Which .44 magnum revolver

[skidder]

I wouldn't mind having the 4" Redhawk, but the 5.5" is a nice do-all length.

[gandog56]

Well, If you could afford one I would look for a Dan Wesson 744VH pistol pack. The gun uses 4 removable legnth barrels, a 4", 6", 8", and 10". It's like getting four guns at once.

Here is a pic of my Dan Wesson 15-2VH pistol pack in .357 magnum, and I LOVE IT!

[jason_iowa]

I wish dan wesson were still making them. I would love to have a set in several calibers. Same with Colt, fantastic revolvers that I missed out on.

[Lost Sheep]

Originally Posted by jason_iowa

I wish dan wesson were still making them.

I believe they are still making two models, 445 Supermag revolver called the Alaskan Special (itself similar to the 7460) and the 715 series stainless revolver in .357 Magnum.

Not sure, though. Still kicking myself for selling my Monson-built pistol pack and cannot bear to even go to their web site.

Lost Sheep

[oplofilo]

...I am so happy with my 629 Performance Center...
Even full load charges are easy to handle and the trigger is very smooth.

[Gdawgs]

I know how you feel about the pistol pack Lost Sheep. My dad gave me a pistol pack a few years back, and it is one of my favorites. The day I get rid of it will be when I pass it on to one of my kids when I'm an old man.

[AZ-Quailhunter]

I have to agree with some here that a .44 Magnum of ANY type is just too
much recoil to absorb with a shorter barrel. I have a SBH 7.5 inch and a
5.5 inch. The strength of the Blackhawk is awesome and I happen to like my
single actions way more than my doubles. .44's shine with longer barrels. If it is a carry weapon....well..thats another story....but everyday "shooting guns" are just much better served with longer barrels...just my 40 plus years experience with them. YMMV

[Niner4Tango]

In the market for a 44 magnum revolver 4" or less for the barrel. What do you guys recommend??

I agree with the 4" or less. 6" is nice for target shooting. For carrying, fighting, defending yourself, 4".

[Ozzieman]

Niner4Tango
Nice photo!

[publius]

S&W or Ruger. Buy whichever one feels better and is "prettier" to you.

[Pond, James Pond]

As I said, I have 4" Redhawk and so I really like Skidder's 5.5 Redhawk, but by Neptune's trident, I have to say Niner4Tango's S&W looks phenomenal!!

[savit260]

I found a Redhawk I couldn't resist...



but I sure wouldn't mind a nice pre lock Model 29 to go with it.

[gandog56]

Besides, with the bog wood grips on my Dan Wesson putting a snubbie 2.5" barrel just makes it look silly.

[kahrguy]

Over at Thefirearmforum in the handgun section gpbalou has a 15-2 he talking about selling and bought it new in 1977 I think. Don't know much about what it is but a PM might get some one a deal. I have enought 357DW's now or I would ask him.

gangdog56 , A 15 series dw with a small grip LJ grip and one of EWKarms 3' barrel and shrouds looks just right. Nice pistol pack

[Hundy]

I agree with most here, it comes down to your own prefrence, of look and feel. For me I don't yet have a 44. I do have a Smith and Wesson 6" 357mag and I love that revolver. Good Luck, happy hunting.

Jay

[Boomer58cal]

I have 2 super back hawks and a super red. You can't go wrong

[ClydeFrog]

If you want a high quality DA(double action) .44magnum, I'd opt for the Ruger Super RedHawk models. S&W is good & offers many variants of the big .44magnum but they also have the stupid "lawyer locks"
These security locks are unpopular with many shooters & in the .44magnum line have documented problems.
Author & sworn LE officer; Massad Ayoob wrote a 2000s era gun magazine article about how a police detective who packed a snub model 629 .44magnum(pre-lock) bought a new Sc model S&W .44magnum(with a security lock) and it had major problems on the firing range.

The Ruger AK snub in .44magnum is popular. It's stainless steel, robust and has adj sights. Crimsontrace puts out a cool lasergrip for it too; www.crimsontrace.com www.natchezss.com www.midwayusa.com .
Gemini Customs; www.geminicustoms.com , does great custom work on the powerful .44magnum line too. Barrel porting, action hones, shorter barrels, grips, DA only converting, etc.

[wooly booger]

i'd recommend the 5 1/2" Super Blackhawk. Mine has been packed all over the lower 48.

[RoyP]

I really like the looks of the redhawks and smith but I'll play the oddball and say taurus makes a 4" 44mag model 44

[Powderman]

For the OP: For a good soft shooting load that is quite manageable, use the Keith target load: 250 grain LSWC on 8.5 of Unique, any case, any primer. Very accurate.

As for guns, yes--there's lots of good advice in the replies above.

But if you just want the best, cleanest and most portable big bore out there, this one is just drop dead purty:



I like purty.

[zeke]

Personally own and shoot 44 mags from 3in to 8 3/8 in. They all have their use, which can be significantly enhanced by handloading. House gun is 4 in Mt Gun loaded with 180 jhp's going 1250 fps. These loads don't stress out the revolver, and can shoot them for longer practice sessions than hunting loads. 44 mag does quite well with lighter bullets and faster bulkier powder.

There are much heavier loads available in case i ever take one of the larger ones hunting.

Obviously no one wants them light barreled 4 in N frame S&W's, since S&W can't sell any

Ps, like the S&W N-frame with underlug 3 in barrel, if wanting a shorter barrel.

[Shue76]

I own a super red hawk w/7.5 in barrel. I will say this I do enjoy shooting it how ever it does pack a woplop I couldn't imagine it with a 4" barrel , ammo is outrageously expensive too. I can only afford to shoot it when I reload my own shells they were 15-20$ a box now 35-40$ a box and I don't see it coming down anytime soon and good luck finding them on the shelf. If your going to carry for protection and you want to get good with it at the range it's gonna cost ya. Just a warning my red hawk cracks VERY loud where ear protection and make sure you don't stand beside anything upright like walls, posts, and especially solid objects like rocks. I shot mine hunting one time there was a bolder adjacent to me about 10' thought I blew my ear drum out. It's fun to shoot but out of all my fire arms I Handel my .44 mag with the most respect it's not a plinker. IMO I actually just bought a 9mm, ammo is so much cheaper I don't feel near as bad throwing lead down range before the gun craze you could get 100 rounds for 20$. Good luck on whatever you buy!

[TMD]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

Here's my 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk and just for giggles I thought I would show off my S&W PC 629-4 Master Hunter.

[22-rimfire]

Hard to beat a Colt Anaconda. I'd have one if they chambered it in 41 mag.

I prefer a 5.5-6" revolver for range use and a 4" revolver for woods carry.

I can understand the appeal of the Ruger Alaskan, but it certainly is not a good choice for a first 44 mag. Maybe 3rd or 4th.....

[kutz]

Alaskan