Ruger's first entry into the large-frame double-action revolver market was the introduction of the Redhawk in 1979. Chambered in .357, .41 and .44 magnum, it was the start of the company's foray into the big-bore double-action market.

(Left) The extended frame adds to the strength of the Super Redhawk and allow a scope to be mounted easily with Ruger integral scope rings. (Right) Ruger's triple locking arrangement secures the cylinder at the front with this unique cylinder/crane locking system.

The Super Redhawk was brought on line in 1987. Made completely from stainless steel, this gun turned heads with its extended frame design, which added strength to the gun while offering a longer platform for the installation of optical sights.

Checking in at 58 ounces--almost four pounds with a 9 1/2-inch barrel--the Super Redhawk is presently chambered for the .44 Magnum, .480 Ruger and a combination of .45 Colt/.454 Casull. Barrel lengths include both the 7 1/2- and 9 1/2-inch barrels for general hunting chores and a shorter 2 1/2-inch Alaskan in the .480 Ruger and the .45 Colt/.454 Casull for those sportsmen who feel the need to carry a large-caliber gun in bear country. Choice of finish presently consists of a satin stainless and a Low-Glare stainless in the proprietary Target Grey coating.

SPECIFICATIONS Ruger Super Redhawk
MAKER:	Sturm, Ruger
TYPE:	Double-action revolver
CALIBER:	.45 Colt/.454 Casull
CAPACITY:	6
BARREL LENGTH:	2 1/2, 7 1/2, 9 1/2 inches
OVERALL LENGTH:	8 to 15 1/2 inches
WEIGHT:	53 ounces (7 1/2-inch bbl)
SIGHTS:	Fully adjustable with integral rings included for scope mounting
STOCK:	Rubber with wood insert
METAL:	Satin stainless/Target Grey
PRICE:	$779 to $860

To cushion the effects of recoil, Ruger has installed rubber grips with laminated wood inserts. Removing the grip panels, one takes note of Ruger's innovative frame extension that contains the mainspring, mainspring seat and trigger guard latch. The frame extension was an improvement over the original Redhawk design, as it permits the installation of aftermarket grips in a wider range of styles, wood varieties and manufacturers.

The cylinder on the .45 Colt/.454 Casull Super Redhawk has no flutes and is roll-stamped with the cartridge designations. Keep in mind this is to stylize the gun to a higher level and does not give one license to use over-loaded handloads. The bolt locks on the cylinder periphery are offset in relation to the charge holes (again for strength) with the locking bolt set off to one side within the frame to compensate for this unusual design feature. The cylinder itself locks into Ruger's triple lock system, which locks the cylinder into the front, bottom and rear of the frame.

The gun can be used with fully adjustable sights incorporated within the top strap or, if you prefer, the mounting of an extended-eye-relief scope. The rear sights are adjustable for windage and elevation and contain a white outline around the notch. The front sight is built into a ramp and can be interchanged with a variety of sight blades made by the parent company. Ruger rings are included with the gun and it is a simple matter to install them within the machined cuts on the top strap and add a scope. With this arrangement, and factoring in the scope and rings, weight of the gun can reach 4 1/2 pounds unloaded.

(left) On the Target Grey and Alaskan models, the cylinder has no flutes. Roll marks indicate which cartridge the gun is chambered for--in this case, .45 Colt/.454 Casull. (Right) Best groups were achieved with the very traditional Winchester 255-grain lead round-nose loads. This group at 25 yards measured 1 1/4 inches. At 50 yards, the same ammo grouped 1 1/2 inches.

Single-action trigger pull was a crisp 3 1/2 pounds without a hint of slack before the sear broke. Double action was 12 pounds with the usual stacking before the hammer broke. The trigger is smooth. There is a transfer-bar ignition system, and fit and finish is what Ruger is known for in a production gun.

ACCURACY RESULTS: Ruger Super Redhawk
LOAD	BULLET WEIGHT (gr.)	AVERAGE VELOCITY (fps)	STANDARD DEVIATION	AVERAGE GROUP (in.)
Remington LSWC	225	872	14	3.00
Winchester LRN	255	841	35	1.50
Winchester Silvertip HP	225	839	33	1.25
Velocity recorded 10 feet from the muzzle with a Shooting Chrony. Accuracy tested from a Ransom Rest. Results are the average of three five-shot groups at 50 yards. Abbreviations: LSWC, lead semi-wadcutter; LRN, lead round-nose; HP, hollowpoint.

Out at the range, I chucked the gun into a Ransom Rest to see what it was capable of. At 25 yards, groups averaged 1 1/4 inches with Winchester 255-grain LRNs. Moving out to 50 yards, this group size remained constant while using high-performance Winchester Silvertip hollowpoint bullets in .45 Colt. Releasing the gun from the rest, my "Super" with its 7 1/2-inch barrel was pleasant to shoot with any of the .45 Colt loads from Remington or Winchester and accurate with the Bushnell 2-6X variable installed.

The Super Redhawk is capable of a multitude of duties from casual plinking with reduced loads to full-house loads for serious hunting duties.