Author Topic: Finding a .44 mag (Read 1280 times)

Chicken Man · « **on:** September 19, 2009, 05:01:50 PM »

I was wondering if I've missed any posts about the availability of the .44mag, I've wanted one for close to a year and love hearing all the stories that you guys tell about them, but where I live at in Missouri it seems dang near impossible to get one. Told my local gun shop owner to order me one back in June, he says it's on back order and has no idea when I can get one.Went into his shop again the other day and he says he has no idea when or if I can get one.

Thanks Fellas
Steve aka ChickenMan

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2009, 05:10:04 PM »

Both the 357 and 44 mags are in short supply now, I've checked all my usual sources, they're out, haven't learned why yet. $:-\$

Tim

Chicken Man · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2009, 05:18:13 PM »

Thanks Tim for the info.I still want one of those suckers real bad.

Thanks again
Steve aka ChickenMan

wreckhog · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2009, 05:39:02 PM »

I bought one around June. Had my pusher order it from a distributor. Box said JSC. Bud's and SportSouth had them at the same time. Bud's is retail and the shop complained that SportSouth charged them too much for shipping, hence JSC. I realize that does not help when the hunting is starting, but that was my experience.

Lefty Dude · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2009, 05:44:49 PM »

I found my Handi SB2/44 mag, on the used rack of my favorite toy store. The best $150.00 I ever spent. This was my first Handi. "It won't be my Last". When I find them, I will buy.

thomasblack · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2009, 06:16:45 PM »

If your near the Bryan Texas area, there is one on the used rack. It has been there a while.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2009, 12:39:29 AM »

I would bet someone here can find you one at one of their local gunshops. You can contact that gunshop and have them ship them to your local FFL.

THeir are a lot of good guys here on GBO and I will bet they will be glad to help you out.

spruce · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2009, 03:26:47 AM »

There's a few around sitting in dealer's racks - just a matter of walking into the right place at the right time.

About 2 weeks ago bought one down at Gander Mt in Green Bay, WI. They brought another one out to put on the rack before I left.

wreckhog · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2009, 03:49:20 AM »

Can't Gander Mt ship guns from store to store?

whitetailmaniac · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2009, 03:18:33 PM »

Ive seen the one on the rack at gander in Bryan. Pretty rusty and they want new price for it

Chris

fredster22 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2009, 12:31:35 PM »

Gander mountain will ship from store to store but you have to set it up. If you call the # listed for online ordering and then talk the
sales person into checking other store for what you want. You will then have to call both stores to set up transfer to the one nearest
you. I got a 357 mag done that way about a month ago from western Pa to eastern Pa

knight0334 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2009, 03:31:47 PM »

There are two 44mag Handi's at the Johnstown, PA Gander Mountain as of 6pm this evening.

One is tagged for $259, the other on the used rack is tagged $219. If I remember correctly, they both are black composite stocks. Both they have different forearms, one looks like the newer style used on the camo guns at Dicks from Remington. One is for sure composite, the other could be wood and I'm confusing it with one of the others there.

They also have a 444, 45-70, 22-250, 204 Ruger, and I think a 223.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2009, 03:38:51 PM »

$275 plus shipping to your FFL

scope ready black stock for a scope

sb1 new in box

Default · « **Reply #13 on:** September 23, 2009, 09:22:18 PM »

Seems like everyone is on the ball with this guy to get him lined out , Thou no one has mentioned to avoid later model 44s unless he reloads his own ....

Steve as i understand it the older models before marlin bought H&R had a over sized bore problem so if you are in the market try to stay to the newer all composite 44 mags or the new 44 mag/ 12 ga slug barrel combo rifles , the latter is a SB1 reciever .. So getting extra barrels will be a pain , but when i traded for my 44 combo 12ga i didnt want it to be anything more then what it was and sold the rifled 12ga barrel to a fellow member here .. Hopefully he will put it to good use this season and let me know how it did

Good luck with the search.. And no mines not forsale ;P

Default

petemi · « **Reply #14 on:** September 24, 2009, 03:21:08 AM »

This is the last shot out of my older, overbored .44 mag at 50 yards

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** September 24, 2009, 05:09:11 AM »

Just to clarify Default's statement about Marlin, they bought H&R in 2000, but didn't start making 44mag barrels until late 2006/early 2007, those made before have been notoriously over bore, Marlin made barrels are .429"-.430".

Tim

Default · « **Reply #16 on:** September 24, 2009, 07:09:57 PM »

As always Tim's wealth of handy knowledge shines again

just wanted our 44 mag shopper to be aware ... You know so he doesnt end up with a weapon shooting like crap due to factory ammo options and think we did him wrong... If we dont take care of our own , who will?

Pete you Ol' hand loader you

didnt say they couldnt shoot

I'll have to get off my butt and remember to use that new cell the other half made me get before the new baby was born and snap some shots of what mine will do with the hand rolled lead it likes..

Though here of late we just bought our first house and have been moving fools .. might have to take a buddy up on a range trip tomorrow, we'll see ... Its not as if i couldnt use some steam blow off Heh .

Default

petemi · « **Reply #17 on:** September 25, 2009, 02:28:43 AM »

No Default, I don't handload.......yet, but I'm slowly getting my stuff together. I've got a Mec 600 Jr. for my .410, shot and cases, and Hornady dies for my .45-70. I'll pick up a press, bullets, powder and other equipment as I find them and the budget allows.

The .445 Super was sighted in with Hornady .44 Mag LEs and a TruGlo red dot. I thought the LEs shot extremely well out of it. .445 ammo should be here in a week or two from Reeds Ammo.

Congratulations and best wishes for you, your new family and Home.

Pete

petemi · « **Reply #18 on:** September 25, 2009, 05:41:16 AM »

I just got off the phone with two Dunhams, Wal-Mart, Tony's, Marks and R&M. Everyone selling guns within 100 miles. Nobody has any .357s or .44 Mags, new or used.

Pete

mannyrock · « **Reply #19 on:** September 25, 2009, 06:16:23 AM »

Great info here.

I have a question please. The older .44 mags are "overbore." But, if I only shoot factory jacketed ammo, what will be the effect? Bad accuracy or what??? (I don't reload, and don't want to.)

Thanks,

Mannyrock

petemi · « **Reply #20 on:** September 25, 2009, 06:58:04 AM »

Quote from: mannyrock on September 25, 2009, 06:16:23 AM

Great info here.

I have a question please. The older .44 mags are "overbore." But, if I only shoot factory jacketed ammo, what will be the effect? Bad accuracy or what??? (I don't reload, and don't want to.)

Thanks,

Mannyrock

Poor accuracy seems to be the consensus here. As I said, mine is shooting fine with the factory Hornady 225 gr. LeverEvolutions. If that is going to hold up with the .445s is an open question. I'll do a range report on it after they get here.

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** September 25, 2009, 08:08:55 AM »

Pete's barrel has a custom extractor I made for it that minimizes headspace by holding the round against the breech face or very close to it, that may be part of the issue with the older inaccurate barrels in combination with the over bore, because his is very over bore, .433" groove diameter. Older barrels were ejectors which likely don't hold the round hard against the breech face, when the firing pin hits the primer, it pushes the round farther into the chamber until if fires, all that movement can't be good for accuracy. $:-\$ That's the best explanation I have why his shoots factory ammo good for being an over bore barrel.

Tim

petemi · « **Reply #22 on:** September 25, 2009, 09:30:04 AM »

Tim, you ought to sell that extractor design to Remington. It really is beautiful. Besides all the technical aspects of it you stated, it pushes the spent shell out to almost twice as far as the factory's does. Makes it very easy to remove. I still say they should put you on a handsome retainer.

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #23 on:** September 25, 2009, 09:48:55 AM »

Pete, that part is due to the mix of ejector and extractor design, the factory style extractor cam with a factory ejector and a short spring between them, the cam makes for positive extraction and the short spring moves the spent round a bit farther out of the chamber, kind of the best of both worlds without flying spent brass!!

The part that eliminates excess headspace is the ejector post which bottoms out in the barrel notch and holds the round against the breech face.

Tim

petemi · « **Reply #24 on:** September 25, 2009, 10:31:50 AM »

Yeah, see, I told ya. You'd look good in Remington green.

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #25 on:** September 25, 2009, 11:07:46 AM »

Dunno about that Pete, I think the climate here on GBO today is a bit warm to be wearing Remington green!!

$:-\$

Tim

petemi · « **Reply #26 on:** September 25, 2009, 11:16:27 AM »

You're the only guy I know who could wear it here today and get away with it.

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #27 on:** September 25, 2009, 12:13:34 PM »

Thanks Pete, I appreciate your kind words.

Tim