Ruger Redhawk .357 or Smith and Wesson Model 27

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Looking for a general purpose revolver; something to shoot at the range and take with me when i go hiking or hunting. I like both of these (The Redhawk would be the 7 and a half inch and would be harder to find as it isn't made anymore, and the Smith would be in the 6 inch).
 
Greetings
You might want to consider a Dan Wesson also. Most accurate double action revolver out there. DW still wins at the Sillywet game which requires accuracy & durability. Built like a M60A1 tank. Interchangable barrels are easily changed in 2 minutes so you can go from 2" carry to 8" highly accurate target or hunting revolver. I have a 10" barrel which I used to win numerous Sillywet matches back in the 80´s. Cost less than the two you have listed.. get a Monson made one. Bought my first in 1979 and have no regrets.
Mike in Peru
 
That Redhawk in .357 would be a beast to carry.

I'd go M-27, either with a 5" barrel or the 8 3/8ths"

Or a modern 627 8-shot or L-frame 7-shot, both with 5" barrel.
 
Weight and size notwithstanding, a pre-lock, pre MIM Model 27 is arguably the finest .357 ever made.

The redhawk is a good gun.
 
I've never actually seen a .357 redhawk in the flesh, but I'd imagine it would have to be the most monstrously overbuilt .357mag ever made. That being said, I want one very very badly.

But for hiking? it just seems like the weight would negate all the positive attributes of either of those guns. I'd just grab a Security Six/Service six/GP100 and save my back and a few bucks in the process. But that's just me. Those would also serve very well as "general purpose" revolvers.
 
Where are you going to find a .357 Redhawk? They did not make many of them. I have seen exactly one at a gun show and that was many years ago.S&W 27's and 28's are still common but unless you plan on shooting a lot of high pressure reloads you really don't need such a heavy revolver. The Ruger GP 100 or better yet, a good used 6" Security Six (lighter) will do anything you need a .357 to do and will not feel like a couple of bricks on your belt.
 
You sure one would cost less? I certainly do like the Dan Wessons.


I would second the Dan Wesson. They're a great value used and like was said, barrel changes give you the world from snubbies to smack-em-on-the-head at 50yrds. Mine are more accurate than i am and a dream to shoot.
 
I would suggest S&W model 28-2, the poor man's 27. Easy to find, cosmetic-only differences to the 27, and quite a bit cheaper.

My woods carry gun is a 4" .44 mag Colt Anaconda, with a Bianchi fitted holster and belt it's no problem to carry all day, either of the .357s would feel like featherweights by comparison.
 
I to am a die hard DW shooter. Own only 3 of them. Around here a nice used monson made 15-2 DW will go for around 400. A bit more if really nice . I have not seen a SS model in years for sale. Between the ruger and SW I would buy the ruger also.
New DW 715 will be avalible again soon but costly.
 
I have a couple of Redhawks in .44 and .45, and I don’t know that I would be too interested in one in .357. It would weigh a ton. I like .357 as much as the next guy and have more of them than any other caliber. My first handgun was a Model 27-2, and I still have it, but I tend to use my 627PC and 627Pro more. I really like stainless.
 
Picture from Slick6

P1030017.jpg

Would you just LOOK at the wall thickness on the cylinder of the Redhawk ! ! ! ! ! Also the wall thickness of the barrel ! ! !

No doubt about it. That .357Redhawk is built like the proverbial tank! And I suspect it weighs like one. Not the sort of thing I'd want to carry on my hip for long at a time.

The N frame 27 is an absolutely gorgeous gun what with the beautiful blueing that came on them. It's intended more as a gun which the owner treats with a bit more care. Not something to be stuck in a holster and ford streams.

All in all I would have to agree with the others that are suggesting the GP100, Security Six in Ruger or the S&W L or K frame guns over the N frame 27 or 28. These others are both lighter and a little more compact than the big bruisers.
 
of your choices my preference as a shooter would be the model 27. But for hiking and hunting the Redhawk would be preferable as I would not be worried about rust or cosmetic damage.
 
I would suggest S&W model 28-2, the poor man's 27. Easy to find, cosmetic-only differences to the 27, and quite a bit cheaper.
Click to expand...

For hiking, between the 27 and 28, I'd go for the 28 precisely for the reason above. You'll save a good $200 easy on the 28.

As for a .357 Redhawk, I've never actually seen one. I know they exist, but I think finding one would be tough, like finding a car made within the last few years without air conditioning.
 
The Redhawk in 357 was built using the same frame,barrel and cylinder as the 44 mag version. I have a 7 1/2" version and weighs in at a tad over 3.5 lbs. I've shot handloads in it that I wouldn't dare try in a S&W or any other pistol for that matter and no it's not for sale.
 
Geez!, why beat up on the OP for what he wants, or try to persuade him to what some of you like? Some offer good advice but there always seems to be a "gun guru" who belittles the choice's made by any of the OP's I've seen looking for advice from this site.
I have the Redhawk in .44 I,ll be carrying in the woods after deployment with the 7.5" barrel, also ordered up a shoulder rig for it to make carrying easier.
A lot of us have years of shooting/gun experience and are willing to help a newer shooter or offer helpful advice, just gets redundant and old when I read some of the remarks (negative) aimed at the "poster".
Just a rant I guess, but some of ya,ll know this is the case. Yeah, I have my flak vest on for the incoming.
 
Hey, I don't feel belittled :) I'm new to the revolver world and until recently wasn't even sure what made one stronger than another. I'm glad for all the advice!
The .357 Redhawks are more common than some believe, and they aren't that expensive ($400-600 as i have seen, looking at auctions that have ended in the last two years). Finding one would just be a matter of scouring various forums and posting WTB ads, I imagine. However, the weight might be an issue.

The Dan Wessons are very nice, definitely still an option.

The Smith and Wessons are seeming very appealing. I looked at the model 28 6 inch, and it seems like one of these could be perfect. Not sure what the weight on the 27/28s are for that barrel length (If someone did that would be much appreciated), but it will undoubtedly be less than the Ruger. Love the looks of the Smiths too.

I'm not entirely sure the weight of the ruger would be in issue, in all honesty. Its big and heavy, but 3.5 pounds doesn't seem bad. I'd be interested to know the weight of the smith in relation to the Ruger.
 
I'm a VERY dedicated Ruger fan and this instance would pick a pre-lock S&W 27 or 28 with NO hesitation as the Redhawk in .357 is just too darn big & heavy, and yes I have handled one.

For a hiking gun I think the S&W is too darn heavy too. I'd either get a shorter barreled 27, the 3.5" would be my choice, or seriously consider the new Ruger SP101 4" .357 instead, sweet little gun, but not too little. If you could find the Wiley Clapp edition 3" GP 100 Ruger, that would be terrific as well.

JMHO, YMMV.
 
The extra weight isn't that big a deal, really. Just to see how the weight felt, I kept a little 5 pound weight on me today, both in my pocket and holding it for a while and it felt fine. I'm still young and strong :D
 
I have to agree with Manny. Why carry a brick when you are hiking? Even a GP100 is heavy and are close to the model 27 in weight. If I want a all around 357 magnum then I would carry a Ruger Security/Service Six 4 inch. They are easier to carry and can handle any factory 357 magnum in qualities. Plus a Security Six will be a lot easier on the pocket book.
Opinion only.
Howard
 
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