What length barrel for self defense in 44 Mag? EDC Variety
- Thread starter CDR_Glock
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Cheapshooter
New member
6" considering this is the Semi-Auto forum, and the only choice is the Magnum Research Desert Eagle.
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/category/firearms/handguns/semi-automatic/44-remington-magnum.do
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/category/firearms/handguns/semi-automatic/44-remington-magnum.do
A 3" barreled .44 Mag will have a muzzle flash like a nuke. So does a .44 Special.
The whole thing is more about how well you can shoot a .44 Mag/Special regardless of the barrel length. Magnums tend to be big things too. A Smith M69 Combat Magnum with a 2.75" barrel runs 34.4 ounces(2.15 pounds) and is 7.8" long. A 5" M629 is 10.5" long and weighs 44.7 ounces(nearly 3 pounds). So if concealing is required you need to take that into consideration too.
The whole thing is more about how well you can shoot a .44 Mag/Special regardless of the barrel length. Magnums tend to be big things too. A Smith M69 Combat Magnum with a 2.75" barrel runs 34.4 ounces(2.15 pounds) and is 7.8" long. A 5" M629 is 10.5" long and weighs 44.7 ounces(nearly 3 pounds). So if concealing is required you need to take that into consideration too.
I have 3" and 4" Smith 629's. Once you get below 6" in a 44 mag you lose so much speed there isn't really much point in owning a 44 magnum. But if you stay with bullets on the heavier side I think it is still an effective round. But I'd tend to go with hotter 44 special loads, or milder 44 mag loads from barrels that short. The hotter loads won't be all that much faster, but will generate even more blast and the same recoil.
Weight is the first consideration in my opinion & ammunition is the 2nd. As to bbl. length, any thing beyond ~4" makes it a royal PITA to carry when seated in any modern conveyance. The gun is pushed up into your short-ribs!
A 4" bbl'd .44 Magnum, in Smith's "N" frame models or one of the other makes, is not a light weight proposition. I've carried Ruger BH's in .44 special with 4-5/8" bbl's and found them far too heavy for all-day carry.
But you might like a used Smith .44 Magnum Mountain Gun with a 4" tube that'll fill the bill and weighs only 39.5 oz. unloaded. They're often on GB, but are becoming rather expensive of late.
Another outstanding choice is Smith's Model 69, a 5 shot .44 Magnum with a 4-1/4" bbl. that weighs-in at 38.7 oz. I own the M69 and have found it to be one of the most accurate .44's I've had over the years, and it's light weight makes it a joy to carry on the belt.
Ammunition selection is a consideration in any .44 used for self-defense as you no doubt know, with over-penetration a big factor. Light .44 Special loadings, designed for protection might be the best choice, and will offer faster follow-up shots if necessary.
JMHO & YMMV, Rod
A 4" bbl'd .44 Magnum, in Smith's "N" frame models or one of the other makes, is not a light weight proposition. I've carried Ruger BH's in .44 special with 4-5/8" bbl's and found them far too heavy for all-day carry.
But you might like a used Smith .44 Magnum Mountain Gun with a 4" tube that'll fill the bill and weighs only 39.5 oz. unloaded. They're often on GB, but are becoming rather expensive of late.
Another outstanding choice is Smith's Model 69, a 5 shot .44 Magnum with a 4-1/4" bbl. that weighs-in at 38.7 oz. I own the M69 and have found it to be one of the most accurate .44's I've had over the years, and it's light weight makes it a joy to carry on the belt.
Ammunition selection is a consideration in any .44 used for self-defense as you no doubt know, with over-penetration a big factor. Light .44 Special loadings, designed for protection might be the best choice, and will offer faster follow-up shots if necessary.
JMHO & YMMV, Rod
I sometimes carry a .45LC S&W 625MG so I would 2nd the recommendation for a .44mag Mountain Gun. It is a little lighter than other 4" N-frame revolvers. I do sometimes carry it when in VA (VA has good open carry laws so I don't worry if it prints or shows under my cover garment). Short of a state with liberal (classical liberal) open carry laws, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable trying to conceal something that big. It is heavy so you will notice it, so a good belt and holster are a must (I have a carved Black Hills BH 24 OWB and a Galco Summer Comfort IWB on a Bullhide belts gunbelt).
If I was to buy a .44mag with more extended/regular carry in mind I would want 6 rounds over 5 so I'd be looking at either a shorter or lighter N-frame over something like the S&W 69 or Taurus Tracker. I'm not sure which I'd value more, the lighter weight or the shorter OAL (compared to my 625MG), so I'd be looking at either the ~15oz lighter (but same size) S&W 629PD or the 3" (and 1" shorter OAL) but same weight S&W 629 Deluxe. Ideally I'd get one of each depending upon my mood. Most of us can't do that (or at least not at once), so which do you value more, a little shorter or a little lighter? There is a good chance (in reality) that I'll eventually get the 3", I doubt I'll ever get the scandium. Either way, I'd probably only ever load it up with .44spl rounds (or downloaded .44mag brass that is basically .44spl strength).
If I was to buy a .44mag with more extended/regular carry in mind I would want 6 rounds over 5 so I'd be looking at either a shorter or lighter N-frame over something like the S&W 69 or Taurus Tracker. I'm not sure which I'd value more, the lighter weight or the shorter OAL (compared to my 625MG), so I'd be looking at either the ~15oz lighter (but same size) S&W 629PD or the 3" (and 1" shorter OAL) but same weight S&W 629 Deluxe. Ideally I'd get one of each depending upon my mood. Most of us can't do that (or at least not at once), so which do you value more, a little shorter or a little lighter? There is a good chance (in reality) that I'll eventually get the 3", I doubt I'll ever get the scandium. Either way, I'd probably only ever load it up with .44spl rounds (or downloaded .44mag brass that is basically .44spl strength).
Coloradohtr
New member
I carry a Smith and Wesson 629-5 Mountain Gun 4" .44mag with 240gr JHPs every day at work at a gun shop where we open carry. I love this gun. Its scary accurate and to me doesnt have the recoil or muzzle blast as bad as prople make it out to have. Once off work and if it's fall I just wear a loose long sleeved shirt or in the winter months I just wear a jacket and it conceals nicely. It is a little lighter than a normal 629 but the weight still doesn't bother me a bit. For mountain carry and while hunting I load it with Buffalo Bore's 305gr LBT-LFN.
I strongly recommend a thick sturdy leather belt and a good quality holster. I see too many people carrying where they use a cheap Walmart belt and a cheap Uncle Mikes holster. Alien Gear makes a great strong leather belt that is lined with spring steel so it helps support the weight of the gun and is almost like a duty gun belt but alot better looking. Good leather holsters from Simply Rugged, Galco, De Santis, Bianchi and Blackhawk are good too. The Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake hoksters are my favorite for revolvers.
I strongly recommend a thick sturdy leather belt and a good quality holster. I see too many people carrying where they use a cheap Walmart belt and a cheap Uncle Mikes holster. Alien Gear makes a great strong leather belt that is lined with spring steel so it helps support the weight of the gun and is almost like a duty gun belt but alot better looking. Good leather holsters from Simply Rugged, Galco, De Santis, Bianchi and Blackhawk are good too. The Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake hoksters are my favorite for revolvers.