.44 Magnum Revolver Recommendations...

[ekg28]

If I were to buy a .44 magnum Revolver. Which brand and or model would you recommend.

Pros/Cons of S&W versus Colt versus X Brand?

Starting to think about this purchase, but wanted to get some background info first.

Thank you in advance.

ekg28

[Callahan]

Don't forget Ruger for price and customer service.

[Mountaineer]

ekg28, I have 2 .44Mags. right now. I have a Ruger Redhawk with 7 1/2" barrel, and a Taurus M44 with an 8 3/8" Ported barrel. A friend of mine has a S&W Mod. 29 .44Mag. that's really nice to. If you plan on shooting a lot of full load .44Mags. I would recomend the Ruger. Also Ruger has great customer service, and Taurus has a lifetime Warranty.

["DoubleAction"]

You picked one of the most popular revolvers to inquire about, and because it's been around for so long, it is a matter of how the gun will primarily be put to use.
For strict Hunting purposes, go with the Ruger Redhawk. You will find this to be the most durable platform for chambering the more powerful and heavier bullet cartridges. The Super Redhawk is one massive handgun for a .44 magnum, and Rugers are noted for their superior strength. For the money, Ruger is probably your best overalll choice in a big game hunting grade revolver.

[ekg28]

Thank you all for the replies thus far.

This purchase would be for a general purpose. Not so much hunting, but more collectibility, quality, some range time, and something I can mount a scope on with laser sighting maybe

Blued is preferred, and was debating between the S&W 29 versus a new model Colt. Ruger is quite a possibility, but don't know which model. I'm fond of collecting things that will hold it's value. And something that will give me the equal amount of "bang" for my buck.

With that said.......which particular models would you recommend for:

S&W
Colt
Ruger

Do blued revovlers hold their value better than a stainless version?

Thanks for the dialogue.

ekg28

[Mountaineer]

ekg28, Certain Models of the Ruger Redhawk, and I believe all the Super Redhawks come with scope rings for their integral scope mount. Stainless guns normaly hold their value better than blued because they don't show wear as bad. It seems Stainless guns sell faster than blued guns on the used market.

[winchester]

ekg28

The ruger super blackhawk hunter model also comes with scope rings. Its a single action vs. the double action of the redhawks. You can now get it with the Bisley style grips which I really like. I picked my blackhawk up for $470 NIB. I'm certainly no 44 expert but I really like this gun.

Here's a picture I posted of it at the MSN Hanguns site. If you haven't signed up for this group do so, its a great place to brouse DA's gun pictures .

groups.msn.com/HANDGUNS/kevinsguns.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=230

[Callahan]

egk:

Why the .44 Magnum? Why not go ahead and get the big, new S&W .50 caliber? Are you thinking you will get a deal on the .44 now that Smith has debuted the new pistol and round?

["DoubleAction"]

ekg; If hunting is not on the list of priorities, and for the reasons you mentioned, for Myself, I prefer the Smith & Wesson N- Frames of the model 29, 29 Classic, and 629 Classic DX. I did have a customized 3" inch, but it ended up in a trade for some Wilson CQBs.

S&W Model 29-3



S&W 629 Classic DX



S&W 29 Classic



S&W Model 29-2 Nickel Plated

["DoubleAction"]

For collectability, it all depends of the rarity. As for holding value over time; that depends on how much you plan on shooting it, which will affect investment value for future returns on investment. I shoot mine and take care of them the best I know how, and I do not ever plan on selling one; But you never know what hides around the corner. All of my S&Ws are the pre MIM, which I think will hold very good value in the future. Seems that Blued N Frames are being replaced with stainless, so anything in the factory polished blue finshes will become more of a rarity over time. There are plenty of 29-2 Models, which is one of my favorites, and you can find them for around $450. in excellent condition.

[Callahan]

MIM?

["DoubleAction"]

Callahan; MIM is in reference to the newer hammers and Triggers, which are manufactured from a process called Metal Injection Molding. The firing pins are no longer mounted on the hammers, but rather the frames on these.
www.metalbot.com/inject.html

[Fobos]

I am very happy with my S&W 629 Classic. It is pretty accurate with its 5" barrel.

[ekg28]

DA - nice set of 29's there. I am now starting to narrow it down to the Redhawk versus the 29. Definitely want a DA versus a SA. The stainless has it's allure from the standpoint of durability. Do you find the blue'ing keeps as well (equal or better to S/S?).

Must commend you on this fine Bulletin. Nice to have a civil dialogue between courteous and knowledgeable members without such a bias towards any one particular "brand" or "gun" (which in turn becomes naive talk and further lends to trash talking).

Will stick around here

Thanks again to all. Will keep checking back for further posts.

ekg

["DoubleAction"]

ekg; If your wanting one for casual or serious target shooting, the S&W N- Frame is the choice preferred by many. Outside of target shooting, the S&W 29 is lighter in weight than it's more massive counterparts, which makes carrying an attractive option. For grips and accessories, you will find the S&W the out ranks most others. For trigger actions and speed, do not bother to ask me, ask John Pride or Jerry Miculek.
I am not under rating the Taurus or Famed Ruger Redhawk; I'm just advising you to look around before you decide on one single choice.
One word separates the Double Action Revolvers from the Single Actions, that word is "Combat". The Double Action Revolvers cycle faster, they load faster, and they can function in single action if a lighter trigger in needed.
Blued Carbon Steel Verse Stainless is something that is a noticable difference in handling with some handguns, but the S&W 629 Classic DX breaks the barriers. I love the smoothness of the Blue steel revolvers, but S&W has really out did themselves with their stainless versions. Stainless will recover better from scratches and scrapes, where the blued guns do not. The Stainless guns are also more sensible to maintain against the elements of out door activity. Blued guns represent a time when revolvers had much more meaning in professional applications and a higher degree of craftsmanship.

[9mm]

Anyone here have/use to own a Colt Anaconda? Wasn't that Callahan's gun in Dirty Harry?

I shot a home loaded 44 magnum out my uncle's long barrel Anaconda when I was 13 years old. It popped the tin can about 13 feet in the air and luckily the gun went up and to the right while I was holding on to it, instead of planting into my forehead.

I stuck with the Ruger 22lr pistol after that.

[tptplayer]

Dirty Harry's gun was a S&W Model 29.

www.clinteastwood.org/forums/index.php?board=4;action=display;threadid=1846

["DoubleAction"]

tpt; For over a decade, the barrel length of Dirty Harry's Model 29 was discussed between my friends and I. Looking at the lower shroud will be a good reference point. The original Dirty Harry 29 was a 6 1/2 ", and as the 6" became a factory standard the 6" came into the Dirty Harry movies. I own a Blued Model 29 in the 6", and have often freeze framed the Dirty Harry guns to compare with. In 1972 the S&W Model 29 was offered in the 4", 6 1/2", and 8 3/8" inch barrel lengths. That extra 1/2" of Harry's 29, added to the visual impact of the camera on the muzzle, gave the 29 an illussion of longer length. The 6 1/2" standard barrel length was changed to 6" in 1979, years after "Dirty Harry" and "Magnum Force" was made.

["DoubleAction"]

[MLB]

Digging deep in the archives for this one! 11 year old post!