Best 44 magnum?
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Jackal
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My local shop has a very nice, lightly used Ruger Blackhawk for $300.
Confederate
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That's a tough question. I've never been fond of any Astra revolver until I bought a stainless one years ago and found it to be very well crafted. It had a pinned barrel and counterbored chambers and very nice sights. If you found something like that used, it would be a bargain.
My choice, though, would be the short-barreled Ruger Redhawk in stainless with some good rubber grips.
It's a shame grip makers don't make their grips from weatherproof neoprene, the kind used by divers. Regular rubber gets old and cracks when exposed to the elements. The weatherproof stuff also feels better.
But that's another thread.
My choice, though, would be the short-barreled Ruger Redhawk in stainless with some good rubber grips.
It's a shame grip makers don't make their grips from weatherproof neoprene, the kind used by divers. Regular rubber gets old and cracks when exposed to the elements. The weatherproof stuff also feels better.
But that's another thread.
I'll be the oddball here to say "for the price" my choice would be a Monson-era Dan Wesson. Not too pricey and all of mine have been deadly accurate. More so than my S&W's and even my beloved Colts.
Otherwise:
Best for Price: Super Redhawk
Best overall: Colt Anaconda, with S&W 29 trailing
Best accuracy: Dan Wesson
Otherwise:
Best for Price: Super Redhawk
Best overall: Colt Anaconda, with S&W 29 trailing
Best accuracy: Dan Wesson
madmattmd
Member
A shop near Annapolis recently (& may still) had a Monson DW blue steel with 8" barrel for about $400. I was mighty tempted.
Based upon my experience with both S&W and DW revolvers, I'd say you could great a great deal on a DW and never look back.
Matt
Based upon my experience with both S&W and DW revolvers, I'd say you could great a great deal on a DW and never look back.
Matt
thirty-thirty
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For the money........a stainless Redhawk is tough to beat. Mine has a great trigger both single and double action. I bought it used, maybe it had a trigger job.
Redhawks are heavy and since I hang out in bear country I'm looking for a S+W Mountain Gun. But you asked "for the money".
Redhawks are heavy and since I hang out in bear country I'm looking for a S+W Mountain Gun. But you asked "for the money".
Marshall
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I would have to say a Redhawk. So I'll say it, a Redhawk.
Heavy Barrel
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Barr
Member
Ruger Redhawk or Super Blackhawk are two of the only .44 Mags that can stand up to a steady lifetime diet of full house loads. Very nice revolvers for the money.
Stainz
Member
A new 4" 629, or a 6" if you like the extra length, will be difficult to beat for all normal SAAMI loads. Don't let folks fool you, the originators of the .44 Magnum know how to make a revolver stout enough for a diet of .44 Magnums. They will have a better trigger, post break-in, than any Ruger SRH/RH. And... don't let folks fool you, Redhawks have a funky trigger - the Super Redhawk has a trigger that is far more capable, although still not in the S&W ballpark. And... a 4" 629 weighs less than a SRH 'Alaskan' snubby, while the 6" 629 weighs 3.5 oz less than a 5.5" Redhawk. The 4" & 6" 629's share the same sights, half-lug design, hammer, and trigger. Fitted with the backstrap-enclosing S&W .500 Magnum grip by Hogue, a $35 goodie only available from S&W Accessories, they are quite comfortable to shoot, too.
If you need a longer, say 7.5", barrel - and you want to 'scope it, a SRH may just be the ticket. If you need to shoot super-hot loads, perhaps a larger caliber, the .480 Ruger or .454 Casull, for example, is more appropriate. I owned a .454 SRH for years before getting my first 629, a Mountain Gun, some four years back. I still have a 5.5" .45 Colt Redhawk. I have shot other examples of both. I still have two 625MG's in .45 Colt - which have better triggers AND group better than either of my RH/SRH's - with the same .45 Colts (That SRH was a tackdriver with .454's!).
Note I have suggested DA capable revolvers. If you need to use it quickly, nothing beats a DA revolver. If it will NEVER need to be used in an emergency, a SA may be adequate - I have an assortment of those. The 4.6" SS Super Blackhawk is a handy, albeit heavy, size (It weighs a half ounce less than my 6" 629!). I fitted mine with a Bird's Head Grip, which is an acquired taste with hot loads. The original BH-like grip of the SBH is fine for many folks - and rubber aftermarket grips exist.
Again, for a first - or only - .44 Magnum, I'd get a 4" or 6" S&W 629... and save $35 for those grips.
Stainz
PS About S&W vs Ruger... remember, S&W's are forged and heat-treated, Rugers use cast steel - they require more mass for the same relative strength. Their solid frame vs the removeable sideplate of S&W's is a plus, however. Either will serve you well.
If you need a longer, say 7.5", barrel - and you want to 'scope it, a SRH may just be the ticket. If you need to shoot super-hot loads, perhaps a larger caliber, the .480 Ruger or .454 Casull, for example, is more appropriate. I owned a .454 SRH for years before getting my first 629, a Mountain Gun, some four years back. I still have a 5.5" .45 Colt Redhawk. I have shot other examples of both. I still have two 625MG's in .45 Colt - which have better triggers AND group better than either of my RH/SRH's - with the same .45 Colts (That SRH was a tackdriver with .454's!).
Note I have suggested DA capable revolvers. If you need to use it quickly, nothing beats a DA revolver. If it will NEVER need to be used in an emergency, a SA may be adequate - I have an assortment of those. The 4.6" SS Super Blackhawk is a handy, albeit heavy, size (It weighs a half ounce less than my 6" 629!). I fitted mine with a Bird's Head Grip, which is an acquired taste with hot loads. The original BH-like grip of the SBH is fine for many folks - and rubber aftermarket grips exist.
Again, for a first - or only - .44 Magnum, I'd get a 4" or 6" S&W 629... and save $35 for those grips.
Stainz
PS About S&W vs Ruger... remember, S&W's are forged and heat-treated, Rugers use cast steel - they require more mass for the same relative strength. Their solid frame vs the removeable sideplate of S&W's is a plus, however. Either will serve you well.
My .02:
My first .44 was a blue S&W 29. I still regret selling it. I was lured by the siren song of the Ruger Redhawk's alleged superior strength. NEVER got used to that wretched Redhawk trigger. Also, with the then-stock wood grips I could barely hang onto it.
Got a Super Blackhawk (a Bisley) and it was OK, but ended up wondering why I needed a single-action gun.
And so, after all those years, I headed back and picked up another 29, a stainless one this time, so it's technically a 629. 6" half-lug barrel. Couldn't love it better. Deadly accurate; fun too shoot; not that expensive new (when I bought it; they're more now); OUTSTANDING trigger; never any reliability issues. I really think it's the apex. The zenith. The apogee. In short, it's swell.
dave-o
My first .44 was a blue S&W 29. I still regret selling it. I was lured by the siren song of the Ruger Redhawk's alleged superior strength. NEVER got used to that wretched Redhawk trigger. Also, with the then-stock wood grips I could barely hang onto it.
Got a Super Blackhawk (a Bisley) and it was OK, but ended up wondering why I needed a single-action gun.
And so, after all those years, I headed back and picked up another 29, a stainless one this time, so it's technically a 629. 6" half-lug barrel. Couldn't love it better. Deadly accurate; fun too shoot; not that expensive new (when I bought it; they're more now); OUTSTANDING trigger; never any reliability issues. I really think it's the apex. The zenith. The apogee. In short, it's swell.
dave-o
cortez kid
Member
FOR THE MONEY. It would be hard to beat a Ruger BlackHawk. Stout, accurate and relatively inexpensive. For looks and action smoothness, can't beat a Smith.
kid
kid
Eightball
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Which shop? That's a good deal, I want to hit up the store you got it from. Shooters, KY Imports, Oakwood guns....?
1.) Smith & Wesson : A good quality gun living off it's reputation from when it was an excellant quality gun & a bit high priced. Has good price retention however.
2.) Ruger : A good quality firearm that is grandma's answer to "where's the beef" with a sort of clunckyness that comes with being buff & heavy duty.
3.) Taurus : A good quality gun that's still trying to live down it's early reputation for poor quality. A gun that is reasonably priced, but does not retain it's price as well as the S&W guns.
4.) Dan Wesson : A good quality gun noted for it's accuracy and should have always been more popular than it has.
There's my take on the most common 4 brands available to you.
2.) Ruger : A good quality firearm that is grandma's answer to "where's the beef" with a sort of clunckyness that comes with being buff & heavy duty.
3.) Taurus : A good quality gun that's still trying to live down it's early reputation for poor quality. A gun that is reasonably priced, but does not retain it's price as well as the S&W guns.
4.) Dan Wesson : A good quality gun noted for it's accuracy and should have always been more popular than it has.
There's my take on the most common 4 brands available to you.
MachIVshooter
Member
For the money, Ruger SRH or SBH (depending on preference of action). Both can be found on the used shelf for ~$350.
Otherwise, S&W pre-lock 29/629 or Colt Anaconda.
For top notch SA, Freedom Arms.
Otherwise, S&W pre-lock 29/629 or Colt Anaconda.
For top notch SA, Freedom Arms.
Barr
Member
My father has collected quite a few Smith's over the last few years but they all all older ones which is great. The newer ones have the locks etc. which is why I choose not to get them. If I came across an older one that was a good deal I would snatch it up in a heartbeat if I could afford. The early model 29's had several problems with long term livability with the magnum loads. There has been a series of revisions to help fix that.
One of the most common problem that I have heard about is that because they did use a regular right hand thread for the ejector rod screw, it would actually unscrew itself with steady use. They switched to left hand threads with the 29-1 in 1960. When Smith-Wesson first began tapping the topstraps for scopes the hole would actually deflect the gasses from the forcing cone/cylinder gap back along the top of the cylinder therefore burning it. Th 29-4 also included such improvements such as radiusing pins inside the gun to help reduce stress risers and improving the retention action of the cylinder by strengthening the cylinder crane and yoke. Around this time the notches in the cylinder were deepened as well to keep the cylinder from unlocking itself and rotating while under recoil.
Most of this was never an issue unless an avid outdoorsman used the gun extensively or a silhouetter used the gun for competition with stout handloads.
I am by no means an expert on Smith's, most of this information was gleaned from John Taffin. I first ran across this when I was deciding on my first .44 Magnum.
One of the most common problem that I have heard about is that because they did use a regular right hand thread for the ejector rod screw, it would actually unscrew itself with steady use. They switched to left hand threads with the 29-1 in 1960. When Smith-Wesson first began tapping the topstraps for scopes the hole would actually deflect the gasses from the forcing cone/cylinder gap back along the top of the cylinder therefore burning it. Th 29-4 also included such improvements such as radiusing pins inside the gun to help reduce stress risers and improving the retention action of the cylinder by strengthening the cylinder crane and yoke. Around this time the notches in the cylinder were deepened as well to keep the cylinder from unlocking itself and rotating while under recoil.
Most of this was never an issue unless an avid outdoorsman used the gun extensively or a silhouetter used the gun for competition with stout handloads.
I am by no means an expert on Smith's, most of this information was gleaned from John Taffin. I first ran across this when I was deciding on my first .44 Magnum.
Smith & Wesson Man
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For the money right now, I think the ruger bisley hunter. It is heavy, 71/2 barrel, single action, bisley grips (nice), and it comes with rings. You can take it off and on when you want, and they should stay close to zero. They are over $500. Any newer smith would make a good choice also. All smiths in the past years come drilled and tapped. I used to own a 629, sold it and wish I hadn't
Just my two cents
Just my two centsAla Dan
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I'm kind'a partial to the 5" S&W model 629-5~!
Steve Wynn
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I've got a M-629 which was extensively redone by Mag-na-port. Barrel is the original. Off of a bench at 50 meters, it'll keep them in a 3/1/2" circle.
A couple of SBH s also tricked up by Mag-na-port that are really fun to shoot, they just feel so comfortable in my handddd, and the accuracy is the same as the Smith. No better, no worse.
A Freedom Arms .44 with a little of Mag-na-port's work, has been witnessed to shoot a 2 inch group at 50 meters by quite a few people. ...several times. Not quite as comfortable as the SBH's grips.
Steve
A couple of SBH s also tricked up by Mag-na-port that are really fun to shoot, they just feel so comfortable in my handddd, and the accuracy is the same as the Smith. No better, no worse.
A Freedom Arms .44 with a little of Mag-na-port's work, has been witnessed to shoot a 2 inch group at 50 meters by quite a few people. ...several times. Not quite as comfortable as the SBH's grips.
Steve
2ndamd
Member
I might be the oddball here
But, the Ruger .44 mag Alaskan is the best in my book.
But, that's because I do not hunt wild game and want an easy packing .44.
I guess it depends on what your definition of "best" is. Best for what? Hunting? Ruger Super Blackhawk because price is a factor. Freedom Arms if price is NOT a factor.
Easy to tote around and only used for protection and range fun?......Ruger SRH Alaskan for me.
But, the Ruger .44 mag Alaskan is the best in my book.
But, that's because I do not hunt wild game and want an easy packing .44.
I guess it depends on what your definition of "best" is. Best for what? Hunting? Ruger Super Blackhawk because price is a factor. Freedom Arms if price is NOT a factor.
Easy to tote around and only used for protection and range fun?......Ruger SRH Alaskan for me.
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