Ruger's Redhawk: A Durable Double-Action Revolver

Ruger introduced its popular .44 Mag.-chambered Redhawk—a double-action/single-action revolver—in 1979 and it is remains one of the most popular wheelguns on the market to this day. Its success, in fact, might be the primary reason the company discontinued the beloved Security-Six in 1988.

The latter’s construction allowed it to survive the rigors of law-enforcement duty for decades. The Redhawk unflinchingly maintains that tradition, a fact underscored by American Rifleman’s story on its construction in 2009. It notes the revolver’s offset ejector rod, “ … which permitted more meat in the frame around the barrel threads as well as the use of a larger barrel thread designation, both of which increased gun strength.”

A variety of other innovations appear in the gun, many of them designed to streamline production. The result was a revolver that cost significantly less than the Single-Six without abandoning Ruger’s reputation for unfailing performance. Enthusiasts grabbed them up fast—and still do.

Today there are eight variants available, in chamberings that include .45 ACP, .44 Mag., .41 Mag. and .357 Mag. Each feature rugged stainless steel construction with extra metal on the topstrap, sidewalls and barrel mounting area’s to handle the heavier-hitting loads. Their unique single-spring mechanism translates to a smoother trigger pull and a triple-locking cylinder locks to the frame at the front, rear and bottom. Sights are a color blade up front, with and adjustable one at the rear wearing a white outline.

Cylinder capacity is eight rounds in .357 Mag. and six rounds in all other chamberings. Barrel lengths available in .44 Mag. are 4.2", 5.5" and 7.5". Only a 4.2" barrel is available in both the .45 ACP and .41 Rem. Mag. variants, but in .357 Mag. you have three from which to choose—2.75", 4.2" and 5.5".

The vast majority of grips are hardwood, but Hogue Monogrips appear on the .41 Rem. Mag. model and one .44 Mag. MSRP throughout the Redhawk line is $1,339, although the .41 Mag., version is a distributor exclusive and the current price isn’t published.