.44 magnum snub nose choice?

Jerrys, just buy them both and which ever one you decide you don't care for as much you can then send to me!! *wink wink* ;)
I hope you settle on the Smith as your favorite, because I'm partial to the ideology of machining a frame from one solid piece of steel when talking magnum handguns. I also am partial to a heavier weight handgun in a magnum.
 
My 3 inch 629 is balanced about as perfectly as I have found for me. Yes it’s a handful with mags but if I want to shoot the gun it will be with light mags with a few normal in between so I can keep up with the gun.
I really like the Ruger but I don’t care for the shape and balance is worse. If it was a longer barrel I would go with the Ruger,
My recent buy was a S&W 69. L frame 5 shot 44 mag, It’s not a snub but very nice handling.
 
I have a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in 454, and it's a lot heavier and bulkier than the Smith. Too big and heavy for a 44 magnum, in my opinion...
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The .44 Ruger Alaskan is far easier to shoot giving more control with heavy loads than the S&W. I use mine with 305 grain bullets and find it easier to shoot than the S&W with heavy 240 grain loads.

I'm not a fan of the .454 as I find the 30% greater recoil abusive for the 15% energy gain over the .44 magnum with the same weight bullet.

I use the Ruger Alaskan in a belt holster with a good gun belt and it doesn't carry any differently than the "N" frame S&W's that I own.

If I need more revolver than that - I'll carry my X-Frame .460.
 
I doubt you can go wrong with any of the choices mentioned. I had a Ruger Alaskan at the same time I had a Smith .44M Mountain Gun. They were both great guns and both still reside in the family, one I gave to my son and the Smith to my grandson. I had the chance to compare both and for ease of carry, the Mountain Gun seem to ride better. Shooting, no comparison, the Ruger Alaskan won. It would handle any sane load, had a better trigger and sure is/ was fun to shoot. The Smith is a better .44 Spl with mags on occasion, while the Ruger was a shoot anything and was never uncomfortable to shoot.
 
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