ruger .44 mag ???

[scottcrb]

Have been thinking about gettin a Ruger .44 mag for a while as a backcountry backpacking hunting side arm.  Always wanted a six shooter so was thinking about the Blackhawk in a 4.5 to 5.5 inch barrel  maybe blued with. Wood grips . What are your opinions on the gun ,barrel size, and bluing over stainless option.  Thanks guys .

[buglebrush]

I have the Ruger Super Redhawk in stainless with wood grip.  Absolutely love this gun!  I personally wouldn't go for the blued.  I can't tell you how many times my pistol has been completely soaked for several days at a time while chasing elk.  ( I carry a super light camp on my back )  I also wouldn't be in favor of the single action.   

[scottcrb]

Yeah I was thinking about the single action too. But the Blackhawk only cones in single and the redhawk doesn't come in blued. Maybe the stainless super redhawk is a better option.

[hillbilli]

I've owned redhawk SRH and super Blackhawk, as well as a smith model 29. the most carryable of the bunch for me is a super Blackhawk in the 4 5/8 in barrel. I can hit out to 70 yds or so, it fits comfortably in an inside the waistband holster, conceals well when needed, and I accept it being single action.. how many .44's are really packable?? if you don't have it when bad stuff happens who cares how accurate or comfortable to shoot it is?? I do recommend stainless.. and some practice at the single action..     

[Capt. Rob]

I carried a Super Red hawk in 454 Cassual in Alaska and a 357 black hawk in Montana.  I would suggest the double action stainless in 44 mag, cant go wrong there.

[jasnt]

I love my sbh 44mag. Wouldn't recomend wood grips. Go with a Hogue grip, your middle finger will thank you. I'd recomend stainless as well.  It maybe shiny  but it will last longer with easier care. Mine is the heavy 10 1/2" barrel but it still goes with me everywhere!

[scottcrb]

I do.like the idea of the double action and stainless but the super redhawk only comes in 7.5 and 9.5 inch barrels and I don't think.I want anymore than 5.5 .. did older models come in shorter lengths ?

[HighlandLofts]

I had the whole set of Blackhawks, I gave the 44mag to my oldest son and the 357mag/9mm to my second son. I sold the rest of them and have been buying double action revolvers.
I bought an older 44mag Redhawk that I use for up in the Cascades, When target practicing up in Oso or the gravel pit in Darrington I'll carry my stainless GP100 - 357 six inch.
I switched from the blued Blackhawks to stainless, I have the 44mag Redhawk seven & a half inch, a 357mag Gp100 six inch, a 327 Federal mag GP100 four inch, A 357mag SP101 three inch, a 327 Federal mag SP101 three inch, A 327 Federal mag S&W 632 three inch, a 38+ P S&W642 stubby and a 357mag Rossi 971 with the muzzle compensator.

I'll never buy a blued revolver again, Stainless all the way. I do like the 44mag Redhawk a lot better then the Blackhawk. You might want to check out the 41 mag Redhawk, I'll be picking one up when I see one in stainless and have the extra funds.

[HuntandFish]

S&W 329pd... 4" barrel, blued look, titanium/scandium so no rust issues, double action and the lightest possible .44mag you can find for a back country hunter. It is THE answer for your application in my opinion!

Good luck,
H&F

[buck man]

I've had the super red hawk. Sold it. Love my single action Blackhawks. Can't go wrong. 

[JackOfAllTrades]

+1 for Stainless.  I have a SS Redhawk 5" and probably take it into the back country more often than my blue Bisley Black Hawk 7 1/2". Both are 44mag. Both have taken deer. I think a great pack gun would be a 4 5/8" barrel Blackhawk in 45colt. (a 45colt from a Ruger can be loaded to have more energy than a 44mag)  You might be able to find an older Redhawk in blue finish. There are a few on Armslist.com

-Steve

[scottcrb]

Went and looked at a few today but nobody had what I.was interested in. Think.ill go with stainless and around a 5" barrel give or take if I can.find one in .44 mag either black.or red hawk.

[Come Get Some]

Scott,
 
I have 3 SS Redhawks. they are great guns . More accurate than you can be. My son at 12 years old was hitting gallon milk jugs at 175 yds. I prefer the double action for hunting. But do not look past the Blackhawk Hunter in .44 mag. If you would like to look at them let me know. I have plenty of Ruger double and single actions. GP100, 4" and 6". SP101 in 3". Black hawk in 4".6".7" and 10". Redwawk in 7" and 9.5". hunter in 7". Let me know if you want to look at them. I took the sight and replaced it with a Rifle sight on my 9.5". It has a small front bead and a V with a white line at the rear. Very accurate. Way better than the facory sight.

  Jim

[scottcrb]

Thanks Jim I may take you up.on that. Just having a hard time finding a SS with a 4 1/2 or 5 1/2 " barrel .  I don't want a 7"+ barrel for a back up pack gun. Gun will be mainly for fun and predator defense .

[yorketransport]

I've had 4" and 5" Redhawks and 7.5" and 9.5" Super Redhawks. The 5" Redhawk was probably my favorite. It was the perfect combination of balance and portability.

For the Super Blackhawk I think that the 5.5" is the best balance. I've had a 7.5", 5.5", 4 5/8", and a 3.75" in 44 mag or 45 Colt.

I say if you like the look of blued steel and wood then go for it. Stainless is more durable, but blued steel will last a life time if you take care of it.

Andrew