RUGER REDHAWK

Ruger's Redhawk .44 Magnum revolver, introduced in 1979, was, in the words of Ruger promotional materials, "an entirely new firearm, representing the most significant advance in the development of heavy-frame double action revolvers in many decades." The new gun's lineage was quite clear: the Redhawk shared with its predecessor, the Security Six, a solid frame with disassembly via a removable trigger guard, a button-type cylinder release, a transfer-bar ignition system and many styling similarities. There were innovations, too, however. While front cylinder lockup in the Security Six utilized the traditional spring-loaded plunger that engaged the recessed tip of the ejector rod, front lockup in the Redhawk was accomplished by a crane-mounted front latch that engaged a slot in the frame in the area below the barrel threads. Also new was the Redhawk's offset ejector rod, which permitted more meat in the frame around the barrel threads as well as the use of a larger barrel thread designation, both of which increased gun strength. Other changes included a new cylinder latch system; interchangeable front sight blades with different-colored plastic inserts and the use of a single coil spring to power both trigger and hammer. Originally issued in 410-series stainless steel with a walnut grip and a 7 ½-inch barrel, the Redhawk soon became available in a 5 ½-inch barrel length and in blued steel. In 1984, both .357 Magnum and .41 Magnum models were brought out, which were produced through 1991. Since its introduction a number of variants have been produced, mostly resulting from changes in sighting rib width, hammer pivot tab location and ejector. Currently, Ruger catalogs models in .44 Mag. and .45 Colt with either 5 ½- or 7 ½-inch barrels. It is estimated that by the late 1990s, more than 300,000 Redhawks had been produced since the gun's introduction. THIS MODEL WAS WORKED OVER AND CONVERTED TO .45 LONG COLT BUY BOWEN CLASSIC ARMS CORP. NO C/O BUT THEY WILL PROVIDE FOR 95 BUCKS.