[PhotoFeller]

My gun purchases in recent years have been mostly Glocks, but I used to be a revolver guy. Lately I've been thinking a lot about the revolver that I flirted with but never got around to buying, the 44 mag. My reasons for not owning the 44 were that they didn't seem much more powerful than my 357s, the recoil cancelled out the fun, they were heavy to tote around.

Now I'm getting older and trying to fill some gaps in my gun experiences. The 44 mag is high on the list to consider for a possible purchase in the near future. The S&W model 29 or 629 are first to make the list because I own mods 60, 65, 66, 686 plus a few more. A 44 might be a good carry gun for trompin' around the Everglades. I'm not concerned about the internal lock, and I know 10 mm is preferred by many. Concealment isn't a concern.

Please, give me your opinions, your pros and cons about the S&W 44 mag.
Is recoil manageable (I've shot 357s a bunch)? is it hard to line up a 2nd shot? Is it a b***h to carry all day? Is ammo expensive? Do you enjoy shooting your 44 mag?

I hope this subject hasn't been talked to death in past threads. Let me know if I just need to do a broader search in the GT history file. If you've got a lnib 44 mag to sell, let me know.

Thanks for taking time to comment.

 

[byf43]

Dan Wesson 44VH-4 (w/ S&W mdl 60 LS for comparison).

With the VH-8 barrel and shroud on this revolver, it's just a couple of ounces less than 4 lbs!
I forget the weight with the 4" barrel and shroud, but, I carried this on my hip, during a wild boar hunt in Tennessee.

It really 'barks' when lighting off full-house loads, but, it's really pleasant to shoot.

Granted, this is not the S&W that you asked about, but, the .44 Magnum is a fantastic round!!!

(I'd love to find a S&W mdl 29 with a 6-1/2" barrel, or even an 8-3/8", without lock, of course!!)

 

[AA#5]

One of my favorite revolvers is a stainless S&W 44 Mag with a 5" barrel - Mod. 629 made about 30 years ago - (firing pin on the hammer). Since I handload, I'm able to increase the versatility even more than the 44 Mag already has. Unless you're carrying it for defense against large animals, there's no need for maximum loads & with mid-range loads, it's very pleasant to shoot.

As for power comparison with the 357 Mag, the 44 Magnum is almost DOUBLE the power (500-600 ft. lbs. for the 357 vs. 900-1,100 ft. lbs. for the 44 Mag.) In fact, when I started handloading, I found it interesting that the 44 Mag. & the .223 Remington are about equal in energy - around 1,000 ft. lbs. for both. The 44 may not seem that much more powerful in a heavily-built gun like the Ruger Super Redhawk because the extra weight absorbs the increased recoil.

 

[NDcent]

I love the 629's. They're heavy to carry, expensive to shoot unless you reload, not going to get back on that second shot super fast, even more expensive to shoot if you shoot .44 special loads (again unless you reload). Recoil is very manageable IMO, mainly because it's heavy. Shoot .44 special loads and recoils more like a .38 special.

I've thought about a 500 but don't really feel like all the stomping and expense. Factory 44 rem mag loads are enough fun, if not you can always load up some hot ones.

I'm a N frame guy all the way, but Rugers are rock solid and many like Taurus. I've got pinned and recessed, and ones that aren't, don't have any newer with locks but... I wouldn't personally worry to much either way with modern factory ammo. If I was going to shoot LOTS of hot reloads, I would probably think about a bigger frame.

 

[J. Parker]

I've owned a bunch of 44 mags over the years. Don't own one any more. They are heavy! The ammo is expensive! They are a pain in the arsh to carry!

That said, they are ALOT more powerful than a 357 maggie!

That said 2nd verse............get a G20 and be happy.............:supergrin:

 

[Gregg702]

My 3" 629 is the only gun I own that hurts to shoot(including my KLCR with .357 loads), partially due to the exposed backstrap. I suspect there is less felt recoil in the longer barrel versions. I have purchased some .44 spl rounds but have yet to fire them.

 

[Berto]

A .44mag doesn't have to be a bear to carry with the right holster, and with guns like the S&W 329 or Taurus Trackers you don't have to have a really heavy gun....though you'll hate shooting it with anything but mild .44mag ammo or .44specials.
That's one of the cool things, though; It's a revolver round and loads available are anywhere from mild 246gr lead .44sp @ 700fps to 330gr Garretts at 1300fps.
Get a mountain Gun in 4" and you'll have something that carries good and can be used with standard magnum loads without too much pain.

 

[michael e]

Have a 629, the kick is alot but not so bad you don't want to shoot it. Factory ammo is pricey, but haven't bought ammo for mine since I bought the gun since reload. Have never shot a 44spl round as I could never find any local. As for fun to shoot, hell yes. I love mine, I have 6in barrel, really wanted the 8 3/8 but the store didn't have it in stock and when I was 21 I was I want it now not in 5 days. As for carrying all day, not sure , have hunted in east texas with mine a few times, but that was walking threw the woods for a few hours.

 

[J. Parker]

If you want to get you're nards off with a 44 maggie go for it. Florida? Please. In the Pacific Northwest maybe......western Montana maybe. But Florida? A 357 maggie with doubletap or buffalobore ammo and you're good to go. A Glock 20 is a helluva lot more fun than a 44 mag of anykind.

 

[DoubleWide]

G20 is nice for a pistol, and it might be equivalent to the .357 but it ain't a .44 mag. .44 mag will give you double the ft-lbs for only ounces more than a somewhat similar sized .357. You can pick up 50 rounds for $30

Snub-nosed or small wood grips will make you feel the recoil. Larger size with rubber pretty much soak up the recoil.

You definitely will get noticed at the range.

It's a great big bore cartridge that is somewhat affordable and allowed at almost all ranges.

 

[Gregg702]

My 3" 629:

 

[hogship]

Shown: 629-2, 4" tapered barrel. Bianchi holster

The 44mag is a very versatile round, and can be had in whatever hot or mild loading that suits you......and, if you reload, that's even better! I have 300g hardcast loads that have stiff recoil, but are a comfort to have in Grizzly territory......also have light loaded 200g loads that you can shoot all day long at the range! In your area, might be a good idea for the gators! :wavey:

Not all that bad to carry.......depends on who's giving the opinion on that, though!:supergrin:

If you want help with the recoil, get some Pachmayrs! These are the Gripper model Decellerators........good feel, and really absorbs recoil.

 

[Glock40man]

You'll get used to it. I like S&W 629s. Like hogship said,"If you want help with the recoil, get some Pachmayrs!"

 

[Gregg702]

Shown: 629-2, 4" tapered barrel. Bianchi holster

The 44mag is a very versatile round, and can be had in whatever hot or mild loading that suits you......and, if you reload, that's even better! I have 300g hardcast loads that have stiff recoil, but are a comfort to have in Grizzly territory......also have light loaded 200g loads that you can shoot all day long at the range! In your area, might be a good idea for the gators! :wavey:

Not all that bad to carry.......depends on who's giving the opinion on that, though!:supergrin:

If you want help with the recoil, get some Pachmayrs! These are the Gripper model Decellerators........good feel, and really absorbs recoil.

Do those Pachmayrs cover the backstrap? I have been having trouble finding grips for the 629 that do, I hate the exposed backstrap.

 

[hogship]

Do those Pachmayrs cover the backstrap? I have been having trouble finding grips for the 629 that do, I hate the exposed backstrap.

Yep, sure do! The Decellerators have a softer rubber than the standard Pachmayrs......great for heavy recoil.

ooc

 

[Gregg702]

Yep, sure do! The Decellerators have a softer rubber than the standard Pachmayrs......great for heavy recoil.

ooc

Awesome, I'll have to look into a pair. I love the look of my wood grips, but they do nothing for the recoil. Thanks! :wavey:

 

[Glock40man]

Do those Pachmayrs cover the backstrap? I have been having trouble finding grips for the 629 that do, I hate the exposed backstrap.

Yup, they cover the backstrap.

 

[PhotoFeller]

Great, objective input, so thanks to everyone. I've kind of decided to try a 44 mag, if I can find a really nice used one, to experience the recoil and carry weight. The ammo cost isn't a major factor because it won't be my primary CC gun.

Florida outback carry generally doesn't require big bore guns, but I've been reading a bit about rare black bear encounters, and it seems a 44 mag could be good insurance against a low probability encounter. Maybe a bit of rationalization on my part.

Replacing the factory wood grips with Pachmyr rubber grips would clearly help with the recoil. I'm a 200# guy who should be able to handle any handgun calibrer.

With respect to comfortable carry, I've been thinking about an ElPaso Saddelry tanker-style holster that supports weight on the dominant side shoulder. It's a cross draw set up like the military used in WW2.

I'm still open to all comments, especially down-side comments about 44 mag.

 

[Glock40man]

Here is one of my favorite woods companions, S&W 629-4 4 inch. It wears a set of Pachmayr Compac grips.

 

[Batesmotel]

I carry a 4in 29 loaded with shot-shells for snakes when I am in the desert. I wouldn't want to carry it all day as a CCW.