Affordable .44 mags

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

Tiomoid

Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2009
Messages
166
Come May I'll be moving to Alaska for several months, and have plans to take advantage of the 22 hours of sunlight and do a fair amount of hiking/fishing etc.

Problem is in the event of interrupting a brown bear I need a bigger sidearm (.44) than anything I currently own, and as always funds are limited.

I would really like to get a S&W 629, but I have a feeling that it may be a bit outside of my price-point.

Any suggestions for a reliable .44mag with a 4-5" barrel that hovers around $400-500?

Looking for new, but I'm not apposed to used if anyone wants to unload one on me (pun definitely intended).
 
I just picked up a Taurus Tracker in .44. I got the 4 inch barrel in stainless steel, it has a ported barrel to help with recoil. It weighs a lot less than most other 44 mags as it is on a 357 sized frame, which is why it has only five rounds. It was only 471 with shipping at budsgunshop.com when I got it last month. Taking it out to the range tomorrow, I will post how it goes.
 
A used Blackhawk is what I'd recommend.

I did find a pre-owned but never shot 629-6 for $500 on gunbroker a year and a half ago.
 
I'm with rc and parisite.

I just looked at a 5 1/2" stainless Ruger in .44 Mag at a local gunshop today. Brand new, $539. Reliability is key when in an environment like Alaska and when facing an animal that could kill you if you don't kill it first. You won't get much more rugged and reliable than a single action Ruger.
 
I'd say go with a Taurus 44 series (M44, tracker, raging bull) or a Ruger Blackhawk. The Raging bull is usually a bit higher ($600), but the others can be had for 500 or less.
 
I won't argue the reasons as they should be self-evident, but I'd recommend that you think very carefully about high-speed, short-range self defense scenarios and how a single-action revolver fits into that picture before you go buy a Blackhawk for this specific task.

If the single-action system is inherently familiar to you and you can run it just as fast as a double-action -- especially one-handed -- then a Blackhawk would be a fine choice. But just make sure that you are supremely confident in your single-action skills -- or that you will spend thousands of rounds gaining that proficiency before you trust your life to it.

Whatever you pick, spend more on ammo learning to run that gun than you spent on buying it, if you want to have a prayer of using it effectively in the moment of need.

In my humble opinion, of course.
 
Tough to beat a Ruger Super Blackhawk for the price.

If you can find a Llama Super Comanche in 44MAG that would also rate.

Before others chime in, yes I've got one and it's pretty awesome. Got it for cheap and chopped it to under 5" for only a little more.
 
Since you like the S&W, one affordable one you MIGHT find is the "Bounty Hunter." It was a 29 in matte blue, 3" round butt. Nice for bear country carry. It had a street retail of about $575 and was catalogued up to the end of 2008 I believe. That and some older good condition 29's and 629's should fit into your price range if you take your time and shop for them.

Sam1911 has good points to consider, also.

I picked up an Astra .44 for under $400 out the door, GREAT shooter.
Click to expand...

I have never owned (or shot) one of these, but I've heard comments from owners consistently saying the same thing - a fine working gun.
 
I spent 13 years working in the Alaska bush. I carried a .44 Redhawk in a chest holster, and a Mossy Marine Magnum always stood nearby. It takes a crippling shot like a blown out shoulder or hip to stop a pissed off charging brown. Even if you blow out it's heart with a chest shot, could take several minutes for it to die. Head shots are always iffy, their skull is like stone.
Where are you going in AK, I've been places no tourist will ever see, may be able to help out with info on some locations.
Get your gun after you get there, and best of luck
 
I corssed paths with a big brown bear in Canada. Fortunately I was still close enough to my truck...... He's the cliffs-notes version:

1. The Brown Bears are MUCH BIGGER than you think
2. The Black Bears are smalller than you think
3. Moose are just mean

If you run around the woods in Ohio, you would have to look for something that could hurt you. In Alaska & Canada, there are things in the woods that can and would EAT you. I was also suprised by the apparent large numbers of them, at least where I was.
 
I'd carry a carbine length rifle in 30-06, or up personally. I would also take a look at a Glock 20 or 29 in 10mm.
 
Can't go wrong with a Ruger Blackhawk, or Uberti has just released a new .44 magnum single action called the "Cattleman Callahan".

1873_cattleman_callahan_steel_target.jpg
 
I'm not sure what you define as 'budget', but IF you can find one, a used S&W 629 Mountain Gun should fit your needs. Nice thing about .44M's is the versitility. I was going to go with a Ruger Alaskan in .44M, but you want the longer bbl. I have both a Mountain Gun and an Alaskan and I like them both very much.
 
There are some fine recommendations above. If your concern is bears, though, pepper spray is going to be a better deterrent. The 44 mag (or 454 Casull, even better) is a second choice.
 
I know you are asking about a wheeliegun, but I wouldn't feel comfortable with less than a shotgun loaded with slugs if I were going into the wilderness by myself.

A shotgun is flexible with the types of loads you can shoot out of it.
 
What about a short barrell folder ak? In would think if you can get off 2/3 aimed ****s with a hundgun the shouldered ak could get off 10 or so and I can't imagine it could keep charging
 
I just took out my Taurus Tracker in .44 mag today. Up until today, the biggest thing I had fired was a 45acp. With the ported barrel, it was extremely easy for me to handle. Its very light weight, which is one of the main reasons I bought it, for carrying while hiking or hunting. After the first round, I could not wipe the smile off my face. I am by no means a great shot, but from about 7 yards I put two right on top of each other right in the middle of Bin Laden's head. With it being as lightwight (for a .44), accurate and right in your price range, I would definately recommend it.
 
My choice would be either a Ruger Redhawk, or Ruger Blackhawk if you prefer single actions.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

R
  • Locked
New Shooter to the 44 mag
2 3
Replies
54
Views
3K
phoglund
P
R
  • Locked
44 Mag for Backpacking CCW in Yellowstone
Replies
17
Views
3K
Loosenock
L
E
  • Locked
.44 Mag as a "Graduation Present" to self?
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
jbbaldwin
J
D
  • Locked
Inhereted .44 Mag Reloading Equipment, Need Revolver Suggestions
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
AFDavis11
A
J
  • Locked
Which 4" 44
Replies
24
Views
1K
dogngun
D
Back
Top