Hey im looking to buy a 44 mag, not for any real purpose other than to have fun with and maybe a little hog hunting, but anyways im looking for suggestions on what is the best gun out there. Im a pretty big Clint Eastwood fan so I was thinking the Model 29 but I know there is a lot of **** that has came out since then. So if anyone has any insight on the subject I would appreciate it.
Buying a 44 mag
- Thread starter garrett25
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shooter429
Member
Perfect caliber choice!
It sounds like you already know what you want, i.e., the Model 29. I might add that they are among my very favorite firearms of all time and that you will be well served. And as long as you understand the ammo limitations, you are golden. If, however, you get the desire to face down a raging brown bear, you might want the 4" Ruger Redhawk instead. They are stronger, taking both Garrett 330 grain +P and BB340 grain +p+ (which the Smith cannot) cheaper by $150, have better ergos, as good a trigger and sights and are, IMHO, the best value big-bore on the market right now.
You need to decide on a few other things. Barrel length. For easy hip packing, I'd go with no more than 4" of tube (but not less than 3"). Even if it comes with wooden grips, get a good set of rubber grips-it will make long range sessions a heck of a lot more comfortable.
I would avoid the Sc/Ti lightweights for several reasons, with reliability being the most important. They are hard to master with magnums and are much more expensive to boot.
Many here will tell you to get a single action. I would avoid doing so unless you already have experience with one because they are harder to shoot and reload quickly and they roll up in the hand a lot more than double-actions.
Your best bet is to find a stocking dealer (hopefully one with a range) and handle and or shoot a few to see which you like best. Kinda like buying work boots in that something that fits me, might not fit you as well.
Shooter429
It sounds like you already know what you want, i.e., the Model 29. I might add that they are among my very favorite firearms of all time and that you will be well served. And as long as you understand the ammo limitations, you are golden. If, however, you get the desire to face down a raging brown bear, you might want the 4" Ruger Redhawk instead. They are stronger, taking both Garrett 330 grain +P and BB340 grain +p+ (which the Smith cannot) cheaper by $150, have better ergos, as good a trigger and sights and are, IMHO, the best value big-bore on the market right now.
You need to decide on a few other things. Barrel length. For easy hip packing, I'd go with no more than 4" of tube (but not less than 3"). Even if it comes with wooden grips, get a good set of rubber grips-it will make long range sessions a heck of a lot more comfortable.
I would avoid the Sc/Ti lightweights for several reasons, with reliability being the most important. They are hard to master with magnums and are much more expensive to boot.
Many here will tell you to get a single action. I would avoid doing so unless you already have experience with one because they are harder to shoot and reload quickly and they roll up in the hand a lot more than double-actions.
Your best bet is to find a stocking dealer (hopefully one with a range) and handle and or shoot a few to see which you like best. Kinda like buying work boots in that something that fits me, might not fit you as well.
Shooter429
customizedcreationz
Member.
I am in the same boat. I have one wheel gun a SW 27 and would like to match a 44 mag SW to it as well. No reason other then to have one. I dont think I ll even shoot it that much.
Good luck
Good luck
critter
Member
Before you buy, take a look at the Rugers (Redhawk and various Blackhawk models). You can get guns that will take heavier loads (if that is what you might want to use sometime) and probably spend less money. I had a Redhawk that was a good gun, but now use a Blackhawk hunter model that is a real tackdriver. Works really good on whitetail deer, etc.
There is nothing wrong with the smith .44 for most especially a casual .44 shooter. I started with redhawks and grabbed a bisely vaquero also a few years back. I always wanted a model 29 and last fall grabbed a clean 4 inch thinkin it was gonna be significantly smaller and more "packable" than that first 5 inch redhawk I had/have. Not necassarily so... That 5 inch redhawk is a good balance between size n power. If I was to have only one though and it would be a S&W .44 I would go with a 5 or 6 inch. They are better for the average casual/hunter/target shooter. They tend to be easier to shoot.
customizedcreationz
Member.
Yes I ve been looking at Rugers as well. I just wanted a SW to match my other SW. I probably shoot it about 50 rds and never shoot it again LOL.
nerfsrule2
Member
I love my 6" model 29 in blue..I have had it since the late 70's..Again as posted above pick up a set of rubber grips to go with the pretty wooden ones,,,
glockman19
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I decided on a S&W 629 classic w/5" full lugged barrel. IMHO it is perfectly balanced.
The Ruger Redhawk was my second choice.
The Ruger Redhawk was my second choice.
wanderinwalker
Member
My 21st birthday present to self was a 6" S&W 629-1, lightly used, possibly unfired (still unsure).
I've also fired Redhawks and Super Blackhawks, with rubber grips and wooden ones. One nice gentleman also let me fire his 5" ported 629 Custom once. The Smiths fit my hand the best, and so I find them the most comfortable to shoot. Heresy, I know, I'll bring the marshmellows for the SBH fans!
One other thing, if you do decide to shoot it alot: While the Smith won't (shouldn't be subjected to) withstand the abuse a Ruger will, they seem to fire a wider range of loads accurately, at least that's my experience. The Rugers shine with full-power loads, but the SBH I had briefly was only adequate to so-so with .44 Special and "mild magnum" loads. My 629, on the other hand, shoots well with full power 240gr loads, and shoots milder plinkers and Specials with equal accuracy.
I've also fired Redhawks and Super Blackhawks, with rubber grips and wooden ones. One nice gentleman also let me fire his 5" ported 629 Custom once. The Smiths fit my hand the best, and so I find them the most comfortable to shoot. Heresy, I know, I'll bring the marshmellows for the SBH fans!
One other thing, if you do decide to shoot it alot: While the Smith won't (shouldn't be subjected to) withstand the abuse a Ruger will, they seem to fire a wider range of loads accurately, at least that's my experience. The Rugers shine with full-power loads, but the SBH I had briefly was only adequate to so-so with .44 Special and "mild magnum" loads. My 629, on the other hand, shoots well with full power 240gr loads, and shoots milder plinkers and Specials with equal accuracy.
sargenv
Member
I would actually avoid buying a 44 magnum in any barrel length shoter than a 6" unless it is magnaported or has a muzzle brake on it. I've fired either a 5" or 6" model 29 (with the wood grips) with full house loads and it was really uncomfortable. I think 3 cylinders was all I could handle and I didn't bother after that. With the Hogue rubber grips it'll be a bit more pleasant. I currently own a 657 - 41 magnum - 7.5" bbl and while it kicks pretty good, the long full lug 7.5" bbl helps dampen some of the recoil.
That depends on the individual. You undoubtly are recoil sensitive and also it would depend on the power level of the load you are shooting. I have a 3 inch Model 29 that's a blast to shoot. Now if you use the full power heavy bullet loads it will get punishing, but standard 240 grain loads and under are no problem.
Lucky Strike
Member
Can't go wrong with a Model 29 but my vote would be a Redhawk.
I'm getting a 5.5" model this Fall.
Like a lot of guns purchased by members here it'll be a birthday gift to myself.
$35 from each paycheck is getting squirreled away in a coffee can....come mid October I'll take it down to the gunshop and get me a shiny redhawk
I'm getting a 5.5" model this Fall.
Like a lot of guns purchased by members here it'll be a birthday gift to myself.
$35 from each paycheck is getting squirreled away in a coffee can....come mid October I'll take it down to the gunshop and get me a shiny redhawk
sargenv
Member
You could say that I'm a bit recoil sensitive.. but personally why buy a magnum if you are going to shoot standard loads? When I bought my 30-30 contender.. I never downloaded it.. It was always full power loads.. even if I was just plinking.
I didn't say that a shorter barrel was bad, just that shooting full power loads can get a bit painful. I choose to not use gloves or any kind of recoil absorbing material save rubber grips. You have to admit though, the regular S&W wood grips with that deep checkering can be somewhat annoying. To that time the only other 44 magnum I'd fired was a 7.5" redhawk with Pachmayer presentation grips.. so I was a bit spoiled by the stout but not painful recoil.
It's kind of like telling someone not to get one of those Titanium cylinder magnums unless they like a LOT of recoil. Usually something with a bit of weight dampens things a bit. Compact large caliber guns firing hot ammo can be a handful if you are not used to them. I'd still not reccomend a short barrel magnum without some form of recoil reduction. If you wish to ignore my reccomendation, well that's ok too. It's all good.
When I bought my 30-30 contender.. I never downloaded it.. It was always full power loads.. even if I was just plinking.I didn't say that a shorter barrel was bad, just that shooting full power loads can get a bit painful. I choose to not use gloves or any kind of recoil absorbing material save rubber grips. You have to admit though, the regular S&W wood grips with that deep checkering can be somewhat annoying. To that time the only other 44 magnum I'd fired was a 7.5" redhawk with Pachmayer presentation grips.. so I was a bit spoiled by the stout but not painful recoil.
It's kind of like telling someone not to get one of those Titanium cylinder magnums unless they like a LOT of recoil. Usually something with a bit of weight dampens things a bit. Compact large caliber guns firing hot ammo can be a handful if you are not used to them. I'd still not reccomend a short barrel magnum without some form of recoil reduction. If you wish to ignore my reccomendation, well
that's ok too. It's all good.Not really....
A gun with a short barrel will be louder and a bit more flip but given the same frame weight and not going from a long heavy barrel to a short skinny one the difference is not that great.
Comparing a titanium to steel gun is apples n oranges. The mass of the gun will cause more of a difference in recoil than barrel length.
customizedcreationz
Member.
I ve looked at the SW 500 too. Again I thought I outgrew the bigger is better syndrome !!! LOL
highlander 5
Member
My choice 4" Ruger Redhawk then Mag Na Port the little bugger
2nd choice Ruger Bisley 7.5"
2nd choice Ruger Bisley 7.5"
The .44mag is a great round. You are not wrong in getting one "just to play." I have spent decades shooting, and always thought it was for guys with an inferiority complex - a .45 acp was always enough. Well, I was of course wrong. A close encounter with a black bear last year (no shots fired, but close enough to get me thinking) made me go do research and get advice from real experts. I decided on a .44mag.
Basically, it came down to this:
1) You like pushing the envelope, have a range in your backyard or nearby, get a big Freedom Arms, Ruger Blackhawk, or similar and have at it.
2) On a budget? A Ruger Redhawk works.
3) Want the prettiest and smoothest and have a little more scratch? Get a S&W.
I'm a sucker for a pretty gun, so I did that. I love this gun. For ease of handling and control, I wanted a round butt. For ease of packing, I wanted a 4" or under. I got a Lew Horton 3" "special" from the 80s, and in stainless to make the maintenance easier (plus, like bears, I like shiny things).
With proper grips, it recoils the same as a 4", porting would make it better, but with a 240gr bullet it's just not a problem. 300gr. + bullets do get tiring fast, but a 240gr. is the "classic" .44mag load - like a 158gr. in a .357. With .44 special loads it's smoother than the smoothest .45acps in a nice 1911.
Get a .44 mag. Get a 3", 4", or 6" barrel. Get a S&W, get a Ruger, get a FA (just don't get a Taurus). Get a comfy shoulder holster (these are heavy on the hip).
Have fun.
Basically, it came down to this:
1) You like pushing the envelope, have a range in your backyard or nearby, get a big Freedom Arms, Ruger Blackhawk, or similar and have at it.
2) On a budget? A Ruger Redhawk works.
3) Want the prettiest and smoothest and have a little more scratch? Get a S&W.
I'm a sucker for a pretty gun, so I did that. I love this gun. For ease of handling and control, I wanted a round butt. For ease of packing, I wanted a 4" or under. I got a Lew Horton 3" "special" from the 80s, and in stainless to make the maintenance easier (plus, like bears, I like shiny things).
With proper grips, it recoils the same as a 4", porting would make it better, but with a 240gr bullet it's just not a problem. 300gr. + bullets do get tiring fast, but a 240gr. is the "classic" .44mag load - like a 158gr. in a .357. With .44 special loads it's smoother than the smoothest .45acps in a nice 1911.
Get a .44 mag. Get a 3", 4", or 6" barrel. Get a S&W, get a Ruger, get a FA (just don't get a Taurus). Get a comfy shoulder holster (these are heavy on the hip).
Have fun.
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Beagle-zebub
Member
If you intend to shoot more than a box of ammunition over the course of your ownership, I would try out the models on the range first. .44 magnum is not fun for a decent chunk of shooters, and that's no blemish on their honor, either.
Of course, if you've already shot a couple, or don't mind a $450-700 wall-hanger, ignore my suggestion.
If someone else has already raised this concern and I missed it, 'scuse me while I go out through the bathroom window.
Of course, if you've already shot a couple, or don't mind a $450-700 wall-hanger, ignore my suggestion.
If someone else has already raised this concern and I missed it, 'scuse me while I go out through the bathroom window.
Confederate
Member
The .44 mag is a fun gun and a great caliber.
If you can, get one of the old 29/629s with a 6-inch barrel.
Hogs taste delicious and are alone worth the price of a good .44.
If you can, get one of the old 29/629s with a 6-inch barrel.
Hogs taste delicious and are alone worth the price of a good .44.
When I say standard load I mean the standard load for a .44 which is the 240 grain bullet load. It is full powered and not watered down. I detest rubber stocks and don't use any kind of checkered stock on big bores or magnums. I find a good fitting wood stock to be the most comfortable when shooting.
baconbeard
Member
I agree with highlander on the Ruger, just bought a 4" Redhawk a couple of weeks ago and I love it.I would like to get it ported for faster target acquisitionas it has a little flip to it, but the recoil is no problem(I fire about 200 rounds per session). I also have a .44 single action with a 6.5" barrel but I prefer the Redhawk
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Another vote for Redhawks. I have two: a 4" and a 5.5", the latter set up with a scope using Weigand's "no drill" mount. Love 'em both.
But I'd also take a look at the Blackhawk. Had a nice 5.5" Super BH that I sold to fund another project, and that's one I really miss. If you're just plinking, the SA Rugers definitely deserve a look.
But I'd also take a look at the Blackhawk. Had a nice 5.5" Super BH that I sold to fund another project, and that's one I really miss. If you're just plinking, the SA Rugers definitely deserve a look.
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