adcoch1
Member
My 29 classic was skipping fire on two chambers in double action after 7k rounds, at least half of it was Winchester white box. Almost all of it was 240 grn, maybe 50 total 300 grn.
Which 44 mag?
- Thread starter brewer12345
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no.5enfield
Member
Wow! I figured it would take thousands of 300s to do that.
silvermane_1
Member
Ruger for a steady diet of full house/boutique 44 mag and to an extent for scope option even though new production 44 mag S&W are drilled and tapped for scope mounts, but if your going to occasionally shoot watered down(basically 44 spl. +p in a 44 mag case) factory 44 mag then maybe a S&W M69 might be an option it's a L frame but only 5 shot IIRC, so you have a decent selection of 44 mag wheelguns there brewer12345.
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hemiram
Member
I like my Dan Wesson a lot. Makes my friend's S&W 29 look like a toy: Yes, even with the "Barney" purple frame
Obturation
Member
I had a 629 that was out of time in 3000 rounds, nothing too hot either. Even after it came back from s&w it was not right, if you cocked the hammer slowly it had a strange feeling and wouldnt lock properly. if cocked fast it was normal. I dumped it for a SRH that isnt afraid of a little gun powder. I had other s&w issues too.
adcoch1
Member
It's a shame really, cause in so many ways they are the perfect revolver, but durability trumps a lot of other metrics for me when it comes to revolvers. I would have gladly shot only 44 specials in it if I had only known.
Obturation
Member
I really have a tough time getting my thoughts organized on this topic. Reason being, a vast majority of consumers love s&w revolvers and havent had one bit of trouble. Ive been called a outright liar in my comments about their longevity on guns i actually owned. I know there are fantastic s&w revolvers that are well made and reliable - but nothing has been proven to me to show they are durable. But im a shooter, all my guns get shot and they all get cleaned and stored the same. When one particular brand fails me repeatedly and everything else i own is just fine i become biased. I havent owned dozens of S&W revolvers, only 3 it would have been more but i didnt want to mess with them any more. Love their designs and execution but i think its time for them to re-engineer the mechanisms and reboot QC department. Not saying they need to try to last forever but they should be able to withstand 10,000 rounds of moderate pressure ammo no problem. Ymmv.
adcoch1
Member
I completely agree, if it is a 44 magnum give me 10k of full house rounds with no mechanical failure. That's why I am shooting rugers now...
mcb
Member
I have four N-frames. 610, 625, 627, M29. The 610, 625, both have at least 20k plus rounds on them in my possession. I bought them used and shot them a lot in USPSA competition. I am the third possibly the forth owner of the 625 so who knows it's actual rounds count. I bought it from a competitive shoot who had also bought if from a competitive shooter. The 627 is rapidly approaching 10k. I will be interested to see if the M29 gets to this high round count as trouble free as my other N-frames have been. I bought the M29 used from the first owner that had only put a box or two through it. I have only shoot a few hundred more rounds so far. I keep hearing M29s don't last but my experience with other N-frames says they do pretty well. I guess I am going to see if the extra power of 44 mag is it's undoing.
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
That's because they don't shoot them enough to find out but rarely admit that. Those that do sufficient volume are doing so with light loads.
Charlie Martinez
Member
My Ruger Bisley Vaquero 44 Mag (5.5-in) compliments my Marlin 1894 - 44 Mag carbine very well. I'm very comfortable with its crude fixed sights & factory trigger. I believe I could hunt with it as it is but if I had a choice I would prefer adjustable sights. I have nothing at all against the beautiful S&W's & there are revolvers by several makers that are probably fine but for me the best combination of value, quality, strength & ruggedness is Ruger. Therefore an old model Vaquero, a Blackhawk or a Redhawk would be my top choices.
Some random thoughts:
A friend wore out a Ruger Redhawk with 22.0gr 2400 and 240gr SWCBB commercial cast bullets. He worked at an isolated site in the New Mex desert and shot 4 or 5 days a week after work for a couple of years when on site. He had a Dillon 650 and had some steel targets set up at the toe of a hill. The face of the cylinder was spider webbed and the forcing cone and barrel butt was totally eroded. Ruger said they would replace bbl and cyl at his cost. His estimate was 5,000 rnds which sounded on the low side to me.
I shot a barrel loose on a Freedom Arms model 83 .475 Linebaugh – round count was right at 15,000.
I’ve had new Ruger single actions that were out of time from the factory, would dislodge center pin under recoil, and shear off ejector rod housing.
Also had three S&W Model 329s that required constant repairs.
Currently have five S&W M69s. One was binding and went back to S&W who “Repaired Yoke”. Round count around 12,000 – 13,000 thru four of them (too lazy to go look) and at least half have been with 24.0gr of H110 and 240gr JSPs.
Point being anything mechanical may be incorrectly assembled from the factory and will wear out, some sooner than others (even the same model). And like vehicles, some may also be lemons.
Yes, S&Ws are more fragile than the Rugers, Dan Wessons, BFRs and others. Some consider this a desireable trait. I take a bit different approach. I shoot those guns that I enjoy as much as I want using any ammo I want. If a gun needs maint or repairs, I get it done. If I am lucky, I’ll get to shoot enough to wear out a gun beyond repair. The older I get, the more I gravitate towards smaller, lighter guns. In double actions, that generally means S&Ws (L Frames and smaller for example the M69 .44 mag) and Freedom Arms Model 97s in single actions. I’d rather shoot/carry a 35-37oz M69 rather than a 62 oz .44 Mag BFR (3.86Lbs per their website) – again, personal preference.
I have Freedom Arms M83s, Ruger Super Redhawks and a Ruger Super Blackhawk .357 Max. and a 50th Anniv .44 Mag Flattop - however, these guns get less and less use as I get older.
I figure everyone should purchase the gun(s) that work for them and fill the needs that their circumstances dictate. Don’t just buy something because it is “stronger” without understanding the trade offs. Be honest with yourself about how many rounds and what type of rounds you will actually shoot.
Again, just random thoughts.
FWIW,
Paul
A friend wore out a Ruger Redhawk with 22.0gr 2400 and 240gr SWCBB commercial cast bullets. He worked at an isolated site in the New Mex desert and shot 4 or 5 days a week after work for a couple of years when on site. He had a Dillon 650 and had some steel targets set up at the toe of a hill. The face of the cylinder was spider webbed and the forcing cone and barrel butt was totally eroded. Ruger said they would replace bbl and cyl at his cost. His estimate was 5,000 rnds which sounded on the low side to me.
I shot a barrel loose on a Freedom Arms model 83 .475 Linebaugh – round count was right at 15,000.
I’ve had new Ruger single actions that were out of time from the factory, would dislodge center pin under recoil, and shear off ejector rod housing.
Also had three S&W Model 329s that required constant repairs.
Currently have five S&W M69s. One was binding and went back to S&W who “Repaired Yoke”. Round count around 12,000 – 13,000 thru four of them (too lazy to go look) and at least half have been with 24.0gr of H110 and 240gr JSPs.
Point being anything mechanical may be incorrectly assembled from the factory and will wear out, some sooner than others (even the same model). And like vehicles, some may also be lemons.
Yes, S&Ws are more fragile than the Rugers, Dan Wessons, BFRs and others. Some consider this a desireable trait. I take a bit different approach. I shoot those guns that I enjoy as much as I want using any ammo I want. If a gun needs maint or repairs, I get it done. If I am lucky, I’ll get to shoot enough to wear out a gun beyond repair. The older I get, the more I gravitate towards smaller, lighter guns. In double actions, that generally means S&Ws (L Frames and smaller for example the M69 .44 mag) and Freedom Arms Model 97s in single actions. I’d rather shoot/carry a 35-37oz M69 rather than a 62 oz .44 Mag BFR (3.86Lbs per their website) – again, personal preference.
I have Freedom Arms M83s, Ruger Super Redhawks and a Ruger Super Blackhawk .357 Max. and a 50th Anniv .44 Mag Flattop - however, these guns get less and less use as I get older.
I figure everyone should purchase the gun(s) that work for them and fill the needs that their circumstances dictate. Don’t just buy something because it is “stronger” without understanding the trade offs. Be honest with yourself about how many rounds and what type of rounds you will actually shoot.
Again, just random thoughts.
FWIW,
Paul
Reeferman
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2013
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- 1,259
According to Pachmayr site they don’t have one to fit my SBH with round trigger guard. I bought the one that fits the dragoon style guard hoping I could make it fit but wouldn’t work. It fit my hand really well. When I bought the SBH the guy gave me a set of Hogue grips as well. I tried them a couple times and put the wood back on as they sucked.
Charlie Martinez
Member
I have a regular grip Ruger & a Bisley. I like them both but the Bisley is my favorite due to the trigger shape & hammer position (lower for easier one hand reach)
IKE
Member
My one and only ever owned .44 Magnum is a stainless 5.5" Redhawk that I purchased new back in 1986.....I don't have any plans to sell or trade it off.
I haven't put THOUSANDS of rounds through it but it's flung a bunch of lead down range as well as in the field......it loves 180 gr JHP's with a near max charge of powder.
I haven't put THOUSANDS of rounds through it but it's flung a bunch of lead down range as well as in the field......it loves 180 gr JHP's with a near max charge of powder.
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1MoreFord
Member
My choice is a Dan Wesson. I understand why folks like Rugers for their strength(but IMO they're fugly) and I understand why folks like Smiths for their good looks(however they're not strong compared to Rugers) so I'll take a DW for the balance of between the two plus their known accuracy and the ability to change barrels and shrouds.
Obturation
Member
Yeah, just wish they were more common, which would also make them less expensive. Dan wessons are fantastic, ill give you that.
Cowhide Cliff
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For hunting, I'll take a Ruger SRH anyday.
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