Which handgun?
 

Ruger(Super)RedHawkor S&W 629 (or older 29)?

I'm looking to maybe get into a centerfire handgun that I can possibly use for hunting. I love the Black Hawk, too, but I think I want a double-action.

Is the Red Hawk built as solid as the Black Hawk? I've heard great stuff on how the Black Hawk can handle loads that others can't, but I wasn't sure if that's true for the RH, too.

Is the S&W 629 built as solid as either of the Rugers?Any difference inaccuracy or resale?Do they cost about the same?

Also, I guess I was mostly looking at a 44 magnum, but what about a 41? Any advantages to going with that round instead?

Any help would be appreciated as I'm more of a rifle/bow guy and not real 'up' on handguns. Thanks guys.

RE: Which handgun?
 

S&W will be more accurate, Ruger can handle a heavier load. Redhawk and Blackhawk are both over built. You will not tear one up. If hunting is your goal, then go with the S&W. If carry only, with less concern about accuracy then go with Blackhawk. I do not care for the Redhawks or Super Redhawks. Too heavy for carry, and will not shoot with the Smith.

RE: Which handgun?
 

Ilike theSuper Redhawk/2x Leupold 44mag. It is big and heavy, but not too big and heavy. To me a hunting hangun is to be used alone and not as a backup. So I put comfort carry at the bottom of my list.

RE: Which handgun?
 

My deerhuntin pistol is the 629 in 44mg,my CW's are all autos.I like the grip better on the S & W over the Ruger.
Iam also Lookingfor a good used 626, 357mg.I miss the one I had back in the early 80's.

RE: Which handgun?
 

Well, I'm very fond of Ruger's pistols/revolvers, so I'm gonna say go with the Super Redhawk, I had one in .454 Casull/45 Colt, and it was a very strong gun, and held up great to stout .454 loads.

RE: Which handgun?
 

I have had both 41and 44in both smith and rugerto me its a no brainer to go with the smith ,but that is your choice as tothe one you are going to be comfortable with. Good luck in your choice, what ever it will be it is the right one for you.

RE: Which handgun?
 

RSRH a really well built gun, cheaper, and no real world difference in hunting performance!

RE: Which handgun?
 

I own both models you are asking about. Don't let anyone tell you that Rugers won't shoot. I have a SBH with a 2x leupold scope that is my go to pistol when hunting. It will shoot as good as my Smith's. I have had the action polished and tuned and that helped a lot. I see you are in South Dakota, if you aren't in a hurry I will be back to MN this spring. I will be selling my SBH because I also have a Freedom Arms .454 that is what I use now and have no more use for the SBH.

RE: Which handgun?
 

WWhunter is right. Rugers will usually shoot very well. I've had both. The first handgun I hunted with was an 8 3/8 nickel plated 29. It was moderately accurate but shot loose after about 1500 rounds. I shimmed the cylinder, set the barrel back,replaced the hammer, trigger, rebound slide, mainspring & strut,trued the yoke,and it shot great after that. Lots of trouble and money though.
I bought a Redhawk in 1983 when they were introduced and it shot great and is a more rugged handgun. I still have it and it's been loaned out a lot, dropped, re-blued, and had about 4500 rounds through it. I shot it about 2 years ago and it still shoots well.

RE: Which handgun?
 

I knew I was going to stir the pot a bit when I said that S&W would out shoot Ruger. But I really do believe that. I also do believe that Ruger's are a stronger built pistol. If, as Ranger said you shoot1000's of rounds, you probably wil shoot a S&W loose if you use heavy loads all the time. I only shoot heavy loads for hunting. I shoot a slower load for practice, and have never had a problem with my S&W.

I also believe S&W gives a shooter more options. You can get your cake and eat it to. Short barrels, long barrels, stainless, blued, titanium, ported, non-ported, trigger is definitely superior, lots of custom shop options.

I have a S&W Stealth Hunter from the Performance Center. It shoots and handles like a dream. Tom.

RE: Which handgun?
 

Don't get me wrong, I like both. The 29 was much nicer to carry, the trigger was fantastic in both single and double action, and it just felt better in my hand. But a 29 just can't handle the abuse thataRedhawk can.

RE: Which handgun?
 

Head0001,
I will agree with you that, on average, the Smith will out shoot the Ruger. But for hunting purposes and at the ranges that these handguns are used the difference is negligable. I was on the Air Force Markmanship team and we used Smith revolvers. Very accurate and will shoot all day with light loads but you start shooting many hottter loads and they work loose. I have replaced many parts in my Smiths but then I used to shoot LOTS of ammo every week. I think that Smith has really improved over the years tough as far as durability goes.

The best advise to someone looking to get into handgun hunting is to see if anyone has the different models for you to try. The recoil is much different in these two revolvers. The Smith slaps the crap out of you whereas the Ruger sort of rolls in the hand when it recoils. Not that big of deal on the lighter loads but with my 300 gr hand loads it can get a little much in the Smith. I have several hunting handguns up to a .444 Marlin 10 inch T/C and my Model 29's are the hardest on the hand. This can be cured with a shooting glove so its not that big of deal. I would rather do an extended session with my Freedom Arms .454 than the .44 mag Smith. But it does take lots of practice to shoot the big bore handguns with consistent accuracy.

RE: Which handgun?
 

629 with the 8" barrel:)

RE: Which handgun?
 

Thanks for the input, guys. I appreciate it.

I know the Rugers have a reputation for being well-built and quite a bit stronger than most other revolvers, but do they also have the same reputation for having heavy triggers like the rifles do?* And if so, is it just the double-action use that's heavy or is the single action of the SBH a tough pull, too?

(*Not knocking Ruger triggers; just stating the reputation, whether it's still deserved or not.The triggers on my own Ruger rifles have covered the whole spectrum; my oldest had a terrible trigger before the gunsmith worked his magic, but I like the 77 Target model triggers and the last 77 mk II stainless I bought had an exceptional trigger right out of the box.)

RE: Which handgun?
 

i would go with a s&w .44 mag i have one with a 6.5in barral and a aimpoint red dot scope its awsome

RE: Which handgun?
 

S&W model 50

RE: Which handgun?
 

Having owned several of each brand, when it comes to strength and durability the Ruger is the hands down winner. Accuracy depends more on each individual gun than the brand and both are capable of fine accuracy. I would go with the Ruger if I only had one. Trigger jobs are pretty cheap if you need one and when its done you have best of all worlds.

Just to carry for emergency or for target shooting with light loads, the S&W would get my vote. I like both revolvers very much but give me the Ruger when I need a TANK of a handgun.;)

My hunting 44 is a Ruger SBH Bisley Hunter with a Nikon 2X scope. My carry 44 is the Taurus Ultra-lite with a 4 inch barrel. 28 OZ. I really love this gun

RE: Which handgun?
 

The only issue with the Ruger Revolvers are the cylinder throats. Get them reamed to .0005 to .001" over groove size of the barrel and play with the trigger to your fancy and your great grandkids will still be shooting it. To lighten double action pull for teeth and claw hunting, may result in a misfire and you may become lunch. Learn to use the cards dealt you on this for emergencies real or perceived. For non dangerous hunting such as whitetails, etc., the single action is the foolproof way to go.

RE: Which handgun?
 

I have a couple ofRedhawks andtwo SRH.Excellent guns.Both of my SRH'sare in 454 Casull.One istheAlaskan w/ashort 2 1/2" barrel which can be a handful.Depending what you're really looking for.The Smith is lighter,might have a very slight edge on accuracy if anyand is easier to carry all day.If you're looking for a gun that will withstand constantuse of heavy loads ,the Ruger beats the Smith hands down.The Smith will loosen up as mentioned.The Ruger has to be one of thestrongest revolver made.To me there is no comparison between the Smith and Ruger when it comes to durability.The Taurus Raging Bull could be another possibilty. They don't interest me.For Single Actions Ruger again unless you have big bucks for the Freedom Arms.

Ruger Redhawk

RE: Which handgun?
 

I have the Smith 629 Classic in .44. Ported barrel helps with the recoil, even with heavy loads it's not that bad. Gun is a great shooter, has taken a bear and more a few whitails with no problem at all.

RE: Which handgun?
 

Just another quick note...Owning both DA and SA revolvers I rarely fire them in DA mode. Actually I have several S&W's but always use my Ruger, I prefer to have a SA for hunting use. I do occasionally carry my DA's but normally when in bear country. The only time I would see a need for DA in the woods is for a VERY close defensive situation.

RE: Which handgun?
 

I have a Ruger Super Redhawk in 44mag and love it. The double action trigger on the Ruger is heavier than a Smith but, at least on mine, the single action trigger is quite good. I have fed mine a pretty steady diet of HEAVY hand loads for 7 years and it is still just as tight as new. The Ruger also comes with a set of rings that are made especialy for it (very heavy duty like the gun.

RE: Which handgun?
 

The idea of S&W being more accurate is a myth resulting from preference or from being unevenly matched. The ruger is MUCH stronger. The only thing is the smith is highly to be smoother out of box.

RE: Which handgun?
 

The Ruger is built like a tank and will withstand more than the Smith, personal preference, both are nice guns