Little Bitty 44 Magnums

[Engine49guy]

Though a bit large for my carry needs sounds like you might like the Stainless version of the 3" 29-3 / 24-3 Lew Horton guns .

My buddy carries a 4" 329 PD,
IMO it is ideal for backpacking in bear country but SHOCKINGLY light.

You already have my favorite 44 in the 4" 629 Mountain revolver....
Wondering what your .44 Mag partner rifle is?
Mine is the venerable old Ruger "Deerstalker" carbine.

 

[NE450No2]

Bob, that is the direction I am leaning toward, the NG is probably the best choice for what I want it for.

Sebago, I would never modify a Mod 58, if I did I would have to look over my shoulder all the time as Bob [Super Man] above would probably hunt me down...

Engine49, My first centefire rifle was a Ruger Deerstalker, I have owned a Marlin 44 Mag and my current 44 Mag is a Winchester Trapper, with a reciever sight.

 

[LeMans]

I would go with a 3" 629-4 (backpacker, Lew Horton or the like) or 3" 29-4. For the outdoors the stainless 629 would be a lot easier to deal with though.

 

[Hondo44]

I like 'em all! This one is most usually packed however:

Strengthened with a SS cylinder from a 696 for a little hotter 44's than recommended for the Ti cylinder, the ultimate snag free draw, point and shoot.

If that isn't going to do it, then I pack my itty bitty .500 3".

 

[SuperMan]

Sebago, I would never modify a Mod 58, if I did I would have to look over my shoulder all the time as Bob [Super Man] above would probably hunt me down...

...what can I say...it is true.... Since it is a capital offense I would have no choice. Simple possession of a so modified 58 can result in the loss of ones shooting hand....

Bob

 

[Sebago Son]

...what can I say...it is true.... Since it is a capital offense I would have no choice. Simple possession of a so modified 58 can result in the loss of ones shooting hand....

Bob

Come on now Bob....

Does that same rule apply to someone who would magna-port and beadblast a 58?....

Drew

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

You guys have missed the central issue raised by the poster.
He talks of his hunting trips and wanting to limit his calibers and then sneaks in the following-"Some of my trips last for a month or two..."
I want to know what he does for a living that allows for hunting trips that last for a month or two (it sure as hell ain't practicing law)?????? More importantly I want to know if there is an opening.

 

[M29since14]

...More importantly I want to know if there is an opening.

Right! My gosh, what would you do on a hunting trip that lasts for a month or two?

I have heard about such things (during the early part of the last century) but can't imagine it in today's world. Heck, if you didn't have a generator and fuel supply, the battery in your Ipod would run down.

Just kidding. Let us know what 44 you buy. I would be inclined to buy the Backpacker model, since I share your fondness for adjustable sights on any S&W magnum. But truthfully, I believe if I already had my 44 Mountain Gun with me, which you say you will, I might be inclined to take a smaller gun along instead of another 44. Two come to mind (from past musings). I might consider a .38 Super in a tuned-up Colt Commander, or even a .22 Magnum (Model 51 or 651). The Super can do some serious penetration with the correct loads and ammunition is not nearly as heavy and bulky as .44s and .45s. The .22 Magnum in an accurate revolver has a lot of utility out in the field, but it is loud. A Model 34 might do almost as well.

 

[CrazyMFFM]

Well see I am a bit 'different' from other folks, so what I would do is find a ratty looking 44 of just about any model and make it a project gun and build it how I want it. Granted I love to tinker and can't leave well enough alone, but I would go for a beat up 29 and make a great companion out of it. Then start a thread that begins with 'THE ULTIMATE.....'

 

[Warren Sear]

Here's mine...

3" heavy barrel without full length underlug. I changed out the original "fish scale" round butt, finger groove grips. They looked great, but tore skin from my hand when shooting magnum loads. It now wears Jerry M(however-you-spell-his-name) grips, which are much more comfortable when firing.

 

[Warren Sear]

Original "fish scale" grips...

Sorry for the bad pic.

 

[Warren Sear]

Well see I am a bit 'different' from other folks, so what I would do is find a ratty looking 44 of just about any model and make it a project gun and build it how I want it. Granted I love to tinker and can't leave well enough alone, but I would go for a beat up 29 and make a great companion out of it. Then start a thread that begins with 'THE ULTIMATE.....'

CrazyMFFM, may I ask what modifications you have in mind (barrel length, round or square butt, etc.)?

 

[Match10]

lol....

or....

 

[CCV]

I like this one.........

 

[SuperMan]

Sabego....it is not the "modification" of a Venerated Object, such as refinishing or making it be more shootable....it is the Desecration of said Object, as in "caliber change" that Cult members have a "problem" with.....

Cajun...NE and I go back 30 years. When I lived in Texas we taught, hunted, shot and competed together....and all I can say he is "a hunter"... He is a very frugal person and last I knew he was still driving the same SUV he bought in 1985....and all the money others spent on new cars went to African safaris and month long hunts to Alaska....

As to what he "did" for a living...lets just say...he was a "shooter"....and was very very good at what he did....

Bob

 

[NE450No2]

...what can I say...it is true.... Since it is a capital offense I would have no choice. Simple possession of a so modified 58 can result in the loss of ones shooting hand....

Bob

I do not disagree with that. Even I think the Mod 58's should not be tampered with...

 

[NE450No2]

Again, thanks for all the good posts.
Temember I will still be carrying my MG or some other 44 Mag as a Primary. This "little bitty" 44 Mag will be a second gun, a No2.
It would only move up to a No1 if the Primary became inoperable.

And being small and light it can always be carried and not left in a vehicle of back in camp, where it might be stolen.

I have carried at least 2 handguns most every second of every day, for over 35 years, it is just standard procedure for me.

I usually carry a 38 Bodyguard as a No2, but for hunts I prefer to have something more powerful so it might as well be in the same calibre as my Primary.

I like everything about the 325 NG, it is light, compact, for an N frame, and has good, for fixed, sights.

I am thinking the same gun in 44 Mag is looking like the best all round choice.

If this revolver was going to be a Primary, I would definately go with a steel frame and most likely adj. sights.

Also for those of you thinking a 22 LR would be a good No2 for hunting trips, I have and I am exploring that option as well, one my last hunt and on my next hunt I will carry the Mod 34 2" in Nickle.

However I have killed a lot more small game with shotshells in the 44 Mag, and 45 ACP, than I ever have with a 22LR.

 

[NE450No2]

Bob, actually I bought that SUV in 1987. Still driving it...
It is getting long in the tooth, I am going to try and replace it sometime after first of the year.

Thanks for the compliment.

 

[Dogmann]

Where can I get those grips?

Look for one of these... the Camfour 2 1/2" 629's.... Little bit hard to find.. only 300 made in 1999.

 

[Sebago Son]

Where can I get those grips?

Dogmann,

Those stocks are regular K-Frame Round Butt Magnas.... factory wood from the 80's.... pretty common. The fit isn't perfect around the frame knuckle, but I just tossed them on for the photo to show how small these grip frames really are.

These 629's shipped with rediculously huge and ugly Hogue Fingergroove Monos.

Drew