Help choosing big-bore revolver

B

Briar

Inactive
Hello everyone. I'd like to buy a revolver, either in .45 Colt or .44 Magnum. I'll use it primarily to carry in the woods while scouting and hunting for deer. I found out the area(s) I'm hunting have a good black bear population, thus the desire to "carry a big stick."

I enjoy shooting at the range, so I'm sure I'll put quite a few low-power loads through it. Also, I may have the opportunity to use the revolver to hunt deer in southern Michigan.

Since my wife is expecting our first child, I need to choose an "all-around" revolver (after the baby's born, it may be a while before I can buy myself a new toy). Based on these criteria, what one revolver would you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your replies.
 
My suggestion would be the .44 over the .45, and the S&W 629 in 4" barrel length would be hard to beat for a knock-around outdoors gun. The "Mountain Gun" version of the 29 series is a bit lighter but recoil is worse and the guns cost more. Pick your poison.
 
I like my S&W 629 Classic 44 Mag. Also used to own the blued version - the 29 Classic. Both revolvers - the most accurate 44's I have ever fired!

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The very best deal for the money in a quality revolver is a Ruger Blackhawk (.45 Colt & .45 ACP) or Super Blackhawk (.44 Mag). If you reload get a .45 Colt - it is very versatile, but you nearly must reload to take advantage of the versatility. If you are a factory load only shooter, then get the 5 1/2" Super Blackhawk with the rounded trigger guard. Either of these will run you $100.00 to $150.00 less than a new S&W DA or Ruger Redhawk DA. A .45 Colt can be loaded safely from light, to moderate, to "hell for stout" if you have a strong enough gun (like a Ruger SA) to use it in. If you get the convertable model (includes a .45 ACP cylinder) you just add to the versatility. Good luck, NG Bruce
 
That pictured 629 classic is a beauty. Excellent choice.


Another good choice to consider is the Ruger Redhawk, Super Redhawk , and Ruger Bisley (single action, but excellent grip for tough recoil).
 
I can only tell you what I bought for the same purposes as yourself. I wanted the speed of rapid fire offered by a double action, so that ruled out the Blackhawk line, which is an excellent hunting weapon if the rapid-fire-at-close-range requirement is absent. I've seen too many S&W Model 29's/629's break down on a diet of hot stuff, in some cases blasting their cylinders into reverse rotation! I settled on a Ruger Redhawk in .44 Magnum with the 5½" barrel. It's the strongest double-action revolver out there, with the sole exception of its bigger (and heavier!) brother, the Super Redhawk. I chose the .44 Magnum caliber for two reasons: one, Garrett Hammerheads are available in that caliber, and they're probably the finest "stopping" cartridges out there for a standard revolver (see www.garrettcartridges.com). Second, the .45 Colt is a superb round, and can be loaded up to the same performance levels (some would say beyond, although I don't agree) as the .44 Magnum. However, the case has that pesky thin rim, which can bind under the extractor star and jam up the gun. It works great in a single-action design, but not so well in a double-action, simultaneous-ejection gun. The .44 Magnum round doesn't have the same problem.

Buy the 5½" version if you'll be using iron sights (for close-range defense, you will!), and if you want to carry the revolver on your belt. If you can use a cross-body shoulder holster, and want to use a scope, go for the 7½" barrel version, which comes with integral scope rings provided. I'd suggest stainless, rather than blued steel, for the sake of resistance to rust.
 
Thanks for the replies. While I appreciate the durability of a single action, I should have mentioned that I am only considering double actions (God forbid, if I ever do have to use it on a bear, I don't want to have to fumble with the hammer).

I really do like the look of the Mountain Guns, though I figured the recoil would be a little sharper with them. Does anyone carry a 5" 629 (or 625)? I thought that might be a good compromise between portability & shooting stability/velocity.

I might also be convinced that a Redhawk is the way to go, but they just don't seem to be as smooth as the S&W.
 
One more thing I should mention-- I don't reload (at least not yet). I did search some prior posts regarding the .45 Colt & they seemed to indicate the 625 can handle (at lease occasionally) the hotter factory .45 Colt loads, which people say rival the .44 Magnum. I also found that many people have great accuracy results with them, and the recoil isn't that bad. It seems like there isn't much difference between the cost of factory .45 Colt / .44 Special practice ammo, either. So, all these factors had me interested in the .45 Colt.
 
Hi Briar,

Since you are a hunter you may give some thought to future rifle purchases and how that could positively effect what you buy now in a revolver. For instance, if you have any thoughts or desires on picking up a lever action Winchester, Marlin or Ruger or possibly a semi-auto Deerfield etc., it could be beneficial to share the same caliber.

Although many are offered in both .44 Mag and .45 Colt, the one you end up falling in love with surely would be the one not offering the caliber you choose for your revolver, Murphy's Law you know. LOL

As much money as we end up spending on the guns we buy, if your like me, it's nice to plan ahead and see where we might save a buck or two.

Beside's, walking into the woods with your 4"- 5" revolver strapped on and a rifle of the same caliber slung over your shoulder can be nice. Many times I have been hunting close cover with a revolver and come upon area's where a 100 - 150 yard shot into or across a meadow, river, canyon, etc. have been needed but, not an area I need to be hauling an expensive large scoped heavier rifle, and could have benefited from having a large bore light weight carbine with open sights and possibly a 4X or 1.5 - 6X small, quality scope of the same caliber as my hand gun.

Just a thought,
Marshall
 
I'd probably go with a pre 82 Model 29. I have some and they work just fine and can be had for under 300 bucks with few rounds but holster worn. Cherry guns cost money but don't shoot any better.

Sam
 
My vote goes to the Smith & Wesson 629-5 "Classic"
.44 magnum. I have owned one of these fine firearms
since July of 2000, and its the standard (not a DX), 5"
barrel model.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
The Mountain Gun really isn't that bad as far as recoil, although as stated above a steady diet of full house .44 mags would not encourage a really long life. A 5" would not be any better IMHO. You can use a good .44 Special load and still have PLENTY of power, and carry a speed loader or two (as I do) of the bad stuff.

BTW, I use my Mountain Gun to scout for deer and turkey and run around my lease in TN. However, there are no bears there, just the occasional meth cooker and drunk/poacher. A .44 mag makes you feel a little more at ease. It has diffused at least one situation in my short life. :)
 
Two of my all time favorites: I have a 7.5"
and a 5.5" Ruger Blackhawks. Prefer the 5.5.
Also have 5 44 Mags....but my walkin around gun
is the 5" S&W 44 Mag Classic with full underlug.
I do reload. But if you don;t then the 44 is the way to go. If you do, then the 45 can be loaded up pretty hot. Hard casst semi wadcutters off
better penetration than hollow points. Ala Elmer Keith's many years of doing just that. John Taffin also has books out with many recipes. John seems to be the successor to ol Elmer Keith.
Blessings on your expectations. Good shooting.
 
I really like my Taurus Tracker in 45 Colt. it is the size of a K frame s&w groups average around 4" at 35yds most notably my pi$$poor shooting cause my eyesight has gone south in the last 6 months. I will try to do some load development after hunting season. Right now I am using 8gr 231 pushing 255 gr LSWC.
 
Sounds like you need to pick up a used Ruger Redhawk in.44 magnum. Generally these are found in as-new condition as people buy them, find out that they don't like recoil, and sell them rather quickly.
 
I have three 44mags, all with 4" barrels: Redhawk (cut-down), a 629-6 regular barrel, and the 629-6 Mountain Gun. Of the three, I prefer the Mountain Gun because it's so FAST on target and so easy to carry. Recoil differences between these three guns is minor. adk
 
Thanks a lot for all the replies. I think I'm leaning towards a Mountain Gun-- nobody seems to have anything bad to say about them. I'm guessing I'll shoot .44 magnums only rarely through whatever I choose, so the MG should hold up.

Good shooting to everyone!
 
Just pick one of the S&W Model 29 variations in .44 magnum and you won't be sorry. Personally, I prefer 6" barrels. The Model 57 in .41 Magnum is also worth a look.
 
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