bluetopper
Member
Cocked & Locked, beautiful hand cannon you have there.
.44 Magnum Revolver.
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Buck Snort
Member
That's a great post S@W fan. Living out here in the PRC I'm reluctant to go into the woods during deer hunting season but I'd not hesitate to carry my 4" 629 if I did.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Thanks!
WALKERs210
Member
Today my wife and I made a visit to pawn/gun shop we really like to visit. Walked in the door and expecting my wife to immediately go to the jewelry, was somewhat shocked when she pointed out a beautiful Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter. Stainless, 7 1/2" barrel, with scope for around $600.00. After looking around at all the other goodies my wife kept going back to the Blackhawk. I don't hunt any more and it would be slightly heavy for a carry gun, but wow what a carry gun. Trying to talk myself out of buying it because I think the wife would wind up with it.
BCCL
Member
Went to my favorite shop today to get some prices on ordering a new 5.5" SBH in Stainless and blue, but haven't made up my mind yet. Gonna scout out a few more shops to see what shows up on the second hand market.
Their price on a new one is $530.00.
Their price on a new one is $530.00.
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"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."
This is backwards, the Redhawk is actually the stronger of the two, and can handle heavier, longer loads than the Blackhawk. Both are great guns though, have both and would not want to part with either.
"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."
This is backwards, the Redhawk is actually the stronger of the two, and can handle heavier, longer loads than the Blackhawk. Both are great guns though, have both and would not want to part with either.
Confederate
Member
I'd have to go with the Bisley if I had to start from scratch. Just make sure that when you shoot the SA guns, get your left hand off of it and let it right on up. The DA guns are fine, but with barrels over six inches, they're more like horse pistols! I had a Ruger Redhawk and at some point I figured, why not just get a rifle?
The S&W 629 is a beautiful gun and used to be something of a novelty when it was first produced. As I've stated elsewhere, when I finally found a dealer who could procure one for me, it was on condition that I had to leave it on display for several days before picking it up! This was back in the 80s sometime and I'm sure that one of these days I'm going to get around to shooting it! It's just so beautiful!
The S&W 629 is a beautiful gun and used to be something of a novelty when it was first produced. As I've stated elsewhere, when I finally found a dealer who could procure one for me, it was on condition that I had to leave it on display for several days before picking it up! This was back in the 80s sometime and I'm sure that one of these days I'm going to get around to shooting it! It's just so beautiful!
If you want a good all around .44 Magnum revolver, I also would recommend the 6 inch half lug S&W 629. The 629 gives you a nice handling, accurate, durable, fast revolver capable of handling all but the heaviest of .44 loads. Remember velocity does not always equal more penetration, just adds range. I keep all my handgun hunting to around 50 yards. My load in the 629 is 19.6 grains of 2400 behind a .429 250 grain hard cast Keith semi wad cutter, Winchester large pistol primer. The 629 will eat those loads all day, and not break your wrist or jug chambers. Now an interesting load would be the 210 grain JHP speer Gold Dot in front of a healthy dose of Winchester 296.
The_Pretender
Member
The Ruger's are very nice. They can handle some heavy hitting loads really well. However, they sometimes have too small a grip. So you may need to get an aftermarket one if you go that route.
Can't go wrong with a Smith and Wesson. The 629 is magnificent. I prefer the older model 29 and its variants. (The 29-2 is pretty common.)
Either way, you will be entering a world of fun. I love mine. And nothing, NOTHING is better than cranking off two .44 mags in each hand at the same time. Best 12 seconds of my life.
Can't go wrong with a Smith and Wesson. The 629 is magnificent. I prefer the older model 29 and its variants. (The 29-2 is pretty common.)
Either way, you will be entering a world of fun. I love mine. And nothing, NOTHING is better than cranking off two .44 mags in each hand at the same time. Best 12 seconds of my life.
The_Pretender
Member
Just wanted to share my personal load of choice here, for all you .44 mag lovers.
Hornady 200g XTP
15.6gn Alliant Blue Dot
Winchester Brass
Federal 150 Primer
This is a fast cooking, hard hitting round. Recoil is minimal and it is a highly accurate round.
This load can be found in the Hornady Reloading manual, and it is one load down from the max load.
Hornady 200g XTP
15.6gn Alliant Blue Dot
Winchester Brass
Federal 150 Primer
This is a fast cooking, hard hitting round. Recoil is minimal and it is a highly accurate round.
This load can be found in the Hornady Reloading manual, and it is one load down from the max load.
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Nothing wrong with any of the suggestions here, but if you want a gun you can shoot as much as you want and still have a present for your grandkids, then one of the Rugers is the best way to go. I have a 5 1/2" Redhawk and a 4 5/8" SBH and I would not want to part with either of them. Load them hot or mild and they will perform. I shoot a lot more light loads these days, but even at a modest 900-1000 fps they pack a punch. Shoot cowboy loads and you can enjoy a day at the range without hurting yourself or the gun.
Cocked & Locked
Member
Lots of opinions and lots of .44's.
I bought this 29-3 NIB in the late 1980's (if memory is correct.) It originally had a 6" barrel...I had it changed over to a 4" one and like it much better.
I've had several 3-screw Super Blackhawks and 2-screw ones as well. I prefered the newer 2-screw ones so I could safely carry 6 rounds.
I owned this 6.5" 29-2 for several years. It was too rare of a gun to shoot, so I sold it...glad I did.
This 629-5, also pictured several post above is semi scarce (300 made) but it is one of my favorite shooters.
I bought this 29-3 NIB in the late 1980's (if memory is correct.) It originally had a 6" barrel...I had it changed over to a 4" one and like it much better.
I've had several 3-screw Super Blackhawks and 2-screw ones as well. I prefered the newer 2-screw ones so I could safely carry 6 rounds.
I owned this 6.5" 29-2 for several years. It was too rare of a gun to shoot, so I sold it...glad I did.
This 629-5, also pictured several post above is semi scarce (300 made) but it is one of my favorite shooters.
MCgunner
Member
I shoot my SIL's redhawk occasionally. The thing is really heavy, feels like a big chunk of lead. I'd hate to have to carry that thing on a back packing trip. makes me appreciate my 4 5/8" .45 Colt Blackhawk. BUT, it'd make a great hunting handgun. I just wouldn't carry it much other than for handgun hunting. I have a contender for that, though.
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