Author Topic: Which gun should I buy? (Read 2167 times)

kc5rkg · « **on:** March 13, 2003, 08:43:53 AM »

Hello everyone!

I am going to purchase a handgun in the near future for hunting. I am most interested in:

1) Ruger Redhawk Stainless .44 Mag 5 1/2 or 7 1/2

2) Ruger SRH .44 Mag with 7 1/2

3) Ruger SBH .44 Mag Stainless 5 1/2 or 7 1/2

I will be deer hunting with it and for now I believe I will keep it open sighted. I have pretty much set my mind on a Ruger in .44, but I just dont know which one. Can you give me your opinions of these guns? Also can anyone give me a good estimate on what these guns are going for on the used market? Thanks in advance!!!!

Scott

Straight Shooter · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2003, 08:54:26 AM »

Scott,

The only one I have experience with is the Super Red Hawk. My Dad has one with a 7 1/2" barrel. He chose to mount a scope on his. The thing is HEAVY. Thats good and bad. Recoil is very tolerable, but I would not want to carry it for an extended period of time.

Hope this sheds a little light for you.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2003, 09:18:47 AM »

I think the Taurus guns are a better value than the Rugers.

Hcliff · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2003, 09:40:46 AM »

I like the SRH. I personaly don't like the blackhawks grip. To short for me.

The main thing is all of them are good guns. You need to check them out and find which you perfer. They will have differnet balnace points and feel. THe SHR is heavy, the SBH has more muzzle flip. The regular Redhawk has wooden grips, some people perfer rubber. The main thing is for you to see what feels good for you.

Good Lick

Hcliff

Zeus · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2003, 09:53:21 AM »

I've had Super Redhawks and Super Blackhawks and I actually prefer the Blackhawk. I had a 7.5" Hunter that was stolen. Very sweet shooting gun and well balanced. However, the most accurate is the one that I have now. Its a 10.5" Super BH and it shoots better than any other one I've owned. Balances great and the muzzle flip is minimal due to the longer barrel. As far as price, I bought the 10.5 used with a 2x Leupold Scope and leupold base and rings. I paid $300 last November. Since then, I sent the scope back to Leupold and they replaced it with a new one so I think I got a pretty good deal all together. The 7.5" is a happy compromise I guess betweent the long and short barrel. I would go and handle all of them and see which feels better to you because you really aren't going to go wrong with any of your choices. GS

kc5rkg · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2003, 12:13:07 PM »

I thought I would just throw this in too. What are your opinions of the Raging Bull in .44 and the Taurus M44 ?

My dad used to have a M44 6" barrel I think, and from what I remember it was a pretty good gun. But its been a while back and I really dont remember all that well.

Thanks for all the info so far! Keep it coming!

Scott

Bullseye · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2003, 12:19:16 PM »

You need to find the one that feels the best in you hand since they all have a different type of grip. I have owned a Bisley Blackhawk, a Redhawk and currently own a Super Redhawk.

My opinion based on shooting the above. I don't like the Bisley grip, hurt my hand and I always used a glove. I have never shot a regular BH. RH was okay, grip was not the most comfortable but did not hurt to shoot it. SRH is the best in my opinion. It looks goofy, but it has a big mass of weight back toward the grip and I think it balances great in the hand. Grips on the SRH are comfortable. I like the sights on the RH & SRH better than the BH. They all shot good, it is just a matter of what you want. It took me a long time to accept the SRH because I think it is a goofy looking gun, but since I liked it the best it has grown on me and is currently the only one of the 3 I still own.

TScottO · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2003, 12:25:08 PM »

In feel the SRH is much too big and heavy for a 44mag. These are really massive guns and not too handy. If I were to choose between the guns you have mentioned, I would choose the RH w/5.5" barrel. Shorter barrels have a better balance and feel to me and are handier to carry.

The velocity you lose buy having a two inch shorter barrel isnt going to make any difference to the game you shoot. But two inches less of sight plane may make a difference in how accurately one will be able to shoot this gun. The longer barrel will give you a longer sight radius which in turn should give you better ability to aim and shoot more accurately.

Ultimately, you should buy the gun that feels best in your hands. Maybe find a friend or a shooting range with rentals and try a few of them out. It's such a shame not to be able to test drive guns, like you can cars. It sure would make choices much easier.

Good luck with your choice.

Scott

myronman3 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2003, 01:14:55 PM »

if you want a gun you will be able to carry around, you go with the blackhawk with a short 5.5 inch barrel. i dont care for the redhawks, nothing against them, i feel they are too heavy. the taurus pistols are great, but again, they start getting on the heavy side. i have a blackhawk with a 10.5 tube, 5.5 is perfect. my bud has a 45 colt b.h. and it is about perfect for a pistol. he has taken a deer at 95 yards. i am considering having mine chopped down.

DennisB · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2003, 01:44:44 PM »

Scott:

If at all possible, test drive one or two before settling on something that you'll want to trade off later. Some folks can't shoot a double action; others dislike the wheel guns. Me, well, I'm partial to a Blackhawk in any caliber I can add to the collection without my bride gettin' suspicious.

73,

Old Griz · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2003, 06:35:35 PM »

Hey Scott!

I tend to disagree with Bullseye (but that's what makes this sport so great!), about the Bisley grip. I've had a Redhawk, but traded it for a second .44 Bisley. The first I scoped and couldn't believe how accurate it was. I had to get another to have with open sights and it's extremely accurate as will. The longer grip lets you get all three fingers firmly on the grip for better control. As a SA it comes apart in seconds and is sooooo easy to clean. Both are the SBH models with modern sights and the 7.5 in. barrel. The RH was a fine gun, but the Bisley was just more comfortable and more fun to shoot.

Sorry Bullseye . . .

Tony · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2003, 07:03:09 PM »

I own both a SBH in a 44mag and a RH in 45 Colt and love them both. Both fit my hands really well and both are extremely accurate. As far as the SRH goes, personally from all the ones I have handled and dried fired had terrible trigger pulls. I have to try a SRH that had a smoother action than a SBH in single action mode or a RH in double action mode. Another personal thing with me is I think the SRH feels unbalanced and besides a taurus raging bull is one of the ugliest revolvers built. Other than all that no matter what Ruger you buy it will be a solid built handgun.

Gregory · « **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2003, 11:09:13 AM »

Scott
For a hunting gun I like to use a scope. If I were to choose from the ones on your list, I'd pick the 7 1/2" Redhawk with the integral scope mount on the barrel. You can start with the open sights and you'll be all set to add a scope when you're ready.
I owned a 5 1/2" Redhawk for many years and was well satisfied with it.
I've handled the SRH, but never fired one. Too big for me. I'd recommend Pachmayer grips for the RH.

helobill · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2003, 05:29:58 PM »

Had a Blackhawk 357 convertable had the 4 5/8" barrel (came with a 9mm cylinder - fun but not very accurate), Not enough oomph for deer beyond 50 yards for me. Traded that for a Super BH 44mag with 7.5" barrel, now 75-100 yards were in range. Very accurate, but as someone said the grips were a little short for my hand. Always liked the way it came up on target though, great point and shoot gun with open sights. Now I've got a Super Redhawk 44mag with a 9 1/2" barrel with a 2x scope...sweet! 100yards definitely! But you gotta like it, some folks here and some of those I hunt with think it's too heavy, I don't. I put it in a bandolier holster and can walk all day with it. You're not going to quick draw it and 'gun down that varmint' but since you're deer hunting and shooting it single action to begin with, usually from a rest of some sort, I don't think it's ungainly at all. Trigger in single action is fine, could you make it better? I guess you could, but it's great for hunting with gloves on, any lighter and I'd be worried about "feel" with the gloves on. I've never met a double action trigger I liked, but for a quick follow up if you're hunting something that might be coming AT you after you shoot it there's nothing like a double action. Loaned it out this deer season, 'cause I went to a Contender in .30 Bellm (Illinois legal) with a 2.5-7x Burris. The Contender weighs about the same as the SRH. Buddy's got an Anaconda with scope that shoots well, and I sight them both in every year. I like my Ruger better, but it's looks and feel mostly, accuracy is about the same with quality ammo. Best advice anyone's given you so far is to go handle them and get what feels right. If you like it, you will shoot it, if you shoot it you will get good with it. Now that the Blackhawk comes in stainless I might start looking at that again for a backup deer gun and sell my SRH (and get a 480 to fill the DA hole :lol: ).
Helicopter Bill

Dave2of5 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2003, 05:47:31 AM »

kc5rkg,

Something you might look at is the Dan Wesson 744V. I think it is pobably the best gun for what you are looking for. The Tauras DA's maybe a better value, but the quality, accuracy and versitility are major pluses for the DW. I have owned my DW 744V for many, many years. It has gone with me on many hunts and has been absolutely problem free. I have both the 8" and 4" barrels, it currently sports the 4". I am currently looking to acquire a 6" ported barrel for it in the near future. (I have some work I want to do on my BH first).

The thing with the Dan Wessons is the options for barrel configurations is extrodinary, as is the duribility, realiaility and accuracy. I played with a scope on this revolver and didn't like it. If I were looking at a revolver that I was going to scope it would be the Super Redhawk handsdown.

For something straight out of the box, this gun is VERY hard to beat.

Whatever you get, make sure YOU like it and it feels good to you. That is more important than any endorsement from here.

Good hunting and have fun.

TScottO · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2003, 08:04:32 AM »

If I was to purchase a revolver with intentions of mounting a scope, I would stay away from the handguns that have an integrated mount on the barrel. I know its a nice feature and a money saver in the over all picture. In my opinion mounting a scope on the barrel of a gun tosses the feel and balance out the window. It also makes it more difficult to find a nice holster. If I wished to mount a scope on a pistol such as this, I would buy a Weigand mount and have the top strap drilled and tapped. This is just one more opinion or consideration you may wish to entertain before the purchase of your gun.

Good luck and enjoy the search for your gun. The search in finding what you want and what works best for you, is just one of the enjoyable experiences of owning a new firearm.

Scott

ftstinyc · « **Reply #16 on:** May 05, 2003, 03:27:04 PM »

I have had Dan Wesson, Redhawk, two 629's, SRH and the taurus raging
bull all in 44 mag. I still have the SRH and one 629 plus the raging bull.
For accuracy the raging bull is the winner. It is also the tightest on lockup.
I have had other taurus guns that were a POS but I can't say that about
the raging bull. I do all my shooting single action so double action is a
non issue as far as trigger pull go's. Out of all these 44 mags I had I would
say the SRH is the least accurate. I am up in years and don't hunt anymore and because of poor eye sight all my range guns in 44 mag have
scopes on them. They are all accurate but the bull is the best. The only
other gun that I have that is more accurate is my Encore. When I did hunt
I always went with a 629 but the raging bull wasn't out then.

Bore44 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2003, 11:52:28 AM »

I owned a Ruger RH for a few years then bought a SBH stainless. While owning both these guns at the same time the RH stayed in the safe while the SBH was the handgun I always grabbed to go shooting. I eventually sold the RH because I never used it. Always shot it single action anyway. I have two SBH's now. Both 44 magnum with 7 1/2 inch barrels. I'm thinking about sending one to Magna Port for their Predator conversion.

But like what has already been said, Choose what You like.

Bore44

Farmboy · « **Reply #18 on:** May 07, 2003, 02:05:44 PM »

Go with the one YOU like and feel the most comfortable with. Now that I've made it even harder for you, I personally would go with the SBH 7 1/2" and a good quality scope. I only wish they offered it in .41 Mag.

Gregory · « **Reply #19 on:** May 09, 2003, 11:48:35 AM »

Quote from: helobill

I've never met a double action trigger I liked, but for a quick follow up if you're hunting something that might be coming AT you after you shoot it there's nothing like a double action.
Helicopter Bill

Bill
Have you shot a Smith and Wesson DA? I think they have a superb trigger right out of the box.

daddywpb · « **Reply #20 on:** May 10, 2003, 01:13:43 AM »

For me, the Blackhawk grips are too short. The Bisley grip is very comfortable and doesn't hurt or cut my hand in recoil. I've never shot a Redhawk, but they feel ok, and the SRH grip is great, but what a monster. Try to handle, or better yet, shoot them all before you decide. I ended up with a Bisley.

Bucky · « **Reply #21 on:** May 10, 2003, 11:45:06 AM »

The super redhawk never felt good to me ( I also never purchased one). I like the feel and balance of the Redhawk much better. The Bisley grips also are more ergonomic for heavy recoil (and they point better in my hand too). Freedom Arms has the Bisley pattern grip on their handguns probably for this reason. Another alternative would be the Bisley Vaquero in SS/44 Mag.
I prefer the 5.5", but I use the Redhawk as back up, camp gun, practice, and a secondary usage is hunting. The 5.5" revolvers are much less likely to get in the way of anything.
Go with what feels best for you. :twisted:

labsrule · « **Reply #22 on:** May 14, 2003, 12:14:24 PM »

I have both a Ruger BH in .44 Mag that was heavily worked over ... and of course I love it. But I'm lucky enough to also have a Dan Wesson 745 VH8C in of course .45 Colt. Practice is the fun part, and the necessary part regardless of your choice. But in a heavy frame revolver such as the Dan Wesson.... or Ruger RH, check out the .45 Colt info available on the net. With handloads you can appraoch or match the effectiveness of a .44 Mag with less presure and recoil. I just enjoy shooting my Dan more when I'm using heavy loads.

Graybeard · « **Reply #23 on:** May 15, 2003, 09:41:39 AM »

I'm joining this really late and perhaps your decision has been made and you have the gun already but haven't come back and said so.

There are generally two camps on big bore revolvers. Those who feel the single action grip style and method of handling recoil is best and those who feel the double action grip and style of handing recoil is best. I am of the latter school. To me any single action of .44 mag. recoil level or more is down right painful in a single action. Yeah even the Bisley grip which is better but still won't cut it for me.

You really need to determine thru trying which of these types are best for you. Then and ONLY then should you make a decision on which to buy. If you find the single action is best for you try a Bisley grip and see if it is better still for you. It might be or it might not. It is for me. But even so I find I have to limit my loads to bullets of 250-270 grains at under 1200 fps to live with it. With 300s or heavier I have to stay closer to 1000 fps to deal with it.

Using a double action I can easily take 330s up to the 1600 fps level in a .454 Casull and not consider the recoil any problem in my RB.

So try all of them if you can. At least try both single and double actions and see which is most comfortable for you in handling the recoil. If you use a loose grip as I do the double action is most likely gonna be best. If you use a strong tight grip the single action might be best. Use a grip that is too light on a single action and the hammer will bring blood on every shot. Oh yeah, been there done that.

GB

willis5 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 15, 2003, 04:08:56 PM »

I think you have narowed it down far enough. try to shoot them if you can and make your choice as to which gun you like the best...
Cheers,
willis5

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #25 on:** May 31, 2003, 02:49:51 PM »

Hey there guys,

Fun topic, and of course my thoughts are the most correct and should be considered above all others.

Now with that out of the way, I guess I'll add that one of the great things about this country and this forum is the fact that we have choices and are allowed to vent our opinions about them.

For me, make it a Ruger. They are just hard to beat for hanging together. I have had 3 or 4 BHs including a Hunter, and they were all good.

The hunter shot me a 100yd group with a 2X scope that no one would believe it if wasn't for 2 witnesses. Was using a 325gr cast bullet from a Lyman reject mold. the bullets cast from WW weighed out close to 350 with the gas check and lube.

Presently I shoot a RH with 5 1/2" barrel. Carry it left side butt forward and shoot a 310gr cast LBT bullet in it. good shooter.

I THOUGHT THE BH WAS TOUGH, B U T SHOOTING THE HEAVY SLUGS, THE CYLINDER PIN TENDS TO BE A PROBLEM. IF YOU SHOOT THE HEAVYS, G E T AN AFTER MARKET PIN AND THAT SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT WAS N E V E R A PROBLEM FOR ME UNTIL I WENT TO THE BIG SLUGS.

Now with the RH, N O problem. It just takes a licken and keeps on ticken. One tough gun!!!!!!

One of the reasons I've tended to stay with Ruger over the last 25 years or so is that I was talking with the then editor of the Speer manual at a gun show one time. My question was, what should I buy if I wanted to have something last long term? His answer was, buy Ruger as in their testing the other brands needed to go back to the plant for work from time to time while they just kept shooting the Rugers.

Maybe not quite as fancy, but tough is the way I L I K E EM!

Keep em coming! :wink:

Big · « **Reply #26 on:** May 31, 2003, 05:29:19 PM »

For what it's worth, I like my SRH. I have a red dot sight on it, and it's very accurate at 50 yards, which is as far as I feel comfortable shooting a handgun right now.