.44 Mag. lever Gun, the Sequel and a request for opinions...

J

joeshredd

Joined
May 8, 2002
Messages
2,254
Okay y'all,

Thank you guys for responding to my last thread about the choice between two lever guns. If you read my last entry, I went with the Marlin 1894 SS in .44 mag.

When I wrote what I got, another topic was broached... Do I go ahead and get a wheelgun in the same caliber?

I admit, I have toyed with the idea, but I've only owned and shot .357's, either S&W 66's or 686's...

I've never shot a .44 mag revolver, so other than my familiarity with the S&W brand, I've no basis for a rational decision on what manufacturer to pursue should I want to get a similar caliber wheelgun.

IIRC, Glockman mentioned a preference for Ruger, while someone mentioned the S&W Mountain gun...

Short of going to the gun forums, I'd prefer to hear what y'all may have to say regarding the subject as I've seen quite a few good threads with a lot of info from y'all...

Any thoughts??? :D
 
Well, I'm partial to the Colt Anacondas. Beefier than the S&W's but not (I don't think anyways) as beefy at the Ruger. The mountain gun has always seemed like a good gun to carry and not shoot much with magnums.

I've always wanted a Ruger Blackhawk SA, though!
 
First, I'm still searching for the perfect .44 pistol after having tried one Colt, several S&W, and four Rugers (I've also used .44 Winchester, Ruger, and Marlin carbines, and a TC Contender).

Second, the more important question is: why carry a pistol that shoots the same ammo as your rifle? What can you do with a .44 handgun that you can't with the carbine (you could almost ask this in reverse as well)? Having tried most of the combinations, I think that for running around the woods, a .22 pistol and a box of ammo would complement the carbine much better than a heavier .44 pistol. That said, the cool factor of a combo is not to be overlooked. ;)
 
The main reason you get a handgun in the same caliber as your rifle is so you don't have to carry two types of ammo with you. The .44 mag is a good choice for that. It's powerful enough in a rifle to take fairly large game and not so powerful to shoot in the handgun. Both the handgun and rifle can shoot .44 mag and .44 Spl ammo so carry the .44 Spl in the hand gun, and you can also use the ..44 mag if you need the extra power. If you ever start hand loading or know someone who does, they can load different loads for both, that can be used in both.

As for which handgun, I have and like both Smith and Wesson double actions and Ruger Single Actions. The Ruger is a little bit stronger in the action but that does not really matter if you don't reload hot loads. Holster choices for single and double actions are about equal. The Ruger and Colt double actions are a bit big, but if size doe not matter they strong and very accurate.

The TC Contender is great but single shot and big. Good Luck.
 
Well, you'll probably get better accuracy and power from the same load in the carbine compared to the handgun, but it is nice to be able to use the same ammo in both. I have a couple of Ruger Redhawks, and I like the 5 1/2" better than the 7 1/2". The balance feels better to me on the shorter barrel. That said, I actually prefer my Desert Eagle .44 Mag to either of the wheelguns :D
 
I like my Rugers, sometimes the triggers aren't quite as smooth as I would have liked, but that can always be fixed by a competent gunsmith. The Blackhawks are very rugged, and go with a lever action like peanut butter and jelly.

I'm thinking about doing the same thing except in .45 LC.
 
I've had a bunch of .44 mag revolvers...Colt Anacondas (4 & 6" barrels), Dan Wessons (I had a "Pistol Pak", which included 3 different barrel lengths and 5 different shrouds), S&W 29's & 629's, Ruger Super Redhawk, Ruger Super Blackhawks), and my all-time favorite is the SS Redhawk with 7.5 inch barrel, an orange plastic front sight, and Uncle Mikes' rubber grips. Perfect.
 
Interesting. You like the RH over the Super RH? I'm trying to decide on a woods gun, and these two are up very high on the list... Thanks!
 
the redhawk now comes in a four inch bbl, which is a great size for carry if size and weight are a priority. especially since you alread have the rifle, i like the smaller size.

i have a 629 dx w/ 6.5"bbl. its a fairly heavy gun, and with hot loads is still very 'jumpy'. when plinking i use specials, the mag rounds aren't that fun to shoot, imo. after about 18 rounds ive had enough, the specials i could shoot all day.

generally the rugers are overbuilt to handle much hotter rounds like the buffalo bore stuff, but dont feel much larger. the topstrap over the cylinder will be thicker than on a smith, and that is the most notable area for me.

im actually in the market for a ruger alaskan in .454. i can plink with 45lc's and have the casulls for killin big stuff!
 
I really think it all depends on what you're planning on using it for. If it's just a carry gun for fun and plinking or even hunting, I'm partial to the single action. Not only does the "plow handle" grip shape distribute the recoil much better than any double action, but unless you have the forearms of Popeye you won't be doing any rapid double-taps with a .44 Mag anyway.

I'm not realy sure about the "same ammo for two guns" concept either. You can really improve the .44 Mag's performance in the carbine so you will effectively have two loads or you can load at a reasonable level for your handgun and have a very light-recoiling lever action.

It all comes down to how you plan to use the weapons. If you're going for cowboy action shooting you'll be shooting light loads anyway
 
i have a ruger super blackhawk 7.5" bbl and a circa early '80s S&W 29 4" bbl, both are good guns, if i was gonna carry it a lot i would probably pick the S&W, my 29 has a better trigger than my BH but its an older pistol newer ones might not, i got a spring kit for my BH (for the trigger) and it helped 100%, the rugers and the S&W both need a different handle, hogue, something, the stock ones suck.

both are great guns and imho neither one is any more accurate than the other.

yrs ago it was 44 mgs which got me into reloading.
 
I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk to go with my Trapper. It can handle any load the trapper can, it's accurate, and easy to live with. I have a 45/8" barrel on mine and I really like it. I have never gone with double action in the 44 mag because I like to shoot heavy loads, topped with a Lee 310gr rfn gas checked bullet. The single action seems to handle the recoil better, at least for me.
Bob
 
joeshredd said:
Okay y'all,

.........I've never shot a .44 mag revolver,........

Any thoughts??? :D
Click to expand...

If you have a range membership somewhere, or have aquaintences who may own a .44 or two, or have access to a range that "rents" guns to try, the most obvious thing to do first is hit them up for a chance to handle and fire one of theirs. Gives you a head start in the selection process. With little exception, today's .44 revolver options are all excellent products. The metal castings or forgings, heat treating, and machining are superior to what was available even a few years ago. Most are designed to better handle the heavier charge options available in factory ammo today (which is all loaded within SAAMI specs anyway). You really need to get a couple in your hands for comparison, especially SA/DA. They do have distinctly different attributes ergonomically and in perceived recoil characteristics. Determine which is more comfortable and suitable for your intended purpose, then you can fine tune your selection amongst the various brands/options. JMHO.

Best of luck in your pursuit. Shopping is half the fun.
 
I do plan on visiting the local range when I go to break in my Marlin, and they do rent handguns. So, I will try several of their various models.

As to what I'd actually use it for, well, just basic target shooting mostly... And the why I might get one would simply be for the "coolness" factor - two cool guns in the same caliber. ;) ... Kinda why I collect knives - I can't carry them all at once all of the time, but it's nice to pull different ones out and play with them every now and again! :D

Thanks for the responses guys!
 
having a handgun and rifle/carbine that shoot the same caliber is very handy. I have had used combos like this for years. when remote camping hiking where you have to carry everything its nice to have one caliber. Most 44 mag rounds will give you about 300 to 400 FPS faster in the riifle which equates to more penetration with heavy built bullets and less penetration and more bullet upset or fragmentation with lighter bullets designed for slower handgun velocities.

Rugers and Smiths are both excellent choices single or double action on the Ruger. Had two Colt Anacondas that were very accurate but developed severe endshake quickly (600 rds) causing double action ignition problems. Owned a couple Taurus 41 mags shot accurately but had cap gun actions and also had ignition problems in double action. Never could afford custom or FA revolvers so cant say on those
 
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