Ruger 454 Alaskan Review - The Beast With a Dark Secret

Published on June 7, 2016
Duration: 7:12

The Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in .454 Casull is a powerful revolver primarily for bear defense, also capable of firing .45 Long Colt. While offering immense power in a medium frame with a 6-shot capacity, its trigger is considered mediocre for its price point. A significant drawback is 'crimp jump,' where recoil can dislodge bullets in unfired chambers, potentially locking the cylinder, a malfunction that can be cleared by manipulating the hammer and cylinder.

Quick Summary

The Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan .454 Casull is a powerful revolver for bear defense, also firing .45 Long Colt. Its main drawback is 'crimp jump,' where recoil dislodges bullets in unfired chambers, potentially locking the cylinder. This can be cleared by setting the hammer to half-cock and rotating the cylinder right.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Ruger 454 Alaskan
  2. 00:34Intended Purpose: Bear Defense
  3. 01:25Caliber Versatility: .454 Casull & .45 Colt
  4. 02:02Pros: Power & Cool Factor
  5. 03:10Cons: Trigger & Price
  6. 04:01The 'Dark Secret': Crimp Jump Explained
  7. 05:41Clearing Cylinder Malfunctions
  8. 06:18Final Rating & Ammo Test

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan?

The Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan is primarily designed for self-defense against large predators like bears and moose. Its .454 Casull caliber offers significant stopping power for dangerous game encounters in the wilderness.

What is 'crimp jump' in the context of the Ruger 454 Alaskan?

'Crimp jump' is a malfunction where recoil forces the bullet forward out of its casing in unfired chambers. This can cause the cylinder to jam, preventing the revolver from firing subsequent shots.

Can the Ruger 454 Alaskan fire other calibers besides .454 Casull?

Yes, the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan is versatile and can also safely fire .45 Long Colt ammunition. This makes it suitable for less demanding situations or for practice.

How do you clear a cylinder lock-up caused by crimp jump?

To clear a crimp jump lock-up, bring the revolver's hammer to half-cock. Then, manually rotate the cylinder to the right to free the jammed bullet and allow normal operation.

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