Recommendations for cheap .44

bluemike807

bluemike807

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Looking to buy a .44 - Im still very new to pistols, have a .22 and practice with it often; I just want a 44... go figure :p That said, Im a starving student; whats a cheaper model of revolver in .44?
 
Starving student should wait until studies are complete and have viable income to support 44 mag habit.:D
 
do you plan on shooting it, or just owning it? budget around $0.70 each time you pull the trigger, and that's commercial reloads. either you won't shoot it a lot, or the cost of the gun is gonna be the least of your problems... :p

having said that, Ruger Super Blackhawk is around $625 but it's single action

http://www.ellwoodepps.com/new_firearms_ruger.asp
 
Used ruger redhawks go for between 7-800! But .44 is expensive as hell, its not the gun that costs money!!!!! If you want a cheap gun you can't afford .44 mag! Besides if all you shoot is .22 you are guaranteed to start a flinch jumping right up to .44 mag!
 
"Cheap 44"?
ha: I think they're with the Unicorns!..Talk about an oxymoron..Thats like Free Gift or Military Intelligence (f:P:2:) There are some 44s that are less expensive than others but no such thing as a cheap 44, magnum, special or otherwise..Feeding the beast will be expensive unless u reload but as a starving student, heed the advice given above..
dB
 
I'd go with a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag, and get a single stage reloading press.

Or if budget is really tight...(been there, done that) so I understand, and if you are in the Vancouver area, you are welcome to use my Lee Classic Turret reloading set-up, just order .44 magnum dies, brass, and heads. Large primers and suitable powders are available locally.
 
BP7 said:
do you plan on shooting it, or just owning it? budget around $0.70 each time you pull the trigger, and that's commercial reloads.
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Reloading is the only way to go with a .44 Mag. My light loads cost around $0.20/round using 8.0gr of WW231 under a 245gr cast SWC. Full power loads are around $0.25/round with 24.0gr of H110 under the same 245gr SWC.

OP, if you are a student, I would recommend sticking with .22 until you clear school and can afford the feeding of a .44 Mag. Not what you wanted to hear, but by far the most practical route. Shoot lots of rimfire and you will have good technique for when you transition to centerfire pistols after you graduate.

Mark
 
"Cheap 44 mag" is in the same league as " Virgin Bride" and " Gun-Rights Liberal". The only one you might find within a shout of 500 bucks would be a Super Blackhawk. Don't despair though, it's an excellent choice.
 
Reloading a good quality cast bullet in the .44 can make it surprising affordable, the excellent Keith 245gr. SWC is costing about .09 cents each from M.T. Chambers, just mention this so you can do the math.
 
Why not a Colt 1848 Dragoon repro do your reloading at the range..........
It's not double action but it would be a new gun and if you shop around it would be cheap to shoot.
 
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It seems to me that shooting a .44 handgun with full power cast bullets is similar in cost to shooting low velocity cast bullet loads in a .30 caliber rifle, and cheaper than shooting cast bullets loads in my .375.
 
Boomer said:
It seems to me that shooting a .44 handgun with full power cast bullets is similar in cost to shooting low velocity cast bullet loads in a .30 caliber rifle, and cheaper than shooting cast bullets loads in my .375.
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nothing is cheap in the land of taxes.... :(
 
Used S&W Model 29s are fairly easy to find in good condition for reasonable prices. Don't bother getting a .44 Magnum unless you plan on reloading for it.
 
Maybe look at a 357 mag You can shoot 38's that are cheap and a hot 357. That would be a good center fire starter gun. Most guys probably own at least one 357 revolver.
 
tjhaile said:
Used S&W Model 29s are fairly easy to find in good condition for reasonable prices. Don't bother getting a .44 Magnum unless you plan on reloading for it.
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A "reasonable" price for a model 29, is still hardly "cheap." A well used Super Blackhawk will run about half the price of a used model 29 (450 vs 900, approx), it's true with single action you have to #### the trigger every shot, yes, but if you're loading balls out full bore loads, it's not like you'd be double tapping with a double action. I can fire my SBH as quickly as I can get back on target, cocking as I bring the gun back from the pointing directly up that 25 gr H110 will send it.

You'll find if money is an issue, William Ruger is a good friend to have :p Just don't let his Fuddliness get you down. I'm sure he's spinning faster and faster in his grave with every new concealed carry pistol and SR556 they sell.
 
curtmg said:
A "reasonable" price for a model 29, is still hardly "cheap." A well used Super Blackhawk will run about half the price of a used model 29 (450 vs 900, approx), it's true with single action you have to #### the trigger every shot, yes, but if you're loading balls out full bore loads, it's not like you'd be double tapping with a double action. I can fire my SBH as quickly as I can get back on target, cocking as I bring the gun back from the pointing directly up that 25 gr H110 will send it.

You'll find if money is an issue, William Ruger is a good friend to have :p Just don't let his Fuddliness get you down. I'm sure he's spinning faster and faster in his grave with every new concealed carry pistol and SR556 they sell.
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If you shop around, you can often find secondhand Model 29s for around $700-800, which I hardly think to be cost prohibitive. Ultimately, you should get the gun that best fits your preferences, rather than focusing on the price. Remember, you will spend far more on components in the long run than on the gun. If you're a broke student, you should probably hold off until you have a steady income.

Personally, I like double action revolvers because I prefer the swing out cylinder and I actually do use the double action when shooting reduced loads.
 
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