44 Mag for Conceal Carry?

B

bluetopper

New member
I am seriously considering getting a 3" 44 Mag for a conceal/carry firearm and would like to know how common carrying a 44 Mag is?
Also the thought has occured to me to use downloaded reloads that are approx. 1,000fps.
Do any of you carry a 44 Mag for protection?
 
In the field, for protection I do carry a 44 mag; or 45 Colt. Around town I think it's a bit much. I am not one of those who believes that only some large caliber firearm is potent enough for self defense.
 
If I am not mistaken, . . . the 44 special load is very similar to the .45 ACP in speed and power, . . . AND, . . . shoots perfectly well in .44 mag guns.

Given the extra weight of your weapon, . . . I would think it would be a fine "revolver" CCW, . . . but then again I'm all for the 1911 as a CCH.

Anyway, . . . that should work for you, . . .

May God bless,
Dwight
 
I sometimes carry a S&W 329PD, which is their 4" barreled light weight .44 magnum. When I do, I load it with Buffalo Bore 185 grain JHP (1150 fps, 550 ft-lbs energy). I practice with 200 grain GDHP I load with 9.5 grains of Unique, which is about the recoil of the Buffalo Bore Heavy .44 Specials.
 
I often carry a Rossi 44spl with a 3in barrel.
I get away with it because I'm a big guy and were clothes that easily conceal the gun.
If I have to dress more business like, I carry a compact S&W 9mm.
It's ok if you don't mind the weight and oversize shirts, large pockets on pants and a good belt.
 
I've sort of thought about it, more of as a way of packing concealed protection while hiking in the woods. I'd load it up with .44 specials for general carry; .44 magnum might overpenetrate. It's also quite loud if you practice in an indoor range.

There are more concealable options than 3". A Ruger Alaskan in .44 is just 2.5", and equipped with an Eagle "secret service" grip it would be packable on a sturdy belt. S&W makes two versions of the 329 with a 2.5" barrel, and they have the benefit of being less than two pounds.

There are a few .44 special-only revolvers out there too. I know Smith and Charter Arms make some, but I don't remember any of their model numbers. They'd probably be lighter than a .44 built on a magnum frame.
 
For years I carried a short barrelled super blackhawk in an IWB rig made for a HK USP and LOVED IT!!!!

Nothing like 100 yard accuracy to boost your confidence in your CCW peice.

When things got tight, I had to sell the gun to make a truck payment though....

When I got a new job, I never did replace it, but I did get a 3 inch 629 and carried it for a long time.

If you like it, go for it.

I see Taurus makes a five shot .44 mag snub now too in their Tracker platform.
 
I for one don't think its such a terrible idea but I'd go for a 4" version. In fact, because there is an N-frame with fixed sights and a 4" barrel, I'd even pick that one first, referring here to the .41 magnum. I've owned both and, honestly, I couldn't tell the difference in weight or recoil, which was a lot. So was the weight, for that matter, though I think the .41 may have been slightly heavier. Either way, hardly heavier than a Government Model.
 
I don't carry a 44 mag or a revolver for self-defense. I find the N frame S&W handguns too wide for my liking. Assuming you can handle the round you choose competently, you should be well armed.

Another option for a source of ammo is DoubleTap. Their 44 special loading is:

Caliber : .44 Special
Bullet : 200gr. Bonded Defense JHP
Ballistics : 1100fps - 538 ft./lbs. - 5.0" bbl.

Buffalo Bore offers some nice options for .44 Special loads.

44 Rem. Magnum Federal Hydra-Shok® 240 gr JHP lists its velocity at 1210 fps and 780 ft/lbs. That is about the same as full loads of 10mm auto.
 
While some may think a .44M is 'over the top' for a carry piece, I carry a Ruger Alaskan. I know S&W make a 3", but I think if you compare them side by side, the size and weight is very close. I also have a S&W Mountain Gun and I find I myself reaching for the Alaskan more and more. I just like the design better.
As for SD rounds, Cor-Bon makes a 165 gr HP in .44M and .44Spl that are my primary SD rounds. My woods carry rounds are 250 gr Keith style SWC by Double Tap. If you choose your ammo and holster carefully, the .44M is a very good choice for all around carry.
 
Ruger Alaskan .44Mag. Great CCW for winter, but a bit large for summer, but with the right holster, belt, it can be done. Load .44 Specials.

alaskancarry.jpg
 
Bond Derringer in .44 mag is carried by me quite often. 240gr JSP ammo turns out 1100 fps from the little cannon.

reckon it will get it done. Pretty accurate too. within 15 yards, I can call my shots.
 
A .44 Magnum for Concealed Carry?

I can see no reason a .44 Magnum would not work.
The only thing you need to think about is getting off a 2nd shot, double action.
Sometimes I carry a .41 Magnum with the equivilant of "the old police load".
1,000 feet a second with a 210 grain bullet.
 
Here's a model 696 .44 spl 3" l-frame, smaller and lighter than the n-frame.

6963.jpg


Or you could go with the n-frame. This is the Backpacker 3" .44 mag.

backpack.jpg


Holster selection is paramount when deciding to carry a big frame revolver.
 
I say go with what you are comfortable with...no problem with that. The .44 Mag is a venerable round and it would certainly leave you well armed.

Personally though, I tend to view revolvers in any form (I prefer .357 Magnum) as back-up to either a semi-auto (for CC) or the 12 ga. shotgun. Why this is, I wont bother explaining other than to say it is merely a preference and nothing more.
 
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