SRH 44mag - Barrel length

[Varmint Hunter]

I've owned a few Redhawk and SRH revolvers but hunt mostly with a 7.5" SRH in 44mag. It caries nicely in a standard hip holster ... but ... whenever I sit, the end of the holster pushes against the seat, ground, board, whatever.

If the barrel was an inch shorter it would resolve the problem. Does Ruger have a 6"-6.5" bbl for the SRH? If not, what should I expect to pay to have the barrel shortened?

[Graybeard]

Why not just change the way you holster it? Guns with barrels that long work better in shoulder holsters than hip holsters and especially so for sitting. If you scope it which many do these days then the shoulder or bandolier holster is the only way to holster it really. For a gun that large and heavy I pretty much always use a shoulder holster.

[Luckyducker]

Ruger does not offer the SRH in a barrel shorter than 7.5" except for the Alaskan model.  So if you are head set on carrying strong side you can either opt for another Redhawk with 5.5" or have your SRH cut to length, but I don't know how much it costs to have this done.   I have a friend that had a SBH cut from 7.5" down to about 4.5" but it was so long ago it is irrelevent for todays money.   I guess you need to contact a smith and see what he charges for his magic.   BTW, I read on another forum about a fella that cut off his revolver barrel himself.   He used a tubing cutter to score a line around the barrel and then used a hacksaw blade to finish sawing it off.  Then after polishing the cut end he used his case chamfering tool (reloading tool) to crown the cut end.  He said it shot extremely well, but I don't know if he was born lucky or if this is a viable cheapskate way to get the job done.

[spruce]

Have you tried or considered a crossdraw holster?  Most of them carry the gun at more of an angle or "rake" than strong side holsters so the end of the barrel is higher.

Also, they can be moved around to the front side of the hip so the barrel doesn't interfere with the seat back if you're sitting in a vehicle for example.

Some people don't like the crossdraw setup, but if you find it agreeable a new holster is certainly cheaper than the cost of having the barrel shortened by a professional who really knows what he's doing and will stand behind his work.

Just a thought.

[Varmint Hunter]

I am using a Bianchi Cyclone model 111 which can be worn strong side or crossdraw. I just prefer the traditional strong side hip carry. I don't bother with a scope on my wheel guns.  They're OK on my Encore pistols but just don't seem right on a revolver intended for holster carry.

The Bianchi will be fine with a shorter bbl. I think I'll just look for a local smith who can lop off an inch. The gun has already been completely reworked and ported by Larry Kelly of Mag-Na-Port Arms. 

[bluecow]

sound thinking gray beard holster less exepnsive than a new gun but not half as much fun.

[Darrell Davis]

Right on Spruce!

As Spruce stated, the combined butt forward angle, plus carring in front of the hip really makes a difference for carry.

PLUS!!!!!!, using that carry position clears the right side to allow for unobstructed right side carry of whatever you may want.

It will clearly be better with a handgun such as the 5.5" RH then with longer barrels, but left side butt forward is a good place to start.

Also, these rigs are normaly a fairly high ride which also helps.

I carry the 5.5" RH on the 4wheeler in this manner, and find it a very good option, PROVIDING OF COURSE you are not "blessed" with an overly large belly.

For the loooonger barrels and or scoped carry a shoulder rig -- with a slight forward cant, my opinion -- is, as stated by GB, a possibility.

However, depending on the clothes situation, possibly not as easy to get to as the belt option.

Keep em coming!

CDOC

[Glanceblamm]

Have you tried or considered a crossdraw holster?  Most of them carry the gun at more of an angle or "rake" than strong side holsters so the end of the barrel is higher.

Right on Spruce!

As Spruce stated, the combined butt forward angle, plus carring in front of the hip really makes a difference for carry.

+3 as I have used the crossdraw the last five years now. Coveralls can be easily unzipped and the revolver snaked out quickly.

[jhalcott]

 One MUST consider the local regs when resorting to holster carrying any hand gun! Some areas(Maryland) do NOT allow for a hunting firearm to be concealed by hunting clothing. The coat must be short enough for PART of the holster to be easily seen. A Bandoleer style must be worn on the out side of the clothing. A misstep here can result in the loss of both you hunting AND gun priviledges!