Why should I buy a .44 Magnum Revolver?

[clutch]

Hey, you can't be a real man with out having one.

Seriously, the .44 mag is a great revolver caliber.

Like others said, you have to handload to get the most out of it.

Mine is a Ruger Superblackhawk which might not be your cup of tea being a single action but I have to tell you it is a lot of fun after you have shot your bear stoppers and settled on some loadings a bit more mid range for fun.

Did you really think we would talk another guy out of buying another gun?

Clutch

 

[Sam1911]

The irony for me is that, after living for years now with a 629, I have a vague desire to someday pick up a .500.

The 4" 629 is just the perfect size and power. The rounds I make cover a huge swath of what I view as the exact middle of the power spectrum for most uses.

Recoil with even the stoutest loads (300 gr./1,300 fps is about the hottest I commonly use) is perfectly controllable. I've run "Bill Drills" with those -- shoot them weak-hand-only, etc.

It really doesn't weigh that much. On a 5-mile hike the 40 oz. wheelgun is not dragging me down (good belt, good holster).

It's just a terrific gun and fits me very well.

But, all that means I kind of want a big gun now. Don't need one, of course, but there definitely exists a void at the top end of my power spectrum.

Odd how that happens.

 

[Shimitup]

Sam1911 I know exactly how you feel, I'd love to have something bigger, a sad reality check says I can't afford to feed it.

 

[hddeluxe]

OK. Since the OP requested reasons to buy and a rough price range, as well as thoughts about buying new or used, I will chime in on the price range for the used side. Since I am frugal at heart I buy almost all my guns used. I currently have a S&W model 29-2, and a Ruger Super Blackhawk. Both were safe queens when I bought them and were/are in excellent condition. I paid $400 for the Ruger and less than $400 for the S&W.

Granted the above prices are not normal, but they can be found. The Ruger in either Super Blackhawk or Redhawk would run in the $400-$600 range. The model 29 Smiths would be about $500-$650. I am also looking at working a deal on a magna ported S&W Model 629 Classic for about $450.

As with anything, your area may demand higher or lower prices. Just food for thought and an attempt to answer the OP.

 

[captain awesome]

to the few mentioning how expensive it is to reload for the 500 and other big bores, once you have the brass, its really not that bad. if you cast then its even better, free or inexpensive lead from tire shops, my reloads for mine are down well below $.20 a piece.

 

[griff383]

I had a 460 barrel for my encore and loved it, when even more disposable funds become available I will probably get one.

This had been a very informative thread for me so thanks for all the information.

Is there a simple way to date the revolver?

 

[S&Wfan]

What? No photos yet?!! That's almost criminal!!!

A five or six inch S&W Model 29 or 629 is one heck of a sweet .44 Magnum. As others have mentioned, you can load 'em hot or mild, and use .44 Russian, .44 Special and .44 Magnum brass and/or loaded ammo in 'em. This makes it very versatile.

Loaded with .44 Special self defense ammo, it is on par with a .45ACP for effect and ease of shooting. Loaded .44 Magnum hunting ammo it will do the trick in the field too!

I prefer the blued guns, so mine is a Model 29-5 made in late 1989. It has the "Endurance" package features that began with the 29-3E revolvers and forward so it is plenty strong indeed. I hunt with 300gn .44 mag ammo and have for over ten years with this accurate revolver. BTW, what appears to be a "port" on the top of the barrel is actually where the removed S&W 4-way adjustable "Silhouette" front sight was mounted (since I don't need it on the revolver).

The revolver is sitting atop the hide of a rare piebald Whitetail buck that I took with this revolver, one of many deer that have fallen to this revolver!

Here's a buck from the current season:

. . . and from last season:

 

[Wolfeye]

Griff383,

The only S&W .44 I've been tempted by is the model 629 Mountain Gun. It's probably more for carrying, less for hunting, and is harder to find than the standard models. However, having packed a 6" 629 for a week's hike at a time I can attest that they get heavy after a while. The Mountain Gun has always struck me as the ideal weight between the standard models & the scandium ones. The 4" barrel might not be legal for hunting with in all states, though; I'm not too familiar with handgun hunting laws, to be honest.

Don't overlook the Ruger Redhawk, either. I didn't think much of them until I saw one side by side with a 629. They simply look & feel like they eat magnums with laughter. I just wish their grips felt better. I can't stand the looks of their other model, the Super Redhawk.

If you're thinking of pairing up a .44 revolver with a lever-action later on, you might consider the .444 marlin. You can handload them with some of the same bullets as .44 magnum; just be careful to choose ones that won't peel apart at rifle velocities. Food for thought.

 

[Stainz]

A few corrections...

As to old vs new - that's up to you. I'll take recent/new - in SS, ie, the 629 - for easier care and the insurance of the endurance enhancements. As to engineering changes, the 629-3 ('89) had the 'endurance enhancements'. The -4 added the topstrap being drilled/tapped for a scope mount, if wanted. The -5 ('97) subbed both a MIM hammer and trigger. The -6 ('01) added the Infernal Lock (IL). My 629's are, both the 4" (SKU #163603) and 6" (SKU #163606), recent (Last 5.5 yr) purchases and 629-6's - like current new stock. They are fantastic - with great triggers. One got lighter effort Wolff's when it was new - I can't tell which now! They weigh 41.5 oz & 45.5 oz, making the 4" production 629 2 oz heavier than a 629 MG - and .5-1.0 oz heavier than a 4" 686/GP-100. BTW, my first .44 was a 629MG - which I replaced with a standard production 4" 629. The added two ounces gets you a bit more mass out front in the tube, both a larger hammer and trigger, and a RR/WO sight set vs the MG's blk/blk.

Want to hunt? Replace the rear sight on the 6"-er with a Weigand rail, add some Weaver rings, a 2x28 scope (Weaver H2 shown), and the S&W/Hogue .500 Magnum monogrips with some 'real' Magnums - and let 'em rip. I don't hunt - it was fun like that as a 100yd plinker - for a while - then back to my favored iron sights.



My 629's are really .44 Specials - like their 'real' .44 Special siblings, see the wood grips below:



I agree - the .44 is a reloader's dream. Start with shorty - and very mild - .44 Russians - go to mild to mediocre .44 Specials - then to real .44 Magnums - all in a 29/629. Just heed my advice - clean the chambers well after shooting short-cased rounds before loading .44 Magnums. I mainly shoot my wimpy .44 Magnums, which would embarrass Elmer Keith... he'd load .44 Russians hotter! Funny how things change as you age - my first DA capable revolver was a then recently introduced .454 Casull SRH. My last two purchases were J-frames - a 3" 60 Pro, which will likely never see a real .357 Magnum, and a 3" 63 (.22 rimfire). I answer to myself... and I am happy... need more pink grips, of course...

Now, if you don't reload - but still want a big bore - an affordable to feed one, that is - get a 625JM, some moonclips, and enjoy .45 ACP's!

Stainz

 

[NMGonzo]

I pack a .44 because my gf is scared of cows.

It comforts her to know that I can make beef and veal out of those rabid cows.

That being said, were there are cows here also cougars are present.

It comforts me to know that I have a chance with the .44 against the cats ... if I am ever lucky enough to see one.

 

[BCRider]

It comforts me to know that I have a chance with the .44 against the cats ... if I am ever lucky enough to see one.

There's some tests of character and inner strength that I'd rather not have to experience. Facing down a big cat at close range, handgun or no, that's looking at me like a blue rare tenderloin would be one that qualifies. It would be just too easy for things to go the wrong way.

 

[Buck Snort]

.44 special ammo is even more costly, if you plan to shoot them. The only way I can afford to shoot the specials are to reload. It is also very hard (and I mean HARD) to find .44 special ammo and it usually runs about $8.00 to $10.00 more per box than magnums. I haven't even seen brass at the local gun stores. The only brass I've found is on the internet. As far as .44s go, Ruger's Super Blackhawk, or Redhawk line are very strong and will take the most punishing .44 mags, with heavier bullets due to the increased length of the cylinder.

I paid about $45 for a box of cowboy load 44 spec. My next move was to order some brass from Midway!

 

[OregonJohnny]

The .44 Magnum cartridge got me into reloading, and I'm grateful for it.

I didn't like paying $35 for 50 rounds of "plinking" ammo, and I thought that I could never like my 4" Redhawk, because of the recoil with even these "plinking" rounds. I wanted to be able to load up some mild .44 Special level loads in order to begin to like my Redhawk. It worked, and I've been steadily reloading for 5 different calibers since!

I'd say the greatest thing about the .44 Magnum cartridge is it's versatility. Between my Marlin 1894 rifle, my Ruger Redhawk revolver, and my reloading press, I can do just about anything with this single cartridge. I've even read a few anecdotes over the years about the .44 Magnum taking every game animal on the planet. That may be just a bit exaggerated, but it's certainly capable in the right hands, in the right firearm, with the right loading, at reasonable ranges.

The .44 Magnum just has that "certain something", and can be a reloader's dream.

 

[Buck Snort]

I pack a .44 because my gf is scared of cows.

It comforts her to know that I can make beef and veal out of those rabid cows.

That being said, were there are cows here also cougars are present.

It comforts me to know that I have a chance with the .44 against the cats ... if I am ever lucky enough to see one.

You doggone right you have a "chance" with the 44 mag against the cats!! That's a whale of an understatement.

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

Because every time you pull the trigger on a .44 magnum, you'll have a smile on your face.

Yup. Others have covered all of the other reasons to buy one, and I agree with all of them.

At the end of the day, however, the satisfaction - the joy - of shooting a great big honkin' .44 is just this side of obscene.

My .44s are the most fun I can have at the range. I always take at least 3 guns to shoot (usually more), and I always save back the .44 for last. I like to end on a high note.

KR

 

[DM~]

Here's my 44's,



I "by far" prefer the S&W's, i've taken everything from moose on down with the 6", and won many a long range pistol shoot with both the 6" and the 8-3/8".

DM

 

[oasis618]

Because big gun make big bang and put big smile on face.

 

[RogueLeader]

I've owned 3 .44 magnums. I had a Super Blackhawk and a S&W 6 1/2 inch Model 29. Wish I still had the S&W, but ended up selling it. My current .44 mag is a Taurus Tracker with a 4" barrel. I can't shoot bullets much heavier than 240 grains as it has a short cylinder. But at 4" with the ported barrel, this revolver is fun to shoot. It is a little punchy with near maximum loads, but is still very manageable. I just like the caliber and all it has to offer. Just a short story about my Super Blackhawk. I was at an improvised range and was shooting some .44 Specials. Another person showed up, and said the .44 was really mild (he wasn't wearing ear protection and was standing about 5 feet to the side behind the gun.) I told him I was shooting specials in it. I then put a magnum round in one of the chambers. He got a real good dose of what a magnum sounds like and recoils like. Another friend fell in love with the .44 magnum after shooting the SB. He didn't really care for the cartridge before shooting it.

 

[x_wrench]

i bought a 6" 629 a few years ago for several reasons. the reason i used to justify it with was for deer hunting. i truly enjoy shooting it now. when i first bought it, i took it out with full house hunting loads. after 12 rounds, my hand was pretty sore, and i was a little taken back by what i had just purchased. the next week was our anual flea market, and i was fortunate enough to find a man that sold me 300 empties for $50.00. he said they were his brothers, and had no idea how many times they had been shot. i figured them as range brass. and figured that as long as i got 2 loadings out of them, i got a good deal. anyway, i am still shooting many of them. once i purchased the reloading equipmint for it, which was dies and bullets, i downloaded several boxes to 44 special specs, and had a blast. then, slowly, i worked up to full magnum loads, and all is fine now. i can shoot fairly well out to about 30 yards, which is how far i can see with my eyes. i have decided that i NEED a scope to actually hunt with this. imo, just go buy it, load up a batch of 44 specials, and go have fun!

 

[Topkick]

Why buy a .44 Mag?????, Because they are neat, And - You Want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

 

[wcwhitey]

I really like the N frame .44's and would not pass a good deal on a 29 or 629. However, my hunting and field gun is a Ruger SBH with a little custom work to make it mine. I took the 7 1/2" barrel down to 5" even and installed a Weigand front sight that allows me to shoot powder puff Specials to 300 grain monsters with a quick change of the blade. The balance is perfect and the gun is super accurate. A very versatile revolver. It even looks good after a couple applications of Mothers wheel polish and Ivory stocks. Sorry no pictures I am in the process of switching photo's over to a new computer. However, all totaled I am maybe $500 into this revolver. This is for a gun that is great on the range, in the field and quite the whitetail getter. I stopped carrying a rifle in the woods since I added this .44 to my collection. I guess you can tell I like the .44 Magnum. Bill

 

[griff383]

Quite a following for this cartridge. I think Ill start looking and at the same time convince the warden this is another needed tool so that hopefully when I find one I like she wont veto it right away.

 

[jad0110]

Why buy a .44 Mag?????, Because they are neat, And - You Want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Yep, if you reload or have bottomless pockets, I have to agree.

Everyone needs a nice blue Model 29 ... along with about 4 dozen other makes models !












I often conceal carry a 4" S&W Model 28, loaded with heavy .38s (for controllability). I figure if I'm gonna carry a 4" N frame with .38s, I may as well carry a 4" N Frame with .44s .

But darn, if this 29 isn't in perfect condition. Normally I appreciate holster wear, but I guess I'll have to find a beater in good mechanical shape.

 

[griff383]

jad0110 that is a B-E-A-utiful piece. Im super jealous now, better get off my rump and get going on this eh?

 

[Walkalong]

Yes, you need one. Lots of fun, and, as posted, super versatile if you reload. If you don't have a .357, get one, then get the .44 Mag later. (But not too much later)

Ruger Redhawk

Astra

I have had a S&W 29-3 twice, but sold one, then bought another, then traded it.