Trade My Redhawk For a Super Blackhawk?

[OregonJohnny]

OK Ruger revolver experts, I need your kind words of wisdom. I have a Ruger Redhawk 4" stainless in .44 Magnum that I bought new about a year ago for $699. I have only put about 250 rounds or less through this gun. I like it but I don't love it. The rubber Hogue finger-groove grips that this gun came with suck. I would love the gun if it had some grips similar to the ones that come on the Super Redhawk, with the cushioned backstrap, and maybe a better trigger. .44 Magnum isn't my favorite round to shoot, but I like having a big bore revolver in my collection.

Recently I acquired my first single action revolver, a Ruger Single Six Convertible .22LR/.22WMR in blued with a 4 5/8" barrel. I LOVE the ergonomics of this gun, 10 times as much as the Redhawk.

So I don't have the cash flow to just keep the Redhawk and buy a new gun, so should I trade the Redhawk for a stainless 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk in .44? I drool over the looks of the Super B. Not so much with my Red.

I think I could trade my used Redhawk in for a NIB stainless .44 Super B. with a bit of change left over for some ammo!

My main uses for this gun would be:

• Mostly a range gun, I'd like to get into reloading eventually, and I'd like to start with .44 Mag and .44 Special. This gun would be my test instrument.

• Occasional woods carry, maybe as a compliment to a Marlin 1894SS .44 Mag. My main woods carry is a GP100, but I like the idea of a .44 single-action in extreme remote country and as a backup on hunting trips.

• Possibly deer hunting at distances within 100 yards.

• Maybe cowboy action competition one day.

• A collectors piece to outlast me and to hand down to the next generation someday.

So...any thoughts? Keep my Redhawk 4" with quick follow-up double-action shots and fast reloads? Or go back in time to a classic single-action that may be a more rugged design? Help!

 

[novaDAK]

I think you answered your own questions. You don't like the grip or trigger on the Redhawk, and you want a gun you can 'test' reloads on, carry in the woods, hunt with, and cowboy action shooting with, and come out of the deal with spare change.

With that said, you may like a set of Pachmayr grips that cover the backstrap better than the Hogues. I have pachmayr gripper grips on my Security Six and I love them (my dad has a set on his security six as well). I have a set of pachmayr presentation grips on my S&W 64 which I also like.

If you want one that is a softer rubber, Pachmayr also makes a Gripper Decelerator, which uses softer rubber than the regular grips.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Your RH is of more value than the SBH. There are a lot of nice used SBH's on the market. I would find something else to sell to finance your SBH.

 

[ArmedBear]

Agreed with madcrate.

I bought a stainless SBH (10 1/2" barrel version) for $285 recently, at a California gun shop, where deals are not always easily found. Same place had used SRH's for twice that.

If I didn't want the SRH, I'd just sell it and go looking.

That said, as much as I like the SBH, I also like the SRH. With the right grips and some Wolff Springs, maybe a little trigger work, the thing is a nice gun.

 

[Majic]

Good luck trading the Redhawk for a Super Blackhawk and getting change back.

 

[ClemY]

I don't believe in trading or selling anything.

Try different grips. I like Pacymayr Presentation grips on my Redhawks and Decelerator grips on my S&W revolvers.

The Ruger single action revos are fun to play with. I have a bunch in .45 and one 5 1/2" SBH. If you decide you want one, save for it. Don't sell anything.

 

[Master Blaster]

If I didn't want the SRH, I'd just sell it and go looking.

Yes sell your redhawk, you can probably get $500 for it right here in the classifieds. Then buy a new or used SBH. A dealer will always bend you over backwards on a trade or sale of a used gun.

The SBH is a much better gun IMHO.

 

[moxie]

I had the same problem with my Redhawk. Just didn't like it. Tried 3 or 4 different grips. Just didn't like it. Why keep a gun you don't like? That SBH sounds like it will meet your needs well into the future. If it feels better in your hand than the RH, go for it.

 

[foghornl]

If you don't like the Redhawk, but the Blackhawk spins your fan...question answered.

Now, one other tiny caveat....If you plan to use the Blackhawk as a hunting gun, check with your local Game-N-Fish guys. SOME states have minimum barrel length requirements...Ohio is 5" minimum barrel & .357 bore for modern handgun deer hunting.

 

[bluetopper]

I didn't like my Redhawk either......crappy single action trigger.
You'll come out waaay ahead if you sell it here on The High Road or gunbroker.com and take the funds and buy a SBH. THEN you will have a bit left over.

I definetly believe in trading or selling anything if it doesn't suit me.

 

[Blank Stare 73]

I've done dealer trades before to get something I just had to have and I always "lost money." At the time I didn't mind so much, but after getting home and mulling it over I got a little irritated with myself for being that "sucker born every minute" and with the dealer for taking advantage of me. I kinda still harbor resentment toward the guy, but he's the only gun dealer in town so.

All that being said, I do very much like the gun I traded for, just wish I hadn't lost money on it.

 

[Sarvisian]

I made that exact choice not too long ago. Mine was a tad different as I already owned the 4" Redhawk and 4-5/8"Super Blackhawk and decided I only needed one. It comes down to personal preference and I simply put out all of my .44's and picked each one up individually and when I picked up the Super, the decision was made instantly and I sold the others. Some folks would choose the exact opposite way and that would be right for them in every way, a purely personal choice.

 

[GP100man]

there`s not a feelin in the whole world like SATISFACTION.
i went with the Redhawk & it does all i everdreamed & more if i do my part. it`ll be one of the last to leave my hill!!!!!
sold a Blackhawk 45colt with the understandin that if he moves it, it moves back to mee , well it`s gone & so is he now.


GP100man

 

[gazpacho]

If you do decide to sell your RH, might I suggest you switch caliber to 45 Colt? At standard pressures, it is a very pleasurable round to shoot. At +P self defense levels, it is still fun to shoot. At extreme pressures (specifically designed for the SBH) you are in the realm of 44mag power anyway.

Cowboy shooting see a lot of 45 Colt

Standard pressure loads of 45 Colt are VERY easy on the brass, giving you long service life for reloading.