.44 Magnum Revolver.

[BCCL]

I will be looking at getting my first .44 Magnum soon, and just curious what folks that shoot them regularly think is the best combo of price and quality?

SA or DA is fine, mostly will be used for hunting whitetail deer and some target shooting.

Been browsing around and a Ruger Super Blackhawk seems to be the pack leader of price/quality so far.

 

[jad0110]

Well, I don't shoot .44s very often, but I would have to agree with your assessment. IMO, the Blackhawks are about the best all around value in big bore revolvers today. I see used ones from time to time for mid to high $300s.

In DA, the Ruger Redhawk is another good bet. They are plenty durable, though not as stout as the Blackhawk / SBH. They sell for around $450-$500 used, normally. Though I lucked out last year and picked up a 5.5" stainless Redhawk for $300 with 50 rounds of .44 Mag JHP, an MTM pistol case and a nylon shoulder holster.

 

[Guncollector1982]

I have a ruger superblackhawk and i am extremely pleased with it though i dont shoot it very much. I think i paid around 375 or so for it a 7 years ago, its a 3 screw without the hammerblock after thought dont know what late models and early models go for at the most extreme level for sure. Depends what part of the country your standing in i spose.

 

[Walkalong]

Redhawk fan here. Soaks up the recoil.

 

[jbkebert]

I hunt with a Super redhawk 7.5" in.44mag or a Bisley blackhawk also in 7 1/2". Both are great guns but if I were to buy another one it would be the blackhawk Bisley hunter. My prefrence is the 7 1/2" barrel but the 5 1/2" is fine as well. The blackhawk hunter gives you the option of mounting a scope or not that the blackhawk version does not. The hammer spur is straight back instead of upswept for better reach while aiming. Also cost much less than a super redhawk NIB.

 

[millertyme]

SBH all the way. If I get another 44 Mag, which I imagine I will some day, It will definitely be a SBH. I don't feel a need for a DA revolver when hunting, especially since accuracy over distance is more important than being able to quickly get off a shot. Just my .02, and since the next 44 Mag I will be getting will likely be used for the same things you mentioned, I'll be looking for one in stainless and either a 7-1/2" or 8-1/2", preferably with the rib.

Actually, I just read jbkebert's post and I'm with him on this one. A Bisley Hunter would better fit the bill.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I'm not into the .44 Mag -- my choice is the .45 Colt. (Hey, I have a reputation for being an opinionated, crusty old ba$**** and I work hard at keeping it up.)

That said, the Ruger Blackhawk is the way to go -- it's hard to imagine a scenario where you need double action in full power .44 Mags or .45 Colts. As to which Blackhawk, I recommend seeing if you can borrow one and wear it around in the woods, in your truck and so on. Generally, the standard Blackhawk with the 5 1/2" barrel is the best combination of weight, bulk and recoil management.

 

[Ratdog68]

I've owned both, the Ruger Super Blackhawk (older 3 screw) and a model 629 S&W. I loved both of them. The only reason I traded off the S&W is that the Ruger was my first handgun. I wish I still had the S&W too.

 

[Pate]

I also shoot a Redhawk!

 

[S&Wfan]

Hi,

I've had both, and I personally prefer the S&W over the Ruger Super Blackhawk. I actually sold my good ol' early 3-screw SBH for a nice S&W Model 29 about ten years ago and have never looked back. A gun shop owner called me from out of town and described the gun he'd just traded for (unfluted cylinder, full lug barrel ala the 629 guns, AND the adjustable front "silhouette" front sight (currently removed) and I told him "I'll take it over the phone).

It has done me well for (bowling) pin matches (a double action sport), silhouette matches, fun plinking AND tons of whitetail hunting.

I like the shorter 6" barrel and it carries more comfortably in the woods for me. I topped it with a 1st generation Bushnell Holosight and it groups sub-2" 3-shot groups at 50 yards . . . expanding to 8" at 200 yards (just hold 34" high with my preferred ammo and you can impress your friends launching gallon milk jugs at that distance)!

I've twice dropped three deer in mere seconds with it (once in a clear cut and once in a thick hardwood bottom) and I have lots of really fond memories of various hunts.

I mainly handgun hunt and my S&W is a great overall gun. Mine was made in '89 and I bought it used around 1999 for about $550, IIRC.

Here it is from last season, with an eight point I dropped with a shot that took out the heart . . .

Both revolvers are great . . . but I truly prefer the S&W revolvers.

 

[BCCL]

Generally, the standard Blackhawk with the 5 1/2" barrel is the best combination of weight, bulk and recoil management.

That's exactly the one I was thinking of!

 

[loadedround]

I too vote for the Super Blackhawk unless you can happen to find an older 61/2 inch barreled S&W Model 29 that is P&R model (pinned and recessed), probably a 29-2.

 

[CaliCoastie]

Just picked up a redhawk blued 7.5in barrel for 300. then again a friend hooked me up, holster, ammo, shells, and gun. im having fun with mine and like ruger. so theres my vote.

 

[mjyeagle]

44 mag

my old man shoots a 8in barrel super blackhawk in 44 mag and he can hang with the 460 s&w out to 75 yds that is what i will buy when i get a 44

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Be sure to get one you can also carry in a ankle holster for your BUG.

 

[BCCL]

Nice pocket pistol there!!!

 

[huntershooter]

My preference when I carry a .44 for hunting is something easily transportable in a belt holster, with a SS finish that is easy to maintain.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I've owned or fired most of the available .44's. My choice is the S&W N-frame. Unless you plan to run the Nuclear loads (BB has one that is .454 Casull level), the 29/629 are the way to go, IMO.

 

[Rodentman]

RH or SRH are my favorites. Also have a 329NG but that's to be carried a lot and not fired much, at least not with hot stuff...

 

[magnumman44]

I have a S&W 629 Classic Deluxe that I will own for life...8 2/8" barrel is long for some people, but I shoot it well. Shoots 1"-1.5" groups at 50 yards with my hand load 240gr XTP(300gr SWC hard cast bullet about 2"). Best trigger hands down belongs to the Smith and Wesson. I like the SRH, but I am not a fan of Ruger's customer service...thats why the only Ruger I now own is the 10/22 Target Rifle.

 

[Tallinar]

Super Blackhawk is a great choice.

 

[Grey Morel]

I have been VERY pleased with my S&W 629 6" half lug. Accuracy has been great out to 25 yards.

I researched 44 mag revolvers for a while before I purchased. For me, the 6" half lug is the best combination of velocity, weight, and balance. Its been a phenomenal woods and hunting gun so far.

 

[CraigC]

I own more .44Mag's than any other centerfire chambering, seven or eight at last count. Recoil is highly subjective so you'll really have to try lots of sixgun/grip combinations before you find what works for you. I'm primarily a single action shooter and find the Ruger Bisley to be the most comfortable. My favorite of all is a custom 4 5/8" Ruger Super Blackhawk that I converted to a Bisley and later had David Clements put the finishing touches on. I like my grips a little thicker than factory and nicely rounded so I procure mine from CLC. My standard loading consisting of a 240gr commercial SWC over 10.0gr Unique runs 1050fps out of this sixgun and is comfortable enough to shoot all day. 320's@1200fps are also quite tolerable.



A distant second among single actions would be this custom Ruger Bisley. It started life as a standard Bisley but it shot so well I decided to have it tuned and refinished. It needed a taller front sight anyway. This sixgun wears Hogue's in the pic but has since been restocked in fancy walnut by CLC.



I'll throw in one of Dad's Bisley Hunter. This sixgun is superbly accurate and very comfortable to shoot due to its Bisley grip frame, custom grips and increased weight. The perfect choice if you prefer a scope. This one wears a Burris 2x and carves one-ragged-hole at 25yds. It wears the same cocobolo Hogue's as above but has since been restocked in macassar ebony by CLC. I need some pics of it because its new grips are breathtaking!

S&W's will always be my first choice in a DA and I have a pair. I find Ahrends' Retro Target stocks to be tolerable but need to order another couple sets of Roper stocks from Herrett's. Both my 6" model 29 and 629MG will cut 2" groups at 50yds if I do my part. Obviously the 29 is more comfortable to shoot. Need to take some pics of my DA's, for some reason I have very few.

 

[BCCL]

Some great looking guns there CraigC!

I've shot several .44 magnums over the years that belonged to friends, from a 2" 629 snub to a 6" Super Red Hawk, and even in the snub 629 with 240gr JHP's, didn't find the recoil that bad, definitely more noticeable than in the Super Red Hawk though!!

 

[md7]

rodentman,

i'm gonna have to go ahead and compliment your choice of 4" redhawk. nice revolver! i don't have one, but i want one.

craigc,

nice!