Redhawk/Raging Judge/Governor

[zanders]

Hey y'all long time lurker first time poster. Anyways I've narrowed my list for next revolver down to 3. Unfortunately I'm relatively new to the firearms market and I need some information. First off the list though.

Ruger Redhawk 45lc/45acp
S&W Governor
Taurus Raging Judge

Now ideally I would like to eventually have all 3 of these, however as my current occupation is "going back to school" toys might take a while. What I'd like to know is if any of these are likely to leave the market sooner rather than later. Also if you have personal experience with and of the revolvers that might be nice to hear too.

Ps. I know the 45/410 is controversial, but all of these are essentially for fun. I have a GP100 for more practical purposes.

 

[captain awesome]

well Redhawks have been around forever, the others I personally consider a little gimicky. they are however quite fun to play with(i have something similar I shoot clays with, a bfr in 45/410) so if any were to be discontinued my money would be on the Raging Judge going first. they dropped their 500 mag Raging Bull among others, it seems like the less common calibers in the line of "Raging" revolvers dont do so well. but i have no idea what their sales numbers are.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

The Redhawk gets my vote, I have no interest in the other two.

 

[js8588]

Redhawk got my vote. Favourite handgun in my collection (pic from when it was fresh, minty new)

 

[Walkalong]

Redhawk.

is if any of these are likely to leave the market sooner rather than later.

That is so hard to say. All have been around for awhile and seem well established.

 

[bannockburn]

zanders

I would go with the Redhawk as well. More substantial and built to last, more so than your other two choices.

 

[adcoch1]

Have a 7.5" Redhawk, and it would be my first pic again.

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

Ive owned the raging judge .454. Ive since sold it for a ruger super redhawk toklat. I did enjoy the judge, and its performance was satisfactory but i couldnt get over all the slop in the moving parts that is common in taurus revolvers, atleast all the 5 or 6 i’ve owned. It never let me down though and was accurate and attractive enough. The weight of the giant cylinder made it a very shootable gun with moderately hot .454 loads. I have to say that birdshot .410 shells were completely useless for anything past about 4 or 5 yards and many a spruce grouse got away unharmed. You’d be making a better investment with the ruger and would ultimately be more happy with it i think. My advice; Save up the extra 2 or 3 hundred bucks and get the ruger.

 

[zanders]

First off I'd like to thank everybody for their commentary so far. It seems that the common consensus is the redhawk because it's the only practical gun on the list. Next is the reason I picked the Raging Judge as far as 454. I would have gone with the super redhawk but my two options were the more snub nosed Alaskan models (nice looking but ow) or the longer models (more what I was going for, but honestly I think the barrel is hideous). So that leaves the Raging Judge and the S&W 460v (which is about an inch under what I was going for barrel wise). Would the 460v be a better choice though do you think?

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Almost anything is a better choice than the Raging Judge IMO.

 

[drobs]

Since you're looking at high dollar 45 cal revolvers. This or another example should be on your list:

S&W Mountain Gun 45 Colt.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/764004900

I'd deactivate the hillary hole. You could have it cut for 45acp moon clips by TK Customs.

Here's the gun you (I) really want:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/764423850
or this one...
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/763651532

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Redhawk, for fun or serious use. Redhawk.

Do nothing well guns are not my cup of tea.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

If you want .454 get a Freedom Arms.

 

[DPris]

I was asked to do a write-up on the Raging Judge when it first came out.
I laughed & said no thanks.

I can think of sillier guns, but not many.
Denis

 

[js8588]

Do you really need 454 Casull?
https://underwoodammo.com/product/h...lt-p-325-grain-lead-long-flat-nose-gas-check/

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=254

http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_351&product_id=434

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...grain-lead-wide-flat-nose-gas-check-box-of-50

 

[zanders]

Those smith's are nice looking guns. So is the freedom arms, but I'm not sure I'm looking to move into single actions at the moment. And honestly, no I don't need 454 casull, there's not even anything big enough here to require that powerful of a round. Still sounds like fun though.

 

[js8588]

Those smith's are nice looking guns. So is the freedom arms, but I'm not sure I'm looking to move into single actions at the moment. And honestly, no I don't need 454 casull, there's not even anything big enough here to require that powerful of a round. Still sounds like fun though.

The Redhawk handles nuclear (Underwood/Buffalo Bore/Doubletap etc) 45 Colt loads with aplomb.

It can't shoot 410 shells but 45 loaded with snake shot is an option.

 

[PapaG]

The Ruger is the only one of the three with properly sized cylinder throats. Most of the Judges and a few of the Governors we've sold leaded badly. Throats were as large as .462", a good .010" too big. If you are going to shoot lead bullets you will develop Popeye arms from the hours you'll spend scrubbing out lead.

 

[captain awesome]

you would be happy with a Redhawk or A 460 S&W..as far as barrel lengths for 460, they come in a variety, take your pick;
2 3/4"
3.5"
5"
7.5"
8 3/8"
10.5"
12"
14"....there may be more, and thats just the Smiths. some are ported, some have a compensator/ muzzle break, some not. Mine (12" PC) is extremely accurate.

 

[CraigC]

The Redhawk is a serious tool, capable of any and all game with the right load. The other two are toys and gimmicks.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Redhawk all the way. I have no interest in the others.

 

[Brett Byers AKA Slow]

REDHAWK in 45Colt/ACP very light recoil shooting 45 ACP.

 

[Bushpilot]

I'd go with the Redhawk 45LC/45ACP without giving it second thought...

 

[stchman]

To the OP:

Get the Redhawk 45LC/45ACP and don't look back. IMO shotshell revolvers are a gimmick. I know Taurus has sold a boatload of their "Judge" guns, so much that S&W decided they needed to get on the wagon with their "Governor".

 

[Ks5shooter]

If you get the Super Redhawk in 454 Casull you can also shoot 45 Long Colt. Also you have the scope mounting option. Id rather have these options and not use them ,then wish I had them. IMHO