Searching for 44 mag

Airman Basic · May 1, 2013, 09:10 AM

Possibly an impossible task, but I'm looking for a Smith or Ruger, single or double action, hopefully 4 to 5 inch barrel, though that could be remedied with a saw, I guess. A Smith 29 or Ruger Blackhawk would be perfect, but open to others. Anybody see some around?

Bob Wright · May 1, 2013, 09:20 AM

Why, yes, I've seen some around. In Ruger, Smith, and some Ubertis. They seem to be plentiful. You lookin' for new, or used?

Last time I was in a pawn shop I saw a couple of Hawes in .44 Magnum also.

Bob Wright

Bob Wright · May 1, 2013, 09:22 AM

And there's a little more involved than a hack saw in barrel shortening. Muzzle needs to be squared and re-crowned, front sight needs to be re-located. Unless you're real good, a job best left to a gunsmith.

Bob Wright

Airman Basic · May 1, 2013, 09:39 AM

None around here. I would love to have price comparisons. The ones I have seen online run close to a grand for a smith, or over 600 for a Ruger, new or used. Is this how it is most everywhere?
BTW, I've had barrels cut before, by professionals, but that was years before you could get Rugers with 4.58 barrels. Probably the cost would scare me nowadays.

jglsprings · May 1, 2013, 09:53 AM

Not sure of where exactly you are. But, I always start with armslist.com.

http://www.armslist.com/classifieds/...&tag=44-magnum

You can narrow it down from there. New, used, Smith, Ruger, big, short... what ever you are looking for.

spacecoast · May 1, 2013, 09:59 AM

Typical gunbroker listing -

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=339469209

Noreaster · May 1, 2013, 12:38 PM

Kittery Trading Post in Maine just got a batch of 5.5 inch SS SBH in for $589.00.

Airman Basic · May 1, 2013, 03:06 PM

They don't seem to want to sell firearms online.

DaleA · May 1, 2013, 11:54 PM

Airman Basic - 'south of interstate 20' covers a lot of territory. Where are you? Also if you ARE an airman in basic training and not in your home state I could see where that could add some problems to your search but maybe some benefits too if the base exchange handles handguns.

Airman Basic · May 2, 2013, 05:00 AM

I'm in Mississippi. Studying an offer from TN, 6 inch used for $650. Whatchall think. Best method to assure satisfaction from both sides?

bipe215 · May 2, 2013, 08:37 AM

I love my Dan Wesson 44. You can change to any barrell length you want.

Steve

SteelChickenShooter · May 2, 2013, 05:17 PM

I use a 7.5 inch Ruger for deer hunting, but for HD and carry, I've got a S&W 6 inch and a 4 inch. I've had a couple 5's, and I think I'd be happiest with a 3 inch. A 4 inch isn't too bad, If my dealer would sell his 3 inch I'd buy it. 5's & 6's pinch too much when seated. They drop below the light jacket bottom. 5's and 6's can be a bit nose heavy shooting single handed. Even the 4 inch can be a bit sensitive to where the holster is along the belt. A 3 inch would be most user friendly even though it seems like a guy would want to have a larger revolver. I think a 4 inch stainless S&W is not a bad choice. I use my 4 a lot more than a 5 or 6. If I had a 3, I wouldn't carry my 3 inch 357 Mag at all.

Deaf Smith · May 2, 2013, 05:36 PM

Get one while you can. Especially an older one.

My 629-2, the one shown, is a 4 inch standard. I load 240 gr simi-jacketed HPs at around 950 fps from that 4 inch for most uses. Plenty for hog. I only use top loads if I go in bear country and there ain't no bear country in Texas (well there are black bears but that just isn't the same as the Grizzly by far.)

Just throw on the El Paso 1942 holster, six or so spare rounds, and a field knife and you are good to go in the woods.

Nothing like a good N frame.

Deaf

Airman Basic · May 2, 2013, 06:19 PM

Looking for a fun shooter, really. As a cop, haven't carried anything heavier than a Colt Cobra in 20 years. N frame would probably break my back for every day use.

ClydeFrog · May 2, 2013, 08:32 PM

I'd check out the Ruger Super Redhawk. It's a robust, well engineered & a popular wheel gun. I like the snub AK version(Dwayne Johnson uses a .454 snub if Faster www.IMFdb.org )
The S&W 629, 29 & rare, light-weight 329 line are well made but many disdain the "lawyer locks".

The Nightguard S&W .44 is cool.
Taurus produced a few .44magnums but many gun owners & armed citizens do not care for Taurus firearms, save the Judge .410/.45LC revolvers.
The QC is iffy at best in 2013.

ClydeFrog

codefour · May 2, 2013, 09:01 PM

I highly recommend the four inch Ruger Redhawk. It is the John Deere of revolvers. Brute strong, reliable as can be and very accurate. And you don't see "S&W only loads"... But there are Ruger only for a reason.

The Redhawk trigger can be vastly improved as well

nanewt02 · May 2, 2013, 09:44 PM

didn't john deeres go downhill, I heard they were living off there past reputation

but in al seriousness, cant go wrong with an old ruger

Airman Basic · May 3, 2013, 04:05 AM

Seen the mentions of the lawyer locks on revolvers. What's the story on that?

ClydeFrog · May 3, 2013, 07:20 AM

Smith & Wesson was purchased by a AZ based corporation in the early 2000s.
The new owners/mgmt changed a few designs and to reduce civil lawsuits/make elected officials & police chiefs happy, started to add security locks.

Author & tactics trainer Massad Ayoob put out a few gun press items in the 2000s about how the Sc & N frame type Smith and Wesson magnums would break or malfunction.

Ayoob(a reserve/sworn LE captain) told the story of a police investigator who purchased a S&W security lock 329 .44magnum to replace a model 629 Backpacker he'd carry on duty. The cop's new .44magnum misfired several times. He went back to carrying the older S&W N frame Backpacker snub.

CF

psyfly · May 3, 2013, 08:18 AM

"Studying an offer from TN, 6 inch used for $650."

What brand?

For all-around use, I don't think you can beat the Redhawk.

My 3.5" custom Redhawk is, while too heavy for EDC, is amazingly accurate at the range and a real hoot to shoot.

Taurus makes some 5-round models that are easier to carry (I have one) and their reliability is (I've heard) better than the general Taurus reputation. I've had no problems with mine.

BTW, that "make elected officials...happy" caused S&W a whole raft of heartburn.

Whatever you choose, you'll have a great time with the 44.

Will

Airman Basic · May 7, 2013, 11:29 AM

Ended up with this Ruger
SS Blackhawk Talo Revolver .44 Mag 3.75" barrel

Anybody have experience with one of these? Probably need a custom holster, but think I'm going to like it.

codefour · May 8, 2013, 12:30 AM

Nice piece..! You can't go wrong with a Ruger SBH..!

ClydeFrog · May 8, 2013, 08:24 AM

A TFLer posted a link to Ayoob's article/blog about S&W-lawyer locks.

My good friend(a new shooter with limited skills) is considering a new/unfired Ruger AK .44magnum revolver from a local FFL holder/US Navy veteran-atty.
He's fired handguns before & wants a high quality stainless revolver. I advised him to get .44spl loads for target use/protection.

The same FFL holder had a new Ruger LCR .38spl +P with XS sight but it sold within hours of being posted online.

CF

May 1, 2013, 09:10 AM	#1
Airman Basic Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2013 Location: South of Interstate 20 Posts: 219	Searching for 44 mag Possibly an impossible task, but I'm looking for a Smith or Ruger, single or double action, hopefully 4 to 5 inch barrel, though that could be remedied with a saw, I guess. A Smith 29 or Ruger Blackhawk would be perfect, but open to others. Anybody see some around?

May 1, 2013, 09:53 AM	#5
jglsprings Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 1,827	Not sure of where exactly you are. But, I always start with armslist.com. http://www.armslist.com/classifieds/...&tag=44-magnum You can narrow it down from there. New, used, Smith, Ruger, big, short... what ever you are looking for. __________________ Let's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma. Commas save lives...

May 2, 2013, 05:36 PM	#13
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	Get one while you can. Especially an older one. My 629-2, the one shown, is a 4 inch standard. I load 240 gr simi-jacketed HPs at around 950 fps from that 4 inch for most uses. Plenty for hog. I only use top loads if I go in bear country and there ain't no bear country in Texas (well there are black bears but that just isn't the same as the Grizzly by far.) Just throw on the El Paso 1942 holster, six or so spare rounds, and a field knife and you are good to go in the woods. Nothing like a good N frame. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

May 2, 2013, 08:32 PM	#15
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Ruger snubs... I'd check out the Ruger Super Redhawk. It's a robust, well engineered & a popular wheel gun. I like the snub AK version(Dwayne Johnson uses a .454 snub if Faster www.IMFdb.org ) The S&W 629, 29 & rare, light-weight 329 line are well made but many disdain the "lawyer locks". The Nightguard S&W .44 is cool. Taurus produced a few .44magnums but many gun owners & armed citizens do not care for Taurus firearms, save the Judge .410/.45LC revolvers. The QC is iffy at best in 2013. ClydeFrog

May 3, 2013, 07:20 AM	#19
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Massad Ayoob; lawyer locks... Smith & Wesson was purchased by a AZ based corporation in the early 2000s. The new owners/mgmt changed a few designs and to reduce civil lawsuits/make elected officials & police chiefs happy, started to add security locks. Author & tactics trainer Massad Ayoob put out a few gun press items in the 2000s about how the Sc & N frame type Smith and Wesson magnums would break or malfunction. Ayoob(a reserve/sworn LE captain) told the story of a police investigator who purchased a S&W security lock 329 .44magnum to replace a model 629 Backpacker he'd carry on duty. The cop's new .44magnum misfired several times. He went back to carrying the older S&W N frame Backpacker snub. CF

May 1, 2013, 09:20 AM	#2
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	Why, yes, I've seen some around. In Ruger, Smith, and some Ubertis. They seem to be plentiful. You lookin' for new, or used? Last time I was in a pawn shop I saw a couple of Hawes in .44 Magnum also. Bob Wright

May 1, 2013, 09:22 AM	#3
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	And there's a little more involved than a hack saw in barrel shortening. Muzzle needs to be squared and re-crowned, front sight needs to be re-located. Unless you're real good, a job best left to a gunsmith. Bob Wright

May 1, 2013, 09:39 AM	#4
Airman Basic Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2013 Location: South of Interstate 20 Posts: 219	None around here. I would love to have price comparisons. The ones I have seen online run close to a grand for a smith, or over 600 for a Ruger, new or used. Is this how it is most everywhere? BTW, I've had barrels cut before, by professionals, but that was years before you could get Rugers with 4.58 barrels. Probably the cost would scare me nowadays.

May 1, 2013, 09:59 AM	#6
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Typical gunbroker listing - http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=339469209

May 1, 2013, 12:38 PM	#7
Noreaster Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2011 Location: New England Posts: 1,449	Kittery Trading Post in Maine just got a batch of 5.5 inch SS SBH in for $589.00.

May 1, 2013, 03:06 PM	#8
Airman Basic Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2013 Location: South of Interstate 20 Posts: 219	They don't seem to want to sell firearms online.

May 1, 2013, 11:54 PM	#9
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,312	Airman Basic - 'south of interstate 20' covers a lot of territory. Where are you? Also if you ARE an airman in basic training and not in your home state I could see where that could add some problems to your search but maybe some benefits too if the base exchange handles handguns.

May 2, 2013, 05:00 AM	#10
Airman Basic Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2013 Location: South of Interstate 20 Posts: 219	I'm in Mississippi. Studying an offer from TN, 6 inch used for $650. Whatchall think. Best method to assure satisfaction from both sides?

May 2, 2013, 08:37 AM	#11
bipe215 Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2008 Posts: 122	I love my Dan Wesson 44. You can change to any barrell length you want. Steve

May 2, 2013, 05:17 PM	#12
SteelChickenShooter Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Posts: 863	I use a 7.5 inch Ruger for deer hunting, but for HD and carry, I've got a S&W 6 inch and a 4 inch. I've had a couple 5's, and I think I'd be happiest with a 3 inch. A 4 inch isn't too bad, If my dealer would sell his 3 inch I'd buy it. 5's & 6's pinch too much when seated. They drop below the light jacket bottom. 5's and 6's can be a bit nose heavy shooting single handed. Even the 4 inch can be a bit sensitive to where the holster is along the belt. A 3 inch would be most user friendly even though it seems like a guy would want to have a larger revolver. I think a 4 inch stainless S&W is not a bad choice. I use my 4 a lot more than a 5 or 6. If I had a 3, I wouldn't carry my 3 inch 357 Mag at all.

May 2, 2013, 06:19 PM	#14
Airman Basic Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2013 Location: South of Interstate 20 Posts: 219	Looking for a fun shooter, really. As a cop, haven't carried anything heavier than a Colt Cobra in 20 years. N frame would probably break my back for every day use.

May 2, 2013, 09:01 PM	#16
codefour Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2012 Posts: 114	I highly recommend the four inch Ruger Redhawk. It is the John Deere of revolvers. Brute strong, reliable as can be and very accurate. And you don't see "S&W only loads"... But there are Ruger only for a reason. The Redhawk trigger can be vastly improved as well

May 2, 2013, 09:44 PM	#17
nanewt02 Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Posts: 249	didn't john deeres go downhill, I heard they were living off there past reputation but in al seriousness, cant go wrong with an old ruger

May 3, 2013, 04:05 AM	#18
Airman Basic Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2013 Location: South of Interstate 20 Posts: 219	Seen the mentions of the lawyer locks on revolvers. What's the story on that?

May 3, 2013, 08:18 AM	#20
psyfly Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 932	"Studying an offer from TN, 6 inch used for $650." What brand? For all-around use, I don't think you can beat the Redhawk. My 3.5" custom Redhawk is, while too heavy for EDC, is amazingly accurate at the range and a real hoot to shoot. Taurus makes some 5-round models that are easier to carry (I have one) and their reliability is (I've heard) better than the general Taurus reputation. I've had no problems with mine. BTW, that "make elected officials...happy" caused S&W a whole raft of heartburn. Whatever you choose, you'll have a great time with the 44. Will __________________ Show me the data Last edited by psyfly; May 3, 2013 at 08:33 AM.

May 8, 2013, 12:30 AM	#22
codefour Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2012 Posts: 114	Nice piece..! You can't go wrong with a Ruger SBH..!

May 8, 2013, 08:24 AM	#23
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Ayoob link in a revolver topic post... A TFLer posted a link to Ayoob's article/blog about S&W-lawyer locks. My good friend(a new shooter with limited skills) is considering a new/unfired Ruger AK .44magnum revolver from a local FFL holder/US Navy veteran-atty. He's fired handguns before & wants a high quality stainless revolver. I advised him to get .44spl loads for target use/protection. The same FFL holder had a new Ruger LCR .38spl +P with XS sight but it sold within hours of being posted online. CF