Which .44 Mag?

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You guys are really making me think I should go outside my schedule after work and take a look. ;)

I always thought stainless models were more sought after in any gun.

Tomorrow is definitely a no go as I have my weekly Monday night IDPA match after work, but if this is that rare maybe I'll make time Tuesday to go have a look.
 
I see on ruger's site it has frame material listed as alloy steel for blued guns as opposed to the stainless models frame material listed as stainless steel. So some difference, not that it means much. Ive only seen a couple blued redhawks in person believe they may be distributor exclusives?
 
First thing you need to know before you buy a handgun, ANY HANDGUN, is if it fits your hand. This is not something that just flows through your finger tips by osmosis when you touch it. It is something you have to KNOW how to check for and you NEED TO KNOW HOW BEFORE YOU BUY and most certainly BEFORE YOU START MODIFYING.

https://mygunculture.com/how-to-make-sure-your-handgun-fits-you/

Until you know how and why, you don't know anything. Don't start shopping until you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.
 
I think that the blued Blackhawks have an aluminum grip frame and the stainless ones have a steel one. I could be wrong. I don't know about the Redhawks.
 
Know what is available in what you are looking for.... S&W, Ruger, Tarus, Charter Arms, Dan Wesson, BFR, etc. and know what they sell for. Then start looking around and see what comes up. When a good deal comes up have the money set aside to jump.

When I got the big bore bug I decided on a S&W 625 (45 LC). After looking for a decent deal for almost a year a scoped Dan Wesson 744 with an 8" barrel came along for $600 and I jumped. I ended up paying $580 for it. Needless to say, I couldn't be happier. Later I bought a 4" barrel for it so I can swap back and forth.
 
In that price range you probably should get a Taurus.
But I'd suggest a Red Hawk w 5 or 6 inch barrel, but pay 700 and you can get a Ruger Super Redhawk and that's what I d do on a budget.
Forget the Taurus, forget S&W in your price range, get the Very solid and respectable Ruger Super Redhawk 44 tank!

But if it's just a Range Toy, Don't waste your $ on Any 44 Magnum.
Just get a nice solid 357 Magnum like a GP 100 or S&W 686 plus, you will be able to shoot sooo much cheaper, and still take deer if you want
 
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Save a search on Gunbroker for Redhawks and Super Redhawks. I keep a search saved for these models in 44 mag, 41 mag and 45 colt with a limit of $550. Over the past 2 years I've picked up 4 like this in all the calibers I listed in the low $500 range, all of them purchased in the summer. I guess in the other seasons there might be more demand from handgun hunters. Just search often and be ready to bid when the opportunity comes up.
 
I'd say Redhawk, pick your favorite barrel length,(as long as it's 7.5 inch).
Look at any of the pictures of the Blackhawks, in the thread, notice how the grip is further back, and lower than the Redhawk?
This grip design of the Single Actions, in the more powerful calibers, amplifies recoil. You get much less recoil from the Redhawk, with
the higher, tighter grip.

Try one out, before you buy a Blackhawk. You may want to get a Single Action type in .357, or a less powerful caliber.
 
Keep in mind any revolver you buy can be fitted with different grips that fit your hand and will make your shooting experience much more pleasant.
 
Yeah, like think Houge cushy black rubber for 454 and up,
Oh yes and why not just skip over 44 magnum all together and get a 454 casull then you can shoot 45 cold as well that would be a much much much better range toy and far more interesting and impressive.
If I were you and wanted a range toy I would get a Taurus raging Judge then you can shoot 410 45 and 454 casull.
But I'd still suggest getting a good 357 saving yourself a bunch of money on ammo
But if you're serious about getting a good big bore revolver then get a Super Redhawk 454 casull
But if you're going to get a big bore revolver why not have a real purpose for it like hunting
 
I've not shot a .44 mag before but am not generally recoil sensitive so not really concerned with that. His .357 with 158g SWC's seemed less punchy than my 180g FMJ 10mm's out of my 1911.


Your thoughts....

I suggest you try to shoot a .44 mag before purchasing one.

Like you mentioned, I don't consider myself recoil sensitive either. I find .357mag out of a 4" k-frame with wood grips mild to shoot, and a .357 sp101 was stout but nothing to be afraid of. I used to have a 10.7 oz Airlite j-frame and .38 special +p defense loads were nothing.

But I don't care to shoot my .44 mag. I inherited a 6" Anaconda from my grandfather (he never shot it), and that thing KICKS! It has the factory rubber grips, but I start flinching pretty soon after putting just a cylinder through it. I don't think I've ever shot it more than 18 times in a session. If I wanted to hunt deer with a handgun, the Anaconda would be my top choice out of my current firearm selection. But a fun range gun it is not. Since you mention just wanting a range toy I think the extra cost of ammunition on top of the recoil makes the .44 mag a poor choice. I think a single action would be better due to the different way they transfer recoil, but you mention wanting a double action.
 
The .44 Mag is definitely a threshold cartridge as far as recoil is concerned. With good grips, careful acclimatization, and some determination, the .44 Magnum shouldn’t be too hard to adjust to. In the right gun (like a Redhawk or Super Redhawk), it’s just not that bad.
 
So I took my dad to the indoor range today to try out some of his handguns I cleaned earlier this year while the wives went at a craft show.

I was most excited to try out his Smith 27 and after shooting it I think the big revolver mag bug has bitten. I'm thinking I'd like something a little bigger in caliber and being I dont want to spend a ton I'm leaning towards .44 mag. This would mainly be a range toy.

I've not shot a .44 mag before but am not generally recoil sensitive so not really concerned with that. His .357 with 158g SWC's seemed less punchy than my 180g FMJ 10mm's out of my 1911.


Anyhow the question here is models on a budget to look at. I am NOT a Taurus fan but my dealings so far have been with extremely cheap polymer autos. Except for ironically today, I shot my dads PT99 which was pretty darn impressive. I have heard some good things about their revolvers and have investigated the Model 44 as one option. I believe EAA also makes a .44 mag model that's on the more budget friendly side?

Only "reqirements" would be something big, with at least 6" barrel to add weight and aid in recoil management and accuracy. Remember, range toy for right now.


So, what would you guys suggest? I'm not above spending a little more if I thought that was realistic but somehow I dont think I'm going to find something like a S&W 29 for $600 "if I just wait for a deal". I'd like to keep it around $500.



Your thoughts....

You said you’re not a Taurus fan, but I’ve shot my buddy’s raging bull in 44 mag and I enjoyed it. Don’t like the chunky sights or the aesthetic side much but it did seem well made.

I just bought a Ruger super Blackhawk (44 mag) from another forum member and that will be my first experience with such. I love single actions so if you do too I can report back with my thoughts. Hopefully can shoot it this weekend if it’s here by then.
 
The .44 Mag is definitely a threshold cartridge as far as recoil is concerned.

And this is where reloading comes to play. You can load rounds that are still well above .44Special, but are a little gentler than commercial ones.

Love me my 629s. In fact I may go shoot NRA Instructor qualification course with one this week.
 
I think that the blued Blackhawks have an aluminum grip frame and the stainless ones have a steel one. I could be wrong. I don't know about the Redhawks.

All Super Blackhawks and the Stainless Blackhawks are all steel. Blued Blackhawks have an aluminum grip frame and ejector rod housing.
 
I strongly recommend a Ruger for 44 and I do believe you'll appreciate the heft. I have two, a Redhawk with a Red Dot, and a Super Blackhawk with black patridge stock sights. I must say I prefer single action in a big bore because if you're shooting barn burners you want to feel extraction of each round in each chamber, and I enjoy the experience of reverently handling the brass piece by piece as I get my joy freeing them from the weight of the lead they've been holding onto. Seriously, when you're savoring each shot already something about a single action takes it to the next level.

birds of prey 1.jpg birds of prey 2.jpg

My next will be a Super Redhawk which I'll affix a 4x scope for 100yd shots.

I load 240gn coated lead Keith style bullets over 23.5gn of H110 and let me tell you that's a really, really fun load to shoot. 2400 and Lil Gun are also great powders for higher performance magnums. I also load specials but I'm still young and I'm a recoil junky, all the old guys say they don't enjoy magnums anymore, so I'm getting it in while I can. The specials are mostly gathering dust just now. I got into reloading for 44 and IMO hou'll want to reload if you plan to shoot much of the stuff. I save $30 every box I load.

*Note regarding my load data: This is book max from the book I loaded from, always work up your own loads slowly and carefully don't just put 23.5 in and hope for the best, and go to the reloading forum and post about it first for best results.
 
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The .44 Mag is definitely a threshold cartridge as far as recoil is concerned.

I have read this quote from Max in his books and several times on the forums and I have certainly found it to be true for me.
I am not ashamed to admit that a full house .44 mag or a "Ruger only" .45 Colt is about all I want to deal with. Fortunately, the largest animals I hunt are whitetails, so they will do that job well.

For the OP, with a $500 budget and wanting a big bore revolver, it just screams "RUGER" to me.
In their price range, you just can't beat them. I would venture that most folks rarely if ever use a .44 magnum in double action mode. I don't know how much the action is figuring into your decision.
 
I own the Ruger Redhawk 7.5" barrel with the Hogue grip. I load up light 44spl for my wife, less recoil than her 22lr. I shoot two different loads of 44mag, one medium load and one "light" heavy load. I really don't shoot full magnum loads that often out of it.
 
629s for me and the "Mountain Gun" in particular because, well, *there* be dragons! The Mountain Gun will soon have a D&L fixed rear replacement sight.

Pay the extra to get a S&W and then pay less by "settling" for one with a trigger lock and let others bitch about the hole in the side.

Now, my opinion is still open to revision once I get another couple-few Dan Wessons after foolishly selling/trading mine.

Stainless 'cause it's painless.


Todd IMG_1003.JPG
 
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