Which .44?

N

Nightcrawler

New member
I'm interested in a .44 Magnum wheelgun of some sort, as I've got a Winchester Trapper in .44 and it's begging for companionship.

Note: This discussion assumes I can't find anything used, which is all too often true, around here. And with MI's permit to purchase system, I am unsure if one can legally buy from places like GunBroker. Maybe, maybe not, but I will not buy any used firearm sight unseen like that.

Anyway, I'm looking for a full-sized double action revolver, with a barrel 4" but less than 6". I'd prefer a 4" full underlug (mountain gun) configuration. Stainless finish.

My options seem suprisingly limited. There's the Taurus M44, which fits my description, but I'm unsure if it'll survive years of use as well as other models.

There's the Ruger Redhawk, which is as strong as any revolver, but it is kind of, well, ugly. (Dunno....the grip looks too small for the frame). I'm sure it's a fine weapon nonetheless.

There's the Dan Wesson 744, which has interchangable barrels, but it costs more than most other options.

What else is out there? I'm not really inclined to buy a new S&W anytime soon (and their prices as of late are ridiculous anyway).
 
Ala Dan should be around soon to recommend a Model 29 Classic (or 629 if you're set on stainless). He's right, and you should be able to find one used if you're patient.
 
Our friend Shmackey is right, Im right here getting ready to
recommend the weapon that our other friend NAVIGATOR
already has; the Smith & Wesson 629-5 "Classic" with its
5" barrel.:) What an outstanding choice!:D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
If you weren't infected with stainlessitus, would be a lot easier to find a good used .44. for around $300 +/- .

I am trying to hide my recent 4" 29-3 from your post. :D

Sam
 
I like stainless. I mean, c'mon! STAINLESS! Woo, shiny...


At any rate, as I said, I seriously doubt I'll be able to find a used S&W M29 in the configuration I want around here. The only used S&Ws I've seen anytime recently have all had like 8" barrels, and that's not what I want.
 
I chose new rugers. I found some used stuff, and one s&w with a red dot on it. I never even looked at it as the shop said they came together. If you want to wait, they do show up now and then, I figure I will buy any good deal if it pops up though, so I do not really miss out much.

I went with 5 inch barrels, stainless, and 44 magnum. Now why do I use plural, I got my redhawk today and should have a super black hawk tomorrow. :) Polymer for stainless, I love it. Not traded though, I would have lost too much.

Check aftermarket grips if you think the grips are small, I have small hands and like em.

I think the super redhawk looks weird, and shortest barrel is 7.5 or so.

Hold some and see what you like best. The new taurus with a rubbery sort of grip was way too big for me, so I ordered a redhawk sight unseen, they only stock em around deery season. Happy happy joy joy, course it is too dark to go shoot it. :( Tomorrow is slowly coming. :)

I also hated even thinking about a taurus with a lock in it. New ruger, no lock. Stupid message on barrel though. Not as blatant as my gp100 though.
 
Yeah, I just love the freaking paragraph Ruger puts on their revolver barrels. Yeesh.

So, it's okay to have both a .357 and a .44, right? I mean, I want both. I want a .45 auto, too. And I really liked the Springfield XD-40....

*sigh* Hoo boy....
 
Smith & Wesson

.44 in 4 inch,please.
20025168042900537096016.jpg
 
.44 magnumitis

IF I was to get a .44, it would prolly be a blued ruger bisley-vaquero with 4 5/8 barrel.
They have a better grip/plowshare for the powerful loads you'll surely be shootin'.
The only downside is that they don't look right with a big honkin' red dot sight on the top.
In .41, the blackhawk 4 5/8 will have to do. Already got one, and it's a shooter. (With the afore-mentioned red dot sight.)
If you promise not to drool, check out the custom revolvers at Gary Reeder's site.
http://www.reedercustomguns.com

I'm dreaming of the ultimate .41

Maybe someday.
 
You mentioned the Ruger Redhawk!

I have a stainless 44 mag in the 5.5 inch bbl. length and have come to really enjoy it a lot. Rugers are extremely heavily built and take a lot of wear and tear. I shoot "hot" Garrett ammo through mine (though not often) and the Redhawk manages it with ease. So, for strenth and versatility I cast a vote for the Redhawk! Good shooting:)
 
REDHAWK - stainless of course

Own one in each caliber, with the 357 a 7.5".
Use my 5.5" 44 for IPSC (more than the others; the 45 Colt version gave some extraction-speed challenges LOL).

Added Millett orange-ramp front sight blade, and Pachmayr Decelerator grips.

Perfect, for me.

"Ugly"? Looks? Frankly, I can only see the front sight...............
 

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I'll throw in a plug for the Dan Wesson Model 744.

Built like a tank and accuracy proven in the IHMSA matches. Back in the good old days when I still had decent eyes and competed, Dan's consistantly took top places. Back then the competitors were supplying their own revolvers, no sponsorships, they shot what they believed in.
Another thought is Model 7445 SuperMag. Will shoot .44 Mag just fine and the longer cylinder allows the use of heavier/longer bullets if you plan on reloading.
As for price, check around, Dan Wesson will work with most FFLs direct. You could probably get a Model 744 new in $550 to $600 range. It's certainly worth a few phone calls. Call or e-mail Dan Wesson directly, they may be able to recommand an FFL or shop in your area.
Take Care
 
Which .44 DA?

Really all depends on what you intend to do with it. If I was starting all over I be seriously tempted by the S&W Mountain Gun. I shot 4" 29's for years, killed or helped kill several deer with an old nickel 29-2; they'll do anything you need to do on medium game.

Then I got bit by the heavy-bullet bug. Beat my old Smith ragged inside 400 rounds with 300 LBTs over big doses of 296. It was also a might hard on the mitts, I might add, and I have shot .44s & pumped .45s for years.

Then I got a 5.5" redhawk, found a nearly-new blue one I got into for around $350, and it's the only way to go for heavy bullets. I finally have the trigger like I want it, and it has proven time and again that it will print 5" groups @ 100 yards with heavy loads. Uncle Mike's solved the 'weird grip' issue, and it'll shoot a pickup load of the rounds that did in the S&W, and never shoot loose. If gonna wander around in bear country I'd prefer it over the S&W for that reason alone.

If I was going to be happy with 240s at factory levels, I'd probably buy Smith. I wouldn't even mess with the Taurus. My brother went through two of them in six weeks, and both would 'unlock' and roll the cylinder backwards with heavy loads. He finally swapped the last one on a Redhawk. Haven't shot DW in years, but the .357 I had back then wasn't all that great- certainly not as good as the old Ruger Security/Speed/Service Sixes I had over the years.

Good luck & stay safe.
 
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