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

[Dan O]

One thing to keep in mind are you going to shoot it often, if so the light weight advantage for carry purposes will be uncomfortable. Recoil is a huge consideration and can become a problem. At some point recoil takes the fun out of it for some. Then there are some that think it hurts so good One thing I always try to do anymore is wear a pair of light weight gloves when shooting 41mag, 44mag, or 454's. It really helps take the bite out of recoil.

 

[Doublegunner]

I also love the wheel gun. Given you already have a heavy 44 i would look hard at the new smith 629 mountain gun. I have one from 2008 and it's been great. Lots of power but easy to pack. Not so brutal to shoot as a 329. The new ones have no lock and use a ball detent lockup.

 

[Moserkr]

I would buy a ruger redhawk (not alaskan) with the rosewood grips, in a 4-6" barrel depending on your preference. Thats my first choice, followrd closely by the colt anaconda, followed by the s&w 629.

 

[Blue Steel]

Amen, @Blue Steel , I'd go for the Nate Romanowski version. That is past my price range. I can swing the Colt or S&W, but the Freedom Arms and the Korth get into used car price range.

Keep telling myself I should soon round up several lower shelf pistols I don't shoot, and trade towards a Freedom Arms. But I'd imagine once you get a FA, going back to a lower shelf SA revolver might be like test driving a upper end Ferrari then driving back home in nicked up 2000 Pontiac Firebird with a broken CD player.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Keep telling myself I should soon round up several lower shelf pistols I don't shoot, and trade towards a Freedom Arms. But I'd imagine once you get a FA, going back to a lower shelf SA revolver might be like test driving a upper end Ferrari then driving back home in nicked up 2000 Pontiac Firebird with a broken CD player.

Think of it as sending those pistols you don't use to new homes where they'll be loved and cherished, while you adopt a gun that is in need of a new home.

 

[Dan O]

The FA model 83 is an amazing firearm. When my hunting partner passed away he left me is FA 454. They are like a bank vault very well built. I would say one of the best worldwide for fit and finish. One thing I learned and was surprised by is you cannot carry it safely with 5 rounds. Think of the Colt single action and the old Ruger 3 screw revolvers. I spoke to the factory and was told to carry it with an empty chamber under the firing pin. There is a safe notch you can set but they don't recommend relying on it. So I carry it with 4 rounds better safe than sorry.

 

[WNC2500]

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

I live in WNC and no one really has the huge selection to be able to handle all the different manufacturers all in one place.

Today, the wife and I are up in Eastern TN (Johnson City) and there is a place that had everything. Mahoneys is the name. They had the S&W 69 and the 629. They also had the Kodiak. Surprisingly the feel of the 629 and Kodiak were very similar with the crispness of the action appearing to be the Kodiak.

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

I have a 629 357 - Air-Lite. I’d suggest that in .44 if they make one. I’m sure it would be really pleasant to shoot.

 

[Blue Steel]

I have a 629 357 - Air-Lite. I’d suggest that in .44 if they make one. I’m sure it would be really pleasant to shoot.

The 360 pd is not super fun with heavy buffalo bore 357 loads. Only shot two or three rounds, which was enough to go back to "normal" 357 mag and BB heavy SWC 38 +p. The 44 mag Model 329 pd apparently has stout recoil which is probably why there are usually some low round count 329s for sale on Gunbroker. The newer S&W 69 Combat 44 mag people say has a bit more felt recoil than the 629.

 

[buffybr]

I've had a couple of Ruger 7 1/2" Super Blackhawks, one since the mid '70s and the other since 2001. I carried one for many years especially on my backcountry elk hunts.

Just before I went on an Alaskan brown bear hunt a few years ago I bought a S&W 4" 629 that has become my most carried pistol in the woods. For my weekly range practice I shoot .44 special lead bullets that I cast from bullets that I dig out of the berms at the range.

Handloaders and bullet casters...the original recyclers.

 

[WNC2500]

I've had a couple of Ruger 7 1/2" Super Blackhawks, one since the mid '70s and the other since 2001. I carried one for many years especially on my backcountry elk hunts.

Just before I went on an Alaskan brown bear hunt a few years ago I bought a S&W 4" 629 that has become my most carried pistol in the woods. For my weekly range practice I shoot .44 special lead bullets that I cast from bullets that I dig out of the berms at the range.

Handloaders and bullet casters...the original recyclers.

Yes, @buffybr I do agree that 48 specials are the way to get great practice with that gun and how the trigger breaks, and all of that.

Did you like that 629?

 

[BAKPAKR]

Yes, @buffybr I do agree that 48 specials are the way to get great practice with that gun and how the trigger breaks, and all of that.

Did you like that 629?

@buffybr and @WNC2500,

I have always just loaded light charges of Unique in magnum cases for plinking. When using 44 Special cases, do you ever wind up with carbon/lead rings ahead of the case mouth that make chambering magnum cartridges difficult? I know I had that problem in my 460 S&W after shooting 45 Long Colt cartridges in it. It took a lot of scrubbing to fix it.

 

[WNC2500]

@buffybr and @WNC2500,

I have always just loaded light charges of Unique in magnum cases for plinking. When using 44 Special cases, do you ever wind up with carbon/lead rings ahead of the case mouth that make chambering magnum cartridges difficult? I know I had that problem in my 460 S&W after shooting 45 Long Colt cartridges in it. It took a lot of scrubbing to fix it.

I had heard that early on when I bought my Ruger 44 magnum so I always shoot the magnums before the specials mainly based on hearing that. So, it really hasn't happened with the 44.

You will laugh, but on my 327 Federal Magnum pistol, it happens on that if I shoot the 32 H&R, or the 32 S&W before the 327 magnums. Noticeable difference in chambering.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

i have owned a standard S and W 629 4" barrel for 35 years. For grips I have a pair of very old S and W walnut factory custom "Coke Bottle" grips with the handmade palm swell. Hand checkered of course.

Preferred all around load are factory Barnes vortex 44 mag 225 grain bullets. These all-copper bullets are way lighter than
lead core, so they kick less, shoot flatter and are so accurate and kill like lightning. Off my 48 inch triple shooting sticks I can hold a five-inch circle all day at 50 yards with the factory white outline rear and red front sight.

My major hunting use is when rattling PNW whitetail bucks just a handful miles from my home. Range is usually well under 50 yards. Never needed more than one shot.

For some years i had a 657 S and W 41 mag with a 6 inch barrel. I could hold that same 5 inch group out to 60 plus yards, also used Barnes vortex ammo, also killed with one shot, but the longer barrel was less handy was visible when wearing a shorter jacket.