Redhawk or Super Redhawk?

[Kestrel]

I'm thinking about a .44 for a backup sidearm for pig hunting. I would prefer a DA, for faster, last-ditch ability. I would probably be using 300 grain hard cast bullets.

I've been thinking about the Redhawk in a 5-1/2" barrel, but I thought I had read that the Super Redhawk is actually a tad lighter than the Redhawk? It sure looks bulkier on the Ruger website. Can anyone with both confirm this?

Anyway, is there any reason to go with the Super Redawk? (Also, I don't think they are available in anything shorter than a 7-1/2" barrel, though.)

(I don't guess a Glock 20 10mm would be sufficient for a mad pig, would it?)

Thanks,
Steve

 

[rbernie]

Having owned both, I can tell you the biggest reason that I'd go with the SRH - the grip frame. The RH grip frame is very large and getting decent grips for it is like pulling eyeteeth. The SRH, on the other hand, has a smaller grip frame that is shared with the GP100. This means that you have all sorts of choices for grip sizes and shapes.

Of course, I think that the RH *looks* better than the SRH...

 

[RCL]

Here's what you need...

The new Super Redhawk Alaskan

 

[Marshall]

I have both the RH and SRH in 7 1/2", I prefer the RH. Add a Hogue Monogrips and it's perfect.

 

[MikeJ]

I have the 5 1/2" stainless Redhawk in .44 mag and it is a great gun. Having said that, my only issue with it are the grips. When I bought it it felt great in my hand but after shooting a few full power .44 mags it no longer felt so good. I put a set of Pachmayr Presentation grips on it and then it felt fine but I really prefered the look of the original wood grips.

 

[BJPARKER]

There's just something about about the Redhawk that looks more appealing to me than a SRH or even a 629. Had a 629, and just wasn't comfortable to shoot. Got the Redhawk in 5.5in and put the Hogue monogrip on it. It works great for me even with the heavy 44mag loads.

 

[rbernie]

My issues with the RH grips are that the stock ones are too small, the Hogue grippers hurt my fourth and fifth fingers under recoil (the 'bulge'/point between the fourth and fifth fingers is too big), the Pach Presentations and Uncle Mikes are too big, and so forth. I just got a set of Ajax that I'm going to gring on a bit and see if I can't shape them into something more useful to me.

Having said all of that - the stock SRH grips fit my hand just fine. Go figure.

 

[Slick Pilot]

Redhawk

My RH is set up exactly as MikeJ's because recoil was punishing with the original grips. With the Pachmayr grips, it is no problem.

But I sure like the looks of that Super Redhawk Alaskan! Now I have to save up.

(And it depends on just how mad the pig is.)

 

[BusMaster007]

I got rid of my Redhawk and bought a SUPER Redhawk...all because of the grip.

The Redhawk 5.5" blued, even with my favorite Hogue grip, HURT me when I shot it. I have arthritis in both of my thumbjoints ( Bus Driver's Nightmare ).
It just did NOT work for ME. Emphasize ME.
I gave it to my Best Friend. He loves it and it doesn't hurt him.

I bought a SuperRedhawk to replace that gun. I have a GP-100 that doesn't hurt me to shoot, so I reasoned the SRH would work better based on the shared grip.
That's MY story.

I also like the way both guns look, even though they have similarities and differences.
It's just that one worked for me and one didn't.
It WILL be subjective, based on your anatomy and personal experience.
Good Luck!

 

[Mikul]

Go with the Redhawk. It's a lighter gun, handles full-power loads just fine, and it's a big smaller. You've carrying this as a backup, not a primary, so go with the lighter gun.

I'm not fond of the Redhawk's grips either, but I've fired a bunch of 300gr loads (at 1,350fps) from it and it's not too bad. I already have the blanks to make grips from.

 

[Kestrel]

The comments on the RH's grip concerns me and the SRH doesn't come in a 5-1/2" barrell, so I may just go with a SA Super Blackhawk. Probably the 5-1/2" or the 4-5/8" barrel, in SS. My only concern is the lack of DA, if I needed to fire it more than once quickly closeup.

Thanks.

 

[P. Plainsman]

The SRH is not available in less than 7.5" barrel, except for the new snubby SRH Alaskan in .454 Casull-.45 Colt. A .480 Ruger Alaskan SRH is also supposed to be coming down the pipe soon.

Per Ruger's website, the 7.5" Redhawk is barely lighter than the 7.5" SRH. The stainless 5.5" Redhawk (smallest barrel length) is 4.5 oz lighter than the 7.5" SRH (smallest barrel length).

As a last-ditch sidearm, I'd lean to the 5.5" Redhawk or the snubby SRH Alaskan -- which I'd load with heavy .45 Colt.

As a primary hunting handgun, I'd go 7.5" SRH all the way. Better grips than the Redhawk and typically a better trigger too. Just my personal predilection.

 

[BusMaster007]

Don't ya hate it when the gun you want is UN-available from the MFG's?

Smaller DA + reliability for back-up = S&W 629 4" ( or Moutain Gun ).
That statement from a Ruger fan...

P. Plainsman has his Ruger facts down straight for you.
For maximum versatility the SRH 7" is #1.
For all-around versatility the Redhawk 5.5" works best.
If you want QUICK second shot availability, the Blackhawk loses out.

You're down to size/grip solutions, I guess.
The Alaskan in .454 would be OUTSTANDING for all kinds of fun reasons!
Loading it with HOT .45 Colt would work real well for your stated needs.
Being ABLE to load it with .454 would be a bragging point.
Being able to PACK the gun as a back-up would be a top consideration.

Good Luck!

 

[Kestrel]

I saw that Alaskan, but wondered what kind of velocity the bullet would have when it left the barrel. It seems it would be too short to even be effective enough to use .454.

Has anyone seen and chronograph results from one?

Thanks again.

 

[Ruger Redhawk]

Unless I'm mistaken the new Alaskan hasn't been released yet.I've been waiting for a couple months for mine.I heard May was the release time frame. I should be getting one of the early released ones.I'm going with the 454 Casull.I saw a dealer on gunsamerica. His ad said backordered.He's setting himself up for a early retirement. He's asking 765.00 if I remember right.

Ruger Redhawk

 

[Hellbore]

Here's another vote for the Redhawk.

You said you wanted it as a BACKUP. The Super Redhawk is a WONDERFUL primary hunting gun but... I like the Redhawk better if you aren't talking about a dedicated hunting-only gun. The Redhawk is smaller and lighter than the Super, and in my honest opinion, looks far better! Also, consider that you may also want to use this gun for plinking or self-defense or something else in the future. Well, the 5.5" Redhawk is a very versatile all-around gun and easier for you to pack (it's a backup right? so you're gonna be carrying another gun in addition to this one)... It would make a great backup for hunting and balances very well. Just my 2 cents.

Just keep in mind, like others have already said, the Redhawk grips work best if you have big hands. I do, so it's not a problem. I'm not a huge guy, 5'11" 220 lbs, I consider myself in the "normal" size bracket, and the grip size suits me well. My dad, however, has slightly smaller hands and he doesn't like the Redhawk.

What you really need to do is hold them both if possible to get an idea if you will be OK with the Redhawk grips. I love mine with rubber grips on it. If you do get a redhawk, the first thing you need to do is take off the beautiful wooden grips and put rubber ones on. I love shooting my Redhawk and it's a joy to own! I like to carry it around the house just because I'm so happy with my purchase.

Here's a pic of mine with Pachmayr Decelerator grips on it. I'm in the process of trying the different rubber grips out there to see which I like best.