Qc Pistolero
Member
I do it Ridgewalker's way.You get good bargains that way.As for OP,since I already have a Super Blackhawk(7 1/2''),a 629(8 3/8)and a Dan Wesson(6''),I guess my next one is going to be a 5'' 629.
Which .44 Magnum would you buy
- Thread starter Buzzsaw
- Start date
You asked the wrong person the wrong question. "All of them" from 3" to 10-5/8" barrels, 7 have full lug barrels and unfluted cylinders, 2 are M29 with half-lug barrels and fluted cylinders. Favorite is 5" full lug barrel with unfluted cylinder, M629. None of the 44 mags have a lock.
ajgunner
Member
There are some real beauties posted here and there is no doubt that the 629 is the King of the hill all around.
Personally I hate to clean firearms. Most of mine get used and are NOT beautiful polished up safe queens. Making a choice on barrel length is always going to be an issue if you are limited to only one. And maybe it is just a personal thing, but for some reason I just can't stand that ugly hole in the side of some revolvers.
It took me a few years, but below is my solution.
From the top: 9.5", 7.5", 5.5", 4", 2.75"
Does anyone else tell their wife "I only have one big shiny gun, but it has extra barrels that are different sizes"?
Personally I hate to clean firearms. Most of mine get used and are NOT beautiful polished up safe queens. Making a choice on barrel length is always going to be an issue if you are limited to only one. And maybe it is just a personal thing, but for some reason I just can't stand that ugly hole in the side of some revolvers.
It took me a few years, but below is my solution.
From the top: 9.5", 7.5", 5.5", 4", 2.75"
Does anyone else tell their wife "I only have one big shiny gun, but it has extra barrels that are different sizes"?
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junglefighter
US Veteran
Nice collection of Rugers.I do think you need the Alaskan-The Real King of Rugers!!
8 & 3/8's is a lot of barrel. My Sort-of-Step-father in law has one that I hope to one day possess. It's a sick piece. In the box. But, it's a specialized thing. I would never consider it a 'hunter', and even just an occasional 'strutting shooter' at that. It's a bragging gun. And can deliver on that at a range or backyard fiasco. Working Gun is something entirely different than that.
HamHands
Member
The only thing modern that comes close or rivals a S&W quality-wise is a Dan Wesson... But for the OP's requirement of $1Grand... no, probably isn't going to happen. That said, I'd choose a Smith .44Mag 6 times out of 7 and a barrel of 2.5" to 3" is my carry and woods gun barrel of choice. YMMV... If I have the choice of NO-LOCK or not, it's a No-Lock. But my M629-8 Deluxe with the Original Precision Lock-Delete has been great, good trigger, nice timing, tight lock-up, and has taken everything 300grain I've thrown at it. S&W still makes a nice product in .44Mag/Special and for well under 1K.
My first .44 Magnum was a Ruger Super Blackhawk. Even with "rubber" grips, it was painful to shoot. I sold it back to the friend I bought it from.
My second was and still is a 629-5 Classic DX, 6.5 inch. It is everything one would want in a .44 magnum. My third was a 29-4, 3 inch. It is a handful but, has its place.
My fourth is a 629-5, 4 inch and as Goldie Locks said, "its just right!" If I could only have one, this one would get the nod.
I was able to acquire a Ruger Redhawk, 7.5 inch in a "group" acquisition. Since I had more than my fair share, I was able to gift this handgun to a very good friend of mine. I have shot this revolver and it is worthy of consideration.
Select the one you like but, buy once, cry once and never look back.
My second was and still is a 629-5 Classic DX, 6.5 inch. It is everything one would want in a .44 magnum. My third was a 29-4, 3 inch. It is a handful but, has its place.
My fourth is a 629-5, 4 inch and as Goldie Locks said, "its just right!" If I could only have one, this one would get the nod.
I was able to acquire a Ruger Redhawk, 7.5 inch in a "group" acquisition. Since I had more than my fair share, I was able to gift this handgun to a very good friend of mine. I have shot this revolver and it is worthy of consideration.
Select the one you like but, buy once, cry once and never look back.
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I just got a Henry octagonal barrel 44 Magnum with a color case hardened receiver. Beautiful and smooth as butter to operate.
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I have an old 629 4" that has been double Magnaported. An absolute dream to shoot. It's not for sale at any price.
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Dan Christopher
Member
I will be of no help at all because in my mind there's no such thing as having too many 44 Magnums.
That said, I want three more.
1) A 4" Model 29-10
2) A 4.25" Model 69
3) A 6-1/2" Ruger SRH
That said, I want three more.
1) A 4" Model 29-10
2) A 4.25" Model 69
3) A 6-1/2" Ruger SRH
ajgunner
Member
Not positive, but I don't believe the Super Redhawk was ever built with 6.5 inches.
Dan Christopher
Member
Ruger made a batch of them in 6.5". I think it may have been a limited run, but they are out there. I had an opportunity to buy one last year, but I was too invested money wise into another gun project at the time...we all know how that goes!
Jeff423
US Veteran
FWIW, I've had two 629's, one Anaconda and one Dan Wesson. I only kept the DW. To me me it's a much more rugged gun than the S&W's and Colt. (Don't know about Rugers) The fit and finish was as good as the Smiths but the trigger, while very good, was not as nice as the Smiths. Plus it's nice to be able to change barrels.
I have to agree with your assessment, although I don't own a Dan Wesson in 44 Mag. I do, however, have one in 357 Mag and it is stout accurate and versatile.
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Three44s
Member
Well, depends on the end use.
My mix right now is a 629-4 MG, a 7.5" RH and a 7.5" SRH in 480 Ruger.
My brother just bought a Mod 69 and I have a criticism of it. Been shooting it some and find it hits quite hard in the lower part of the strong hand lower side of the wrist.
Using my MG as a reference point the 69 is easier on the web (meat between your thumb and index finger junction) but really hard on the lower side of the wrist joint and lower side of the forearm.
My brother bought three boxes of the Buffalo Bore 270 gr. JSP's. He shot a full cylinder full (5) and could not easily eject them. He brought me the gun and I popped them right out but not in a way I would recommend for regular practice (determined hits with my palm). I suggested he shelve those loads and send the revolver home with me for a few days.
My MG weighs about 39 oz. the 69 4" is advertised at ball park 37 oz. so the weights are very similar. The barrel length is virtually identical 4 vs. 4.2".
The balance is different. The MG is frame heavy while the 69 is heavier in the barrel.
That leaves the grip.
Laying my MG along side this 69 there are some subtle but definite differences. The 69 is called and dressed as a "combat magnum". The grip on my MG is the original (Hogue rubber).
My MG has a bare back strap and a more swept back lower rear on the grip. The rubber between the front upper part of the grip frame and the rear of the trigger guard is less filled in on the 69 compared to my MG.
So in effect the MG sits higher in my hand than the 69 does. Thus the axis of the bore on the 69 is lower in my hand than with my MG. My wrist is more vertical with the 69 also.
The net result is my MG stings my web more and the 69 pounds my lower side of my forearm more. I have shot the "feared" 329 PD with wooden grips and bear loads and did not have an issue with it so I am no "wussie" by any means.
If I owned a 69 I would switch the grip to the Hogue round butt to square grip model just like my MG has. This eats the web more but for my money I find the web sting goes away much faster than the deeper discomfort of the forearm.
Best regards
Three44s
My mix right now is a 629-4 MG, a 7.5" RH and a 7.5" SRH in 480 Ruger.
My brother just bought a Mod 69 and I have a criticism of it. Been shooting it some and find it hits quite hard in the lower part of the strong hand lower side of the wrist.
Using my MG as a reference point the 69 is easier on the web (meat between your thumb and index finger junction) but really hard on the lower side of the wrist joint and lower side of the forearm.
My brother bought three boxes of the Buffalo Bore 270 gr. JSP's. He shot a full cylinder full (5) and could not easily eject them. He brought me the gun and I popped them right out but not in a way I would recommend for regular practice (determined hits with my palm). I suggested he shelve those loads and send the revolver home with me for a few days.
My MG weighs about 39 oz. the 69 4" is advertised at ball park 37 oz. so the weights are very similar. The barrel length is virtually identical 4 vs. 4.2".
The balance is different. The MG is frame heavy while the 69 is heavier in the barrel.
That leaves the grip.
Laying my MG along side this 69 there are some subtle but definite differences. The 69 is called and dressed as a "combat magnum". The grip on my MG is the original (Hogue rubber).
My MG has a bare back strap and a more swept back lower rear on the grip. The rubber between the front upper part of the grip frame and the rear of the trigger guard is less filled in on the 69 compared to my MG.
So in effect the MG sits higher in my hand than the 69 does. Thus the axis of the bore on the 69 is lower in my hand than with my MG. My wrist is more vertical with the 69 also.
The net result is my MG stings my web more and the 69 pounds my lower side of my forearm more. I have shot the "feared" 329 PD with wooden grips and bear loads and did not have an issue with it so I am no "wussie" by any means.
If I owned a 69 I would switch the grip to the Hogue round butt to square grip model just like my MG has. This eats the web more but for my money I find the web sting goes away much faster than the deeper discomfort of the forearm.
Best regards
Three44s
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Try the Pachmayr Deceleration grip on both. It encloses the back strap.
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crstrode
Member
For fondling and ogling I'd go with a S&W.
For shooting and using I'd go with a Ruger.
Buffalo Bore doesn't call their loads "Ruger Only" just for chuckles.
For shooting and using I'd go with a Ruger.
Buffalo Bore doesn't call their loads "Ruger Only" just for chuckles.
Ruger Super Blackhawk (with Bisley grip)
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