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Ruger Red Hawk - Loose front sight ?

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Matt Dillion

Matt Dillion

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Jan 11, 2017
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I have a Ruger Red Hawk 44 magnum that I purchased in the late 90's. I recently noticed the front sight wiggles just slightly. Is this normal ? The sights are original. I never really paid attention to it in the past. I have shot over 1000 rounds through it over the years and wondered if all that recoil could have losened it. Thanks.
 
Ate you talking about the entire front sight or just the insert? The insert is easily replaced.
 
I believe those front sights were retained by a spring loaded plunger. A heavier weight spring (or a new stock one) should tighten it back up.
 
NO, never "stretch" a weak spring. That simply destroys any remaining temper left in the spring. After stretching it will be even weaker than it was before. Always replace a weak spring. Springs are a consumable item. They only last so long and then they become scrap metal. Ruger will almost certainly send you a new one for no charge.
 
Because you aren't going to make it work even temporarily by stretching it. I suppose my point is you're not doing anything to solve the problem by removing the old spring and stretching it and then reinstalling it. Just replace it and be done with it.
 
Last edited:
Stubert said:
The spring is already no good, how are you going to ruin it? If stretching it works , you know you need a new one.
Click to expand...
Interesting logic. o_O If the spring is bad, replace it. Maybe during the Zombie Apocalypse where replacing it isn't an option, stretching a spring might make sense.
 
Pretty rare for that particular spring to lose temper, but very common for that particular plunger to get gunked up and lose travel. It's at the muzzle, so it gets exposed to blast and breeze back, but usually doesn't get any attention during cleaning. When the plunger doesn't travel freely, it won't securely hold the insert. Take out the insert and give the plunger and bore a good cleaning, might fix your problem.

It could be a fatigued spring, but if the plunger won't freely travel, no spring will fix it.

Also - consider the insert and base are not precision fit parts. All Redhawk's and GP's with that sight arrangement will have a little wiggle, and pressing on the sight can easily apply more than enough pressure to overcome the sight plunger strength to produce more wiggle than it would ever have from natural handling of the revolver. So you may be imagining a problem where none exist.
 
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