First big bore gun

[TwoNiner]

Lately I have been thinking about getting into my first big bore. I am still somewhat new to shooting, and I have only 38/357s right now. I was thinking about making the jump to a .44, but I like to consider all of my options.

My first thought was to get a Ruger redhawk .44, or a S&W model 29. I have my eyes on a redhawk 7 1/2 and 9 1/2 inch barrel or model 29 8 3/8" versions. I can get the redhawk for much cheaper where I live than a smith. I'm looking at longer barrel lengths because I want a smooth shooter. I really like my 6" GP101 just for that reason--its fun and comfortable to shoot.

I hear that the versatility of the .44 is nice, but I also see .45 colts are popular. What peaked my interest is I saw a nice .45 s&w for a reasonable price, beautiful gun, but I don't know too much about .45s. Looking at my other options, Ruger also makes a .454 casull redhawk and .480 redhawk. Since we're almost there, lets just round up and tip hats to the .500 S&W.

Ammo is a consideration here. 480 is pretty steep, like $2-3 per round about the same as .500 ...I imagine most of you guys reload at that price point. I am not into reloading, don't have the time or the space for it so thats not an option. .45 rounds are much cheaper, around 75 cents, and .44 mag rounds are cheaper still, around .50 each at best. I can't even find .44 special, so I'm not sure if the whole versatility argument applies in 2009 if you do not reload I don't plan on shooting thousands of rounds through my first big bore gun, so I figure I'm not going to worry too much about cost, but at $3 per round I know I will envision dollar bills vaporizing everytime I pull the trigger.

Anyways, I guess I'm looking for some advice on stepping up. Whats the best platform to jump to? It would also be interesting to see what everyone's first big bore gun was and what they liked or disliked about it!

 

[mnrivrat]

It is always a personal choice . I personaly would go with a .44 Mag over the .45 Long Colt, and the others you mention.

Why ? Well, because it has been around the block so to speak. There are many out there and your in good company with components, ammo, accessories, etc. You can not go by the present situation regarding ammo. It is nearly out of control ,and most of us are left in the dark as to why - although we can guess.

The .44 Spl capable gun in .44Magmum is a very nice feature. The variety of guns available for the .44 mag cartridge is wider spread than the other big bores.

As far as which gun ? It somewhat depends on what you intent do use it for. The heavier the gun the harder it is to carry if your going to carry it. The heavier guns however can take hoter loads, and dampen some of the recoil . As long as your looking don't forget the .44 mags put into the Dan Wesson guns, the Colt guns, the Taurus guns , etc.

 

[ljnowell]

It is always a personal choice . I personaly would go with a .44 Mag over the .45 Long Colt, and the others you mention.

Why ? Well, because it has been around the block so to speak. There are many out there and your in good company with components, ammo, accessories, etc. You can not go by the present situation regarding ammo. It is nearly out of control ,and most of us are left in the dark as to why - although we can guess.

The .44 Spl capable gun in .44Magmum is a very nice feature. The variety of guns available for the .44 mag cartridge is wider spread than the other big bores.

As far as which gun ? It somewhat depends on what you intent do use it for. The heavier the gun the harder it is to carry if your going to carry it. The heavier guns however can take hoter loads, and dampen some of the recoil . As long as your looking don't forget the .44 mags put into the Dan Wesson guns, the Colt guns, the Taurus guns , etc.

I would have to disagree to an extent. If looking for a single action I think I would prefer a .45 colt. The colt has been around the block way more than the .44 magnum, and it has its advantages also. You can shoot .45 schofield out of it, same as a .44 special. In a ruger blackhawk you can load the .45 colt everywhere from mild to .44 magnum levels of power, easy.

If you cant tell, I own a .45 colt blackhawk. I think its one of my best handguns, and those ruger only loads are great.

 

[mnrivrat]

I like the 45 long colt so I have no problem with others prefering it. Fact is though, that if not for Cowboy action shooting it was, and would have remained a pretty dead cartridge.

Also the selection of guns chambered for the .45 Colt are fewer. and in most parts of the planet you will not find .45 Schofield on the ammo shelf, even in good times.

To put it this another way, I believe the .44 Magnum is a more main stream cartridge.

 

[StrawHat]

If you are considering the 45 Long Colt read this.

http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm

I went through a severe case of magnumitis and was finally cured. I now have N frame S&W cut with 45 caliber bores and am much happier. Even on the same frame, the 45s are a lighter package to carry and when loaded correctly, they give up nothing performance wise. But when loaded correctly, they are easier to shoot and don't batter the gun.

I have both 45 Colt and 45 ACP S&W revolvers and finding a good load for either cartridge is not too hard. You will want to handload for either one to get the best performance, and you will probably end up casting bullets to further that performance. Good luck in your quest and get ready to enjoy yourself.

Whatever you choose, it will be the right gun until another one comes along!

 

[Stainz]

The S&W 25 & 625 Mountain Guns offered new sporadically over the last few years are fantastic .45 Colt Platforms. My first-ever S&W was the top one below, a 625-7 my wife bought me new over seven years ago. The older model - the 625-6 below it - came a few years later as a 'backup', as the opportunity arised. They are super fun - and accurate. I would onlt reccomend them if you reload - .45 Colts, even 'Cowboy loads' are hard to find - and pricey. They were the reason I started reloading seven years ago.



Now, if you want a large bore that is more frugal to feed - and has ammo available at discount stores on the weekend - get a .45 ACP 625, like my 625JM below. Moonclips are cheap - like 100/$35 delivered from Ranch Products. You can have some 'ready ammo':



The .45 ACP cartridge is higher pressure - 21+ kpsi vs the .45 Colt's 14 kpsi. If you reload, you can load the .45 ACP rounds with bullets that wouldn't feed in a semi-auto - like the 255gr LSWC - and at .45 Colt and higher levels. I load .45 Auto Rims - thick rimmed so they don't require the moonclip for loading/ejecting - with 250gr LRNFP/255gr LSWC bullets at velocities approaching 900 fps - some folks go to 1,000+ fps. I love the looks of the tapered tube/partial lug, a la the MG series, but, as a friend stated, you don't see that big lug when you are shooting a standard .45 ACP 625. My 625JM, pictured above, will be five years old this winter - and is still a favorite. It is currently the best buy in a current 4" .45 ACP 625.

Stainz

 

[Seancass]

If you want a big boomer and you're not going to reload, you need a .44 Magnum. .45Long Colt isn't loaded very hot from the factory and i have found it to be much more expensive than 44. If you do buy the hot loads from companies like Buffalo Bore, it will cost you even more. Also, I have never seen .45 S&W ammo in a store. I'm sure it's there, but you probably want readily available ammo. The others cost much more and if you just want a big plinker, I don't see a reason to get them. Not that you need a reason to buy a .500.

If you have a decent sized gun store around you, go there and play with all their 44's. You may find one fits your hands much better. You might find one really catches your eye. I don't think you can go wrong with either the Redhawk or the Model 29. I've fired a .44 Super Redhawk and didn't like it that much. It was plenty accurate, but I didn't like the grip.

I'm planning on buying a single action Ruger Super Blackhawk soon. I like everything about it more than the double actions: the look, the grip that rolls into the hand in recoil, and the price. It's much cheaper, like 50% less.