Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns SHORT BARRELED 44 MAG

Pual how do you like the new sights? Plenty of light around the blade?

The Dawson front is 1/10" - makes for a much improved sight picture for these tired old eyes - yes plenty of light around front blade.

A good 300 grain hard cast at 1000-1100 fps, is pretty potent on the receiving end in my opinion.
In my use, 5” and under barrels have their place. To me, 4” to 2.5” are very handy when with a pack, binos, and rifle.
I have gained an appreciation for the above .40 calibers in the 2.5-3” barrels.

I consider my 4 5/8" to be short because it's a 44 mag.

Paul what sight height did you get for the rough country and did you get the target rear or? Any problems? Thanks

I would not buy a new one from SW, if Ruger made one I would try it had I the money and the time to play with it.

It's the rough country (don't think bowen makes a target adjustable rear for S&Ws). I bought the Bowen .370 back in 2014 for my then new 4 1/4" that shot high with everything but .44 special. That gun (and all subsequent M69s to my knowledge) have .280" high front sights. The gun pictured above has a Dawson .310 (IIRC) and the .370 Bowen is maxed out up elevation to make 240gr Magnum ammo hit POA. Bowen has a list of S&W guns and appropriate Bowen rear on their website http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/parts_store/smith_&_wesson_height_chart.html .

A lot will depend on your front sight height and ammunition you are using. Bowen rear blades are sold individually so you can always change them out (although they are around $50)


The S&W heights and corresponding Rough Country heights are as follows:

S&W .126 uses BCA .370
S&W .146 uses BCA .385
S&W .160 uses BCA .400
S&W .196 uses BCA .430

i have a number of sub 4inch big bore revolvers. a matching set of 41 and 44magnum 3inch lew horton's, and a ruger short barrel.
all of them are capable of throwing a heavy slug at 1000fps or above, and are easy to pack in a simply rugged chest holster.
like them much

Years ago I sent my old three screw Super Blackhawk to Mag-na-port to have have them port the barrel and do an action job on it. While they had it I had it I had them shorten the barrel from 7.5" to 5.5". Was a great decision and now it handles so much better and shoots way better than I can do it justice. But to me, that is plenty short enough barrel for a .44 magnum. Personal preference of course.

I ordered a HIVIZ replacement front sight for my M-69. Tried it out at the range earlier this afternoon. LOVE IT! Much better than the factory S&W ramp with red insert. Found it on e-bay for a little over $30 shipped and paid my gunsmith $20 to install it. Best $50+ I have spent on an upgrade ever, I think.

That's short enough.

I had a 2-3/4" barreled 69 for a while. I had high hopes but jwound up sending it down the road pretty quick. It wasn't that much smaller than my 329PD, gave up one round, and didn't seem to kick any less despite the greater weight. I didn't try the X frame grips, did not seem compatible with my intended use, so it didn't really matter if they'd have been more comfortable to shoot or not, wasn't going to use them.

It's tempting to try a 69 with the 4" barrel. We'll see, no decision yet.

PS: I hain't aluminumated .. erized. Just opium-ated.

It is a blessing that .44 Special can be fired through .44 Magnum revolver. The three inch is odd length, therefore, matching holsters will be more difficult to find and custom made will add to expense of obtaining one.

A 3" revolver will work perfectly in a 4" or 6" holster

I enjoy shooting 629-1 with a 3'' barrel. I mostly shoot cast lead at about 1000-1100 FPS. Easy on the gun & easy on me!

I have taurus tracker 2-3/4”, 32 oz empty. It’s not pleasant to shoot much, but a nice carry piece in bear county. With 300 gr I was only seeing 870fps. I’d be afraid to push beyond book loads. It’s much nicer to carry than my 4” 629 or s&w alaskan 454 and I walk a lot of backcountry miles in MT bear county.

I’ve only seen 4” versions the last few years, so I’m not sure if they still make the ported shorty. Honestly I would not get one to shoot a lot of rounds through.

I think it is Okay for some well ptacticed folks.
My own situation , a 41 magnum , & a four inch Bbl. ( Mod. 58) = as compact and powerful as I am able to master.

To each their own... "A man's got to know his limitations".