44 Mag barrel length ?
- Thread starter joneb
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MovedWest
Member
Then I wouldn't chop it. Just think - you you're cutting 1.3 of the barrel off. If is screws up the way it shoots, you'll regret it forever.
Personally I'd opt to buy a new (to you) one with a shorter barrel. That way if you have problems, you have no emotional investment and can take it up with Ruger.
-MW
HankR
Member
Five revolvers (4" - 7½") and two rifles (both 20"). To me, velocity is not as much of a concern as sight radius. A good 4" sixgun is as short as I want one but it is no less effective on game than a 7½".
Craig,
How are they to shoot? I would think muzzle blast would be an issue for the shorter guns? My .44 Mag is in .45 Colt, but so far I've only shot plinking (mid range, not "Ruger only") loads out of the 4" revolver.
Thanks,
Craig,
How are they to shoot? I would think muzzle blast would be an issue for the shorter guns? My .44 Mag is in .45 Colt, but so far I've only shot plinking (mid range, not "Ruger only") loads out of the 4" revolver.
Thanks,
If you believe your dad would approve, do whatever you want with it.
My question is what are you going to use it for? Just plinking and shooting paper? Defensive carry? Hunting?
Do you reload or use factory ammunition?
While as other have mentioned the length isn't going to make a lot of difference, it can make more or less depending upon the powder and bullet weights being used.
My question is what are you going to use it for? Just plinking and shooting paper? Defensive carry? Hunting?
Do you reload or use factory ammunition?
While as other have mentioned the length isn't going to make a lot of difference, it can make more or less depending upon the powder and bullet weights being used.
SharpsDressedMan
member
A qualified gunsmith should not have that big of a problem to shorten your revolver barrel properly, with no loss in accuracy. The difference in handling will probably be dramatic, but you might try to HANDLE someone else's Redhawk with a 5.5" barrel. I do not see WHY Ruger would turn such a rebarrel job away, unless they simply did not stock the shorter barrel anymore. It would still be the same as a gun that they have produced.
BSA1
member
Well I want my kids to use, shoot and enjoy my guns after I am dead so I have no objections to modifying to meet their needs best.
Chop the barrel and don't look back. Your Dad will be happy with the smile on your face when you are using and shooting it .
Chop the barrel and don't look back. Your Dad will be happy with the smile on your face when you are using and shooting it .
I have an 8.5" barrel on my S&W .44 mag and I like it that way. It is very accurate and it draws fast out of my cross draw holster. I carry it for defense against black bear mainly because there are a lot of them around my house. If I go outside at night you can bet I have it or a 12 ga. with Brenneke Black Magic slugs in it. When I go to my farm (lots of bear there too) I generally carry the Smith because I generally need both of my hands for whatever I'm doing.
I like the sight radius a lot. Short barrel revolvers always feel like I'm pointing and praying. I realize a person needs to be able to point shoot but with a bear I don't want to miss and if I get the chance to aim I'd just as soon have a better sight setup.
I like the sight radius a lot. Short barrel revolvers always feel like I'm pointing and praying. I realize a person needs to be able to point shoot but with a bear I don't want to miss and if I get the chance to aim I'd just as soon have a better sight setup.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Liability. While not necessarily an issue with this particular case, it's an across the board policy. They do not do anything but return them to the original condition and configuration. Bummer because this has traditionally been the least expensive route.
Not really. My favorite single action is a 4 5/8" and my favorite double action a 4" 629MG. Both do 2"@50yds and both are fun to shoot.
Queen_of_Thunder
member
Leave Dads gun alone and buy one that you want.
Economics notwithstanding I completely agree with Queen-O'-Thunder. It may be inappropriate to inject an opinion in the context of something so personal but it seems that if it was your fathers gun then just let it be and shoot it on special occasions. It's sentimental and financial value would be heightened by keeping it as-is.
And for more practical uses, I like 4-5 inch revolvers. A good compromise between portability, accuracy and recoil-based repeatability and misery
B
And for more practical uses, I like 4-5 inch revolvers. A good compromise between portability, accuracy and recoil-based repeatability and misery
B
41 Mag
Member
To be honest, I hunt and carry the full lenght Redhawks just about every time I am in the country. I have them in 41, 44, and 45 Colt and I use them mainly for feral hogs. They will all reach out to ranges most have no business shooting and reliably put the smack down on any critter big enough to draw a fine bead on.
As for cutting back the barrels, personally I think they are fine where they are. But like anything else what you feel might be entirely different. I always carry cross draw fashion and have no problems with them getting in the way while I am driving or doing other chores around the farm. Again this is me.
When my pop passed I inherited his rifles and handguns. I personally have shot several of them since and enjoyed the time I spent afield remembering the times we spent together. I have had no want need or desire to change them up in any fashion. Again this is me. Since his passing I have purchased everything else I have wanted, and had it built or modified to the way I want it. I figured pop had a reason for picking out what he did, and now at 50yrs old I am still finding plenty of things that pop did or said which were right on the money. I very rarely questioned him in what he did or the reasoning behind it.
As for cutting back the barrels, personally I think they are fine where they are. But like anything else what you feel might be entirely different. I always carry cross draw fashion and have no problems with them getting in the way while I am driving or doing other chores around the farm. Again this is me.
When my pop passed I inherited his rifles and handguns. I personally have shot several of them since and enjoyed the time I spent afield remembering the times we spent together. I have had no want need or desire to change them up in any fashion. Again this is me. Since his passing I have purchased everything else I have wanted, and had it built or modified to the way I want it. I figured pop had a reason for picking out what he did, and now at 50yrs old I am still finding plenty of things that pop did or said which were right on the money. I very rarely questioned him in what he did or the reasoning behind it.
I cut my 7 1/2" Redhawk down to just over 4" added a Weigand front base for interchangable blades and even did a round butt conversion on it. This should give you an idea how I'd vote.
http://rugerforum.net/projects/26879-7-5-redhawk-4-round-butt-project.html
http://rugerforum.net/projects/26879-7-5-redhawk-4-round-butt-project.html
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
That's how I look at it. My parents always told me their gifts had no strings attached. Further, we don't typically customize and modify guns we don't care about. Quite the opposite. I had my Uberti 3rd Model Dragoon fitted with a Kirst gated cartridge conversion, dovetail front sight, action job and one-piece elk antler grips 'because' it was a gift from my wife on our first Christmas.
To me it's better that the sixgun live on as something more useful to YOU and ride in your holster than to let it sit on a shelf because you don't like its configuration. I look at it more as a tribute.
targetshooter22
Member
Personally, I like the longer sight radius and (slightly) reduced felt recoil. Do you have access to any shorter barreled handguns you can try? Maybe shoot them at the distances you think you are likely to use the RH?
Either way, good luck and have fun!
Either way, good luck and have fun!
the last time i contacted ruger about a rebarrel, the person i spoke with told me that so long as the barrel i wanted was in current production, that they would do it. at the time, however, general production was so consuming that they weren't doing any work other than warranty items. this was about a year ago.
bluetopper
Member
Could you nearly buy another 44 Mag for what the barrel cut and crown and resight will cost?
It could be worse, your barrel could be 10" like mine.....
It could be worse, your barrel could be 10" like mine.....
MovedWest
Member
Sorry, that was supposed to be one third. I think the board took out my forward slash and made it a period.
But agreed, once it's gone it's gone. Good luck with your decision!
-MW
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
If anything, it would be more accurate. Good gunsmiths typically cut a better crown and if necessary, a better forcing cone. I would not let this be a concern at all.
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