jwp475
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,084
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Post by jwp475 on Oct 16, 2010 9:40:29 GMT -5
It will be interesting to see if a solid consensus develops on this topic. Here are three links to threads on other forums where the hammer link problem is mentioned. I followed your three links and they are ones I also found when researching the subject. Two of the links are from two different threads, but from the same guy and the same gun stating the same problem twice. The other link is from a guy who's hammer link broke for whatever reason. As I read these posts and the scant others on the subject, it is clear to me that a hammer link, like a set of grips, or a rear sight, or any other part of the gun, can break and will occasionally, but is certainly not an inherent problem that affects the Redhawk as a model. I appreciate you bringing up this subject, but still conclude that the Redhawk is at least as reliable as any Model 29 ever built and certainly reliable enough to trust for self-defense use against man or beast. +1. These things sometimes take on a life of their own in cyber space
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Post by redhawk44 on Oct 18, 2010 11:01:32 GMT -5
I would suspect a problem in the heat treating and/or anealing of the part in question.
Of the 4 Redhawks I now own, none have displayed this problem and the oldest one has been fired many many times.
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Post by skipper49 on Oct 18, 2010 11:55:15 GMT -5
Probably AMONG the most reliable sixguns, or any guns, ever built. If YOU are the one who buys the lemon car, washing machine, or gun, it's pretty easy to get sour on that product. All machines have problems from time to time, but the Redhawk is commonly reliable to a fault.
Skip
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Post by bigmuddy on Oct 18, 2010 12:53:34 GMT -5
I have owned a few "Big Reds" and currently have 2. Both are 5 1/2" guns, one 44 and one 45.
I agreed in part with the assessment of the weight of the Redhawk. I tried a 4" and found it really no easier to carry than my beloved 5 1/2. I don't like to wear it on a pants belt, so I carry mine on a separate holster belt.
The 44 is the first one I ever saw in that barrel length in 1983; sold a 7 1/2" to purchase this one. Many many miles and rounds from this one, and YES last year I broke a hammer link. Never gave it it much though, just replaced it. Yes the newer owner's manuals tell you to put them in with the hook pointed the other way. I wondered if that had anything to do with them breaking but have no idea really. Other than the broken link I have never had a problem of any kind.
The 45....is another story. I have had ignition problems and while I have worked on and tweaked the gun so that there is improvement, I still get an occasional mis-fire. I would NOT bet my life on this one.
The comparison with the Model 29 is interesting. I have one of those too, a 29-2 that is a beautiful gun. It has an issue common to that model, in that the cylinder sometimes backs up under recoil. Smith later made improvements to correct this.
Some friends and I recently had a serious camp fire discussion that involved our choice of handgun were we to spend a month in a wilderness area. Topics like this make good camp fire talk! My choice was my 5 1/2" Redhawk in 44 mag.
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Post by waterboy on Oct 19, 2010 12:38:19 GMT -5
I know of a couple std. RH guns breaking an internal part. I do not know which part but I'd bet it is the one you described. These were modified for higher performance ctgs. on the .454 case necked to either .41 or .429 caliber. There are many .475, .500 and .51 cal. std. chassis RH out there but none of my owner buddies have reported trouble so far.
I have SUPER RH modified to the .44/.454 wildcat and shoot 310 gr. Lee cast GC bullets at 1600 fps exclusively. I have never shot it DA and don't really care to but I guess it might come in handy one day. To be honest I don't think even in a panic situation I could keep from thumbing the hammer! It's just me.
I wonder if the "SUPER" with the two spring (mainspring and trigger) design is any more robust? I'll try to break it and get back to you.
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shorty500
.327 Meteor
too many dirty harry movies created me!
Posts: 911
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Post by shorty500 on Oct 20, 2010 17:56:29 GMT -5
interesting post but the only reliability problem i have ever been aware of in the Redhawk stemmed from the occassional short firing pin teamed with AFTERMARKET SPRINGS that create MISFIRES APLENTY especially in the double action mode where the hammer doesnt travel as far to the rear as it does during single action shooting. that translates into less momentum to strike a short pin, which strikes a hard magnum cap and you get CLICK INSTEAD OF BOOM!
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citgab
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 7
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Post by citgab on Nov 25, 2010 23:08:05 GMT -5
Now has anyone ever had a M29 malfunction? I suspect they have. There are going to be a certain number of malfunctions in any product.
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hammer
.30 Stingray
Posts: 233
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Post by hammer on Nov 27, 2010 21:12:27 GMT -5
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Have had a number of Redhawks in different calibers, barrel lengths, and finishes.
The only problem was with the very first one -- first one purchased in my town the year the Redhawk was introduced.
The accuracy was horrendous.
If I recall correctly, at the time I was shooting IHMSA in AAA using a 10½ inch Ruger Super Blackhawk.
Couldn't reliably hit any of the IHMSA targets with that first Redhawk.
Sent that Redhawk back to Ruger. They sent it back untouched saying it met their specs.
It did go bang every time the trigger was pulled -- single-action most of the time.
Later tried a four-inch Redhawk as a carry gun. Found I liked the S&W 29 better.
Still have a few Redhawks.
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Post by chiefbg on Nov 29, 2010 21:27:07 GMT -5
I had a 1998 Ford Explorer that was a lemon. My brothers ran fine...
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citgab
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 7
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Post by citgab on Dec 30, 2010 20:54:39 GMT -5
I have two Redhawks and two Super Redhawks. Never had any problems with any of them.
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aciera
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,069
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Post by aciera on Dec 31, 2010 6:42:44 GMT -5
Seems the title of the thread should be: . Redhawks are relieable.........
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Post by magman on Jan 2, 2011 8:13:16 GMT -5
Now has anyone ever had a M29 malfunction? I suspect they have. There are going to be a certain number of malfunctions in any product. Yes the last 2 S&Ws I purchased (a Model 24 and a Model 29) both had to be returned to S&W for Failure to Fire. Smith decided to keep them for over 2 months.
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Post by cherokee on Jan 12, 2011 10:54:11 GMT -5
I have an early 44 Mag RH and a newer 45 Colt RH. Both are usually fired DA. I have not had a problem with either. I know of a man that shoots RH's in action pistol matches and he has never mentioned a problem with his guns.
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Post by mattgreg on Jan 16, 2011 15:53:38 GMT -5
I've had literally over a dozen RHs and have never had one malfunction. Have been disappointed with the quality of the fit and finish of some of the later ones, but always,always went off. I bet if you take that same 1000 rounds of full house 44 Mag and shot it out of the Smith (BTW I love my Smiths too) they would give up some issues way before the RH does. Saying that, If someone does have trouble with one, then they have trouble with one. Hope you find out what is wrong with it! Good Luck.
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don44
.30 Stingray
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Post by don44 on Jan 24, 2011 13:07:16 GMT -5
I have had mine for 15 years ....0 problems.
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