.44 Magnum: Ruger or S&W?

[peanutlover]

Hello all. I'm trying to decide between a Ruger Redhawk in .44 Magnum and a S&W 629 in .44 Magnum.

I plan to shoot lots of full-power factory loads. I probably won't shoot too much .44 Special. Currently, I try to hit the range every other week and usually shoot about 150 rounds thru my 1911. I'll probably bring the .44 with me each time and shoot just as many thru it too.

I've heard the Ruger is likely to take the abuse better than the S&W. Is this true?

Thanks for your responses.

 

[hoghunting]

Take the Ruger. It will hold up better than the Smith if you are shooting that many rounds through it. A few years back when I was shooting Hunter's Pistol, the Smiths were taking too much of a beating from practice and matches. No one had problems with a Ruger becoming loose. That is not to criticize S&W as their 44 mag was not designed to be fired thousands of times a year with max loads.

 

[Onty]

If you are planning to shoot 44 Magnum full power loads, you should consider Super Redhawk, rather than standard Redhawk. The grip has better design and selection of aftermarket grips is better. Don’t overlook Bisley model. For many shooters this is an ultimate grip configuration. As a matter of fact, some of custom smiths wouldn’t build 475, 500, 475 Long and 500 Long Linebaugh, on any other model than Bisley.

As for durability with full power loads, Ruger is the way to go. Not so nicely finished and smooth like S&W, but much stronger. And if you want on Ruger revolvers smoothens and good trigger as on S&W revolvers or even better, good smith can make a miracle for $150-200.

Also, if you want to shoot a lot of full power magnum loads on the range, you must reload. In that case, take a hard look on 41 magnum calibre. It’s easier on hands and revolver, and paper target or metal plate wouldn’t notice the difference. And if you want to go full throttle, see these articles what could be done with properly loaded 41; http://leverguns.com/articles/paco/41magnum.htm , http://leverguns.com/articles/paco/41heavy.htm , http://leverguns.com/articles/41data.htm . If this isn’t enough, I would skip 44 Magnum and go to 45 LC and up.

Just my .2 cents. Good luck.

 

[bestseller92]

Ruger, without a doubt. They're tanks.

 

[MCgunner]

Another Ruger vote, though I like the single actions best.

 

[cookekdjr]

A true no-lose situation. I absolutely adored my Ruger Redhawk (had to sell it when I was low on cash). But the S&W 629's are a work of art.
Try both if you can, then pick the one that suits you.

 

[Savage.250]

Yet another vote for Ruger. Have an old model Super Blackhawk in .44 Mag. Doesn't get much stronger than a Ruger single action. Very accurate too!

 

[Surefire]

Is this just a range gun?

If you don't need it for defense, consider a single-action Ruger. IMO, the Redhawk has some pretty nasty recoil due to the grip shape. OTOH, the same .44 magnum load in a Bisley is IMO more pleasant, and if you don't NEED a double action pull why get it?

 

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

I vote "Ruger" also.
Plus....I think they're nicer looking than the S&W!

 

[grizz]

RUGER.

 

[cookekdjr]

IMO, the Redhawk has some pretty nasty recoil due to the grip shape
My Redhawk had some after-market grips. Can't remember the brand, but its what S&W puts on the new Model 10's.
Anyway, the gun had zero recoil with .44 specials (by zero I mean less than my heavy-barrel .22 lr Browning Buck Mark). With .44 magnums its recoil was still very mild, although I never fired the heavy hard-cast +p stuff.
-David

 

[Deer Hunter]

Full power .44 magnum loads? What's your definition of "full power"? Do you handload? Will you be shooting pricy full-house ammo at every range trip? If you don't reload, maybe you should rethink your idea about shooting 100 or so full power loads every trip.

But hey, for full power loads, ruger is a bit stronger than S&W. I'm a die-hard S&W fan, and I would pick S&W over Ruger for my purchases. If S&W made a single-action, I'd buy it. If you want robustness when shooting full-house loads, then stick with Ruger. Other than that, S&W for the win.

 

[Smith357]

Either is fine for factory loads. The Ruger is a stronger gun and can take more abuse, but why abuse a fine piece of machinery? S&Ws tend to have smoother tiggers, but a good smith can tune the Ruger to be just as good or better. The Ruger will be a bit heavier and that may be a consideration for a long day in the woods. I like Ruger scope mounting system better than what is available from S&W. In the end the both guns have their pros and cons, you must decide which one is best for your situation.

 

[bakert]

The Ruger Redhawk undoubtedly stronger but nothing is slicker than the the S&W revolvers as far as triggers etc. My son has a S&W 629 and I own a Ruger Super Blackhawk. Although my gun might take heavier loads over a longer period of time without problems they both work just fine with any loads within reason. Hell, you can tear up a steel ball if you try.

 

[HighVelocity]

usually shoot about 150 rounds thru my 1911. I'll probably bring the .44 with me each time and shoot just as many thru it too

I hope you reload. 150 rounds a week of factory 44mag ammo is a whole lot more expensive than the same amount of 45acp ammo.

I'd also go with the Ruger, although the S&W is better looking imho.

 

[one-shot-one]

RUGER

the only advantage to the s&w is the better trigger.

 

[rustymaggot]

i am a ruger guy personally, but i really dont like the newer rugers. i prefer the older 3 screw design. they just felt better. ive shot a few smiths and they are really smooth. i prefer the smiths over the new ruger design, but i prefer the old 3 screw rugers over pretty much everything. i have a old model .357 mag. i dont know if there even is a 3 screw 44 but if they did make one then thats what id want. far as long term durability i just dont know.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I would say it is a toss-up between a standard Redhawk and a 629 as durability goes, and I doubt you'll be putting hundreds of full power loads through either on a range trip, as both ammo cost and recoil will grow tiresome. That said, the Super Redhawk is the beefiest and heaviest production DA .44, period. A shooter could easily put box after box through this 4 pound monster without getting tired and I doubt you'd ever be able to wear out this behemoth in .44, as it easily handles the .454 Casull. The SRH will carry roughly the same price tag as the $629 (which is about $100 more than a standard Redhawk).

As others mentioned, the Bisley is another excellent choice for potent rounds. A buddy and I have put some really nasty .45 colt loads through his 5.5" Bisley with no pain (the loads bested 1,000 ft/lbs).

 

[Blacklabman]

I owned a 5.5 Redhawk. It was my first .44mag. The reason's for selling it were..
Poor trigger, poor balance, the factory grip suck's, being a stainless Ruger, getting a proper fit with custom grips was a pain in the behind, and looks. IMO--- ALL Ruger DA revolvers are ugly and clunky.
I now own, a 6" 629
It is great for woods carry, and hunting(either open sight or with Bushnell holograph) great trigger, great balance, great overall feel, and sleek profile.
As far as loads go, the 629 will handle anything from 44Spl all the way up to the .44mag 310gr Garrett Hammerheads all day long.

 

[S&Wfan]

Hi,

Any S&W blued S&W .44 mag., after the 29-4 model (meaning from 29-5 and forward), plus all the 629 models are made stronger. They can take much more long-term, heavy abuse than your wrists and hands can.

Sure, the Ruger Redhawk is big, heavy in weight, coarse and ugly . . . and is made a little stouter, but the graceful looking S&W revolvers generally shoot better in the hands of most . . . due to a superior trigger pull!

For hunting only the single action Super Blackhawk is fine but it is pretty lame as a defensive weapon, due to the way the gun flips up in the hand due to the grip design. I once hunted with a nice, original 3-screw Super Blackhawk.

Due to the reduced weight of the S&W it is more fun to tote in the deep woods. Most importantly, the better trigger (both single and double action) (and the accuracy this gives) . . . means I'll go with a S&W any day over a Ruger!

I hunt with a Model 29-5 w/ a full-lugged barrel (like the 629) and an unfluted cylinder. This combo is fairly rare and quite good looking. It is topped with a red dot Holosight for hunting.

HOT AMMO?
I use the really hot Federal Premium 300 grain "Cast Core" SOLID LEAD flat nosed hunting round and have for years. This very stout-kicking load hasn't shot the gun loose at all and I take at least one buck a year with this revolver! This round has proved very devastating and effective!!!

TWICE I've dropped three deer within mere seconds with the holosight, including once in a clear cut . . . dropping the last one (a large doe) running broadside at a measured 65 yards. I can't shoot as well or as quickly with my .270 and now almost entirely handgun hunt deer with this revolver.

I've also shot a lot of pin matches with this revolver, both with and without the Holosight. I absolutely LOVE this revolver!

Heck, it will roll milk jugs with regularity (with a good hold) at 200 yards (just aim 34" high)!

This revolver was made in late 1990 when the 29-5 first came out. It has had a LOT of rounds through it but STILL shoots like it was new . . . only a little smoother due to a perfectly broken in trigger. Another 15 years I'll be nearly 70 . . . and I have no doubt this wonderful Smith will STILL be putting venison in my freezer!

Ruger can't match the trigger . . . go with a "sexier" used Smith Model 29 (after the 29-4 series), or the stainless 629.

 

[BluesBear]

I'm trying to decide between a Ruger Redhawk in .44 Magnum and a S&W 629 in .44 Magnum.

Why are so many people singing the praises of the Ruger Super Blackhawk here? They're great guns however, the thread starter is asking about double action revolvers here.

Now back on topic.

I think the Ruger will better handle the Earschplittenloudenboomer* loads a little better (longer) than even the later, enhanced package 629s. But you're really going to have to shoot a lot of them.


I have shot more than a few of eslb* loads from Buffalo Bore and Garret and such through my S&W 29-2, 29-3 and 629-0.
Now I equate that to shooting .38spl +P through a Colt Cobra or a S&W 37. It will accelerate the wear but it won't blow them up. Add to that the fact that the eslb*loads are not exactly fun to shoot in large quanties (especially in a 3" barrel) I'm not really worried about shortening the life of my S&Ws.

However if I was a professional guide or lived in the Alaskan areas with underfed Polar Bears I might shoot enough of the eslb* loads per year to warrant the Redhawk. But then I'd probably go with the .480 or at least the .454. I honestly feel that if a SAAMI spec .44 Magnum won't do the job then you just need to choose a more proper caliber.




Easy trivia question: On what album did the song Earsplittenloudenboomer appear?

 

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

uhhhhh......NO!




Yesssss!

 

[BluesBear]

Nope no fair doing a search.
(That's why I left out a letter or two)

 

[Nhsport]

If you have a need or want for lots of extra heavy handloads with more power than full factory 44mags I would go Ruger.
If you intend to shoot mostly loads up to or equal to the power of factory 44mag I think the S&W is your best bet.
Why buy a gun that the best that can be said for its trigger is that if you spend some money with a good gunsmith it can be as good as the S&W? Start with the good S&W trigger and with a $15 spring kit (self install) or a gunsmith trigger job it wil be a surperb trigger. Ask any Gunsmith what you can expect from a trigger job on the Ruger vs the S&W.
The Ruger is a pretty good gun,I like the ones I own,it is by no means a bad choice.When you shoot the blackhawks or the redhawks side by side with the S&W 629 I think most folks would agree the 629 has ballance,size ,trigger and all around shootability that just makes it a standout.
Trigger pull is not just about weight, A double action revolver has a very complicated series of different motions,I really don't know how to describe it past simply saying that I find the 629 makes me a very good shooter!
Don't kill yourself over this,you will have a great good time with any of the guns mentioned in this post.This is not like the choice between a AR-15 and a Ruger mini 14. (mini 14, rugers worst gun ever!)
Pick one,have fun!

 

[swdon]

44mag

sw model 29-2 with out doubt have a good day swdon