Redhawk .357 ?

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IKE

Single-Sixer
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
157
Location
Central Oklahoma
My 4" GP100 and Security Six are all the .357's I need but I didn't realize they produced a 5.5" Redhawk in .357, there's one on AA (auction # 10702226).....are they pretty rare ?

BTW.....I have no dog in this hunt and it's not my gun.
 

captainjack

Bearcat
Joined
Apr 15, 2010
Messages
63
Location
Vancouver Washington
Welcome to the Forum. The GP is frequently described as "overbuilt" and I think that description is correct. The GP is one tough revolver.

I would describe the .357 Redhawk as "overbuilt times two". If you are into reloading and want to shoot really hot reloads or you enjoy shooting a very heavy revolver the .357 Redhawk would be a good choice. I'll stick with the GP in .357. Some day I hope to add a Redhawk in .44 to my collection.
 

32magfan

Blackhawk
Joined
Jan 8, 2005
Messages
604
Location
Burkesville, KY
IKE,

I knew about them but had never handled one until this year. A shop near me had one that had been fired 12 times, cleaned and put up for 20+years.

It has a 5.5" barrel also. I paid pretty dearly for it but it is a beast of a gun. I can't imagine what .357 loading it could take. I have not shot any really hot stuff in it but the warm stuff was like shooting .38 target loads in a GP100. I shot at our gong at 110 yards with it some. Once I figured out the hold over, it rang it with regularity.

I now have two RedHawks and neither is a 44Mag - my other one is a 4" in 45Colt.

Get it if you want the toughest .357 on the block. :wink:

Thanks,

32Magfan
 

glockman99

Single-Sixer
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Messages
267
Location
Hoquiam, WA USA
That .357 Redhawk is a handloader's dream gun as it can handle some pretty hot loads, with all the steel around the cylinder holes as well as the heavy barrel.
 

308longdistance

Blackhawk
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Messages
879
Location
Stoneham
357 Redhawk 1984-1985, about 5,000 of each 5.5" and 7.5".

Pretty stout handgun. All the Redhawks were made on the same size frame, cylinder, barrels. Just a matter of which size holes they used. 357, 41, 44, or 45. All four calibers were available at one time.
 

IKE

Single-Sixer
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
157
Location
Central Oklahoma
It looks like there are a few folks that want the pistol, it's up tp $560.00 with almost a week left.

I wouldn't mind having it BUT $$.......Hey, I've got a birthday coming up in less than two weeks how bout everyone onboard chipping in and getting it for me ? :D

Ike
 

ranger1

Buckeye
Joined
Mar 21, 2010
Messages
1,092
Location
Minnesota
Not that I believe everything I read, but according to an article published by American Rifle Magazine, the Redhawk .357 Magnum and .41 Magnum were introduced in 1984 and discontinued in 1991…..same information also found in the Blue Book of Gun Values. It also appears that a blued .357 was made 1984-1985.

http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=1418
 

308longdistance

Blackhawk
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Messages
879
Location
Stoneham
While the 357 & 41 Redhawks started production in 1984, the 357 was short lived and was discontinued in 1985 while the 41 continued in production until 1991.

It is rumored that there were some blued 357 Redhawks made on a prototype basis. Yet, none have been seen, reported or produced for inspection. They may be out there somewhere, I've been looking for 27 years.
 

ranger1

Buckeye
Joined
Mar 21, 2010
Messages
1,092
Location
Minnesota
308longdistance said:
While the 357 & 41 Redhawks started production in 1984, the 357 was short lived and was discontinued in 1985 while the 41 continued in production until 1991.

So are saying that Fjestad's Blue Book is publishing bogus information? Just curious.
If so, it wouldn't be the first time!
He clearly states: The Redhawk Stainless Steel .357 Mag. (mfg. 1984-1991), .41 Mag. (mfg. 1984-1991).
 

308longdistance

Blackhawk
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Messages
879
Location
Stoneham
ranger1 said:
308longdistance said:
While the 357 & 41 Redhawks started production in 1984, the 357 was short lived and was discontinued in 1985 while the 41 continued in production until 1991.

So are saying that Fjestad's Blue Book is publishing bogus information? Just curious.
If so, it wouldn't be the first time!
He clearly states: The Redhawk Stainless Steel .357 Mag. (mfg. 1984-1991), .41 Mag. (mfg. 1984-1991).

Yeah, pretty much. Here are the know serial number range for the 357:

Info from: "THE RED EAGLE NEWS EXCHANGE" reference of Ruger Firearms, Volume Two, Fourth Revision, 2/2010, page 11 2ND column last paragraph.

KRH-355 .... 501-11928 to 501-49595 ... 5.5"
KRH- 35 ..... 501-05039 to 501-51358 ... 7.5"
 

WESHOOT2

Hunter
Joined
Mar 19, 2005
Messages
2,124
Location
Duxbury, Vermont, USA
The 357 Redhawk is rare.

It can take certain loads that virtually no other gun can (a Freedom Arms SA and a DW DA exceptions come to mind....).

Oddly, I did not care for my 5.5" version and sold it, keeping my 7.5" version.
I use mine for ammo development (very little these days) and USPSA competition; it handles recoil well.
 

Timber Wolf

Single-Sixer
Joined
Aug 12, 2011
Messages
110
Location
North Florida
308longdistance said:
It is rumored that there were some blued 357 Redhawks made on a prototype basis. Yet, none have been seen, reported or produced for inspection. They may be out there somewhere, I've been looking for 27 years.

Humm, you have me wondering now. One of the local shops that set up at our gun shows had a .357 Redhawk in the case for several shows (every third month around here) and I swear it was blued. I seem to remember thinking I wish it was stainless as I would buy it to go with my .44 Redhawk. Oh well, that was a year or two ago and it is long gone. I knew I should have bought it, another one gets away!
 
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