RedHawk sights

[nhnef]

I pulled off my factory rear sight and put a red dot scope on.  Turns out I'm not really happy with that set up.  So I went to put my rear sight back on and it's not in the case.  So I need to replace it.  I could just get a factory replacement, but I thought I'd get some opinions on some upgrades from you all. I posted this here because my Redhawk 7.5" is first and foremost a hunting rig.  I shoot it enough to be proficient but I don't use it for casual shooting, or target.  Too big for a self defense gun so I'm really looking at what works in the woods.  I live in New England so the gunning is usually close and black bear at dusk is certainly an option.  I'm 47 but still not wearing glasses but my eyesight ain't what it was.

With the factory ramp and notch I never felt confident beyond 50 yards and even sighting in wasn't all that great, that's why I tried the red dot.

Anyway...what do you all use?

[Grumulkin]

I put a gold bead front sight and a V rear sight on mine I bought from Gary Reeder.  Opinions may differ, but I find that sight the best for both hunting and for target work and my eyes are older than yours.  I believe, however, that 50 yards with an open sighted 44 Magnum revolver is about the most useful range accuracy wise no matter what open sights you choose.

I have a scoped Thompson/Center 44 Magnum Contender and I had to work quite a bit to get it shooting 1 to 1.5 inches at 100 yards.  I doubt I could get a Redhawk to do any better than 5 or 6 inches with a scope at 100 yards much less with open sights.

[shot1]

When I had a Read Hawk I also put a gold bead front and V back and it worked really well for shooting hunter silhouette. When I started hunting with it in the darker woods I painted the gold bead with bright "hunter" orange model car paint. You could really see it then.

[nhnef]

Thanks for the input.  I've been looking for the gold beads and not able to find them too easy.  I was also wondering if anyone has had success with the ragged hole peep.  I'm leaning towards either a marbles sight or a millet to be able to pick up low light.

[Grumulkin]

I sent Gary Reeder $25 and had my V rear and gold bead front sight in the mail in about 7 to 10 days.

[S.B.]

What about the red dot turned you off?
Steve

[nhnef]

What about the red dot turned you off?
Steve

For one it's just too big.  It's a very nice Nikon Monarch, but it's a 30mm tube, secondly I didn't get the weigland mount, it's a B square and has two "ears" that grab the barrel in front.  It's really not very elegant.  If I scope it again I think I'll use the weigland mount and a small 2x30 fixed leupold, or something like a burris fast fire.

I ordered a set of williams firesights and they should be coming in the next couple of days.  When I install those I'll take pics and right a quick review.  I still may not be steady to 100 yards but at least I'll be able to see the sights better than the Ruger black front sight with the notched blade.

Jim

[Old Griz]

I put the Ruger V notch/bead on a Redhawk and loved it. However, I just didn't like the Redhawk so I traded it for a Bisley and had Reeder put the V notch/bead combination on it.

I tried the One Ragged Hole sights, but just couldn't adjust to them. It's not a problem with the ghost ring rear sight on a rifle when it's just a few inches from your eyeball, but at arms length it just didn't work. Some folks love 'em.

I've taken many a squirrel with a scoped S&W 617, so I mounted a 2x Burris on another Bisley, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. But the eyes are getting weaker. Had to go with cheaters this year. Things are looking fuzzy out there w/o them.

[irold]

Same problems here.. I went with the advice of one of our posters, went with a marbles front and the O.R.H. on the rear. This was on a SRH , in 454.  Worked well for hunting situations , fast to acquire , easy to see.  However , off the bench for bullseye work....didn't suit me... believe I tried too hard, couldn't get a good sight pic.  The instructions even tell ya not to concentrate on the peep....just look through find the front post and shoot. Your eye will automatically center the front within the peep.  I ended up putting the rear blade ( white outline ) back on using the marbles front ( green ).  Use that now , works well for me. 

regards , irold

[S.B.]

irold, could it possibly be that you don't have any military experience? The transition to handgun apenture sights from rifle apenture sights should be relatively easy if you've had training and experience? That said, I dislike the peep sights on pistols as well for different reasons than you but, have them installed on all my lever rifles with excellent results.
Steve

[irold]

No ...thats not it.  Served proudly with the Army in the early seventies, used the  M-16.  Had no problems with that...even now I have a Mini-14, with the Ruger peep...I'm OK  with the rifles. With the revolver, seems like when I "concenrate" on the peep at a target as for sighting in....I lose the post , or the target blurs out ....Iffin I take a quick "don't think about it " shot , it will work out for me........could be the eyes too.....or maybe just me in general.

regards , irold

[irold]

  "I sent Gary Reeder $25 and had my V rear and gold bead front sight in the mail in about 7 to 10 days."


Hey , Grumulkin,

 How hard is it to change out the front blade on the Redhawk ?  Mine appears to be pinned on. Mighty small pin at that. Not sure I have anything that small to knock it out with.  Matter which way the pin is extracted ?   I assume they're a matched set ? ( front and rear ) Just installation and sighting in required ?   I've been tempted to try that set up on my 4" redhawk.  Thanks..regards , irold

[SPW]

The 4in. barrel redhawk takes a different type of sight than what is on the other barrel lengths. Very few aftermarket front sights will fit the four inch model.

[irold]

Yea , that figures !

Thats kinda the way my lucks been runnin lately.

regards , irold