Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Question #2 Filling the holster 69 VS BH

So recently I asked about a chest holster

Thanks for all the insight I want to carry a revolver while walking , tracking, maybe a finish shot.

Now I am choosing between a 4 in S&W Model 69 in 44mag SS
or a 5.5 in Ruger New Model Blackhawk in 41 Blue

I am really a double action guy but my favorite Single is this 41 mag

I could list what I like about each but I learn more from listening

What would you use?
Hank

I would use what I shot best and what gave me the most personal satisfaction and enjoyment. And I doubt that anyone can tell you the answers to your question other than you. I'll add this, having more than one gun is a lot of fun and if I wasn't forced to choose one for eternity I wouldn't sweat it. Pack one for awhile and on a whim, pick up the other and put it to work.

I carry all sorts of handguns for the uses you described and as general woods bumming guns. Everything from a little S&W M63 .22LR, other .22's, through various .38/.357's, 10mm, .45 ACP and .41 Magnum. Sometimes the gun is selected because it is the best tool for the job. When doing a gutless debone and pack job on an archery killed deer way back in the national forest on a dark night by myself the Glock 20 10mm with fifteen 220 gr. hardcast flatpoints at 1200 fps is a comfort and exactly the right tool for the job. We have lots of wild hogs, good population of black bears and mountain lions have killed five elk from our recolonized local elk herd. Tomorrow morning I'm going squirrel hunting and the M63 is gonna ride my hip because I enjoy packing it and it is handy to have along. Because of the mechanical offset of scope vs. bore line hitting an aggressive copperhead or rattler at close range with a scoped .22 rifle is more difficult than with the M63. I'll be skinning squirrels at the creek, the rifle will be in the truck 100' away and if some meth heads on atv's come along looking for freebies even the sight of the stainless S&W on my hip keeps them moving along. They don't stop to ask if that's only a .22 or how many rounds it holds.

All is good. On a different day the pistol might be a 4" .38 or .357, or a .45 M&P or 1911. Having a handgun is the most important part of it. What you do from there is the fun of it.

The .41 has lots of cool factor but I don't personally shoot a single action as well as a double action. My 4.25" Model 69 is my all time favorite hand gun. X frame grip Vortex Venom red dot Recoil is surprisingly manageable extremely accurate . For a hunting/woods bumming gun I'll take the 5 shot vs 6 shot N frame any day... seems much easier to carry than my 629.

Paul 105 here has written about his Model 69s a bunch. Lots of tests results. I'll get a 2 3/4" for sure and like Paul I might get a second 4.25" in case I ever wear the first one out....

I would choose .44 Magnum for greater selection of ammo including bird shot against snakes, and .44 Special for personal defense The SS gun will be more resistant to corrosion, therefore, easier to maintain. The finish wear will be less noticeable. Not sure about the Ruger, but old SA revolvers had to be carried with hammer on empty chamber. Newer guns had notch between cylinder chambers and could be carried fully loaded.

Choices given, the S&W.
You shoot it better, probably lighter.


I shoot a SA better, little experience with DA revolvers.
Been looking for a deal on a Mountain Gun in 44 or 45.
Bouncing that with what (for me) would be a better option.

Something Austrian in 45 or 10mm. Lighter, more ammo,
tougher finish, and a IDGAF about it gun.

I have a 2 3/4"m69 that I really enjoy. Accurate and a very nice gun to cary.

That said, the 4 5/8" bisley is so much easier to shoot.

No question. Between the two, I would go with the 69.

I would have a hard time choosing between the two. I much prefer Smiths to Blackhawks, and that 69 really attracts me. I’m an awful .41 slut, however. I’d probably get both.

I really like my 69 for an all around woods type gun. My G20 gets almost all the carry though, 15 rounds of 10mm 220 hard cast or 180 jhp or birdshot is comforting.

I feel the same way. I like the 69!

I have the 4" 69 and it is unique in my view because of its weight and potential power in that size handgun.

I wouldnt mind getting the 4" one at some point

Of your choices, I'd lean heavily towards the Model 69.

Have you looked at any of the plastic pistols in .45 ACP?
Considerably lighter. Higher capacity. Easier to shoot well.

Id look at a 10mm if going auto.