S&W .44 Vs. Ruger Alaskan

[off road]

If I need something more powerful than a 44 Magnum I'll get a S&W X-frame in 460 or 500. Someone else can have my share of Rugers.

Yeah....but you are also having to go to a MONSTER gun. I want guns that carry and pack easily. I do have a 4" .500, but I would only carry it if I was in very high risk grizzly or brown bear country (stream fishing SE Alaska for example). The Ruger .454 is a nice intermediate, carries way better, and it will do the job! http://www.takdriver.com/showthread.php?t=723

 

[JohnAC]

I know this is a Smith & Wesson forum but my opinion is this:

EVERYONE needs a 454 Alaskan in their collection. That is one bad mother!

 

[NRA UR2]

454 Casull

Its the only revolver that I enjoy shooting Casulls through.Admittedly heavy, a little unwieldy but quite accurate with the short barrel. And the grips are a delight. If I had to face a charging grizzly on a narrow trail I would feel capable af taking care of business. You can,t compare this gun to a Smith in any caliber. My favorite Alaskan hunter is a 475 Wildey, big unwiedldy and can serve as a club like the Ruger.

NRA Benefactor

 

[Les K.]

Thanks again for the replies everyone, and I enjoyed reading about the .454 Alaskan and I'd love to try it out, but the local range that I go to does not allow anything above the .44 mag.

I could of course buy a .454 Alaskan but I'd only get to shoot it if I went and found another range that would allow it, or went out to the desert to shoot it (the peoples republic of southern california!). I don't believe it's because they feel it's unsafe for their backstop, but rather because of the muzzle blast from the larger calibers might be disturbing to your fellow nearby shooters. I already almost always get some kind of comment about loudness or muzzle blast even when shooting my current .44 revolver in an automatic world.

I currently own a Performance Center Stealth Hunter (my only handgun at the moment, returning to handguns after a long dormant period) and if you're not familiar with this model, It's a huge, heavy N frame with a 7+ inch barrel. On top of that, the barrel is thick and there's a Weaver scope rail molded in too. It's great for target shooting and is very accurate with a great trigger that is way superior to either the Ruger or the 629 that I held, but I wanted something smaller and lighter, and something that I could holster if necessary for my next centerfire handgun. I just wanted to find out if the guy behind the counter was pulling my leg about the Ruger being cast then machined, with the implication being that it was inferior to the forged Smith. Both of these guns are way lighter than my current Stealth Hunter.

Sounds like the Ruger is plenty strong alright! It sounds like it's stronger than the Smith in many peoples opinion, and can handle even hotter handloads.

 

[stmry]

I realize "buy both" is overly simplistic, but if possible i would. They are both sensational firearms. Best of luck deciding which one.

 

[Magnumdood]

Back Country Critter Control

I've been pondering the dilemma of what firearm to pack on me, in a holster, while hiking or hunting for 2 and 4-legged critter control. For years I've carried a Glock 20 with a 6" barrel and a 6" slide, stoked full of the original Norma 10mm loading of 200 grain semi-jacketed hollow points at 1200 fps. I can control it and empty the pistol very quickly into a 6" circle at 15 yards. Every round carried 700+ f/lbs of K.E. Multiply that times 16 and that's a lot of trauma to soak up, even for a bear. But I still felt under gunned. So, I found what I think is the perfect solution; a S&W 500 Magnum 6.5" Hunter with the full rib and full lug, and a compensator. I just got done installing The Plug into it, so I'm going to load some 'warm' rounds and see what I've got myself in to.

 

[williamlayton]

I would like to jump in on the CAST VS FORGED thing.
Given the unknowing of who did either, I would generally pick forged.
In the case of Ruger I would believe that they would use only first class Castings.
All forged is not the same either--S&W uses good forgeings.
I have a Norinco 1911 that is forged and is better, harder and stronger steel than either Ruger or S&W use and it is Chinese.
Depends on who does the work.
I certainly would not scoff at a good cast frame/slide pistol or revolver.
Ruger makes a stronger weapon as a general rule---that said--I don't think the Smith puts together a weak handgun.
Blessings

 

[zombie44]

Thanks again for the replies everyone, and I enjoyed reading about the .454 Alaskan and I'd love to try it out, but the local range that I go to does not allow anything above the .44 mag.

I could of course buy a .454 Alaskan but I'd only get to shoot it if I went and found another range that would allow it, or went out to the desert to shoot it (the peoples republic of southern california!). I don't believe it's because they feel it's unsafe for their backstop, but rather because of the muzzle blast from the larger calibers might be disturbing to your fellow nearby shooters. I already almost always get some kind of comment about loudness or muzzle blast even when shooting my current .44 revolver in an automatic world.

I'm not sure how the .454 compares but I've had someone in the next lane over at my indoor range shooting off a S&W .500 and it really was intense Even with ear plugs under my ear muffs I could feel the concussion blast from each shot! My .44 mag was a pea shooter by comparison and I did find it quite challenging to shoot accurately with that going on.

And my favorite range toys btw are my .44 mags, the SRH Alaskan and Desert Eagle. I did have a .480 Alaskan as well but it just didn't seem as fun to shoot as the 44.

 

[flyerdoc]

Well, I was considering the 629 Backpacker but could find it no where...there were several Ruger Alaskans out there in LGS all in 44Mag. I did pick one up for under $900 today and am very happy with the purchase. It will be my Pennsylvania hiking carry, watch out momma bear. Will be using 44 special for some target practice and moving up to 44mag soft point for target/training purposes. I will eventually work up to some buffalo bore solid cast anti bear ammo. This gun will function fine for me, I anticipate picking up an alaskan guide rig for chest carry (accessories make the outfit an'all).

Next on my list is for my bucket list Alaskan hike...for Gris I'm thinking the Ruger Toklat in .454 Casull should be the ticket. I'd go S&W but so far the Toklat (a Super Redhawk 5 inch barrel) is the best choice. I don't want to go to 460 or 480 or 500...since S&W doesn't make anything less that shoots 454 Casull I am stuck with the Ruger. But that's ok, life is too short to only have one brand...or one caliber...or one any one flavor. Although, admittedly, I do prefer vanilla over most other flavors

 

[kaaskop49]

Well, I was considering the 629 Backpacker but could find it no where...there were several Ruger Alaskans out there in LGS all in 44Mag. I did pick one up for under $900 today and am very happy with the purchase. It will be my Pennsylvania hiking carry, watch out momma bear. Will be using 44 special for some target practice and moving up to 44mag soft point for target/training purposes. I will eventually work up to some buffalo bore solid cast anti bear ammo. This gun will function fine for me, I anticipate picking up an alaskan guide rig for chest carry (accessories make the outfit an'all).

flyerdoc: I came across your post when I saw the 629/Alaskan comparison in the title. A search on this Forum will turn up 2-3 VERY interesting threads about the SRH Alaskan in 2015. You might want to look into them. Seems there is a dedicated cadre of Alaskan chauvinists on this forum, of which I am one! The wonderful DA pull of the Alaskan is a strong selling point, plus, some of us love snubs, no matter what frame size or composition. Best wishes and good shooting!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[sw282]

S&W 44 or Ruger Alaskan ? Kinda like asking, Jenifer Lopez or Rosie Odonnel?

 

[flyerdoc]

S&W 44 or Ruger Alaskan ? Kinda like asking, Jenifer Lopez or Rosie Odonnel?

When you like to shoot the heavy hitters, you WANT Rosie

But, as I said, there were no Jenifer Lopez types to be had, whats a feller ta do???

 

[Kid44]

I've been pondering the dilemma of what firearm to pack on me, in a holster, while hiking or hunting for 2 and 4-legged critter control. For years I've carried a Glock 20 with a 6" barrel and a 6" slide, stoked full of the original Norma 10mm loading of 200 grain semi-jacketed hollow points at 1200 fps. I can control it and empty the pistol very quickly into a 6" circle at 15 yards. Every round carried 700+ f/lbs of K.E. Multiply that times 16 and that's a lot of trauma to soak up, even for a bear. But I still felt under gunned. So, I found what I think is the perfect solution; a S&W 500 Magnum 6.5" Hunter with the full rib and full lug, and a compensator. I just got done installing The Plug into it, so I'm going to load some 'warm' rounds and see what I've got myself in to.

A 6.5" 500 magnum sure seem like a lot of gun to lug around all day, and it needs to be "on you" should the need ever arise to put it to use. Granted, I'm not a big guy but an
8 3/8" M29 was too much for me to carry, the barrel length being the main culprit and I traded it off as I probably would not have used it again, I figured I may as well have something I want and will carry/shoot more often.

 

[Kid44]

Well, I was considering the 629 Backpacker but could find it no where...there were several Ruger Alaskans out there in LGS all in 44Mag. I did pick one up for under $900 today and am very happy with the purchase. It will be my Pennsylvania hiking carry, watch out momma bear. Will be using 44 special for some target practice and moving up to 44mag soft point for target/training purposes. I will eventually work up to some buffalo bore solid cast anti bear ammo. This gun will function fine for me, I anticipate picking up an alaskan guide rig for chest carry (accessories make the outfit an'all).

Next on my list is for my bucket list Alaskan hike...for Gris I'm thinking the Ruger Toklat in .454 Casull should be the ticket. I'd go S&W but so far the Toklat (a Super Redhawk 5 inch barrel) is the best choice. I don't want to go to 460 or 480 or 500...since S&W doesn't make anything less that shoots 454 Casull I am stuck with the Ruger. But that's ok, life is too short to only have one brand...or one caliber...or one any one flavor. Although, admittedly, I do prefer vanilla over most other flavors

If I remember correctly the S&W .460 will also shoot .454 Casull.

 

[samnev]

I own a Ruger Alaskan 454 Casull short barrel and a 629. The 629 is tough to control but trust me the Ruger 454 will almost rip your hand off.

Boy do I agree with the above. Shot my brothers Ruger American 454 Casull. 2 shots was enough for me and I shoot hot loads (not max) in my 29-2.

 

[bcc629]

The 454 Alaskan is snappy and hard to control. That's why I like it though. It's a challenge. I think if you work up to it, and have a good grip on it, it's fun to shoot. Then again, 45LC out of the same gun is fun too, and real easy to shoot.

 

[629classic3]

My 629-5 Lew Horton is all I can handle with Baffalo Bore 305gr Hardcast whew, 454 is a beast hurts my wrist.

 

[whitecoyote]

 

[grip frame]

The barrel on the Alaskan is too short.

The 4" Redhawk would be my choice if the standard 629 in 4" did not exist.

The 629 will stand up to all the shooting you will want to endure and be just fine with up to 300 grain hard cast at 1200 FPS.

Here are two points I feel need to be made.

1. I would gladly pay for two 629's for a lifetime of shooting (if necessary) than use/carry a Ruger DA .44 mag.

2 If I truly needed more energy/penetration than what I could achieve in the 629 I would carry a compact rifle in a large caliber (or shotgun). I for one do not see the point or have any need for the .454 or 500 etc. IF there is a chance of a tango with a large bear one would be a fool to rely on a handgun.

 

[American1776]

I've learned from knowledgeable gunsmiths: Strength of the revolver is the limit the steel (cylinder and top strap) will withstand before a catastrophic failure. The durability refers to how many rounds (within saami specs) the revolver will take before the lock work and yoke-tube needs maintenance work.

The weak point on a DA revolver is the yoke tube. Excessive endshake is the enemy of a revolver's ability to function. When a round is fired, the cylinder slams back and forth in it's window, which batters the end of the yoke tube. The yoke tube will eventually start to peen and shorten, which causes endshake to increase. This is bad, and if left unchecked, will destroy the revolver.

Ruger revolvers have much thicker yoke tubes, with more surface area on the mating part. They can therefore take many more rounds than S&W revolvers before endshake becomes excessive.

Smith & Wesson revolvers have tighter specifications to work within before they are in need of repair, and they have skinnier yoke tubes. Therefore, compared to Rugers, S&W's need to be repaired more often, given the same round count and pressures.

My personal opinion: I like S&W revolvers for shooting non-magnum rounds. 38 and 44 specials are great, and these guns are very well made. If I want to shoot lots of magnums, it's the Ruger for me. GP100, or the SuperRedhawk.