Ruger Redhawk Convertible

Doc Jones · 10-29-2009, 10:37 PM

I have a Winchester Lever action rifle in 45 LC. I've been looking for a 45LC DA revolver to go with it for some time without success. Everybody has SA 45LC revolvers coming out their ears around here but no DAs. I'm starting to soften on the SA thing. Recently I learned that Ruger makes a Redhawk convertible with cylinders for 45LC and 45ACP. Seems pretty cool to have a firearm with that sort of flexibility for ammo usage.

So, I have a couple of questions.

1. Is a Redhawk strong enough for all types of 45LC loads or would I have to be careful what I bought or re-loaded? I've read here that some older style 45LC revolvers can't stand up to modern 45LC loads. Is this "cowboy gun" up to it? I'm not looking to shoot hot loads. But I don't want the thing blowing up in my face if I buy the wrong bullets.

2. Being a "jack of all trades" does the Redhawk lose anything in accuracy or other relevant performance traits? I worry a bit about compromise. From what I've heard it didn't do the Taurus Judge any good.

Anybody have one? Anybody have the .38/.357-to-9mm model. How do you like 'em?

Thanks

Doc

Deep13 · 10-30-2009, 11:03 AM

The Redhawk is a regular double-action revolver with a swing-out cylinder. It is not possible to swap it with a conversion cylinder, at least not easily.

Ruger's web site shows that a variety of the Super Redhawk is chambered for either .454 Casull or .45 LC the same way that anything chambered for .357 mag. can also shoot .38 sp.

Palladin8 · 10-30-2009, 11:43 AM

I don't know of a Redhawk convertible but the Blackhawk convertible in 45LC and 45ACP exists. I love the Blackhawks, they are accurate and very strong.

big boomer · 10-30-2009, 11:48 AM

they are correct the Blackhawk is the switch cylinder Ruger. Ruger did make some 45 lc Redhawks but a switch cylinder would be a custom job. The Redhawk is a very strong gun. why not buy one in 460 then you can shoot 460, 454casul, and 45lc in the same revolver.

Doc Jones · 10-30-2009, 12:56 PM

Thanks for the correction fellas. 'Twas the blackhawk and not the redhawk. I have trouble seeing the tail feathers without my binoculars anymore these days. ;0)

As to the 460 idea...no gracias. I'd rather not be packing or shooting a monster like that. A hand gun for me is strictly for entertainment and (hopefully never) home defense. My home is unlikely to be invaded by a crack-frenzied water buffalo so 45 LC or acp should be more than adequate.

Of course a home invader would have to pass the rigors of my 20ga shotgun test before having the pleasure of showing me he was too tough for the .45.

I was liking the 45acp cylinder for ammo availability reasons. I sometimes have a hard time finding 45LC and haven't started re-loading yet. I was looking at the .357/.38-9mm for the same reason. Seems like if a guy had one of each in his safe he'd be pretty likely to be able to find something to shoot out of them.

Doc

SwedeSteve · 10-30-2009, 03:37 PM

Go with the Blachawk. You won't regret it !!

Deep13 · 10-30-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big boomer

they are correct the Blackhawk is the switch cylinder Ruger. Ruger did make some 45 lc Redhawks but a switch cylinder would be a custom job. The Redhawk is a very strong gun. why not buy one in 460 then you can shoot 460, 454casul, and 45lc in the same revolver.

I believe you are thinking of the SW X-frame in .460vx. That will work with all three. The S. Redhawk is not available in .460. The cylinder is not long enough.

blat · 10-30-2009, 04:17 PM

Yes, the Blackhawk is the dual cyl. Ruger, not the Redhawk. I had a Blackhawk 45 C/ 45ACP once; fine gun. Strangely, mine was more accurate with the ACP cyl., at least to me.
I've often said that you could touch off dynamite in a Blackhawk, OR a Redhawk, and not blow it up! Just joking, but they are both STRONG guns.

Casey · 11-01-2009, 08:24 PM

I have a Blackhawk in 357/38 - 9mm convertible. I only shot the 9mm once years ago and it didnt give me as good accuracy as the 357 did. I reload my own and will use magnum cases instead of 38 special cases with lead bullets. When using the shorter 38 specials cases I would have a ring of crud (burnt powder and lead residue) at the end of the cylinder which I would have to remove to put in magnum cases. I could push the magnum cases into the cylinders but there would be a slight drag. When shooting them they would compact the crud ring even more onto the cylinder circumference. I shot bullseye pistol leagues for years with the magnum cases and lead bullets, quite accurate too.

Iron_Colonel · 11-01-2009, 09:59 PM

My dad has one that I have shot a few times. Its fun. Could totally be used as a backup sidearm while hunting with some good .45 LC loads in it. Go for some .45 ACP for some plinking, or guessing which cylinder the bullet is in. Can't do that with an auto

big boomer · 11-01-2009, 10:27 PM

I did have the convertible blackhawks once the 357/9 and the 45/45acp they are nice what I want now is the 32-20

10-29-2009, 10:37 PM	#1
Doc Jones Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 107	Ruger Redhawk Convertible I have a Winchester Lever action rifle in 45 LC. I've been looking for a 45LC DA revolver to go with it for some time without success. Everybody has SA 45LC revolvers coming out their ears around here but no DAs. I'm starting to soften on the SA thing. Recently I learned that Ruger makes a Redhawk convertible with cylinders for 45LC and 45ACP. Seems pretty cool to have a firearm with that sort of flexibility for ammo usage. So, I have a couple of questions. 1. Is a Redhawk strong enough for all types of 45LC loads or would I have to be careful what I bought or re-loaded? I've read here that some older style 45LC revolvers can't stand up to modern 45LC loads. Is this "cowboy gun" up to it? I'm not looking to shoot hot loads. But I don't want the thing blowing up in my face if I buy the wrong bullets. 2. Being a "jack of all trades" does the Redhawk lose anything in accuracy or other relevant performance traits? I worry a bit about compromise. From what I've heard it didn't do the Taurus Judge any good. Anybody have one? Anybody have the .38/.357-to-9mm model. How do you like 'em? Thanks Doc

10-30-2009, 11:03 AM	#2
Deep13 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 596	The Redhawk is a regular double-action revolver with a swing-out cylinder. It is not possible to swap it with a conversion cylinder, at least not easily. Ruger's web site shows that a variety of the Super Redhawk is chambered for either .454 Casull or .45 LC the same way that anything chambered for .357 mag. can also shoot .38 sp. __________________ That which can be asserted without evidence may be dismissed without evidence.

10-30-2009, 03:37 PM	#6
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,576 Images: 1	Go with the Blachawk. You won't regret it !! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

10-30-2009, 04:17 PM	#8
blat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Western NC Posts: 385	Yes, the Blackhawk is the dual cyl. Ruger, not the Redhawk. I had a Blackhawk 45 C/ 45ACP once; fine gun. Strangely, mine was more accurate with the ACP cyl., at least to me. I've often said that you could touch off dynamite in a Blackhawk, OR a Redhawk, and not blow it up! Just joking, but they are both STRONG guns. __________________ I feel more like I do now than I did awhile ago.

11-01-2009, 09:59 PM	#10
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	My dad has one that I have shot a few times. Its fun. Could totally be used as a backup sidearm while hunting with some good .45 LC loads in it. Go for some .45 ACP for some plinking, or guessing which cylinder the bullet is in. Can't do that with an auto __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

10-30-2009, 11:43 AM	#3
Palladin8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,451	I don't know of a Redhawk convertible but the Blackhawk convertible in 45LC and 45ACP exists. I love the Blackhawks, they are accurate and very strong.

10-30-2009, 11:48 AM	#4
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 2,310	they are correct the Blackhawk is the switch cylinder Ruger. Ruger did make some 45 lc Redhawks but a switch cylinder would be a custom job. The Redhawk is a very strong gun. why not buy one in 460 then you can shoot 460, 454casul, and 45lc in the same revolver.

10-30-2009, 12:56 PM	#5
Doc Jones Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 107	Thanks for the correction fellas. 'Twas the blackhawk and not the redhawk. I have trouble seeing the tail feathers without my binoculars anymore these days. ;0) As to the 460 idea...no gracias. I'd rather not be packing or shooting a monster like that. A hand gun for me is strictly for entertainment and (hopefully never) home defense. My home is unlikely to be invaded by a crack-frenzied water buffalo so 45 LC or acp should be more than adequate. Of course a home invader would have to pass the rigors of my 20ga shotgun test before having the pleasure of showing me he was too tough for the .45. I was liking the 45acp cylinder for ammo availability reasons. I sometimes have a hard time finding 45LC and haven't started re-loading yet. I was looking at the .357/.38-9mm for the same reason. Seems like if a guy had one of each in his safe he'd be pretty likely to be able to find something to shoot out of them. Doc

11-01-2009, 08:24 PM	#9
Casey Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 73	I have a Blackhawk in 357/38 - 9mm convertible. I only shot the 9mm once years ago and it didnt give me as good accuracy as the 357 did. I reload my own and will use magnum cases instead of 38 special cases with lead bullets. When using the shorter 38 specials cases I would have a ring of crud (burnt powder and lead residue) at the end of the cylinder which I would have to remove to put in magnum cases. I could push the magnum cases into the cylinders but there would be a slight drag. When shooting them they would compact the crud ring even more onto the cylinder circumference. I shot bullseye pistol leagues for years with the magnum cases and lead bullets, quite accurate too.

11-01-2009, 10:27 PM	#11
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 2,310	I did have the convertible blackhawks once the 357/9 and the 45/45acp they are nice what I want now is the 32-20