4" vs 6" barrel
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Stainz
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I'd consider the .44 Magnum for woods protection and hunting. Look at the two current production 629s on the right - the 4" (SKU #163603) weighs a half ounce more (41.5 oz) than the 4" GP-100, while the 6" (SKU #163606) weighs a half ounce less (45.5 oz) than the 6" GP-100. Gripped with wood, they are perfect for warmer .44 Specials - and occasional Magnums.
While that 4"-er is a great protector - and super fun with Specials - adding the Hogue/S&W .500 Magnum grips ($35 from S&W Accessories), which fit K, L, N. & X-frames, and you'll appreciate the padded backstrap - Magnums become tolerable. All recent adjustable-rear-sighted K, L, & N-frames are pre-drilled and tapped for a scope rail - just remove the rear sight (one screw). Then, with proper Weaver rings, a scope or red-dot can be mounted. Below is how my 6" 629 looks today:
Hunting .44 Magnum ammo is widely available, while decent .44 Special plinkers and self defense ammo may be a mail order item. Even making it yourself is more than .38 Specials and .357 Magnums - but, boy, are they fun! They may also be required as a minimum - even the 6" barrel length - for your local game laws. It's best to check first. Of course, the 629s are a good bit more than a GP-100 - but, they are a lifetime buy. Good luck!
Stainz
PS If the .357M iswhat you want, the current GP-100s seem to be better than the last few years - and they are less expensive than S&Ws. You should be fine.
While that 4"-er is a great protector - and super fun with Specials - adding the Hogue/S&W .500 Magnum grips ($35 from S&W Accessories), which fit K, L, N. & X-frames, and you'll appreciate the padded backstrap - Magnums become tolerable. All recent adjustable-rear-sighted K, L, & N-frames are pre-drilled and tapped for a scope rail - just remove the rear sight (one screw). Then, with proper Weaver rings, a scope or red-dot can be mounted. Below is how my 6" 629 looks today:
Hunting .44 Magnum ammo is widely available, while decent .44 Special plinkers and self defense ammo may be a mail order item. Even making it yourself is more than .38 Specials and .357 Magnums - but, boy, are they fun! They may also be required as a minimum - even the 6" barrel length - for your local game laws. It's best to check first. Of course, the 629s are a good bit more than a GP-100 - but, they are a lifetime buy. Good luck!
Stainz
PS If the .357M iswhat you want, the current GP-100s seem to be better than the last few years - and they are less expensive than S&Ws. You should be fine.
tx gun runner
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Stainz
I love your S&W collection , which I think are the DA guns made . The Ruger is a tuff built gun . I had a SP101 it took a spring kit and 1 hr of polishing to get the trigger near a box stock S&W . Shorting the rebound spring and a little polishing you can get a trigger job on a S&W impossible to get on a Ruger DA . The J and L frames are king in my book .
I love your S&W collection , which I think are the DA guns made . The Ruger is a tuff built gun . I had a SP101 it took a spring kit and 1 hr of polishing to get the trigger near a box stock S&W . Shorting the rebound spring and a little polishing you can get a trigger job on a S&W impossible to get on a Ruger DA . The J and L frames are king in my book .
Ben Shepherd
Member
As mentioned, check your state regs very carefully before you lay cash out.
Here in Utah it's 4" minimum radius. For deer it must be centerfire, 24 caliber or larger, and have 500 ft. lbs. at the muzzle. For elk or moose, everything's the same EXCEPT the 500 ft. lbs is required at 100 yards.
Washington most likely has it's own special restrictions.
As far as specific loads? A HC or JFP 158 would be a good minimum, with a 180 HC, or something along the lines of the federal cast core being even better.
Here in Utah it's 4" minimum radius. For deer it must be centerfire, 24 caliber or larger, and have 500 ft. lbs. at the muzzle. For elk or moose, everything's the same EXCEPT the 500 ft. lbs is required at 100 yards.
Washington most likely has it's own special restrictions.
As far as specific loads? A HC or JFP 158 would be a good minimum, with a 180 HC, or something along the lines of the federal cast core being even better.
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