To buy or not ... Ruger Redhawk 44 Mag, $300

[jad0110]

As the title might suggest, I am torn. I have an opportunity to buy a very nice revolver, as follows:

Ruger Redhawk (double action)
44 Magnum
5.5" Barrel
Stainless
Asking price: $300, including 50 rounds of 44 Mag and a nylon shoulder rig

According to the owner, the gun maybe has 300 or so rounds through it.

It is certainly an excellent price, and I have plenty of cash to buy it. But it would mean adding two more calibers to my "logistics train" - in handguns, I currently shoot 22LR, 38 Spl, 357 Mag and 45 ACP. Plus, 44 Mag and 44 Spl are darned expensive, though I do reload.

I don't handgun hunt, and I use a 4" 686 and a Mossberg 12 gauge for home protection. I really can't justify the purchase, except for the fact that it is a raging deal. I probably wouldn't shoot it very often, maybe once or twice per year at most. I do think that loaded with 44 Spl, it would make a good car gun.

So what say you? Given what I have said, what would you do in my position?

 

[Thomas Garrett]

For that price, definately buy it. Try it, if you don't like it. use it as trading material, or flip it.

 

[kludge]

$300 and you're asking if you should buy it?

You need a shrink?

You married or somethin?

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, needs a shrink if he doesn't run and get it. $300 for a Redhawk? Are you kidding me?

 

[jad0110]

You married or somethin?

Gee, how did you guess?

This one might be worth taking a little heat over, methinks.

And others have suggested, I could always "flip it" later.

 

[Devilfrog]

Get it now or regret it. I bought a Super Redhawk years ago for $300, never had a .44 mag before and its the only one I have now. I shoot it a couple times a year and it is a blast at the range. Haven't regretted it one bit.

 

[GRIZ22]

I have a 5.5 " stainless Redhawk I paid $305 for...new in 1985. I would buy it just for the bargain knowing I could flip it for a profit.

 

[Thomas Garrett]

If you don't, please tell me where it is, I buy it!!!!, he** I just bought a NIB Browning Buckmark Target 5.5 for $150.00 and he gave me 3 boxes of Remington 550 rounds from Wally world. Can't blink on someone elses stupidity. As we are a free trade society.

 

[harmonic]

You married or somethin?

Gee, how did you guess?

You're definitely asking the wrong people.

 

[22LRFan]

All I can say is that 44 mag is a fun round. Plus when no one is looking you could always play Dirty Harry.

 

[LTR shooter]

It is certainly an excellent price, and I have plenty of cash to buy it.

On a deal that good I would inclined to go with it. Like you I do not shoot the 44 a whole lot. BUT - it is nice to have one when the urge hits! Everytime I have been without a 44 I always found myself wanting one again. A $300 Redhawk is a rare find to say the least.

 

[jad0110]

Well, I'll admit to not being the sharpest knife in the drawer. But I did come to my senses - I called the seller and the deal is done. I'll be picking up my new to me 44 tomorrow .

I may not be nuts either, but you guys are right ... if I had to ask the question, it at least proves "temporary insanity" on my part .

I'll just have to pick up some stock wood grips for it sometime. The rubbers feel good in my hands, but I prefer the look and feel of wood. And before anyone says anything, I did shoot a 7.5" Redhawk with wood grips once, and it was 44 Mag ammo. Though the recoil was stout, it wasn't all that bad, really. Just a great big powerful shove, I actually found it to be less sharp than my 686 firing 357 Mags.

Anyway, thanks for slapping me out of it!

 

[TheVirginian]

It's unanimous. I'd buy it if I never planned on shooting it. There is one locally for sale for $600. That's too steep for my tastes. That one is 7" and stainless also. I'd rather have a 5 1/2" myself (and three boxes of ammo! and a holster, and $300...)
-Bill

 

[aHFo3]

Let's see pictures!

 

[WardenWolf]

Edit: Good to see you came to your senses. I'd have bought that in a heartbeat at that price.

 

[harmon rabb]

i'd be there quicker than a frat guy to a party with free beer and topless coeds.

 

[jad0110]

Don't have the gun in hand yet, but when I do I'll do my best to post pics, possibly under a new thread.

 

[moooose102]

BUY IT! if the little woman gives you greif about it, tell her you bought it so the both of you could go shooting together. let her shoot the 686. if she wants to. if she doesn't, then you can give her the guilt treatment, and say, i was just trying to do something nice for you.

 

[Deanimator]

If I had to buy a NEW .44 Magnum, it'd be a Redhawk.

 

[kmrcstintn]

the weird bellhouse grip frame never felt good to me & I never had luck locating aftermarket grips at local shops that I could try fitted on the Redhawk (7.5" barrel) I owned for a short time; I hate ordering grips over the internet since ya gotta buy them before you try them; the latest 4" barrel version with the Hogue grip is a different animal; felt great when I held it, but if I'm gonna spend over $600 for a .44 mag, I wanted a S&W 629 & I snagged a PowerPort version for $600 last year

 

[Rodentman]

Tell the wife you've always had it. That's what I do when I get a new tattoo. Now she thinks I was born with them.

 

[Rodentman]

Double post sorry

 

[Nugilum]

42-0-0 in 9 hours. The vote is unanimous. Get It

 

[mbt2001]

You buy it $300 and sell it to me for $375.00

 

[ArmedBear]

Buy it.

Try it.

It comes with the ammo you need to try it out...

If you don't like it, you can sell it for more than 300 bucks any day of the week, especially with the holster.

Hell, I'd buy it if I were you, and I already have 2 .44 revolvers. One has a shorter barrel and one a longer barrel, so this would fill that burning need I have for a 5.5" DA .44... You know, that need that only really arises if I see something like a Redhawk stainless for 300 bucks with some ammo and a holster...

Then, you'll have a reason to take up handgun hunting...