I want to buy a packable revolver for bear country. Ideally, I wanted a Ruger Alaskan .454 Casull but they seem to be on back order everywhere. Has Ruger stopped making them altogether or does Ruger just make them in batches from time to time? There's a used one available on Gunbroker right now but the bids are standing at $1500 and the Buy It Now price is $2295, way above MSRP. They were available in the shops not that long ago for around $800.
I was also interested in the Redhawk .44 mag with 4.2" barrel but they also seem really hard to find right now.
If I can't find a suitable Ruger at a reasonable price, what would be the next best option? There seems much greater availability in Smiths. Currently available in a reasonably short barrel are the S&W .500 4", S&W .460 2.75" to 5", and S&W 629 .44 mag 2.625" to 5".
I was rather put off the .460 and .500 with stories of crimp jump and cylinders rotating the wrong way under recoil but feel I might now have to look into them in more detail.
Ideally, I would like the barrel not to exceed 4.2" for ease of carry.
What would you guys go for? Please don't suggest anything not currently available.
One thing I'm curious about is the alleged lack of strength of the S&W 629 versus Ruger .44 mags -- one hears about it all the time. Some of the hot cartridges (Buffalo Bore) are apparently too long for the Smiths but even with the ones that will fit, I keep reading that a Smith will be soon worn out if one feeds it a steady diet of hot loads. Has anyone actually worn out a Smith or is this an old wives' tale?
I was also interested in the Redhawk .44 mag with 4.2" barrel but they also seem really hard to find right now.
If I can't find a suitable Ruger at a reasonable price, what would be the next best option? There seems much greater availability in Smiths. Currently available in a reasonably short barrel are the S&W .500 4", S&W .460 2.75" to 5", and S&W 629 .44 mag 2.625" to 5".
I was rather put off the .460 and .500 with stories of crimp jump and cylinders rotating the wrong way under recoil but feel I might now have to look into them in more detail.
Ideally, I would like the barrel not to exceed 4.2" for ease of carry.
What would you guys go for? Please don't suggest anything not currently available.
One thing I'm curious about is the alleged lack of strength of the S&W 629 versus Ruger .44 mags -- one hears about it all the time. Some of the hot cartridges (Buffalo Bore) are apparently too long for the Smiths but even with the ones that will fit, I keep reading that a Smith will be soon worn out if one feeds it a steady diet of hot loads. Has anyone actually worn out a Smith or is this an old wives' tale?