44 mag model 629 or 357 supermag Dan Wesson?

[dan-g]

Alright im finally at a place where I can pick up a new gun and im kind of torn between two different concepts.

OPTION #1 is the tried and true the 44 mag. My use for this gun is mainly fun range time, possibly some practical completion and a backup for deep woods hiking, bow hunting and pig hunting. I currently reload and would need to pick up brass, primmer, bullets and molds if I want to cast this round also.

Pros: I just shot my first 629 6inch yesterday and had an inch group at 10 yards DAO. The cylinder release is in a location im really used to with all my other 357mag smiths. The smith lifetime guarantee. Good resale and good deals on used 629's on GB. Can buy ammo anywhere.

Cons: I have probably 10,000 rounds of components for 357 and casting gear for all my favorite bullets. I have nothing for 44 mag and dont have the resources right now to gear up the way I would like. The 44 mag is also a very diifrent type of recoil than im used to.



OPTION #2 The dan wesson 357 supermag. I have a bead on a freshly factory rebuilt 4 inch heavy barrel. My use for this gun is mainly fun range time, possibly some practical completion and a backup for deep woods hiking, bow hunting and pig hunting.

PROS: I have probably 10,000 rounds of components for 357 and casting gear for all my favorite bullets. I have molds for heavy 357 bullets that are gas checked and perfect for the 357 max. This gun fits my linup perfectly; due to the economy I only have three handguns and they are all smith 357 magnums. Im also really into having a limited but very effective arsenal and the max is the perfect fit (I really like simplicity). Supposedly this gun is very accurate and durable and cheaper.

CONS: No factory warranty. Funky cylinder latch, (this could be a really big deal for me, ive shot only smiths for the last 15 years and owned only a couple of 9mm and 45 acp's that are gone now and that's all my shooting experience.) Brass is getting scarce but I do have a bead on some. No factory 357max ammo anywhere but the gun fires 357mag and 38 special no problem.

So Basically im once again asking people on the forum for some more experienced advise before I make a decision that is financially hard to reverse. (Also I dont know if my post indicated this but Im defiantly budget concise with my hobby.)

 

[glenncal1]

Have you looked at the .357 supermag in person? S&W N frames are big guns. The supermag is a really big gun and you mentioned woods carry as one of the uses for the gun. DW's are good guns if taken care of. Make sure you check that Supermag out carefully. Some really hot loads were developed for those guns.

 

[jspick]

Although I am a 44 mag guy by the fact of where I live I don't want anything less. It sounds like to me that you can rally slip into another 357 real easily.

Do you have a N frame 357? I think that is the best gun out there for a 357. Just my 2 cents.

John

 

[dan-g]

I have two n frame 8 shot smiths so im not afraid of the size. The weight is a wash because the 629 runs 48-60 oz depending on barrel size and this dan wesson is right in there with its 4 inch heavy barrel.

This is an online sale and the only reason im considering it is, the seller has the bill of sale for a complete rebuild from the factory in 2010 and a three day return policy. I wish I could check it out before hand but I will make sure to ask multiple questions before buying and state that if anything is amiss I will use the return.

 

[AkRay]

Buy the Dan Wesson now, and pick up a 629 later. There are a lot more 629s than SuperMags.

 

[Tyrod]

Check for severe flame cutting on the backstrap of the supermag. If it's cut 1/4 to 3/8 of the way through and filled with carbon, it's ok. Any more than that and the gun is junk. If it has no flame cutting, be very suspicious. They all do it.

 

[dan-g]

Hey Tyrod, the flame cutting is only with firing 125 grn loads at near 2000fps and not every gun has that kind of wear. I will check the top strap and that is one of the questions im going to ask the seller but your misinformed about every gun having it. Many of these guns were owned by people who rarely shot them and only with a few max loads all the rest are 357 mag or 38 special. Ive been researching this gun for about 2 years now and everything I have read leads me to believe they are very highly durable and accurate. Also the sheer amount of steel put into these beast is impressive.

I am leaning towards the supermag but I just dont want to make a mistake.

As far as pricing the supermags can be had for $600 in pretty good condition sometimes even with an extra barrel. The one im looking at has a $550 repair bill from the factory about a year ago and is selling for only a little bit more than that.