- Location
- Ontario, Kanada
Personally, id go with the model 29 (blued of course)
Trying to decide between .44's. Help me out!
- Thread starter Dukeoflawnchair
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I think the S&W M-29 is the most aesthetically pleasing .44 available, but because I load max loads with heavy bullets my choice would be a Ruger. I prefer the look of the Redhawk to the Super, and in a recently outing with a Super I found that the rubber grips with the wood inlays were more punishing than the solid wood grips of the Redhawk. My own gun is an SBH, because the SA grip fits my hand the best, and handles recoil better than a DA grip. For what it's worth, the Dan Wesson is the most accurate .44 I've ever shot.
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Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
The Smith is the "nicest" gun, but if you are actually planning to shoot it alot, and can only afford 1 gun, I would buy a 5-1/2" Redhawk.
One of these days I'm going to break down & buy 1 myself.
I actually don't own a .44 Mag in any of the choices, but I do have extensive 2nd party experiance with all but the Taurus.
My shooting buddy has put @20,000+ rounds thru his 7-1/2" Redhawk w/o a problem.
The Super Redhawk is just too f'n big.
The Smith M.29-629 is a beautiful gun, but really not built for abuse.
One of these days I'm going to break down & buy 1 myself.
I actually don't own a .44 Mag in any of the choices, but I do have extensive 2nd party experiance with all but the Taurus.
My shooting buddy has put @20,000+ rounds thru his 7-1/2" Redhawk w/o a problem.
The Super Redhawk is just too f'n big.
The Smith M.29-629 is a beautiful gun, but really not built for abuse.
the only trouble with the standard redhawk is the way the scope mounts- you have to go with the 7.5 inch if you want to scope it as the scope mounts to the barrel- and a "short" scope to boot- i had a 2x7 on mine and had to remove the front sight with the scope attached as the bell was directly over the fwd sight-with the super, the rings attach to the frame, so you can use whatever scope you like, provided you wish to scope it
I prefer Smiths, but if you plan on shooting a lot, get the Ruger. Taurus warranty sucks in this country, DWs are great guns, but parts and service are an issue as well. The Anaconda is a nice 44, but too spendy for what is essentially a scaled up Mk 5/KC. - dan
"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."
LOL, I still shoot one of those, great little guns. - dan
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."
LOL, I still shoot one of those, great little guns. - dan
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Although Rugers are strong, I would still go with a S&W 629 Classic with 5 inch full underlug and the rounded off grip. Rugers are strong, but they have too much weight IMHO.
For in and out of vehicles, this is your shortest/handiest factory option, would be the 629 (without 12-6)and still with enough barrel length to maintain good velocity.
Stainless steel, although not as pretty as a nicer blued firearm, this is a far more durable finish for outdoors use.
The double action option, could be a life saver at biting range, if one can maintain grip on your sidearm(!?!)
There are really nice lanyard rings, as an after-market accessory, for when in a sleeping bag in a tent, this would be nice to have at 0-dark thirty, when you really really need it.
I am unsure who makes them, but I am sure you could find these on the internet somewhere, somehow.
(try Alaska Outdoors Forum)
I would shoot 240 grain factory or equilivant handloads,mostly at the range. A reconfirm with stiffer 300 hard cast just to keep proficency, and confirm site settings, once in a while.
Whatever holster you go with, ensure it protects your sights, front and rear.
And in the bush, load these 300 hard cast lead WFN, for deepest penetration and knockdown power. Loaded to an adequate velocity that will not be too hard on your piece.
PS Duke, you will look really cool when you get into a scrape with a bear, and walk away alive, with your face intact....and your scalp untouched by furry paws.
For in and out of vehicles, this is your shortest/handiest factory option, would be the 629 (without 12-6)and still with enough barrel length to maintain good velocity.
Stainless steel, although not as pretty as a nicer blued firearm, this is a far more durable finish for outdoors use.
The double action option, could be a life saver at biting range, if one can maintain grip on your sidearm(!?!)
There are really nice lanyard rings, as an after-market accessory, for when in a sleeping bag in a tent, this would be nice to have at 0-dark thirty, when you really really need it.
I am unsure who makes them, but I am sure you could find these on the internet somewhere, somehow.
(try Alaska Outdoors Forum)
I would shoot 240 grain factory or equilivant handloads,mostly at the range. A reconfirm with stiffer 300 hard cast just to keep proficency, and confirm site settings, once in a while.
Whatever holster you go with, ensure it protects your sights, front and rear.
And in the bush, load these 300 hard cast lead WFN, for deepest penetration and knockdown power. Loaded to an adequate velocity that will not be too hard on your piece.
PS Duke, you will look really cool when you get into a scrape with a bear, and walk away alive, with your face intact....and your scalp untouched by furry paws.
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