Ruger Redhawk vs. Colt Anaconda vs. S&W mod 629

[Hellbore]

I am working on buying myself a revolver for use with .44 magnum bullets. I want a barrel somewhere between 6" and 4". I have handled a lot of revolvers lately at gun stores and even at the shooting range and I am pretty sure this is what I want.

However I am not 100% decided on which revolver I want, just what I want it to do.

The 3 revolvers I listed seem to all provide the same functionality and layout. Can you guys give me some pros and cons of these 3 revolvers vs. each other?

I like all 3 of them but I am not sure I can justify the cost of the Anaconda considering it is about twice as expensive and I don't see what is so much better about it. The Ruger and the S&W I have found to be priced about the same at local gun stores, but I am not sure which I want.

So, for a rugged woods gun, how do these 3 choices stack up against each other?

 

[munk]

See if you can't shoot all three before you buy. I noticed the grip frame designs on each change the characteristic of the recoil.

I personally prefer the two Rugers, redhk or Super RH, or the model 29 Smith. I know a lot of happy Anaconda owners, though. The Rugers are the strongest, the Smith probably has the best trigger and is a tad lighter.



munk

 

[wanderinwalker]

Try them all if you can before laying down the cashola. Also note, your Colt is more than likely going to be found as a used gun right now.

I had a Ruger Super Blackhawk, have a S&W 629-1 (both 6", the Ruger was chopped), have fired a coupe of other SBHs, a chopped Ruger Redhawk and a different 629 (it was a Classic Hunter or something, it was ported). Of the whole bunch, I find my current 629-1 the most comfortable to shoot. The Redhawk never felt right, the Blackhawks were okay but had lots of sharp edges that cut my knuckles and such, and I didn't really care for the way the ported 629 pushed straight back into me. As you can see, trying is the best way to decide in all honesty (because most will tell you that the ported pistol should have been the most comfortable to shoot, which is NOT my experience).

And in the end, no matter which you choose, they're all solid, great guns.

 

[Marshall]

I like the Redhawk best for a hunting .44 mag double action.

If you're just looking to carry around a .44 mag in the woods, a 4" 629 would be a good choice.

The Anoconda won't do anything one of the other won't do except bust your wallet better.

 

[mbartel]

Hellbore-

There is one brand of DA .44 mag that you may have overlooked.

Taurus makes several frame styles and barrel lengths that could meet your needs. They would be the easiest on your wallet, and offer a lifetime garauntee (sic). Most folks seem sharply divided on taurus quality though. Some say they make great guns....the others say they are junk. Not much middle ground here. Personally, I own 4 and have never had any problems with them. But I am only one person...your mileage may vary. Good luck with your choice.....handy woods guns are my favorites for a day of casual fun shooting...

 

[Maddock]

Hellbore:
I own and shoot a 71/2†Redhawk and a 6†629. I’ve shot other’s 5 ½†Redhawks and a 6†Anaconda. The comments on trying before you buy are spot on. The Redhawk is heck for stout, but the Smith has a better trigger and handles and carries better for me. Both are equally accurate with their best loads, though the Ruger can handle much more substantial ammunition. The Colts are well made, but somehow just didn’t click for me.
Another brand for consideration is Dan Wesson. They have made quite a reputation on Metallic Silhouette ranges for accuracy and durability.

 

[Tony Mig]

From my point of view and experiance, this is how I view revolvers....

If you are looking for a single action, then Ruger is the best bang for the buck, they are strong, depenable, and accurate, plus they handle hot loads without a problem.

If you are looking for a double action, and only plan to shoot factory ammo, or reloads that do not exceed SAMMI specs, the S&W is about the finest DA revolver for the money. Out of the box the trigger will be smooth and easy, and the grips are comfortable on the hands.

If you plan to shoot reloads, and like to push the limits, then I'd reccommend the Ruger Redhawk because you won't find a stronger revolver in .44 Magnum. (with the exception of the Super Redhawk) The grips are not the most comfortable, and the trigger pull on these are not as smooth as a Smith, but with aftermarket grips, a Wolf spring kit, and some trigger work, these guns can be real nice.

The Colt is also a fine gun, but the price just can't be justified. The Colt also has what is known as a stacked trigger, single action trigger pull is nice, but DA trigger pull is more difficult, and many do not like it.

I too plan to add a .44 Magnum to my collection (hopefully before year's end) and I'm leaning hard towards the S&W 629 with a 6" barrel, but I haven't totally ruled out the 5.5" Redhawk either.

 

[happy old sailor]

if you can only afford one be sure to try before you buy. if you can afford two, get the SnW and the Ruger. i have two of each. Rugers for hunting and heavy plinking, ok, fun. the Smiths i use for longer range target shooting with sane loads. either will serve you well. grips will be your deciding factor.

 

[Magnum88C]

Even if you can't shoot them before you buy, at least pick the one that fits your hand best.

I've got S&W 29s, 629, and a Ruger Redhawk. My Redhawk came with a BETTER trigger than my latest S&W (which surprised me). My only problem with the Redhawk is the shortest barrel it comes with is 5.5", which makes it not very suitable for concealed carry. But if it's meant to be a knockaroun woods gun, the 5.5" barrel balances very well.

I heartily recommend either the S&W or Ruger, only preference being which one fits you best.

I've yet to even see a Colt revolver of any make, so I can't recommend them, but can't steer you away from them either.

 

[Hellbore]

Well I really like the looks of Hogue rubber finger-groove grips.

However, they offer these grips for both the S&W 629 and the Ruger Redhawk.

When I handled the S&W I liked it a LOT. However, when I handled the Redhawk, it sent shivers up my spine. It just really felt cool to me. In fact, I really liked the wooden grips. I'm not sure I would even bother putting the rubber grips on.

I really like the feel of the 5.5" Redhawk and I think my mind is pretty much made up.

The Dan Wesson I handled, for some reason, felt even clunkier than the Ruger, even though I don't think that is the case necessarily... Maybe it just didn't fit my hand as well. The Ruger feels right to me.

If I had the money already I think I would have already bought the Ruger by now. However, I won't have the money for probably a week, so there is still time to change my mind

Hey by the way, do you guys know, is it OK to dry-fire these revolvers? Aren't you not supposed to? I ask because when I was shown the Ruger Redhawk at one gun store, the employee dry-fired it several times to show me the double-action trigger (I didn't bother spoiling his fun by telling him I fully understand the difference between single and double action).

 

[wanderinwalker]

Dry-fire away, at least with the Ruger and Smith. You don't NEED snapcaps, though some prefer them. I've only managed to break the firing pin on one rifle by dry-firing; no handguns.

Good choice with the Ruger Redhawk, they're great revolvers.

 

[Magnum88C]

Dryfiring a bit won't hurt it. But if you're going to dryfire thousands of times, I'd invest in same A-Zoom snap caps.

They're also good to load the gun, load at least one speedloader, and do some drills. like draw, "fire" 6 rounds, eject the snap caps, do a reload with the speedloader, and "fire" 6. Be safe.

If you really liek the Ruger, get it as soon as you can. It's anything but a bad gun. I don't think they're as pretty as a S&W, but they're more aggressive looking. They're also accurate, mine's gotten more than one hog.

 

[Hellbore]

Hey guys, I FINALLY got to shoot my new Ruger Redhawk .44 mag today! I went to a local shooting range called Caswells.

The kick was hard, but not as bad as I thought it might be. Really not bad at all. It didn't make my hand or wrist sore, it just took a moment for me to get back on target after a shot, because the barrel would flip up several inches with each shot. I was shooting 240 grain JHP's to get a feel for how it would shoot in a bear-defense situation.

Someone said when he shoots his Redhawk .44 magnum, the recoil is so bad the gun ends up pointing almost straight up in the air. That seems like an exaggeration to me, the barrel only was flipping up a few inches.

There was a slight problem, however. I felt like the grips were too slippery, my hand wouldn't stay in the same place from one shot the next. While shooting double-action, I felt I needed to pause after 2 or 3 shots and re-position my hand on the grip. I REALLY think that with this much kick, finger grooves would really help to keep the gun in the same place relative to my hand, from shot to shot.

I was shooting pretty accurately, though. I think with some rubber grips I'll be doin great!

It was funny though... I usually consider my .40 S&W pistol, a CZ40B, to have somewhat of a kick to it. However, after shooting a few wheels full of .44 magnums in my Redhawk, I shot my .40 a bit and it felt almost like I was shooting a .22! Hehe... It was like it had no recoil! I guess everything's relative...

 

[Magnum88C]

Yes, recoil is very subjective. I know a lot of people that can't handle a .44 and think a .357 is a handful. I was so unimpressed with the .44 when i first got one, that I went out and bought a .454.

But I noticed the same thing you did, hitting it hard with the magnums, then going back to my .45, it was NOTHING to control it.

Glad you like it. If you're going to carry it concealed, wood grips don't print as bad as rubber do, and a nice set of Hogue wood grips with the finger grooves help quite a bit. If consealed carry isn't a problem, then I like the Hogue rubber monogrips with the finger grooves.

 

[Hellbore]

Yeah I'm definitely not going to CCW it. Although, I have to say, it would be fun to take it to a CCW class I GOTTA get some finger grooves though, this slippery grip just works its way lower into my hand with each shot.

How come they don't put a beavertail on revolvers? It seems like that would be helpful, like the 1911's have. I guess a nice grippy rubber grip would do the same thing.

Does anyone know if Uncle Mike's grips are good? There was a pair on Ebay for the Redhawk, for cheap, so I bought it just for fun. If it doesn't feel good it's no big loss.

 

[Magnum88C]

A beavertail on a revolver would just be. . .wrong, dude.

Never tried Uncle Mike's grips. But most Uncle Mike's stuff you can get for a song (sounds like you did), so no big loss if they suck.

Not with wood grips: one thing I learned shooting SA revolvers with wood grips, is to let the gun roll back with recoil (what the plow-handle grips on SAs were designed for), then as part of your "recovery" from the recoil, you add a little "snap" to the wrist that resets your grip.

 

[rbernie]

Does anyone know if Uncle Mike's grips are good?

They're shaped very much like the Pachmeyer Presentations. They are also, like the Pach Presentations for the Redhawk, very large in circumference.

I have long fingers but an average sized palm, and I find them to be too big....

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

"Maddock
I own and shoot a 71/2†Redhawk and a 6†629. I’ve shot other’s 5 ½†Redhawks and a 6†Anaconda. The comments on trying before you buy are spot on. The Redhawk is heck for stout, but the Smith has a better trigger and handles and carries better for me. Both are equally accurate with their best loads, though the Ruger can handle much more substantial ammunition. The Colts are well made, but somehow just didn’t click for me.
Another brand for consideration is Dan Wesson. They have made quite a reputation on Metallic Silhouette ranges for accuracy and durability."

His advise is exactly the same as I would have advised. I own two Rugers. A SS Redhawk and a Bisley Super Blackhawk. I really like them. (and I have a small hand)

As for Grips. I prefer the Packmeyer finger grooves on the Redhawk. They are nearly flat on the sides. Open to the frame on the rear.

Before you shoot that Redhawk much, order up a trigger/hammer spring kit. It'll make a world of difference.

As for the recoil. Until you've fired a 300grn JSP Sierra backed by xxxgrns of AA# 9, or by xxxgrns of 296 to the hilt, you haven't felt recoil.

That's one of my favorite tricks when indroctrinating someone that's never shot a big bore.. Five loads of lead plinkers backed by some Unique, then the last round being a heavy hunting load.

-Steve