Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag
Model: 5044
Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag
Model: 5044
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Redhawk is the standard-frame Ruger .44 Magnum — not the hunting-configured Super Redhawk, not a compact. At 4.2" of barrel and 47 oz, it is the heaviest short-barreled .44 Magnum in this comparison. The Hogue Monogrip ships as standard equipment, which is an upgrade that buyers of the S&W 629 typically purchase separately. Transfer bar safety, satin stainless finish, and 6-shot cylinder are the practical specs for a revolver in this class.
What most buyers don't expect is how well 47 oz manages .44 Magnum recoil at a short barrel. Reviewers who shoot it alongside the S&W 629 consistently report that the extra 4.2 oz is perceptible with full-house loads — cycles feel more composed, follow-through is easier to maintain. That same weight is also the gun's main drawback for carry: at 47 oz and 1.75" wide, it is harder to carry comfortably all day than the 629 (42.8 oz) or the Model 69 (37.4 oz). The Redhawk asks you to accept carry weight in exchange for a more manageable shooting experience.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- At 47 oz, the Redhawk absorbs .44 Magnum recoil better than the S&W 629 (42.8 oz) or the Model 69 (37.4 oz) — reviewers consistently report the difference is noticeable with full-power loads in a short barrel.
- Hogue Monogrip ships as standard equipment, not an aftermarket upgrade. S&W 629 owners typically replace the stock grip immediately; Redhawk buyers don't have to.
- Transfer bar safety allows carrying with a loaded chamber and hammer down, with no manual safety to engage under stress.
- At 47 oz and 1.75" wide, daily carry is more demanding than the S&W 629 — the lighter gun is meaningfully easier to holster comfortably over a full day in the field.
- No factory optic mount. The Super Redhawk has integral scope cuts built into the frame; scoping the standard Redhawk requires aftermarket drilling or a barrel-mounted solution.
Category Rankings
How the Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag ranks among full-size .44 Magnum handguns.
Compare Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag
See how the Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag stacks up against similar firearms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the Redhawk, the Super Redhawk, and the GP100?
The Redhawk is Ruger's standard .44 Magnum DA/SA frame — 4.2" barrel, 47 oz, no optic mount, 6 shots. The Super Redhawk is the bull-framed, extended top-strap variant designed for hunting: 7.5" barrel, 53 oz, integral scope mount cuts machined into the frame, and a heavier build that tolerates sustained hot loads better. The GP100 is a smaller Ruger DA/SA frame chambered primarily for .357 Magnum — it is not available in .44 Magnum. If you want the compact Ruger .44 Magnum, it's the Redhawk. If you want to scope a Ruger .44 Magnum for hunting, it's the Super Redhawk.
Do Ruger Redhawks need a break-in period?
Ruger does not specify a formal break-in procedure, and the transfer bar action is mechanically simple. Owner reports suggest the DA pull smooths out noticeably over the first few hundred rounds of dry-fire and live fire. Some owners run a light action job from a gunsmith after purchase; others find the pull adequate as shipped. The gun is fully functional immediately, but it does improve with use.
