Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan .44 magnum

[9mm+]

I recently bought a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan .44 and LOVE IT! I came across it a year ago at a local gun show and instantly loved how it felt in my hand and especially like the heft of it. I don't like shooting heavy calibers in scandium/lightweight revolvers -- this is not a particularly enjoyable activity -- so the Ruger was a better choice for me. The fact that the frame is extended forward a bit from the grip makes it easier to draw from a holster, too.

I haven't taken it backpacking yet into the deep woods, so I don't know what the fatigue factor will be for carrying it, but the confidence I have shooting in will remind me that the weight trade-off was worth it. Plus, at 3 pounds, the Ruger can double as a hammer for driving in tent stakes. Just kidding, of course, but the Ruger is some serious metal.

I have read that the Ruger fit and finish is not up to S&W standards, but I haven't found any rough edges or metal shavings anywhere. I own another Ruger pistol (a Mark III) and a S&W Model 10, but I haven't found a huge difference in the quality between the two. Then again, maybe I am not looking hard enough...nevertheless, the Rugers shoot well and are reliable (the Mark III is a bit finicky on ammunition, though), so I'm quite happy with the Ruger brand.

Comments from experienced shooters of the Ruger Alaskan would be most appreciated. Thanks!

 

[9mm+]

Also, I looked at the S&W Alaskan but settled on the Ruger for the reasons stated above. Nothing against S&W, but the cost was higher and I didn't particularly like the engraving. Seemed a bit too fancy for my liking...

 

[dnovo]

The Ruger Alaskan is a fine gun in a 44Mag with proper loads, I use the heavy Buffalo Bore for close encounters of the bear kind. Worked for me on my one and only Alaskan fishing trip. Seemed to impress the bear too, although he wasn't available to offer his view on the encounter after it was over. Not that I was inclined to stay around to ask myself. The guide was carrying one of the S&W 460 Emergency kit guns. He said those do the job just as well. Dave

 

[9mm+]

Thanks, Dave. The Buffalo HC loads would be preferred for the NW, but I live in North Carolina where those loads would be more than enough for black bear. I do, however, visit the NW and would want the Ruger Alaskan firepower which is why I chose it. How was the carry weight for hiking? It's definitely a hefty piece of machinery, but I haven't carried it into the deep woods on a multi-mile/multi-day hump yet.

 

[NMGonzo]

All I can say is that you are the envy of this New Mexican.

 

[zombie44]

I've owned 3 44mag snubbies - a SRH Alaskan, a S&W 3" 29-3 and a 2.5" 629-1. The Ruger is by far my favorite one to shoot, I've shot well over 1k rounds through it by now. Of course I had to take up reloading to keep it that well fed

 

[9mm+]

I took it to a local indoor range today after work and put another 100 rounds through it. My hands were tingling a bit by the end, but I do agree that the heft of the Ruger Alaskan helps tame the recoil of this big snubbie. I think this will be one of my favorite revolvers for a long, long time!