44MAG

[Glock21sfsd]

I think I want a 44 MAG revolver. But I dont know anything about them. I kind of want a short barrel 4 inches or so. I can get tese in CA right? They dont have to be on the list?
Please educate me!

[Ronin2]

Yes, they do have to be on the list....OR you can do the revolver equivilent of the old pistol SSE.. its called a "Single Action Exemption" (SAE) to bring double action pistols into the state that are not on the roster.

Do you want a gun that you are going to shoot a lot with full power 44 mag loads or that you want to shoot uploaded hand loads in? Ruger's .44 mags are heavy duty and very resistant to a heavy diet of powerful loads. For target work at standard 44 mag or 44 special loads.. Smith and Wesson's 29/629 cant be beat. For sheer graceful lines/proportions, the 29/629 Mountain Revolvers are tops in my book.

[Garv]

Glock21:

If you think you want one, you should rent or go with a friend and shoot a couple different ones first if you have not done so.
Some like the kick, others do not.

They are not cheap and you should get the one you handle and like the best.
Try a 6" barrel also.

Good luck

ps:
Say hi to Margie at the Book Nook for me.

[Glock21sfsd]

Thanks Folks
Its been a few years since I fired one. It had a longer barrel. I am not a reloader so I would be shooting whatever I can buy at the stores around here or in Reno.

[Topflight80]

Smith and Wesson 629 v-comp ftw

[CaliforniaSon]

I would recommend a Ruger single action variant, but the best suggestion I could make is as Garv recommended - go rent one to try.

[craneman]

I owned a S&W model 29-2 for a number of years. I got rid of it in a moment of insanity and I regret it to this day. It was a really good shooter. Trigger and action was like butter. For this you will pay, as quality is not cheap. I like the older Model 29's better than the new ones, but that is just me I guess.

If I don't replace it with another, I would also consider a Ruger Redhawk. It is slightly heavier and I think with a little smithing work the trigger could be almost as good if not equal to the model 29.

I also considered a Blackhawk, as I reload and I do like hot loads and recoil. The Blackhawk is stronger IMHO, so in my case less to worry about. But it is single action and certainly not as refined. However you could use it as a wheel chock if you have a flat tire, or a hammer if you have to build a house and it will still work.

Good luck in your search.

[dozer wright]

Alaskan

I have a Ruger Alaskan I love this firearm. It is one I will,never sell. Accurate as hell heavy enough to keep shooting all day feed it a constant diet of Underwood no problem. Its a Ruger. It is one of two side arms I carry in the woods.

[Barbarosa]

Just make sure if you get one to get a heavy one. Some of the lighter weight .44's are downright painful to shoot. Think S&W Model 29 or Ruger Redhawk or Blackhawk.

[LowThudd]

^^ Love that Bisley Blackhawk. That would be my choice. I fired a 3.5" DA revolver with 300 grain loads when I was young. That was a handfull but a lot of fun. I would opt for the Bisley, as the grip is Rugers rendition of Elmer Keith's #5 grip, that he developed the .44 Mag in. I think the nostalgia of that would be cool, and the grip is designed to handle recoil well.

[Barbarosa]

^^ ...and the grip is designed to handle recoil well.

According to my palm the Bisley handles full house rounds much better then the 29, even with the 29's 8 3/8" barrel.

[tpfishnfool]

Love the Ruger Kodiac for a hunting side arm. Short , stout and handles any round. For the range, S&W 629 pro in 6''.

[bountyhunter]

Glock21:

If you think you want one, you should rent or go with a friend and shoot a couple different ones first if you have not done so.

Yep. That's one of the rentals where the range love you because you return the gun and the box of ammo you just bought with 40 rounds unfired.....

That one and the Desert Eagle .50 were the winners for unused ammo....

[451040]

Smith & Wesson Model 329PD

[Dokbrick]

I recently got a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter. .44 magnum really shines when you reload your own ammo. Push those rounds to the max.