Ruger Redhawk .357 or Smith and Wesson Model 27

[Tomcat47]

My first thought is Smith 27....

I like RedHawks.....and GP100's are wonderful as well as SP??

But thinking about it every time I hit the woods for a hike in the east it has always been my Taurus 6" 669 (Smokey Mtns, Appalachian Trail)

Hike's out west always Carried my Taurus Tracker .41 Magnum...a little more umph! Montana (Glacier Park) Wyoming, Utah etc.

Hunting now resides with my 608 .357 6"

Ruger and Smith good choices, but that Ruger is a Tank....like the 608 Taurus, I dont think I would enjoy hiking with either of them.

Hold that thought.............

Here are some surprising results:

Ruger Redhawk 6" 49 oz (5.5 actually)
S&W 27 6" 46.6 oz (6.5 actually)
Taurus 608 6" 51 oz (8 shot)
Taurus 669 6" 43 oz
Taurus 627 6" 40 oz (7 shot)

I do not have a Taurus 627, but I may be looking for one....a 7 shot .357 at 40 oz! The rest mentioned above is only a marginal difference as far as I am concerned...I do not see that there would be a noticed difference carrying a Redhawk, Model 27, or a 608 (with exception of getting 2 more rounds)

I was sure the Redhawk was the heaviest, as it is of the 6 shot choices. The Ruger has the appearance that fools us all I suppose, thinking it is like carrying a block compared to a brick...not so!... although it is heavier by only 2.4 oz. with a 1/2" shorter barrel. unnoticeable! my opinion.

A 627 vs. 608 ... noticeable
Redhawk vs. 27....not noticeable

 

[BullRunBear]

I have a stainless .357 Redhawk, 7.5" barrel. I love it and will never sell it. But if I ever hike with it, I'll use a shoulder harness. That Redhawk has the advantage that, after your six shots, you can beat the survivors to pieces with it. It is a lot heavier than my model 29 in 44 magnum.

Seriously, if you want a revolver that can handle any 357 magnum round that is safe to load, the Redhawk is great, if you can find one. I've read that only about 5,000 were made and that includes all the various barrel lengths, blued as well as stainless. As a bonus, mine is very accurate with 38 special wadcutters. Feels like a popgun.

Good luck with your search.

Jeff

 

[MachIVshooter]

The Redhawk and N-frame .357s are virtually indestructible from a hot-load standpoint.

However, they both have VERY heavy cylinders, and rapid DA fire can batter the stops on either gun.

There is about 2 ounces weight difference between a steel N-frame and a Redhawk in a given caliber & barrel length; They're both heavy.

I would personally go with a pre-lock N-frame. Nothing wrong with the RH (I own a SRH), but Smiths are just plain nicer.

All that said, I wouldn't want to carry either as a trail gun. That's what K-frames are for. Or, in my case, a Glock 20.

 

[Dnaltrop]

My little sister carries the Redhawk .357...

of course she's 6'+ too so my family's perspective of what constitutes a small gun is warped across the board.

 

[MachIVshooter]

of course she's 6'+ too so my family's perspective of what constitutes a small gun is warped across the board.

Ya think? lol.

 

[DM~]

Weight and size notwithstanding, a pre-lock, pre MIM Model 27 is arguably the finest .357 ever made.

The redhawk is a good gun.

NO argument from me, the old 27's ARE the finest 357's ever made. Mine close up like a bank vault, and you can just "feel" the quality that went into them.

DM

 

[CRF450808]

Slick6, daaaaaarn beautiful!! That SS is just awesome man.. Man I miss my Speed 6.. oh, and to the Op, +1 on a Ruger .357..

 

[Guillermo]

the old 27's ARE the finest 357's ever made

the hand fitting and polishing, while derided as useless by some, makes for a more enjoyable handgunning experience.

It is like the difference between a car with a smooth, slick shifter and a clunky, cable actuated unit.

 

[Iggy]

I'm 68 and pack this Mdl 27 every day.


I have a couple more. Wanna guess how I vote?

 

[slick6]

I originally had the following three Redhawk .357's-but, now I only have the two 5.5" Redhawk .357 revolvers pictured below:

 

[CraigC]

There is no way I'd pack a Redhawk .357. Just way too much beef for the chambering. There is NO reason for a .357 to weigh 3½lbs. Were I to tote one, it would have to be a 4" - 5½" big bore. The N-frame 27/28 is also a lot of sixgun for the .357 but it has a very svelte barrel. It packs and balances nicely. Not at all overweight or awkward. L-frames and GP's weigh about the same if they have a full lug barrel. The finest packing .357 would be a 4" model 19 or a 4¾" SAA.

 

[roaddog28]

There is no way I'd pack a Redhawk .357. Just way too much beef for the chambering. There is NO reason for a .357 to weigh 3½lbs. Were I to tote one, it would have to be a 4" - 5½" big bore. The N-frame 27/28 is also a lot of sixgun for the .357 but it has a very svelte barrel. It packs and balances nicely. Not at all overweight or awkward. L-frames and GP's weigh about the same if they have a full lug barrel. The finest packing .357 would be a 4" model 19 or a 4¾" SAA.

+1. Or again a good option would be a Security Six. They are close in weight and size of a model 19.

 

[2zulu1]

I like good triggers and have carried duty N and K frames. I have a bunch of 357mags, Colt, S&W, DW and a Blackhawk. A M29 Mountain gets hiking time, however, so does an 8 shot scandium N-frame that weighs in at about 35oz. It shoots great and is red dot capable if you want fast target acquisition, it's relatively light weight is quite noticeable on the hip and I like its 5" barrel. At the campsite or bedstand, a lower tactical rail can be attached adding the benefit of a tactical light/laser. Designed recently for SWAT personnel, it's a high tech wheelgun that should fill the need for a combat 357mag revolver for years to come.