I need some help spending my money and figure this is a good place to ask! I am wanting a new outdoors packing gun and gun that goes on trips with me so that I can leave the 9mm at home for the wife. My current collection includes a 7.5" Bisley in 45 colt, and my CCW a CZ P07 in 9mm (I really like this guy and will post a review soon). I am looking at 45s only and I reload/ Cast.

A) Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8 in 45 colt, similar to what I have similar feel, good training, could shoot the same loads as the bisley

B) Ruger Redhawk 4" 45 colt, I really like the way these look and it has DA although 99% of the time I shoot SA. Again same loads as the Bisley.

C Ruger 1911 Just because I think I need a 1911, with 200-250 SWC running ~800 fps that should kill anything that needs killing (hogs and methheads).


BTW I kinda like Rugers.

Scienceguy, All of your options listed are good and will probably boil down to personal preference. However, that 4 5/8 inch Blackhawk in .45 Colt would be a wonderful packing gun. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

There really is not a bad choice in the bunch. It really comes down to what your real need is.

If most of your "needs" will be to dispatch, to use your terms, hogs and methheads, then any of the guns will work with aplomb.

If you throw say something with fur, claws and fangs, weighing 300+ lbs into that list, I think I would opt for the Redhawk. The 45acp is a bit on the anemic side for heavy boned, really big and onry critters. The blackhawk is certainly a good option but the single action nature requires more coordination to draw, cock, and fire. If you are a single action aficionado then more power to you but I would prefer a double action if I needed it for protection. The other consideration is that a 45 colt Redhawk can be stoked to higher pressures and velocities than the blackhawk.

It's main use will be for dispatching wild and ruthless soda cans that can turn up at a moments notice.
I find myself leaning in each direction, the Blackhawk seems to be the safest and smartest choice, but there is lots of appeal with the other two as well. If only I had 2k to blow so I could pick all 3 up.

Sciguy,
Another fine choice to consider is Super Redhawk Alaskan in 454 & 45 LC. It's short & stocky build make it easy to pack, yet heavy enough to help with recoil, ... though not as much as you'd like with 454's. The only downside is the short sight radius. I figure 25 yards is probally my max with mine.
I had a 4" Redhawk in 45 LC that I loved everything about it, but the grip frame. I couldn't find any grips that felt right.
As stated above ... can't go wrong with a short barreled Blackhawk either.

I'll jump in and say go for the Ruger SR1911. A good chunk of the time if I'm just running around my property I'll have my Springfield Armory 1911 loaded with 255 RNFP(Lee mold, that I have heat treated to just below "hard cast") loaded to around 800-825fps. Pretty accurate up to 40 yards with my gun (and if I'm on my game) with enough punch I would trust it to down anything in my woods.

You didn't say what your budget would allow so I assume it may not be much of an issue. If so I would look at a used Freedom Arms in 454. Nothing against Rugers but if you ever handle/own a FA you will realize they're worth the extra cost and sacrifice to obtain. As everyone else stated none of your above choices are bad although I would like to point out that you would be a little "over gunned" for the methheads,if handled properly they're not that hard to "stop".

The methheads is a bit of a joke but....maybe not being from Arkansas.

Freedom Arms would be nice but I am trying to have a Ruger dominated collection. Price/performance I think Ruger is very hard to beat and the are easily customized. Not bashing FA in anyway as I believe they make a top notch firearm. But if I scratch a Ruger I am upset if I scratched a FA I might sit down and cry.

Bladesmith that is what I have pictured in my mind.

Have you considered the Blackhawk Convertable in 45 Colt/45 ACP?

Scienceguy
I have a 7 1/2 in blackhawk a 5 1/2 in Bisley and a 4 5/8th in Blackhawk all in .45 colt. The 4 5/8 gets carried 99% of the time just because it is lighter and more user friendly.It has Hogue grips and is carried in a crossdraw holster.You will find that you leave the heavy guns behind and carry less weight the more woods roaming you do.With open sights and 250 gr. xtps it will handle anything I run up on to 60yds or so[old eyes].

I pack a sbh in 10" barrel. I dont mind the extra weight and it has dispatched deer, and a few skunk, and got a shot off at a badger. In one week i hope to get a wolf or two with it. If i were you, i would get real comfortable with the 7.5 that you have. It weights a couple ounces more than a 4 5/8. They arent that bad to pack.

I agree. A little added barrel doesn't really get in the way. I carry a 6" Bisley in a crossdraw and hardly even know it's there.

If you are having a hard time deciding why not a bisley convertible in 45lc/acp. But there's nothing wrong with a 1911.

Let me start of by saying I am probably the LEAST qualified to answer this question, but of the ones you listed, I immediately gravitated to the Redhawk simply because of the double action.

I shoot my Colt Anaconda in 45 Colt on single action all the time just like you mentioned. In fact, I can't remember ever firing a double action shot out of it! But its there if its needed, and that is a HUGE peace of mind. I ALWAYS have my 1911 with me even when hunting, but it is my personal defense weapon, not my hunting weapon, and yes, there IS a difference!

When your out and about in the back 40, you never know what you will run across, or for that matter, WHO you will run across. In a panic, I bet 99% of people fire the gun, then just keep squeezing the trigger again and again hoping the gun goes bang. With the single action, you better have it down to second nature that you have to squeeze, cock, squeeze, cock.... That's why I opt for the double action.

Thankfully, I have never been in a situation where I have had to test the above theory, but it seems quicker to me, and a better fit to what would seem to be instincts-- squeeze! squeeze! squeeze!

That being said, I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk being converted to 500JRH that is coming in a few days, but it doesn't look like it is going to make the opening day trip since we are leaving tomorrow. (Then again, maybe I'll just have it shipped to where I will be!!) When I carry that SA revolver, I will still have my 1911 with me carrying some +P loads, as always in bear / lion country.

3" 357 sp101?????

I don't know your age, build, fitness level,or the terrain you walk. From my own point of view ,and the mileage I have on me at 61 my walk around guns get lighter[not smaller in caliber].I stay in shape year round,but don't carry 6" or 10" guns on a daily basis[hunting yes].My 4 5/8 .45 is always there when i'm in the woods. I envy the ones that still carry the 6 and 10" guns,but at the end of a hard day every extra ounce becomes a pound .On the terrain I hunt the only flat ground is called [the tops of the ridges.]

Oh the Bisly isnt going away by any means, It is my hunting gun! But riding a Tractor, ATV, climbing a tree, working outside...I keep coming back to the idea of 4 4/8 Blackhawk.

Raptor- Single action is pretty second nature to me. But I like the lines of the regular Redhawk. Good luck on the hunt!

Blue Cow- That is a fine gun and if I ever catch the $*#&er that broke into my truck to steal mine...woe unto him. I find myself liking the 45 cal more and more these days but you are correct that is almost a perfect gun! I just may consider it more thoroughly though.

Junebug- I am a 29 year old field biologist, so I am in great shape! But I prefer to shave ounces when I can. After several miles or several hours extra ounces become extra pounds and that makes a guy want to leave it at home.

Thanks guys and keep them coming! I am really enjoying everyone's thoughts on the "packing gun".

I am "old" but mine is FA M97 in 45 Colt - 5 1/2" bbl. Much lighter than a blackhawk. Alternatively, FA M97 in 327 Mag. A really sweet little revolver & a fun round that is very adequate for vermin on all types.

I have a couple 1911's, several Ruger Vaquero's in 4 5/8" and a S&W 25-5 in The Big Colt (45 LC).

If I could have only one packing gun for all things for the rest of my days, the S&W 25-5 would get the nod without question. Plenty of power for just about everything in N.A.

I would hunt up a S&W Mtn. Gun in 45 Colt and never look back.

Another reason is that John Linebaugh is also a fan of the S&W Big Colt for everyday carry.

So THERE!
Dave

Nothing really wrong with any of your choices.

Good point NC12215. I will have to research that one a little more.

My packing gun is a 5in SRH in 480 Ruger...

I have a 9 1/2 inch 480 Ruger Super Redhawk and have 5 1/2 inches in mind. How did you get there? More details / pictures.

I had this Super Redhawk in .500 Linebaugh built with the intension of using it for back-up duty, but it proved so accurate that I pressed it into service as a primary hunting tool. It has a fluted 5-inch barrel.

Damn it Wit, every time I see that gun I drool just a little bit.

BTW: How does Lee like it

He loves it but doesn't shoot it much. He has too many irons ion the fire (I'm one to talk).

That is one sweet hand cannon!

Maybe one it the Ruger NM FTs. Either 44 special or 45 colt would do the trick.