[cajun47]

i plan on buying a 44. mag and a reloading kit. i plan on shooting alot. thousands of rounds.

[Nightcrawler]

S&W, Taurus, and Ruger all make fine examples. You want a single action or a double action? Rugers are about the best choice in a single action, unless you want to go to a much more expensive semi-custom like Freedom Arms.

S&W and Taurus guns are smaller and lighter than the Ruger Redhawk and Super Redhawk, but the Ruger guns are stronger, better for a steady diet of very hot loads. The Taurus Raging Bull .44 is also made on a larger frame and might serve your needs.

Personally, I like S&W N-Frames. I have a 5" 629 Classic that I adore.

[9x19sig]

I would probably go with a Ruger if I were in your shoes. I don't have a .44 magnum yet, but the robustness of Ruger firearms always has me favoring them. Looks are nice, and some will say S&W revolvers look better, but the fact that Ruger makes a sturdier revolver really negates the fact that the S&W may look better in my opinion.

[cajun47]

nightcrawler are you from the ghostrecon.net boards also?

i want a double action. weight and size do not matter cause this will no be a carry weapon. an 8" barrel would be my choice. i had a large chrome plated s&w .44 mag revolver long ago with a 7" or 8" barrel i believe. i hate myself for trading it in.

also do all revolvers use the moon clips for speed loading or is that not the best way? and what are those stripper clip things i see in some revolver pictures?

sorry i been out the revolver scene for 10+ years.

[Confederate]

Ruger double-actions are horse pistols. They should come with training wheels. I prefer the Smith 629, older models with chromed hammers and triggers, no locks. Beautiful guns with crisp triggers.

Strange, but I also have an Astra .44 mag that's remarkably manufactured. It's every bit as impressive and beautiful as my 629 with recessed chambers and pinned barrel. Fit and finish are incredible. No longer available, alas.

[highlander 5]

Ruger Redhawk with a 4 inch barrel and yes they should be out soon if not already. Only difference is the front sight is fixed not
replaceable like the 51/2 or 71/2 bbl

[Valkman]

I too prefer the excellent 629 because of the trigger. I have a Ruger in .454 and will probably sell it because my S&W revos all have such great triggers.

[Click Click Boom]

A Dan Wesson 445 Supermag would be my choice. The CZ era guns are unreal.

[Majic]

If your pockets are deep enough you will be hard pressed to do better than the Freedom Arms.

[ArchAngelCD]

S&W just re-released for 2007 their Model 29 in both Blue and Nickel finish. They are selling a 3" Model, a 4" Mountain Model and a 6.5" Classic Model which I have linked to. I think that one just might be what you are looking for.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=53954&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15706&isFirearm=Y

S&W has re-released a lot of they older N frame stuff including their M21, M22, M24, M25 and M29 and have several different barrel lengths for most. Most are also in Blue or Nickel and some are even available in Color Case.

If you check the J frame page they also re-released their 3" Model 36 in Blue, Color Case and Nickel and added Color Case and Nickel finishes to their 1.875" Model 36 line. If you haven't checked the S&W site lately you don't know what you are missing.

[Nightcrawler]

Ghostrecon.net? Nope, not me.

Anyway, you CAN get a .44 Mag revolver moonclip-converted, but they don't come that way from the factory. HKS speedloaders will fit N-Frames and Redhawks, though.

What's your price range? For a 7.5" barreled gun, you'd be hard pressed to find a sweeter shooter than the S&W 629 "Hunter" (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14805&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15714&isFirearm=Y) series from the Performance Center. Ruger also makes 5.5" and 7.5" Redhawks, as well as 7.5" and 9" Super Redhawks. The Raging Bull has, I believe, a 6.5" and an 8" barrel.

The thing about Rugers is this: they're only a touch larger than an N-Frame, but they're considerably heavier. The 4" Redhawk has a greater empty weight than my 629 Classic, which has an inch more barrel and a full underlug to boot. The weight DOES soak up the recoil, though.

The stripper clip you see is a Bianchi Speed Strip. It's a little rubber deal that holds six cartridges nice and flat; you then bend it and pop the cartridges into the cylinder two at a time. Slower than a speedloader, but easier to conceal. It's only for .38/.357 guns.

In the 1990s S&W implemented an "endurance package" on their N-Frame revolvers, that was intended to help them hold up better. They still won't absorb hundred and hundreds of super hot loads, like Garett Hammerheads or Buffalo Bore, but frankly, if you can stand to put many of those loads through your gun, you're a better man than I.

If you're really intending to shoot a LOT of very hot loads, I'd go with the Ruger, Dan Wesson, or Taurus Raging Bull. They're all on larger, more robust frames. For factory .44 Mag (which, to be fair, is still pretty stout; a 240 grain slug at 1,350 feet per second is nothing to sneeze at), I'd stick with a S&W.

Besides, if you REALLY need more power than standard .44 Mag, I'd look at going up to a .454 Casull, .480 Ruger, or .500 S&W. Shooting these cartridges is not easy on the shooter or his wallet, though.

[mike101]

Ruger Redhawk. You can have the trigger cleaned up pretty cheaply, and if you want to improve the appearance, you can have it bead blasted for $100, or so. I like the Magnaport "Velvet Hone" finish a lot. The way Rugers break down for cleaning, and their robustness and durability, I find very appealing.

[CSA 357]

I have 3 44 magnums all smith&wessons, 629-0 29-2, and a pre 29, all with 4 inch barrels, i have had 6 inch and the 83/8 barrels, but have found the 4 is just rite for my needs, the longer tubes do give some addvantige at longer range, but are hard to carry for me, csa

[22-rimfire]

If you are planning on shooting a steady diet of hot loads, I'd go with the Ruger Super Redhawk with a 7.5" barrel. I much prefer the Smith Model 29 for general shooting. But almost everyone recommends the Rugers or the Freedom Arms when shooting lots of heavy 44 mag loads. If you are like most, you'll have more than one.

[tantrix]

If you are planning on shooting a steady diet of hot loads, I'd go with the Ruger Super Redhawk with a 7.5" barrel. I much prefer the Smith Model 29 for general shooting. But almost everyone recommends the Rugers or the Freedom Arms shen shooting lots of heavy 44 mag loads. If you are like most, you'll have more than one.

Yep. If you want to make sure you can shoot the most hardcore loads in your .44 Ruger or Freedom Arms is the way to go. This is the .44 Mag +P+ load from Buffalo Bore which is one of the hottest .44 loads available and a list of the handguns that can shoot it:


"This new load is designed for only certain revolvers that have the cylinder length to handle it. They are as follows. Ruger Red Hawk, Ruger Super Red Hawk, Ruger Super Blackhawk or Vaquero, Freedom Arms Model 83, Taurus Raging Bull and Dan Wesson Revolvers"


You say you want a double action with an 8" barrel, I'd go with the Super Redhawk 9.5". It will more than suit your needs.

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/9202/169lyx0.jpg

[Black Knight]

My vote would be for a Ruger. I have an old model Vaquero, 5 1/2" stainless steel. It shoots like a dream, very fun to shoot. The Vaquero is strong as all get out. If you choose any Ruger you can't go wrong.

[Bear41mag]

I have a preference for older Smith & Wessons. That being said.....

Lots of shooting, full house loads, No question.....Ruger
If you want double action go Redhawk
If you want single action go Super Blackhawk

My redhawk has over 10,000 rounds thru it and most full house mag loads.

You can also load heavier longer bullets in the Redhawk cyclinder than that of the Smith or Taurus.

I have two model 29's Smiths and they are regulated to the lower end mag loads and .44 spl loads, all my heavy .44 loads are done with my Ruger.

Just my $.02

[bakert]

My son has an 8 3/8" S&W 629 that is one fine revolver but there is no way I would subject it to an every day diet of the heavier loads that this Super Blackhawk can handle

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f241/brumanj/Picture280.jpg

[Hofstet]

Colt Anaconda, or S&W Model 29 would be my preference, own both in addition to other .44's

[ChevellRCR]

I have the Super Redhawk and the Dan Wesson 44 Mags. I would choose the Dan Wesson. The Dan Wesson has interchangable barrels that only take a min to change. The 445 Supermags that are current production will also shoot the 44Mag and 44 Spec catridges. One more thing is the Dan Wessons actually have more metal in the cylinder bore area than the rugers. Here is a link to the new 445s.


http://www.danwessonfirearms.com/product_detail.php?id=79

[StrikeEagle]

i plan on shooting alot. thousands of rounds.

I read this and I think Ruger. Those will hold up to most anything short of intentional abuse.

Redhawk if you want DA

Super Blackhawk if you favor SA.

[tbtrout]

I have a Ruger Redhawk in DA and am now looking at a Ruger Blackhwk in SA. Ruger makes a strong revolver.

[dairycreek]

i plan on buying a 44. mag and a reloading kit. i plan on shooting alot. thousands of rounds.

Given your desire to reload and shoot a lot the answer has to be Ruger.:)

[Nightcrawler]

Ruger Schmuger. Dare to be different. I'd go for the Dan Wesson. (http://www.danwessonfirearms.com/product_detail.php?id=78) :D

http://www.danwessonfirearms.com/data/productimg/main078.png

It's every bit as tough as the Ruger, and has interchangable barrels. Plus, the chambers are bored for .445 Supermag. If you buy some .445 Supermag brass, you reload it with a regular .44 bullet and have a lot more case capacity to work with for very hot loads.

[benelli12]

RUGER, they can handle anything you put through them. Mine is on the 320 grain diet, and is doing just fine.

[vynx]

I would get a Ruger if I didn't care about weight but here is another opinion

http://www.john-ross.net/s&wsuccess.htm

John Ross (author of "Unintended Consequences") makes a case for S&W - he doesn't seem to worry about recoil and to sum it up says S&W will repair it for free if you wear it out with heavy loads.

But its just an opinion although a well stated one.

[Arcticfox]

Ruger is the toughest.

Smith has a great trigger.

Or get an anaconda for the bragging rights :cool:

[apachejack]

Cajun, go to a dealer and try all the 44's he's got and see which one fits your hand and style. There is nothing worse than putting out good money and finding out after 2 or 3 hundred rounds you don't like the way trigger guard hits your knuckles, or if it rides too high in your hand or some small detail that doesn't show up when you first fire the gun. Any of the ones mentioned are great guns unless you don't like the way they feel. I'm sure if your serious your dealer will let you shoot them. Just some knowledge I've found out the hard way and hope you don't.

[10-Ring]

OF the current production revolvers, I would go w/ the only one that doesn't have an internal lock...Ruger - specifically the SRH.

[Click Click Boom]

The Dan Wesson Doesnt have a internal lock.

[GaryP]

Ruger Super Redhawk - First choice.
Dan Wesson - Second Choice.


:evil:

[Hutch]

I'd pick the Dan Wesson. Years ago, they had a great reputation for durability and accuracy with the Metallic Silhouette crowd. They push the envelope for both.

[DWARREN123]

When they get them out I am going with a Ruger Redhawk with the 4 inch barrel in stainless steel. I have a GP-100 and SP-101 in 357 mag and SP-101's with 4 inch barrels in 32 H&R mag and 22 lr. All in stainless.

[cajun47]

im having trouble finding prices for the ruger .44 mags. i need a site that i can quickly look up firearm prices simply and quickly just to get a general idea.

[Stainz]

I am a realist. I feel sure that Renee DesCartes would classify the 'Infernal Lock' on S&W's as a 'necessary evil'. To me, it is a non-entity. To S&W, it is a means by which they can continue to easily market their wares in all of our states. Life has enough real problems for me to waste my resources over such trivia. I have bought many S&W's so adorned over the last 4.5yr, and none have spontaneously locked themselves. I will buy more - I feel we are in S&W's greatest quality - and finest offerings - era. Of course, that is MY opinion - and worth every cent of what you paid to read it.

I personally settled for what Elmer Keith would likely have today, if he was still around. He favored the 4" 29 - but, I feel that the SS 'tool' would garner his attention today. A 4" 629 was my last .44 Magnum, preceded by a 6" half-lug 629 (... and a 629MG.). The two I now have are so similar - differ only by 2" of barrel. Oddly, they 'point' naturally, not having the heavier muzzles of the full-lug 629's, yet they beg for different uses. The 4"-er is a great all around carry piece - the 6"-er begs for more distant targets. Both had their recoil put more in control with the Hogue .500 Magnum grips, while standard strength Wolff hammer leafs & reduced power trigger return springs replaced the OEM's - after my usual break-in regimine. They reliably pop any primers, yet have a great trigger now.

As far as reloading equipment is concerned, nearly 4.5yr ago, after being hounded by others, I broke down and sent the 'next' S&W revolver money I had amassed to Dillon for a 550B. If you start with a 550B, you'll not want an upgrade for a long time. I had never touched a press of any kind prior to buying mine - it is a fine tool - and 'all' I need. Splurge and buy some new Starline brass. Only my last die set is a Dillon - super quality. The rest are all Lee carbide sets - the 4 die set with a separate crimper.

That is what I did... but, a used Super Blackhawk and a Rockcrusher single stage press will get you 'in the game'. Whatever you do, satisfy YOUR wants and desires. Many folks make good revolvers & presses these days, it is unlikely you'll find a 'bad' one... especially if you get what YOU want.

Stainz

[bow4828]

1st choice is Dan wesson.Either a new CZ production of Monson Mass. gun.Both are outstanding on all counts.Tough and Accurate.Dan Wessons are listed to handle the heavier pressure loads in My load books as well.

[Stainz]

I have to add this...

I'll never understand the desire to hot-rod a given caliber - especially the .44 Magnum. By the time you get to a 300gr LSWC in a .44 Magnum, you are launching a torpedoe. Why not just go to a larger caliber, ie, .45 Colt +P, .454 Casull, .460 Magnum, .480 Ruger/.475 Linebaugh, or .500 Magnum? Bigger hole - less violent recoil from the same KE as the pressure is lower. The right 'tool' for the job. Besides, if you manage to hurt a S&W with normal .44M loads, they'll take care of it for life. Remember, a .44M is only .429" - even 'just' .45 Colts are 11% larger in area - a .500 Magnum is over 36% larger!

Stainz

[countryrebel]

Save yourself a few hundred dollars and buy a Taurus.It will do anything you ever want it to,plus it will be easier on hand your hand to because it comes ported,and the three that I have owned have had better triggers than most Smith and Wesson's I have shot, IMO.
Most people that bash another revolver have not ever owned one or shot one before.Dont get me wrong,I own rugers and like them a lot,and have shot lots of SW 44mag's, and you can't go wrong with Dan Wesson either,I have one in 357.The taurus 83/8 barrel 44mag that I had was a tack driver and I regret selling it.

Everytime I buy a taurus I always enjoy the fact that I saved a bunch of money to equip it.

[Essex County]

Again, Ruger eitherRedhawk or Super Blackhawk. If I had to carry it around I'd opt for the N frame Smith. Essex

[Marshall]

Think I would go Ruger for the reason already mentioned. The Redhawk in .44Mag is very accurate too.

[Jim Z.]

The top two are .44 mags. #1) S&W Mod 29-5 6.5"; #2) S&W 29-10, 3".
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/Pathfinder09/HPIM0976.jpg
For my money I would go in this order
Freedom Arms;
S&W;
Ruger;
Tarus.

Best of Luck

:cool:

[Over-due fines]

The redhawk...Hands down.

[SnWnMe]

What kind of handloads are we looking at?

I push 240gr jacketed bullets out of my S&Ws @ 1,500 fps and 200gr @ 1,700. Given the significant pounding, you will give up before the gun does IMO. The 29/629 are not the delicate sixguns that many folks presume them to be. If you are wanting to push hotter and heavier than my numbers here then you should probably get a Ruger or a Dan Wesson. What you gain in durability is offset by ending up with a bigger gun (not that an N frame is small).

Please stay away from Taurus.

[rickomatic]

I bought a Ruger .44 Mag Super Blackhawk Hunter Bisley last summer. It wasn't at all as bad to shoot as I had expected. I even bought some hot hunting loads from Garrett Cartidges (310 Gr. Hammerhead), http://www.garrettcartridges.com/products.asp and even they weren't that bad to shoot in it. I was pleasantly surprised. Since the picture below was taken, I've added a 3x9 Leupold VXIII, and love it.
I took it mule deer hunting this fall, but didn't get a chance at a shot. I was afforded the opportunity 5 min. after opening day shooting light at 3 seperate coyotes all within 50 yards, but I didn't think my fellow hunters nearby would have appreciated waking up the rest of the woods just for varmints. :evil:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/rickomatic/Shooting179.jpg

[Marshall]

"My greatest fear is that once I'm dead and gone, my wife will sell all my guns for the amount I told her I paid for them"

I don't care who you are, that's some funny stuff right there.

[Greg8098]

If you want the toughest revolver on the market, go with the Ruger. If you want a Smith and Wesson, may as well go with a Raging Bull. Yeah Smith has a "lifetime" warranty, and guess what ... so does Taurus :neener: . Can you safely fire .44 Mag +p+ in a Smith :confused: . I doubt it. Stay away from Taurus??? I say, stay away from S&W ;) .

[iostorm]

The Raging Bull should be the choice, for something as small as the .44mag it should last forever as it was made for the 454 casull. Heck I'm totally happy with my Taurus Tracker .44!! Great gun!

[PrimaryB]

Can't speak for the S&W or the Taurus but I love my New Model 44Mag SBH 7 1/2" Hunter. I have a Bushnell Elite 3200 scope on it. To me the weight is not a problem. You would be surprised of the lack of recoil. I was looking over the shoulder of my gun dealer while he was searching for another gun for myself on Gun Broker and some other sites and I saw prices SBH's with lower end scopes in the 350.00 range. I can shoot that gun til I get tired of loading:) Good luck in your decision.

[Legionnaire]

Like PrimaryB, I can't speak to the S&W. I had a Taurus M44 with a 4" barrel for a while. It was easy to carry, and had a surprisingly good out-of-the-box trigger. Sold it to fund something else, and sort of regret letting it go. I liked the overall package.

However, my workhorses are Rugers. Scoped Super Redhawk with a 7.5" barrel, and a 5.5" New Model Super Blackhawk. Both are great guns that can be fed a steady diet of heavy loads.

Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the options discussed above. It's more about what you like. I like the stainless Rugers, so that's what I shoot.

Let us know what you finally decide.

[rolltide]

Like others have said, S&W won't stand up to heavy laods.

Ruger Super Redhawk is rugged and reliable with heavy loads.

Dan Wesson is rugged and reliable, and much more accurate than any other out of the box 44 except the Freedom Arms, and it is certainly as accurate as the FA. Since the Dan Wesson will cost about one third of what a Freedom Arms will, that rules out the FA for me.

If you plan to ever use the gun in a protection situation against dangerous game, do yourself a favor and get a double action. You want something that is point and click in that stressful situation.

In case you haven't guessed, my 44's are Dan Wesson and have been for over 20 years. I have owned and fired all the other makes and they were all fine guns, but the interchangeable barrels, dead on accuracy even after years of heavy loads (6 shot group from a sandbag rest less than 1/2" center to center at 25 yards, 4 of those six shots in a single 44 cal hole) and the rock solid strength make the Dan Wesson the hands down choice for me in 44mag.

Roll Tide

[sfhogman]

Here's a link to the Gunblast test of the new 4" Redhawk. I don't need one, but then again...
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-Redhawk4.htm

Jeff

[Legionnaire]

I want one of those, but I wish they'd give it a full underlug like the GP100. More aesthetic to me, but that little bit of extra weight would probably help with recoil.

[rolltide]

You mean like this? :)





http://www.geocities.com/mgsdrs/dw44a.JPG


Dan Wesson 44mag 4" heavy barrel

[bestseller92]

Ruger, Ruger, a thousand times Ruger!

[rolltide]

Or maybe like this? :)


http://www.geocities.com/mgsdrs/dw4in445a.JPG


Dan Wesson 445 Supermag with 445Supermag and a 44mag rounds for comparison.

[Legionnaire]

Alright, rolltide; don't rub it in ... :D

Nice specimens there, by the way.

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Here is my short range report on the 4inch ruger 44mag.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=257870

[rolltide]

That 4" Ruger is a great looking gun. I predict it is going to be a classic like the Mod. 29 S&W, only better. I kind of like the pre-lockup that you describe in your range report. As I quickly take up the slack in a double action trigger pull, I wait for the lockup then go slow for the surprise ignition after that. It helps me shoot better groups faster in double action. Some of my Dan Wessons will lock up like that just before the trigger breaks.

Sounds like a great purchase revolverguy. Rugers are great guns.

Roll Tide

[trbon8r]

I would say to look for a clean used S&W 29-2. That's what I'm doing. Opinions are like.............well, you know what they are like. :)

That being said, my opinion is that no other big bore revolver will have the classic lines, workmanship, beautiful blueing, and overall great feel of a vintage S&W. Besides it worked for Dirty Harry. :D From everything I've read the S&W Model 29 will last just fine with standard factory level .44 Magnum loads.

As someone else said, if you need more power than factory loaded .44 ammo offers, then it seems to make more sense to just buy the .500 S&W and be done with it, instead of trying to hotrod a caliber beyond what it was designed to do.

[magnumman44]

For hunting or target shooting I'd take the S&W. Ruger for heavier loads, but why not just get a 460 or 500 magnum.

[g5reality]

I like the Dan Wesson and S&W's.

[cochise]

There are sooo many nice .44's out there!

I have an Anaconda with Bear Hug grips that shoots and looks great. Tough revolver too.

I have a 4 5/8 inch Ruger Blackhawk [not a Super Blackhawk] that carries and shoots great.

I love my 4 inch and 6 1/2 inch Smith and Wessons. I baby them and they are slick little boogers.:D

I use my 5" S&W Classic the most.

I gave a couple to the kids too, and they enjoy them.

Don't limit yourself. I even have the Marlin lever .44. Great cartridge!;)