Author Topic: 4" .44 MAG (Read 3846 times)

Redf150 · « **on:** December 19, 2003, 09:11:26 AM »

I was looking into a .44 mag for a main gun, How much kick is there in a 4 -5 inch barrel on one of these bad boys, I shot .357 mag a bit, but I want a big gun.
Any suggestion on make and models as well would help out a bunch.
Thanks

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2003, 10:01:52 AM »

Redf150 - I have a 4" S&W Mountain Gun configuration revolver - it started life as a 6.5" dirty harry Model 29-2 and I had the S&W Performance Center install the shorter bbl. I don't shoot full house loads all the time. I shoot them in preparation for hunting season - the rest of the time I'm kickin' cans with lighter loads. I still use the magnum cases but loaded lighter than full house.

I love mine. It carries very easily, is easy to shoot and handle, and I don't think or feel it recoils any worse than any other magnum with a short bbl. I limit my shots to 50 yds, unless I have such a good sight picture that I know I can place the bullet accurately at a longer distance. I know what the 44 magnum is capable of, and what I am capable of doing with it, and stay within those limitations. In that light the 4" bbl serves me well, and when I take a shot at a whitetail, or something else, I hardly notice it going off. To be honest, I think the recoil is slightly more than with my 3.5" 357, but hardly noticeably more, from my perspective. HTH. Mikey.

Savage · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2003, 12:27:21 PM »

I have a 4"mdl 29, it's my favorite revolver! It's not hard to ring the 50yd gong with that puppy. The 100yd gong more often than not, once you get the range. The more you shoot it, the less you notice the recoil. Now the muzzle blast,---------that's another story. Shot an IDPA match one dark rainy day, that 4 incher lit up the range! If I could only have one revolver, that would be it!! With light loads a real pleasure to plink with, with heavy loads it'll down anything I might use it on.
Savage

Redf150 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2003, 02:30:51 PM »

What do you all know about the model 629 4" smith wesson?
I didnt see any new model 29 on their web site.
Thanks, this will be a house and truck gun, basicly my only gun for a while.
My old man wants to get me a holster for it as well.
Thanks again.

Savage · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2003, 02:55:13 PM »

The 629 would be perfect for your application. The 629 is the stainless version that replaced the mdl 29.
Savage

Old Griz · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2003, 04:24:24 PM »

I have several .44 mags., but if I was limited to only one, it would probably be my 4 Colt Anaconda. Its a dandy shooter and handles well. It shouldits heavy enough. Its stronger than the Smith & Wesson (dont get me wrongI love my Smiths), but then again, not as strong as a Ruger. But if you want a double action revolver, Ruger doesnt make a 4 .44 unfortunately. Check into a Colt. They also look better than anything else!

pinduck · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2003, 04:30:02 PM »

I'll have to agree with Old Griz, I also have a 4" Anaconda and have had no problems shooting any load available in it. Recoil doesn't seem to be excessive to me.

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2003, 01:52:04 PM »

Quote: Old Griz "I have several .44 mags., but if I was limited to only one, it would probably be my 4 Colt Anaconda."

Gotta agree 100+% with Old Griz also. Love my 4" Anaconda, especially if you have smaller hands like me.

Larry Gibson

Redf150 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 21, 2003, 08:08:38 AM »

Went ahead and decided to get a Model 60 S&W .357 for carry, I had one before but forgot how it felt in my hands, it seems to fit my hands better now than I remember 4 years ago, it is planty light for carry for me, im 240, 5'11, and have plenty of clothing in winter time to throw it in, im use to carrying a tool belt arond my waist all day do this little baby wont be real noticable.
Thanks for your replies, I may in the futer get a .44 mag just to add to my collection.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2004, 10:56:25 PM »

I got the 4" 629 and have been very pleased with it. It shoots really well and carrys great. I don't have any complaints about recoil with it and really like the extra power the 44 has over the 357.

Old Griz · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2004, 06:41:30 PM »

:cb2: I bet that M60 with .357 loads is gonna have more recoil than a 4" .44 mag. (Not counting the 329 PD of course!)

WPWarhawk · « **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2004, 06:46:54 AM »

My favorite handgun is my 629 Mountain Gun. It's very accurate, and lighter than the standard 629 so it packs easier. But it has significant recoil with magnum loads so I rarely shoot full power loads in it.

If you wanted a gun to handle heavy loads constantly, you might look at the Ruger Redhawk with a 5 1/2 inch barrel.

Somerled · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2004, 12:57:03 PM »

When I carried a 4" .44 S&W every day, I used Keith SWC cast bullet handloads at 900 fps. Full-bore loads proved to be a bit to whippy for my liking. The reduced load worked well for me. It would kill cows with busted legs and whitetail deer just fine.

So if you reload or have the money to buy reduced .44 Mag or .44 Special ammunition, get yourself a shorter barreled revolver.

If you want to go full tilt, look at Freedom Arms or Ruger SAs with at least a 5.5 inch barrel. I particularly like the Ruger Bisley.

mec · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2004, 05:38:48 PM »

4" Mountain Gun is pretty neat. These grips make it easier to shoot than most 4" S&W .44 setups.

There are several very comfortable concealement options too-Like these Kramer rigs -Dillon and Thomas Perfectionist.

Rscout6945 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 21, 2004, 07:58:57 PM »

I have been wanting a 4" 44 mag for a long time now but I am in love with the Ruger Redhawk. I noticed that Ruger has been making some of their revolvers (gp100 and sp101) in the target grey color and am waiting for a Redhawk in the same color to snatch one up.

The best would be a Redhawk w/ 4" barrel and grey color. Somebody from Ruger WAKE UP!:evil: You are missing a good market here.

S.B. · « **Reply #15 on:** September 22, 2004, 01:54:51 PM »

Old griz, thanks for the input. I don't see much in print about the Anaconda's. Have often thought about owning one of them. And the 4" would go good with my 629-4 M/G too. What a pair to draw to.

iluv308 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 23, 2004, 03:30:42 AM »

Hi, I'm a new guy from Canada...
If anyone re-barrels any handguns to 4 inch and they have any longer than barrels and don't want to keep them please consider sending them up to me.....what has happened here is the Govt has decreed that all handguns with barrels shorter than 4 1/4 inches are prohibited weapons and must be destroyed. If you owned the gun prior to a certain date then the original owner can keep it, but it must be destroyed upon his death.....if the gun gets re-barrelled over 4 1/4 its okay....every barrel shipped to me with save a gun from getting chopped

....welcome to the world of gun registration...If I was an American guess which way I'd vote....
Thanks

S.B. · « **Reply #17 on:** September 23, 2004, 04:28:46 AM »

iluv308. email me, I have some you may be able to use.

S.B. · « **Reply #18 on:** September 26, 2004, 08:05:23 AM »

illuv308, email me direct. My email is in my personal stuff. Something went wrong the last time and I can't get an email to go back to you, on the address you provided.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #19 on:** September 29, 2004, 08:53:53 PM »

I went down today and paid for my 4" 629 ($619 at Bilson's in Turlock, CA). It'll be here Tuesday and of course we have a ten day waiting period here in the PRC. Between it and my scoped 6" Anaconda I should have all the .44 mag. I'll ever need.......................uh, no. I'm sure to need SEVERAL .44 mags over the next few years!!

S.B. · « **Reply #20 on:** September 30, 2004, 12:17:31 AM »

Dusty, my only problem with the 629's is the ftont sight. On the standard model with the stainless sight, I can's eem to pick it up good. I've got a model 63, I had the same problem with. I had a gunsmith mill the front sight off and make a blue partridge sight and now it works good for me. The M/G came with a blue front sight.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #21 on:** October 03, 2004, 05:47:13 PM »

S.B., I'll keep that in mind. My old eyes usually need some help in the form of a scope or red dot. However, with this gun I want a carry gun for when I'm out fishing or hunting, so maybe some modification of the sights will be in order.

S.B. · « **Reply #22 on:** October 03, 2004, 06:10:25 PM »

S&W must of marketed some stainless guns with blue sights, or some have had them changed to blue. Right now they have their Trail Boss and I think it has blued sights. Check on their site, to be sure.

Savage · « **Reply #23 on:** October 13, 2004, 07:15:48 AM »

Mec,
Man, that gun is too pretty to shoot!! I'm having an envious moment!!
Savage

papajohn428 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 13, 2004, 07:49:24 PM »

My next handgun will likely be a 44 mag, I like the idea of the 5.5" Redhawk, but I also love Smiths. Most of what I shoot will be warm Special loads, I don't need the magnums but most 44 Special guns are a little on the wimpy side. A 4" Smith would also be sweet, I am such a sucker for a nice N-Frame! I was considering the Taurus for awhile but I don't need any more headaches, the only way I'd buy one now is if I could test-fire it. Anybody else make a double-action revolver worth looking into?

Papajohn

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 13, 2004, 11:59:49 PM »

Dan wesson is a good DA revolver. YOu can often get the whole set with 2-10" barrels for them too.

Nanuk · « **Reply #26 on:** October 25, 2004, 06:34:35 PM »

Love my Smiths :grin: My 2 favorite are my 360PD and my 329PD. That 329 carries SO nice. Recoil is subjective. The 360 HURTS... The 329 with rubber grips is OK.

singleshotfan · « **Reply #27 on:** October 26, 2004, 11:50:17 AM »

I carry a S&W 629 in 44 mag, SS 3" Lew Horton Special. Seems to kick less than longer barrels. Easy to carry and fairly accurate also.
Suits my purposes while hunting and riding 4-wheeler.
Richard

Rscout6945 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 05, 2004, 05:09:22 PM »

I finally found what I was looking for. I was going to get a Ruger Redhawk in stainless with a 5.5" barrel and just live with it but I found a company doing modifications that will make it perfect for me. The company is called Clements Custom Guns and they do something called a Redhawk Carry Package. Here is the description:

Redhawk Carry package: Cut barrel to 4", mount new front sight with pinned blade, slabside barrel for weight reduction, blackpowder chamfer cylinder, action tune, roundbutt gripframe, bead blast finish with high polished hammer, trigger and pins - $450 SS $525 Blue

This sounds perfect to me. I would put up the picture they have but I don't know how to put up pics here. Could someone else put it up for me?

Does anyone else know this company and their work? What about a crossdraw holster maker?

S.B. · « **Reply #29 on:** November 06, 2004, 01:26:24 AM »

Here's another that does some very impressive RedHawks: http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/