Why should I buy a .44 Magnum Revolver?

If you already own a 40 S&W, 10 MM or 45 ACP consider one of the moon clipped S&W models. There are even some 38 super versions.
I own a M-29 and haven't shot it in several years. The moonies are more fun.

I use a 4" 629 for just about everything I need a revolver to do. I load vast quantities of .44 Specials for IDPA (maybe not vast -- around 12,000 at last count), mid-range thumpers for social work, heavy hitters for woodland issues, and some real screamers just for fun.

I carry it, play with it, and would hunt with it, too, if the opportunity arose.

There is so much overlap between what cartridges can do, we rarely REQUIRE another gun to answer a need, but the .44 stands out as a hugely versatile cartridge.

If the size of an N-frame isn't a problem for you (I carry mine IWB frequently), go for it!

44 magnum is a great round but it's amazing versatility is not exploited unless you reload.

it's amazing versatility is not exploited unless you reload.

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Certainly true. 'Course, buying ANY ammo off the shelf is too rich for my blood, so I tend to forget to mention the obvious benefits of handloads.

I convinced myself a few years back that I had to have a DA 44 revolver for field use and the such. I have yet to field it, and its way too big for carry. The only time I had it out this year is when visitors from a gun hostile state visited and we took it to the range. I won't trade or sell it but its seen far little use than I imagined when I bought it.

An expensive diet is a big factor in why its basically a safe queen.

I tend to forget to mention the obvious benefits of handloads

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beyond cost, the 44 magnum can be loaded up or down more than most, and the bullet choices are vast.

Not many rounds can loaded all the way from mild plinkers to monster game loads.

The cost of factory 44 magnum is prohibitive to me.

So unless wealthy and willing to spend A LOT on ammo, I would not suggest that Griff, or anyone, purchase a 44 magnum unless reloading is in the plan.

.44 special ammo is even more costly, if you plan to shoot them. The only way I can afford to shoot the specials are to reload. It is also very hard (and I mean HARD) to find .44 special ammo and it usually runs about $8.00 to $10.00 more per box than magnums. I haven't even seen brass at the local gun stores. The only brass I've found is on the internet. As far as .44s go, Ruger's Super Blackhawk, or Redhawk line are very strong and will take the most punishing .44 mags, with heavier bullets due to the increased length of the cylinder.

so the only thing needed would be bullets and brass

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since that is the case...go for it

If you have to ask, probably not.

The .44Mag is one of my favorite cartridges. With handloading, it is immensely versatile and a good sixgun so-chambered could easily fill the "one gun" role. However, with full loads, it takes dedication and a lot of shooting to master it. Which for most of us, requires handloading.

The model 29 is the blued version. 629 for stainless.

The models 329s are the super-lightweight frames. You ... probably ... don't want one.

Smith produces many revolvers in .44mag/.44spl. Barrel lengths vary from 2.5 to 6.5 inches. Look up the Model 29 (blued), 629 (stainless), and 329 (Scandium). I like Smiths, but the only .44mag I have is a Ruger Redhawk 7.5in. I like the revolver, but my Smith 625-2 .45 gets more use because it's a little cheaper to load and I have a couple thousand always on hand.

The Redhawk is my hand cannon and like most cannons is used sparingly.

should I worry about getting a xxx-# model?

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Not really. The early ones did not have a set of enhancements that came later, and the later ones feature more MIM material than some folks believe is beneficial (oh, and a lock, if you care).

Mine is a later 629-10. It has shot more rounds in one year than most .44s ever will shoot in a lifetime and it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, the trigger is now "awesome," according to several jealous friends.

I've got a 629-6 with a 4" barrell. New enough to have the improvements, old enough not to have the lock. It does everything I need a revolver to do. Not too big and heavy. Actually lighter then the 686 and GP-100 I sold after buying the 44 mag. Not exactly sure when the enhancements came, but I'd feel safe shoting some pretty hot loads in mine. Some of the very early ones had issuies when shooting the hotter loads.

I use mine with 44 specails qutie often. As I said earlier the gun is actually ligher and just as easy to carry as the 357 mag 686 I used to own. With good 44 special loads I feel it is actually a better SD round. Mainly because of the reduced recoil and muzzle blast compared to the 357 mag. Of course hotter loads can be used if needed.

If buying a full sized revolver, I'd just as soon just go with the 44. If you need a small carry gun there are other options, but I prefer a small auto for that need.

should I worry about getting a xxx-# model?

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Absolutely

You want to avoid the new stuff, MIM parts, idiotic locks. Even the Bangor Punta stuff is superior. (MIM, metal injection molding started in the late 1990's. Not sure exactly when the 44 magnums became victims)

The best Smith and Wesson model 29s were built in the 1950s through 1965. Back then they sold them at a loss because of they felt that the quality of that product (and the Model 27 &57) reflected well on the rest of their products. They were made with a great deal of hand fitting on limited production lines. The resulting guns were of the highest quality.

If you can find one with a serial number below S300,000 you will have the finest 44 magnum ever made.

So in my never-so-humble-opinion

before 1965 is best
1965-98ish is next good
since 98...buy a Taurus

To help the economy

A .357 magnum revolver/carbine combo is a lot less expensive
to feed than a .44 magnum revolver/carbine combo. The type
of hunting would be the decider. Mule deer and bear would be
better off hunted with the 44 over the 357.

only reason I can think of is so I can get rid of mine...

if you can, borrow one from a friend and it'll probably save you a lot of money. They are a very impressive gun to hold in your hand, though, and would be extremely effective at influencing a person to get the fudge out of your house real quick...

WHY?

Every time you pull the trigger on a .44 magnum, you'll have a smile on your face.

Reason enough

I don't know if you've priced the larger magnums, if so you probably can see the .44 mag isn't really so bad. I wouldn't even think about reloading .500 SW.

I fell in love with the 44 years ago I was abel to pick one up 3 years ago a SBH I now have a Winchester M94 and a TC barrel in 44 it is the reason I started to reload I now load for everything that I shoot now I need the dies for a 7-08 for a encore.
When will the madness stop..