wanting to buy a 4" 44 this week am I cheating on my Smiths looking at a Ruger

[SW&Larry]

I like the magnums what would be heavier the Ruger SBH 4-5/8" or the 629 MT gun to carry? Is the 629 V-comp worth the money or better off with the MT gun? I appreciate the help I was just wondering what would make the 629 better over the Ruger SBH? In the 4" platform for strictly a woods gun/range gun?

Some of these newer Smiths require Moon Rings, so watch out for that.

Personally, I don't get the fascination with them, especially in standard revolver calibers like .357.

 

[SW&Larry]

When you shoot those Buffalo Bores well, um, hold on to that Puppy

I have some of their 270gr rounds and the difference between them and the standard factory 240 is... noticeable. I'll leave it at that LOL

I recently bought a 5 1/2" Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 mag - stainless.

A good gun.

The rosewood grip it comes with looks great but hurts my hand, so I bought a Pachmayr presentation grip for it.

A very reliable and strong gun and can probably take high power loads better than S&W 629's.

Just for the heck of it, I mail ordered a couple boxes of Buffalo Bore 44 mag 340 grain +p+ Ruger-only loads to try in it. Haven't received them yet.

Note that the 4 5/8 and 5 1/2 " Super Blackhawk use the rounded trigger guard (instead of square on the longer barrel SBH's). Its the same grip frame as the regular (not Super) Blackhawks -- so take that into account if you order an after-market grip for yours.

Another nice point. My SBH came with no "infernal" lock.

Dave

 

[Samsonxd]

Hi all thanks for the insight and the help, I have been gone the last few days for work so couldnt get back on, I kinda changed gears I am going to get the Ruger first then get the Smith 629 V-comp some time this year. That V-comp's siren song is calling to me but I need a woods gun not scared to use and be stuck outside in bad weather in.

I hit another cross road though.... I have the S&W 629 Stealth hunter the 329 Ak, and the Raging bull, all in 44, I have the Governor and 460v I can use the the 45 Colt in. Alot of my semi autos are 45Acp. I started reading and came across the Ruger Bisley conversion Blackhawk both 45 colt and 45 acp cylinders.

Looking into Ammo off the shelf loads from Buffalo Bore 325 gr +p 45 Colt ammo is right up there with the 44 magnum, and makes a bigger hole. The Bisley conversion as far as I can see only comes in the 5.5" barrel length though.

I know on paper the jump from 4-5/8" to 5.5" does not seem like much but in the real world I have found just the little things can disrupt the balance. Does the 5.5" balance well, for those that have one is it comfortable to carry all day in the woods? I plan to get into reloading over the next year or so and some of my buddies who reload now say that is when the 45 Colt will start to pull ahead of the 44?

I like the 45 colt/ACP option then pair it with a trapper model lever gun in 45 Colt. My main concern though is how the Bisley shoots compared to the plow handle BH and how well it balances and carries in 5.5" vs 4-5/8".

Thanks for the help guys and education on Smiths and Rugers always learn something new when come here.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

As a matter of fact, I happen to have one of those too. They are worth every cent if you can find one. The Bisley grip seems a little bulkier to me to carry than the standard grip on the short barrel SBH (they have a standard grip, not the longer version found on longer bbl SBHs), but it's not all that bad. I do not often choose to carry it over the short SBH for that reason if carrying a long gun, but have carried it often as a dedicated handgun hunting gun. The balance difference isn't so much a factor with the barrel length as it is the grip size. It balances quite well with the 5.5" barrel.

It will take everything you want to shoot as "Ruger Only" loads in 45 Colt. Some of those can be quite impressive. Favorite loads in mine are a RCBS 45-270-SAA bullet driven to about 1100fps, or 300gr XTPs driven "fast".

It also shoots 45ACP well, at least mine does. With my 185gr handloads at about 900fps, it shoots quarter sized groups at 25 yds from a rest for as long as you wish to shoot them. Does pretty well with 230 ball too. Don't expect to use 45 Auto Rim in it. Being a SA, it does not chamber them, not enough cylinder clearance. You would have to have the cylinder modified to do so, and there is not any particularly good reason to do so with a SA. 45 Colt will give you all you ever need in it, up power or down. 45ACP is fun and accurate for when you want to use it.

If you like the bulkier Bisley grip, then you will like it. If not, then you may find the short barrel SBH more to your liking.

 

[LimaCharlie]

All .44 magnums are good.

 

[F224]

Guns, unlike most women, don't mind if you go and handle another one, shoot it and bring it home to play with some more or to keep.

 

[Samsonxd]

Hi guys I appreciate the help and info and the great pictures I got the Bisley SBH 45 Colt/ACP in stsinless 5.5" I hope I like it I got it of gunbroker NIB.

I am going to get the S&W 629 V-comp or 329 PD next, that will be my next debate on here when the time comes, I still need a 44 4"

I am looking at a Rossi 92 16" carbine to go with the Ruger. I sent a email to Stevesgunz I see his name all over the internet as the goto Rossi guy, you guys are a wealth of info and if some other section of this forum is better to ask in I will but what are anyones thoughts on a Rossi vs Winchester vs Marlin? I will also be using this carbine with my Governor as well of course not the Ruger loads in the Gov but federal 410 buckshot and 45 Colt.

Thanks again guys I really appreciate the help

 

[Samsonxd]

Thank you for all the valuable info I have not looked yet but does pachmayr make Bisley grips as well? What holster do you use I plan to use this in the woods/fishing/camping/day hiking. I was thinking a combo cross draw and strong side holster. I appreciate all the great info.

As a matter of fact, I happen to have one of those too. They are worth every cent if you can find one. The Bisley grip seems a little bulkier to me to carry than the standard grip on the short barrel SBH (they have a standard grip, not the longer version found on longer bbl SBHs), but it's not all that bad. I do not often choose to carry it over the short SBH for that reason if carrying a long gun, but have carried it often as a dedicated handgun hunting gun. The balance difference isn't so much a factor with the barrel length as it is the grip size. It balances quite well with the 5.5" barrel.

It will take everything you want to shoot as "Ruger Only" loads in 45 Colt. Some of those can be quite impressive. Favorite loads in mine are a RCBS 45-270-SAA bullet driven to about 1100fps, or 300gr XTPs driven "fast".

It also shoots 45ACP well, at least mine does. With my 185gr handloads at about 900fps, it shoots quarter sized groups at 25 yds from a rest for as long as you wish to shoot them. Does pretty well with 230 ball too. Don't expect to use 45 Auto Rim in it. Being a SA, it does not chamber them, not enough cylinder clearance. You would have to have the cylinder modified to do so, and there is not any particularly good reason to do so with a SA. 45 Colt will give you all you ever need in it, up power or down. 45ACP is fun and accurate for when you want to use it.

If you like the bulkier Bisley grip, then you will like it. If not, then you may find the short barrel SBH more to your liking.

 

[Samsonxd]

Guns, unlike most women, don't mind if you go and handle another one, shoot it and bring it home to play with some more or to keep.

This is true but I seem to be OCD when it comes to collecting, I love 1911's and wanted to collect the operator series so I got the Springfield Operators 5" 4" and then got a STI 3" escort, and the odd ball Rock Island Tactical 2011, and it is bothering me I need the 3" micro operator and since have a 3" STI I need the 4" and 5" Tactical STiI unless i can find a trade for the 3" STI for a 3" Springfield micro operator but those are for next year I need to finsh my Smith collection up

I am rambling but I kind of like the axiom of birds of a feather flock together.

 

[Frank V]

Samsonxd

I think you'll like the Ruger Bisley especially if you are going to shoot heavy loads. I find the Bisley gripframe handles recoil very well for me. My hands are large, & the Bisley keeps the recoil more managable for me.
Let us know how it feels to you.
Good shooting.

 

[Samsonxd]

Thank you Sir I hope so its my first single action cowboy gun and I am excited I love the classics and cant wait to try her out. I dont have large hands but all my Smiths have the hogue 500 grips on them so I hope its not much thicker then the hogues?

Samsonxd

I think you'll like the Ruger Bisley especially if you are going to shoot heavy loads. I find the Bisley gripframe handles recoil very well for me. My hands are large, & the Bisley keeps the recoil more managable for me.
Let us know how it feels to you.
Good shooting.

 

[Frank V]

I think you will like them. They aren't really all that much bigger than the Blackhawk grips, just different. I think people with regular size hands handle them quite well.
Let us know & good shooting. I think you'll like them.

 

[Kilibreaux]

Hi all I am looking for a 4" 44 and am leaning towards a Ruger Super Blackhawk 4-5/8" for another tool in the tool box type thing for camping hiking etc...I know this is a Smith board so dont beat me up to bad. I have gotten great info from here on all my Smiths.

I have a lot of good woods guns this is what I am working with so far Glock 20sf and 29sf for my 10mm addiction, I ordered the 6.61" threaded and 4.6" lonewolf barrels. I have the following Smiths 629 stealth hunter, 329 AK Backpacker, Governor, 460V, 686+ talo, and 340 M&P, my non smiths are a Taurus Raging Bull 44 6" and Chiappa Rhino. As you can see no 4" revolver and that just aint right I can hardly sleep at night knowing that I dont have a 4" powerhouse in the collection.

I would like to pair my 44's with a Stainless 1894 JM Marlin 44, I hope to find one by the end of the year. I have 2 Stainless and a blued gold trigger JM Marlins 2 336's 30-30 and 35 Remington (35 is blued) and a 1895 guide gun, I love the guide gun but it would be nice to have a pistol rifle combo that shares the same ammo.

So thats why looking at the Ruger SBH strong, less complex less money be a more natural fit with the lever gun; and though my Smiths are awesome I tend to baby them. I looked at a 629 V-Comp as well, almost bought it, but i would be to scared to take it out and scratch it up for the cost.

A 629 Mt gun is an idea if can find one for the right price the MT guns looks just dont appeal to me that much though. I have never owned a Ruger and have only shot my buddies a couple times but his SBH was very accurate and I had a lot of fun shooting it, so I dont know much about them. Still on the fence here. Am I misguided looking at a single action for self defense in the woods, trail, camping etc... Something I dont mind getting dirty etc.. I have not had this much of a problem picking a gun in forever.

Thanks for the help all

Clearly you are a man with eclectic tastes! As much as I love my big bore Smiths I also appreciate the compact purity of Ruger's SB. I've owned many and back before Ruger acknowledged the need for barrels less than7.5" ended up cutting a few down to 6" because they packed easily in a small cooler!
Buy the Super Black hawk and enjoy it guilt free!

 

[cowboy85306]

"Cheating"? I don't think so... More than a year ago I wanted another L Frame to have as a "house" gun- quickly found that they are now all made of gold ( or at least their owners THINK they must be, the pricing being what it was- has only gotten higher ). Then I came upon a slightly used 4" GP100 stainless in my favorite shop- it became mine. Easy to put night sights on, too. Ruger has since "wised up" as a company- now THEY think their guns are all made of gold, too! I DO have a 45Colt "Mountain Gun" , and a 5" 629, but there would have been a bit left over if I'd gotten Redhawks. If you like their gripframe, they are solid.