Serious question to a lot of you. Why are Smith's considered safe queens compared to a "beat it up" Ruger? These 2 models are similarly priced as are some of the older models of each.
Let’s start by saying both are GREAT guns and you can’t go wrong with either!
Now, Smiths acquired a reputation for being “fragile” back in the 80’s when metallic silhouette shooters started hotrodding the .44 mag to smack heavy metal at looooooong distances and the old Smith frames where not made to take a steady diet of over 300gr pills pushed well past max loads so many went back to Smith basically shot loose. S&W has made a lot of improvements in their metallurgy and fabrication and today’s guns, even the Scandium framed .44s are rated for any commercial load out there and backed by S&Ws great warranty. And let’s not forget that ol’ Elmer developed his big .44 Mag shooting stuff way hotter than what is commercially available today in guess what, Smith&Wesson .44 Special handguns from the 40s and 50s.
The fact is that the vast majority of folks on this earth will NEVER shoot enough of these Rhino slayer loads through a S&W or Ruger gun to make it fail or even get “loose”. There are plenty of oooooooold 29s out there with thousands of rounds of full power .44 Mag rounds through them still ticking just fine.
That being said, the Ruger RH is absolutely a stoutly built gun and if your intention is to beat it like a drum with Buffalo Bore type ammo, that’s your huckleberry. But it’s also a heavy beast, even in the shorter barrel configurations. Like I said my 7.5” was unbearable to carry for me. I’m sure others do just fine with it.
My Smith Mountain Gun will probably never see anything more than 180 SPs through it because they will do anything I’d ever ask of that gun. No need for 300+ grain sledgehammers for me. Besides they are tough (on me) to shoot in the light but incredibly pleasurable to carry gun.
When I want the excitement of shooting super heavy loads I just take my Ruger Super BH or my 7.5” old Vaquero out and smile, but my choice for portable fun .44 DAs are actually my Smith and my Colt Anaconda. So you could say my Rugers are MY safe queens 😁
When I opt for the Ruger afield, its because of exposure to dirt, water, getting banged around etc.. Not because I think the Smith can't take the heat.
1) The front screw in the rear sight leaf can come loose. Thread lock it if it does.
2) The extrator has two alignment pins pressed into the cylinder recess. Sometimes they fall out or come loose. They can be hard to find, but are easily replaced if sourced.
The oft disparaged modern 29's are minus those two minor short comings.
In the case of my .357 guns, the GP100 was the same new as any of my 686's were used. I would rather risk damaging a new gun that can be replaced easily instead of a gun older than I am.
I picked up a Ruger 10mm revolver since a S&W 610 at an acceptable price was impossible to find at the time. Supposedly the 610 has been released again, but I have no clue on the current pricing.
Well, the one on armslist was a typo- it was actually a .357 (seriously), and none of the local gun stores have a 4” .44 in stock except for a 329PD ultralight, and I am not that big of a masochist.
And ordering one new is gonna be too late to go on next weeks shooting trip.
Drat
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
Well, the one on armslist was a typo- it was actually a .357 (seriously), and none of the local gun stores have a 4” .44 in stock except for a 329PD ultralight, and I am not that big of a masochist.
And ordering one new is gonna be too late to go on next weeks shooting trip.
Drat
You gonna be anywhere near Frisco, TX? $640 buy it now...
Well, the one on armslist was a typo- it was actually a .357 (seriously), and none of the local gun stores have a 4” .44 in stock except for a 329PD ultralight, and I am not that big of a masochist.
And ordering one new is gonna be too late to go on next weeks shooting trip.
Drat
You gonna be anywhere near Frisco, TX? $640 by it now...
Well, the one on armslist was a typo- it was actually a .357 (seriously), and none of the local gun stores have a 4” .44 in stock except for a 329PD ultralight, and I am not that big of a masochist.
And ordering one new is gonna be too late to go on next weeks shooting trip.
Drat
You gonna be anywhere near Frisco, TX? $640 by it now...
On Wednesday afternoon, I’ll be within 50 miles of there
Sounds like striking distance to me
Private seller and he's including a Bianchi holster for the gun. Looks like its in great shape. He might appreciate taking the listing down and not having to pay commissions and shipping.
I prefer the smoother triggers on the S&W N-frames. Though to me, the 6 inch is the perfectly balanced model.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill
After a very frustrating search, and missing that deal on GunBroker that gunNut posted, I found a good used deal on a Ruger Redhawk 4”... which is exactly what I was looking for.
As soon as I get my FFL copy to Omaha, I should have my new gun by the weekend!
Woohoo!
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
After a very frustrating search, and missing that deal on GunBroker that gunNut posted, I found a good used deal on a Ruger Redhawk 4”... which is exactly what I was looking for.
As soon as I get my FFL copy to Omaha, I should have my new gun by the weekend!
Woohoo!
🎉🎉🎉
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Anyone want to help out with some holster suggestions?
I have a shoulder holster for my 5" (or 5.5) Redhawk. Good way to carry it unless you want your pants droppine below your knees with side holster...it's a hevy gun! Got a belt holster, but it's not comfortable for any walking...but it looks great.
Concealed carry is for protection, open carry is for attention.
I got a basket weave style off the Ruger website, I have not carried mine much though except in the holster built into my Badlands Superday pack, I will give it a walk around this weekend deer hunting.
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn away from their ways and live. Eze 33:11
Friend of mine, fan of the caliber's power in a handgun recently bought both brand-new in 6" for plinking and maybe someday hunting. He handloads so tried in both mild and heavy reloads with assorted cast and jacketed bullets, and after testing them quite a few times, ended up selling the Ruger. His 2 main reasons were accuracy and looks, but admitted that the Ruger seemed more robust, therefore probably a better choice for those who like reloading heavy charges.
Anyone want to help out with some holster suggestions?
Field or concealment?
Sure!
Ok, sucks I didn't know this before. I was keeping an eye on a REALLY nice El Paso Rig for a .44 Mag both cartridge belt and DA 4" N frame revolver on eBay but I lost track of it because I didn't really need it. I'll see if I can find it again. What size belt do you wear in cartridge belts? Just in case I bump into something. I'm always looking.
Replies
Now, Smiths acquired a reputation for being “fragile” back in the 80’s when metallic silhouette shooters started hotrodding the .44 mag to smack heavy metal at looooooong distances and the old Smith frames where not made to take a steady diet of over 300gr pills pushed well past max loads so many went back to Smith basically shot loose. S&W has made a lot of improvements in their metallurgy and fabrication and today’s guns, even the Scandium framed .44s are rated for any commercial load out there and backed by S&Ws great warranty. And let’s not forget that ol’ Elmer developed his big .44 Mag shooting stuff way hotter than what is commercially available today in guess what, Smith&Wesson .44 Special handguns from the 40s and 50s.
The fact is that the vast majority of folks on this earth will NEVER shoot enough of these Rhino slayer loads through a S&W or Ruger gun to make it fail or even get “loose”. There are plenty of oooooooold 29s out there with thousands of rounds of full power .44 Mag rounds through them still ticking just fine.
That being said, the Ruger RH is absolutely a stoutly built gun and if your intention is to beat it like a drum with Buffalo Bore type ammo, that’s your huckleberry. But it’s also a heavy beast, even in the shorter barrel configurations. Like I said my 7.5” was unbearable to carry for me. I’m sure others do just fine with it.
My Smith Mountain Gun will probably never see anything more than 180 SPs through it because they will do anything I’d ever ask of that gun. No need for 300+ grain sledgehammers for me. Besides they are tough (on me) to shoot in the light but incredibly pleasurable to carry gun.
When I want the excitement of shooting super heavy loads I just take my Ruger Super BH or my 7.5” old Vaquero out and smile, but my choice for portable fun .44 DAs are actually my Smith and my Colt Anaconda. So you could say my Rugers are MY safe queens 😁
if not, the Redhawk will probably come home.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
I like my S&W 629s. I have a 6" older model and a 5" full lug which i feel is better balance in both vision and weight.
- Don Burt
1) The front screw in the rear sight leaf can come loose. Thread lock it if it does.
2) The extrator has two alignment pins pressed into the cylinder recess. Sometimes they fall out or come loose. They can be hard to find, but are easily replaced if sourced.
The oft disparaged modern 29's are minus those two minor short comings.
I picked up a Ruger 10mm revolver since a S&W 610 at an acceptable price was impossible to find at the time. Supposedly the 610 has been released again, but I have no clue on the current pricing.
"The Un-Tactical"
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
So.......what does all that mean?!?
$640 buy it now...
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/825848154
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
Private seller and he's including a Bianchi holster for the gun. Looks like its in great shape. He might appreciate taking the listing down and not having to pay commissions and shipping.
Winston Churchill
As soon as I get my FFL copy to Omaha, I should have my new gun by the weekend!
Woohoo!
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
-Mikhail Kalashnikov