New Revolver Recommendations???

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Mr. T

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Hey Everyone,

My Brother-in-Law is looking for a new .44 Mag, but he's not sure which .44 Mag to buy. He asked me what my opinion was and I told him that you pretty much can't go wrong with S&W or Ruger when it comes to revolvers, but that I had seen some economical options from Charter and Taurus. He will primarily be wanting this gun for back packing in "Bear Country", but may also be depending on it for occasional home defense as well. I had specifically mentioned that the Taurus Raging Bull looked like a gun I would like to get to know better. Does anyone have any opinions on that or any other .44 Mag that you may want to recommend and why. I appreciate your input.

Mr. T
 
Get the ruger red hawk with a 4 1/4" barrel for a back up. It can shoot 44 specials for HD and practice. Charter arms does not have a 44 mag revolver ,only 44 sp and taurus ??? No reason not to buy a ruger. They also sell that in a 45lc and some seriously hot loads can be bought for it too along with soft cowboy loads. Just as good or maybe better choice if one is found. Good rugged revolver that can handel the heavist loads. The shorter barrel light weight revolver can have problems with hot loads backing bullets out under recoils so that the reason for a 4" barrel.
 
+1 to Ruger Redhawk

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I'd go with the 5.5" barrel though. Much better at the range due to the longer sight radius and extra weight, but not too long to have easy handling.

My Redhawk is one of my favorite guns, esp. with handloads.

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If he intends to carry it a lot, the Ruger will become a heavy piece before the end of the hike. A 4" S&W (M29 or 629) is one of the lighter 44s available and still has enough wei.ght ot be fired accurately
 
I'd say it depends on how much he's carrying. Also what sort of holster and rig he carrys the gun in during the hikes.

If it's long distance "expidition" hiking then every ounce counts for a lot. If it'll be a day pack with water and lunch then the extra weight of the Ruger won't really be all that big a deal. Especially if it's carried in a way that minimizes its load on the hiker.

Just looking around at the options I see that S&W has a 329 that is a mere 29 oz. Now that is not a gun that I'd want to shoot a lot of full moxie .44Mag rounds out of. And I strongly suspect that the first shot would leave the shooter's hands wondering WTH hit them. Meanwhile the 4" 629 all stainless steel version weighs in at a "proper" 41.5 oz. Now THAT is a gun that will shoot magnum loads and still leave the shooter ready to shoot a follow up round or two if needed. Definetly something to think about if you're looking at an angry bear coming at you. Mind you the all steel Ruger Redhawk only weighs 5.5 oz more. You'd need to be a fanatical hiker to worry about just under a quarter pound of differnece. Although given that the MSRP on both is the same I'd opt for the S&W over the Ruger.

And for HD some softely loaded up .44Mag reloads that copy the power of .44Spl would be nice for indoors. Or just get some .44Spl ammo. There's certainly no need to blow off .44Mag indoors against the sort of targets you don't want to see wandering your hallways. Your ears and the chance of any followup shots will appreciate your consideration in this area.
 
I'd get either the S&W 629 Mountain Gun or the Ruger Alaskan. Both are make for backpacking, both are well made, ergonomic revolvers. The S&W is lighter and smaller, easier to carry on your hip; it's also designed for easier holstering (e.g., tapered barrel). The Alaskan will safely chamber and shoot any .44 mag ammo made but is a bulkier, heavier gun with a shorter barrel (2-1/2" v. 4"). He might want to consider the Alaskan in .454 Casull for bear country (though it's a bit harder to find) as that round delivers twice the energy as a .44Mag but also chambers the much more manageable .45Colt (and the .45Colt can be loaded from .44Special to .44Mag+P energies). I have the Mountain Gun in .44Mag & .45Colt, and an Alaskan in .454Casull. All three are great guns.
 
Taurus also has a 5-shot 44 mag in the Tracker series, and Ultra Lite 6-shots similar in size to the S&W N frame with a 2-1/2 or 4 inch barrel. Any of these would be good light weight packing gun options.
 
Better not let off a full-power .44 Magnum round from a short-barreled handgun inside a closed space unless you want to experience a stun-grenade going off two feet from your face.

Flash-blind and deaf is no way to defend your home.

I don't think a sound case can be made for one handgun being suitable bear medicine AND burglar medicine.
 
If weight is an issue, consider the military-style shoulder holster that holds the gun on the front of the body instead of the hip. Less fatigue and less sore hip at the end of the day.
 
I love my 4" Redhawk, but I wouldn't want it for "backpacking".

For that I'd rather have a S&W 329 with the "scandium" frame, but really I'd rather have bear spray.

Of course it depends what you mean by "backpacking". Is it a 4-7 day outing with a 70lb pack or a "day pack" for a walk in the woods?
 
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