44 Magnum: S&W, Ruger or Taurus?

[Will Carry]

I do not own a 44 magnum handgun. That is the only reason I can think of to buy one, plus I like shooting big guns.
I have always wanted a model 29 Smith but IF I'm going to get a 44 mag, I want the one that is the most "shootable" and one that won't make me feel guilty driving home from the gun shop. How do the Smith and Wesson 44 mags stack up against the RedHawks, BlackHawks and the ported Raging Bull? I would preffer double action but if the single action is the most "shootable" (Whatever that means) I would go with the Blackhawk.
I would be using the pistol for recreational shooting and as a woods gun, maybe even home defense....but not for hunting.

 

[NFrameFred]

Expect a deluge of widely varied opinions, but since you asked this on the S&W forum instead of the Ruger (forget the other ), I have a feeling the majority will have a one-sided opinion . . . . and I concur.

 

[StatesRightist]

S&W's are excellent guns, very shoot-able and the best carry gun of the lot. They will not handle the heaviest of the Magnum loads as well as the Ruger. Ruger's are better high round count/range and heavy, heavy load guns. The are not as easy to carry though. I do not like the Taurus RB, JMO. I prefer the 44M, it is a better carry gun than the RB and handles loads up to 300 gr or so well. It is also ported liked the RB.

All of the guns are the quality products. The Taurus is probably the best buy, it has a surprisingly good trigger and shoots well. However, I have an issue believing a Taurus is a lifetime gun, I trade mine about every 5 yrs in theory, again JMO. The Smith is my pick of the three, but I buy guns with an emphasis on carry, not just the range. The Smith is the best mix of everything you look for in a 44 IMO.

That said if you are looking to fire Max loads at the range and carry a 340 gas check bullet etc once an a while for grizzles, go with the Ruger. That's my 2 cents worth on the issue.

 

[cowart]

Have owned a 29, a 629 Classic, a Redhawk, and a Blackhawk. The 629 Classic with the full lug barrel was the easiest to shoot. The Blackhawk was the least shootable of the bunch for me.

 

[kraigwy]

I've had a lot of 44 Mags, Rugers and Smiths (don't know about the Taurus).

To me, the Model 29 is the most "shootable".

 

[longranger]

Ruger Red Hawk price will approach the price of a S&W with not near the collectability(arguable to some folks). Difference is cast(Ruger) or forged(S&W) Red Hawks are huge guns.

 

[kennyb]

no doubt...any 44m offered by S&W...i have the 29's,629'2 as well as performance center 44's all handle and shoot great...also have a 44m anaconda by colt that does great!

 

[wbraswell]

I will start by saying there is nothing wrong with a Super Blackhawk. But when the day is done and you're at home and have cleaned your gun, there is nothing that brings the pride of ownership and puts a grin on your face like having a Model 29 in your hand will.

 

[Andy Griffith]

On the subject of the screaming buzzard guns...

The Bisley models are more comfortable to shoot with heavy loads depending upon your hand size. I like them much better than the standard Super Blackhawk. Some people that have shot my Bisley have had the back of the triggerguard bite them, but I never have. Try a Hogue overmould grip on a regular Super Blackhawk frame- it's very comfortable and is a pleasure to shoot...it just looks awful and is an abomination if you like wood grips like me.

I haven't shot any of the Taurus .44 magnums, but as to their Raging Bulls in .454 which I have shot, their grips are very well thought out and very comfortable to shoot and extremely accurate. One fellow regularly shoots one (an 8") at steel targets and does quite, quite well. The Raging Bull does come in .44 Magnum also, and I would think that it would be tame compared to the same frame in .454 Casull...it just needs a set of walnut grips on it.

 

[feralmerril]

I have had both. Ruger does make some short barrel stuff now in the mag. Really, a person doesnt need a DA for your type shooting so I wouldnt let THAT be a decision breaker if you liked other factors.

 

[venomballistics]

44 magnum means your a future reloader. forget about those ported barrels they hamper the use of cast lead bullets.
that leaves us with the 29 629 and the R words.
you dont quite know what your in for yet and you might like to have the DA option of the 29 629 and SRH
of these, it just gravitates to the 29 629 as the design isnt wierd like the SRH lending the smiths as a more universal solution to the 44 mag problem ... if ever it was one

 

[LouisianaJoe]

Easy solution. Buy one of each. Problem solved.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

What you really need is a 9.5" barrel Super Redhawk in .44 magnum with box and a Simmons 2x scope just for grins. If you could find one for $650 shipped, that would be a bonus.
Wait.... I have one of those and that is what I would sell it for
Man is that spooky or what...............

 

[A10]

Buy one of each if you can, and tell the wife it is for an experiment in longevity of the firearms. You could tell her you are developing a spreadsheet on the shootablility as well!

Seriously it depends on what you want to do with it. For concealed carry I'd go with the Smith, and it may hold it's value better than the others. If I were shooting heavy loads consistently (or wanted something for pistol whipping bad guys with) I'd go with either Ruger. Both are built to last! I know some folks have had good luck with the Taurus, and it does feel good in my hand. I have questions about quality control and longevity though.....

Enjoy the search, and shoot as many of them as you can!

 

[cmort666]

Pre-lock S&W, otherwise a Ruger Redhawk.

I've got two Model 29-2s, a 4" and a 6".

 

[427mach1]

Red Hawks are huge guns.

The Super Redhawks are huge guns. The 44 mag is also available as a standard Redhawk and they are not that big.

 

[Texas Star]

I've owned a M-29 and a stainless Super Blackhawk with the usual 7.5-inch bbl.

The S&W is a better all-round sidearm, if you reload and can usually feed it moderate loads, reserving magnum ammo for the real needs.

The Ruger handles recoil much better and points very well. It will stand up better to heavy loads. It is slower to reload, but you may not have an urgent need for rapid reloading if you can shoot well and use that level of raw power.

The Redhawk and Super Redhawk are too big and heavy for comfortable daily wear.

I prefer not to discuss Taurus guns. Heard too many bad things and few good about them. That includes both the guns and their repair dept. They're also harder to sell than S&W or Ruger.

I'd get a M-629-3 with six-inch bbl. and smooth wooden grips to minimize recoil effects, for a general sidearm. But it is on par with firing .357 ammo in a M-19 or M-66: do it as needed, but not routinely. If you often need full loads, learn to carry and use a Ruger single-action. Alas, the Bisley frame may not come on a Super Blackhawk. Not sure. But the basic Dragoon grip is pretty good, too.

 

[nipster]

Desert Eagle!

 

[cussedemgun]

shootable

IMHO, 'shootable' would be a combo of comfort + accuracy without consideration for size & carry convenience.

I have 44's in S&W, Colt, Ruger, T/C Contender, Desert Eagle, & SAA clones.

I feel the small advantage gained in less felt recoil by porting a pistol is more than offset by the increased muzzle blast. Most people will learn to flinch from the noise quicker than the recoil. Porting is often done to correct for buying more gun than the user is comfortable with.

Generally, less recoil, more comfort. This would lead me to believe heavier is better. The heaviest guns are the Desert Eagle & also they make the BFR revolver in 44. (in a pinch, they'll double for a boat anchor)

Grip size can be a large part of comfort & is strictly a matter of personal choice. Most all the 44's, except D.E., can be fitted with a variety of sizes & styles of stocks to please most any taste.

Trigger function means a lot to accurate shooting. Of my seven S&W's, the triggers are all the same & IMHO rate excellent! Of all the rest, each trigger is to it's own & needs mastery for weight , creep, & over travel.

The next feature for consideration is barrel length & your choice will affect both weight & ballance, but most guns are avalible in various lengths. As a side note, 5" to 6" barrels are a standard for most bullseye target guns. I don't think this came about by accident, & the 5" gets my nod.

Now after my rambling, you want to know my favorite, anything with 44 Mag on it. If I were in your neck of the woods, I would be considering a hog hunt in the near future, shortly after you get that new 44 Mag.

 

[arjay]

I've had a Super blackhawk and it stood up to a steady diet of heavy loads,but it was a knuckle buster.The 5 inch 629 was a well made and accurate gun.A 4 inch anaconda is my current shooter and woods gun,accurate and handles recoil well.Just bought my first (pre) 29,but I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.I'd say it's a toss up between the smith and colt.