Double-action .44 Mag. Recommendation?

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Swing

Swing

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Hey pals. So, I recently got back into pin shooting. I'm using a M1911 (.45 ACP) mainly, though use a .357 Magnum revolver too. I've been thinking about acquiring a good .44 Magnum revolver. Can anyone recommend a wheelgun that ....

  • Is in .44 Magnum.
  • Is double action.
  • Six-shot cylinder
  • At least a 6½" barrel is an option. Though I could see going as long as 8⅜".
  • Stainless steel would be best, though other rust-resistant materials/finishes would work.
  • Decent aftermarket grips and sights are available.
  • Good speedloaders are available for it. I like the Speed Beez line the most, though others could work.
  • The base gun isn't much more than $1,200. By that, I am not factoring in aftermarket modifications, gunsmithing, speedloaders, etc., and consider those a secondary cost.
Thanks all!

P.S. In the process of searching around, I came across the Desert Eagle autoloaders. While, obviously, not a wheelgun, it is intriguing. Anyone have one of these and, if so, how do you like it? Thanks.

P.P.S. Other than the aforementioned, is anyone else making a .44 Mag auto?
 
If you are willing to settle for 5 1/2 inch barrel, Ruger Redhawk would do very well. Run you $800. They make a 7 1/2 inch barrel version as well as a 4 1/5th inch version.


You can then, if you want, put on 'extreme' Bowen rear sight, hard chrome or NP3 the gun, Magnaport, etc.. to your hearts content.

Deaf
 
For pin shooting, one of the currently available S&W Model 29 descendants. Perhaps a Ruger Redhawk, if available. I know of no others that can be fired quickly in double action mode with any accuracy. (Actually, this is somewhat conjectural; I don't own any current S&W products or a Redhawk.)

One of the fellows at my gun club fires a Desert Eagle in .44 Magnum at our Bowling Pin shoots regularly. It - and the shooter - do rather well. I've shot it, it isn't all that intimidating in recoil.
 
Thanks guys. The little I've shot the Ruger wheelguns, I've found them to be darn solid revolvers. I keep going back to the Model 29 too. They cost more than the Rugers and Taurus, but it would it the bill, and to call them a classic would be the understatement of the year. And aftermarket parts are available and I'd wager any gunsmith who knows his/her stuff could work on said.

P.S. Thanks for the details on the Desert Eagle. Though that one isn't really germane to this project, it is pretty interesting considering it is a 8+1 autoloader in .44 Mag-o-rama. And I can't deny I like gonzo guns. If it a quality piece, all the better.
 
I really like my 5.5" barreled Redhawk. I find I'm always pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy it. If not a Redhawk or a Super Redhawk, the only other choice for me is S&W.
 
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The S&W Classic Model 29 is almost everything you are asking for including the price. Only the finish is different in blue but that should not stop you. Barrel length is there as are the options. Grips and speed loaders are readily available too.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-29-sw-classics-6-12-blue

There is also the cool factor of shooting the original M29, it just looks good.
 
I like the S&W 629 Classic DX. I just got one with 8 3/8" bbl. Super revolver. Have a stainless Marlin as a companion. A very nice combination. If you are not going to shoot hot handloads, the 629 id fine. Ruger if hot handloads are your thing.
 
CraigC said:
For pin shooting, I'd be more interested in a 625.

The Desert Eagle is a good gun and I've considered buying one but the size of the grip is problematic. It is YOOGE!
Click to expand...
I agree the M625 would be a better choice but the OP specifically asked about a .44 Magnum. It's my opinion there is no need for a .44 Magnum for killing pins and the recoil makes quick shooting more difficult.

An added benefit, the OP is already shooting a gun that shoots 45 ACP ammo.
 
CraigC said:
For pin shooting, I'd be more interested in a 625.

The Desert Eagle is a good gun and I've considered buying one but the size of the grip is problematic. It is YOOGE!
Click to expand...
A friend of mine used to shoot pins (and everything else) with Desert Eagles, but he is a BIG guy; A DE in his hands looks like a 1911 in mine. Needless to say, you hit a pin with .44 Mag., it drops.
As for recoil, a .44 DE feels like a 6" .357 to me. No problem. The .357 DE feels like a .22.....

CraigC said:
The Desert Eagle is a good gun and I've considered buying one but the size of the grip is problematic. It is YOOGE!
Click to expand...
Well, if you have small hands like the Prez, it does.
 
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I don't have small hands and wear a large or extra large glove and the DE is bigger than I find comfortable. Not that it's uncomfortable like a Glock 20/21 but it is very large. That and an affinity for svelte single action revolvers keep me from buying one. For a 4lb gun, I'd rather pack a 3rd model Dragoon or Walker.
 
I have a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" 44 magnum. I like it a lot.

My buddy has a 44 magnum desert eagle. It's a fun gun. Recoil is very nice. It's big and heavy and not very reliable though. You have to use jacketed bullets to avoid fouling the gas system and they have to be loaded hot in order to cycle.
 
Swing

A friend of mine had a Desert Eagle in .44 Magnum and it was a hoot to shoot! As others have mentioned it does have a rather large grip but even with my small hands I didn't have any difficulty in getting a decent grip on it. I believe that because of the gas system it uses you can only use jacketed bullets with it.
 
I have a Ruger Redhawk with a 7.5" barrel chambered in .44 Magnum. It's a beauty and a hoot to shoot. I put the firesights that Ruger sells through their store onto it and I couldn't be happier with the accuracy; I really like the trigger pull in DA. Some of my best 25' and 50' shooting has been with that Redhawk.
 
SuperRedhawk, but you'll find the .44 is too much for pins unless you have it ported. The SRH fits normal sized hands.
Desert Eagles require the hands of a big monkey to shoot. Still laugh about my finger coming nowhere near the trigger.
 
Hey pals. Thanks for all the thoughts and feedback. Random thoughts:

  • Seems like a toss up between Ruger and S&W. I'm torn; Ruger has always done me right, while Smith has been hit or miss over the decades. But S&W current line is, as far as I know, very solid, and the 29 is sweet. At the end of the day, I'd think I'd go Ruger.
  • No one mentioned Taurus and probably with good reason. The one and only Taurus wheelgun I own (a snub) is one of the nicest firearms I've ever owned. But, considering what I read online, that is likely a fluke.
  • The .357 I mentioned in the OP is a Rossi. It has been a fine target wheelgun, and their customer service has been great, but I am still a little reticent to look at their .44s. On the other hand, that might be irrational.
  • Good point on the 625. One less cartridge to stock is a good thing and .45 ACP can be loaded via full moon clips. I'm still very tempted to get back into something .44 Mag. Though, I concede, logistically it makes a heck of a lot of sense.
  • Concerning grip size, I am an above average sized person with large hands. None of the firearms mentioned in this thread would be of concern in that regard, including the Desert Eagle.
Thanks again. The ideas are most appreciated!
 
I'd go with the 5.5-inch Redhawk or the 629. Someone on another thread here said you have to replace the part in the hammer assembly that's shaped like a hook in the Redhawk every so often. If I got the Redhawk I'd buy a few of those parts. If money isn't tight, I'd go with a 629, though. Stainless steel resists the blast and torque better than blued steel.

I had one that was a real beauty. Also, a stainless Astra. Could never see shooting them, nor could I afford to shoot them, so I got rid of them. I've always regretted it, but the 9mm I got as part of the trade (S&W 3906) made it easier. I should have kept the Astra.

ASTRA_445.jpg
ASTRA_447.jpg
SW629_3-1.jpg
SW629_Emblem.jpg
 
That Astra is a real beauty. It is funny you mention it, because that was one I looked for while looking at the auction sites. I'm a little concerned about parts, speedloaders, et al., but they do seem like fun revolvers.
 
Better find a diagram of the Astra's lockwork. If it's still like a S&W, I'd be OK, but if they "modernized it' like Taurus did with theirs, forget it. Taurus are cheaper and for a reason: they're cheaper. Guaranteed transfer bar breakage and then you've got a modern rock.

For myself, I'll take either a S&W or a Ruger.
 
On my 3" 629-1 (purchased new on 24Feb89) I changed out the springset with a Wolff that is slightly lighter, spent a bit of TLC slicking up the innards and added a Pachmayr Diamond Pro grip. Now, for me, it is close to perfection (for DA especially). :)

For a long time I have thought that a "29" in ~5"-6" would be great to have (in addition to the 3"), but I have never come across one at a price that I would be willing to pay.

FWIW, I have only had the opportunity to fire a Redhawk once, about 25 years ago, and preferred the feel of my 629.

I wear size-Large gloves, btw. ;)

Good Luck with your search, Swing!
 
Swing said:
Hey pals. Thanks for all the thoughts and feedback. Random thoughts:

  • No one mentioned Taurus and probably with good reason. The one and only Taurus wheelgun I own (a snub) is one of the nicest firearms I've ever owned. But, considering what I read online, that is likely a fluke.
Click to expand...
Mostly I usually don't recommend Taurus because I get tired of people getting offended that someone recommended a Taurus. I have 7 of their wheelguns, and I have never had a problem with them. I do fear the inevitable customer support call when it happens.

I am normally not a big fan of 44Mag since the .454/45 Colt is as versatile of a round as .357/38. The Raging Bull series has excellent grips that manage recoil better than any Smith or Ruger I have owned. The dual cylinder locks are a nice touch, but probably a hindrance to speedloading since you have to use both hands to open the cylinder. They are big, however. Pictured is my Raging Bull .454 (same size as the .44 with 1 less round), .44Mag Tracker, and M66 .357. It is not dainty.
IMG_20170806_210028.jpg
 
Smith 629 8 1/2 inch barrel, Pachmayr grips is what I shoot most out of the 44 Mags I own. I would say you will not go wrong with it. Accurate and heavy enough that follow up shots are fast.
 
Well if S&W is what you want... Get a 629-1 like mine!
index.php


Go RETRO!

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Deaf
 
My 629-1 has a light, smooth trigger in DA/SA. It is one of my favorites. 3" barrel. I got it when they first came out. The other favorite is a 6 1/2" 629-4, RockyMountainHunter. I don't remember how many was made in the series,mine is 004.
 
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