Ruger Redhawk deep cleaning

[waco]

I decided it was time to give my 44 Redhawk a good cleaning. I little bit tricky getting it put back together properly but I held my tongue just right and managed to fumble my way through it.
I'll post links to the two YouTube videos I used to help me disassemble and reassemble the revolver in case anyone is interested on how to tear down your Redhawk.

 

[waco]

 

[Brad]

One big advantage to the Super RH is the fact it has lockwork just like the GP100. None of this shared mainspring/trigger spring.
Brownells sells a special screwdriver that lets you tear the entire cylinder down. Worth every penny.

 

[waco]

Brownells sells a special screwdriver that lets you tear the entire cylinder down. Worth every penny.

Do the cylinders tear down the same on the RH vs the SRH?

 

[Brad]

I don't know? Good question.
I think the lockwork on both are very similar, just a few small changes made to Super to mirror the GP.
I can assure you the Super and GP tear down the same and innards look the same.

 

[freebullet]

Way to go, waco.

Knowing" how to" is priceless.

 

[Brad]

Waco, watching this video tells me the cylinders are pretty much the same in assembly and disassembly. At 8:49 or so in this video he talked about the special tool needed to take the remainder of the cylinder apart. This looks like a newer version of the proper tool. http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...-double-action-screwdriver-set-prod22138.aspx

I suppose a couple empty cases in the cylinder to help suppprt the extractor star when loosing the screw. By the way, that screw has left hand threads! I just snug it up when I reassemble.

I probably tear my GP and SRH down annually. Nice to really clean them up and lube them properly.

 

[waco]

Thanks for the link.

 

[Brad]

No problem. You showed me how to remove the cylinder from my 624, I kinda owed you.

Am I the only one who is amazed at the amount of useful info on YouTube? I don't know that anyone is shocked by the volume of bad info.

 

[waco]

You really can find most anything on there. God bless the people who take the time to make and post these videos. They really can be useful.

 

[Winelover]

Obtained my RH, long before the internet even existed. What did we do? We read the owners manual. It's all in there. Same with their twenty two auto, which some find near impossible to reassemble.

 

[358156 hp]

You can remove and reinstall the cylinder from the yoke with a pocket screwdriver, and a small punch. Growing a third hand would be handy at times, but I've always been able to get around that in one way or another. I've always simply flushed the cylinder out, and haven't tried removing the extractor star yet. I suppose I'll need to try it sooner or later.

 

[Pistolero]

I really like the design of the Ruger DA revolvers, from an engineering standpoint. The RH
is a bit different in details, but the same conceptual design with the parts attached to the
trigger assy which rotates out the bottom of the frame.

First started this basic design in the 70s with the Security Six. I took one apart at a small gun shop when they were brand new in '76 or '77, with permission
of the owner, because I was so enamored of the concept. Took two tries (while he was fortunately distracted by a phone
call ) to get it back together so it would WORK.
But I figured it out, had the hand misplaced as it want back up into the frame. Neat idea to have it all come out that way.

If you take 600 grit wet or dry and polish each of the trigger assy parts on the flat sides on the paper on a piece of
glass, and add a Wolff spring kit, you will be surprised how nicely the action will improve.

Bill

 

[KeithB]

I really like the design of the Ruger DA revolvers, from an engineering standpoint.

Me too. Had a Security Six, now have a GP100 and a Redhawk. Built like bank vaults. Can't imagine what kind of abuse it would take to break one.

 

[Brad]

If you are good you can even get the ejector rod assembly back together without a third hand. I have managed it many times, have it down pretty good now. Similar to getting a firing pin out of a Series 80 1911.

Ruger GP100 is an excellent design. The Super RH is essentially a bigger version. I like the ease of tear down. With time the triggers get better.

 

[Pistolero]

"Series 80 1911...." GRRRR.
A personal pet peeve.

As Col Cooper said about a different "ingenious solution".....An ingenious solution to a non-existent problem.

I will never buy another 1911 with that abomination installed.

Bill

 

[Cherokee]

My GP100 was impossible to take down, it just would not come apart. It's gone. My 44M & 45C Redhawks do not get taken apart, hose them down , pour in lube and call it good; clean the bl and cyl's and I'm done. They are tough firearms but difficult for me to take apart so I don't do it.

 

[Ian]

"Series 80 1911...." GRRRR.
A personal pet peeve.

As Col Cooper said about a different "ingenious solution".....An ingenious solution to a non-existent problem.

I will never buy another 1911 with that abomination installed.

Bill

You and me both. I remember reading that column in G&A about 25 years ago, particularly the part about what it takes to make a series 70 discharge when dropped (6', straight on the muzzle on concrete) and his comment about what the h-e-l-l is that going to injure except the concrete??? My thoughts exactly, with tongue firmly in cheek about the "ingenious" part.

 

[Pistolero]

Another plus for Ruger 1911s. Ti firing pin, slightly stouter fp spring and good to go.
I had a friend who managed to fire a H&G 68 at 925 fps into a concrete basement wall
at a range of 12", near perfect 90 deg angle. Bullet disintegrated into tiny flat splatters,
harmed nothing beyond his ears and his pride. Same, same with the muzzle hit. Greatest
possible injury is a frag in an eye, ringing ears.
Not a real issue, IMO, just a lawyer game.

As to difficulty taking down RH and GP100. Push in the trigger assy plunger a bit the first few
times, accessible from inside the grip frame, IIRC, to ease it up. Rough parts and no
lube can make the plunger sticky until it is cycled a few times.

Bill