Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Is a 7.5 inch Redhawk 44 too much barrel

It's almost impossible to find one , the last one I saw had a 5.5 barrel and was covered with NRA engraving. Dealer just got one in with a 7.5 barrel and it almost seems like too much of a good thing.

Uses will be unfortunate doe culls and Hogs. It Will be riding in a Kenai designs chest holster.

A 7.5 inch Redhawk is a chunk of a revolver, you will certainly not wear it out .
Be careful in the event of maritime operations, if you go in the water that boat anchor will drag you to the bottom : )
I had a 5.5 inch blue 44 Magnum I purchased in the late 1980's that I used for your same purposes (add a couple of alligators and one black tip shark) . It provided excellent service, the blue finish took a beating over the years (salt water/air) and I sent it down the road in 2018 as I began to downsize .
All kidding aside the 7.5 inch will certainly do what you want it to do .

StarchedCover

For me it would right on the line between plenty and too much. IF I were building a hunting revolver AND planned to use only iron sights, then MAYBE I'd want a barrel that long.

5.5" is plenty for everything else, and it would work better in a belt holster if you go that route.



Okie John

Yeah the 5.5 is the one that draws me the most. Thanks for the replies.

For the described use, I'd say they're just right. I've owned at least one. Others were 5 1/2". For an overall .44, I'd prefer the shorter gun, but if you've got several 44 Mag's or are only using it to hunt, the 7 1/2" will be fine.

If buying just one.....a 6".

Since the Redhawk is a little long at 7.5" .....youll have to buy a shorter one too ( under 6" ).

😉

Place that 7.5 on shooting sticks or trekking poles and you'll be able to accurately hit game out to a hundred yards or so with the right bullet/loadings.

5.5 or 7.5 you will need an gun bearer, its a Ruger.

I’ve had two 7.5” over the years, definitely a lot of gun. Both blued. First one I couldn’t get to shoot worth a damn with any ammo. Second one I kick myself in the ass all the time for selling it. It had an older Burris 2x scope on it, great shooter.

Did you try different grips? I know thoes "roller" grips are not exactly target grips.

Depends on how you holster it. On a belt you will not be able to sit down for the most part. IE car/truck seat, log etc. 5.5" would be about the max, at lest for myself. I have a S&W 357PD 4" that is my hunting carry pistol.

I called the dealer and asked him what the barrel length was, the genius behind the counter was too lazy to look at the box and tell me what the length was. Turned out it was 7.5 after another salesperson told me it was sold just a few minutes earlier. Oh Well

I had one of my RedHawks in 45 Colt cut down to a 4” barrel for carry in a El Paso Saddlery Tanker Chest Holster. It’s Still a heavy SOB. 🤠

You’re splitting hairs.

And unless you’re running an optic there’s no reason to not opt for the longer sight radius. I’m not sure why or when the aversion to long barreled handguns started but it’s more than annoying.

Buy the 7.5” and give it hell.

I carry my seven dot five in a cross draw I made and it is very comfortable .

Dont longer bbls mandate more consistent form/ grip due to time of flight within?

A shorter bbl might have some pluses besides convenient carry.

I rather liked my 4" 629-1. But the sights crude enough that for me it was a 50 yard max rig. 6" was good to 100 and the 8 3/8 was easy to blast stuff out a ways.

Even w the crappy locktime of Ruger SA and DA tigs sporting 7.5 to 9.5 ......i shot then well w irons.

Alas, those days are GONE.

Neither the 5.5 or 7.5 are hip guns; the 4inch version isn't either, even if you're a big guy.

The 7.5 is generally easier to hit with and allows for less recoil no matter what you decide to run through it. I've used a Simply Rugged pancake for them and the only detraction is that it's not any kind of speed rig; if you're stand or still hunting, it will be fine for the purpose and easier to hit with.

The 7.5" Redhawk isn't too long for me, but I have pretty big hands. You should buy the length you like. That's why they make different lengths.

Only you can decide, I have long ones & shorter ones. Longer is heavier but gives a bit more velocity, sight radius, less recoil & to some, maybe a bit more balance. It's always a trade off but a good 7.5" gun, if you're hunting is hard to beat.

Dick

You might think my 8 inch anaconda is a bit unwieldy then.