blackhawk or redhawk

[257WM_CDL-SF]

I am thinking of getting a pistol to carry while in woods and hunt with it.
I have a Springfield 1911 for home defense.Id like a 44 mag for deer hunting.
i like the looks of the redhawk and blackhawk.I know 1 is DA and the other SA.Would one be better for the purpose than the other one

 

[Walkalong]

Both are great guns. Many swear by one or the other. (Redhawk )

My opinion is buy whichever one you like better, for whatever reason. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[goodtime]

I have both. You need read no further than Walkalong's advice.

 

[Rexster]

A Redhawk is a B-I-G sixgun. I owned a couple, .41 mag and .45 Colt, but finally had to admit that I can't reach the trigger well enough to shoot them well in DA mode. If I have to cock the hammer, anyway, I might as well carry a single action sixgun, which is also more size-efficient in other ways, and is more comfortable during recoil. I wear a medium-sized glove, for point of reference. My sixgun for powerful .45 Colt loads is a Ruger Blackhawk Bisley. Guys with larger hands have the luxury of choosing the one that feels/fits the best.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

If it's got "Ruger" on it, you can't go wrong IMO.
Go to a gun store and fondle them both. Get the one that's the most comfortable.

 

[c919]

I'd go Redhawk all the way.

Do you really want to have to cock the gun between every shot with an angry bear/boar charging you?

I'm not saying there aren't people out there who would be able to do so proficiently, but I wouldn't want a single action for any SD application.

 

[W.E.G.]

Skeeter Skelton would vote for the Blackhawk.

 

[Old Ranger]

I have never fired a double action hunting shot - - - hunting is single action, aimed and deliberate. In my opinion the Redhawk is no where near as accurate as a Super Blackhawk. I'd reccommend buying a Blackhawk - - - for less money, and better accuracy. Just been my experience.

 

[Slamfire]

Look Ma, No Redhawk!

44 Magnum Super Blackhawk



44 Special Flat Top



I owned a 44 Magnum Redhawk. Built like a tank, solid, heavy, big.

Why is it when manufacturers make a big gun they also make the grips oversize? Do only mutants with monster hands shoot magnums? Well the darn grips were too big for my hands, and so were the aftermarket grips.

Trigger pull was not as good as my Super Blackhawk.

I kept the Super Blackhawk and traded the Redhawk.

Now I also own a 44 Spl Flat top. I can push a 240 L bullet 1000 fps without worrying about damaging the pistol.

This load is way too hot for a Bulldog, a bit snappy in a N frame. Does well in this pistol

44 Spl Ruger Blackhawk

240 LSWC 7.5 grs Unique thrown, lot UN364 3/9/92 Midway cases, Brass WLP
T ≈ 60-65 ° F 19-Apr-09

Ave Vel = 1001
Std Dev = 17.32
ES = 64.32
High = 1027
Low= 963
N = 27

 

[Armored farmer]

[/I have never fired a double action hunting shot QUOTE]Ditto what OLD RANGER said!!

I've been fortunate enough to harvest about a dozen whitetails with different handguns. Some were with DA...some with SA revolvers. Loading/unloading may be a little handier with the DA's....but I much prefer my Blackhawk for hunting.

FWIW

 

[Big Bill]

I'd buy the Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter. I have larger hands; and, I have a Regular Blackhawk that when I grip it I can only get the middle two fingers of my right hand around the grip. My pinky finger kind of cups the bottom of the grip frame.

http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelSuperBlackhawkBisleyHunter/models.html

I've also owned a couple of Redhawks and one Super Redhawk. I gifted the Super Redhawk to my eldest SIL a few years ago (after my first heart attack), and he loves it. The gun was just too heavy for me to pack long distances. But, it was a great hunting gun and I carried it lots of times back when I was bear hunting with my hounds.

 

[wcwhitey]

+1 for not needing double action to hunt. +1000 for Skeeter. I have owned and shot both, they are both worthy and reliable guns. It comes down to what you like. For me, I no longer have the Redhawk. I figured out that a scoped heavy revolver was about as cumbersome as a light rifle so why bother. I kept the Super Blackhawk and had some work done to it to make it my ideal woods gun. JMHO Bill

 

[Armored farmer]

c919....
I shoot my DA's in single action mode always.
If I MUST choose between the two....I'd keep my SA revolvers.
Thumbing that hammer just becomes instinct much like the pump on a shotgun.You don't even know you're doing it.

 

[Sunray]

"...buy whichever one you like better..." Exactly. However, for hunting, you're far more likely to be shooting in SA mode than DA. Mind you, how well one or the other fits your hand is the determining factor.

 

[c919]

c919....
I shoot my DA's in single action mode always.
If I MUST choose between the two....I'd keep my SA revolvers.
Thumbing that hammer just becomes instinct much like the pump on a shotgun.You don't even know you're doing it.

I just realized that I did the unthinkable.... I skimmed the OP too quickly . I was thinking he was wanting a woods gun for SD against 4-leggers. Had I not been so hasty in my reading, I would have said Blackhawk as well.

For hunting, I agree that SA is the way to go. For SD, I'd say DA is the better option in most cases. I've seen some guys (and I'm gonna guess that you're one of them) who can shoot SA instinctively fast. I can't do that with SA, but I'm one of those guys who prefers DA in any situation. I'm just leaps and bounds quicker, and more accurate, with DA. I like the long pull personally, especially when it comes to fast shooting. However, if I was to recommend a gun to most anyone else I know with hunting in mind hunting, I'd go SA.

 

[tcsnake]

Blackhawk SA has my vote.

 

[Sweet]

My vote goes for the Blackhawk.

 

[MCMXI]

I have two Blackhawks, a Redhawk and a Super Redhawk and I'm keeping all of them since I LOVE all of them ... none of this "I used to have" rubbish. But as others have said, a Blackhawk would be a great choice. You mention the .44 Mag for hunting but how about the .45 Colt. Do you reload? Since you have a 1911 (.45 ACP I assume), you could buy a Blackhawk Bisley convertible that comes with a .45 Colt and .45 ACP cylinder.

One is shown here with the .45 ACP cylinder installed.

 

[R.Clem]

I like the Super Blackhawks, have 2, I have shot Redhawks and Super Redhawks,and don't own either of those.
I suggest you go to your local dealer and handle the complete line of Ruger .44 Magnums to see which feels the best in your hand. If you have a local range, try to find one of each that people will let you shoot, then make your decision. Buy a box of quality ammunition so you aren't shooting different ammo, this will give you a better idea of what the recoil will be and how each reacts when they are shot.

Ray

 

[Lawman]

I have owned and used both. For me the Redhawk was punishing to the wrist. I still have my Super Blackhawk.

 

[257WM_CDL-SF]

how is the Smith & Wesson 629 44 mag? I looked at one felt great excellent finish on it.
Ive heard they are not strong as Rugers

 

[BossHogg]

I likie the Blackhawkie, not the sedan but the convertible.

 

[chez323]

Blackhawk

You can't go wrong with either gun, but personally I love me some Super Blackhawk! Mine is the 50th anniversary edition model, which goes nicely with my 50th anniversary model 357 magnum Blackhawk.

 

[Fishman777]

Sorry...

I'm going to briefly hijack this thread...

I was floored by the two Beasly Blackhawks with blacklaminated grips. Does Ruger still make Stainless convertibles blackhawks? I thought they were all blued...

 

[MCMXI]

I was floored by the two Beasly Blackhawks with blacklaminated grips. Does Ruger still make Stainless convertibles blackhawks? I thought they were all blued...

Ruger isn't making stainless convertibles but you can find them on Gunbroker and other places I'm sure. However, they're not cheap .... but in some ways it's like buying two revolvers since you get two cylinders.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=186645355

This particular seller has a bunch of them ... or at least he did.