So if you wanted to live in a van....

Thanks, Smaug, for the thoughtful ideas on the Redhawk!

You got me thinking about the Ruger single and double actions, and 44 special in particular. I like the simplicity and ease for handloading for the bigger bore single and double actions, and having a heavier handgun to handle recoil would be nice. That kind of setup would still work for concealed carry with the investment in a good carry rig.

I haven't owned a 44 magnum, but I have shot them, and really liked the 44 special in the heavier guns. Kind of like shooting 45 LC in a Ruger single action Blackhawk.

 

The cool thing about the Redhawk (as opposed to Super Redhawk and every other full size 44 Magnum revolver) is that the grip is designed with a BIT of the single action shape to it. See that curve that fits in just in the palm of the hand? Bill Ruger did that on purpose.

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If you let your hand ride down just a bit, (it's natural to do so) it will swivel up in recoil like a single action revolver. If you don't like that, just angle your hand forward a bit more and choke up on it. Or replace the grips with Pachmayr. (I have a set of Pachmayr presentation grips for it, but I prefer the smooth factory ones) No other double action 44 is designed like this.

The Super Redhawk was designed originally as a pure hunting gun and is totally different inside. Instead of a full grip frame, it has a grip stub, which can be fitted with rubber grips that absorb a lot of recoil. (but which don't allow that swiveling) The frame is extended much further forward, as it was also chambered in "super magnum" cartridges. It has scope mounts on the top of the frame, instead of on the top of the barrel, as the 7.5" Redhawk has.

If you're ever in the neighborhood and want to try it out, drop me a line.

 

I'm certain I can find room for more than one handgun. I would be taking;

My LC9s pro which is my every day pocket carry
9mm 1911 because I love it
4.2" SP101 357 mag
Browning buckmark
AR15 with 7.62x39 upper
12ga pump shotgun

 

Thanks for the offer, and for the info. on the differences in grips for the Rugers Smaug, much appreciated!

 

I like the 9mm 1911 idea Someguy. I think I would need a small bus instead of the van for the rest of the arsenal, though.

 

Get a bigger van!

 

There was a van lifer involved in the Newhall Incident. Daniel James Schwartz. He had a WWII-era Enfield Revolver. He got into a gunfight and exchanged fire with Bobby Davis who was armed with officer Walt Frago's revolver.

 

Only one handgun?

A 4" 357. GP100 or 686.

 

I had to look that one up, westernrover:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newhall_incident

Sad story, that one.

 

A van is too small to live in for me and I presently am a homeowner. I sometimes think of a total restoration of my 22 ft. Airstream Safari and becoming a trailer bum. My '95 Bronco pulls her nice. She was made in '68.

I would take one .38spl and one 9mm. I would have to decide between my MR25 Sig
P226 in 9mm or S&W M&P 9mm Commander sized. Both are exclnt shooters. My .38 spl is a lightly used S&W 15-3 w 2.5 in. Barrel Snubby (Kframe). Ammo availability not an issue for me.

 

When I use to have to travel for work ( 125-150k miles a year ) I carried a Ruger SP101 with me everywhere.