Why doesn't Ruger make a 44 mag with a 4" barrel?

[.45&TKD]

Why doesn't Ruger make a 44 mag with a 4" barrel? The Redhawk In particular?

The S&W Model 29 was/is popular in a 4 inch, as well the 629 Mountain Gun. Am I the only one who would like to see a Redhawk with a 4 inch barrel?

I also think they should have made their new Alaskan Super Red Hawk in a 4 inch. 2 1/2 inches just seems to be too short, for me.

(Please note that I have as yet not had the chance to shoot or buy a 44 mag, but I am in the market for one, and I want a 4 inch model for the ease of carry).

 

[StrikeEagle]

I have a Redhawk with the 5.5" barrel and it's great... like my Security Six grew up.

Not sure I'd want to cut the barrel length any though... I like the extra sighting radius, velocity and weight that I get with the 5.5. And it kinda cuts down on the blast, I think.

How much are you planning to carry it, anyway?

StrikeEagle

ps to my aging eyes, the longer barrel LOOKS better too!

 

[Old Fuff]

Bill Ruger Sr. had a thing about short barrels on ,44 Magnums. Consequently it was a long time before they started offering them. "Short" in Bill's context was 6 1/2 inches, but eventually he took notice that custom 'smiths were doing landmark business cutting factory lengths back. This concept has not been entirely abandonded - notice the the Bisley-Blackhawk's still only come in long lengths. I have an early O.M. .44 Blackhawk in 4 5/8 length. It is quite controlable, but you do notice when it goes off while using full-house loads.

If I was in your boat I'd seek out a good, used Redhawk, and have the barrel shortened to what ever length I wanted. The savings between the used vs. new gun could help pay for the alterations.

 

[.45&TKD]

I'm just thinking that the shorter length would make it more conducive to carrying or concealed carrying when camping or backpacking. I live in AZ, so from what I hear there are a lot of black bears. All the bear attack threads have me thinking that a 1911 (my regular carry piece) won't cut it in the woods.

Is the 5 1/2 inch easy to carry? I would not want to modify it, so I guess I need a Model 29 4".

I was just wondering. It seems that there would be a market for a 4 inch Redhawk in 44 mag.

 

[StrikeEagle]

Is the 5 1/2 inch easy to carry?

Well... it's "easy enough" to carry I guess, assuming you're not going for deep concealment.

I can't really see a 4" being much easier to tote around... it ain't that much lighter or smaller.

StrikeEagle

 

[Majic]

The vast majority of black bear attacks comes from the person doing something foolish or not paying attention. Black bears usually just aren't very aggressive.

 

[slicers63]

I have lived in Arizona 34 years and traveled all over the State. In that time I have seen one bear. When that bear heard us he took off running. You need to worry about the two legged varmits.

I have a stainless Ruger Blackhawk with a 4 5/8" barrel. It is a nice well balanced gun.

 

[StrikeEagle]

The vast majority of black bear attacks comes from the person doing something foolish or not paying attention. Black bears usually just aren't very aggressive.

True. But still... I lived in Northern Maine for a few years in a cabin waaaaaaay the heck out in the woods. I was in the garden one day and two cute-as-can-be little bearcubs scampered up to me to play.

...

I *instantly* understood the danger and took off runnin like the West Wind. Never did see Mama Bear. Guess I outran her.

I was carrying a Walther PP in .22LR at the time... LOL!

StrikeEagle

 

[.45&TKD]

slicers63, the story at the link below is from the Dillon Precision website and happened in AZ.

http://dillonprecision.com/bear.cfm?dyn=1&

I haven't gone camping or backpacking in years, and not hardly in AZ, but when the kids get bigger, I'd like to.
And, of course, I'd like to be prepared for anything.

I live in the Phoenix Metro area right now, and I'm "over-prepared" for city threats as well.