Wheelgun Wednesday: Super Redhawk 22 Hornet! Who Approved This?!?

It is pretty rare nowadays that a firearm manufacturer surprises me anymore. Some revolver companies will yell, “Look! We put a rail on ours so now you can add a red dot!” Well, we have been clamoring for more red dot ready revolvers for years. No surprise here because my preferred pronouns are accept/red dots. Then, we hear chatter of, “Look! We threaded our revolver for suppressors (even though our revolver can’t be suppressed)!” Honestly, not surprised you did that Heritage Manufacturing. And then, we have Ruger engineers recently breaking into Kel-Tec’s cocaine closet break room only to return home with the idea of: “You know what the revolver community wants… more wheelguns chambered in 22 Hornet!” Touché, Ruger. I did not see that coming (and for those keeping score at home that is 2 cocaine jokes in consecutive weeks; the streak continues). So, this week we are going to check out Ruger’s newest double-action revolver with the unveiling of the Super Redhawk 22 Hornet. Let’s dive in!

Wheelgun Wednesday @ TFB:

• Wheelgun Wednesday: Taurus Judge Home Defender or Fake Pretender?
• Wheelgun Wednesday: Colt Python Combat Elite .357 Magnum 3″ S/S
• First Impressions from the New Ruger Super Wrangler
• Out Of 57 Modern Revolver Cartridges, What’s Your Favorite?
• Smith & Wesson Model 37 Chief’s Special Airweight

A somewhat similar – and often confused cartridge and gun – is the Smith & Wesson Model 53 chambered for .22 Rem Jet (Mfg. 1960 – 1974). This revolver had rimfire inserts to shoot .22 Short, .22 Long, and/or .22 Long Rifle, but it could not shoot .22 Hornet.

For the optimists in the audience, with Ruger debuting the Super Redhawk 22 Hornet, they now have monopolized the market for .22 Hornet handguns because all of those listed above are discontinued. So, if you are a complete “Hornet cartridge junkie,” then this is an absolute buy to keep your Hornet collection going.

Ruger is excited to announce that the Super Redhawk line of revolvers is now available in .22 Hornet. The Super Redhawk in .22 Hornet is ideal for long-range handgun varmint hunters. This new model features a Hogue Tamer Monogrip; a 9.5″ cold-hammer forged barrel with a replaceable HiViz green insert front sight; and an adjustable rear sight. The Super Redhawk has been long known for its ability to meet the needs of handgun hunters and this offering in .22 Hornet is no exception.

The sales pitch for the Ruger Super Redhawk 22 Hornet is that you can deploy this chubby-boi for long-range, varmint shooting. Being a pseudo rancher with pigs, angus, and the like, I can understand the need for that type of firearm in your collection. Keeping gophers and gopher holes at a minimum is important when running cattle, and the less coyotes you have harassing all of your livestock, the happier they’ll be. My only reservation on this revolver is the price and ammo availability.

• Triple-locking cylinder is locked into the frame at the front, rear and bottom for more positive alignment and dependable operation shot after shot.
• Durable, corrosion-resistant stainless steel construction.
• Strong, extended frame with extra metal in the top strap, sidewalls and barrel mounting areas to handle powerful, big game loads.
• Hogue Tamer Monogrip with an internal recoil cushion positioned under the web of the hand helps reduce the impact of powerful loads, while the peg-style grip frame easily accommodates custom grips.

• Transfer bar mechanism provides an unparalleled measure of security against accidental discharge.
• Replaceable HiViz front sight and adjustable rear sight.
• Cold hammer-forged barrel results in ultra-precise rifling that provides exceptional accuracy, longevity and easy cleaning.
• Patented integral mounts are machined directly on the solid-steel barrel rib to provide a stable mounting surface for the included scope rings, eliminating a potential source of looseness and inaccuracy in the field.

If you could source .22 Hornet ammo readily and at .223 Rem prices or lower, then you could maybe sell me on the idea of a .22 Hornet revolver. Thankfully, I don’t believe Ruger’s payroll hinges on the success or failure of this new, lone offering. Yet, kudos to Ruger for pushing the envelope of options available to shooters, rebirthing an old cartridge, and single-handedly owning the .22 Hornet market. As always, let us know all of your thoughts about the Super Redhawk 22 Hornet in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.