Crimson Trace recently added Super Redhawk grips to its lineup, and the company did an excellent job on the grip design. They are large enough to afford a good hold but not too bulky, and the finger grooves are a nice touch.

The inverted muzzle crown protects the crown and makes for an attractive all-business appearance. Note the set screw on the end of the Freedom Arms sight base for easy interchangeability of sight blades. (Right) Long ports near the end of the muzzle reduce felt recoil without interfering with the scope. The orange insert was installed on the front-sight blade by Ken Kelly and was grooved to reduce glare.

Three sighting systems mean I will have a lot of options when taking this gun afield. For example, when I head west this fall on an extended camping trip I am planning, I will zero the open sights and the laser grips for a heavy-weight critter defense load and will sight in the scope for a light small-game/varmint load.

The gun will be loaded with the heavy stuff for the most part, but if I decide to shoot some jackrabbits or maybe harvest a cottontail for the camp pot I can simply clamp on the scope, change ammo and be good to go.

FIELD TESTING
Shorter barrels are handy, but the trade-off is less velocity. I have kept extensive records on loads used in my Super Redhawk in the factory 7 1/2-inch-barrel configuration, so it was easy to check velocities of these loads in the shorter barrel.

I clocked a total of seven loads I had on hand--five factory and two handloads--and found velocity loss from the 4.8-inch barrel compared to the 7 1/2-inch varied from as little as 42 fps with some moderate loads to a high of 67 fps with a hot 300-grain cast-bullet load. I can live with this loss, as it will not make any practical difference in the game fields.

Accuracy was neither hurt nor helped by shortening the barrel. Though I find I can shoot better on average with the improved open sights, groups with various loads using the scope remain essentially the same. This handgun has always been easily capable of sub-two-inch groups at 50 yards, and when I do my part I can still keep groups below two inches at that range. Sometimes with some loads I can do considerably better.

The final test was on game. I had an opportunity to take a Corsican Ram in Texas with the handgun, and it performed well. I opted to use the scope, as the rams were skittish. The handgun carried well in a custom C. Rusty Sherrick belt holster (www.c-rusty.com), and when the moment was right I dropped the ram with one shot at 80 yards.

I am very happy with the results of this custom project. My Super Redhawk is still heavier than some would like for a trail or camp gun, but it suits me just fine. I am a big fellow and will gladly manage a little extra weight in order to have the added controllability, versatility and accuracy provided by this handgun.