Good .44 magnum revolver?

cdahl383

cdahl383

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Michigan
Looking around at .44 magnum revolvers. Thinking of getting one sometime in the near future. What are some good ones out there that aren't a small fortune?

Not looking for a super fancy good looking one. Just one I could carry with me for hiking/camping, etc.

I looked at the Taurus .44 Tracker but heard mixed reviews about that gun. My one buddy said to stay away from Taurus. Others seem to think they're fine. I know Ruger and S&W make some nice ones but they're pretty pricey. Just curious what folks have on here and their experiences.
 
Targa said:
For a hiking/camping etc.. gun I would go with the Tracker, just speaking for myself of course. Is your friend just parroting what others have been saying about Taurus for decades now or does he have actual experience with one?
My experience with them has been good.
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My buddy has had 3 Taurus's and he said they all sucked. One revolver had timing issues. He had a small .380 that had issues. Forget what the other one was, maybe a 9mm. He suggested spending a little more on a Ruger or S&W. It's possible he just happened to get bad ones too who knows. But he's going off of his own personal experiences.
 
Taurus is going to be the cheapest that gets recommended.

For around $300 more you get a SA Ruger that is likely to last you a lifetime and handle any load you can stand to shoot. Figure around $200 above the Blackhawk to get into a DA S&W. It will handle standard loads okay and has a more refined feeling.

All about how long you want it to last and how nice/reliable of a gun you want.
 
While I am an unashamed s&w fan, I'd be looking for a used Ruger Super Blackhawk. S&W 44 mags are way too nice and expensive to beat up in the field as a utility gun. As a primary hunting weapon, sure, but for utility the Ruger is where it's at. I have had a few Taurus firearms over the years, and if the individual unit checks out, they are fine. But it's a case by case basis. Ruger on the other hand, has truly amazing customer service in case you have an issue. Both my current 44 mags are Rugers
 
Taurus gets mixed reviews mainly due to how many are sold. They sell a LOT of guns. Now and then a problem gets out. Most of them do just work. You can get one in 44 mag for the $500 ballpark. If you want to move up to Ruger Single Action you are looking $600 ballpark. Want Ruger or Smith is Double Action you are looking $800 ballpark. Take a look at the auctions and it will show you a good slice of what's out there and price range. If you can swing the extra probably be happier with the Ruger or Smith. If you are going to keep the gun for a good while the extra cost will not be much years down the road.
 
I have both a super black hawk and a red hawk.

I find the grips on the Blackhawk are such that the recoil causes my grip to change as it slides up toward the trigger spur with each shot leading me to have to shift my hand every few shots.

Both would make good field guns if you wanted to use them that way and found them shootable.

I find full loads in the red hawk are easier on my hand, but I rarely shoot full loads with either these days. Mostly 44 special because the club I shoot at does not allow 44 mag due to demonstrated backstop damage.
 
I currently own two Taurus revolvers and they have been perfect. I love shooting them. I had a third, a 357 snubnose, and it also performed perfectly but I just wanted to upgrade to the Ruger LCR.

I have the Taurus Tracker in 357. 6.5” barrel. It shoots great, not a single hiccup in the 1.5 years I’ve owned it. It’s honestly comparable to my buddy’s S&W 686. Not a whole lot of difference in trigger feel, esp considering the price difference.

I also own the Taurus Raging Hunter in 44magnum. It’s the biggest barrel offered, I forget the exact length. 8” maybe. Think it weights 55 oz. Bought it in April 2023 and it’s also been perfect. I like the looks but that’s subjective. It feels solid, definitely a heavy gun, which helps with the recoil. It’s my favorite handgun I own.

IMG_6321.jpeg
 
I'm not going to throw the Taurus under the bus. Several members own them with a great deal of success. I have a 41mag and a 357mag Taurus revolvers currently.

You didn't mention what your use or purpose was? If it is going to be a woods walkabout/hiking carry? Or a shooting steel a long ways away? Or a hunting rig?

If you're going to carry it a lot as a walkabout rig take a look at the Smith and Wesson 69. I enjoy mine and is fun to shoot light 44mag and 44 special loads. With heavy 44mag loads it is uncomfortable to shoot, but I don't think you will notice if you are shooting at something that wants to eat you😳
 
Im going to throw the Taurus M44 under the bus but not because it is unreliable. It feels good in the hand but the trigger is bonkers bad. It is a little light weight for my taste in a 44 magnum revolver as well.

The Taurus Raging Bull/Hunter are good to go.

I am a Smith & Wesson fanboy for everything but 44 magnum. I have a Redhawk 5.5" 44 mag that is nearly the perfect DA 44.
 
earlthegoat2 said:
Im going to throw the Taurus M44 under the bus but not because it is unreliable. It feels good in the hand but the trigger is bonkers bad. It is a little light weight for my taste in a 44 magnum revolver as well.

The Taurus Raging Bull/Hunter are good to go.

I am a Smith & Wesson fanboy for everything but 44 magnum. I have a Redhawk 5.5" 44 mag that is nearly the perfect DA 44.
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I agree here—I love my Raging Hunter but it is a BIG gun. If I’m getting a smaller sized 44mag, then I’d go Ruger.
 
WisBorn said:
If you're going to carry it a lot as a walkabout rig take a look at the Smith and Wesson 69. I enjoy mine and is fun to shoot light 44mag and 44 special loads. With heavy 44mag loads it is uncomfortable to shoot, but I don't think you will notice if you are shooting at something that wants to eat you😳
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Another vote here for the Smith 69 as a "carry a lot walkabout rig." That's the exact reason why I bought mine - as my backpacking gun. And I also agree with WisBorn about my Model 69 being fun to shoot with light 44 Mag loads, and "uncomfortable" (to say the least) with full-house 44 Mag loads. Besides, while I don't know for sure, I suspect it wouldn't take too long for a Model 69 to loosen up if it was on a steady diet of full-house 44 Mag loads.
WisBorn said:
I'm not going to throw the Taurus under the bus. Several members own them with a great deal of success. I have a 41mag and a 357mag Taurus revolvers currently.
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I'm not going to throw Taurus revolvers under the bus either. I haven't had any complaints with either of the two I have.
I have a Taurus 41 Mag that was my "backpacking gun" before I got my Smith 69. And I've carried my little Taurus 32 H&R Mag tucked behind my right hip while working around the place here almost every day since I bought it - which was not long after Taurus first started building 32 H&R Mag revolvers.
The 32 shows some holster wear, but like my 41 Mag Tracker, there's not a doubt in my mind it will go "bang" if I want it to. Now whether or not I can hit what I'm aiming at with either revolver is a different story - I'm not too bad with my 4" Tracker, but I have to be pretty close (and pretty lucky) to hit what I'm aiming at with my Taurus "snubby" 32 H&R Mag. ;)
 
Essentially what I've picked up researching online, talking to my buddy, and reading your guys' experiences, is that Taurus as a whole, has somewhat mixed reviews. However, regarding this particular gun, the .44 Tracker, it appears to be pretty solid.

I would just be carrying this gun while hiking/camping, etc. We plan to take a trip out West this summer and go hiking on some trails out there. I highly doubt we will encounter any bear that would come at us, but just in case, it would be nice to have something on hand as I don't think I can fight off a bear with my bare hands haha! Other than that, I'd probably take it out and shoot it now and then at the local range for fun.

I have other guns I shoot more often (my carry gun LCP .380 and EC9S, Ruger GP100, rifles, etc). I got the bug several years ago and I've managed to go a while without picking up anything new, but I don't think I'm going to last much longer haha!
 
In that case I'd look to buy something in a 10 mm or .357 mag that would see regular use (if possible).

A 4" 44 mag isn't a hunting gun and is overkill for self defense against anything but bear. Something like a Glock G20 or a S&W 626 could always be shot with 40 or 38 special at the range and then "loaded for bear" on those rare occasions.

If you lived and guided in Alaska I'd get the .44 mag, but you don't, so get what you might use on a regular basis.
 
My brother has a 6.5 inch Taurus M44 and I have a nearly identical S&W M29. Both have been reliable over a few thousand rounds. There is nothing wrong with the Taurus, at least not until you hold it and shoot it interchangable with the S&W. Doing so you really feel just have much more refined the S&W is. That said the Taurus has not let me brother down.
 
4.25” S&W Model 69 will get my vote.

It’s a 5-shot, stainless L Frame .44 that isn’t too awful to shoot with magnums, yet has some additional portability over larger N-frame sized guns (Redhawk, S&W 29/629, etc.)

With stout .44 Specials, they pack plenty of punch without beating the gun or shooter into submission.

Yes, they may cost more than a Taurus. But like when buying hand tools to work on an old car; you can maybe get by with Harbor Freight or you can save up for better quality and have confidence and years of use from your purchase.

(Not a Taurus hater here. I did own a Taurus 66 .357 in the late 1980’s that was great, and I still own Taurus 94 & 941 rimfire revolvers. My S&W N frames & 69 and Ruger Redhawk and Blackhawks are just better made, better shooting guns, IMHO. And since he asked, I opined. :D)

Good luck with your search. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
If I really wanted a 44 revolver , I would look at the super Blackhawk or the Redhawk . Save some money and buy used like I did . I might have over reacted though when I bought mine in the state and county that I live in . I was stalked by what I think was a bear while walking out of the woods to my truck one evening after muzzleloader hunting . I didn’t like the idea of one shot . If I were going to do it again I would probably buy a 10mm pistol .
 
Actually, I have a lot of Harbor Freight tools in my garage and they've been great. Saved a lot of money over the years too. I know other brands are better quality, but if you don't really need that better quality, what's the point? If I used them every day, was a mechanic by trade, I wouldn't be using Harbor Freight stuff. But for just hobby use, they're fine. But I hear what you're saying 100%. You get what you pay for. It's just a matter of, do you need to pay more for something you may not really need. That's a harder question and more subjective as well.

I have a GP100 in .357 magnum. I'm not sure how well that would do against a larger animal. Maybe it would work if you hit them in the right spot. It's a really nice gun though and I'd hate to just toss it in a bag or something. It's also the 6" barrel version which isn't the easiest to carry around. The 4" would be a lot better for that. I got the GP100 a couple years ago as a treat to myself when I got a bonus at work. I shoot mostly .38 special with it at the range, but I bring some .357 each time and fire some of those too just to wake everyone up at the range. Last time I was at the range I brought my Maverick 88 12 gauge and fired some slugs. I think everyone turned around to see what that was haha!

I'm sure the Ruger and S&W are nicer. The GP100 I have is an awesome gun. It's a big huge sturdy thing that looks great and shoots great. No doubt it could handle thousands of .357 through it without a hiccup. It's built like a tank. I was just thinking of picking up the Taurus since it's on the cheaper side and it appears to get decent reviews (the Tracker anyway). I'll have to think about it some more.
 
red rick said:
If I really wanted a 44 revolver , I would look at the super Blackhawk or the Redhawk . Save some money and buy used like I did . I might have over reacted though when I bought mine in the state and county that I live in . I was stalked by what I think was a bear while walking out of the woods to my truck one evening after muzzleloader hunting . I didn’t like the idea of one shot . If I were going to do it again I would probably buy a 10mm pistol .
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I see some nice used guns up at the local Cabela's by me from time to time. If it's not all beat to hell then that wouldn't be a bad route to go. I'll keep that in mind as well.
 
I'm partial to Ruger SA's and S&W DA/SA's. Every Ruger Blackhawk or S&W I ever bought at whatever price I paid (I don't flip guns) is worth more than I paid for it, not so for others.
 
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