Ideal .44 Magnum Barrel Length

[saturno_v]

I would personally not use a 44 Mag as carry sidearm against 2 legged predators...there are better, lighter choices...

If I carry a 44 Mag in the woods, I go full length (I own a S&W 29 with a 8 3/4" barrel)

I would love to see what is the recoil of the full power 300 grainers and up out of a 4" barrel or less....

 

[Sam1911]

I would love to see what is the recoil of the full power 300 grainers and up out of a 4" barrel or less....

Some of my handloads are 300 gr. at over 1,200 fps. The gun does rise a bit, but I've never felt discomfort while shooting them. I don't remember having shot more than 100 of them in one session, though. Might start to wear on you a bit after 2 or 300.

I don't usually carry the 629 for pure social work, but for days when I'll spend some time outdoors it's great. And I tend to think that I'm more likely to need it for 2-legged threats than 4-legged ones even in the woods.

-Sam

 

[Oro]

A 4" or less 44 Mag revolver is nonsense, IMHO.

I have both a 3" and a 4" .44 mag and I assure you they are very useful guns - certainly not "nonsense"!

Some of my handloads are 300 gr. at over 1,200 fps.

I have a load with 300gr. at 1100fps in that gun. It is stout but not much more so than out of a 6.5" gun.

 

[saturno_v]

I don't usually carry the 629 for pure social work, but for days when I'll spend some time outdoors it's great. And I tend to think that I'm more likely to need it for 2-legged threats than 4-legged ones even in the woods.

I have both a 3" and a 4" .44 mag and I assure you they are very useful guns - certainly not "nonsense"!

Again, in my personal opinion, woods or not, there are better choices (lighter, smaller) against 2 legged predators

Double Tap 300 gr. SAAMI compliant loads can almost get to 1400 fps out of a 8 3/8 barrel, I saw it personally over a chrono...and they are very manageable, recoil and blast wise out of a that long barrel.

 

[Oro]

Again, in my personal opinion, woods or not, there are better choices (lighter, smaller) against 2 legged predators

In my opinion, there's hardly a more versatile gun than a 3" .44 magnum. It provides a reliable, proven package for defense in bear country, and it conceals and carries well for use with .44 specials for home defense or carry. S&W has sold tens of thousands of these since the mid '80s, and combine that with other makers and Jovino's customs before that date. It has been a very big success with shooters by any measure. And that's the 3" variant - I have no idea how many more 4" models are out there. If I were told I could have ONLY one handgun, I do not know if the 3" .44 magnum would be it, but I know it would be one of three I would have to decide among.

Double Tap 300 gr. SAAMI compliant loads can almost get to 1400 fps out of a 8 3/8 barrel, I saw it personally over a chrono...and they are very manageable, recoil and blast wise out of a that long barrel.

I bet that round would also get to near 1,900fps out of a Marlin Carbine. All cartridges perform better with longer barrels (within reason) - no one said any differently. No one stated that a 3" or 4" was superior to an 8 3/8" model for all purposes. Like most things in life, there are trade-offs and different tools work better at different purposes.

 

[saturno_v]

Oro

That is my point


If I walk in the woods with a potential nastry critter encounter, I will carry a long barrel 44 Mag revolver...it will be a bit more cumbersome but it will give me that little extra power and controllability factor.

For "social encounters" or "light" wildlife use (Cougars, very small lack bear) I personally would carry a reliable 10 mm autoloader with stout loads (compact, more easily concealable).....a revolver lover may carry a 357 4" revolver or shorter, lighter and smaller frame than a 44 Mag with the same barrel length.

A short barrel 44 Mag, to me sounds like a "having only one handgun" type of compromise...again my personal opinion, others may think differently.

 

[ElToro]

tens of thousands sold.. but not one 4 incher (prelock) for sale in PRK or so it seems

i have a 3 inch full lug. its a handful. also have a 4 inch mtn gun, very fun to pack and take camping. recoil not as bad as the 3 but i think it actually weighs less.

i also have a 5 inch classic. not too muzzle heavy and very comfortable to shoot

if all i had a .44 i woudnt feel to bad for any 2 legged creeps looking to do me or my family harm while out camping.

 

[nerfsrule2]

I have 2 Smith 44 mag's.. Model 29 (6 inch) and A 629 DX (8 3/8 ").. I love them Both.. If you want to carry try a 4 or 5 inch ported...

 

[Prosser]

You might be surprised that with heavier bullets, you don't loose as much velocity as you might think.

With factory loads, have a look at that barrelbytheinch or something website, and, you can figure how factory loads are effected by barrel length.

I REALLY like my 7.5" barrels, but, I would like a packable, shround length, or maybe 5"
.475 Linebaugh for around the house.

My solution is to buy another gun...

What I really meant to say is depending on the loads you plan to use, the barrel cutting can have a big effect on velocity, or very little. Problem is, with heavy bullets, 300-340 grains, it's going to be a handful.

 

[Lar1911]

I have a Dan Wesson (a 357 and a 44) so barrel choice is a little better. I like the 4 inch, and I had a 2.5 inch made for it for 44spl carry.

(I rarely use it for that, i just love having the capability to put a 2.5 inch barrel on the 44 mag)

 

[Cayoot]

I used to have a blue 4 inch Mnt Gun, but I could not keep it dry enough while out on the snow shoes (I tend to fall through alot of openings and thin ice spots that are covered with snow). So I sold it and am planning on getting a stainless Ruger Redhawk (4 ish or 5 ish, havent decided).

One thing I noticed though is how much difference is made by grip design.

When I used the standard grips that came with it, (and shooting heavy loads) I actually had blood coming out of my hand between thumb and 1st finger before the first cylinder was empty.

I switched to a Aherends round butt-to square butt conversion grip. WHAT A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE!!! Now I can shoot the heavy loads with (almost) comfort.

To me, this means that I'm much less likely to develop a flinch in my shooting.

All this hot air was put out just to say that I don't think you should put too much stock in the effect of barrel length upon shooting comfort. Proper grips can make almost as much difference, and still leave you with the option of shorter barrel length.

 

[sw282]

I have 44's in 3''-6''-8 3/8''. I shoot the 6'' most. I had a 4'' Mt Gun 629. It was just too heavy and did not point well for ME. My vote goes to my 6'' 629