I've been window shopping on computer for a decent revolver and came across a Ruger 5 1/2", 8-shot, stainless .357 magnum revolver. Manufacturer's list just over $1000, the first discount gun shop I looked at online is $814. For a new gun, I can handle either price, but, of course, $200 less is better. I ask is this a good gun that I can keep? Reliable? Accurate? I will have to get rid of a couple SAA clones to makes it look good in my wife's eyes, but they would only fetch realistically about $250 if I'm lucky. Anyone familiar with the gun? Model 5060. Thanks in advance. Jeff T., PGH PA.

The Rugers are great guns that will last forever, but a bit heavy. Here is another option a little cheaper.

GP100 .357 Mag / .38 SPL 6 6 Round Blued Ruger 1704

This one is on my short list. I have a Super RedHawk that I really enjoy.


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I have a gp100. It’s a nice gun. Not quite as refined as my 686 but it’s tough as a hammer. Although I like the wood grips that come on the Redhawks. They are heavy like an n frame. I would imagine your grand kids could give it to their grand kids. The rugers are tanks

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Bobby SWCA #4067
SWHF #1144

Ruger Redhawks are excellent guns. I don't have one but all talk is positive for them. The Ruger GP100 is considered the hardiest built to withstand magnum ammo of any revolvers made today. Ruger has without a doubt the best and fastest customer service of any gun maker today.
I suggest going to your local gun shop and see what he will get you one for. My LGS is almost dollar for dollar with online sales. Figuring online means freight and FFL charges which can easily add $50 to the online price plus the wait to get the gun shipped to you.
I bought a Ruger GP100 Match Champion online and when it delivered to my LGS they had one on their shelf. For $.50 more I could have had the gun from my LGS the same day I bought it. I always call him before ordering an online new gun. My last three or four new guns were bought through him.

If you go to gunwatcher.com you can see prices of just about any gun you want. They show where the best price is and with who. You can even do it with used guns.

I like the Redhawk in .44 mag, but imho it is too heavy and unwieldy for any kind of carry-including field- in .357 mag compared to a S&W 686. Strongly suggest you shoot one first and consider who else might be shooting it also.

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Science plus Art

Take OKFC05's advise seriously. I own an older 7 1/2" 6 shot .357 Redhawk. While it is a great collector oddball as a shooter it is strictly a range gun. At 56 ounces it makes a Model 28 feel like a feather weight and a 28 is on the heavy side for a belt holster. On the other hand the only .357 I know of that might recoil less is the Desert Eagle which is both very heavy and gas operated. I do not intend to bad mouth .357 Redhawks. It is just that if a 36 ounce Model 66 .357 suits your needs then a .357 Redhawk does not and vise versa.

I have a 5.5" stainless .44 mag Redhawk that I really like. It's heavy
even for a .44. It just comes down to what you like because a .357
Redhawk will surely be a reliable gun for you as long as you live.

I have a Sturm & Ruger Redhawk in .44 Rem Mag from about 1986-87. Bill really built the Redhawk for some "HOT" loads and it can handle them. The Redhawk would last the average shooter 10 lifetimes or more.

I have a .44 Magnum Redhawk and and a 3" .357 GP-100 and by far favor the GP-100 for field use and concealed carry. The Redhawk is a heavy beast to be carrying around, still haven't found a comfortable holster for it.

You can probably find a stainless GP-100 for $600 or so new. I paid $500 for mine used, like new.....

I have a GP-100, 357 Magnum stainless full under lug 6 inch, and a Super Redhawk, 44 Magnum 7.5 inch barrel. Both have been excellent revolvers, not as refined as S&W or Colt, but accurate and built for a lifetime of heavy use. I really think the GP-100 is the best when it comes to 357 Magnum. The Redhawk cylinder holds more rounds, but it comes with the penalty of extra weight and a larger diameter cylinder. Also, the Redhawk still uses Ruger's older action design, the newer design incorporated into the Super Redhawk and GP-100 is, in my opinion, a better action.

I suggest you go to a shop that has both GP-100's and Redhawk's, try before you buy.

Thank you all for the advice on the GP100. I will definitely put both guns in my hand and take your advice before buying. For home defense, which is its main purpose, the lighter one sounds more sensible, and if 6 shots aren't enough, well, the extra two won't be either! Number two purpose is killing cans and defenseless pieces of paper. When I use two hands, it's to steady my shot; I don't want to need second hand just to hold the revolver off the table! Again, thank yinz all.

I bought my Redhawk 5 1/2" 6 shot 357 when they first came out & were only available in 357, 6 shots. After having it tricked out, the faster I shot it in DA mode, the better the groups seemed to be. I did have cylinder end shake issues with mine. You will OFTEN hear that from it's massive size that it's a perfect candidate for using WAY BEYOND max loads! NOT IMO, in any gun, so proccede there at your own risk. Drilling the cylinder out for a few more rounds? There is certainly the room, & it will only make it lighter. It's been 30 years since mine & I can't speak for how they are now. For sure it's one I wish I had back.

Too big, too heavy to carry in the field with a belt holster.
An across the chest rig makes mine much more wieldy in the field.

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I'm with her

I ccw a ruger Redhawk 5.5” barrel in 44 mag in the summertime and a Redhawk 7.5” barrel in 44 mag in wintertime on my motorcycle on and off the bike.

I picked up the Redhawk 5.5” in 357 and in 41mag. The 357 is six shot. I’m interested in adding a 8 shot red hawk

I like big framed magnum revolvers. No n frames see the woods but my RedHawks do.

Next Dirty Harry movie did I fire seven rounds or eight punk?

I own and shoot regularly a 5 1/2'' Redhawk.I don't carry or hunt with it(verboten in Canada).I shoot only full magnums in it and it is darn accurate(never seen a .41 Mag that was not).
If you intend to use it for SD,I say that it might be a little on the large side altough it'll sure dampen recoil in a major way.
Target shooting,it is accurate altough the trigger is not easy to modify so as to make it light enough for the purpose.
But the thing is tough as an enraged mother in law!you'll never see the end of it(the gun...not the mother in law!).

Unless you have something against used guns find you a Stainless Ruger Security Six .357 Mag, and keep your SAA clones.

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Randy

You got something against stainless N frame S&W revolvers or something? The 627 Pro holds 8 rounds of 357 and weighs a heck of a lot less than the Ruger at 40.7 ounces as compared to 52 ounces. The Pro version has a 4" barrel and it sells for around $800 from the online dealers. I actually paid $773 for mine from Bud's Gun Shop in 2016. Grab-A-Gun has it for $789 right now.

I know nothing about that Ruger. But I really like my 627 Pro. It's a sweet shooter. It also has the quick change sight system used by the Classic series and the 627 PC guns too, so you can change from ramp to patridge or gold bead patridge or fiber optic sight in a minute or so.

You have a way with a simile.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Have had my Redhawk almost a year now. NO complaints!!!
Only used as a target/range gun, but still brings a grin to the face each time. The 627pro is lighter, but both are great choices.

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I was a kid with my first FAC (firearms acquisition certificate...was living in Canada at the time) when the original Ruger Redhawk came out. It was very impressive handling and seemed to offer a lot of gun for the money. But, it was obviously designed around the 44 magnum cartridge. I'd have happily taken the 357 if offered at a great price, but it was way overbuilt for that cartridge. Guess that's why it was discontinued...

As for the new 8-shooter....
I guess it depends if you really think two extra rounds makes a difference. With the heavy trigger pull of the Redhawk, you'd probably get tired after one fully loaded cylinder.

A lot of people wondered back then in the early 80s, "why didn't they make it in 45 Colt?" That would have been a game-changer back in those days!

Jim

Just to give the OP some pics of a 627 Pro that has been in use since April 2016, here is how mine sits at present. I've swapped the front sight blade to the gold bead patridge blade and changed the cylinder release to the old style, which I find easier to use as a lefty. The stocks on it now are a set of Ahrends round to square conversion retro combat stocks. It's a real fun gun to shoot.




Click on the pic for a higher quality image.

I was at a shop yesterday and held the Redhawk in .44 and .357; didn't notice any difference. The GP100 felt good, too. I believe there's a .357 Smith mentioned above that I held, also. I felt no difference to speak of as far as too heavy. The 627 Pro felt real nice. I liked it the best. But, need to shoot something 1st! I've got nothing but time! So many guns, so few $$$$$$$ !!! Like I said earlier up there, If I can get rid of a couple SAA clones...gotta keep wife happy. 2 for 1 swap seems fair to me! Thanks again yinz guys!

I’d a much preferred they come out with the old six shot “bank vault” .357 Redhawk. The old ones also could use N-frame speedloaders.