Hi Ruger-Redhawk,

I know the standard Redhawk is available in 5 1/2" barrel....and I like it. (My brother has one in .41 Magnum....very sweet!) But the standard Redhawk does not come chambered in either the .454 Casull or the .480 Ruger. It comes in either the .41 or .44 Magnum. And these are both very good calibers. I have owned a number in either caliber in both single and double-action revolvers. But I am going to tell you the truth...when I was helping carry bait into black bear bait stands, (which also happens to be Brownie country), my 629 .44 Mag was "feeling awful small". Now you can call it silly if you like....but one's confidence (or lack thereof) in one's defensive armament makes a difference. And yes, in all honesty probably any handgun would have been feeling kind of small....(but the .454 Casull or .480 Ruger might not have felt as small).

By the way, you can't shoot Griz or Brownies over bait......but the bears don't know the bait ain't for them. And likely would take exception to your pointing that out to them!

The Super Redhawk comes in the heavier calibers...but only comes as short as 7 1/2". I know I could get a fairly short and light single-action in the heavier calibers....but I'd really prefer a good DA revolver.

It's a shame too......I really like the standard Redhawks. To me, at least, they feel better balanced than the Super Redhawks. That is part of my dilemma....I like the Redhawk but it doesn't come any bigger than the standard .44 Magnum. A very good cartridge...but I might opt for one of the heavier ones. (And yes, the new .500 S & W doesn't even come close for consideration in that monstrously big thing it currently is in! I want something portable!)