The Ruger Redhawk is a six-shot stainless double-action .44 Magnum built for woods carry and home defense, and it has an MSRP of $1,449. The frame has no side plates and carries extra metal in the top strap, sidewalls and barrel mounting, which Ruger says is designed specifically to handle powerful magnum loads.

A single-spring mechanism runs the action, which Ruger credits for a smooth, light trigger pull. The front sight is a replaceable colored blade insert and the rear adjusts behind a white outline. A Hogue Monogrip comes on it from the factory. At 47.0 oz and 9.5 inches overall, a 4.2-inch .44 ends up short enough for a belt holster and heavy enough to shoot. Nothing on the gun is cut or based for an optic.

If you're cross-shopping, the Smith & Wesson Model 629 has an MSRP of $1,139 for the same six rounds behind a 4.13-inch barrel, standing 6.1 inches tall and 1.7 inches wide. The Smith & Wesson Model 69 Combat Magnum has an MSRP of $1,039, holds five rounds and saves 9.6 oz at 37.4 oz. The Redhawk lists above both, and it is the one with no side plate in the frame.