Best 44 mag for the money?

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Old Judge Creek

I can tell you this though, the Bisley grip moves a whole bunch stuff "around" but not so much that the conversions couldn't be effected by most anyone with a decent education in mechanics.

The lowered Bisley hammer is part of the configuration and drops the top of the hammer below the top of the frame thus allowing the shooter to more easily re-cock the piece with less disruption to the rest of the hand-hold.
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Aye-firmative. Muchas gracias.

After I had posted that question I thought, "why would anyone attempt a Bisley conversion in grip only without the hammer swap?... That's not the way to do it." And you have reminded me of the hammer strut/spring geometry change. I should learn more about the gun, then I might peruse Brownell's pages.

I have two Blackhawks inbound; a 1964 .44 Super for which I also have purchased a Hogue Monogrip set. I may instead simply install that for magnum work. The second Blackhawk is one of my grail guns: a 1967 4-5/8" .41 and I do not anticipate wanting anything other than a cosmetic stocks swap and reloading dies.

Thank you again for your knowledgeable reply to my question.

:)
 
If I need more than what a 240gr bullet does at 1300fps a few more grains of bullet and a few more FPS isn't gonna have a significant advantage.
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Velocity doesn't do much but heavier bullets can be dramatically more effective on big game. Heavy cast bullets in the .44 can nearly double the penetration of something like the 250gr Keith bullet.

IMHO, it just doesn't get any better than the Ruger Bisley. Points naturally, looks great and is infinitely more comfortable with heavy loads than the regular Super Blackhawk, Redhawk, Super Redhawk or the N-frame.

IMG_7100b.jpg


I love my N-frames but in reality, they're really just slightly stronger .44Spl's and that's how I treat them. That is, they live on no more 250's at 1100-1200fps. They're just not durable enough to allow the .44Mag to realize its full potential.

IMG_3175b.jpg
 
The first big bore I ever shot was a .44 mag 7.5" Super Blackhawk with a rubber Hogue monogrip. I thought the grip did a pretty good job and was comfortable enough for 50rds. Without actually cutting or reworking the grip, I'd say the Hogue somehow makes the SBH grip feel a bit more Bisley-like. Probably partially because it is taller than a normal grip.
 
I really ought to try a Bisley.
I've owned 3 Blackhawks all with the regular plow handle grip and just never really warmed up to them for one reason or another.

I think a flattop Bisley night be real handy and worth a shot in something other than 44 mag.
 
I would normally avoid a thread like this, except for the "for the money" part. I've only owned one .44 magnum...and I only got it because it was such a good deal, and that was a used Super Blackhawk. I don't buy .44 mags, so if I bought one because it was a good deal, then that's a testimony for the "for the money" criteria. Remember, I said "USED."

As far as "best" I believe that gun was so strongly built, some archaeologist will find it 500 years from now...and go out and shoot it.
 
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Jim NE, your opinion (and it made me chuckle...) of the Blackhawk's design strength is in line with all of the information I have been both linked to here on THR and in the other stuff I've stumbled upon. As I've said, I've wanted to own an example for as long as I can remember. The Blackhawk as well as the .44 Magnum were created in the mid-1950s; around the time I drew my first breath...

Eldon, thanks for your post. I mentioned the Hogue grip because I've seen it used on a SBH by a fellow on You-To0b (only because of my .44 Magnum SBH search queries) and while I do not normally like the appearance of oversized rubber grips on iconic wheelguns this is one instance where I can certainly appreciate "form follows function". And 50 rounds with this particular combination is certainly something.
 
If you simply want the least expensive good gun then buy a Ruger. If you want a gun with better finish and build quality spend more money and buy a Smith. Over time the Smiths generally will hold resale value better than a Ruger. Simply compare prices on used guns any of the auction sites.
 
If I was hunting with a revolver it would be with a blackhawk. if I was just shooting it would be a Vaquero. If I wanted a lighter duty gun it would be a Smith.

MIM parts are better than forged.
 
I had a MIM firing pin fail. The tip formed a crater and started hanging in the primer. I touched it up with a file, ordered a couple pins, and kept shooting. I complained about the MIN failure on another forum and one response was that a Machined Pin was likely break in half rather than pit, no more shooting. When the MIM and Machined pins arrived MIM went back in the gun, Machined got tucked in the grip.
 
I drool over the quality of some of the Single Actions but come on, loading and unloading 1 at a time???

Taurus is a good value but they are all ported now. I don't need help with 44. All I shoot is lead. Maybe buy a Taurus, let the ports plug up and forget about them.

The Redhawk has too much spring power devoted to trigger return and not enough to hammer and since there is only 1 spring....

S&W has the best current production trigger but loads over 1000 ftlbs accelerate wear and Loctite is your friend.

Colt Anaconda is the best 44Mag I found for what I paid. Still looking for a Dan Wesson.

I've shot the Automag and didn't care for it but lots do. Just a mater of preferences. These are mine.
 
I know this is the revolver forum but

having owned a Super Blackhawk, Super Redhawk, S&W 29 and a Taurus Tracker in 44 magnum my vote for best "bang for the buck" goes to the Rossi 92.

Seriously, The Tracker is the one I kept. It had a better trigger than either the Super Redhawk or the 29 and was far easier to pack than the Super Blackhawk. I wish it wasn't ported but am very happy with it. YMMV.
 
I drool over the quality of some of the Single Actions but come on, loading and unloading 1 at a time???
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I don't know many guys using speed loaders with their double-action .44 Magnums, so unless you are, you're probably loading one at a time as well. Unloading obviously happens more quickly with the DA, but what's the hurry? If that is the only complaint about single-actions, then you're missing the point in my estimation. The design is inherently stronger than a DA because your cylinder isn't riding on movable crane and a frame that is cut out to accommodate said crane. Not to mention the more intuitive and natural pointing of the DA. I won't even get into the aesthetics....

DSC_0108.jpg
 
Those single shooters sure are pretty. I'm partial to the S&W 629. Had one since 1982 and that baby is a shooter. I love the 44 Mag cartridge. I don't full house load much but I know it can handle its share when called upon.
 
I drool over the quality of some of the Single Actions but come on, loading and unloading 1 at a time???
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Unless you're using speedloaders, I betcha a hundred bucks I can reload a SA faster than you can a DA.
 
brewer12345 said:
Title says it all. I toy with the idea of a nice 44 mag revolver. Used would be fine (love my security six from the mid 70s for 357), but solid construction, durability, and fun shooting matter more to me than brand name or pretty.
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What's your budget?

Less than $600, the Taurus Raging Bull is pretty good
$600 to $900 Ruger Super Redhawk
$900 or more, a S&W Model 629

The Ruger SRH is probably the best 44 mag revolver for the money, period.
 
My first 629 is a no dash P&R, recessed that I bought in 1982. I shot nothing but full house loads using hard cast Keith and other 280-300 grain bullets, mostly with 2400 powder, some H-110 and Unique.
In 1988 or 89 it started back-ratcheting sometimes with the hotter loads so I had it rebuilt at a reputable gunsmith. When I bought one of the first 629 Mountain Revolvers I didn't shoot it as much anymore so it's still running strong. I also had a Super Blackhawk that had the barrel shortened to 5 1/2" and I purely hated that revolver. I don't care if it is stronger it was a nasty gun to shoot compared to a N Frame Smith. Another 44 that sucked to shoot was a 12" ported Hunter TC Contender.
90% of my 44 loads now are down in the 1000 FPS range or I shoot some Specials.
I have a 460 XVR for the big stuff now.:)
 
What's your budget?

Less than $600, the Taurus Raging Bull is pretty good
$600 to $900 Ruger Super Redhawk
$900 or more, a S&W Model 629
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If you look at Buds, an SW69 is $675, a SW629 is $750, and a Ruger SRH .44 is $850.
 
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