Magnum handguns tend to get a bad rap. People assume magnums will be impossible to control, or they believe that the person with the gun is compensating for something. The truth is that magnum firearms have plenty of viable uses, and we’re not just talking about the .357 Magnum revolvers. No, we’re referring to the awesomeness that is the Ruger Super Redhawk chambered in the hard-hitting .44 Magnum. This is a legendary gun that fulfills a particular niche—and does it well. Here’s the lowdown on the Super Redhawk.

What’s the Ruger Super Redhawk?

The Ruger Super Redhawk is a large-bore revolver that hit the gun market in 1987, meaning it has nearly 40 years of use under its belt. That first model was released in .44 Magnum—understandably so—with later models including .480 Ruger and .454 Casull. The Super Redhawk came on the heels of the Redhawk, launched in 1979. Unlike the original Redhawk, which is designed more for carry and self-defense, the Super Redhawk is definitely a hunting handgun. There’s no denying it. That doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to shoot in general, though, because it is.

Ruger Super Redhawk Specs

There are two barrel lengths offered for the .44 Magnum variant—7.5 inches and 9.5 inches. It’s the 7.5-inch barrel model we’re covering today, not because the bigger-barreled model isn’t fantastic in its own right but because the 7.5-inch is simply a more versatile revolver. Thanks to that barrel length, this isn’t a gun you’re going to simply slide into an OWB holster and go about your day wearing. But it is an excellent gun.

The Ruger Super Redhawk boasts stainless steel construction and a frame made to withstand the not-insignificant power of .44 Magnum. Ruger reinforced the top strap, sidewalls, and barrel mounting to ensure the revolver is capable of handling even the hottest magnum loads. With that in mind, the manufacturer also built the gun with a triple locking cylinder for superior alignment (the last thing you want is a revolver with the timing off). The cold-hammer forged barrel has precision rifling and a transfer bar mechanism that acts as an internal safety. It has a satin stainless finish and a black Hogue Tamer Monogrip for a comfortable, secure feel.

Other Features of the Super Redhawk

Other features of the Super Redhawk include an adjustable rear sight and red ramp front sight, a grip frame compatible with numerous custom grips, and a 1:20 twist rate. The gun has dual chambering, meaning it can be run with either .44 Magnum or .44 Special, although Ruger is careful to note that they should be factory loads.

With a 7.5-inch barrel, the gun has an overall length of 13 inches, so it isn’t exactly a carry gun. Empty, it weighs 53 ounces, and its 6-round capacity doesn’t bump the weight up too much. Of course, if you mount an optic to the revolver—something you can easily do thanks to the integral mounts on the rib—it’s going to add even more weight.

Overall, this is a well-designed, cleanly machined revolver. The parts have good fitment—a must for a magnum revolver—and the details make it clear the gun’s made to handle hard use and a wide range of loads.

How does the Ruger Super Redhawk shoot?

The first thing you think when you’re looking at a 53-ounce, .44 Magnum revolver is that it’s probably going to recoil significantly, and you wouldn’t be wrong. The good news is the Hogue Tamer Monogrip has a textured rubber exterior that helps you maintain a solid grip during live fire. Those grips are great on their own and not something I’ve ever had reason to change. For a hunting handgun, comfort tends to be a bigger consideration than looking flashy.

Enough of the revolver’s weight is in its frame that it isn’t exactly front-heavy, although the bulk of its weight is ahead of the grip. You feel the pull of that weight when you pick the gun up, but once you’re holding it two-handed, you discover it’s surprisingly nicely balanced. I’ve run guns with so much weight in the front it feels like they’re dragging down while I’m shooting offhand, and that isn’t something you want. However, the weight of this gun is a great feature for mitigating felt recoil.

Some Stout Recoil

Felt recoil during live fire is stout regardless of the load you’re using. Certain loads produce more recoil and muzzle rise than others, but you feel all the magnum loads. There’s no mistaking it for anything but what it is. That said, it’s reasonably simple to get accustomed to the feel of the recoil and muzzle rise and bring the revolver back on target smoothly. There’s no reason at all for the gun to jump around or veer wildly off target. Make sure your grip is firm, your weight is well behind the gun, and you’re prepared for recoil.

The first time I fired a Super Redhawk was years ago, and the best part of it was finding out how precise these guns are. Is there a lot of recoil? Yes. Do you want to spend long live fire sessions with it? No, not really. But you also don’t need to because it’s beautifully accurate and precise on target whether we’re talking paper or deer. The Ruger Super Redhawk produces tight groups with no flyers and no excuses for poor shooting once you’re used to it. The factory sights work well, but you can also mount a scope on it, something that’s pretty common among handgun hunters. The trigger pull is extremely smooth, and the break is clean.

Can you hunt with the Ruger Super Redhawk?

Yes, the Ruger Super Redhawk is an awesome hunting handgun. It’s possible to shoot offhand during a hunt with this revolver but it’s preferable to have a rest. That might be shooting sticks, the edge of a window in a blind, or some other stable object—whatever you use, it’s a good idea to utilize a rest when you’re hunting.

I’ve hunted with the factory irons and also with a scope mounted to the gun. Zeroing the scope is fast and easy, so don’t worry about spending a crazy amount of ammo or time. The fact that it’s an accurate gun helps a lot. On hunts, the Super Redhawk can handle a lot of abuse and functions reliably in different climates. This gun has seen rain, snow, sub-zero temps, and super hot days. It shows no noticeable signs of wear, and really, it’s as pretty as it started out (and I am not that easy on my hunting guns).

The .44 Magnum cartridge is a solid hunting round for a wide variety of game. You can use it on coyotes, feral hogs, and deer. That said, the Ruger Super Redhawk isn’t the ideal gun for self-defense against bears. Even though the .44 Magnum cartridge is a capable round, it’s going to be a lot harder to make rapid follow-up shots on a fast-moving target with this gun. It’s a smarter choice to go with a big bore you can keep on target and handle accurately during rapid fire when it comes to defense against bears. But for hunting in general, it’s perfect.

Get You One

This is a revolver that does take a bit of an up-front investment, but it’s also the kind of gun that truly survives generations of use. It’s practically bombproof. When you get the Ruger Super Redhawk, you’re not just getting yourself a revolver; you’re getting a family piece that can be passed down.

The bottom line is that the Ruger Super Redhawk is a well-made, precise, and reliable gun. It’s well worth adding one to your collection if you’re a hunter. And if you don’t hunt, maybe it’s time you started.