.44Mag Snubbie

[pullnshoot25]

Ok, so my Tracker is cool, but I want something lighter than my Tracker, stronger than a Bulldog and a 2" barrel that shoots .44Mag. About the only thing that fits the bill is the S&W 329PD with a cut off barrel, but I don't know if anyone has actually re-barreled these little harbingers of death. Before I am accused of insanity or the like, I want to mention that I am looking at a snubbie because I want a lightweight revolver that can shoot whatever ammo I have (I have a .44mag rifle, .44mag 4" revolver, so a .44mag 2" revolver would be nice)

As far as commercially viable options, there is a 2" Tracker, but it is only 3oz less (31oz vs. 34oz). I could try to track down a Titanium 445, but that just shoots specials (at a cool 20.8oz, no less!).

Does anyone have any fair ideas on the subject? Would it be better to just say "screw it" and get a light .357 for lighter trail/front pocket carry, etc? OR, should I just get a derringer in .44mag?

Ok, now back to Spanish (Btw, I think I passed Chemistry 115 with a C... which still is not the greatest grade, but seriously, I hated that class with as much tenacity as I do Billary Klinton)

[Quiet]

I believe the S&W Model 329 Night Guard (2.5" barrel / 29.3oz) would fit what you want perfectly.

Problem is, it's currently not on the approved list.



This S&W revolver is on the CA approved list.
S&W Model 629-6 ES (3" barrel / 39.6oz)

[Miltiades]

Consider .357 magnum snubby

Would it be better to just say "screw it" and get a light .357 for lighter trail/front pocket carry, etc?

That is what I would do. I have both .44 magnum and .357 magnum revolvers of various brands and models, and prefer to shoot .44 magnums from a fairly heavy gun to have some control over the recoil. Shooting .44 magnums from a 45 ounce revolver having full rubber grips is not too bad. But shooting it from a lightweight snubby would be painful. And the practice ammo costs quite a lot.

I'd get an all steel .357 magnum snubby with round butt - probably a S&W model 66 or 686 - they weigh about 32 to 34 ounces empty. You could carry it in a belt holster and it is just as effective as .44 for two legged predators. The .38 special practice ammo is reasonably priced.

[bruss01]

Ruger Redhawk Alaskan in .44 Magnum?

Any issue with that selection? (haven't checked the list, I'm assuming it made the list)

[jazman]

Shooting .44 mags from a snubby is a rotten experience frankly, it beat's the heck out of you, to the point that I don't think you will want to fire the thousands of rounds it takes to become really proficient with the gun. I'd gear down the macho thing and think on a .38 or .357...

[dfletcher]

I had a 3" blued 29. It's fun, for a while, and getting through a box of 240 JHPs was OK. The 300 JSP heavier stuff was a chore. I don't use rubber grips and suppose that didn't help.

Personally, I'd wait a bit & see if that lightweight 3" 44 gets CA approved.

[bwiese]

Get a 629 'Trail Boss' with 3" bbl.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=27829&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=