If you are going to buy only factory loads and plan on sticking with 44 Magnum and not 44 Special personally I'd shy away from a lightweight gun. If you are buying full house 44 Magnum ammo it can beat you and the gun up pretty fast. IMO.
A lighter gun could be pretty punishing in a hunting level load. I would be looking for a massive gun but not a long barrel. An Alaska shoulder rig that is worn outside a coat does a good job hauling the big iron. Mine is for a 4" N-frame, but holds my 5" 629 just fine.Just inquiring about the light weight 44 mags. Like the taurus trackers and Smith model 69. Not scanduim super light weight kind. They seem like they would be a handy side arm for hunting.Any do and don't? Recommendations? Things to avoid. Don't really know much about the big bores,and hot loads. Seen a few for sale locally. Could pick up a tracker for under 400 bucks. Just not sure how they hold up. Don't reload so would only shoot what's available commercially. thanks.
And yea I know I inquire about different guns and don't end up buying them. But I learn alot from asking you guys,and appreciate it.
That wasn't the question, and why should the OP do that if smaller and lower weight guns are available?Instead of looking for a lighter firearm, condition your body to make the weapon feel lighter because you're physically adjusted to it!
Soldiers and physical conditioning have nothing to do with this conversation. Medium framed light 44 mags do.Soldiers are forced to do this with their heavy gear. Instead of looking for some thing lighter that will introduce other problems, if you can, adjust yourself to the gear you actually need.
Ok, no, seriously, what in the hell does that have to do with anything in this conversation?Long guns don't have to be hard to work with, you just need a three point swivel hinge sling so you don't have to hold, nor maneuver, the gun out of your way. When you need it, simply grab it, twist and pull off, good to go
I read that in last month's issue of "Duh" magazine.The more you hunt with your weapon, the more you use it/hold it on a daily basis (or use weighted clothing) the more adjusted you will be to it to the point where it will feel like the weapon is just apart of your body, an extension of your arm and THAT is where you want to be at.
The OP specifically said from the get go that he was talking about Taurus Trackers and S&W M69s, not air weights.Not with an airweight gun that will fly out of your hand the moment the recoil starts.
You know absolutely nothing about the OP, his grip strength, or his stature.That thing is going flying unless you have some pretty hefty sausage fingers to wrap around it and hold onto it, which most people don't these days!
The light and medium framed 44mags are decent guns if you aren't planning on shooting it that much, or are very weight conscious however that lower weight comes with a penalty.
Soldiers are forced to do this with their heavy gear. Instead of looking for some thing lighter that will introduce other problems, if you can, adjust yourself to the gear you actually need.