Smith Wesson 44 Magnum ammo question/choice

[Toppscore]

Hi. I'm new with guns and am going to buy
a SW 44 magnum revolver for target and self-defense.
Question: Are all SW 44 magnum revolvers able to shoot:
ALL 44 magnum, 44 special and 44+P special rounds?

or, are there custom special unique powerful rounds to be cautious of?

For normal at home self-defense already loaded rounds,
I'm thinking of using 44+p special hollow point rounds
because they may be easier to manage than 44 magnum rounds.

Thanks for responses.
Below is my unused and soon to be used 357-686.
Toppscore

 

[murphydog]

Correct, any mechanically sound S & W .44 Magnum revolver can fire any factory .44 Magnum/Special load. You will see "boutique" or specialty Magnum ammunition that is best used in small quantities due to the extra stress it puts on the gun.

Cool 686. Not easy to have found in CA I bet.

 

[stansdds]

You are new to guns and your first defense and target shooting one is going to be a 44 Magnum? ummmmm... might not be the best choice for either.

Since you are new to firearms, I highly recommend taking a gun safety course and maybe try some different handguns before you buy. The 44 Magnum is a great cartridge for hunting, but it is way more than most people need for target and self-defense uses.

 

[bananaman]

Since I reload .44, my choices are pretty much endless. My 29-3 normally gets fed heavy .44 Special data loads in .44 Magnum cases. Bob

 

[Donn]

You are new to guns and your first defense and target shooting one is going to be a 44 Magnum? ummmmm... might not be the best choice for either.

My thoughts exactly. I've owned a Model 29 since 1978, and it's still a handful. These days, the way things are, revolvers and the ammo that feeds them are about all that's available, (around here anyway). A 44mag's an expensive gun to shoot, even in non-COVID times, and you will have to practice. No disrespect, but since you're a novice, I'd suggest something a little more sedate.

 

[gfors]

The first handgun I ever bought was a 6" 686-6, followed by a Springfield RO 1911, in .45acp, then a 6.5" 29-10. A few years ago, I added a 4" 629-6. I've also accumulated various SW .357's, since then. The only reasons I would carry a .44 magnum, would be to protect myself, in the field, from moose, elk, bear, dogs, and 2-legged vermin, or to finish off a wounded animal, while hunting. For any situation that doesn't involve large, wild animals, .357 or even .38 special are more manageable choices. I have never shot .44 special in either of my .44's, but for HD or SD, that would be the option I would choose. I would also suggest no more than a 4" barrel, if you plan on carrying it. However, I think .44 magnum is overkill for most self protection scenarios.
My bedside gun is a 3" 65, loaded with 125 grain JHP .38 Special +p. I live in a neighborhood, with small lots, and I have a roommate on the other side of the wall. The last thing I want is a bullet travelling through sheetrock and siding, into the house next door, or the next room.

 

[Dave Lively]

If it was me I would keep your 686 and use it instead of buying a 44.

But to answer your question, no. Some companies make "Ruger only" 44 Magnum loads that cannot be shot in a S&W. In addition to being loaded really hot they are often longer than the SAAMI specs and will not fit in a S&W cylinder. Guns like the Ruger Super Redhawk have longer cylinders and are heavier guns better able to handle the hot loads. These loads come from small boutique ammo manufacturers and will be labeled "Ruger only", +P+ or some other warning. Note that there is no SAAMI +P spec for 44 magnum so that label can mean anything the ammo company wants it to. If you stick to major ammo makers like Federal, Remington, Winchester, Fiocchi, etc. anything they make will be fine. And any 44 Magnum load will be more than powerful enough for target shooting and too powerful for home defense.

For both of the purposes you are looking at 44 special would be a better choice. A S&W 44 magnum can shoot all types of 44 Special without any problems. Even the stuff labeled +P.

Once again, for target shooting and home defense the .357 you already have is a better choice than a 44. Unless you are worried about grizzly bears invading your home.

 

[AveragEd]

Since I (hopefully) only will fire one or two rounds per year out of my 44s when hunting, I use 240-grain Hornady XTP factory loads for that rather than bother setting up my Dillon 650 for a second load. For target shooting, which is 99% of my handgun shooting, I load 240-grain cast SWCs over 10.0 grains of the discontinued IMR4756 powder. Ironically, both loads shoot to the same point of impact at 25 yards so no seasonal sight adjustment is required.

Ed

 

[ivan_2001ve]

Get some cowboy loads 44 special for practice. .44 Mag has some serious recoil for a new shooter. 44 special is totally manageable almost the same as a 45ACP. The problem right now is to find the ammo for practice and carry, 44 special is really hard to come by these days. I have been able to find 9mm, 45ACP and 44 mag on a weekly basis but no luck with 44spcl. The last 4 boxes I got I bought from a local gun shop that had them sitting there kinda hidden on their odd caliber shelf

 

[Sevens]

If I read it right, his 686 is new to him and unfired but not for long as he is gonna shoot it here very soon.

As for a S&W .44 Mag, if you are shopping older used or pre-owned, then yes, some of the earlier ones certainly bring up debates and discussions as to how STOUT they are. If what you seek is a hardcore durable .44 Mag revolver and durability is the top concern, a big ole Ruger Redhawk may serve you better.

It’s also worth noting that, officially speaking with regards to accepted industry standards — “.44 Special +P” does not exist. Yes, some outfits (such as Beefalo Bore) may lead you to believe otherwise, but when the truth matters, only SAAMI has the power to create a cartridge out of thin air.

 

[Dave Lively]

If I read it right, his 686 is new to him and unfired but not for long as he is gonna shoot it here very soon.

I read that as the 686 was unfired but was going to be a used gun for someone else after it was sold. I think you read it right.

For the OP: A couple of days ago sgammo.com had quite a bit of 44 special available. I am going to wait and hope prices come down but the cost was not inflated as badly as calibers like 9mm. I tried to check just now but the site is down.

 

[Hair Trigger]

You are new to guns and your first defense and target shooting one is going to be a 44 Magnum? ummmmm... might not be the best choice for either.

Since you are new to firearms, I highly recommend taking a gun safety course and maybe try some different handguns before you buy. The 44 Magnum is a great cartridge for hunting, but it is way more than most people need for target and self-defense uses.

Sage advice, and I hope the OP comes back to read it. You don't get a driver's license and then buy a Ford GT40 as your first car, neither should a .44 Magnum be a first firearm, much less a 1st handgun.

 

[Mehutch]

The best home defense and carry gun is one that is comfortable to shoot and carry; well shot from lots of practice, use only premium ammo, and to know when not to shoot. There are hundreds of other condition to firing a gun at paper and flesh. You hesitate, you're dead. Panic shoot and you'll face a jury.

I have lots of handguns, many choices to carry from. I know them well and the ammo very very well. I reload since 19 years old, I kinda know my stuff. My house gun is a Springfield TRP loaded with Winchester Ranger 'T' 230gr. My carry gun is a S&W 686-4 2.5" barrel 357 mag... or my Colt Defender .45 ACP.

I have had to pull my gun on four nasty dudes and one angry black bear. Everyone went home to think it over, including the bear. I didn't have to drop the hammer, but I can.

The choice is yours. Oh yes I carry my S&W 44 mag in the bush, loaded with 310gr. hard cast Federal Hammerheads. ya never know.

 

[Turn4811]

Sage advice, and I hope the OP comes back to read it. You don't get a driver's license and then buy a Ford GT40 as your first car, neither should a .44 Magnum be a first firearm, much less a 1st handgun.

+1

I inherited a 44Mag from my grandfather in the late 70's as a teenager when most of what I had shot was 38+p out of a 357mag. A high end 44mag round will jar your insides. It took years to be able to handle 44mag at full power. I am now in my late 50's and I shoot a cylinder once a year of 44mag as that is all my elbow can handle now. I do put about 500 rounds of mouse fart 44 SPL through it per year. Most of my target shooting is with 9mm and 38/357.

My carry piece is a 10mm auto. The 44Mag is my backup woods gun when I go deer hunting.

 

[PHS327]

Sage advice, and I hope the OP comes back to read it. You don't get a driver's license and then buy a Ford GT40 as your first car, neither should a .44 Magnum be a first firearm, much less a 1st handgun.

My first firearm bought when I was 60 years old was a Ruger Vaquero in 44 special. People told me I should start with a 22 but since I was starting out late in life, I didn't have time for that. I would have loved to have had a Ford GT40 when I was 16 but I had to settle for the 66 Mustang 289 I got when I was 17.

 

[Nightowl]

Toppscore: It is a good thing you found this forum. It is the encyclopedia of all things shooting and Smith & Wesson. The experience and knowledge here is unbelievable.
Almost everyone will advise against a .44 Magnum for new shooters! Me too! However, I bought my first Smith revolver in 1968--A Model 29-2 .44 Magnum. I was on the department pistol teamd and was shooting a lot of .38s prepping for competition. One cylinder of .44 mags through that gun set me back for months!! I had to go to light reloads and work up to heavier loads. It took quite a long time to achieve. I still own that Model 29, but it is semi retired and I have others to take to the range now. I still like to shoot .22s and I still shoot mostly .38 through my .357 revolvers.
Sage advice is to start with .22 LR and master the fundamentals of marksmanship, before moving to centerfire guns, saving the .44 Mag for the top of the mountain.
But, go ahead and buy that .44 Mag if that is what you really want, just realize that it is a beast to shoot and will mess up your shooting techniques. Good advice above to take courses to learn proper techniques and work up to the big boy!!

 

[oink]

I'll be contrary. A 29 or 629 can be a great gun to learn on, especially if a reloading kit is bought with it. I've shot untold numbers of light loaded cast SWC loads in magnum brass. Accurate and soft shooting. They make big easy to see holes in a paper target and will hit like a standard 45 ACP in a defense situation. The bonus is it's sure easy to reload 44 ammo. Enjoy that 44.

 

[gwpercle]

Before you go to the range with your new S&W ... be sure and watch an old movie ... it's titled "Dirty Harry " and a must see for all 44 magnum owners .
It's supposed to star Clint Eastwood but the real star is a big N-framed S&W 44 Magnum ... It will make your day !
Gary

 

[joebuck]

Just buy it if you want it and start out with light 44 special loads. Will be fun to shoot and you will learn a lot. There are plenty of good 44 special hollow point loads for defense too. Then work your way up to the magnum loads. They are fun too. I would not get a barrel longer then 5" however. I was 22 when I got a .44 mag 629 Smith mountain gun. Great gun and fun to blast with.

 

[AlHunt]

People do pack the 44 mag. The 629 is around 3 pounds, unloaded. Try hiding a brick somewhere on your person and carry it around all day.

A glock 33, for example, is about 1/2 the weight, half or less the bulk and has 3 or 4 more rounds.

Maybe we should create a firepower to weight ratio rating.

But, more power to you, if you decide the 629 is your carry piece. Woe betide man or beast who crosses you ... !