I have read as well.