Which .44 Magnum would you buy

[Buzzsaw]

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

 

[SLT223]

As I already have 3 Smiths in 44 magnum , I probably would take a look at a Marlin lever gun in 44 magnum . Regards, Paul

The new Marlins do look pretty nice, and are on my short list as well.

However, for a revolver S&W still makes the highest quality product in thebmarket in my opinion. I have a 629-6 5" that's just about as perfect as can be. It, along with my 620, have the best factory double action triggers I have used. That is in reference to my personal collection that includes several S&W's from the 1950's through the 70's.

 

[Ribwizzard]

I agree, the trigger on my new ( 2017) 629 is better than any older N frames I have or handled. Great gun.

 

[Shuz]

I'd buy the Mdl 69 with a 4-1/4" bbl. I love mine and find it much easier to shoot than either my 4" standard bbl'd 629-5 or my 4" 629-4 Mtn Gun. I have Hogue X frame grips on all now and still prefer to shoot the Mdl 69.
I recently took in another Mdl 69 with a 4-1/4" bbl in a trade, and would like to trade it for a Mdl 69 in 2-1/2".

 

[brjr51]

I'll second the Model 69, but you are asking on an S&W forum. Already have a 4" 629, so I went with the 2-3/4" 69. I like it so much I'm considering getting the 4-1/4" version. It just feels well balanced and is more accurate than I am. And I also have the Hogue X frame grips on mine.

 

[mikeruns]

I have a M29 mtn gun from about 2014-15 that is accurate and smooth...wasnt disappointed...care less about the lock-I got over that...just under a $1000 back then....not sure if they offer them now but can find them...

 

[steelslaver]

If I was going to carry it a lot hunting, fishing camping hiking etc. A mdl
69.

If for just hunting, some target shooting or steel shooting, I would go with a 6" 629.

I would not get a 329. Just to light a package for full house 44 mags.

It would be a S&W. Some others make decent guns, but why not go with the best?

 

[lkabug]

Was at the range yesterday with my model 69. Great trigger in DA and SA. extremely accurate. Some say it's a handful to shoot because of the small frame. Recoil isn't that harsh. I found it no worse than my N frame 44`s.

 

[DD357]

Super Redhawk as a 44Mag is a hunting gun for me

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I've had heavy Rugers and it just feels like quality with Smith and Wesson's . I had 2 7.5" Redhawks and broke one and sold the replacement after shooting it a bit. Then I went with a 6.5" full lug 629. Its great. It's just kinda heavy for me. (I have a really bad back). Then I got a 6". That's the sweet spot. Muzzle flip more pronounced but controllable than a 6.5"or a 7.5".
I'm really accurate with it and I'm actually now shooting it again(I put my guns on a rotation and sometimes takes me months to get back to things, for example I haven't shot 45s in 8 months[emoji31])
6" 629!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Drm50]

I don't like anyone's new revolvers, especially stainless. Still if
I had to buy a new one in would be S&W. To shoot it would be
a 6" model. The only other choice is Ruger. Not bad guns but they
are heavy and just aren't as smooth as S&W. I know you could
get one and have it tuned up but by same token you could have
the S&W tuned. I don't think the Ruger could "catch up". I don't
consider imports at all.

 

[Ribwizzard]

The one I bought is the 6" 629 , without the full underlug.
My thought was to get the 6" with out all the extra weight. It proved to be very balanced for me and glad I went with that model. Next up is a 4" one

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

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

You don't say what it's for, but I would buy a 4" 29 or 629 without the lock, used, unless you're absolutely sure that you will always be able to live with a 5" or 6" or 6.5" barrel. I have two .45 ACP guns that were sold with locks, and I fixed that to my satisfaction, but I don't recommend that route to someone who can simply avoid the problem.

I see no need to buy a new revolver when perfectly good used ones are still available, probably at reasonable prices.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

Mod 69 4" bbl but mostly for shooting specials with occasional mags.

 

[ruger 22]

If any brand is ok, I would buy a Ruger Super Blackhawk. You have choices on barrel lengths and steel. My personal choice would be the 7.5' black steel, but then again I am not a stainless fan,(even though I carry a 649-2), nor do I like the lock.

 

[CajunBass]

I'd just get a current production Model 29 with a 4" barrel.

 

[oink]

Did I miss where the OP specified what he wanted to use it for?

 

[Anschutz]

I started with a 10.5" Ruger SBH. Great gun and the barrel handled the recoil well. Because it drew like a frigging Scottish Claymore, I traded it for a 4-5/8 model. More muzzle blast and recoil but much better to carry and shoot overall. If I had to choose a double action I would probably choose a 4-6" barrel stainless model. I prefer 6 shots so it'd be a 629.

 

[Mehutch]

Well let me check my inventory for anything missing...

S&W 629-3 4" barrel


S&W 629-4, 44 magnum 5" barrel, cost - $515. Feb 1997


Colt Anaconda 6" barrel


S&W 29-3 cost $339. Nov 1985


Ruger 44 Magnum, old 3 screw, 7.5" barrel Cost - $432.80 (March 1975)


Nope... nothing missing.

 

[hkcavalier]

The 629 Classic 5".

Everything you need and nothin' you don't. Heavy enough for anything that'll fit in the cylinder.

 

[CajunBass]

Did I miss where the OP specified what he wanted to use it for?

Nope. You didn't miss it. He asked what we'd buy if we were going to buy one.

 

[junglefighter]

I bought the M69 4.2" and am very pleased with my choice.If you hold a new 629 4" and the 69 4",both with the factory rubber grips,I found the 69 much more comfortable and I will not miss the 6th rd. in the 629.Recoil is not that much different,IMHO.The 69 is just easier to carry and it does shoot great.

 

[mchech]

I've had 5 44 mag revolvers. Only have 3 left all 629's'. 6.5" & 7.5"PC are both scoped for deer hunting. My favorite is a 4"er. Smooth DA and great SA. I had 2 Ruger SA's nice guns and good shooters but I just did not like the way my finger fit the triggers.

 

[noro]

Hi Buzzsaw,

you're doing the right thing in researching before you buy. I went thru the same quandary a few months back. The older models (used) can run over a 1000 for a Model. 29. The new
classics series is pretty close to that at most major on line dealers

However, the stainless 629 is considerably cheaper. Its totally your call and your decision. You can find a brand new 629 stainless for around 700 if you start looking. IMO with 1000 to play with, and a collector revolver is not what you want, consider
the stainless 629 at an on-line retailer like budsgunshop.com

 

[MCorps0311]

S&W 69 .44 Mag.

 

[bigggbbruce]

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

I know it's difficult for others to read the O.P.

But if you go to GB and filter S & W using your criteria 247 choices come up. Other brands could be considered , but since you've posted in S & W revolvers "(with lock)" this is where we will start.

 

[Echo40]

Model 629 with a 6" Half-Lug Barrel.

That would be my first choice. (2nd would be with a 4" Half-Lug Barrel.)

 

[75Vette]

Hard choice but I think it'd be the 5" 629 Classic.

 

[Jtown]

If it has to be a S & W, I would get a early 629 with 6" barrel. No full lug. I have a 29-2 4". Non S&W would be a Freedom Arms Model 83 with 6" barrel.
Walt

 

[notsofast]

S&W 629-3 4" barrel



I'm a fan of blue S&W's but this 629 4" is striking