44Magnum The Most Versatile Handgun Caliber

[CraigC]

....and one should not hafta justify it to others.

Isn't that kinda what this thread is about???

You seem to want to discourage exchange of thoughts and ideas in every thread. What gives???

 

[buck460XVR]

Isn't that kinda what this thread is about???

You seem to want to discourage exchange of thoughts and ideas in every thread. What gives???

The exchange of thoughts and ideas is what these types of forums is all about. I have no problem with that. It's the constant negative posts, arguing and belittling of those with ideas that differ from yours that I tend to discourage. Seems like that's all I've been seein' on here lately. Someone claims to like this or that and the trolls swoop down and make 20 posts in a 40 post thread about how stupid that person's opinion is....just cause it varies from theirs. One should be able to express their likes and choices and have them accepted with respect. Not hafta justify them to someone that wears an over-sized hat....that's all. I assume you disagree with this too?

 

[jack44]

the 45lc is toooo slow 44 mag.hands down!.

 

[CraigC]

One should be able to express their likes and choices and have them accepted with respect.

I agree but we're never ALL gonna agree. Somebody will post something somebody else takes exception to, something erroneous or something that conflicts with another's reality and debate ensues. I don't see anybody here telling anybody else they're wrong or stupid.

To me, the bigger issue is that some people can't have an objective discussion about guns without it getting personal.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

For the handloader the .38/.357, .44's, .41's are all fun to load for.

We are adding PPC shoots at our club and I will try all of these calibers.

I know I'll settle on the 6" 585 for open and the Mod 19 for service. Ah, the choices!

 

[zombie44]

If you handload and you don't enjoy shooting a 44 mag you're doing something wrong! My Ruger SRH Alaskan goes with me on most outings to the indoor range and it never fails to put a smile on my face 13.5gr of Blue Dot and 18gr of 2400 are my favorite plinking loads. I occasionally shoot 9mm/38spcl/357mag and 45acp as well, but there's just no substitute for that BOOM of a 44 mag.

 

[buck460XVR]

I don't see anybody here telling anybody else they're wrong or stupid.

To me, the bigger issue is that some people can't have an objective discussion about guns without it getting personal.

Proof that there are no dumb questions, only dumb answers.

This is your silly opinion with nothing to support it. Period.

I've decided that Bubba is just a comedian practicing his craft.

I see folks being called "dumb", "silly" and belittled with a condescending personal attack only because their opinion does not mirror yours. Nuttin' objective to the replies at all. Don't know how much more "personal" it can get. Even tho those statements weren't directed at me, IMHO....not a representation of a "High Road".

My apologies to the O.P. for takin' this off topic. My original stance on the subject remains tho. There is no true "most versatile" firearm for every firearm scenario. It depends on ones needs and tastes, and those are as varied as the amount of firearms out there.

 

[mikechandler]

I have two .44 magnum revolvers, and two .357 revolvers. I think between both of these platforms (.357 and .44 mag) i am well covered. I load for both of them, with great results.

One point that hasn't been brought up about the .44 magnum is that factory .44 mag ammo suitable for predators (anything below grizzly bears) is readily available at most gun shops, albeit on the pricey side. If you're shooting 45 colt, you won't find the high power stuff on most shelves, just the cowboy loads, as there is a great concern for having high power 45LC put into guns built only for 45LC pressures. But all that being said, I also know from personal experience that the 45 colt can do anything the .44 mag can do, with less recoil - in the right gun, with the right loads. But the 44 magnum is definitely a common factory cartridge and platform, and I consider that advantageous.

Still, my bedstand gun is a sig p226 with a 20 round magazine.

If a law was passed (God forbid) that I could only have one gun.. I'd keep the 4" 357 (mine's a 686-3, custom 4 lb. DA job by gunsmith Nelson Ford). It's just a stupidly good gun, ridiculously accurate, shootable by everyone in the family and more than capable for most tasks. I say stupidly good, because it is so simple and bulletproof in every way. And when it comes right down to it, the ammo weighs less than .44. But I would shed a lot of tears over losing my 6" 686-2 .357, 6" 629-2 classic hunter .44, and 7.5" Ruger Bisley Blackhawk Hunter .44, as these revolvers are my favorite guns.

In closing, I love the .44 but there's no way I could live with it as my one and only. If I could have only two guns, without question number two would be a .44.

 

[Stainz]

When I bought my 4" & 6" 629s, I knew their destiny here would not include many real .44 Magnum loads. They would eventually fire some abandoned new boxes of Remington .44M's - and, yes, they were fun - just not necessary in my world. Perhaps launching over a thousand real .454's - with up to 2,100+ ft-lb of KE - from my early 7.5" SRH - my first DA capable revolver- satisfied my big boomer fever. My first love was .45 Colt - followed by .45 ACP - then .44 Special - then .44 Russian. That 629's .44 Magnum chamber would chamber and fire Specials and Russians, too - the .44 Russian being a 'cute' round. I load a 240gr LSWC over 3.5gr Titegroup in Starline .44 Russian cases - makes over 700 fps from a 4" 629 - definite all day shooter for anyone, aka 'poof' load - that makes 'major' power factor (>165)! I keep Speer 200gr Gold Dot JHPs loaded in Starline .44 Special cases (~880 fps from 4" 629) for self defense. I also have 300gr LSWCs in .44 Magnum cases, at a somewhat wimpy 800+ fps from my 4" 629. The .44 Magnum is a versatile handgun caliber. In my use, it gets varied use, if not much of use as a boomer.

Of course, there are other versatile calibers. My .357Ms are glorified .38s - great plinkers - decent protection (+P 158gr LHPSWC), etc. My Governor is pretty 'versatile' - .45 ACP/Colt/Schofield & 2.5" .410 shot shells are all shootable via it. Then there is my versatile 632 Pro - .327 Federal Magnum, .32 H&R Magnum, .32 S&WL, .32 S&W, and even .32 ACP will load and fire from it. It really depends on what you mean by 'versatile'!

Stainz

 

[dickydalton]

Those 454's are great plinking rounds in my XVR. Also, every handgun I own is versatile and fun.

 

[CraigC]

I see folks being called "dumb", "silly" and belittled with a condescending personal attack only because their opinion does not mirror yours.

Uh, I believe that was from another thread. My statements taken out of context and my comments were directed at the statements made, not the person who made them. Bubba's history is not to be ignored either.

 

[RealGun]

CraigC-Bubba's history is not to be ignored either.

Who's Bubba?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

the 45lc is toooo slow

Not if you hand load it, and zoom it up a bit..... or a lot. That's part of why 45lc is still a really popular round.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

All,

This has been a great thread and I appreciate the differences of opinions. Two things I would like to ask.

First 44Mag versatility is based on the situations I find myself in based on my life experiences. I think there are many more out there who mirror those experiences. Again I would not put a 327 magnum on my hip as a backup weapon while hunting or hiking. There is so much media attention being brought to the CCW experience that it seems a number of us are saying if it is not concealable then it isn't versatile. The 3inch which was loaned to me was very concealable by me (6foot 4inch frame)

Secondly it is unfortunate that on the Highroad we chose to take pot shots at one another. Again this is the highroad let's live that and keep it on topic.

 

[silicosys4]

The .44 magnum is the most versatile, in my book, for what I would want it for. My buddy has a 3" barrel Astra Terminator .44 mag that is actually pretty concealable.
I could carry it for backup against anything. This includes everything from dark alleys to African lion hunts.
I can have a backpack loaded with all necessary supplies to reload, which I can do by a campfire. I can purchase hot .44 magnum loads easier than I can find hot .45 colt loads.

A .357 would not be a good backup gun in Alaska, or on an African dangerous game hunt, imo. A .357 small enough to give an advantage in concealment also gives up alot of utility over a .44 magnum, and gains almost nothing in return.
Being able to conceal a gun is of limited utility anyways, when we are talking about versatility. Most excellent conceal guns are a one or two trick pony anyways, imo. I live in a rural community in a state that allows open carry, so I place very little value in concealment if a gun is something other than a dedicated ccw

 

[aprayinbear]

Versatile...Maybe.....Fun...Absolutely!

Just my 2 cents,

I don't hunt and I don't carry, but I do shoot and I do it as often as I can. And while I never expected it, my EAA Big Bore Bounty Hunter in .44 almost always follows me to the range. Even with it's fixed sights, at 10 yards I can keep most rounds touching on paper and at 50 yards I can keep my groups around 5" or less unsupported. What's more, the 7 1/2" barrel points quickly and easily while taming the occasional heavy loads. I generally load middle of the road rounds with 6 gr. Unique for .44 special and 8-9 gr. Unique for .44 magnum under my 240 grain cast bullets. Recoil is mild and the loud boom is much more pleasant then the crack of the .357. Casting my own I can roll a box of 50 for about $5.00.

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[Mr.Revolverguy]

Very nice single action you have there. As much as I would love to cast my own I just have no other free time at all right now, so my 44 loads are a little more expensive.

But you are so right 44 is just flat out fun --- FOR ME

 

[RealGun]

So, okay, I caved and bought (online) a 5" S&W 629 Classic in .44 Magnum, starter ammo and all the items for reloading .44 that I didn't already have. I will address holsters when the gun is in hand. I already have a 4" N frame 625 in .45 ACP, so I don't expect any surprises in size or feel. The barrel length was important (to me) for balance and because I feel longer is too much to carry, mostly a range or fun gun IMO. I expect to seriously carry this thing crossdraw, the same as my 5" GP100.

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[Eb1]

You have one very versatile revolver there. It's a beauty.

For a really good mid-level/very accurate load for .44 Mag.
22.0 grains of IMR4227 and a Missouri Cast Bullet Company's 240 "Keith" bullet. Shoot wonderful in my SBH with a 5 1/2" barrel, and is very controllable. I put large Hogue grips on my SA revolver that look like your DA grips. It really helps to control the wilder loads.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Well you know how I feel about the 44magnum round already

That is one nice 5 inch you have there. 8.5grains of Universal under a 240gr bullet will net you about 1050fps. Hotter than 44 special but not killer recoil just a lot of fun on the range and is capable of handling most any other duties as well.

1 tip I ordered a set of 500S&W grips for my 629, these grips cover the back strap. I got them directly from S&W had them on my revolver 4 days after I ordered. I have shot some Corbon and Hornady full loads through it and you talk about a difference in handling with these grips on. Very nice.

Good luck with your AWESOME 44mag.

 

[RealGun]

Eb1 - You have one very versatile revolver there. It's a beauty.

For a really good mid-level/very accurate load for .44 Mag.
22.0 grains of IMR4227 and a Missouri Cast Bullet Company's 240 "Keith" bullet. Shoot wonderful in my SBH with a 5 1/2" barrel, and is very controllable. I put large Hogue grips on my SA revolver that look like your DA grips. It really helps to control the wilder loads.

Thanks. I have that powder and will have a look at getting some bullets. I don't usually shoot lead. Is there a recommendation for a close substitute load slow enough for plated or for semi or fully jacketed?

I plan to try .44 Special at some point.

I have shot a few major rounds from my Redhawk 45 Colt, so I think I can do this.

 

[RealGun]

Mr.RevolverGuy - 8.5grains of Universal under a 240gr bullet will net you about 1050fps. Hotter than 44 special but not killer recoil just a lot of fun on the range and is capable of handling most any other duties as well.

I have Unique, which reportedly is close to Universal. I do have the 240 gr bullets coming in a Magtech SJSP (.430).

Thanks for the advice. I will use it.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Nice man. Enjoy!

 

[RealGun]

I have my gun and cleaned it to my standards. I noticed that the trigger and hammer are very unattractive, raw-looking, uneven-colored steel, i.e. ugly, and asked S&W if they have stainless versions. I am used to the jewelry look of my Rugers. The following is their reply:

"We currently do not have a Stainless Steel trigger and hammer for the Model 629. What we currently have would be a MIM (metal injected molded) or color case hardened with the uneven coloring. "

Are their other aftermarket options? Other comments?

 

[rswartsell]

The color case hardened option will look better than anything else you could choose.