Ruger Redhawk .41 Magnum

Status
Not open for further replies.
4

41 magnum fan

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2004
Messages
124
Location
Saluda,SC
I have a chance to buy a Ruger Redhawk in 41 magnum.The revolver is in excellent condition,has a 5.5 inch barrel,the origional box and paperwork and a few accesories to boot.Does anyone have one of these guns?I am trying to decide if I want to buy it or buy another S&W 41 magnum.One thing against the Ruger is the heavy trigger.I do trigger jobs on all of my S&W revolvers.How hard is it to do a trigger job on a Ruger Redhawk?Is any special tools needed?Anything that you could tell me about this gun would be appreciated.Thanks in advance.
41 magnum fan
 
How hard is it to do a trigger job on a Ruger Redhawk?Is any special tools needed?
Click to expand...
Very easy just change out a couple springs and no special tools. Head to ww.Rugerforum.com and ask about this model. There's a couple folks there in particualr that'll be able to help you. Didn't mention how much but these do normally command a bit higher price than thier .44 caliber brethern.
 
Neat thing about the .41 Rugers--you can send them to Bowen and he'll bore them out to .44mag making sure everything is perfectly lined up toleranced and square. Trigger job too. It isn't cheap though.
 
A .41 Redhawk is fairly rare, and is a very good weapon. Redhawks in general are an awesome machine and are tough as nails, the exception to this is the .45 Colt version which has some problems but the .41's are very good. Trigger work on a Ruger is just as straightforward as a Smith, maybe even a tad easier, don't let it stop you from buying. If I could find one I'd buy it in a second.
 
I have two .41 Redhawks. One's blued with a five and a half inch barrel. The other is stainless with a seven and a half inch barrel.

I also have three Smiths, a long-barreled 657, a six-inch blued M57, and a nickled M58 four-inch. I've been shooting the Smiths more lately, but wouldn't part with my Rugers. I've even thought of buying another one, but haven't seen a deal yet.

Both Rugers are good shooters and seem to like the old "Police Load," the Remingotn factory stuff with 210 grain SWC at about 900 fps. I'm about to run out of that so will revert to my reload. It uses a similar bullet with enough Unique to get it moving at about 1,000 fps. I used to shoot pins with that load. Lots of fun! Lots of splinters!
 
but wouldn't part with my Rugers
Click to expand...

yep, I agree- I have a Smith 57 that I really like (got if for a steal) and bought the .41 Redhawk (stainless), because I figured that would be the one to take hunting in poor weather- plus I liked the idea of getting it for a good price, considering they aren't made anymore.
I got mine a couple years ago off auctionarms and it had had a trigger job already done on it. It is the ONLY gun that my FFL ever received, that after unpacking it- he tried to buy it. He offered me my cash I paid plus some for that gun. I love it. It isn't as refined as the smith, but it is bull strong, accurate and I happen to like its looks. I was lucky enough to find an old set of eagle stag grips for it- now I REALLY like the way it looks and shoots. I
 
Redhawk 45LC Problems?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A .41 Redhawk is fairly rare, and is a very good weapon. Redhawks in general are an awesome machine and are tough as nails, the exception to this is the .45 Colt version which has some problems but the .41's are very good. Trigger work on a Ruger is just as straightforward as a Smith, maybe even a tad easier, don't let it stop you from buying. If I could find one I'd buy it in a second.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

461,

What kind of problems have you heard about concerning the 45LC Redhawk? I would be interested to know since I am considering purchasing one.

Thanks,

Greg
 
the .45 Redhawks are known to have a problem with chamber throat sizing. There is also a problem on the stainless .45 models with brass sticking in the chambers. Now obviously all of them do not suffer from this problem, but there have been a lot of reports from folks I consider reputable so I shy off on the .45 Colt Redhawks. Both problems could be fixed if you got a bad one, but I wouldn't bother unless the .45 Colt was my round of choice and had to have my Redhawk in that flavor.
 
.41 Ruger Redhawk

Buy the darned thing if you can! These are about as scarce as "hen's teeth." Buy it before its gone!

Scott
 
Thanks,guys I have decided to buy it.This will be the only handgun that I own that is not a S&W.I will post a picture after I get it.
 
I searched long and hard to find my .41 Mag 7 1/2 inch Redhawk. Did a rigger job and just love it. I originally was going to have Gary Reeder bore it out to his .41 GNR No.1, but decided to leave it stock. It is a good companion to my 3 screw 4 5/8s .41 RBH and my 6 inch S&W 57.
 
I searched long and hard to find my .41 Mag 7 1/2 inch Redhawk. Did a trigger job and just love it. I originally was going to have Gary Reeder bore it out to his .41 GNR No.1, but decided to leave it stock. It is a good companion to my 3 screw 4 5/8s .41 RBH and my 6 inch S&W 57.
 
Redhawks are built like a tank and the .41 mag is a great cartridge, you couldn't get a better combination IMO.
 
why would i buy a 41 and bore it out johnk?
Click to expand...
Mass produced revolvers aren't going to be as carefully produced as a custom job. Because all the "holes" are smaller on the .41 than the .44, a custom 'smith can take the revolver and bore all those holes out 0.019" more making sure that everything is perfectly aligned during the process. If it's all done right, that should result in exceptional accuracy potential.

Of course, it all depends on whether you want a rare .41Mag or a custom .44Mag and how much you want to spend. ;)

In other words, that's why SOME might want to do that... Others clearly wouldn't be interested in modifying such a revolver.
 
g_gunter said:
What kind of problems have you heard about concerning the 45LC Redhawk? I would be interested to know since I am considering purchasing one.

Thanks,

Greg
Click to expand...

Greg, I bought one of the new Redhawks in .45 Colt in the latter part of last year and it's EXCELLENT showing none of the problems alluded to by 461. If you read through this thread ...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=412361

... you will see that I "slugged" all six chambers/throats and the barrel (3 times each - 21 separate bullets) and the results speak for themselves. I've put something on the order of 200 rounds through it so far, mostly HEAVY H110 loads (1200fps) without a single FTF, ejection problem or brass "sticking" in the chambers and it's accurate too. As for the cases, they just about fall out when I open the cylinder and point the muzzle up. My suggestion is to buy the Redhawk ... I'm still smiling and it's been a while since I bought it.

:)
 
I pick up a Ruger Redhawk 41 Mag 2 weeks ago, it is now at Reeders custom guns getting re-chambered to 410 GNR. A 454 Casull neck down to 41 cal.
 
As I posted earlier, I considered the GNR #1 but did not do it. Please let me know how yours comes out. He did a 14 Contender bbl in GNR #2 for me. Gary highly suggested a brake, which I did go for and it is still a hand full. Took a nice buck with it several years ago. After you fire it a light puff of warm air goes across your face I guess from the brake. I call it the Dragon's Breath.
 
4 Rugers

The .41 is the one missing the rear sight. It is fixed now. I love the Redhawk design and its "shootability".

PM me for a PDF file on the Redhawk. It came from a gunsmith over on the Ruger forum. I used it to do my .41 and it is slick as snot. He recommends not touching the sear hammer surfaces, naturally.
 
Isn't part of the problem of a .45LC in a DA revolver the fact that the rim of the .45 case sticks out much less than a .44, thus not giving much for the ejector star to grab onto?


.44 mag:
Base diameter .457 in (11.6 mm)
Rim diameter .514 in (13.1 mm)
.514 - .457 / 2 = .0285" sticking out.

.45 Colt:
Base diameter .480 in (12.2 mm)
Rim diameter .512 in (13.0 mm)
.512 - .480 / 2 = 0.016" sticking out.
 
MortalWombat said:
Isn't part of the problem of a .45LC in a DA revolver the fact that the rim of the .45 case sticks out much less than a .44, thus not giving much for the ejector star to grab onto?
Click to expand...

I don't know how many times I need to keep posting this but I've fired hundreds of rounds through my Redhawk and 1894 both in .45 Colt without a single ejection issue, FTF or stuck case. The supposed issues with the .45 Colt are BS at best ... :banghead: ... but if folks here want to keep peddling the same old urban myths then maybe I'll have an easier time ordering another .45 Colt revolver or rifle in the future. Heck, maybe the prices will drop drastically since they're so unreliable and problematic.
 
Geeze man, relax and have a beer or something. This is the first time I've ever posted regarding the .45 in a DA revolver. Sorry if I got your panties in a bunch.
 
why would i buy a 41 and bore it out johnk?
Click to expand...

Because line-bored custom .44 Magnum revolvers are really expensive, and you can get the same result from getting one with undersized bores and boring them out -- if it's done right.

If you're shooting the same gun with the same frame (e.g. Redhawk) there's not much difference between a .41 Magnum and a .429 Magnum -- oops .44. So some people would rather have a really accurate .44 than a .41 in a .44 frame.

It all depends on what's important to you.

This I know: I shot an old Redhawk and I was surprised at how good it felt. It may not look as sleek as a Smith, but with the right grip, the thing sure FEELS great.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Redhawk 41 Mag
Replies
24
Views
2K
Bush Pilot
B
B
  • Locked
.41 Magnum Redhawk
Replies
0
Views
582
BluesBear
B
G
  • Locked
Did S&W or Ruger make a "Less-than-N-Frame" size .41 magnum?
Replies
5
Views
459
41magsnub
4
N
  • Locked
Revolvers you wish they'd make?
2 3
Replies
58
Views
3K
PawDaddy
P
S
  • Locked
Ruger Redhawk .41 mag or GP100 .357
2
Replies
41
Views
4K
Mr. T
M
Back
Top