Trying to decide between .44's. Help me out!

Which .44 mag would you choose:

  • S+W 629 / m29

    Votes: 47 64.4%

  • Raging Bull

    Votes: 5 6.8%

  • Redhawk / SRH

    Votes: 19 26.0%

  • Other (please list)

    Votes: 2 2.7%
  • Total voters
    73
Dukeoflawnchair

Dukeoflawnchair

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So I'm looking at .44mag revolvers available. After thorough searching of every applicable post I could find, I've wound down to S+W 629 / m29, Raging Bull, and Super Red hawk.

While I would love a .454 casull / .500 SW, I'm going to hold off for availability / cost reasons while I'm still a hobo student (no time to reload much)

I'm looking for something to start off with as plain target shooting at first, end result being wilderness CCW for working in the bush w/ helicopters and plenty of other equipment / apparatus which often hinder slinging the trusty 870.

Look cool factor important, and so is reliability, durability, and shooting ease.

Of course, if you know of a better option that I missed, I'm all ears. Appreciate your opinions / knowledge of / experience with!
 
My choices in order would be:

(1) S&W

(2) Ruger

(3) Taurus

Over the years, I've owned a S&W, shot the Ruger and have handled the Taurus. [and owned a Winchester lever and Ruger bolt rifle in .44 Mag]

Currently don't have a .44............... [switched to the S&W .41 Mag about 15 years ago... ;) ]
 
If your worried about ammo availability, get something chambered in .460 SW. That way you can shoot .45 Colt, 454 Cassull and 460 SW.

You should be able to find 45 Colt anywhere.
 
Look cool factor important, and so is reliability, durability, and shooting ease.
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Well Raging Bull was originally deigned for .454 (first ever DA/SA revolver to be chambered in that caliber! Now also availabw in .500S&W) So it can easily handle hot .44mag loads. I have one and it has been great, very accurate, VERY smooth trigger, and heavy/ported barrel handles recoil well (very little flip even with full power loads :eek: )

IMO it defenetelly has an edge in "cool factor" over the other guns on your list...

I might be able to dig up a picture of mine later...
 
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I like S&W revolvers best. I have not come across one with a bad trigger. I've got some gems. This is actually my short barrel 44 magnum. Just a classy revolver. Might not have enough Wow factor for you.
sw29a.jpg
 
IM_Lugger: Aren't you interested in selling yours? I recall coming across your resale value post :p Inspired me to look up the stainless...do look mighty interesting!
 
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I VOTED REDHAWK ...
I've had about half a dozen of these in Stainless, with barrels of 5" and 7". A couple of these had Magnaporting, and I also did a few up for competition, way back when I used to shoot bowling pins and IPSC revolver.

If you are going to shoot hot loads, or any serious double action [ bowling pins and IPSC revolver ] then the Redhawk will stay in tune a LOT longer than will the N frame Spit & Wobblies.

I've also owned about a dozen S&W N frame revolvers, including a 3" with K frame roundbutt and Magnaport - which should have be licensed as a flare gun, not a pistol. I absolutely loved the old 25-5 target and the newer SS models in .45 ACP. Unfortunately, these did NOT stay tight anywhere as well as the Ruger, in DA shooting, or with heavy loads.

I will say that the Smith single action trigger can be a thing of beauty, but in a BIG revolver, I want something that will stay in tune with BIG loads.

Otherwise,
what is the point??

PS: one of my favorite revolvers of all time, was a .44 Spl Charter Arms 4" Bulldog. It was capable of 5 out of 5 pop cans at 25 yds, all day long with the mild factory 44 Spl loads. When I loaded up HOT .44 Spl loads, I could only hit about 3 or 4 cans before I started to really notice the recoil.

I shot my very first "practical" pistol match circa 1980 with that .44 Bulldog revolver, and 5 shot "speed strips", before I found my way over to the dark side, and dozens of Colt Govt models.

But I may have had just as much fun with that Bulldog, as I have with any other pistol since.

As usual,
with any opinion expressed on the internet,
your personal mileage may vary
[;{)
LAZ 1
 
I agree with Lazerus2000. If you are going to shoot a lot of hot load then it would be a shame to beat up a S&W. It all depends on how much and what kind of shooting you want to do. If you want to shoot a mix of loads then the S&W is fine and quite enjoyable. If you are only interested in a fire breathing dragon then get a Ruger. Or this (another of my toys). But if you want to carry it then consider the weight.
DE-44.jpg


Dukeoflawnchair said:
RudyH: I say that bugger's gorgeous! I've been hearing timing issues w/ the S+W...any validity in that?
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I'm not sure it is so much timing issues (and I really mean I'm not sure) but I know the frame is not as strong as some more modern designs. I think of the S&W as a thoroughbred race horse and Ruger's like a Clydesdale. One is no better than the other. Both have their place.
 
I agree with Lazerus for the same reasons. The Ruger Redhawk shoots fine, and has the advantage of being sturdier and holding up better to a steady diet of heavy loads.
 
I vote Ruging Bull for the cool factor as well and I haven't read any bad reviews about them. Infact they been rated very hign in the State. I love S&W because of my 686.

Trigun
 
standard redhawk for 44 mag- it's plenty heavy enough and really well built- i've got the 7.5 inch version and i really like it- also the standard redhawk feels "beefier" in the grip than the srh- but invest in a set of hogues as well
 
IM_Lugger: Aren't you interested in selling yours? I recall coming across your resale value post :p Inspired me to look up the stainless...do look mighty interesting!
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I forgot about that post lol... I'm actually thinking about getting a .454 version with a 5in barrel... :) (but would need to sell the one I have to get the .454) I'm a semiauto guy but I just had to get one; it just doesn't look like your avarage 6 shooter...;)

EDIT: and here's a picture I promised...:cool:
274_14_10_07_9_33_55.jpg
 
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