My daily carry has been...a .44 magnum

[American1776]

I’ve got nice 1911s and hi-cap 9mms, and lately I’ve been settling around my model 69 snubby loaded with Winchester Silvertips 210 gr. Magnums. I have a speed strip of 5 more Magnum Silvertips on the belt, for a total of only 10 rounds.

I shoot this particular one well with this load. Even though it’s heavy and big and only shoots 5; I like it, and I think it works well.

Anyone else like the .44 for daily carry? How do you carry, and what’s your load of choice?

 

[Autonomous]

My self defense load for bipeds is a reduced power .44 Mag 165 gr Cor-Bon cartridge.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Good for you! My own personal history has gradually led me to a 2" Model 15 at age 75, but if a cataclysmic event or two led me to a more powerful pistol, I might consider my 3" double-Magnaported PC 629 loaded with STHP 210gr cartridges as a possible substitute. Close second would be my roundbutted 4.25" 25-2, with any of several effective cartridges (Black Talon, Federal HydraShock, Federal EFMJ). Galco or DeSantis pancakes work fine for me. It seems to me that a really good gun belt, like from thebeltman.net or some others, is a big help, but Red Nichols seems to feel that with a really good holster, the belt is not so critical. I am not so sure which one of us is right.

I think that you are well off carrying the best your bod will handle. This changes slightly with age.

If in doubt, go with the better belt.

 

[6string]

The "School of Callahan" says the .44 is a good choice!

 

[American1776]

Very nice! I've been looking at getting a .44spl set up for concealed carry.

The new age ballistics gurus keep telling us that caliber doesn't matter so long as you hit the right spot but it stands to reason that a bullet which can open up to the size of a nickel has a better chance of clipping a major artery then one that opens up to the size of a pea. Bigger holes are better holes, period.

Unfortunately, there isn't that many JHP's in this caliber that perform well. The 200gr. Speer Gold Dot seems to be one of the best available showing good penetration and consistent expansion in tests.

Underwood makes a .44 Spl. 200 gr. Hard cast Full wadcutter that does 1,000 ft/s. At lower velocities, the special seems to be a hit or miss with expansion, so if/when I want a controllable special load, that’s the one I have; a sharp shouldered chunk of solid lead.

 

[Capt. F.]

Very nice! I've been looking at getting a .44spl set up for concealed carry.

The new age ballistics gurus keep telling us that caliber doesn't matter so long as you hit the right spot but it stands to reason that a bullet which can open up to the size of a nickel has a better chance of clipping a major artery then one that opens up to the size of a pea. Bigger holes are better holes, period.

Unfortunately, there isn't that many JHP's in this caliber that perform well. The 200gr. Speer Gold Dot seems to be one of the best available showing good penetration and consistent expansion in tests.

I use the following analogy arguing for large caliber, heavier bullet.
Have a moped and trailer truck roll along at 50 mph. Now run them into a stand of 4” diameter trees. Which one makes it farther through the trees?
As Elmer said: “Nothing takes the place of bullet weight and caliber”.

 

[Jim Sharp]

I have a 3" 29-3 that I've carried often in a pancake owb. I'm 6'4" and 230 so it may be easier than for some folks. Perfect for me, but not the only option I'm likely to choose. That 69 does make an appealing

 

[Jim Sharp]

Oops! Didn't mean to hit send . . .

What I was going to say is the 69 makes an appealing EDC option.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

I carry mine on occasion. Usually it’s the 686 plus though. Great package the little 69 is. I usually carry warmed up specials in the 240 jhp configuration.

 

[Echo40]

I approve.

 

[Oracle]

I pack a model 629-6 3" deluxe with Underwood 220 grain Xtreme Penetrator rounds in a Tucker Gun Leather Texas Heritage IWB revolver holster daily.

 

[Borderboss]

I’ve got nice 1911s and hi-cap 9mms, and lately I’ve been settling around my model 69 snubby loaded with Winchester Silvertips 210 gr. Magnums. I have a speed strip of 5 more Magnum Silvertips on the belt, for a total of only 10 rounds.

I shoot this particular one well with this load. Even though it’s heavy and big and only shoots 5; I like it, and I think it works well.

Anyone else like the .44 for daily carry? How do you carry, and what’s your load of choice?

Who makes your holster? It looks like just what I need for my 69.

 

[SAFireman]

I pocket carry this with home brewed 240gr LSWCHP moving about 1100 fps.

Yes, that IS a gun in my pocket, and YES I am happy to see you my dear

 

[American1776]

Who makes your holster? It looks like just what I need for my 69.

Check out Tagua holsters. This one rides high, has a broad support, and is a perfect forward cant. Disappears beneath a simple T-shirt.

 

[Sgt 45]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=435754&stc=1&d=1582513467
I carry this in a Dale Frickie AIWB with a couple or three 5 star speed loaders and a 180 Hornady JHP at @ 1420 fps

 

[dr. mordo]

I carry the 210gr Silvertips in my 3" M629 Deluxe. I previously carried Underwood's now discontinued 200gr 44 SPL. "Discontinued" is a bit of a misnomer, but they have de-tuned it to be weaker than it was.

 

[Oracle]

No other way about it, a model 629-6 3" is a chunk of metal in an IWB but the holster conforms and it is second nature.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=435788&stc=1&d=1582530028

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=435789&stc=1&d=1582530028

 

[rwsmith]

But do you think......

But do you think that a .44 magnum has enough 'stopping power'???

 

[CH4]

Nothing wrong with carrying a .44 for SD, or any N frame snubie. In my 629-1 I also use 210 Silver Tips. My N frame snubies ride in a Galco shoulder rig or Combat Master.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I guess you might make someone's day.........................

In my "Burb of the Burgh" I'm good to go with a 9mm 3913...... but have often thought there would be nothing wrong with a .45acp or .44 special....... but would pass on a full bore .44 magnum.