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[cantdance]

Try to shoot those calibers before committing to anything. All of those could be range toys. Do you have anything more specific that you are trying to do?

I assumed deer hunting. For that I'd pick the 44 in a Ruger or S&W and a lever gun to match.

[boopiejones]

S&W 460 gets my vote. it is a very versatile gun. it will shoot 45 schofield, 45 long colt, 454 casull and 460 S&W magnum. I've never shot 45 schofield out of mine, but 45 long colt feels like a 22LR, so I can only imagine that the schofield must feel like a BB gun.

[OCEquestrian]

In 44 mag, the S&W 629 Classic 5 in barrel or in .357 there is the S&W M27 classic blued / 4 in. You can never go wrong with the classics!

[DArBad]

You have plenty of good and useful feedback here, OP!

I used to own a 6 inch Smith 686 (my first self-bought handgun by the way), bought around 1990. I also used to own a 4 inch Ruger GP 100 bought around 2010, and a 6 inch Ruger GP 100 bought around 2014. All were sold away.

They are all good guns, but I get bored easily. Per my experience, the Rugers are rough but strong, the Smiths are more refined.

If ammo price is a consideration for you, stick with the .357 magnum/38 special combo. If not, choose a more powerful round....the 44 magnum are the highest that I would go, don't know if you want to go higher.

As one poster mentioned, try renting and shooting those rounds before you buy. I had the distinct chance of firing a 45-70 round in a Magnum Research Revolver, the BFR back around 2000. Its a beefy revolver and a stout looking round. ONE round was all it took for me to decide I will not buy that revolver/round combo.

The 44 magnums are doable, and you can use 44 special. If I were to buy a revolver now for an occasional range fun shooting and basically as a safe queen, I would get a Smith 629 Classic with the 5 inch full lug barrel. I am also partial to a 6 inch with the half-lug.

Maybe I'd buy a 6 inch 629 half-lug in the future, and while fondling it at home, I'll watch " Dirty Harry ".

[redhemi]

Ruger Redhawk 44 MAG. beautiful, sexy and can shoot anything you put in it.

[OCEquestrian]

Y If I were to buy a revolver now for an occasional range fun shooting and basically as a safe queen, I would get a Smith 629 Classic with the 5 inch full lug barrel. I am also partial to a 6 inch with the half-lug.

Maybe I'd buy a 6 inch 629 half-lug in the future, and while fondling it at home, I'll watch " Dirty Harry ".

I have a 629 Classic 5 in that I seldom shoot, although it is hella accurate. I spends most it time outside the safe as a backup while hunting and as a SD weapon when out in the high sierras on horseback. When in the high mountains its always with its best buddy, a Browning B92 lever action in saddle scabbard.

I personally think that the S&W 629 Classic 5 inch with the full lug is the best balanced of the 29/629 series currently available new.

[DArBad]

......

I personally think that the S&W 629 Classic 5 inch with the full lug is the best balanced of the 29/629 series currently available new.

" best balanced "..... I agree!

That 5 inch full lug was never in my radar screen, until an LGS showed one to me and handed it to entice me to buy. Money was soooo tight then, that I opted not to buy. But I can't forget how it hefts and balance in the hand.

Oh man, you convinced me............I'll get one next year!

[OCEquestrian]

" best balanced "..... I agree!

That 5 inch full lug was never in my radar screen, until an LGS showed one to me and handed it to entice me to buy. Money was soooo tight then, that I opted not to buy. But I can't forget how it hefts and balance in the hand.

Oh man, you convinced me............I'll get one next year!

Not to mention with those lines, its just plain pretty....

[I Swan]

I never thought about the 5in ones but I got a good deal on a prelock 629 classic 5in full lug recently and I like it better than my 4in 29-5 so I am going to sell that and keep my 629's.

[OCEquestrian]

I never thought about the 5in ones but I got a good deal on a prelock 629 classic 5in full lug recently and I like it better than my 4in 29-5 so I am going to sell that and keep my 629's.

Lucky find.....I hate those damn locks. My 629 5 in classic is my only S&W with a lock

[I Swan]

$635 out the door only minor wear It pays to stay on the hunt. I have yet to buy a S&W with a lock and only ones I would consider are a few models that were never made in a prelock version.

[81turbota]

Smith and Wesson 686 Competitor for a new one. I LOVE mine, it's too easy to shoot accurately. Soft shooting with the weighted barrel.

The Competitor comes in 629 .44 magnum flavor too.

I don't have a picture of mine handy, pulled this one off the net.



For used, it's hard to beat a pre-lock M29. Mine is a 5 screw pre-29 (pre-29's will be out of the budget)

[sigstroker]

If you reload, any caliber is OK.
If you buy Ammo, do not go 460 or 500

I was going to say the same about .44 Magnum.

I would try to find an old pre-lock pre-transfer bar Model 29. I used to have one with an 8 3/8 inch barrel that had an action job. Tons of fun with my lead bullet reloads, and occasionally full power jacketed loads. I wasn't worried about wearing out the revolver, I was worried about wearing out me.

[cantdance]

$635 out the door only minor wear It pays to stay on the hunt. I have yet to buy a S&W with a lock and only ones I would consider are a few models that were never made in a prelock version.

I'd hold my nose and go ahead and get one with a lock. Fortunatly I managed to avoid thaat except for a Model 69.