Which .44 Magnum would you buy
- Thread starter Buzzsaw
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prairieviper
Member
I have two .44 magnums. The first is a Ruger Super Blackhawk, 7.5 inch, manufactured in 1977, before the Ruger lawyer warning was put on the barrels.
The other is the 50th Anniversary edition, Model 29, 6.5 inch, manufactured in 2006. The S&W is a 29-10 with the lock but it has a great trigger and is a sweet shooter. I use it for bowling pin matches.
The other is the 50th Anniversary edition, Model 29, 6.5 inch, manufactured in 2006. The S&W is a 29-10 with the lock but it has a great trigger and is a sweet shooter. I use it for bowling pin matches.
Well, for me I would choose the S&W 629 Classic 5" model. In fact, I hope to have one before the new year. I've already got a 629 Classic DX 8-3/8" that I bought in the late 90's, and a 7.5" Super Redhawk that inherited from my dad a couple years ago that I plan to scope. But it would be nice to have the 5" 629 added to my collection so as to have something slightly shorter for more convenient holster carry, and to use as a nightstand gun loaded with .44 Specials.
samnev
Member
S&W is the only 44 magnum revolver I'd buy if I didn't already have a 29-2.
BigMuddy
Member
All I can add...
A couple comments suggested a FA M83. I would sure like to know where I could find one for $1k.
A couple comments suggested a FA M83. I would sure like to know where I could find one for $1k.
My next gun will be the Performance Center 629 with the fluted bull barrel to use as a hunting revolver. I plan to give it a fixed 2x scope in QD rings so I can run it scoped or with open sights as desired. I won't be putting a light on the bottom. I thought about a Redhawk as well but I really don't need the ultra hot loads from a 44. If I get into a hunting situation that the 629 with loads up to 300gr can't handle, I'd be better off getting a 460s&w or a TC Contender in a rifle cartridge. That said, the S&W has a better feel to me, a much better trigger, is lighter and easier to carry through the field, and has better sights/features than a Redhawk.
Smith & Wesson Performance Center 629 Hunter 44 Magnum Revolver
Smith & Wesson Performance Center 629 Hunter 44 Magnum Revolver
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GavinLee
Member
I do only own one .44 mag, a pre-29 that I bought used 47 years ago for $150.00. It will go to one of the grand kids some day. I have carried it all these years and it is shy about 20% of it's blueing. Have lately been thinking about sending it back to S&W to be re-furbished/reblued.
jstanfield103
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For me a Ruger Redhawk Hunter #5003 is the best 44 Magnum out there. The trigger is not as crisp as the S&W 629 but you will never have to worry about anything on the gun. One other thing is I have smaller hands and the Redhawk fits me much better and really no pain from shooting.
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Marshall 357
Member
He has a 8 3/8 bbl ...he bought the 6 1/2 bbl a few months ago.
Please don't do it! Smith's current bluing is nice but not comparable that those classic guns.
A bit of beautiful craftmanship from a bygone era is lost when people reblue those guns.
Freischütz
Member
I've used a Super Blackhawk since 1971. Accurate and tuff.
I have a 629-2 8 3/8, a Ruger Super Blackhawk 10 1/2 inch, and a Ruger Redhawk 7 3/4 inch. Looking for a nice lever in a 44 mag. I also have a Marlin 444p. What purpose for the gun??? the 629-2 for shooting stray clays at 100 yards on my range with 240 gr hand loads @1175 fps. Just for fun. The Super Blackhawk is what I use for hogs. I use a LFN 325 grain @ 1480 fps. Lots of fun with that gun. I bought the Ruger Redhawk because someone had a dad that worked for Ruger years ago, and when he died, his son sold it to me. It was a hunter that was worked with everything you could possibly do to one. It is my favorite to shoot. I shoot the same 240 load that I shoot in my 629-2, and the difference in recoil is really noticeable. Of course the 444p, well it is for anything on the planet I would want to kill. I would say that for me, i would buy according to it's intended purpose. Also have afew AR15's, a 6.5 Creedmoor bolt, a Marlin Mach2, and a few other hand guns. Each has its purpose. I just sold a Lipsy 454 Bisley Super Blackhawk. Beautiful gun. But it felt like it was going to break my index finger slamming into the rear of the trigger guard. Lots of fun to shoot but my hand and index finger hurt every time i shot it.
I really would like to try the 629 PC Hunter shown in post 81. I've seen a couple and always liked the looks of them. Never had the chance to shoot one, yet. Maybe some day? 
muddocktor
Member
If you do decide to get it refurbished and reblued, S&W won't be the place to send it for the job. I'm almost positive that they won't do gunsmithing work on Pre-model numbered guns any more (I've read that here several times) and the blue job they do now isn't nearly as nice as the old blue job when they make your gun. If you do decide to get it gone through and refinished, I've heard that Ford's in Florida does a really nice reblue and I also believe they have gunsmiths that can tune your gun up too.
BornToLooze
Member
I bought mine used, but it was $1k
But as far as buying a new one, I'd either go for the Super Blackhawk with the fluted cylinder and regular grip frame (I think it's the artillery model) or a Model 29 with the barrel cut down to 5".
But as far as buying a new one, I'd either go for the Super Blackhawk with the fluted cylinder and regular grip frame (I think it's the artillery model) or a Model 29 with the barrel cut down to 5".
I bought a 5 inch 44 Super Blackhawk in Stainless thinking it would be fun to shoot,, that dang thing "ate me up", bout tore my pinky clean off?? My best bud at the time, who shot 44 Mag double taps for fun, couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it either,,,,
My neighbor, convinced he could make it shoot with his famous handloads, finally gave up after about two years and sent it down the road..
I have several 44 Mag Smiths, they all kick, but they don't chew on me, the best shooting 44 Mag I ever owned and foolishly traded for a 45 Colt/45Acp Colt New Frontier was a 1961 44 Flat Top..
Beautiful accurate gun, with aluminum grip frame was just a "*****cat"! so don't believe every thing you hear, guns are like underwear, some fit, and some don't, get one that fits you!
Amen
To buying a gently used pre-lock gun. 1k in cash will speak loud enough to get you an earlier model that will serve you well at home, in the field and on the range. Take your time and you will know which one to buy when you see it.
To buying a gently used pre-lock gun. 1k in cash will speak loud enough to get you an earlier model that will serve you well at home, in the field and on the range. Take your time and you will know which one to buy when you see it.
Qc Pistolero
Member
A 5'' 629 with custom grips that fits my hand.Loaded up with 215gr at around 1100fps,it should be a dandy!
Bulldawg Dad
Member
While I've had numerous 29's and 629's in the past, I currently own a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk in .44 Magnum and a Super Redhawk in .454 Casull. I'm itching for either a 4" 629 or 5" Classic 629.
Sevastopol
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Bumpus13
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Actually, Buffalo Bore doesn't call their loads "Ruger Only"
one eye joe
US Veteran
I WOULD CHOOSE A 7.5" RUGER SUPER REDHAWK.......
IMHO, THE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING, FAR SURPASSES ANY OFFERINGS BY S&W......
ITS LOCKED UP IN 4 PLACES, WHEN THE HAMMER DROPS. IT HAS A BEAUTIFUL RECESSED CROWN MUZZLE, AN EXTENDED FRAME THAT'S NOTCHED FOR THE SUPPLIED RUGER RINGS, EXCELLENT RR/WO ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS, AND NO SIDE PLATE......
ITS BUILT LIKE A TANK, AND CAN WITHSTAND A STEADY DIET OF THE HOTTEST HUNTING AMMO. IT HAS AN EXCELLENT SA/DA TRIGGER, PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE---BUT SLIGHTLY HEAVIER THAN A S&W TRIGGER, RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX........
AT LESS THAN $1K----ITS A BARGAIN, AND A KEEPER ! ! !
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In my safe it'd have to be a new 629 classic 5" if I was going to shoot it a lot. Or a 329PD if it was for mostly carry. I have a 629-3, its a Cadillac with full house rounds. That said. I also have a 329PD, it's one handy light weight hand cannon for concealed carry. The light weight makes the 329PD brutal to run 240g Winchester white box but well worth the recoil in my book for the trade off of being half the weight of a 629. Irregardless I still CC that 329 with full house WWB
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EdinDenver
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My first 44 mag was an 8" Colt Anaconda I earned by selling Colt firearms in the early 90's. There was a spiff available at the local gun store I worked at and I paid nothing for that gun. It also took my first wild hog. I moved to Colorado after that and sold it to pay for college - I should have kept it and gone to trade school.
Under $1k is tough but from 90's forward anything under $1k will be a good option. Rugers have a reputation earned before Smith beefed up their guns (and have not changed since). I'm not a fan of Rossi or Taurus...Taurus is the better of the two. Just be sure you are sure of what you are using them for and where - here in Colorado there is a barrel length restriction that catches most folks off guard.
Currently sporting a Performance Center 629 (more than $1k though).
Under $1k is tough but from 90's forward anything under $1k will be a good option. Rugers have a reputation earned before Smith beefed up their guns (and have not changed since). I'm not a fan of Rossi or Taurus...Taurus is the better of the two. Just be sure you are sure of what you are using them for and where - here in Colorado there is a barrel length restriction that catches most folks off guard.
Currently sporting a Performance Center 629 (more than $1k though).
Lou_the_welder
Member
I found the 329pd was completely livable with Winchester 240gr. I shot a box of 50 at one time. Some of the first shots did jump, but you get used to it after.
Specials were light taps by comparison.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Det-Sog
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^^^ For the price point, if I could only have ONE... THAT.
Edit... I went with the 5" PC V-comp because I got a deal. But... Gawd I really want a mountain gun now. Can't have just one...
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