"Overbuilt" Pistols?

[wogpotter]

I always thought the DW was just a little larger than a "K" frame, I could be wrong though.

It takes the same speedloaders as some K-framed guns, so the cylinder size & chamber spacing, is about the same, but the frame is a good bit bigger than a K-frame.

I can't get mine into any holster for a K-frame I have to use those designed for the S&W 686's so the frame is closer to "L" sized. It also has a way better breech end to the barrel being a full round, not reduced on the bottom like S&W barrels are.

[KevininPa]

Very heavily overbuilt for a single stack nine.

[robhof]

The Dan Wessons are also heavy revolvers, capable of shooting the Ruger only loads. Their 22 and 32 are built on the same frame as the 357 mag, and the 357 Supermag is on the same frame as the 44 and the 445 Supermag. They are heavy for the caliber, but have a great safety margin and last for years.

[45_auto]

Yep, I'm fully planning to add a .357 Redhawk to my pile, but it used to be that they were simply hard to come by. But it seems these days, they are "collectible" also. Sigh.

I ran across one in one of the local pawn shops a couple of months ago. Couldn't pass it up. Talk about a chunk of steel!

Pic below is the 357 Redhawk cylinder next to a S&W M28 N-frame cylinder. Cylinder walls are about twice as thick as the big Smith's:

[Sevens]

Oh yeah, I've gotta snag one. How much did ya get yours for?

[baddarryl]

I always find it funny that the purists always question investment casting, but Rugers are always players in this list.

[Sevens]

It's a chicken/egg (Ford/Chevy) argument. Ruger's investment casting is always going to be brought up to combat the (much used) tired argument that one brand is better than the other. You sound surprised that it gets mentioned.

Well... it -IS- relevant.

[Guv]

As are all the "hand cannons" built on Ruger BH frames.

[silvermane_1]

"Used to be a time I wanted to convert a 7.5" 357RH to 357 Bains and Davis but now their worth to much to modify. "
^Guv, like i told bamaranger, you can try to shoot 353 Casull in a 357 RH, it's basically a 357 mag but the brass is thicker but has 357 super mag power, and it wouldn't require any mods to the frame/cylinder, or at least not any extensive mods, and like i said i heard of folks shooting 353 Casull in their 357 RHs, heck that's one of the reasons i want one, heck it may even possible shoot 353 Casull out of a 357 N-frame S&W, but i wouldn't recommend it, and maybe shooting 353 in a DW, but i do know you can shoot the 353 out of the 357 SuperMag/Max chambered revolvers.

[45_auto]

Originally Posted by baddarryl

I always find it funny that the purists always question investment casting, but Rugers are always players in this list.

Investment casting has nothing to do with it. You'll find that the primary driver of the strength of a revolver will be the strength of it's cylinder. Ruger doesn't use castings for cylinders or barrels, a casting couldn't handle the pressure.

Stainless cylinders are typically 410 bar stock. 454 cylinders are Carpenter 465 stainless bar stock.

Stainless barrels are typically also 410 bar stock, while 454 barrels are Carpenter 7000 bar stock.

[Model12Win]

Yes, I understand the Ruger GP100 can take all kinds of hot magnum loads, and it's a great handloaders double action because of this. However, 99% of people and exclusively pumping full-house .357 loads down range. Instead, they are mostly shooting .38 specials or the more moderate (neutered) .357 loads that are marketed today. The massiveness and weight of the GP100 is simply not necessary for the vast, vast majority of revolver buyers.

I know this probably also isn't important to most people as there GP100s will only see range or hunting use, but for me it's a downside because I use my revolvers for defense and they find there way into my waistband or onto my belt on a daily basis.

The Ruger -Six series guns were built very tough and could handle a good bit of full power magnum shooting, but were better balanced and lighter weight/more compact than the GP100. Also, Ruger was using the investment casting method for the -Six series guns as well.

Now I do like the GP100s, like I said they make good hunting guns and good range guns. But, for me personally, the -Six series are the better choice for defense and general packing around.

YMMV.

[jimbob86]

The massiveness and weight of the GP100 is simply not necessary for the vast, vast majority of revolver buyers.

The weight is a plus for a range/house gun, to mitigate recoil.

As for "most shooters don't need or use the ability to shoot hot .357 loads all the time" .... tis better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

I will agree your take that the Ruger Six series guns are better balanced .....nicer in a holster, and nicer in the hand...... until you fire a box of the hot stuff through them, particulary on a gun with the standard duty grips .... I work with my hands, so I have a pretty strong grip ..... full house 357's can be a handfull!

[Loupgarou]

The reason that the P7 comes across as overbuilt/overengineered is structural: it relies on a gas piston to help control recoil for a 9mm round. Tolerance specifications and internals are accordingly higher/more complex.

[Model12Win]

tis better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Well then you better use a Redhawk .357 because it's better to have the extra strength if you need it right? It makes the GP100 look slim in comparison, and really tames those magnum loads.

[jonnyc]

I can't believe we've gone through 3 pages of discussion on "overbuilt pistols" and nobody's mentioned the Finnish/Swedish Lahti!!!

[jimbob86]

I can't believe we've gone through 3 pages of discussion on "overbuilt pistols" and nobody's mentioned the Finnish/Swedish Lahti!!!

Possibly because not many are aware of the Lahti .....

Overbuilt, obscure, foreign pistols have got to be a very small subset of the small subset that is "overbuilt pistols" ......

I've been a gun nut since ...... Ronald Reagan was POTUS..... and I've never seen a Lahti pistol, or even a picture of one .... when someone mentions "Lahti", I'm picturing one of those giant anti-tank rifles on skids .....

...though it would not seem a stretch to me that the builder of the Lahti AT rifle would build a robust handgun .....

[lee n. field]

and I've never seen a Lahti pistol, or even a picture of one

Looks like a Luger, but isn't.

[Model12Win]

when someone mentions "Lahti", I'm picturing one of those giant anti-tank rifles on skids .....

I was thinking the same thing! Now a 20mm "pistol" without the stock WOULD classify as "overbuilt", and that's what I had in mind when I heard "Lahti".

Looking it up, it looks like a somewhat larger Luger to me but it doesn't use a toggle link action.

[45_auto]

Originally Posted by model12win

Well then you better use a Redhawk .357 because it's better to have the extra strength if you need it right? It makes the GP100 look slim in comparison, and really tames those magnum loads.

Works for me. See Post #54.

[45_auto]

Originally Posted by mod12win

The massiveness and weight of the GP100 is simply not necessary for the vast, vast majority of revolver buyers.

In reality, the massiveness and weight of even something like the SP101 or S&W J-frame is simply not necessary for the vast, vast majority of revolver buyers.

The vast majority of revolvers spend their life in a safe or a desk drawer.

[Model12Win]

In reality, the massiveness and weight of even something like the SP101 or S&W J-frame is simply not necessary for the vast, vast majority of revolver buyers.

The vast majority of revolvers spend their life in a safe or a desk drawer.

Well aren't you clever! *slow clap*

Moving on, I think the Ruger Redhawk .357 is probably the most overbuilt DA revolver ever made.

[Colt46]

My SP-101 is heavy enough to make shooting +P's easy for anybody new to trying a snubbie.

[edfrompa]

Yes the GPSP101 are built like tanks, the same as the GP100. They are one hunk of pistol.

[Model12Win]

I just wish Ruger would release the Super Redhawk in .357 magnum, or S&W could come out with an X-frame .357 five shooter...

You know, better to not need it than need it and not have it...

[steambucket]

Now the internet chatter is up I see a super redhawk 22 ultramagnum in the works.