Well...
Ever since I heard that the Ruger GP100's were being made with a 4.2" barrel for Canada I've been excited.
I've long wanted a "cool" revolver; something that doesn't look like it was made for hunting with a barrel 6" or longer.
Don't get me wrong, I love semi-auto pistols, but with today's prices for components I want to get back to really enjoying the range and not running after shooting a string like some down-and-out brass-junkie.
I realized with my last pistol that I spent more time hunched over on my hands and knees than I did shooting.
Just as I was prepared to drop the money required for a GP100 I discovered that Ruger was also making the legendary REDHAWK (in .44Mag) with 4.2" barrel.
My last pistol which I loved was a Dan Wesson CBOB in 10mm Auto. Fantastic. But the .357Magnum and the 10mm Auto are almost identical.
The GP100 as fine as it is wouldn't do (for me). I needed more bang! In comes the Redhawk!
First impressions:
I opened the box, standard Ruger grey. Everything looked in order.
I held the revolver and looked it over. I was not impressed. I could see tooling marks all over the thing. I saw edges that weren't properly finished.
The crown was quite ugly with half the crown looking like there was chatter on the bit used; the crown could be cleaned up but I was really feeling like I overpaid by a lot... this WAS NOT a $1000 gun.
Ok, moving on...
I examined the rifling and it looked acceptable.
Next I thought (in a not so good mood) I will check the cylinder gap.
Ok! This is where the REDHAWK goes from bad to good... all cylinders were identical and the gap was .003" all around! Awesome!! You could barely see light shining through that gap. This is obviously where all the time and money goes on these revolvers. It's now looking like the Ruger is all about mechanics and not finish.
The DA trigger pull is a little too heavy, but smooth. The SA is also heavier than I was expecting, but very crisp.
The cylinder timing is good. All chambers lock-up "well" before the hammer drops.
Of course there is the barrel. 4.2"!! I didn't measure it, but, it's the only game in town and really makes the revolver look well balanced.
The grips. They look nice, but I've never been a fan of Hogue grips. Acceptable.
Overall, I am content with my revolver purchase...
Perhaps I've been spoiled with the Sig Sauer and Dan Wesson semi-auto's I've owned in the past ($1500 price range) but both immaculate in terms of finish.
Conclusion:
I don't think it is a $1000+ gun, maybe $850
. I'm sure it will last forever and the more I handle it the more I like it.
I am VERY PLEASED with .003" on all cylinders. In the end, it's bad-ass and comes with a 4.2" barrel from the factory. I'm happy and I can hardly wait to shoot this bad boy.
*All PICS were taken with BRASS ONLY in the chambers - it is NOT LOADED"
Pics:
Beautiful isnt' it?
A little rough?
Again... no love here.
Visible tooling. Am I being too picky?
GOOD side.
Not so good side.
Someone was a little to hard on the file.
But, I do like... 4.2" from the factory
Ever since I heard that the Ruger GP100's were being made with a 4.2" barrel for Canada I've been excited.
I've long wanted a "cool" revolver; something that doesn't look like it was made for hunting with a barrel 6" or longer.
Don't get me wrong, I love semi-auto pistols, but with today's prices for components I want to get back to really enjoying the range and not running after shooting a string like some down-and-out brass-junkie.
I realized with my last pistol that I spent more time hunched over on my hands and knees than I did shooting.
Just as I was prepared to drop the money required for a GP100 I discovered that Ruger was also making the legendary REDHAWK (in .44Mag) with 4.2" barrel.
My last pistol which I loved was a Dan Wesson CBOB in 10mm Auto. Fantastic. But the .357Magnum and the 10mm Auto are almost identical.
The GP100 as fine as it is wouldn't do (for me). I needed more bang! In comes the Redhawk!
First impressions:
I opened the box, standard Ruger grey. Everything looked in order.
I held the revolver and looked it over. I was not impressed. I could see tooling marks all over the thing. I saw edges that weren't properly finished.
The crown was quite ugly with half the crown looking like there was chatter on the bit used; the crown could be cleaned up but I was really feeling like I overpaid by a lot... this WAS NOT a $1000 gun.
Ok, moving on...
I examined the rifling and it looked acceptable.
Next I thought (in a not so good mood) I will check the cylinder gap.
Ok! This is where the REDHAWK goes from bad to good... all cylinders were identical and the gap was .003" all around! Awesome!! You could barely see light shining through that gap. This is obviously where all the time and money goes on these revolvers. It's now looking like the Ruger is all about mechanics and not finish.
The DA trigger pull is a little too heavy, but smooth. The SA is also heavier than I was expecting, but very crisp.
The cylinder timing is good. All chambers lock-up "well" before the hammer drops.
Of course there is the barrel. 4.2"!! I didn't measure it, but, it's the only game in town and really makes the revolver look well balanced.
The grips. They look nice, but I've never been a fan of Hogue grips. Acceptable.
Overall, I am content with my revolver purchase...
Perhaps I've been spoiled with the Sig Sauer and Dan Wesson semi-auto's I've owned in the past ($1500 price range) but both immaculate in terms of finish.
Conclusion:
I don't think it is a $1000+ gun, maybe $850
. I'm sure it will last forever and the more I handle it the more I like it. I am VERY PLEASED with .003" on all cylinders. In the end, it's bad-ass and comes with a 4.2" barrel from the factory. I'm happy and I can hardly wait to shoot this bad boy.
*All PICS were taken with BRASS ONLY in the chambers - it is NOT LOADED"
Pics:
Beautiful isnt' it?
A little rough?
Again... no love here.
Visible tooling. Am I being too picky?
GOOD side.
Not so good side.
Someone was a little to hard on the file.
But, I do like... 4.2" from the factory
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