Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns S&W,RUGER OR TAURUS

I am wanting to get a .44 Mag as a back up side arm but have not owned one before. I will end up carrying in quite a bit so don't want it to be too bulky or heavy but obviously want it to do the job on dangerous african game should me rifle ever be knocked out my hands. Any advice?

S&W 629 Mountain Gun.
Here's a link to the 45 Colt version, but they make it in 44 Mag also on a revolving basis.
I would look for an older one without the internal lock.

Pete

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=

And here's one of each in 41, 44 and 45.

Second vote for the Mountain Gun... I have them in .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45 ACP and they are my favorite all-around heavy revolver.

Look at the Speer CastCore round for extreme penetration with reasonable recoil. For softer two-legged vermin try the Speer .44 Magnum 200 grain Gold Dot HollowPoint Short Barrel Load...deep bonded HP at 1080 fps..moderate recoil, easy follow up shots and expands every time...

Bob

You need to shoot one, or them, first. That's to see if you can shoot well enough to give you confidence. Bear in mind that handguns are far harder to hit anything with than are rifles. That and they have nothing like the killing power of many rifle rounds.
I'd be very careful choosing a lighter .44 Magnum revolver. Even the standard 43-44 oz. models are a real handfull and some simply can't shoot them well.
If you are concerned about weight, a well made gun belt, say 1 3/4ths inches wide, and well made holster by the better makers, like Don Hume, can make a big difference as to how easily you can live with one on your hip.
Beyond all of that, the basic 4 inch class S&W is what I'd consider. Cabela's is selling the Mtn. Gun in .44 Magnum now. May well have to buy one myself. They have the very best single action trigger breaks of any I've tried. I might add that I haven't tried the Taurus.
If a .44 isn't quite right, the .41 is a possibility. Still alot more power than the lessor rounds.
The big difference between the stock Smith 629, 4 inch and the Mtn Gun are that the 629 comes with the classic red/orange front sight insert, vs. the black sights of the MG. That colored front sight insert makes it much easier to see in bad light. When you are in a hurry, you must be able to see that front sight in a hurry. E

I totally agree with Eremicus. The Mountain guns are very nice but they are a handgul and the muzzle flip is excessive IMO. You simply will not recover as quickly for a second shot. The standard 4" is easier to handle and the Ruger Redhawk 4" easier yet with a very few more ounces to carry. A good holster and belt will mitigate that. I'd also consider a heavy hard cast like the 325 gr WNFPGC offered by Buffalo Bore. They hit very hard and penetrate extremely well. They will penetrate both shoulders of a big moose.

I, for one, will have nothing to do with Buffalo Bore ammo. That's after seeing it lock up two Marlin .45-70's in good condition.
I've never heard of a hard cast, classic keith style bullet of 250 grs. that failed to penetrate any critter that needed shooting. If you load those yourself, they should shoot with the standard 240 gr. stuff.
If I really wanted a 300 gr., hard cast factory ammo, I'd buy the Federal Cast Core ammo. E

I've not had any problem with Buffalo Bore ammo in my 45-70 and I use the 430 gr HC. We are talking revolvers here and I certainly have had no problem with any of their 44 Mag, or 45 Colt ammo in my revolvers. For DLP issues I prefer factory ammo to reloads. I know of a guy in the last year who had to shoot a grizzly with his 454 Alaskan. He used reloads (not his own) and the last round locked up the cylinder. I'm aware of that happening on a Freedom Arms Casull also. I'm leary of that particular caliber for that reason and I use the 45 Colt +P 325 Buffalo Bore in my Alaskan.

I considered the Ruger Redhawk, but decided on the SW 629.
The 629 I purchased I found used, and in very good condition.
At first I could not hit s##t, but with practice I'm getting better. 12 rounds at a session is about all I care to do.
The SW just fit my grip better than the Redhawk, balance and refinement of the hammer and trigger is a pleasure.
When I purchased the revolver I got a set of the 'X frame' grips for it also. They were a very good investment.
Now I'm looking around for a holster, and I'm using a nylon 'Uncle Mikes' for now.
44 spl's are helping me with my practice.
The 629, by the way is a little bit more weight, (2 oz), than the MG. The hammer and trigger are also wider.
I like those features.

ruger redhawk fits your bill nicely

In my decision process, the Ruger Redhawk is a great revolver.
If you went that direction I would consider the 45 LC.
I like them and still may get one for my self this summer.
SW or Ruger, you are on solid ground.