Ruger Redhawk and other .44 mags

J

jonathon

New member
My dad wants to get a .44 Mag, but he wants a Blue double action with wood grips, like the S&W M29, but I don't think we can afford a 29(isn't a used one well over $700?), and our price range is only about $400. And he won't touch a 629, he's stubborn.

He does like the Ruger Redhawk though, not the super(he's with a lot of you guys in calling it "A damn ugly gun"). Anyways, what do you guys think? His criteria are pretty much a blue, 6" double action .44 mag with wood grips. Suggestions are appreciated.
 
$700 for a used M-29? That seems outrageous to me. I would think you could find a nice used M-29 for under $400. I would think the same for a blue Redhawk. Both are nice guns, but I would have him try them out before making a final decision.
 
I agree with your father, the Super Redhawk is "ugly" in my eyes, but many buy it because they are looking for performance.

My brother has a blue Redhawk, and I think it does look better than the stainless. He used it to kill two coyotes one morning while deer hunting from a stand. It is also stronger than the Smith when it comes to taking a steady diet of .44 Magnum loads.

I vote Redhawk.
 
I would think you could find a nice used M-29 for under $400.
Click to expand...
I've not seen any 29 under $400 in years, no matter how clapped-out or worn-out it mighta been. They seem to start at $450 and climb up from there, with the average price at the local shops and gunshows hovering right around $550.
 
Hmm...at a recent gunshow, there were a few M-29's for r@ $375. Granted I have been out of the scene for a while, but I never paid more that $400 for any of my 629's or 29's. Last 29 I bought was a 6 incher for like $260...although I was working at a shop at the time. Man, prices are going up.
 
I saw an okay looking m29 for $650 at the last gun show.. and it looked like it had a long, well shot life(aka, it wouldn't be the best gun to blast away with).

What can we expect to pay for a Redhawk? Used or new?
 
I just picked up a nice M29-2 4" for $350. I'm something of a 29/629 accumulator, and I regularly find examples in the $350 - $450 range; not in collectible condition, but definitely 92% - 95%.
 
Dan Wesson Model 44

Find a good used Monson Mass gun. Probably run $350 to $400. Strong as heck, accurate above just about anything. DW's just about always took the top 4 or 5 spots in IHMSA matches.
Current production parts still fit so if you find one with an 8 inch barrel and want a 6 no sweat just change it out.
If you look around I've seen Monson Pistol Packs in the $550 range in real nice condition.
Take Care
 
I bought a blue, four inch used model 29 as a Christmas present for myself.
Paid the princely sum of $375 for it.
Mine has some finish marring, looks like somebody used it as a car gun and forgot the holster, but mechanically, its 100 percent.
They had another used one with a perfect finish for $400 on the dot.
It was not as smooth in trigger pull nor did it have as tight of a cylinder lock up, so I passed on that one.
Mind you, this was in an area where used colt 1991s routinely have a $600 plus asking price.
I am betting if you look around you can find a nice blue or nickel 29 in your price range in the used market. You might need to scour the gunshops and pawn shops regularly for a few months, but it will come.
 
If he goes with the redhawk get the 5.5 incher and get some better grips. I got the 7.5 and that thing sits in my hand like a friking mishaped rock. I hate the grip on the redhawk. ANd the weight is so unbalanced.

Can someone suggest a better grip that the standard rosewood make your forearm crap style that is come with?
 
I once almost bought a 5.5 inch redhawk that had pachmayer grips on it. I am picky, but I felt it balanced about as good as my six inch 29 and even though it was, it did not feel any heavier.
 
Gorgeous? I'm still wretching and it's gonna take a couple hours to clean the vomit off my keyboard. :barf:

Just kidding - to each their own. That gun is.....interesting at the very least. :p
 
Intersting.

Actually my 6" 629 has wooden grips. It's my favorite handgun of all time. It will completely destroy your hand within 50 rounds:-)

The M29 is a nice gun, but the newer 629 is a lot stronger. The .44 Magnum round is a kicker. Over time it will cause damage to the gun. Especially if you are shooting it often like myself. What he should do is to buy a 629 and simply slap wood grips on it. I dislike the Super Red Hawk also in terms of looks. I hate those ugly Hogue grips. They are totally fugly !!!!!

JC
 
Usually a stainless Smith will shoot loose faster than a new one. But for guns that went through the internal endurance package, that should not be a problem if you use factory or factory spec loads.
The 29 series was not designed around those big 300 grain super hot loads.
 
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