Thread: Model 69 44 mag
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Old 02-22-2021, 08:15 AM
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Frank Black Frank Black is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shocker View Post
I'd say 4.25. I've owned and shot both lengths.
I think the long barrel is noticeably better at taming the recoil of a full 44 Magnum load. 2nd shot will be faster.
Digressing... I'm a fan of the 69 and 44 Magnum. But I'd be really tempted to carry a polymer 10 mm instead. Digression over.
Yep.

Veterans of excursions into bear country are ditching the low capacity 'boat-anchor' wheelguns for 10mm Gen4 G20s, or more recently Glock's long-slide 10mm G40. Both are seen being carried in chest holsters by guides, fishermen, and hunters (the latter as a backup to their rifle).

All that said, the OP's better choice here is the 4.25" model. Not for sight radius, which is irrelevant at the close distances within which bears charge humans, but in order to retain the velocity & energy behind the magnum's bullet.

Velocity, and thus down-range 'impact' energy, drops off very sharply in sub-4" barrel, especially in the mega-magnum-type wheelgun calibers (.454). They need longer barrels (4"-6") to allow the powder capacity of the magnum case to work the bullet to magnum velocities. Going short (2.5" or 3") defeats the point of carrying a magnum revolver, which is to stop an enraged 4-legged critter before it can claw, bite, or (with Moose) stomp you to death.

I'd rather carry the 4.6" Gen4 G20 loaded 15+1 with a hot and heavy 220gn hardcast load (@ 1250fps), such as Buffalo Bore, Underwood, or Double Tap offer. With that load, the 6.2" G40 is just 'mo' better.'

Last edited by Frank Black; 02-22-2021 at 03:55 PM.
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