Which .44 magnum revolver

I'm going to assume that you also include the Redhawk 4.2" in that.

That is what I have and it must be my favourite gun to shoot. Not necessarily the most frequently shot though, but definitely one I am veeeery attached to.

I can't compare it to any others through lack of experience, but I certainly don't feel the need to look for a replacement.
 
I have the 5.5 Redhawk. My hunting and woods carry revolver. When I purchased my Redhawk (96), 5.5" was the shortest available.

For packing I would prefer a 4", but for hunting... 5.5" or longer.
 
Nothing wrong with 4in 44 mag. I love mine. I have a 4in 629 and a 6in 29 and love em both. I would love to get one of the 2.68 629 PC versions with the unfluted cylinder. I don't own any Ruger Redhawks but they make a nice revolver and would not hesitate to buy one. I just prefer the smith.
 
I would love to get one of the 2.68 629 PC versions with the unfluted cylinder.
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I have one, with the wood grips and while it's great with milder loads it's not a "fun plinker" with the heavier stuff. In fact I think my .454 Alaskan is easier with its rubber grips...
 
Ruger Redhawk the best double action 44 mag?
I’m curious about what aspects make it the best 44 mag.
It’s a very strong gun but being investment cast rather than forged the size of the frame does not mean as much increase in strength as some think MIO.
The trigger on the Ruger is nowhere near a S&W. Also the weight gives the S&W an edge.
With that said if I was going to spend its life shooting full magnums I also would buy the Ruger. If I was going to hunt, same way. If I was going to carry a 44 then I would get the S&W.
I also disagree about the shorter barrel. It may not be a long range gun but inside of 15 yards it’s got a lot going for it.
If you’re going to use the 44 for range only then I would go with the super Blackhawk. That, is the tank of revolvers.
 
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I sure don't think getting a 4" barreled 44 magnum is such a bad idea....a 4" N frame Smith & Wesson would be a very nice field carry gun ! Putting 44 special rounds through it for fun target practice and even home defense loads...yet , having the ability to stoke it with 44 magnum loads for a side arm on hunting trips ! Sounds good to me ! :)
 
I like the Ruger Blackhawk with a 4-5/8" barrel for heavy loads. But if I could only have one short 44 mag then I think I would choose my 4 inch blued model 29, with the standard grip.

I do have a .44 mag Model 29 mountain gun, and it's a great carry piece but I don't enjoy shooting it much with full loads. I guess it fine with full loads for an emergency, but the gun serves far better as a 44 special or a loaded down 44 mag. That is where it shines.

The Redhawk is a heck of a gun, but didn't quite work for me, and it's heavier then I want to carry.
 
I had a S&W 29 4" it was a hand full with full loads, Like a flame thrower. OK for a back up when hunting, but fun to shoot thats not for me. I do like my 44 Mag. 29 with the 8 3/8" brl. I have it scoped, it's a joy to shoot. First time shooting the 4" at a indoor range, a feller entered the room asked me what are you firing. told him a 44Mag , can take a shot. I told him sure, need to wear ear protection, he insisted I don't need to. Well I loaded one round into the next cylinder, he squeezed one round off looked at me with this strange look in his face, thanked me & left. Some people have to learn the hard way.That 4"er was a beast.
 
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Ruger Vaquero

A Ruger Vaquero(not the New Vaquero) was made in 44 Magnum-I have one with Ivorite grips and it's an OK single action revolver and didn't cost me much
 
I have two .44 magnum revolvers I do not hesitate to recommend:

-S&W 6-1/2" Power Ported 629 Classic ... it is great for hunting and shooting maximum loaded heavy .44 magnum rounds.

-S&W 329PD 4" light weight .44 magnum that will rock your boat to shoot with .44 magnum loads, but is great with .44 Special, such as Buffalo Bore Heavy 185 grain Gold Dots. I find this the perfect field gun for me to carry in the outback, whether hiking, or fishing.

A Redhawk, even 4", has never struck me as a revolver I'd enjoy carrying around ... too heavy for carry and too much recoil with heavy hunting loads in .44 magnum.
 
I have never understood why people post the Redhawk is too heavy?

A four inch Model 629 weighs 42 ozs. The snubby 629 weighs 40 ozs. The four inch redhawk weighs 47 ounces. Is 5-7 ounces going to make that much difference..? Especially when you consider the Redhawk is stronger, handles ALL heavy loads, and has a reputation for Timex/John Deere reliabilty?

Yes, there is the 329, but I would not expect it to hold up to any sustained full house loads.

Do yuou want an anvil or a prom queen? My Rugers always just work and they do it accurately no matter what you shove in the cylinder nor for how long.
 
I've owned, reloaded for and hunted with both the 4" Model 29 and the 5 1/2" Redhawk. They were about equally accurate. I beat the poor old S&W silly with heavy loads, to the point that it had to be rebuilt once and was getting loose again when I traded it.

The 45 Colt is my bigbore cartridge these days but if I wanted a 4" heavy D/A sixgun, I would definitely buy a Redhawk. The 4" barrel is no handicap at all.
 
codefour-- Agree. This extra weight is also attributed to the longer cylinder. More 300 gr+ options for hiking and hunting.
 
i have two 44 mag revolvers and i like both very much. my first 44 mag was a ruger redhawk stainless with a 7 1/2" barrel. it is a great gun with factory wooden grips and good factory sights. i have shot it out to 100 yards with very good accuracy but it can be a handfull if you shoot a bunch of rounds.

my second 44 mag is a blued taurus model 44 with a 4" barrel. the taurus quickly became my go to 44 mag. the 4" barrel is as accurate as the 7 1/2" ruger at the ranges I shoot and it has very nice factory sights as well. the taurus has a factory rubber grip and a factory ported barrel also make it much much more pleasant to shoot for longer periods of time. the 4" barrel also makes it much more pleasant to carry for long distances and long periods of time which makes it an ideal trail gun for me.

when i shoot my redhawk the recoil makes the gun rise in an arc making it slower to bring the gun back in position for a second shot. when i shoot the taurus the recoil brings the gun straight back making a second shot faster. i attribute this to the factory ported barrel. the taurus is also much more pleasant to shoot allowing for longer range sessions.

i would like to scope the ruger someday for more dedicated target work and hunting. i would like to take the scoped ruger hunting along with the 4" taurus for both longer shots with the scoped ruger and if i got a closer shot i would use the 4" taurus. carrying both handguns would be easier than carrying a rifle keeping my hands free for glassing or other stuff. i think it would be fun.

i would like to add a ruger blackhawk to the collection someday just to match it with my winchester 94 in 44 mag.

if you are looking for your first 44 mag for general purpose shooting i would recomend the 4" barrel in whatever brand you prefer. my 4" taurus is a very good gun, you might like to check one out but buy whatever brand you like.
 
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For bear-carry, I've had the 4 inch 629, and currently have the 4 inch 5 shot Taurus Tracker. The Tracker is a bit easier to carry and a lot more accurate than the 629 was. Yes, the 629 was a little more solidly built.

For hunting guns, I have the Super Redhawk and Taurus M44. Both with red-dot scopes, and both accurate. The Taurus has killed a pile of deer for me and has been through mud, ice, rain and snow for years and years, and keeps on ticking. The Super Redhawk has had less field time but is built like a tank -- and looks really cool, too, which is definitely a factor...It's also highly accurate.

I had the Super Blackhawk for a short time, but couldn't bond with the grip shape and never found it very comfortable in my hand, unlike the double action revolvers. It too, however, was a superb, accurate handgun.

Good luck!

The Taurus M44, and its best buck to date....

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I have never understood why people post the Red hawk is too heavy?
Take a 29 and a Red with the same length barrel and put them in your hand. The Ruger has more weight toward the muzzle giving it a heavier feel. But I was surprised at the minimal difference in weight. I prefer the balance of an S&W over the Ruger.
 
Count me in the longer than 4" crowd. My dad had a 4" 29 and I shot it a lot. A 5.5" RH and a 7.5" RH were much more pleasant to shoot and load for. My 7.5" RH easily gives me max load velocities with starting loads of powder. The longer barrels really shine in 44 Mag.
 
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