Anthony, I am coming to Dallas in two weeks for the Market Hall gun show. I have a 4" P&R S&W mod 29 and a 7.5" Ruger Redhawk that I can bring and let you shoot. I would bring my Anaconda, but I sold it off and that should tell you something about what I think of the Colt.
.44 Magnum Advice South - S&W versus Ruger versus Colt
- Thread starter Anthony
- Start date
I vote for ruger, though I have shot some nice S&W too. I have the super redhawk 7.5" and it is my favorite gun. I like the post style grip frame that allows me to get some significant rubber between my little hands and the steel. (same design as the ruger gp101 .357). It is a complete tank! I can't imagine being able to damage it. Since it also is a scope model it has a nice long hammer spur my short thumb can easily reach. The DA trigger is heavy, but very predictable, almost like a pre-cocker.
Colt .44's are crap. I don't know why, I liked my King cobra in .357, but the above post that described the Anaconda as "scary" is right on the money. They do not inspire confidence.
Colt .44's are crap. I don't know why, I liked my King cobra in .357, but the above post that described the Anaconda as "scary" is right on the money. They do not inspire confidence.
Great to be looking for a new gun. We live in the mountains where there is general interest in powerful revolvers. My favorite is the 44 mag and so far I have three guns in the caliber:
-- New 4-inch S&W 629-6 (A masterpiece.)
-- Completely modified 4-inch Redhawk (Strong gun!!)
-- Marlin 1894P lever rifle with a 16" barrel. (Fast rifle.)
I had the Redhawk modified by Mag-na-port, who did an absolutely GREAT job on the whole gun. The Smith is stock.
These revolvers are just carried in the woods for protection. The 4" barrel makes them easier to carry and a bit lighter, and faster out of the holster. Sometimes hunt with the Marlin, but not with the revolvers.
Even though the Smith is about 7 ounces lighter than the Redhawk, recoil of the two guns feels about the same to me, shooting the same load.
I often shoot the powerful Garrett 310gr Hammerhead in the Redhawk. Recoil is stout, but easily manageable. I don't shoot these in the Smith. In the Smith (and the Marlin) I shoot a Speer 270gr JFP at about 1120.
You might consider picking up all the really good ones you find during your search and then sell some later after you've tried them all. Best of luck!!
Here is a picture of my two revolvers:
-- New 4-inch S&W 629-6 (A masterpiece.)
-- Completely modified 4-inch Redhawk (Strong gun!!)
-- Marlin 1894P lever rifle with a 16" barrel. (Fast rifle.)
I had the Redhawk modified by Mag-na-port, who did an absolutely GREAT job on the whole gun. The Smith is stock.
These revolvers are just carried in the woods for protection. The 4" barrel makes them easier to carry and a bit lighter, and faster out of the holster. Sometimes hunt with the Marlin, but not with the revolvers.
Even though the Smith is about 7 ounces lighter than the Redhawk, recoil of the two guns feels about the same to me, shooting the same load.
I often shoot the powerful Garrett 310gr Hammerhead in the Redhawk. Recoil is stout, but easily manageable. I don't shoot these in the Smith. In the Smith (and the Marlin) I shoot a Speer 270gr JFP at about 1120.
You might consider picking up all the really good ones you find during your search and then sell some later after you've tried them all. Best of luck!!
Here is a picture of my two revolvers:
Attachments
The 29-2 has a threaded and pinned barrel as well as a recessed cylinder. The rims of the cartridges actually fit in the cylinder and the cylinder is flush to the frame so no rim shows when you look at the gun from either side. In my mind, this attention to detail says something about this gun. The gun also has a fitted mahogany case with cleaning tools. I believe S&W manufactured this model during the Dirty Harry craze in the 70s. These guns were in extraordinary demand and the prices were up there.
Edward429451
Moderator
Man that sure is a nice lookin Ruger. It's very distinctive looking. Kinda Rugerish, yet different. I like it! How much did the chop job set you back? It had to be done from a 5.5" cause there's no scope mount left, correct?
PigPen, you got me confused.
I'm pretty sure we got a 29-2 cause its stamped 29-2 under the crane on the frame when the cylinder swings out. At one point you imply three screws on the plate then next para. two screws. The only screws I see on ours is two on the plate (without removing grips) and the screw that holds on the cylinder release for a total of three.
I prolly didnt read it right but it made me wonder. But the coffee's brewing so there is hope!
PigPen, you got me confused.
I'm pretty sure we got a 29-2 cause its stamped 29-2 under the crane on the frame when the cylinder swings out. At one point you imply three screws on the plate then next para. two screws. The only screws I see on ours is two on the plate (without removing grips) and the screw that holds on the cylinder release for a total of three.I prolly didnt read it right but it made me wonder. But the coffee's brewing so there is hope!
Right. The Redhawk was cut down from a 5.5" barrel. Cutting the barrel, removing the lettering, and a target recrown cost about $140 a couple years ago, if I remember right.
I also had a Freedom Arms front sight put on it, all corners rounded, and a DA action job that's incredibly light and smooth. Got the standard ports, and the frosted finish.
Cost of the entire job was about $550. Mag-na-port is a first-rate company that knows the technology. And I was really surprised at the perfect cosmetics of the gun. It didn't have a mark anywhere.
Most of their prices are on their site: http://www.magnaport.com/
adk
I also had a Freedom Arms front sight put on it, all corners rounded, and a DA action job that's incredibly light and smooth. Got the standard ports, and the frosted finish.
Cost of the entire job was about $550. Mag-na-port is a first-rate company that knows the technology. And I was really surprised at the perfect cosmetics of the gun. It didn't have a mark anywhere.
Most of their prices are on their site: http://www.magnaport.com/
adk
redhawk44p
New member
I won't have a 44 mag that I have to baby to make it last. My Redhawk carries well in a shoulder holster and eats hot 310 LBT handloads like candy. You can strap on your Redhawk loaded for T-Rex and walk through the mean streets or the darkest forest with impunity. Buying a Smith is like having a 4 wheel drive that you are afraid to take off road because it might break. No offense to you Smith guys but over the past 30 years Ruger has made a believer out of me. Here are some of my boys.
Herb Leventhal
New member
Ruger
From this thread a person might get the idea that Ruger Redhawk is indestructible. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. I have seen a Ruger Redhawk blowup. There was no barrel obstruction, the Top strap totally disintegrated with fragments all over the place. The shooter was extremely lucky, sustaining a small laceration over the cheek. The owner sent the gun back to Ruger, received a new firearm. Cause?- metal fatigue.
My take -a gun is a gun, is a gun, is a gun. I wear shooting glasses when I shoot my S&W 629 Classic DX 44 mag
Herb
From this thread a person might get the idea that Ruger Redhawk is indestructible. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. I have seen a Ruger Redhawk blowup. There was no barrel obstruction, the Top strap totally disintegrated with fragments all over the place. The shooter was extremely lucky, sustaining a small laceration over the cheek. The owner sent the gun back to Ruger, received a new firearm. Cause?- metal fatigue.
My take -a gun is a gun, is a gun, is a gun. I wear shooting glasses when I shoot my S&W 629 Classic DX 44 mag
Herb
redhawk44p
New member
ADK that custom Redhawk of yours is HOT . I would keep it as is and buy a new Redhawk
warhammer357
Moderator
The straight skinny
Here is my take.
If you just want a portable packing gun get the four inch Mountain revolver as it is the lightest of the choices. I have one and its nice.
If you want to shoot heavy loads get the Redhawk. Had one in blue 5.5 trim and it was nice albiet a bit clunky. Sold it, only because I ditched my blue wheelguns. It was a good gun, good shooter but balanced like a cement block in the hand.
If you want something that is short barrelled and comfortable to shoot, get the Colt Anaconda with four inch tube. That big frame and underbarrel lug soaks up the recoil making it a fun gun to shoot as well as a good looker.
Here is the downsides to these choices. I have several smiths .44s and they tend to have nice tight cylinder lock ups compared to other makes of .44 wheelguns. However the new ones have those cheap looking carbon steel hammers and triggers on stainless frames. Older ones were chromed. You dont want to shoot max-hot experimental loads in a Smith, as it will wear out faster and be more painful on your palm.
If you want all around corrosion resistance get the Ruger or Colt.
I have an Anaconda and it is a very nice shooter. Cylinder is not as tight as the Smith but the frame is a little bigger and the cylinder walls are thicker so it should handle heavier loads, albieit that may be rough on the timing.
Also the Colt has a lighter trigger pull. The downside is that you dont know when the hammer falls, so if you do a lot of double action shooting you can't "index" fire it the way old timers did with their SMiths on the bullseye lines.
The Smith will be better balanced in the hand than the other two as well.
I personally say you really cant go wrong with any of the three, and I have used the .44 super blackhawk from Ruger and the Taurus model .44 as well and liked em all. My favorite though remains the 29 breed.....
Here is my take.
If you just want a portable packing gun get the four inch Mountain revolver as it is the lightest of the choices. I have one and its nice.
If you want to shoot heavy loads get the Redhawk. Had one in blue 5.5 trim and it was nice albiet a bit clunky. Sold it, only because I ditched my blue wheelguns. It was a good gun, good shooter but balanced like a cement block in the hand.
If you want something that is short barrelled and comfortable to shoot, get the Colt Anaconda with four inch tube. That big frame and underbarrel lug soaks up the recoil making it a fun gun to shoot as well as a good looker.
Here is the downsides to these choices. I have several smiths .44s and they tend to have nice tight cylinder lock ups compared to other makes of .44 wheelguns. However the new ones have those cheap looking carbon steel hammers and triggers on stainless frames. Older ones were chromed. You dont want to shoot max-hot experimental loads in a Smith, as it will wear out faster and be more painful on your palm.
If you want all around corrosion resistance get the Ruger or Colt.
I have an Anaconda and it is a very nice shooter. Cylinder is not as tight as the Smith but the frame is a little bigger and the cylinder walls are thicker so it should handle heavier loads, albieit that may be rough on the timing.
Also the Colt has a lighter trigger pull. The downside is that you dont know when the hammer falls, so if you do a lot of double action shooting you can't "index" fire it the way old timers did with their SMiths on the bullseye lines.
The Smith will be better balanced in the hand than the other two as well.
I personally say you really cant go wrong with any of the three, and I have used the .44 super blackhawk from Ruger and the Taurus model .44 as well and liked em all. My favorite though remains the 29 breed.....
redhawk44p
New member
Moderator get this guy.
I think that big load crack may be something with a phallic symbolism to it.Beauty is in the -bulls- eye of the beholder.
I know some guys who worry about how pretty their guns are. They simply accessorize with earrings when they think their gun is not pretty enough.
I prefer the Hum V and Ruger look.