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.
-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
Ruger Redhawk .357 stainless revolver
- Thread starter jeffrefrig
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Farmer17
Member
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
GP100 .357 Mag / .38 SPL 6 6 Round Blued Ruger 1704
Last edited:
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
gman51
Member
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 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.
Last edited:
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.
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.
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.
double-dipper
Member
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.
canoeguy
US Veteran
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.....
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.
I suggest you go to a shop that has both GP-100's and Redhawk's, try before you buy.
OP
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.
nachogrande
Member
THE BIGGER THEY ARE, THE HARDER THEY FALL.
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.
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.
Tex1001
Member
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.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
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
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dR6xVKWajdI&t=16s[/ame]
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rF4eBALL6Jg&t=103s[/ame]
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
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dR6xVKWajdI&t=16s[/ame]
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rF4eBALL6Jg&t=103s[/ame]
Last edited:
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I like big framed magnum revolvers. No n frames see the woods but my RedHawks do.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
Next Dirty Harry movie did I fire seven rounds or eight punk?
Qc Pistolero
Member
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!).
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!).
merl67
SWCA Member
Unless you have something against used guns find you a Stainless Ruger Security Six .357 Mag, and keep your SAA clones.
muddocktor
Member
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.
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.
Similar threads
