Redhawk Barrels

[Steve in Michigan]

Does anyone know, will Ruger remove my 5;5" barrel and screw on a 4" barrel? I wonder what the barrel and labor would cost?

Has anybody ever had Ruger do this?

Thanks,

Steve

[safetysheriff]

why would you want to pay someone to do that small of a modification for you?   it's a relatively small change on a barrel that is seemingly a decent compromise for so many uses already.

am i wrong?

ss'   

[Steve in Michigan]

I realize it isn't much of a change, but I really like the Redhawk with a four inch barrel. If they had offered it when I bought my 5.5", I would have bought the 4" over the 5.5" any day. Besides, it is something I don't have and maybe I NEED to have a 4" Redhawk. You know, like I NEED all the other handguns/rifles I own. It is the "because" clause.

Steve

[SHOOTALL]

might be more cost effective to get a gunsmith to cut your bbl. and move or replace sight !
it is nice to have a one of a kind !

[papajohn428]

I've thought about doing the same thing to mine, but have resisted the urge so far.  I like the easily-replaceable front sight system, thought I could live without it.  Maybe if the gun was a little more compact I'd think seriously about it, but the 5.5" tube is a good compromise.  I had a 7.5" Redhawk years ago, and it felt like an anvil in a belt holster.  Shot pretty good though!

Papajohn

[Survivor]

I say trade in the gun.  Go to your fav gun shop and order the 4".  Think value.  New BBL and Labor $200?  More?  How much does the used gun depreciate in trade?  $200?  Approx.  Use that towards the new set up now that you know better.  Then you have a set up you can depend on for life.  That is to say that you really believe changing the length is crucial.  Maybe fickle is a close second.

[dougk]

I agree with Survivor, you should look at a trade or sell your then buy the 4 inch, or even better buy the 4 inch and sell yours some day. 

[Lloyd Smale]

I would guess that ruger would do this and i would also guess that it will be substatialy cheaper to have ruger do it then to pay a smith to cut and crown a barrel and resolder a sight. Doing it that way also allows you to keep your original barrel. Personaly i think it woud be a great modification to a redhawk. I find even the 5.5 inch guns are a tad big for holster use but the 4 inch gun is about a perfect hip companion.

[GBOK]

You might contact Ruger and ask. In the late '80s I had a Bisley 7.5" changed for a 5.5". The technician I spoke to, just as the Southport plant was closing, sounded reluctant to do it. Later, some years, a new plant manager at the other plant wouldn't allow it to be done. My initial change cost $35 and my old barrel was returned.

[Flash]

Ruger won't install anything the gun didn't originally come from the factory wearing. If you unscrew the barrel  and ask them to install one, they research the serial number and install exactly what they originally shiped the gun with.

[JWC]

In June I contacted Ruger and talked to them about replacing the original 5 1/2 in barrel on a stainless steel Super Backhawk with a 4 5/8 in barrel.  They told me the price would be $155, including return shipping.  I sent them the gun, a check for $155, and about 6 weeks later got it back with a 4 5/8 inch barrel installed.  The original 5 1/2 inch barrel was also returned to me. 

In addition, the gun I sent them was purchased 2nd hand, was well used and appeared pretty decrepit looking.  When I got it back it had been rebuilt and looked new.  The rebuild was not discussed as part of the $155 I paid, its just something they chose to do.  If you call them, they will tell you what they will do, how much it will cost, and break down the cost for you so you know what you are paying for.

[Ken ONeill]

Thanks for the update on the current situation. That's the way it was about 20 years ago, the last time I returned one to Ruger for a barrel change.

[S.B.]

Can't anwer your question but, I called Ruger and asked about having scope scallops cut in a 7 & 1/2" barrel and was told they wouldn't do the job, they suggested I have the barrel changed to one already with the cuts for  $258. I was so surprised that I jotted it down on the note pad in front of the computer.