Do I go Smith, like a 629, or Ruger Redhawk/ Super Redhawk, or are there other candidates to consider?? Price is a consideration but not the only factor if the gun is right. It will see use as a deer gun potentailly also.
1st .44 Mag Poll
- Thread starter tackleberry45
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I didn't vote yet, because, it all depends -
My only question: Do you reload?
If so, and you plan on testing the limits of 44 Magnum performance, I would go with a Ruger Redhawk. I have the stainless 4" Redhawk, and my dad has a S&W 629 Classic 8.5". The S&W is a more comfortable gun to shoot (with light-medium loads), the action is smoother, it fits my hand and it points more naturally for me.
But the Ruger is a tank. It soaks up recoil a little better, and I really don't worry about beating it to death with heavy loads (just my hand). It will shoot specific heavy loads from companies like Buffalo Bore that (mostly because of their length) will not fit in the S&W.
Smoothness, ergonomics, mostly shooting standard loads: S&W 629
Rugged, built for abuse, good platform for reloading/hunting: Redhawk
PS - The Ruger will cost less, as well, saving you money for a reloading setup!
My only question: Do you reload?
If so, and you plan on testing the limits of 44 Magnum performance, I would go with a Ruger Redhawk. I have the stainless 4" Redhawk, and my dad has a S&W 629 Classic 8.5". The S&W is a more comfortable gun to shoot (with light-medium loads), the action is smoother, it fits my hand and it points more naturally for me.
But the Ruger is a tank. It soaks up recoil a little better, and I really don't worry about beating it to death with heavy loads (just my hand). It will shoot specific heavy loads from companies like Buffalo Bore that (mostly because of their length) will not fit in the S&W.
Smoothness, ergonomics, mostly shooting standard loads: S&W 629
Rugged, built for abuse, good platform for reloading/hunting: Redhawk
PS - The Ruger will cost less, as well, saving you money for a reloading setup!
CHEVELLE427
Member
i have a 629-1 but don't want to shoot full loads out it I'm fond of the 29's have had 3 so i would vote for the smith,
i do not have a ruger but have always heard they were tough,
my hot loads are for the
desert eagle 44mag/50ae
i do not have a ruger but have always heard they were tough,
my hot loads are for the
desert eagle 44mag/50ae
BCRider
Member
If you suspect that you'd use the gun in any action competitions then a swing out cylinder DA gun would be nice. But for hunting and casual plinking for giggles the Blackhawk can't be beat. Or if you want the option of using a pistol scope for hunting look at the Super Blackhawk or Super Redhawk which come with provisions to use Ruger pictol rings for mounting a scope.
You'll certainly want to get into reloading jolly quickly. Not only due to the cost of .44Mag ammo but also in consideration of the variety of recipes out there for reloads. Everything from hard hitters to super flashy to light .44Spl like plinking loads. With reloading you can do it all without breaking the bank.
You'll certainly want to get into reloading jolly quickly. Not only due to the cost of .44Mag ammo but also in consideration of the variety of recipes out there for reloads. Everything from hard hitters to super flashy to light .44Spl like plinking loads. With reloading you can do it all without breaking the bank.
Ruger Redhawk
The Ruger Redhawks also come with scope rings included, at least mine did. You don't need the "Super" model.
kj
The Ruger Redhawks also come with scope rings included, at least mine did. You don't need the "Super" model.
kj
I have a Smith 629-1, 6" I bought 23 years ago. I've shot countless rounds thru it, I reload and have used many recipes for the rounds shot. My buddy has a Ruger RedHawk 6 1/2"? or 7", not sure, his is more comfortable to shoot the heavy rounds in, but he can't hit squat with the sights on it, neither can I. He bought a Smith 629 6" Hunter, made by the S&W custom shop, whew! what a dandy to shoot. It has a full under-lug barrel, weights can be added/subtracted inside the under-lug, the trigger on his is an "absolute" 2 1/2 # pull. My needing glasses, the first time I shot his, I thought I needed a new pair, all 12 rounds were within 3" of dead center bulls eye @ 25 yds, and all almost trying to get into the same hole, amazing revolver. Sorry I got carried away, Ruger for hunting or heavy shooting, Smith for finesse.
44 magnum selection
I have a Ruger small frame 44Mag with 5.5" barrel. I am keeping it. The pole should include all the rugers not just the Redhawk and Super RedHawk. Be safe
I have a Ruger small frame 44Mag with 5.5" barrel. I am keeping it. The pole should include all the rugers not just the Redhawk and Super RedHawk. Be safe
Valkman
Member
I have a S&W 629 and it has the best trigger - I got rid of my Ruger .454 because the trigger couldn't compare to the Smith. I say go 629!
I voted other - I shoot 3 44 mags. I have a Ruger SBH and i shoot oppen sights on it the other one is a winchester I use this for deer and pigs my Daughter loves it and keeps askning me to give it to her (it will be hers one day) My other one is a Thompson Center it is a super 14 scoped barrel there is something about the 44 that i like. I reload so that makes it easer to shoot more often they will all shoot but I have to do my part.
How about one of each? That's what I did! Rather than ask which one you should buy, ask yourself which one you should buy first. Personally, I'd start out with a Redhawk since you could abuse the heck out of it so that when you eventually get a 629, you'll only want to shoot .44 Specials. I did it the other way around and bought a S&W 629 first. I had to send it to a gunsmith to get it rebuilt after a year or two but it did have a steady diet of "hot" factory ammunition and even "hotter" reloads.
Tuesday found me at the range with 'just' my 4" 629-6 and 2 5/8" PC627 UDR. I shot hundreds of mild loads in both. I reload, so I have a wide range of ammo available for both. I started the morning with a big bang, of course - mediocre .44 Magnums, followed by some .44 Specials and even .44 Russians. While all had 240gr LSWC's, they ranged from just over 700 fps for the Russians to nearly 1kfps for the Magnums. This was interspersed with a bunch of 158gr LRNFP's from the 627. Both were uber-nasty after all lead rounds - but almost fun to clean, recalling the fun I had nastifying them.
Both N-frame revolvers wore similar Ahrends retro target grips in cocobolo - a benefit of shooting similar framed revolvers. The balance of the 4" 629 is perfect - and the 'boom' of even the Russians was entertaining. The recoil ranged from, "Did it launch something?" with the .44 Russian poof loads to "Hey, it went off!" with my mediocre Magnum loads. All loads were fine, recoil-wise, with wood grips, but I do have some Hogue X-frame (.500 Magnum) grips for more entertaining Magnum loads. The 629 is by far the best .44 Special revolver I have ever owned... and it'll shoot Magnums (and Russians), too. Unreal trigger, too. Very utilitarian firearm. Just clean those chambers after short-cased rounds before you shoot Magnums.
Stainz
Both N-frame revolvers wore similar Ahrends retro target grips in cocobolo - a benefit of shooting similar framed revolvers. The balance of the 4" 629 is perfect - and the 'boom' of even the Russians was entertaining. The recoil ranged from, "Did it launch something?" with the .44 Russian poof loads to "Hey, it went off!" with my mediocre Magnum loads. All loads were fine, recoil-wise, with wood grips, but I do have some Hogue X-frame (.500 Magnum) grips for more entertaining Magnum loads. The 629 is by far the best .44 Special revolver I have ever owned... and it'll shoot Magnums (and Russians), too. Unreal trigger, too. Very utilitarian firearm. Just clean those chambers after short-cased rounds before you shoot Magnums.
Stainz
Of the new revolvers out i would get a SRH . Just a good solid gun that you can't hurt. If you want the best with more options. Find a nice use Dan Wesson With several barrels so you can set it up for a dedicated scope on a long barrel and still able to change to some thing shorter for protection duty in the woods. Price for a Manson Mass made 44 should be around 450 for a very nice model to a 1000 for a pistol pack with 4 barrels, 2 grips and lots of extras that the new factory custom can't shoot with. Two friends bought Ruger SRH and they shoot heavy loads real well at around 3" to 4" at 100yards ,easy on the hands and you can buy new for under 700 bucks.
lobo9er
Member
If you intend to do any serious hunting with this hand gun go with a 7.5" SBH. About as bullet proof .44 you can get, are fairly accurate out of the box and well digest any published reload.
greyling22
Member
you might take a look at a taurus raging bull. I think they're ported and I hear good things about the ribbed grip. personally I haven't used one, and taurus has a spotty reputation with some folks, but my small sample size has been A+. you might find a used one at an attractive price.
But 44mag in a pistol is too much for me anyway.
But 44mag in a pistol is too much for me anyway.
I have a Ruger Redhawk .44 mag., and I can tell you that I have changed grips twice trying to find something that works for me.
Instead, look for a Ruger Bisley; the grip works exceedingly well in terms of handling recoil of .44 mag 300gr. (or heavier) loads, or MY preference, .45 Colt.
mbogo
Instead, look for a Ruger Bisley; the grip works exceedingly well in terms of handling recoil of .44 mag 300gr. (or heavier) loads, or MY preference, .45 Colt.
mbogo
chez323
Member
I'd go with the Ruger Super Blackhawk, unless you require a double action. Otherwise you can't go wrong! Great gun!
Have had both the 29 and 629,..long storey,...and they were great guns. What I did find out however is that I rarely rarely rarely ever shot them in double action. I have since gone to a Ruger Super Blackhawk,..4 & 5/8's inch,...and have had zero regrets in doing so. It is by far my most favorite and most often carried woods bumming handgun. From light loaded .44 specials to hot hot magnums,..it works for me. Ymmv.......
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