Do I need a SW 44 magnum revolver or not?

I have been shooting a 44 magnum since I was 10 . My hands have never been " bloodied , bruised or blistered " . I currently own 3 , 2 / 4" barrel and a 6.5" . All smith 29's . In a normal session I will go through several hundred rounds of 44 mag , varying from target to full bore ( and lots of full bore ) . My most shot 44 has a 4" barrel and a set of PC Magna grips , the smaller wooden ones w/rounded off end butt and I have never used a shooting glove . Proper stance is important with any larger handgun . Relax your elbows and let the recoil come back through your whole body . Watch Jerry Miculek video's and you will learn how to shoot large bore revolvers , accurately and comfortably .
 
DonD said:
Every serious revolver shooter needs at least one quality .44 Mag or other big bore revolver, even if they don't shoot it often or shoot max loads. It's the principle of the issue. Don
Click to expand...

I sure hope I can become a serious revolver shooter someday.

I've been shooting over 45 years, own somewhere in the neighborhood of 45 revolvers, with 30-some being S&W's, and not a single one a .44 (nor do I have any want, or "need" for one).

I hope someday I'll be able to be a "serious" revolver shooter. Just sayin' ;)
 
Few need a .44 magnum, most have one safely tucked away. Too powerful, too expensive to shoot but still they have one. It is a beauty to see, satisfying to hold, feel the power it yields, but still it intimates most and is rarely shot. Have one if you must, shoot it if you can, know your limits. For me it is my sidearm on the long trails and dark nights out in the bush.

 
Last edited:
If you live where I do or own a farm where I do they are a real good idea. Black bears rarely attack but then again so do people. I want to be prepared for either. In the woods around my house or on my farm I'll have the 629 hanging on my shoulder. It pulls quickly from a tanker holster. It should give me time to react to a charging bear should that ever happen. I've been threatened by bears more than once in my own yard. They especially like it when I cook out on the grill but I generally keep a 12 ga. handy for that. But walking in the woods or working there something easier to carry is called for. For me it's a .44 magnum loaded with dangerous game rounds. Yes they are expensive but I don't use them for target practice. They are strictly for protection.
 
IMHO

factory 44 magnum is too much recoil, if you're not from Texas.
It is expensive.


I bought the revolver, not the caliber.
I fell in love with the unknown United Sporting Arms SAAs. I finally found one for sale in mint condition for $300, but it was 44 magnum. I bought it anyway just to fondle and admire. I bought the revolver, not the caliber.

Fast forward a year later and I am reloading the 44mag to hit 1000fps + and now LOVE the caliber and all 44mag sixguns. I also discovered that 44mag hawglegs are the best buy for quality. Most have had a cylinder shot thru and then put away.

Recoil is now manageable and the 44mag is cheap to shoot.

I shoot mostly silhouette at 100 yards + and the 44mag is spectacular for that.


Prescut
 
Gratuitous enabling pic


M29-3CulinaS_zpsxnnerott.jpg
 
Need.................... well I've survived 64 years..... 54 of which have been spent bumming around in "Penn's Woods", with two summers in Alaska (mostly working construction while in Law School; out and about, but not in the 'bush" ).............. so my answer is.... no.


Now if you are facing "Griz" or a mad Moose............... maybe!!!!

Now the whole "want" thing..................is a slippery slope!!!!
 
I can feel the hate already.

I love Smiths, I have Smiths dating back to 1859. I have a Target Model Triple Lock, a Wolf and Klar, a Model 1-1/2, a 2nd Model with a 3 digit SN. A Model 1917 with original lanyard and half moon clips.

I would never have a Smith .44 Magnum.

Very pretty.

Nowhere near robust enough. The only .44 Magnum to have is a Ruger, since Colt no longer makes them.

20180325170631-a3b48970-la.jpg
 
Last edited:
OP, see that you have tried one. Try a 4” or longer barreled model and then make your own decision. There is no mandated requirement by way of manhood, credibility as a revolver owner etc involved.
I personally like big bore handguns, but not necessarily in the hand cannon category. The recoil is different than with smaller bored guns and a heavy old slug moving at moderate velocity is still a very effective means of dispatching targets.
The 44 special and 45 Colt “non-magnumized” are very comfortable to shoot and are adequate for almost any practical application of a wheel gun.
 
Only YOU can make that decision! I have 2 29's. -2, 4" & -3 6.5 inch. Got the 1st last November, and the 2nd in April. Felt I NEEDED them. I don't. Like my 25-15 Colt, and 625 JM better. We all have our own reasons. Bob

Another OLD post. Should have looked at the date.
 
Last edited:
I know this is an older thread...but I thought I'd chime in.

Like the OP, I'm not all that old (41). I honestly have zero reason to own a 44...I don't hunt, I don't backpack in a place that has large dangerous game.

...but I own a 4" 629 nonetheless. Like everyone is saying, thee's just something about a 44 magnum that is just a joy to shoot. To me, its that threshold of pain/pleasure where it will definitely smack you in the hand...but not a level like the larger calibers will punish you. 44 spcl is a joy to shoot in a N-frame and I honestly cannot wait until I finally get into reloading, 44 magnum is massively versatile and can customized in so many ways. Add a lever action in 44 magnum and you have a set so versatile, there's little you can't do with it.

Me? I target shoot with mine on occasion when I want that hand-thumper range session, and I'm always happy when I do.
 
I concur with the poster above. There is just something about 44 magnums that I love. While I LOVE my 686 L frames, I enjoy shooting (and carrying my 629 5" in the woods.)
In fact I love the 44 so much, I just put a deposit on a 629 3 inch.

Tom
 
Well, without reading all the comments, if I could have just 1 gun, and carrying concealment is not a consideration, it would be a 44mag. Why?? First off, you can shoot 44 specials in it, so you do not have to always take the magnum recoil. Second of all, if you are a handloader or get into handloading, you can make this into anything between 45acp, and 44 magnum characteristics. Personal protection, well it is hard to beat, loaded with something you are comfortable shooting. Accurate caliber. Good for hunting, and long range target shooting. Now as for barrel length, and if I only had 1 choice, it would be 6". Second choice would be 5" full lug either the Classic or the Classic DX ( rather rare). So to answer your question I would say yes to a model 29 or 629. I like older pinned and recessed. i have a 29-5 Classic DX 5" full lug, and a 629 no dash 6", and if I had to sell my guns, they would be the last to go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
How do you actually enjoy a Magnum caliber revolver?
9 10 11
Replies
202
Views
11K
lawandorder
lawandorder
T
My 1922 HE 44 special and 1951 Austin PD pre model 10 UT Austin sniper significance.
Replies
7
Views
484
DWalt
DWalt
Gun Relics
Scopes on the .44 Magnum
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
stansdds
S
Austinpaulster
How Do You Use Your Revolver(s)? Favorite Things?
2 3
Replies
58
Views
3K
Rocketmedic40
R
JRB416
44 Magnums
Replies
5
Views
851
Truckman
Truckman

Latest posts

Back
Top