A Word on Ruger Revolvers
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2021 9:35 am
I own two Ruger single actions and a double action, and one Smith & Wesson double action. Colt double actions never were on my radar. I wish I would have grabbed a Dan Wesson, but the time is passed because I pretty much have what I wanted. Colt SAA and Colt clones ultimately didn't fit what I wanted, because if I am going to shoot 45 Long Colt I want a stouter round that is suited to both a lever gun and a revolver, and the rounds I'd load would detonate a Colt. Not a problem with Ruger Blackhawks and their super beefy castings and ginormous cylinders.
So Ruger single actions, and here I only own Blackhawks: Fantastic. Nicely finished, durably made, flawlessly functioning. I truly believe that for around 1/3 the cost, a Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk gets you within spitting distance of a Freedom Arms.
Loving my Ruger single actions the way I do, when I needed a 44 magnum I ended up getting a Ruger Redhawk, confident that I would love it the same as my Blackhawks. I don't.
Don't misunderstand. The Redhawk is not a bad revolver. Perhaps if I didn't own a Smith & Wesson I wouldn't be so critical of the Redhawk. But I do and I am.
My single favorite handgun is my Ruger Blackhawk in 41 magnum, and honestly the Blackhawk I own in 45 Long Colt is not far behind. They are just incredible pistols in every regard.
I really tried to love the Redhawk and even spent the money on some Hogue hardwood grips to improve the grip angle, but I'm just lukewarm on it. The trigger pull in double action is just atrocious. I've had mine apart more than once, I've stoned the parts smooth as glass, tried reduced weight trigger springs, and nothing made it a gun I could love. Of all the guns in my collection, if I had the opportunity to trade my Redhawk in on a Ruger Bisley Super Blackhawk Hunter I wouldn't even have to think about it. Nor would I have to think long on trading it in on a Smith & Wesson 629.
So if you ever fall down this rabbit hole and start accumulating revolvers, I give the Ruger Blackhawk family the highest endorsement I can give, but if you're looking for something in double action do yourself a favor and get a Smith & Wesson. They're not as nicely finished as the S&Ws our granddads knew, but they are absolute shooters and they have the best double action trigger pull on the planet.
So Ruger single actions, and here I only own Blackhawks: Fantastic. Nicely finished, durably made, flawlessly functioning. I truly believe that for around 1/3 the cost, a Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk gets you within spitting distance of a Freedom Arms.
Loving my Ruger single actions the way I do, when I needed a 44 magnum I ended up getting a Ruger Redhawk, confident that I would love it the same as my Blackhawks. I don't.
Don't misunderstand. The Redhawk is not a bad revolver. Perhaps if I didn't own a Smith & Wesson I wouldn't be so critical of the Redhawk. But I do and I am.
My single favorite handgun is my Ruger Blackhawk in 41 magnum, and honestly the Blackhawk I own in 45 Long Colt is not far behind. They are just incredible pistols in every regard.
I really tried to love the Redhawk and even spent the money on some Hogue hardwood grips to improve the grip angle, but I'm just lukewarm on it. The trigger pull in double action is just atrocious. I've had mine apart more than once, I've stoned the parts smooth as glass, tried reduced weight trigger springs, and nothing made it a gun I could love. Of all the guns in my collection, if I had the opportunity to trade my Redhawk in on a Ruger Bisley Super Blackhawk Hunter I wouldn't even have to think about it. Nor would I have to think long on trading it in on a Smith & Wesson 629.
So if you ever fall down this rabbit hole and start accumulating revolvers, I give the Ruger Blackhawk family the highest endorsement I can give, but if you're looking for something in double action do yourself a favor and get a Smith & Wesson. They're not as nicely finished as the S&Ws our granddads knew, but they are absolute shooters and they have the best double action trigger pull on the planet.