44 mag carry guns

[trlcavscout]

So I reload and cast my own 44 bullets so shooting the 44 makes since because I have lots of ammo and components. I have been looking at 44's in 2-3" but I am new to revolvers and don't know what options I have, the only 44 special I found was the charter arms and I am not interested in it. I was looking at the Ruger Alaskan but it is a big chunk of steel! What else is there in that size and under $900?

[encorehunter]

There is a S&W Airweight in 44 mag. Not small but definately lighter.

[Graves]

There is a S&W Airweight in 44 mag. Not small but definately lighter.

And it's a snappy sumbitch with man loads.

With all the other effective options out there I just can't see the point of CC'ing a 44 in any other environment than the woods.

[ray1970]

With all the other effective options out there I just can't see the point of CC'ing a 44 in any other environment than the woods.

This.

Hell, I don't even carry one when I'm out in the mountains. I am more afraid of a dangerous encounter with a two-legged critter than anything else in Colorado.

If I were to decide to carry one, the new S&W model 69 would most likely be my choice. It's an L frame and not an N frame and has just enough barrel to be effective.

[trlcavscout]

There is a S&W Airweight in 44 mag. Not small but definately lighter.


And it's a snappy sumbitch with man loads.

With all the other effective options out there I just can't see the point of CC'ing a 44 in any other environment than the woods.

Thanks, I will have to look some more I thought I read that air weight was discontinued in 44 due to problems? I haven't found a store around here with a big revolver selection to be able to hold them and figure out all the S&W frame sizes. I only hunt, fish, and camp in WY now in grizzly areas mostly so the 44 makes sense, I can't carry at work and I don't need to carry on my days off unless I go to town so mostly its a truck gun with a couple hours of carry here and there. Even the Ruger Alaskan fits my hand and stuff pretty good its just it weighs as much as my dog.


is the 329 the air weight you referred to? I found them on gunbroker but still over priced and all I see is 4" barrels, I would prefer 2"-3".

[Gman]

http://youtu.be/ZHe1f7T5qlE

[trlcavscout]

The 629 is how I'm leaning, I wish I could find one local to check it out though.

[ray1970]

Here's the one I was referring to earlier, the model 69 "combat magnum". If you don't mind the silly lock like all the new Smith's have and can deal with five shots instead of six, this would be a good carry option. The 4.25" barrel should yield better velocity than the shorter ones you were considering and it should carry quite nicely since it is the same size as a 686.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_827559_-1_757769_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

49561

[earplug]

People I know who have carried lightweight N frames quit. Getting decent leather, dealing with speed loaders and weight or recoil.
Unless your paid to carry a N frame like a LEO forty years ago, why bother? I enjoy shooting games with my four N frames 625's and M-29, and I carried a M-27 as a rent a cop. But there are better solutions today.
If your stuck on getting one consider the S&W mountain gun version. or a 8 shot 627 with moon clips.

[trlcavscout]

I understand the options, I normally carry full size Glocks or sigs and don't mind the size and weight, and like I said I really don't carry unless I go to town and then it's mostly a center console gun. I make my own holsters, and ammo is practically free. A few buddies and my stepdad all shoot 44 so I am stocked in brass and lead. Recoil isn't a consideration and I carry 44 special factory ammo when I have carried them in the past which is very manageable even for the wife and kids. If I was gonna get another semi for carry it would be the new HK VP9 which I have been considering but then I have to start all over stockpiling ammo, the way it sits I wouldn't have to load 44 for quite a long time so changing makes no sense.

[trlcavscout]

Here's the one I was referring to earlier, the model 69 "combat magnum". If you don't mind the silly lock like all the new Smith's have and can deal with five shots instead of six, this would be a good carry option. The 4.25" barrel should yield better velocity than the shorter ones you were considering and it should carry quite nicely since it is the same size as a 686.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_827559_-1_757769_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

49561


oh ya I looked at that one, and a big plus is the lower price point, the only thing I don't like is the 4" barrel. The lock is a negative on the smiths but finding a pre lock doesn't look easy. But it's another one I haven't held in person and not totally out of the running.

[Zombie Steve]

If it can be a single action, there's a 3.75" (Bisley or regular grip) grip Super Blackhawk out there... I have a 4.75" that I don't have any issues carrying. They mitigate recoil much better than double action guns, and they point very naturally.

4956349565

As to the scandium frame Smiths, my experience is they are a dream to carry, nightmare to shoot.

[sportbikeco]

I had a 629 3" with non-fluted cylinder. While it was an amazing piece to look at recoil was not fun with magnum rounds.

Also had a super blackhawk with the short barrel, super strong piece but the grip was too small for me and recoil was a unpleasant with full power loads.

Id probobly look at ~4" barreled pistols but I would want to be able to shoot it a bit as well as carry it.


629 and redhawk are probably your best options.

[Zombie Steve]

Full power mag loads aren't going to be fun to shoot in anything short of a 6" barrel IMHO. The nice thing is if you're reloading, you can make something in between special and full house mag loads that is useful, but doesn't kill on both ends. I like 7.8 grains of Unique and a cast 250 grain lswc. From my old 4" 629, I was getting 939 fps. Basically like a standard pressure .45 Colt if you want to look at it that way. For Colorado applications, anything hotter than that becomes an academic exercise of how far the slug will go into the mud after passing completely through the animal.

[trlcavscout]

Full power mag loads aren't going to be fun to shoot in anything short of a 6" barrel IMHO. The nice thing is if you're reloading, you can make something in between special and full house mag loads that is useful, but doesn't kill on both ends. I like 7.8 grains of Unique and a cast 250 grain lswc. From my old 4" 629, I was getting 939 fps. Basically like a standard pressure .45 Colt if you want to look at it that way. For Colorado applications, anything hotter than that becomes an academic exercise of how far the slug will go into the mud after passing completely through the animal.

i have just over 300 pounds worth of 240gr LSWC's sitting under the bench as we'll as the cans of loaded ammo and then some buckets of lead in the garage. I have a few different powders I run in mag and special I think my specials are running 745 FPS for the plinkers and mags are right around 890, so not far off of yours. Then I have some 1010, 1170, and 1340 mag loads for range fun. The titegroup loads are my favorite, but I just love how versatile the 44 is.

[sellersm]

The titegroup loads are my favorite, but I just love how versatile the 44 is.

And this is why I keep debating whether I should get one or not... I think it's one of the most versatile out there. So, who wants to give me one so I can see if I'm right? [Coffee]

[Hummer]

You could always go classic with a lightly used Smith & Wesson model 29. They're out there, and probably appreciate in value. Not sure what one like my 29-2 is worth but it's silky smooth and a sweet shooter. I sometimes carry it while elk and bear hunting.


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/COHummer/Guns/SweetHeartSmiths3_zps4e34bd2f.jpg (http://s59.photobucket.com/user/COHummer/media/Guns/SweetHeartSmiths3_zps4e34bd2f.jpg.html)

[thedave1164]

I had a 629 3" with fluted cyclinder and j frame round butt.

It was a handful but manageable with some 300gr JSP loads from a company in Eagle AK, it was my carry gun when I lived up there.

They are available

[Zombie Steve]

i have just over 300 pounds worth of 240gr LSWC's sitting under the bench as we'll as the cans of loaded ammo and then some buckets of lead in the garage. I have a few different powders I run in mag and special I think my specials are running 745 FPS for the plinkers and mags are right around 890, so not far off of yours. Then I have some 1010, 1170, and 1340 mag loads for range fun. The titegroup loads are my favorite, but I just love how versatile the 44 is.

Whenever the "If you could have only one handgun" threads come up, I always come back to one of my .44's.


And this is why I keep debating whether I should get one or not... I think it's one of the most versatile out there. So, who wants to give me one so I can see if I'm right? [Coffee]

Well, you can shoot mine if you'd like.

[Big E3]

Just for thought, I was in the north Cabela's today and they have a used Taurus 44 spec Ultra Light 5 shot, for $350 ish if IIRC. Not a Smith or Ruger but one way to get up and running for a lower cost.

[ray1970]

Just for thought, I was in the north Cabela's today and they have a used Taurus 44 spec Ultra Light 5 shot, for $350 ish if IRCC. Not a Smith or Ruger but one way to get up and running for a lower cost.

I'll toss out a vote to stay away from the Taurus. The biggest P.O.S. firearm I ever owned was a Taurus revolver. Had a reoccurring condition where it would under rotate the cylinder. Lucky it didn't rotate far enough to catch the edge of the primer with the round not lined up with the barrel. Went back to Taurus under their lifetime warranty to correct the condition three times. Still did the same thing every time it came back.

$350 for a Taurus revolver? No thanks. I'd rather spend twice as much for a S&W or a Ruger.

[trlcavscout]

I thought about one of the new bull dogs for $350 but not any better then taurus and why spend money on a special when the mag does so much more. I would rather just put one on layaway for a couple weeks if I have to, unfortunately I checked 2 gun shops and they can't even get a 629 so gunbroker or gunshow I guess is the only way to get one.

[sellersm]

Keep an eye on the smith & Wesson forum, always one for sale there it seems.

As for Taurus, yep known issue with their 44 line. Avoid them.


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[ray1970]

I checked 2 gun shops and they can't even get a 629 so gunbroker or gunshow I guess is the only way to get one.

You might be hard pressed to find one for a good price at the gun show. I was wanting a 41 mag pretty bad. (Still am actually) Managed to find three of them at the last Tanner show. Best price I was going to pay that day was just over $1,000. Realized I didn't want one that bad.

Seems like the older models are really finding their way into the hands of collectors in recent years and they are getting harder to find and the people selling them are asking premium prices. Wish I would have bought more of them in the late 80's or early 90's when people couldn't hardly give a revolver away. Still kicking myself for not picking up a couple of the U.S. Customs Department trade ins.

[sellersm]

Whenever the "If you could have only one handgun" threads come up, I always come back to one of my .44's.



Well, you can shoot mine if you'd like.

Thanks Steve.


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[h2so4]

I love my 329 pd. light weight and recoil is not nearly as bad as all the internet experts suggest. I have a stainless non fluted cylinder on mine, so that might help a bit with added weight. Either way, if you don't plan to shoot it a ton, it would work great. 4in barrel though...


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[Zombie Steve]

I had a 360PD that was awful with .38 special and horrific with .357 mag. At least with the 329 you have a little more to hold on to, but again, in my experience it was a lot of extra money for a gun I hated and wouldn't practice with. YMMV.

[Schrambo]

I had the 329PD Alaskan Backpacker IV(2.5"), added the S&W 500 grips to tame it down a bit... It was an easy carry and I agree, the recoil wasn't that bad as you might think, especially with the big grips...

[Doc45]

This is along when ever I'm up in the hills or camping/hiking.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i290/doc4545/IMG_3521_zpsf2ae22cf.jpg