RobertJ.
Member
I bought my first .44 Magnum at age 19, back in '79. It's what I learned to reload with, and I currently own seven, one of which is a rifle. It's the most versatile cartridge of all, in my humble opinion.
Age bracket recent .44 mag buyers
- Thread starter gnappi
- Start date
Bought my first one at age 23 in 1964. Bought my first 500 magnum at age 81.
Picked up this one this year.
1980 vintage.
For me it is a 44 special that can shoot 44 mags.
1980 vintage.
For me it is a 44 special that can shoot 44 mags.
Yendor357
Member
I'm 63. Bought a Super Blackhawk around 1980. Then a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag, then a Redhawk, 629s then a bunch of 629-4s. The 629-4s are the pinnacle in my opinion. Then a Miroku Winchester 1892 in 44 mag. I bought a Ruger No.1 in 44 mag a few years ago. I bought a 6 inch Anaconda when they came out. My latest is a 4 inch Anaconda.
I shot a lot of 429421s and burned a lot of 2400.
I shot a lot of 429421s and burned a lot of 2400.
I'm 63 and bought my 1st .44 mag in 1979, a Super Blackhawk. Then in 1980 bought a new 29-2 4" nickel. Still have them both.
Interesting thread! Bought my first hand gun at 18, a 357 S&W magnum in 1974. I could not afford the 44 magnum. Smith or Colt. I was not aware of other brands at the time. Was also not paying attention to semi auto pistols. Would have never considered one. I am 67 and my younger friends call revolvers old man guns. LOL
I never realized that was the mind set of younger shooters till I jumped back into the sport a couple years ago even though my son was shooting a H&K in competition.
I never realized that was the mind set of younger shooters till I jumped back into the sport a couple years ago even though my son was shooting a H&K in competition.
Durango Slim
Member
50.
I have wanted a Smith 4 inch .44 mag for decades. Reading Elmer Keith's books only made me want one more.
After shooting .357s for years, I bought a Blackhawk .45 last year and love the big bore. Especially loaded hot.
I found a 629-1 last month and had to have it.
I have wanted a Smith 4 inch .44 mag for decades. Reading Elmer Keith's books only made me want one more.
After shooting .357s for years, I bought a Blackhawk .45 last year and love the big bore. Especially loaded hot.
I found a 629-1 last month and had to have it.
Durango Slim
Member
Love it. Is it nickel or polished? Do you have a picture of the ribs on the barrel? I am polishing a 3" Ruger Security six and am looking for inspiration.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Bought my first Rugar RBH in 1981 and my latest 629-10 PC in 2017.
I had a used Marlin 336 in 44 Mag & a used Marlin 1894 (first year) at the same time in 1984. In that time frame you could buy S&W brand ammo for $5.99/20. I bought in the neighborhood of 400 rounds!
Still have a 8 3/8" 29 -? Classic, the 2 5/8" 629-10 and a Super 14" T.C.
Ivan
I had a used Marlin 336 in 44 Mag & a used Marlin 1894 (first year) at the same time in 1984. In that time frame you could buy S&W brand ammo for $5.99/20. I bought in the neighborhood of 400 rounds!
Still have a 8 3/8" 29 -? Classic, the 2 5/8" 629-10 and a Super 14" T.C.
Ivan
Just turned 65 less than 2 months ago. Bought two 44's this year. A no-dash 29 4-screw and a 3" 629-1. Love them both!
Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk
UNCLE PAULY
Member
Bought a S&W 29-2 44mag 8-3/8" barrel revolver at 23 years old.
When ammunition got to 75 cents per round and a baby on the way I had to sell it.
9mm was about $5 / 50 count box, so kept the Beretta 92F.
When ammunition got to 75 cents per round and a baby on the way I had to sell it.
9mm was about $5 / 50 count box, so kept the Beretta 92F.
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Yendor357
Member
Ah, the Gateway Gun: the Super Blackhawk; because who could afford a No.5 in 1980? Then when you get a little older you step up to the Real Thing, the 29/629. Reason being that if you were to be a real Pistolero, you needed to master the Smith and Wesson 44 magnum. After all Harry Callahan and Elmer Keith couldn't possibly be wrong.
For me, it got real in 1986 when Indiana made handguns legal for deer hunting. I built a home made tree stand in a good spot. I never took an iffy shot. Never needed more than 1 shot.
Eventually, straight walled rifles were legal, and deer hunting just wasn't the same. But, a nifty Win 1892 or that awesome little Ruger No.1 were fun too.
Then too, there were the 44 Specials like the 4 inch 624 that I never could get to group. The 4 5/8 Stainless Blackhawk flat top, as close to a No. 5 as I'll ever get. The 3 inch GP100 because I didn't jump on a 696 when I should have.
For me, it got real in 1986 when Indiana made handguns legal for deer hunting. I built a home made tree stand in a good spot. I never took an iffy shot. Never needed more than 1 shot.
Eventually, straight walled rifles were legal, and deer hunting just wasn't the same. But, a nifty Win 1892 or that awesome little Ruger No.1 were fun too.
Then too, there were the 44 Specials like the 4 inch 624 that I never could get to group. The 4 5/8 Stainless Blackhawk flat top, as close to a No. 5 as I'll ever get. The 3 inch GP100 because I didn't jump on a 696 when I should have.
I suppose I should have added this yesterday, but I didn't think about it. I SHOT my first 44 magnum, not long after I got my first handgun, back in the late 70's I guess I it was.
I was at the club range, and was the only person there, until a fellow pulled up and got set up. After watching him for a few minutes I spoke up and asked him what he was shooting. He said he was testing out his new Model 29, 44 magnum. He said it was a custom job he'd had built for himself. It started life as a 4" Model 29, and had had the barrel cut back to 2 1/2" inches, (started with a 4" to keep the roll marks centered). Then he'd had the big N frame grip cut off, and a K-frame grip welded on, had a trigger job done, then had it sent off to be Magna-Ported (the "rage" in those days), refinished, added Pachmayr grips (another rage), and here it was.
He asked it I'd like to shoot it. I declined. He insisted. I was scared to death. I'd seen Dirty Harry and knew it was the "most powerful handgun in the world" and no doubt kicked like the proverbial mule, but I couldn't tell a stranger that. I really couldn't tell myself that could I?
I fired three rounds. No idea what kind of ammo. They might have been bunny fart reloads, or they might have been fire breathing dragons. I'd like to say I put three rounds right smack in the center of the target, but I don't know. It didn't kill me, and I don't remember being particularly awed by the recoil at all. I think I hit the berm with all three rounds.
It's possible I got some details wrong about the gun It was a long time ago, and frankly he could have told me it was a modified 1911 and I'd have probably believed him, but that's the way I remember it now. I guess it lit something in me because I've wanted a 44 magnum ever since, but to be honest "Dirty Harry" already had the fire pretty warm anyway.
I was at the club range, and was the only person there, until a fellow pulled up and got set up. After watching him for a few minutes I spoke up and asked him what he was shooting. He said he was testing out his new Model 29, 44 magnum. He said it was a custom job he'd had built for himself. It started life as a 4" Model 29, and had had the barrel cut back to 2 1/2" inches, (started with a 4" to keep the roll marks centered). Then he'd had the big N frame grip cut off, and a K-frame grip welded on, had a trigger job done, then had it sent off to be Magna-Ported (the "rage" in those days), refinished, added Pachmayr grips (another rage), and here it was.
He asked it I'd like to shoot it. I declined. He insisted. I was scared to death. I'd seen Dirty Harry and knew it was the "most powerful handgun in the world" and no doubt kicked like the proverbial mule, but I couldn't tell a stranger that. I really couldn't tell myself that could I?
I fired three rounds. No idea what kind of ammo. They might have been bunny fart reloads, or they might have been fire breathing dragons. I'd like to say I put three rounds right smack in the center of the target, but I don't know. It didn't kill me, and I don't remember being particularly awed by the recoil at all. I think I hit the berm with all three rounds.
It's possible I got some details wrong about the gun It was a long time ago, and frankly he could have told me it was a modified 1911 and I'd have probably believed him, but that's the way I remember it now. I guess it lit something in me because I've wanted a 44 magnum ever since, but to be honest "Dirty Harry" already had the fire pretty warm anyway.
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7887mm08
Member
60 years old and bought my first 44 mag this summer.
Model 69 4 inch, and i love it!
Model 69 4 inch, and i love it!
First one (SBH) at 27, and have had one or more continuously since. Up to 5 now not counting the 44SPL cousins. 70yrs old now and just bought another this week.
I haven't bought one recently, but bought a bought about 6 of them in my 60s.
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Most of the younger shooters that want a powerful handgun think 10mm these days. I have tried to tell them a 44 fires heavier bullets, has significantly more power and doesn't have the reliability issues many 10mm handguns have with hot ammo but none of that matters. If its not semiauto they don't want it. Not even as a range gun.
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