[mesinge2]

I have three 44 magnums two Smith and Wesson and my Ruger Redhawk and by far my favorite 44. The weapon has a 7.5" barrel and weights 54oz. Because of this weight and long barrel it is perhaps the softest 44 magnum I have fired. I also like this model better then the Super Redhawk but that is just because of aesthetics, to me it looks like a Big Security Six (ha) see:




I have fired everything from 165 grain 44 Special ammo to 340 grain Buffalo Bore +P+ ammo in this gun and it has held up to everything. But by a large margin my favorite load in my Redhawk is Cor-Bon Hunter 260 grain BCHP ammo. This group was shot with very slow concentraited fire at 25 yards with the 260 grain Cor-Bon load:



Once and a while I bring the Buffalo Bore 340 grain +P+ ammo to the range. I always try to keep at least two boxes on hand in case I get the urge.This load has a velocity of 1,478 fps and a muzzle energy of 1,649 ft. lbs. A Corbon 454 with a 335 gr. has a velocity of 1550fps and a muzzle energy of 1788ftlbs. So, the Buffalo Bore ammo gets pretty close to a 454. They have a hell of a kick, but they are too much fun to ignore. Here it is at night with the Buffalo Bore loads:

YouTube - .44 Mag Ruger Redhawk with 340 grain +P+ Buffalo Bore

YouTube - .44 Mag Ruger Redhawk with 340 grain +P+ Buffalo Bore

PSA: The buffalo bore is a Ruger only load
.

[mesinge2]

This little 22 short rf was made by Hopkins & Allen and is a 7 shot single action revolver with a spur trigger, flat frame, 2 3/8" barrel, plain cylinder, and bird’s head grips. The original cylinder pin was lost years ago and poorly replaced. I am stupid enough that I have actually fired this. I was nervous the whole time. Now to some history, H&A was incorporated on June 15, 1868 by Charles A. Converse, Charles W. Allen, Horace Briggs, Samuel S. Hopkins and Charles W. Hopkins. It is of interest that all except of Charles W. Allen were already co-partners in Bacon Manufacturing Co. and Continental Arms Co.; both companies ceased all activities about the time when Hopkins & Allen was founded. In some way Hopkins & Allen Manufacturing Company (Hopkins & Allen) could be their successor.

The company was managed by the brothers Charles W. Hopkins, Henry H. Hopkins and Samuel S. Hopkins.

In 1874, Converse sold his parts (1/2 of the company's capital) to Merwin, Hulbert & Co. Hopkins & Allen became a cash cow for Merwin, Hulbert & Co. When Merwin, Hulber & Co respectively Hulbert Bothers went bankrupt, Hopkins & Allen itself went bankrupt two years later in 1898. The company was reorganized as Hopkins & Allen Arms Company.

H & A was taken over by Marlin-Rockwell in 1914

[RetiredLEO]

Nice pictures and a lot of information given thanks .

[Hawg]

Originally Posted by mesinge2

I have actually fired this. I was nervous the whole time.

You had a right to be. I've seen one like this H&A side hammer blown into three pieces with a .22 short. The top one is a Bacon .31. Both were made in 1858.

[mesinge2]

Originally Posted by Hawg

You had a right to be. I've seen one like this H&A side hammer blown into three pieces with a .22 short. The top one is a Bacon .31. Both were made in 1858.

Nice pieces, they're in pretty good shape too.