Buy a new 44 Magnum (Which would you buy?)

[WNC2500]

OK, Hunt Talk, most of you know that I am a huge fan of the wheelgun, and my favorite pistol that I own is a Ruger Super Redhawk (9.5 inch barrel) in 44 Magnum. It is such a great gun to shoot, and I have harvested mule deer in MT with it before. It is an impressive gun. With that said, I know there are a lot of wheelgun officiandos on here, and I want your opinion.

If you are buying a new wheelgun for backcountry, or for taking on a walk with you throughout your hunting ventures, which one are you gonna buy? These are the ones I am considering. If you think I should look at another, give your thoughts.

Colt Kodiak
Colt Anaconda
S&W 629
Ruger Alaskan

 

[jimh406]

629 Mountain Gun

 

[WNC2500]

629 Mountain Gun

I have watched YouTube videos on the Kodiak and the Mountain Gun. Both seem to be well thought of, and not a lot of bad said about them.

 

[mtmuley]

Colt Kodiak. mtmuley

 

[Bowhunt_406]

I have the SW 629 6.5” and I love it. Shoots great with everything from light loads to full house 305gr. I like the colts, but personally I prefer smith.

 

[WNC2500]

I have the SW 629 6.5” and I love it. Shoots great with everything from light loads to full house 305gr. I like the colts, but personally I prefer smith.

@Bowhunt_406, if you don't care or mind sharing, what preferences jump out at you on Smith vs Colt?

 

[pwrwgn57]

I voted either S&W or Ruger. Probably would go with one of the 629 models as they're all lighter than the Ruger. Another option might be the S&W Model 69 but you lose a round.

 

[Bowhunt_406]

@Bowhunt_406, if you don't care or mind sharing, what preferences jump out at you on Smith vs Co

Mostly because I have more experience behind a SW than I do colts. I’ve been shooting different models of SW since I was little kid.I prefer the cylinder latch on smiths over colts. The difference is very negligible if you’re familiar with your firearm. Both triggers are great, so that comes up to preference. My experience with SW customer service has been great both times I’ve used them. Plus finding parts and grips for the Smith has been easy. Colts might have the same aftermarket support, but I don’t own any so I’m not familiar.

 

[MTLabrador]

Smith 629 4” for a carry gun.

 

[std7mag]

I voted for the S&W 629.

Since I don't have a 44 Mag, I just went off of the look and price.

While the Colt Kodiak with the 4" ported barrel is aestheticly pleasing to me, the extra $400 plus would possibly be a deal breaker.

To the point of it being a safe queen instead of shooting and enjoying it.

 

[WNC2500]

I voted for the S&W 629.

Since I don't have a 44 Mag, I just went off of the look and price.

While the Colt Kodiak with the 4" ported barrel is aestheticly pleasing to me, the extra $400 plus would possibly be a deal breaker.

To the point of it being a safe queen instead of shooting and enjoying it.

@std7mag, no matter what I buy, I am going to use it. If I end up getting the Kodiak, I will shoot and enjoy it, but would do the same with all of them. I mainly asked everyone mainly to see of those people that have one or all of them what does everyone like, and why. I don't own any S&W, or any Colt's, so it would be a first either way. I have been pleased with my Ruger's, but have some mad money to spend on these. I have a good bit of Sportsman's gift cards to use, so it is mad money either way.

I have heard a lot of people talk about Colt's being safe queens, but I don't really own any safe queens. Everything I have, I want to use. I don't really have any gun, just to have it. I use all of them.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I have a S&W M29 w/a 4" barrel. It's a handful but I love it.

Have had a Ruger Redhawk in the past w/ the 5.5" barrel and loved it as well. The Alaskan never interested me due to the size. Ruger triggers are also a little gritty and need some work to smooth them out.

Have not held or shot the Colts but they're Colt wheel guns. The literally invented the revolver. The snake series are the top-end production revolver of all time in terms of fit, finish and out-of-the-box perfection. If you can swing the Kodiak, get it.

After that I'd get the S&W.

 

[howl]

S&W 69 for a general purpose belt gun. I'd do something else if I were expecting to hunt with it often and at distances past 100 yards.

 

[cgasner1]

I don’t know a lot about handguns not really my thing. What I do know is all of mine serve a purpose be it a conceal carry or a bear gun. All of them I purchased for the same reason that was the one that fit my hand the best. That’s about all the advice I have on it is go pick them up and see how they feel if they check all the other boxes

 

[BAKPAKR]

I am pretty partial to 629s. I would look for an older, pre-lock model since I am not that big of fan of newer S&Ws.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Smith 629 4” for a carry gun.

The 4” even works for hunting!

 

[noharleyyet]

The 4” even works for hunting!

View attachment 404253

Smoke em if ya got em...one of the best humblebrags ever!

 

[cgasner1]

H

The 4” even works for hunting!

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How Is this not your avatar picture?

 

[Ben Lamb]

The 4” even works for hunting!

View attachment 404253

 

[jimh406]

Fyi, some of the newer S&Ws don't have the lock.

S&W springs are easy to change and can make quite a bit lighter DA trigger. There are lots of videos on YouTube that cover about every model.