Redhawk vs Blackhawk

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RE: GP100, Super Redhawk Grips:

The problem with those is that they are designed around the grip peg, which the Redhawk doesn't have. There's no real way to modify them to work.

RE: Reloading:

Yesterday I ordered the last bit of what I needed to get started with reloading (save for consumables). I also ordered the Pachmayrs. We'll just have to see how it all works out - hopefully it all works out well. I won't get to shoot it for a couple of weeks, though.


And, if it doesn't work out, the Super Blackhawk was still at the shop when I went and picked up my SP101 this afternoon, so I can always trade it. Probably won't come to that, though.
 
CraigC said:
Double actions are inherently tougher on the palm. Recoil is more of a straight back affair. I find N-frames with proper grips to be fairly comfortable with full loads. Redhawks, not so much. My first .44 was a Redhawk 20yrs ago and it is long gone. If I want to shoot a .44Mag comfortably, it has to be a Ruger Bisley. I also need properly fitted grips that are slightly thicker than factory at the top, with little taper towards flat bottoms.

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Click to expand...
Beautiful Bisleys you got there. I got one too, blued steel in .45 Colt:

2920707820053667879S600x600Q85.jpg


LOVE it!

Dan
 
I didn't notice if the OP is a first time handgunner, the the 44 mag is not a first time caliber.
I have both red and blackhawks in 44 mag and in 45 colt. I prefer the redhawk - it just fits my hand with the hogue grips.

I'd suggest anyone new to the 44 mag start out with 44 special loads, get accustomed to the gun. Then use the full loads only when needed.

It will be cheaper.
He will become a better shooter.
The gun will stay tight much longer.

Save the heavy loads for big game. showing off, or a special purpose requiring the high terminal energy.
 
I definitely use Pachmyers on my Redhawk in the winter time. When it is warmer, I can use the factory stocks without too much problem. The Redhawk fits me very well, so I am fortunate. I also have used Uncle Mike's grips for the Redhawk and prefer those. I don't know if they are made anymore. I've experienced the middle finger knuckle being slammed, and actually have a calloused scar from it, especially with the Super and stock grips. Pachmyers for me there also.

When shooting the Redhawk, or any other heavy recoiling DA revolver, you need to grip it high with the strong hand. The web of your hand should be hard in the notch below the hump. Holding it any lower gives the gun a running start during recoil and that's when those smacks really sting. Gripping it way too high can result in the hump actually recoiling under your web and into your hand. Of course, you do not want to lock your elbows.
 
Sell the Redhawk privately and buy a .41 magnum or .357 which has many varied loads readily available at most gunshops. Like stated in an earlier post the .44 will always have fairly stout recoil,some people never get used to it and in fact develop flinching problems as a result.
 
"a Bisley Blackhawk. The different grip shape of the Bisley is a plus with heavy loads"

I agree
 
Here was my experience after I bought my 4" Redhawk a few years ago, in this order:

1. Ouch! This thing hurts. And I hate the way these stupid Hogue rubber grips stretch my hand out, I can't get a good firm grip all the way around the gun. I think I have some buyer's remorse...

2. Hmmm...I wonder if the stock Ruger rosewood grips would help position my hand around the grip better, and spread out the recoil. I'll try them. Hey, it worked! Now the slap is in the palm, and not the thumb joint. But that's still a lot of recoil...

3. Maybe I'll just shoot .44 Specials in this gun at the range. I wonder what a box of .44 Specials cost. Holy smokes! $35 for a box of 50 lead plinking rounds?!? Who can afford these???

4. Maybe if I get into reloading, I can load up .44 Special level loads in .44 Magnum cases and start to enjoy this dang Redhawk.

5. Wow, reloading isn't that hard. It's actually enjoyable and an addictive hobby. Well, let's try these first 6 reloaded rounds through the old Redhawk, and hope I don't blow myself up...Hey, it worked! I see 6 holes in the target!

6. Now I'm reloading so many different cool .44 Magnum loads, I need a rifle to match my Redhawk, and maybe to hunt with in thick brush. Hey, that Marlin 1894 is on sale, and I have a gift card or two lying around...

7. This Marlin is awesome! I never knew a .44 Magnum lever gun could be so much fun to shoot. But man, I wish I had a .44 Magnum single-action to go with it when I'm "playing cowboy." You know, I've always wanted a Super Blackhawk...

8. This Super Blackhawk is so cool! It really rolls the recoil up and handles heavy loads pretty well. Plus, it just looks so classic!

So now I own 3 different .44 Magnum firearms, and it all started with a painful, no-fun-to-shoot, stainless 4" Redhawk. You may go through a similar series of adventures before you realize it's a great, rugged, tank-like gun that has a lot of potential. Especially if you ever want to handgun hunt, and especially if you want to get into reloading. The Redhawk was my "gateway drug" into the addictive worlds of reloading, and the mighty .44 Magnum cartridge. ;)
 
Haha, thanks!

Update: Grips came in and they feel really nice. I have to grip it high to reach the trigger, but I think it'l be fine. I'm going to stop tonight and get some bullets to load up a small variety of 44spl/mag loads to try out this weekend!
 
I wish I would have kept my 44 Blackhawk and sold my 44 Redhawk... Sentimental value trumped the single action at the time, but the single shot way better than the double! Now I'm looking to move the Redhawk... grrr.
 
I will just parrot what others have said here. You can load down the 44mag to tolerable levels in a DA revolver. But my 44mag w/ mag loads are most comfortable & easier for me to shoot accurately from a Blackhawk.

I grew up on a 357 mag security six and had a 480 Redhawk at one time. They all kicked me in the web of my hand (near my thumb and finger). The 480 would draw blood(rubber grip would peel my skin) after about 25 rounds. It was very uncomfortable to shoot and therefore the accuracy suffered because of it.

Good luck. Keep in mind the Redhawk is a great gun and these are my experiences, your -mileage-may-vary.
 
I have been shooting .44sp/ .44mag for years as I reload I can pick my poison. The more you shoot a .44mag the more you get used to it and it is easy or less painful with practice. I shoot a 5.5 Redhawk with 240g mag loads using a Pach. decelerator grips. If I would have bought this first I would never bought the other .44s. I also shoot a RedHawk 7.5" hunter with a scope and same decelerator grips using up to 300g swc bullets. I have a SBH that started out as a 7.5" and Ruger made it into a 4.5" at my request and it shoots .44sp and is used as a field carry gun. I have long fingers and the std Ruger grips are to small, the decelerator grips works for me. Never give up a Redhawk.
Jim
 
Felt recoil. It's a highly subjective thing and the grip frame design, grip panels and your hands are all factors. By design, DA's tend to push straight back into your palm. SA's expend more of their recoil energy in muzzle lift so that it feels like a slow upwards roll, rather than a quick slap straight back into your palm.
 
These are some very crude drawings but the rounded grip of the SA guns lift the barrel more and tend to roll in the hand.

The DA revolvers have a protruding "bump" to keep the front of the muzzle from lifting to far....My understanding is that in DA mode you can get back on target faster for a second shot. It works but it also makes the DA magnum revolver less comfortable to some folks because the web of your hand is what connects with the "bump".

Crude drawings:
 
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Craig / Mongo...

Thank you for the explanation. The images I found aren't as demonstrative as the two in Mongo's post. One thing I don't like is muzzle flip and the Redhawk apparently is less prone to that. I prefer more of a straight back push. I had a .44 Mag Redhawk in my late teens and loved it. I never noticed soreness in the web of my hand. But I never shot more than 100 rounds at a time plus they were just average factory loads... pretty tame, I think.
 
I had a Redhawk in my teens as well and shot it quite often. However, I'm almost 37 now and don't own any Redhawks but have several Bisleys. You just have to experiment with different things and find what works best for you.
 
I mailed payment for a SS Raging Bull just yesterday. To keep this on topic... I hope I love it and can handle it was well as I did my Redhawk when I was a young lad. If I don't/can't, then I guess I'll sell it and buy a Redhawk!!;)
 
Well to be honest, I started out with the 41mag in a BH then moved on to the 41 and 44 in RH's, and wouldn't ever look at going back. Just like the way they fit my hands. There again, compared to some of my shooting buds I seem to have more of a paw than them so that might help explain it.

The other thing I liked about the RH's and the GP-100's, is the ability to swap out the sights to the gold bead front and v-notch rear, target version. I actually like these much more for hunting as it allows a fine bead to be drawn on the side of a black feral hog. I prefer the smaller sight over the fatter blade simply for that reason.

With the Tarus RB in 454, well that's a critter on it's own. With most loads in the 14-1600fps range I am pretty comfortable with shooting 50 - 100 while at the range with little ill effects. Bump this up to the 1600 and up range, and you can drop that number down to around 30 at most, before I start to feel it in my arm and shoulder.

I believe the OP will find that once he gets things set up to his liking, that with the 44 even some of the top end loads will be fine once he gets accustomed to them. I shot top end loads from mine for several years while I had a 4x scope mounted on it. It was shooting groups as close as most rifles at the range, and I have plenty of 5 and 6 shots groups with them all touching. But like most folks, I find the mid range ones are WAY more pleasant to shoot day in and day out. Nothing wrong with going full throttle, but it takes it's toll on both the gun and the shooter. Just because you drive a Vette don't mean you have to redline it from every start, but it's nice to know what it will do if you want too.
 
In my experience with the Ruger Super Blackhawk (a heavier and larger-gripped gun than the Blackhawk) and the S&W Model 29, a heavy caliber single action just moves the punishment to a different spot on your hand.
 
I've owned a .44 mag Redhawk since 1996 and have never noticed any recoil problems. I use the factory wood grips and have never shot any light loads through it. I bought some Hogue rubber grips, didn't like them, and put the factory grips back on.
The only reason I bought the Hogues was because of how grippy they are. They didn't feel right in my hand once I installed them.

Charter Arms .44 Bulldog with factory wood grips is a lot less fun than the Redhawk.
240 grains launched from 21 ounce revolver is a bit punchy.
 
QuarkMartial,
Do yourself a favor and buy a pair of shooting gloves to go along with those new grips. The gloves are padded in all the right spots and will make your range sessions much more enjoyable.
 
I have Pachmayr Presentation grips on my Super Blackhawk 44 Mag.
Sure it kicks, but it's not painful to shoot. Even with factory ammo.
 
"I have Pachmayr Presentation grips on my Super Blackhawk 44 Mag.
Sure it kicks, but it's not painful to shoot. Even with factory ammo."

Same here. In fact I've got Pachmayr Presentation grips on my .44 Mag. Redhawk as well. It's more comfortable than the Blackhawk, IMHO.

The Blackhawk was my first .44. The square back on the trigger guard was chewing up my middle finger on recoil. Went to the Pach. Presentation grips to cover the back of the trigger guard and the problem went away. Not only that but my accuracy with the BH improved noticeably.

The Redhawk came later. Like you, I found the factory grips painful. Went to Pach. Decellerators, but accuracy with them was poor. Remembered how well the Presentation grips worked on the BH and bought a set. Once again, win-win; gun was comfortable to shoot and accuracy was much better.

Of the two, I'd say the Redhawk is my favorite, so don't trade yet. Try the Pachy Presenters first.
 
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