New .44 Which Gun

Nice 5.5 inch redhawk!

@shoebox1.1

Ditto

wcwhitey said:

My name is Bill, I like revolvers. Looking to purchase another .44. I still have my custom SBH, so single action is covered. I love but don't have the need for a CA type concealed carry .44. I have too many guns to put in my pocket already. I am looking for a great shooting fun, field, target and just all around cool double action .44. I load .44 Special and .44 Magnum, big fan of fat lead bullets. What double action revolver would you buy for just pleasure, my budget is $1200 or so.

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I'm not sure how "cool" they are but for fun and comfort, I like Taurus' 44 Specials. They make a good magnum, too but, I don't have one. The .44Special is just such an all-around winner that I don't find I need a magnum unless its for hunting.

The Rugers stand up better to shooting STOUT rounds repeatedly than some other options. But sounds like you have that covered with the SBH.

If you’re looking to shoot factory loads and middle of the pack reloads and just the occasional 300 grainers then I’d also look hard at what S&W is putting out there.

I have both brands in .44 Mag and don’t have a preference either way. I just don’t run the really heavy stuff through the Smith.

I like the 2.2 inch Redhawk and the 4.2 inch. Both have shot well for me over the years and I still enjoy them. The extra steel in them assists with dampening recoil and makes for a pleasant day at the range when ammo is in the middle of the pack. Say a LSWC 240 grain and 10 grains of Unique. My 7.5 inch Redhawk is really easy to manage with that load.

New models? No. Both of my .44's are older, non-lock Smiths; a 6.5" power port and a 629 Mountain Gun. The MG is a bit pricy on the used market, but there are occasionally used S&W 29/629's out there that your budget will bring home.

My buddies with Model 69's like them a ton with Special's, but aren't too fond of firing the Magnums in them.

Good luck with your search!

Stay safe.

I really like taurus trackers, as long as you put the hogue grips on them. Also, the newest ones did away with the lock! Maybe s&w should take notes.

Alaskan Ironworker said:

I really like taurus trackers, as long as you put the hogue grips on them. Also, the newest ones did away with the lock! Maybe s&w should take notes.

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I just wish they'd offer a tracker that wasn't ported. It just makes them loud and isn't really needed on a heavy gun in a light magnum or special.

They make the 2.5” barrel version with no ports.

Have you ever handled a GP100 that a gunsmith has smoothed up and maybe worked over for accuracy?. They are sweet. One of those in 44 special would be a joy to shoot.

I had a 7 1/2" Redhawk many years ago. It was ok but I really didn't care for it. But in 5.5" it felt entirely different. Maybe it was the balance. I've never handled one that was smoothed up so I don't really know if they can be made as nice as a GP100. The action is different iirr and the GP100 fits me better being a bit smaller.

N frames, as nice as they are seem just a bit too large for my hands. Shame.

I'm a fan of S&W N-frame revolvers and would recommend a S&W 29 series revolver.

That said, Ruger Blackhawks (Single action) and Redhawks (DA/SA revolvers) have excellent reputations for reliability and accuracy.

The S&W Model 69 is a nice 44 Magnum 5 shot revolver. Ruger sells their GP100 in a 5 shot 44 Special version which is also a good shooter but limited to lighter loads than 44 Magnum level ammunition.

The S&W 696 is a favorite of mine, https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/unlocked-014-jpg.64627/

I have a SBH, a SRH, and a 629.

The 629 has a slightly better trigger than the SRH.

I have both a super black hawk and a red hawk. I find these super black hawk grips are a little small for my hand and when it recoils it tends to push the hammer into the space between my thumb and index finger sometimes. The red hawk has a bigger grip and is easier for me to shoot.

I also have a charter arms bulldog in 44 special that has been cut down to 2 in. it is a beast to shoot even with 44 specials. Couple of cylinder fulls and my hand starts to feel it.

Both of the Hawks shoot 44 special really nicely though. The weight of the gun makes it a joy to shoot lower energy rounds.

Redhawk or super redhawk.
If there's ever even a chance that you may want to push some heavy handloads it's the best choice. I know you said you would use your SBH for hunting ect. but you never know what you may want to do down the road, I'll sacrifice some refinement for longevity & strength. Plus I think super redhawks look awesome , no one can convince me otherwise (they've tried)

shoebox1.1 said:

Nice 5.5 inch redhawk!

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Buckeye63 said:

@shoebox1.1

Ditto

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3rd~

I have had longer versions, but the 5 1/2" just feels right!

If your budget is $1200, I’d skip all the new manicured guns and find a nice Dan Wesson model 744 on gunbroker. For that much money, you could get the gun, a nice Boyt case, and another barrel off eBay too (you could have 6” & 8” sets...). Lot nicer gun than anything made nowadays...plus it’s brutally strong. Only a Freedom Arms would be in the same class.

I really like my model 24-3. It seems to have a lighter profile barrel than the 29 I had.Better balanced in my opinion.

I would go with either a Ruger Redhawk with a 5 1/2" barrel or else a GP100.

I don't hunt anymore. I don't shoot mountain quaking loads. So I've pretty much been happy with the 44 Special. I've owned a few 44 Magnum guns, but for the most part, never fired Magnum ammo in them. Just a few rounds to be able to say I'd done it. The magnums have gone down the road, but a really nice S&W 624, 44 Special found it's way here not too long ago. Highly recommended.



If you happen to like/need the 44 mag, then the Model 29/629 is a good direction.

Ruger and Taurus no doubt make good guns, but I find them to be...well...ugly, and to be honest, I look at my guns a lot more than I shoot them.

I will add an exception to the above. The standard Redhawk with a 4-5 barrel, ain't too bad to look at.

I have a new production 629 5" and a couple of Super Redhawks. The Smith has a nicer double action, but single is a wash on all 3. I'm getting one of the SRHs worked on at the moment, so we'll see after that.

My 629 is a really nice gun, if you aren't hung up on the lock and MIM parts. Shoots great and is well-balanced. I stick to 240gr loads, because I don't want to cause excessive wear.
My SRHs have sharp edges and feel larger in the hand. Definitely weigh more, but soak up recoil much better than the 629. I shoot any published load through them, without hesitation.

How about a 329pd? Not exactly fun to shoot with heavy stuff but it's definitely cool.

Plus you have a SBH for heavy stuff. A 25oz 44 special you can load with magnums is great

There's quite a few options whether you want to launch thermonuclear 50,000psi loads.



More sedate .44Spl loads.







Somewhere in between.





Or swap barrels.



I will say that one single action .44 is nowhere near enough.