Which .44 Magnum would you buy

[THEWELSHM]

I would stick with my 29-2.... That's just me

thewelshm

 

[Czechvar]

I recently decided I could only afford three S&W revolvers...maybe four if I get another J Frame. My 44 Mag choice was the 629PC Snubbie, although I'd really like to add a 4" or 5" 629PC...just can't swing it.

I have a 640 Pro I really love, and my 627PC Layaway is only ($PAID$OFF$) away from my front door. Again, I'd love to add a 4" or 5" 627...but...gotta draw the line somewhere or I'll have to sell some toys.

 

[Benchrest1]

My vote goes too the 5" 629 Classic.

 

[muddocktor]

Seeing that I went with an older 5" 29-6 Classic a couple of months ago instead of buying a new 629 5" Classic, I would say a nice used one in great shape. I much rather the looks of forged hammers and triggers over MIM and it doesn't have a lock. And it didn't cost any more than a new 629 Classic either.

If it absolutely had to be new, I think I would go with the 5" 629 Classic though. I really like the balance of my 29-6 Classic.

 

[jaymoore]

I never know until I see it. I've got current and used .44s going back to the '50s, and a Pre-WWII .44 Spl. Pretty much didn't plan any of them. Almost all were purchased after a "hands on" inspection. That's the main criteria.

Basically the "seefood" diet in .43 caliber.

 

[SuperMan]

Brand new gun...Freedom Arms 83 with a round butt, black Micarta grips, 3# trigger job and 4.75" barrel...

 

[colkid]

Thanks Mehutch for the great pictures.
I have a Freedom Arms hi-end in .454 7.5", not much recoil.One of the finest guns Ever made. I got mine cheap in 2000.
I have and have had several 629's and one 29. 4",5"6" they are all good.
All of mine are pre-lock, but I have a lock model 60 in .357, works great.
I don't even have a key for the lock.

 

[one eye joe]

OK, you are going today to buy a new (with lock) .44 Magnum. Any brand is up for consideration, price Under $1K ?

IT WOULD DEPEND ON ITS PURPOSE. FOR GENERAL RANGE USE OR WOODS WALKING, CAMPING, HUNTING OR FISHING IN THE LOWER 48, A M629 MOUNTAIN GUN WOULD BE MY CHOICE......

FOR ANY OUTOOR ACTIVITY IN NORTHERN REGIONS THAT ARE THE HABITAT OF GRIZZLIES, BIG BROWN BEARS, AND MASSIVE MOOSE, I WOULD OPT FOR A RUGER SUPER REDHAWK.....

THAT REVOLVER CAN HANDLE THE HEAVIEST, AND MOST POWERFUL HUNTING AMMO FROM THE LIKES OF GARRET, OR BUFFALO BORE, ETC.....

 

[jake1945]

Ruger Redhawk. I have the 7.5 inch barrel and it's blued. I put Hogue Bantam grips on it and the recoil is pleasant more so than my S&W 629-6 which is hard on my hand.

 

[rogerwnuss]

A friend recently bought three from an estate auction, for cheap. Has less than 2K in all three. One was a 70s gun, one a 60s, and one was pre- 29, first year production. They were beautiful. The look and feel can't be duplicated today. I guess my point is, if it were I, I'd be looking for an older- at least prelock- 29. A good used "quality" firearm isn't inferior to a new gun. It ain't like buying a used toothbrush.....

 

[double-dipper]

one eye joe beat me to it. that's what I was going to say in the North country it would be a Super Redhawk in the lower 48 it would be a S&W 629

 

[jnichols2]

I have two .44 Magnums:

1. Ruger Redhawk 4" barrel. Great for heavy duty shooting, or if Cantral Texas gets over run with Grizzly bears.

2. For the "gots to have" category, early S&W 6 1/2" M29-2. The Dirty Harry gun.

 

[Drm50]

A friend recently bought three from an estate auction, for cheap. Has less than 2K in all three. One was a 70s gun, one a 60s, and one was pre- 29, first year production. They were beautiful. The look and feel can't be duplicated today. I guess my point is, if it were I, I'd be looking for an older- at least prelock- 29. A good used "quality" firearm isn't inferior to a new gun. It ain't like buying a used toothbrush.....

I run into this syndrome every day and not just on S&W. There
are so many guns on the market that "ain't what they use to be"
I don't know how they sell them. A major number of handguns
and rifles owned by hunters and casual shooters have low round
counts. A lot of 29-2s bought during Dirty Harry craze haven't had 2 boxes through them. Deer rifles are like this too. Hunters
don't shoot hundreds of rounds. When you look at the value of
the dollar 40yrs ago these guns are a good deal. Still some people will run out and buy a new one. They say they want to
know what they are getting. These are same guys that buy used
cars. Anymore I just save my breathe.

 

[SLT223]

If I could buy only one, it would certainly be the 5 inch classic with the heavy under lug. The first 44 mag I shot was a Dan Wesson with an 8 inch full under lug barrel, and it was lively enough for me! I think the 5 in is the best overall compromise regarding recoil control, carry-ability, and sight radius. If you even THINK you want a 4 inch, light barrel 44 Mag, by all means borrow one before you buy!

Hey, do you want try my 329 Night Guard? I have some 240 LSWC's over a compressed charge of 4227

 

[one eye joe]

I WAS BROWSING THROUGH YOUTUBE, AND I STUMBLED UPON HICKOCK 45'S VIDEO ON "THE DIRTY HARRY SPECIAL". THIS OL' GEEZER IS VERY KNOWLEDGABLE, AND HE CAN SHOOT ! ! !


IN THE VIDEO HE DISPLAYS A BEAUTIFUL M29-2, WITH A 6 1/2" BARREL, THAT HAS TT,TH,RR,WO FEATURES. ITS THE EXACT VERSION THAT CLINT EASTWARD CARRIED IN THE DRTY HARRY MOVIES......

DESPITE THE FACT THAT I FAVOR STAINLESS REVOLVERS FOR THEIR WEAR AND WEATHER RESISTANT FINISH, AND THE FACT THAT I ALREADY HAVE SEVERAL M629s---I TOO WOULD HAVE PURCHASED IT, ON THE SPOT ! ! !

I DID NOT POST A LINK TO IT HERE, BECAUSE THE WARNING ABOUT GOING TO AN OUTSIDE WEBSITE MIGHT DETER POTENTIAL VIEWERS. THE VIDEO CAN BE EASILY ACCESSED BY A SIMPLE SEARCH ON YOUTUBE....

THIS VERSION OF THE S&W .44 MAGNUM, MAY WELL BECOME A "GRAIL GUN" FOR SOME OF OUR FORUM MEMBERS......

 

[Ribwizzard]

I thought his blue one was 8 3/8"?

 

[75Vette]

I thought his blue one was 8 3/8"?

Nope, 6 1/2".

 

[ridgewalker]

I have found it easy to find slightly used 44 magnum revolvers for sale at good prices. People who don't have much experience bought them and didn't learn how to shoot them and then decided to get rid of them. Here are a couple that I found and bought for well under a grand and they have worked out great for me.

 

[RobertJ.]

If it's just for fun how about something like this?

 

[CH4]

For my uses, which are backpacking and CCW, I prefer the 629 MG/Revolver and 3" 629. I tried the 329PD, but its vicious recoil and various durability issues convinced me to send it down the road.