Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 44 Mag - 2 Questions

1) What is the best quality DA revolver?

2) What is the best bang-for-the-buck DA revolver?

Bang for the buck is the Ruger Redhawk.

Best quality is opening a can of worms.

1) Smith & Wesson

2) Ruger

The others are either out of my price range or below my standards.

Take it for what it's worth.

WFR

Smith & Wesson N-frame for quality, because of the fit, finish, smother action, ect.

Ruger Redhawk, best bang for the buck. Also heavier and stronger built. But they are just as accurate as any of my N-frame S&W's in .44 mag.
And I've yet to so see a "worn out" Ruger Redhawk!

Best quality in terms of fit/finish, or accuracy? Smith has always had the edge over Ruger in terms of a smooth action, but in terms of accuracy I think the super redhawk will go head to head with any gun and likely outshoot most of them.

So I'd give the super redhawk the best bang for the buck in terms off accuracy and durability.

1. Ruger Redhawk or Alaskan
2. Ruger Redhawk or Alsakan

If I were buying a brand new DA revolver in 44 magnum, it would definitely be a Ruger Redhawk.

The only thing from Smith and Wesson that I would be interested in that is new would be the model 69. But it is a 5 shot revolver on an L frame. And then I would have to look it over in person to make sure the little detent lined up properly.

You didn't specify if you're looking for new or used.

If new is the only option then I agree with the Ruger Redhawk recommendations. Not a fan of the new S&W's.

If used is an option I'd find a sweet 629-4 with a 4" half-lug barrel or the same with a 5" full-lug in the Classic configuration.

I agree with everything here, but- the Redhawk's trigger just can't touch the Smith. Even after tuning.

This X2�

I own ALOT of 44 Mags� and my favorite is my S&W 629-4MG� smooth DA cycle, the best SA trigger I've EVER owned, and very accurate. BUT, my Ruger SA 44 Mags (SBH, Bisley BH, and Vaqueros) are a lot of fun to shoot, and are all very accurate, and will shoot loads that would turn the Smith N Frame into shrapnel.

But that 629-4MG is sooooo sexy!

s&w mountain gun

A Colt Andaconda, of course.

Best bang for the buck, I would say Ruger.

I have several S&W .44 mags and one Ruger Redhawk. If your primary criteria is strength, probably the Ruger would win hands down. There is little or nothing out there that can touch a standard, untuned S&W trigger. I don't think you could ever get there with a Ruger. My Smiths are more accurate, right across the board then the Ruger I own, but it is still a very accurate revolver. I comfortably shoot loads in the Ruger that, while they wouldn't turn the Smiths into shrapnel, would result in excessive, premature wear. You carry around a Smith for a while and the Ruger feels and handles something like a boat anchor. Really, running .44 magnum loads a Smith N frame won't handle is probably more a psychological than practical advantage.

Good thing aesthetics weren't in the criteria or the Redhawks wouldn't even warrant an honorable mention.

Fat bottom girls make the rocking' world go round!

Ah, Redhawks don't look too bad.....





But the Smiths are nice......





Just take your pick. They'll both get the job done.

Nice taste in big-bores lastround!
That 6" 629 is dang near perfect!

4" model 29.

Life's too short to look like a peasant.




Travis

#1 personal preference. For me, I prefer the craftsmanship of the older Smith and Wesson revolvers like the pinned and recessed N Frames like the 29-2.

Another newer nice example is the 29-4 from the early 90s with the endurance package. The 5" Classic and Classic DX are awesome examples from the period and are truly superb shooting machines.

Here is a pic of a 29-2:




For best bang for buck, in my opinion, that honor goes to the Redhawk. Built to shoot all the light loads you want at small game such as rabbits, as well as being built to shoot all the heavy elk stomping loads your wrists can endure, the Redhawks are hell for stout.

You can reasonably expect that 70 years from now your grandson will be shooting the same elk stomping loads through that old Redhawk that his long departed grandpa did.

He can look at pictures in an album and tell his kids that the gun he carries on his belt is the same one that grandpa took that old bull with...

That is another excellent reason to buy great leather the first time BTW.






Of course what I am posting is only opinion, and others may have totally different ideas. Hard to go wrong with a .44 Magnum though.

A little surprised no one mentioned the fine Dan Wesson revolvers. I realize you can't just run down to the LGS and buy one new but they were quite popular at one time, especially with the IHMSA crowd.