Shot my new Ruger ALASKAN in 454.

[woodchuckchucker]

I picked up a new revolver last week. I fell in love with the shortened Ruger Redhawk from the first ad I saw in late 2004. Well after several months of trying, the local Gander Mountain was able to find one for me. Last week-end, after getting several boxes of Casull ammo togeather, and digging out my "snorty" 45 Colt handloads, I gave it a minor workout. As most of you know, the Ruger ALASKAN is a Super Redhawk shortened to just 2 1/2". To say that I was a little intimidated was an understatement. I've fired 44 Mags and 45 Colts in the Blackhawk models, but this is a different animal. I was pleasantly surprised. I had very little trouble controling recoil. Granted, the heaviest 454 load was only 250 gr HPs, but I had little trouble with felt recoil. I read one report that likened recoil to slamming ones hand in the hood of a car. I experienced nothing similar. Felt recoil was stout, but not brutal. The ergonomics of the Hogue grips are fantastic. The soft rubber under the web of the thumb is a blessing. I only shot 12 shots, 6@ of 45 Colt, and 454 Casull, but now that I know what to expect, I'll ring it out better the next outing. One additional bit of info. Uncle Mikes make a holster for it, but Ruger has the exclusive rights to market it. The holster is available on the Ruger website for a reasonable cost. There you have it. Later, Bill...............

[Evan03]

thanks for the post.

i jumped on the handgun forumn with the sole purpose of starting a thread to see if anyone handled the little revolver. im dead set on getting one and in the caliber yours is.

ive also got alittle exsperince with 44mags and they are handfull. i like everything you bnrought to table in your thread.

thanks again for the heads up. ill hopefully be ordering one soon.

Evan

[woodchuckchucker]

Glad I could help. That's the reason for my post. This revolver is new enough that few Average Joe's have handled one. I liked everything about the little revolver. When it arrived, I was astonished at the relative size of the thing. I don't have a Super BlackHawk now, but I have had one, and this thing towers over that. I do have a BlackHawk in 45ACP/45Colt, and this model fits the hand better than that. It resembles my SP101 on steroids. It just feels good. As with any Ruger, it can be safely "dry fired" and I have been doing just that. After several evenings of watching TALES OF THE GUN on the tube along with dry fire practice, the trigger feels quite good, single and or double action. I'm impressed! The sights as it came from Ruger, were nearly on with my 45Colt hand loads at the ranges that one associates with deep woods shooting distances. Around here at this time of the year, a 30 yd brush shot is a long shot. I would be comfortable with the ALASKAN and a rest, at deer sized targets with-in that distance. More practice and a leaf drop will increase that comfort level. I'm excited! Keep us informed if you should decide to get one. Good Luck. Bill

[Evan03]

ohhhhhhhh ive decided to get one, i had some cash and was ready order one months ago. but everyone told me it would be a waste of time to order so early. im the guy that had 204 on order for 6 months ouch.

still i have yet to find a store that has one or one that is likly to have one anytime soon. i envy you.

when i ask about the alaskan theyre either like ughhh what are you talking about or that revolvers so far out of our hands right now its not even funny.

Evan