Ruger Redhawk Instructions Manual
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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 STEELCALIBERS .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 non- compliance 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 TheRUGER®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 grip- frame; therefore, no side plateis needed. The resulting doublesolid 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.