My Redhawk: Mods, Pics, and Thoughts

[WrongHanded]

When I bought this gun, new and stock, it was my first big bore revolver. I'd actually never shot a .44 Magnum before.

To begin with I was getting 10" groups at 25yds. After much practice, I got that down to 4" to 6" groups (occasionally something around 3.5") with double action fire offhand. I did an action job, and added some shims, and a Bowen Classic Arms rear sight. The gun was working well. During that time I also bought a Super Blackhawk which I never enjoyed or shot as well as the RH... until I converted it to a Bisley, and then the SBH was King.

I shot the SBH better, and the Bisley grip frame was amazing at distributing the felt recoil. So the Redhawk went into the safe. And I somewhat forgot how to shoot it, or even hold it well. I'd pull it out on occasion, produce poor groups and beat my hand up, then stick it back in the safe. I even considered selling it for a while, but thoughts of how I had previously shot it better and more consistently stopped me.

Eventually, after retrying the various grips I'd bought over the period of a year or so, I decided to buy some of the Nill Griffe grips as a last ditch effort. I also ordered an extra tall front sight from BCA to accompany the Rough Country Target rear sight I'd bought previously. The new front sight was because I wanted to try shooting a 310gr load I'd worked up, and the standard front sight still had me shooting 240gr loads an inch or two high at 25yds.

As with the first picture, the gun looks a little different than a stock Redhawk.



That's how it looks. But how does it shoot?

Well I took it to the range today with some of my 310gr WFN handloads which had performed well in my SBH. My usual range is only 25yds, but I got to shoot this group at 50yds today whilst visiting a different range.



10 rounds shot SA, sitting, with support hand on a foam pad, and support elbow resting on the bench. The gun and dominant hand were not in direct contact with the bench or any rest. That said, and discounting my flinch shot up near the muzzle, the remaining group is no larger that 5 inches.

What I've noticed is that these grips make a big difference for me. They fit my hand extremely well, and so whilst they're expensive, they were worth it. I've also noticed, in a comparison I performed the day before, that 240gr loads have a more "snapping" recoil than 300-310gr loads (to my perception of course). Due to the design of the RH, the single action trigger is quite heavy with the stock spring. But it is also crisp, and that helps. Between the new grips and the heavier slower load, I'm shooting this gun much better now.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Those are nice grips and it seems your Redhawk has a new lease on life. That is good shooting @50 yards.

 

[troy fairweather]

ya they look good, are you getting any hot spots from the finger groves.

 

[gotboostvr]

Those look real similar to my preferred Arhends stocks on a S&W N frame. Those might be a little thicker in the middle though which would be welcomed.

 

[WrongHanded]

ya they look good, are you getting any hot spots from the finger groves.

I can say that I've noticed anything like that. Nothing is catching, binding, or rubbing on any part of my hand as far as I can tell. Honestly the grips seemed a little too contoured and busy when I first got them, but in the hand they just seem to work.

I have noticed a whole lot less pain from the hump on the grip frame nailing me in the web of the hand. I remember this being an intermittent problem with various grips and upper end loads, depending on how frequently I was shooting it. This grip just makes it easier to hold the gun right for heavy recoil.

 

[RealGun]

Some interesting grip theory evident here, given the exposed backstrap, else the Redhawk would have its uncommonly long trigger reach. My 5.5" Redhawk has the finger groove rubber borrowed from the shorter barrel version and works best for me, similar to yours but in rubber and compact enough for my smaller hands. Only thing I can figure is that the hand gets more punishment when clamping down on a smaller grip or less palm swell.

 

[Master Blaster]

Looks great with those grips, and good shooting.

 

[thomas15]

Bowen Classic Arms rear sight

These are the adjustable rear sights of choice for competitive revolver shooters using iron sights. You are looking at about $115.00

I have an order with them for another pair, it is going on 3 months and no sign of shipping. Oh well it's winter so no biggie.

 

[WrongHanded]

These are the adjustable rear sights of choice for competitive revolver shooters using iron sights. You are looking at about $115.00

I have an order with them for another pair, it is going on 3 months and no sign of shipping. Oh well it's winter so no biggie.

I already have a Rough Country Target style on this gun, a white outlined Rough Country on a GP100, and a regular Target style on my SBH. I, like you, am also in line waiting, on a second Target style for my .41 mag BH. They're worth the money and the wait to me. Perhaps one day I'll even be able to shoot well enough to do them justice.

 

[WrongHanded]

Some interesting grip theory evident here, given the exposed backstrap, else the Redhawk would have its uncommonly long trigger reach. My 5.5" Redhawk has the finger groove rubber borrowed from the shorter barrel version and works best for me, similar to yours but in rubber and compact enough for my smaller hands. Only thing I can figure is that the hand gets more punishment when clamping down on a smaller grip or less palm swell.

Do you mean the Hogue bantam rubber grip? I have one of those. It seems that grip is a little too narrow for my hands, and a little deep from front to back (particularly noticable towards the lower part of the grip). I haven't measured either though, I'm just going off how they both feel in the hand.