44 Mags you can Shoot that Hold Value

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Huntolive

Huntolive

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Ok, so I'm interested in getting a 44 Magnum that I don't have to relegate to Safe Queen that will hold it's value and can be used for occasional deer/hog hunting and bear/human protection.

I already have a Super Redhawk 454 Casull w 7.5" barrel and Ultradot, and several 357 Magnums. I know I don't really need 44, so if I get one I want one that I can shoot but that won't lose value if I take decent care of it.
I'm mostly thinking of Smith & Wesson 629 but others could fit the bill.
Minimum barrel length would be 4 in maximum would be eight.

I just got a great deal on a new model Blackhawk 44 with a six and a half inch barrelbut it's a 50th Anniversary version that's never been fired so I'm thinking of leaving it that way since the grip and handle on that are so small it doesn't really agree with me for a hunting gun.

Or am I wrong about that?

I would appreciate your ideas.
 
Ruger Blackhawk will already fit the bill, I doubt the 50th anniversary models will ever be considered collectible, as the 1976 Rugers aren't collectible at all (Anything '1976' never became collectible, only thing I can think of are the Lincoln cars)
The only collectible Rugers are the pre-1973 models . So I wouldn't worry at all about shooting a New Model Blackhawk that's never been fired. Only Smith & Wessons and Colts become collectible when they've never been cocked.
 
Huntolive said:
I just got a great deal on a new model Blackhawk 44 with a six and a half inch barrelbut it's a 50th Anniversary version
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Heir Kommt Die Sonne said:
Ruger Blackhawk will already fit the bill, I doubt the 50th anniversary models will ever be considered collectible, as the 1976 Rugers aren't collectible at all
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I thought the 1976 Rugers were the "Made in the 200th Year of American Liberty" models, not the "50th anniversary" models. Isn't that right? Or are they the same?
 
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The 50th anniversary editions are different then the 1976, the math would show that the 50th Anniversary are older.
It's not so much that I need that to be a safe queen as that it would be hard for me to get used to the tiny handle/grip on that; I'm used to the Super Redhawk or full-sized 357 larger grip handles and the new model Blackhawk handle just seems tiny.What's the right grip style for that to get used to it? I got it for four hundred bucks I know it's going to be worth more than that.
Won't the Colt pythons run well over a thousand? I can do about a thousand but not looking to pay more than $1200 max (say for a SW PC 44 Magnum Hunter)
What's the best place to find an older model 629 or 69?

Also I should have mentioned this but I'm definitely leaning towards a double/ single action so not a single action Blackhawk.
 
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I bought a well used, but mechanically sound, Super Blackhawk 7.5" made in 1981 for $325. It's not gonna win any beauty contests, but it's fun to shoot (especially .44 Special ammo) and I think it's impossible to lose any money on it unless I lose it or abuse it.
 
I’d buy whatever you like used. If you buy it used it’s already lost whatever value it’s going to, most don’t depreciate much more than the initial hit you take when you buy new.
 
Well my first choice is a Vaquero in Stainless Steel. I choose stainless steel for weather protection and for easy identification from my blue 45 Colt Vaqueros.

Since you don’t like the small grip so second runner up is the Ruger Bisley.

The S&W Model 69 keeps tugging at me although more as a trail and back-up.
 
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I'm a Ruger guy, and I love me some single actions. They can hold their value (maybe not as much as a Smith or colt) but you can shoot the crap out of them and fear nothing because Ruger will fix it as long as it's not obvious abuse. Here's my single six , flattop bisley (44 special) and my 45 colt black hawk.

KIMG1003~3.JPG
 
I wanted a good 44 magnum revolver for $400 or under (plus shipping and FFL) that would be fun to shoot. My first was a SAA replica. It was very reliable and accurate, but shooting 44 magnum rounds through it was painful. It is a German "Sauer and Sohn". My FiL still owns it. It is a nice gun... for 44 specials.

For the same $399 bid I later won an auction for a finish-challenged Ruger SBH. The photos were at weird angles, but it turned out to be a 3-screw. The trigger and sights are excellent. It shoots 44 special or 44 magnum easily. It's certainly worth at least what I paid for it and I doubt it will go down in value due to my occasional target shooting. I have shot a lot of large-caliber revolvers, and it is easily my favorite. The trigger is absurdly good.

Super Blackhawk

Super Blackhawk

 
I have a 629. All newer models have the “endurance kit” and yes mine has the hammer block, but I don’t mind it at all. I’ve only shot 240’s but will be trying 300’s at 1200 soon. I can’t say how well it will hold up since I haven’t had it long, but I have heard they hold up well, and the true reason you don’t shoot heavier in Smiths is the cylinder is shorter than the Ruger. +p’s are a different story like the 340 garretts at 1340
 
The Endurance package doesn’t make up for the inherent design weakness. They don’t handle heavy bullets or “real” magnum loads well and will shoot loose fairly quickly.
 
I'll go against the grain. I'd grab a gently used 629 of recent manufacture.

They can be had for less than the collectible ones, and they can't lose much value even if shot a bunch.

I've had plenty of Smith's with the lock, and very few problems, they're not as valuable and maybe not as pretty with "the hole" but for the most part they're good shooters.

If you're really interested in something that won't lose value, grab a taurus. Not a whole lot of worth there to start with.
 
.308 Norma said:
Thanks, but are the "Made in the 200th Year of American Liberty" Rugers the same as the "50th Anniversary" Rugers the same or not?
Sorry if I'm being hard-headed - I just don't understand. Was 1976 Ruger's 50th Anniversary?
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No, Ruger was founded in 1949. 50th anniversary are the full size black Hawks with a flattop, not to be confused with the midsize flattop. I think the 200th anniversary where just for the countries 200th year and had "made in the 200th year of American liberty" on it. Doesnt just pertain to revolvers, for example my dad has a 200th anniversary Ruger no1 in 243
 
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