Snub .44 Magnum Opinions

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The 2 3/4 Smith 69 has been on my short list since it came out, I’d rather have the Ruger Alaskan but can’t justify the higher price tag for a fun gun. Already own a 7.5” SRH for serious work and will limit the snub for low to mid power loads for general fun and woods carry.
 
sabbfan said:
The 2 3/4 Smith 69 has been on my short list since it came out, I’d rather have the Ruger Alaskan but can’t justify the higher price tag for a fun gun. Already own a 7.5” SRH for serious work and will limit the snub for low to mid power loads for general fun and woods carry.
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interesting.... I can get a Model 69 for about $750 with a 2.75” barrel. That may be a good option.
 
Your choice of the Diamond D chest rig is right on for both practicality and versatility.
I have and everyday carry a S&W 629 3” and shoot extensively (.44 Spec for target and .44 Mag for training)
Hicock45 has numerous video reviews of this set up - tho I don’t purport to measure up to him
For me the critical factor was finding the (best for me) ergonomic grip. Many factory and aftermarket grips abound. The .44 Mag is a handful even if you are Elmer Keith but manageable with the right fit. I tried the 629 Performance before the 639 3” deluxe and felt it fit immediately.
moose
There is room for all of God’s creatures ... right next to the mashed potatoes
 
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moose1858 said:
Your choice of the Diamond D chest rig is right on for both practicality and durability.
I have and everyday carry a S&W 629 3” and shoot extensively (.44 Spec for target and .44 Mag for training)
Hicock45 has numerous video reviews of this set up - tho I don’t purport to measure up to him
For me the critical factor was finding the (best for me) ergonomic grip. Many factory and aftermarket grips abound. The .44 Mag is a handful even if you are Elmer Keith but manageable with the right fit. I tried the 629 Performance before the 639 3” deluxe and felt it fit immediately.
moose
There is room for all of God’s creatures ... right next to the mashed potatoes
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Thanks for the reply! I have some other Diamond D Holsters and shell carriers. Quality is top notch. I forgot that Hickok used one in one of his reviews....Alaskan, maybe.
 
guyfromohio said:
I have no other reason other than I think they are pretty cool. I am not a guide, but I do hunt deer with a .44 Mag lever action. I don’t need this. I want it. It will go in a Diamond D chest rig.

I’m down to a choice between two options. The Smith and Wesson 629 Performance Center and the Ruger Alaskan. Both in stock at LGS. Close enough in price to not be a factor.

Smith has the lighter weight for carry comfort. Ruger has the heavier weight for shooting advantage.

Does anyone have any experience with either? Any advice?

View attachment 926741
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My choice would be the 629 because I would be inclined to discreetly carry it under a cover garment with .44 special loads. That would be pretty cool.

If I were going up into bear country for whatever reason, I'd opt for the Ruger.

JMHO
 
No no no no no 44 magnum snubies:what:
You will regret it
44 magnum belongs in guns with 4 inch barrels or longer only.
stick to 357 Magnum
 
I own a 44 mag Redhawk Kodiak Backpacker with 2.75" barrel. I also own a longer 6.5" Smith 629 classic.

They're both fun guns to shoot but I'd have to say the Redhawk feels better in my hand. Prolly cause the Smith is so nose heavy.
 
Dunross said:
Back in the day when I used to run a range we had a fellow who would come out from time to time to shoot a 44mag snubby with full-power loads. He could barely keep a cylinder full on the paper at seven yards, but I don't think he cared. He was mostly in it for the enormous muzzle flash and thunderous boom. I would put ear plugs in under my muffs when he showed up.

It's your money, but to my mind a great deal of what a 44 magnum can do for you isn't really gained with such a short barrel length.
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My hands and ears hurt just thinking about shooting a 44 snubbie with hot loads.
 
I had a 44c Taurus for awhile. Great little gun, made firing 300gr hot 44 mags a breeze.

I only got rid of it because my dad really wanted it, otherwise I'd still have it
 
My Ruger Alaskan is my favorite. I have a Kodiak as well but it is a little more frisky. I have another with a birds head gripwhich looks cool but can be challenge with hotter loads.
 
I’m a S&W guy, but for me it’s not even close. Ruger SR Alaskan all the way. I ended up getting one and now it is one of my favorite guns. With the factory tamer grips recoil is not bad. All of my friends smile when they fire full power loads out of it. The gun makes it fun instead of painful. Even though it has a short barrel it is a very heavy and a very thick gun. It is also a very attractive gun that everyone wants to hold. On a side note, it shoots 44 specials so easy it feels like a .22.
 
If you want a 44 that is built like a brick $#!% house, shoots like a dream, dead on accurate, and people stop and stare...one word... Anaconda
 
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Anacondas great if you got an extra $2,000 hang around otherwise pick up a nice Red hawk for 500 bucks but make sure it's got a 5 inch barrel so you can actually use it for something practical and have your hands and knuckles usable later in life

Also a Dan Wesson 44 is built stronger than a anaconda you can pick one up for 700
 
I own a blued Astra .44 Magnum revolver with 2 and 3/8 inch barrel. I didn't find shooting it intimidating and I was using electronic hearing protection at an indoor range. The marketing term for these guns was "The Terminator". They were manufactured in .44 Magnum, .41 Magnum, and .45 Long Colt. I've only seen one in .45 Long Colt, and I've never yet seen one in .41 Magnum.
 
All I'm gonna say is at $1000 for either that Smith or Ruger, don't rule out the 5 shot Taurus Tracker .44 that's literally half the price.
 
I'll never deny a man wanting to buy a gun , so my hat off to you and you are definitely a brave men. Based on my 686+ with a 3" barrel that I carry, personally I would never ever consider buying a snub nose in 44 mag. I can't even began to imagine the recoil with that caliber. As it is with my gun I have to put gloves on shooting full loads after one box because it gets painful. Normally I shoot 200 rounds every range session twice a week . As I am a S&W fan I know which I would choose from the ones you posted. Go for it. I do own a 44 mag with a 12" barrel and I have taken a couple of deer with it and it is fun to shoot.
8nDlkyol.jpg
 
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ms6852 said:
... I can't even began to imagine the recoil with that caliber. ...
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You might be surprised.

Using American Eagle full-power 240gr jacketed rounds ...

When I got my 3" 629-1, on several occasions, at their request, I took both my Assistant and my Accountant (two ladies, ~45 & ~25, resp) out to the sand pit a few hundred yards behind the property and taught them to shoot it. For targets, we used old golfballs (as I recall at ~20'). They loved it ... and both got to be pretty good shots.

When you hit a golfball it would **disappear** ... and often return to earth within our hearing 15-20 seconds later. :)

EDIT: BTW, neither of these ladies was a "gun person" ... prior to meeting me, that is. ;)
 
GBExpat said:
For targets, we used old golfballs (as I recall at ~20'). They loved it ... and both got to be pretty good shots.

When you hit a golfball it would **disappear** ... and often return to earth within our hearing 15-20 seconds later. :)
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That is impressive.
 
Mr.Revolverguy said:
Those Matt bullets look awesome may have to try a few.

I say the 629PC and I have shot both and ended up owning the 629PC. Changed out the rear sight for something a little more robust



With 44special I call it my Ultimate Defense Revolver
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Awesome! I’m probably looking towards end of July, but leaning towards the Smith.... either the PC snub or the 5-shot 69
 
ms6852 said:
That is impressive.
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Indeed! Those two gals were amazing!

I had never started out any shooters with such a serious piece, but they insisted. They took to it like fish to water.

I had my 184- Mini-14 that they also loved ... but they both kept coming back to the 629. Part of the attraction may have been that they wanted to make more golfballs disappear. It was fun. :)
 
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