Cross-posted in the Gunsmithing forum since I figured there's more traffic over here:

Hello All,

Handled a few Redhawks recently and just couldn't make myself love them no matter how hard I tried but sure do love the 5.5 inch barrel length. Pulled the trigger today on a Super Redhawk in .44 Mag with the intention of having the barrel cut down to 5 or 5.5 inches. Anyone have a gunsmith in MN, IA, ND, SD of WI they'd suggest I utilize to do the work? Also, not sure it's a real tough decision to make but if you all were doing this, would you go 5 or 5.5 inches?

Thanks,

John

I like 5.5" barrels

I had one with a 5-inch barrel and feel it is just about perfect. Here is a picture of it -- it is an aftermarket barrel, but the length is 5-inches.

While I like 5.5" barrels on single action revolver I love 5" barrels on S&W revolvers. As Whit pointed out it depends.

Whit...where did you get the barrel and who did the work?? Is that a .454 or .480...or something bigger?

I was in a shop in Ct. last month and they have a 5 or 5.5" that was made by Ruger for one of the distributors...nice looking rig...

Bob

ps...I think this is the one I saw...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=458923862

Hi Bob. That SRH was built by Jack Huntington for me and it is chambered in .500 Linebaugh. The barrel is a PacNor.

The Toklat SRH you saw is chambered in .454 Casull.

Mag-na-Port would be a good place to call

http://www.magnaport.com/

Thanks Whit..it looked "BIG". If I was going to try one it would be in .480 Ruger...that is as far as I go...

Bob

I have a factory Ruger SB in stainless steel with a 5.5" barrel and I like it for hunting. Very handy and holster's real good.

I'm trying to decided right now between a Colt SSA in 7.5" or 5.5" myself. My Colt will be for range work mostly so length isn't as important but if hunting was on the menu I'd go with the 5.5" hands down.

Thanks gents- good options here! I'd love to go that conversion route as Whit has shown only in .475 Linebaugh.

-John

I had one of those too, but if you already have a .480 Ruger, I wouldn't bother converting it as the .480 really isn't giving anything up from a terminal standpoint.

I have a BFR in .475 Linebaugh so that itch is scratched... until I send off the Ruger Bisley for a Nimrod treatment by Mr. Bowen. This SRH will be in the .44 Mag flavor, not because I need another .44 Mag but I did realize I do not have a double action .44 Mag and every man should!

-John

The 5.5" barrel is the primary reason that I recently got a Redhawk.

Other than the Hogue grip, what is the difference between the two?

The frame extension is the difference, including the grip frame that you already mentioned. There is actually little difference in weight despite the fact that the SRH looks so much bigger than the Redhawk.

Whitworth, that is a gorgeous revolver! I'm sitting on a SBH that I want to have made into something like a Bowen Alpine, but am waiting and thinking on the build... that PacNor barrel is uber cool!!