Carrying the Ruger Alaskan

[burnse]

I love .45 colt. I like revolvers a lot better than autoloaders, and I think a snubby would be great. Any thoughts on carrying the ruger alaskan, maybe even with some of those Eagle made "secret service" grips? I doubt that I would ever bother with .454 casull, but poppin those original grips back on for heavy loads at the range would probably happen. Hanyone ever carried the alaskan, or tried to? Was the size of it a problem? Would anybody trust it for ccw with the right .45 colt load and grips (and I don't care about the weight of a gun)?

 

[FoMoGo]

I have often thought about carrying an alaskan with SRH/GP100 grips and .45 LCs in it.
Shouldnt be terrible.


Jim

 

[BlkHawk73]

Why not start with the holsters Ruger has available for that model?

 

[Mainsail]

 

[coinshooter]

Simplyrugger makes some good holsters.

 

[Orange_Magnum]

Difficult to conceal a buldging cylinder like that. The grip is too cumbersome. Aren't there 5-shooters in .45 Colt?

 

[burnse]

Orange Magnum, there are 5 shot DA revolvers out there, made by taurus, which are discontinued. I have not heard much about those specific models (the 450 series, I think), but I have heard enough mixed thoughts on taurus to focus on other brands, though they did look nice. I figured with some other super redhawk grips, maybe by Eagle Grips, the main part of the concealing issue is covered. I should also mention that, though summers can get hot here in MN, I almost always wear fairly heavy clothing for whatever season.

Mainsail, thanks for the pics. They are encouraging.

Coinshooter, I have heard about the simply rugged holsters. Good looking holsters for sure.

 

[absolute0]

If you like the Redhawk and want to try it for every day carry then by all means, have at it! With a good quality belt and holster it'll probably pack around OK, but I'd think the sheer bulk (read cylinder diameter) is going to end up being more than you want to deal with.

Let us know how it goes!

 

[batmann]

Mainsail and I have the same gun, only I have the GP 100 grips on mine. My choice of holsters is also different, I have a Simply Rugged and it does carry well ,although I like the holster Mainsail has.

 

[crebralfix]

I know you asked about the Ruger, but what about a S&W 25 in 45 Colt? It's smaller and you get six shots.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Or a .45 ACP revolver.

 

[burnse]

I definitely want to stick with .45 colt for the sake of keeping everything in my possession the same caliber (12 ga. aside).

I don't know much about that 25, but the .454/.45 alaskan does hold six shots at well. What would I realistically be paying for a new 25?

 

[General Geoff]

You should look into the Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt. It's a fantastic looking gun.

 

[Big Bill]

The Barrel on the Alaskan is too short. Get the Redhawk!!!

Ruger Redhawk® .45 double action revolvers in satin stainless finish offer the following design features:

** A choice of 4", 5 1/2" or 7 1/2" barrel length.

** Rugged frame, designed specifically to handle powerful magnum loads, includes extra metal in top strap, sidewalls and barrel mounting areas.

** Patented single-spring mechanism for both hammer and trigger.

** KRH-444 features Hogue® rubber grip and is only available with a 4" barrel.

** Triple-locking cylinder is positively locked into the frame at the front, rear, and bottom for more positive alignment.

** Micro-adjustable rear sight; readily replaceable front sight.

 

[burnse]

I have kept an eye on the redhawk and it is beautiful, but I haven't got to handle one yet. I think I'll change my focus to that anyhow. 4 Inches is better than two.

 

[Wolfeye]

I've thought about getting an Alaskan in .45 as a house gun and for wintertime CC. I think it would be very doable, as .45 lc is a very good defense load. +p loads are easy to find, too. The Alaskan would be a lot more concealable than a 4" Redhawk, I think; smaller grip frame & barrel. You'd definitely need a tough belt for it.

Simply Rugged and Alaska Sportsman make some good holsters for it, from what I hear. For grips, you might also try Badger & Altamont. Crimson Trace makes one that's identical in size & shape to the older, slimmer GP100 grips, though you'd have to find your own panels & grip locater peg for it. If you look hard, you might also find a few "compact" factory grips floating around for the 3" GP100, which would also fit.

I think the Alaskan in .44 is a bit lighter than the .45.

 

[gazpacho]

I removed the hogue grip nd installed the original SRH grip with rosewood panels. Makes it a more compact revolver.

I have found that the revolver is sweet on 250gr 45 Colt +P JHP

 

[Stainz]

My first-ever DA revolver was an early 7.5" .454 SRH my local pusher had to special order for me. The intent was to shoot my .45 Colt stash... but I had to 'try' .454 Casulls. My first S&W followed several years later, 8/02, and was also in .45 Colt - a new 625MG (Top). I followed that up with another ordered Ruger - a 5.5" Redhawk in .45 Colt. It was on it's way back to Ruger within days due to poor QC. The SRH had been the most perfect Ruger I had ever owned - and I've owned a bunch. When I found a second 625MG in .45 Colt (Bottom), I said goodbye to the Redhawk. I love that MG design - and the 625MG just points so nicely - and weighs 2.5 oz less than the Alaskan .454. The cylinder is nearly the same OD (An HKS #25-5 speedloader fits both - and the SRH in .454.), so hiding it would be fun. Still, properly holstered, a 625MG is a great woods companion.

I've shot both a .454 and a .480 Alaskan. With .454 Casulls, the Alaskan is a flame thrower - very 'illuminating'. Ho Hum with Colts. The .480 Ruger - with the owners ~400gr loads - wasn't as 'snappy' as .454s in the other Alaskan. Still, what a 'protector' in the woods. Of course, I missed the boat on both the original run and last year's short run. I like my .45 Colt 625MGs pretty well, anyway.



Merry Christmas!

Stainz

 

[notorious]

Very nice, I've always loved the look of a big revolver. Forget concealment, Dirty Harry didn't care about concealment!

 

[brian dosdall]

480 ruger Alaskan

Rob Leahy of "Simply Rugged" makes a fantastic holster for Alaskans. I've been carring a 480 Alaskan for quite awhile now---you hardly know it's there.

 

[DammitBoy]

I've carried my Ruger Alaskan in .454 open carry as my service sidearm just for fun on several occasions.

It's a little heavy, but not bad. I have the Galco holster with the Ruger logo on it - the same as Mainsail's rig;



Just add a Ruger logo and that's it.

It's a great holster and a very comfortable shooter - when shooting .45 longcolt out of it.

I love the big grips - but then, I'm not concerned with concealed carry...

 

[MCMXI]

burnse, I have a Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt and a Galco holster ... they make a good pair .. but I WANT an Alaskan in .45 Colt/.454 Casull too. The 4" Redhawk is an excellent revolver by the way.

 

[dairycreek]

Carry my Alaskan in a Simply Loaded all the time. It is not a difficult carry at all, particularly when you have a good, stiff gun belt. Really no big deal.

 

[notorious]

Nice! I like that holster and bullet carrier at the same time. Grab and go.