Which 44 Mag?

[RRP]

I'm going to buy a 44 mag, for no reason other than "I want one". It will be a range toy, exclusively. I have no plans to add a scope, or to use it for hunting.

Which revolver do you recommend?

[Bawanna]

I'm partial to Ruger Super Blackhawks. Just like single actions. If DA is your cup of tea the Smith 629 is the king.

I have a 6" classic hunter 629, great gun, my son has the Mountain Gun in 4". Both nice.

I play more with my Rugers for some reason.

[DeaconKC]

I'm an admitted S&W snob, so i have to go with the traditional Model 29.

[CJB]

Redhawk Alaskan

FWIW, I'm convinced the Redhawk is hands down, the very strongest, most long lived, most accurate .44 Double Action out there.

Then again, there's the .44 Super Blackhawk

[Planedude]

Price point? Ruger or Taurus
Cool factor? Smith & Wesson
Hollywood? The Smith or the Desert Eagle
Strong & Simple? Ruger Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk.

Lots of pretty toys to pick from...


Have fun!

[HD Springer]

Colt Anaconda, if you can find one. Smith owners and Ruger owners are both impressed with mine.

[mr surveyor]

I've become quite fond of the (1996 model) Ruger Super RedHawk I traded for about a year ago. The Rugers can handle any spec load you put through them without a hiccup. With a little parts smoothing and a one step down in spring(s) power, the single action trigger breaks as good as any single action I've ever fired. And the double action trigger, even though still a bit stout, is still there if you need to get off a really fast second shot. The weight makes even the stout magnum loads easily manageable, although I'm still hoping to find the time to finish working up the most accurate cast boolit load (which ain't gonna be a barn burner, nor does it need to be).

[OldLincoln]

Doubt that I could hang one to one so I'll wait until they come out with the two handed version. That's with a second grip pointing upward above the action and you shoot it sideways like a gangsta.

I looked at a pic of the Alaska model and it seems like a lot of powder to burn in such a short barrel. Must have a hot powder for that one.

[TheTman]

Pre-Lock S&W Model 629 Classic

[RRP]

It's unlikely I'll find an AA frame Colt around here. I certainly would add it to the list of possible candidates, if I saw one. I'm expecting my choices to be mostly limited to Smiths and Rugers. I had not even thought of Taurus. I'm not familiar with their product line anymore, but it doesn't hurt to broaden my search.

Thanks for the recommendations, fellas. I need to educate myself a bit more so I'm ready to make an informed choice when I stumble upon something of interest. I like your suggestions. I could have fun with any of them.

[Barth]

Ruger Super Redhawk - Damn that looks good...

I love my S&W 629-2 Mountain Gun.
All four of my revolvers are S&W.

But If I wanted a range only 44 mag?
I'd likely go for a Ruger Super Redhawk.

[CJB]

I personally never liked the lockup of the Colt, or the Smith for that matter... when compared to the "crane lever in frame" up front that Ruger uses. The result is the tightest and strongest front lockup in all of revolverdom.

The Smith 29's are not noted to come apart, the Anaconda is .. well.. its a Colt, made during the most wonderful period of Colt's less than inspirational production. But there's something about the Ruger's bank vault front end lockup that is rather reassuring when you're stuffing banana sized cartridges up those six gaping chambers.

I used to own of the first Lew Horton 2-1/2 inch model 29's. My knuckle still remembers.... and so do a lot of other knuckles. That gun got passed from each range employee who thought it would be different for them, and a few customers too. They all had middle finger knuckle syndrome. Cold mornings are still a ***** because of that gun.

The Ruger does not suffer from same problem, and its a pleasure to shoot.... for a .44mag.

Personally, I'd rather have a nice .45 Long Colt

[jeepster09]

I guess if you don't have one yet, a 44 magnum, I would consider a Smith and Wesson 460 five inch, it is more versatile.

[Armybrat]

Since I already have this old sweet piece, the next choice will be a Redhawk, then a Super Blackhawk:

[ltxi]

The only handguns I own in .45 Colt and .44 mag are sa Rugers. For whatever reason I've never much had an attraction to either caliber in da's.