The Alaskan Has Arrived!

[Danny Bear Claw]

Back in late June, with my birthday pending, (July 1st), the wife asked me what I wanted for my birthday.  Not being one to pass up an opportunity, I said, "A short barreled Ruger Alaskan in caliber 454".  We proceeded to my favorite gun shop and lo and behold they had that very thing right there in the display case.  I asked to examine the gun and found some scratches and tool mark dings on the cylinder.  The price tag was around $718.  I asked if they would lower the price because of this imperfection on the cylinder.  They said, "Nope.  It's going back to Ruger.  We should have it back in around 90 days".  Well, knowing how money burns holes in the wife's pocket, I spent July, August and the first week of September looking for the same gun in other gun shops in town.  Couldn't find one.  They all kept telling me Ruger don't make the 2 inch barrel 454 Alaskan any more.  They all kept trying to sell me the new 44 magnum Alaskan with the longer barrel.  Last week the wife said, "You need to settle for something else and let's go buy it today, before I spend the money on something else".  We returned to my favorite gun shop and what do ya know...  the short barreled, 454 Alaskan had returned from Ruger with a new cylinder installed!  I gave it the quick once over, inside and out and told the man, "We'll take it".
It is a big, beefy, beast of a revolver with an intimidation factor on a scale of 1 - 10 of 10+.  I can't imagine any criminal miscreant staring down the barrel of this thing and still entertaining any thoughts of criminal activity.
I've had it a week now, drooling all over the stainless steel but haven't had the opportunity to actually test fire it yet.  I'm amassing boxes of CorBon's hot 45 Colt ammo, since that's what's available around here and that is what I'll regulate the adjustable sights to shoot.  I'm not even aware of any other "hot" 45 Colt ammo available.  I can buy a large assortment of 454 Casull ammo through the mail.  There's even a special price on two of the 260 gr. loads.
The biggest problem I'm having now is finding accessories for the Alaskan.  Who makes holsters for these things?  SKS makes a six shot speed loader in 45 Colt for the S&W model 25-5.  I'm wondering if this will work with the Alaskan. 
I'm going to do a web search for holsters, speed loaders, etc. for the Alaskan but so far I haven't found much for any of the Super Red Hawk guns, particularly the Alaskan.  Anyone know of a good custom holster maker in case I have to go that route?

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Mr. Bear Claw

           I saw the gun you bought not long ago, its a beast of a gun, you diffenitly wont have to worry when you walk in the woods. I had a friend that lived in the North Pole, and he always carried a 44 mag untill the 454 c came along, then he carried a 4" barrel 454 Casull, he had to have the barrel cut to 4", he said it made a really nice carry gun. He never had to use it on anything, but it was there if he needed it. HIs gun belt was a money belt with a John Wayne high ride holster, with a strap, he said he could wear it all day and it wouldn't tire him, the money belt was 3" wide, he said 3 to 3 1/2" wide made all the difference, much better than the 2 1/2"
           You might want to call Ruger and see if they have a holster for it, I they carry a full line of Gallco holsters for there guns.
            Will take care and enjoy that new gun .

                                   TEN WOLVES FIVE SHOOTER

                               

[Danny Bear Claw]

Thanks for you input Mr. Ten Wolves Five Shooter!  I can certainly understand how a 3 or 3.5 inch belt would make the Alaskan easier to carry.  A check of Ruger's Web site does indeed, still list this gun so I must assume it is still in production at Ruger.  Guess the guys in the gun shops were just trying to get me to buy the 44 mag version because that's what they had in stock.  Glad I waited and kept looking for the 454.  I didn't know Ruger sold gun leather.  I'll have to check that out too.  Galco you say, huh?  I've got a Galco Miami Classic for my 1911's.  I've been real happy with that.  Of course, I would rather carry the Alaskan on my strong side hip.
Again, thanks for your post.  God bless and good shooting!   

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Hello Mr. Bear Claw

                   Glad to be of help

                                                          Shoot Straight
                         
                                      10w5s

[Danny Bear Claw]

The Ruger web site does indeed show a hip holster for the Alaskan.  Looks like I'll be sending off some money to Ruger soon.
Now, if I could just find some speed loaders that will work.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Danny

                I'll keep my eyes open for those speed loaders, they might be with Ruger Redhawk stuff, you could always use an ammo slide that carrys 10 rounds . I can't think of any thing that would need more than 5 rounds out of a 454 causull, you would be safe if you just carred gun......
   
                                       Talk to you later

                        TEN WOLVES FIVE SHOOTER

[Danny Bear Claw]

The SKS speed loaders made for the S&W do in fact work with the Ruger Alaskan.  I bought 2 to try out and they work just fine.  Guess I'll be buying a few more.