S&W 29 or Ruger Redhawk?

[lindcase]

I have several Rugers and several S&W's. I now want to purchase a 44 magnum. Price and brand loyalty aside which would you buy?

 

[tc300mag1]

i prefer the super redhawk or a redhawk over the model 29 had a model 29 didnt like it .. So my vote is for a ruger

 

[g_gunter]

If you plan on shooting loads it was originally intended to shoot....240/250 gr. @ 1200-1400 fps then I say go with the Smith 29. In my opinion you can't beat the Smith. If, on the other hand, you are wanting to shoot the real heavy .44 mag loads (300 gr. plus) then you definitely need to go with the Ruger. I've shot the 300 gr. Hornady XTP through a Redhawk and it loved it.

g_gunter

 

[unspellable]

44 choice

For light duty the S&W.

For serious shooting, the Dan Wesson.

I sold my Ruger Redhawk.

 

[41mag]

This post looks familiar?

I still vote for either.

Although,if $$ is an issue,a new Redhawk can be had for $450-500.A new Smith is a good $100-200 more.

 

[stans]

S&W for loads using bullets of no more than 250 grains at factory velocity. For heavier loads, the Ruger or Dan Wesson.

 

[Rich K]

I shoot my S&W Mod 29 withstandard factory 240 gr loads,and enjoy it,even took a whitetail with it last season.But my main outside handgun is a Redhawk in 44 mag,stainless.After a trip to Mag-Na-Port,for a trigger job,It is a very good gun that will handle anything I care to drop in the cylinder,and I can keep my Mod 29 for special social occasions.

 

[MrPhil]

My own preference is for the Smith. Something about the Ruger doesn't agree with my hand. The gun seems to rotate in my hands and I find myself regripping between shots.

 

[stans]

The factory Redhawk stocks are pretty skinny, the Super Redhawk uses the same stocks and attaching arrangement as the GP-100 and I have found these to be as close to perfect as any revolver I have ever handled. The first 44 that I purchased was a Super Redhawk, for the price it was unbeatable and the integral scope mount and great stocks made it ideal. I later purchased a used S&W 29-3 for shooting lighter loads.

 

[lindcase]

Thanks for all the replies. For those who inquired, I posted this same question on the following boards: Ruger forum, S&W forum, The High Road and Pistolsmith. The replies were mostly the same, S&W for carry/duty use with factory ammo (better trigger). Or the Redhawk for hot ammo at the range or hunting large game. I did find it interesting that no one beat up on either gun. Every one seemed to put loyalty aside. A few suggested a Dan Wesson. Unfortunately I live in the peoples republik of Massachusetts and the head of the Gestapo, uh, I mean Attorney Generals office, refuses to allow me to buy a Dan Wesson revolver, he tells me it’s not safe! He won’t prosecute Catholic Bishops or Cardinals for raping little boys but I can’t buy a gun! Sorry for the editorial. I will only be using this gun for “big yucks†at the range. So I guess the Redhawk will be my next revolver. I do carry a S&W 4" 66 and just love it. Maybe I will have a trigger job done if I find it too rough.

 

[stans]

Yeah, right, DW revolvers are unsafe. We always hear those stories about DW revolvers just firing by themselves, repeatedly, even after all the ammo in the gun has been fired.

 

[TODD3465]

DW are pretty good though the company itself has had some ups and downs.


Currently of the ones asked about I'd go Ruger I've had too many timing and QC issues with S&W "N" frames myself, though that was back in thier gun of the month days of the late 80's.

 

[Marshall]

Either one with the above mentioned guidlines. Both are nice guns!

 

[Magnum88C]

Both are great.

I think unless you're going to run a steady diet of 300-gr barn-burners, the N-frame Smiths are fine. I haven't had a lick of trouble out of the 6" 629 DX or the 4" 629. I've shot 300-grainers out of them, but not a lot.

If you plan on shooting top-tier loads a lot, definitely go with the Ruger.

 

[Jubal Early]

I have owned both. I agree that either is fine for normal loads, and if you are going for really heavy loads choose the Ruger. I suggest you see if you can shoot each and see which feels best in your hand. I always had a slight preference for Ruger based on that test.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Not to thread-jack, but I am trying to see if I have figured this out. (I'm looking between finding a .44 Mountain Gun or a 5.5" Redhawk as my 21st birthday present to self.)

Smith and Wesson: Good for factory 240/250gr loads and lighter. Unwise to fire too many heavy (250?+) magnums through. (Although I suspect discomfort of shooting said loads in a Mountain Gun would help mitigate the issue.)

Ruger Redhawk: Go ahead, try to wear it out with heavy loads, we dare you. Not quite as svelte as a Smith or refined, but overall is a much tougher piece of steel.

Am I getting this? And I'm looking for a pistol mostly for packing in the woods (never know what you might meet) and plinking at targets of opportunity, plus the possibility of being turned against 4-legged game (whitetails #1).

Sorry to hijack all, please go easy on me...

 

[TK73]

If you can afford it, get both. It'll help the industry and you'll have two great .44 Mag. revolvers. Don't forget to add a Ruger Super Blackhawk and/or Ruger NM Bisley later.

 

[mountainclmbr]

I have had a Dan Wesson for about 22 years. Never had a problem.