Redhawk grip woes

[mtnbkr]

I own a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk 44magnum.  I like the gun except for one problem.  I can't find grips that fit my hand (my hands aren't large).  The result is the gun rotating in my hand under heavy recoil and the left grip panel eventually pulling the skin from the first joint where my thumb attaches to my hand.  I don't have this problem with my light loads (240g @ 1000fps), but anything approaching a true magnum load does this.  Taping the joint helps and I imagine a glove will help as well, but I haven't tried that yet.

I shoot the gun well and follow up shots are reasonably quick given the loads I shoot (heavy load is 300@1300), the only issue is the torn flesh.  The recoil isn't a problem, nor is the gun's movement if I didn't lose skin from it.  The gun moves, but my grip brings it back into position as I get ready for the next shot.

The only grip I haven't tried yet are Herretts.  I'm hesitant to spend $100 without knowing this is the solution for me.  A poster on a Ruger board had a similar problem and similar sized hands.  Herretts worked for him.

What would you do?  Continue taping?  Gloves?  New grips?

Chris

[Standing Wolf]

I've never heard of a single action revolver that didn't roll in the hand. You might want to find someone whose gun has a Bisley frame and try it.

I have a number of Herrett's stocks. I like everything about them except the checkering, which isn't up to old standards.

[charby]

I've never heard of a single action revolver that didn't roll in the hand. You might want to find someone whose gun has a Bisley frame and try it.

I have a number of Herrett's stocks. I like everything about them except the checkering, which isn't up to old standards.

Redhawk is a double action revolver.

I'd try gloves first before the Herret grips.

-C

[mtnbkr]

I've never heard of a single action revolver that didn't roll in the hand. You might want to find someone whose gun has a Bisley frame and try it.

I have a number of Herrett's stocks. I like everything about them except the checkering, which isn't up to old standards.

As Charby said, this is a DA revolver.  If I got the Herretts, I'd probably get them without checkering.

I'd try gloves first before the Herret grips.

I found a pair of "sport gloves" at Walmart with the ends of the fingers cut off.  They fit well, don't seem to get in the way, and have a terry cloth "brow wiper" in the area of concern.  I think these may work well for protecting my delicate flesh without the hassle of taping my thumb.  They were a whopping $5. 

Taping works, but it always leaves residue on my thumb and sometimes on the grip panel.

Chris

[K Frame]

Golf gloves.

[Standing Wolf]

Redhawk is a double action revolver.

Oh. Well, heck. I guess my ignorants are showing.

Before spending big dollars on new stocks, I'd recommend a higher, tighter grip and a skosh of flexibility in your elbow. Unlocking one's strong hand elbow doesn't come naturally, but can help lots of shooters.

[mtnbkr]

Golf gloves.

Didn't consider those.  They would fit better and still flex as needed.  I might give them a try if the gloves I bought yesterday are lacking.

Before spending big dollars on new stocks, I'd recommend a higher, tighter grip and a skosh of flexibility in your elbow. Unlocking one's strong hand elbow doesn't come naturally, but can help lots of shooters.

My grip is pretty tight, but I haven't tried unlocking my elbow.  I'll give that  a try.  Thanks!

Chris

[roo_ster]

Ruger Redhawks seem to recoil something fierce.

I used factory 240gr loads with a 5.5" bbl specimen and couldn't manage 10 before crying, "No mas."

My S&W 629, OTOH, I can get through a couple boxes of hot 240gr & 180gr loads with just the old-school skinny grips that cover just the square butt metal on teh sides and a Tyler T-grip filling in behind the trigger guard.

Maybe a Tyler T-grip with the factory stocks would help your problem.  Heckuva lot cheaper than Herretts.

[K Frame]

I used to shoot a lot with golf gloves, mainly shotgun and mainly when it was hotter than hell out. It made keeping a good grip on the gun a lot easier.

I really should get another set for when we hit Bull Run.

[Clem]

I have a couple of 5 1/2" Redhawks in .44 mag and .45 Colt. I have Pachmayr Presentation grips on both. I really like the grip, but I have large hands. I have never shot my Redhawks with the small factory grips.

I sometimes shoot my .500 S&Ws with bicycling gloves. They are half finger gloves with padding in the palm. They work well for snappy recoil.

[mtnbkr]

Ruger Redhawks seem to recoil something fierce.

I used factory 240gr loads with a 5.5" bbl specimen and couldn't manage 10 before crying, "No mas."

My S&W 629, OTOH, I can get through a couple boxes of hot 240gr & 180gr loads with just the old-school skinny grips that cover just the square butt metal on teh sides and a Tyler T-grip filling in behind the trigger guard.

Maybe a Tyler T-grip with the factory stocks would help your problem.  Heckuva lot cheaper than Herretts.

I tried a t-grip, but it didn't feel right.  It isn't the recoil itself, I'm fine with that, it's the movement of the gun that causes the problem.

I have a couple of 5 1/2" Redhawks in .44 mag and .45 Colt. I have Pachmayr Presentation grips on both. I really like the grip, but I have large hands. I have never shot my Redhawks with the small factory grips.

The gun came with Presentation grips.  They're too large for my hand, so it still moved around.

Chris

[Brad Johnson]

People tend to compensate for heavy recoil by stiffening their wrists and elbows. Do the opposite. Keep your grip but let your wrist and elbow flex with the recoil. It will soften it up considerably.

Brad

[charby]

I have a pair of paddling gloves for canoe tripping. They are are fingerless and have a padded palm, perhaps those may work for for you?

http://tinyurl.com/obb7c2

[mtnbkr]

Charby, I don't think padding per se will be the solution.  This isn't impact trauma, but the grip rubbing against my hand, peeling the skin away after a dozen or more shots.  It leaves a flap of skin hanging that I rip off.  I either need to stop the sliding or add a barrier that allows the grip to slide without sliding against skin.  Tape works, as should gloves.  I just got a pair of cheap, fingerless, and unpadded gloves.  Will see how well they work...

Pic attached with a nickel for scale:



Chris

[charby]

Looks like my hands after raking the yard without gloves. I suffer from easily abraded skin, I guess you could say I'm thinned skin. :)

[mtnbkr]

Tried the gloves I bought.  They were too slick and let the gun move too much, but at least my flesh was protected.  Switched to tape and I was back to controlling the gun and not getting flesh ripped off.  I may try golf gloves if they appear "stickier", but otherwise, I'm back to the tape.

I also tried unlocking my elbows.  I already shoot with bent elbows, so allowing even more flex wasn't terribly easy.  It didn't really help any. 

A tight grip with tape in the affected area seemed to do the most good.  I can live with this arrangement until I pony up the cash for Herretts.

Chris

[Brad Johnson]

pfft. A real man would hold it in his teeth. That's what Chuck Norris would do. :D

Brad

[Gewehr98]

Just loosen up, elbows, wrists, grip, everything.

Like this woman did:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrNEsA5f8no

[mtnbkr]

Ouch.

Chris

[roo_ster]

Think skateboard grip tape on the stocks would help?

Keep the sucker from moving about in your grip by gripping it good all over, not just at the web of your hand.  I put a strip going down th eback of the stocks on my .357mag snubby and .44mag WS629.

[mtnbkr]

Think skateboard grip tape on the stocks would help?

Keep the sucker from moving about in your grip by gripping it good all over, not just at the web of your hand.  I put a strip going down th eback of the stocks on my .357mag snubby and .44mag WS629.

I tried that on the backstrap early on.  I only fired a few shots with it and could tell long term use would eat my hand up.  I do use it on my 38special carry gun, but it wasn't a good fit for the 44mag.

Chris

[bedlamite]

You might want to try some Mechanix gloves.

[Regolith]

When I used to play football, the receivers would sometimes buy and wear special gloves that were tacky (as in sticky; not in bad taste) so they could hold onto and catch the ball easier.  Not sure where you'd get them; probably someplace like Big 5.  Those might work.