ruger redhawk User Guide
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
FOR
RUGER
®
REDHAWK
®
DOUBLE-ACTION REVOLVERS
For Product Service on This Model Please Call:
(603) 865-2442 (See p. 25)
STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc.
Southport, Connecticut 06890 U.S.A.
THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS FIREARM AND BE
TRANSFERRED WITH IT UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, OR WHEN THE FIREARM IS LOANED OR
PRESENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.
KH 4/03 C
R16
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM
BLUED &
STAINLESS
STEEL
CALIBERS
.41, .44 Magnum
& .45LC
State-By-State Warnings
Certain states require by law that their own specified warning
notices in larger-than-normal type be conspicuously included
by the manufacturer, distributor, or retail dealer with firearms
sold in that state. Sturm, Ruger sells its products in
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Because our
products may be sold in these states, we include the following:
California:
Connecticut:
“UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY
RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE.”
Florida:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY
IMPRISONMENT AND FINE, FOR ANY ADULT TO
STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN
THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18
YEARS OF AGE OR TO KNOWINGLY SELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION
OF A FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF
UNSOUND MIND.”
WARNING
!
“Children are attracted to and can
operate firearms that can cause
severe injuries or death. Prevent
child access by always keeping
guns locked away and unloaded
when not in use. If you keep a
loaded firearm where a child
obtains and improperly uses it,
you can be fined or sent to prison.”
ADVERTENCIA
!
“A los niños los atraen las armas
de fuego y las pueden hacer
funcionar. Ellos pueden causarses
lesions graves y la muerte. Evite
que los niños tengan accesso a las
armas de fuego guardándolas
siempre con llave y descargadas
cuando no las esté utilizando. Si
usted tiene un arma de fuego
cargada en un lugar en que un
niño tiene acceso a ella y la usa
indebidamente, le pueden dar una
multa o enviarlo a la carcel.”
3
4
Maine:
“ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A
CRIME. IF YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION
WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE
SUBJECT TO FINE, IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SEPARATE. KEEP
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION LOCKED UP. USE
TRIGGER LOCKS.”
Maryland:
“WARNING: Children can operate firearms which may cause
death or serious injury. It is a crime
to store or leave a loaded
firearm in any location where an individual knew or should
have known that an unsupervised minor would gain access to
the firearm. Store your firearm responsibly!”
Massachusetts:
“WARNING FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY
GENERAL: This handgun is not equipped with a device that
fully blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000
firearms like this one are stolen from their owners every year
in the United States. In addition, there are more than a
thousand suicides each year by younger children and
teenagers who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from
accidental discharge. It is likely that many more children
sustain serious wounds, or inflict such wounds accidentally on
others. In order to limit the chance of such misuse, it is
imperative that you keep this weapon locked in a secure place
and take other steps necessary to limit the possibility of theft
or accident. Failure to take reasonable preventive steps may
result in innocent lives being lost, and in some circumstances
may result in your liability for these deaths.”
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR KEEP A FIREARM,
RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR MACHINE GUN IN ANY PLACE
UNLESS THAT WEAPON IS EQUIPPED WITH A
TAMPER-RESISTANT SAFETY DEVICE OR IS STORED
OR KEPT IN A SECURELY LOCKED CONTAINER.”
5
New Jersey:
“IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO LEAVE A LOADED
FIREARM WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR.”
New York City:
“THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK
IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE WEAPONS
STORAGE. ALL WEAPONS SHOULD BE STORED
UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS
BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND
INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN AND ANY OTHER
UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS.”
North Carolina:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM
THAT CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A
REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD KNOW IS
ACCESSIBLE TO A MINOR.”
Texas:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR
ABANDON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE
WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN
OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE FIREARM.”
Wisconsin:
“IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE
REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE
FINED OR IMPRISONED OR BOTH IF THE CHILD
IMPROPERLY DISCHARGES, POSSESSES, OR EXHIBITS
THE FIREARM.”
****************** *****
Please check with your licensed retailer or state police for
additional warnings which may be required by local law or
regulation. Such regulations change constantly, and local
authorities are in the best position to advise you on such legal
matters.
This firearm was originally sold
with a key-operated locking
device. While it can help provide
secure storage for your unloaded
firearm, any locking device can
fail. All guns are designed to fire
if they are loaded and the trigger
is pulled. Therefore, never install
the locking device inside the
trigger guard or in any way that
it can possibly pull the trigger!
Do not leave the keys in the lock.
The ultimate responsibility for
secure storage of any firearm
must depend upon its owner and
his or her individual
circumstances. Guns should be
securely stored unloaded, in a
secure location, separate from
their ammunition.
See “Storage Warning”, page 22.
NEVER INSTALL
LOCKING DEVICE
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
WHY ARE WE INCLUDING A FIRED CARTRIDGE CASE
WITH EVERY RUGER PISTOL AND REVOLVER?
Certain states and jurisdictions now require that all newly manufactured pistols
and revolvers must be accompanied by a cartridge case, which has been test fired
from that gun at the factory. The case must be placed in a sealed container
bearing certain information concerning this test cartridge.
At the time of retail sale in those jurisdictions, firearms dealers must forward
such test cartridge to a designated destination such as their State Police
Laboratory. As independent Ruger Distributors have nationwide markets without
territorial restrictions, we have decided to include a fired cartridge case with all
new Ruger pistols and revolvers, to minimize the possibility of inadvertent noncompliance with these laws.
Retail customers located in other states, where laws or regulations do not require
the dealer to so act, may be assured that the fired cartridge case they receive with
the firearm at the time of retail purchase is proof that your new Ruger firearm
has undergone our normal test firing procedures during manufacture.
6
WARNING – LOCKING DEVICES
DO NOT INSTALL
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
INSTALL LOCK
AS SHOWN HERE
7
FIREARMS SAFETY-YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT
CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO
HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.
This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use and
care for your RUGER
®
REDHAWK
®
revolver properly.
Only when you are certain you fully understand the Manual and can properly
carry out its instructions should you practice loading, unloading, etc. with
live ammunition. If you have any doubts about your ability to handle or use
a particular type of gun safely, then you should seek supervised instruction.
Such personalized instruction is often available from gun dealers, gun clubs
or police departments. If none of these sources can help you, write to the
National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-7400.
They will put you in touch with a source of personalized instruction.
The person possessing a gun has a full-time job. You cannot guess; you
cannot forget. You must know how to use your firearm safely. Do not use
any firearm without having a complete understanding of its particular
characteristics and safe use. Remember: There is no such thing as a
foolproof gun.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
General Information and Mechanical Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Ammunition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
To Load and Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
To Uncock (Decock) The Revolver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
To Unload or Eject Cartridge Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Disassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Disassembly Instructions - Revolvers Numbered Below 500-09367 . . . . . . 18
Reassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Care of Stainless Steel Revolvers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Attaching Ruger Scope Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Sights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Service and Parts Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Parts Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
“Ruger”, “Redhawk” and the Sturm, Ruger logo are registered U.S. trademarks.
WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE
FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:
Locking Devices 6 Firing 14
Alterations 8 Disassembly 16
Lead Exposure 10 Lubrication 21
Ammunition 10 Storage 22
Handling 11 Parts Purchasers 26
Cylinder Interlock 12
OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR
THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL.
WARNING–ALTERATIONS
This product was designed to
function properly in its original
condition. Alterations can make it
unsafe. Do not alter any part or add
or substitute parts or accessories
not made by Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc.
DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN
8
FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS–
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS
MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.
GENERAL INFORMATION
AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The RUGER
®
REDHAWK
®
revolver is a double-action firearm which is
specifically designed for heavy Magnum cartridges and embodies many
advanced features. The crane and cylinder assembly of the
REDHAWK
®
revolver locks directly into the frame, both at the rear of the cylinder and at
the front of the crane. The ejector rod serves as an ejector - it does not rotate
with the cylinder. The hammer and trigger are powered by opposite ends of
the same coil spring which is in the frame behind the trigger. The
components which link the trigger and hammer to this spring transmit
spring energy with minimum friction loss. All of this mechanism is
readily removable without tools and dismantles, along with the
cylinder/crane group, into a small number of subassemblies for inspection
and cleaning (See Figure 1 and Figure 2, below).
The internal parts are installed either through the top or bottom of the gripframe; therefore, no side plate is needed. The resulting double solid frame
contributes greatly to the extraordinary strength and reliability of these
revolvers.
The
RUGER®REDHAWK
®
revolver has a transfer bar which is connected
directly to the trigger. The transfer bar - which is raised into firing position
as the trigger is pulled to the rear - transmits the energy of the hammer
blow to the firing pin. The transfer-bar safety system provides that the
hammer blow can be transmitted to the firing pin only when the trigger is
pulled all the way to the rear. This is a positive internal safety feature.
NOMENCLATURE
Figure 1.
9
DISASSEMBLED
VIEW
Figure 2.
Despite their many highly desirable features, Ruger revolvers–as with all
firearms–must at all times be handled with strict attention to correct safety
practices, and be inspected frequently to assure the gun is working properly.
Discharging firearms in poorly
ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or
handling ammunition may result in
exposure to lead and other substances
known to the state of California to
cause birth defects, reproductive
harm, and other serious physical
injury. Have adequate ventilation at all
times. Wash hands thoroughly after
exposure.
SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS
MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD
10
WARNING –LEAD EXPOSURE
AMMUNITION
RUGER®REDHAWK® revolvers are marked on the barrel with the
name of the cartridge for which the revolver is chambered. Revolvers marked
for the .44 Magnum cartridge will chamber the .44 Rem. Magnum cartridge
and the .44 S&W Special cartridge. Revolvers marked for the .45 Colt
cartridge will chamber only .45 (“Long”) Colt ammunition. Caliber .45ACP
(Automatic Colt Pistol) ammunition should not be used in these revolvers.
Revolvers marked for the .357 Magnum cartridge will chamber the .357
Magnum cartridge and the .38 Special cartridge. Revolvers marked for the
.41 Magnum cartridge will chamber the .41 Remington Magnum cartridge
only. Do not use .41 Colt cartridges in these revolvers. Ruger revolvers are
designed for use with cartridges of the correct caliber which are
manufactured in accordance with the U.S. Industry Standards. Be certain to
use proper cartridges of the correct caliber. See “Care and Cleaning”, p. 20
for important information on chamber cleaning.
WARNING –AMMUNITION
Death, serious injury, and damage
can result from the use of wrong
ammunition, bore obstructions,
powder overloads, or incorrect
cartridge components. Always wear
shooting glasses and hearing
protectors.
IMPROPER AMMUNITION
DESTROYS GUNS
11
AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES) NOTICE
WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR
ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN
CONNECTION WITH, OR AS THE RESULT OF, THE USE IN THE
REDHAWK REVOLVER OF FAULTY, OR NON-STANDARD, OR
“RE-MANUFACTURED”, OR HAND LOADED (RELOADED)
AMMUNITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN THOSE FOR
WHICH THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.
HANDLING
CARRYING: The Redhawk revolver can be carried with all chambers loaded.
When the hammer and trigger are fully forward, the transfer-bar is lowered
out of its firing position and the hammer rests directly on the frame.
WARNING – HANDLING
If the trigger is held to the rear, the gun
can fire if the hammer strikes the
transfer bar. Note that it need not be a
deliberate effort to pull the trigger. Any
situation where the trigger attains its
rearward position and permits the
transfer bar to be interposed between the
hammer and the firing pin can cause the
cartridge under the firing pin to
discharge.
NEVER DROP OR STRIKE THE
REVOLVER – COCKED OR UNCOCKED
CARRY AND HANDLE THE REVOLVER
IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE
HAMMER AND TRIGGER WILL NOT BE
STRUCK.
NEVER CARRY ANY
REVOLVER WITH THE
HAMMER COCKED OR THE
TRIGGER HELD TO THE REAR
DRY-FIRING
“Dry Firing” is practicing the trigger pull of the empty revolver for practice
and familiarity. The Redhawk revolver can be dry-fired without damage to
the firing pin or internal components.
Be sure that the revolver is unloaded before handling. Be sure you always
point the revolver in a safe direction, even when dry-firing for practice. Do
not dry-fire the revolver with the plastic ‘safety disc’ on the cylinder.
12
FIGURE 3
LOADING THE
REVOLVER.
TO LOAD AND FIRE
Be sure the revolver is pointed in a safe direction and is
never cocked while loading.
1. Press the crane latch and guide cylinder out of frame to the left to its
loading position (See Figure 3).
WARNING – CYLINDER INTERLOCK
➧
When correctly operated, the cylinder
cannot be opened when the hammer is
cocked, and the hammer/trigger
mechanism is not able to be operated
until the cylinder is locked shut.
However, this safety interlock can be
intentionally defeated if the crane latch is
depressed and the hammer is then
cocked while the cylinder is opened. If
the cylinder is then shut when the
hammer is cocked, the hammer may fall
and the gun may fire.
NEVER CLOSE OR OPEN
THE CYLINDER WHILE
THE HAMMER IS COCKED
2. Insert cartridges and gently close cylinder, making sure it is securely
latched. Do not “flip” the cylinder open or shut.
13
5. DO NOT HOLD THE REVOLVER BY THE BARREL OR CYLINDER WHEN
FIRING.
CAUTION–DOUBLE ACTION FIRING
3. The revolver is now ready to fire, either “double-action” by pulling the
trigger through its complete arc for each shot, or “single-action” by
cocking the hammer and then pulling the trigger for each shot. The
trigger pull is somewhat shorter and lighter when the revolver is fired
single action, and this is the preferred mode for precise shots or target
shooting.
4. DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO FIRE.
When firing in the double action
mode, be sure that the trigger is
released completely to its fully
forward position before pulling the
trigger for a subsequent shot. If
the trigger finger is allowed to
interfere with the full recovery of
the trigger (preventing it from
moving through about the last
one-eighth inch of its forward
movement), the trigger cannot be
pulled again for another discharge.
The trigger must be fully released
after each shot is fired. This
characteristic is found in all
modern double-action revolvers
and “double-action only” pistols.
FULLY RELEASE
TRIGGER
BETWEEN SHOTS
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