View Full Version : My new .44 Mag...and it will blow your head clean off...
Eurodriver
06-14-11, 15:42
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/3307/img00319201106141623.jpg
Ruger Redhawk followed me home today. I've been wanting one of these for as long as I can remember.
I put 20 rounds of .44 special through it but I cant wait to try out some heavy magnum loads. Some flinch at the wallop but I really enjoy the big thundering boom of the .44 mag, .454, etc. . I have shot big bore revolvers in the past but not in the previous 5 years or so. The indoor range I bought the gun at does not allow magnum rounds but I can't wait to try it out.
Uses will be SHTF/HD :jester:
In reality, I think this will only be taken out of the case at someplace other than the range if I'm in bear country. ETA: This is my first and only non-polymer framed, non semi auto, handgun. I felt I needed to get something that had some Americana behind it. I was looking at 1911s but I got sick of the "Kimbers are the best 1911s in the world, ever. Period" BS.
decodeddiesel
06-14-11, 15:46
Wicked. :D
Pistol Shooter
06-14-11, 15:48
Very nice, congratulations. :D
spamsammich
06-14-11, 15:59
it shoots through schools.
JeepDriver
06-14-11, 19:16
Great guns, I love my 4" 44 Magnum. It's my only revolver.
titsonritz
06-15-11, 01:41
I've had Redhawks in 4", 5 1/2" and 7 1/2" 44 mags, the 4" is my favorite.
Lost River
06-15-11, 02:26
The bride bought me a 4" .44 Redhawk as a 10 year anniversary gift. I had Milt Sparks craft some of their magic for it. Ditched the factory rubber grips for some smooth wood grips that I prefer for heavy loads.
The 4" Redhawk is an excellent heavy duty sidearm for an outdoorsman.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/057.jpg
I think you will enjoy yours.
Lost River
06-15-11, 02:28
With a custom 5" 29-2 44 magnum:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/012-5.jpg
Great looking wheel gun! The .44 Magnum is one of the very guns that I want even though I have no real use or need for it. One of these days I will pick one up.
Eurodriver
06-18-11, 10:47
The bride bought me a 4" .44 Redhawk as a 10 year anniversary gift. I had Milt Sparks craft some of their magic for it. Ditched the factory rubber grips for some smooth wood grips that I prefer for heavy loads.
The 4" Redhawk is an excellent heavy duty sidearm for an outdoorsman.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/057.jpg
I think you will enjoy yours.
Now that is really nice. I may have to get some wood grips now too.
Every once in a while a thread comes along featuring a gun that I either haven't thought about in years or had completely forgotten about.
Thanks for reminding me about this classic field piece.
With a custom 5" 29-2 44 magnum:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/012-5.jpg
Very nice pair! Do you have any thoughts on how they compare? I have always wanted a 629, but the Ruger is less expensive, and possibly more durable (so I have heard).
Lost River
06-18-11, 15:44
Very nice pair! Do you have any thoughts on how they compare? I have always wanted a 629, but the Ruger is less expensive, and possibly more durable (so I have heard).
While there is an element of truth to the Ruger double actions being more durable if the user is going to subject the gun to substantial use with heavy loads, most owners never will.
In fact most people after firing a few full house 44 magnum loads through a S&W decide they have had enough and put their new toy away. Usually it gets taken out to show friends and that is about it.
I have fired many thousands of rounds through 44 magnums. That being said, I handload and use a moderate load that is easy on my wrists and my guns. My most used load is a 240 grain cast SWC with10 grains of Unique. Very few creatures that I hunt need a full bore load.
The mid range load has proven to be enough to kill everything from Mule deer and boars to jackrabbits and ground squirrels.
In regards to the two guns shown above, they each have a role.
The 4" Ruger is for very heavy hard cast loads, such as 320 grain LBT type loads at 1200+ FPS. The action is not nearly as smooth as the custom Smith, but for a bad weather, back country gun, it is perfect.
The 5" M29 was cut down from a 8 & 3/8ths" M29-2 that I sent to SDM fabricating. I had him smooth out and polish the trigger face and make the front sight interchangable.
I prefer 5" N frames. They seem to be the perfect balance for a belt gun that is easy to shoot.
Here are some 5" 29s:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/055-1.jpg
The bottom one is a 29 Classic DX that I have since replaced the grips. Here is a current pic of it:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/048-1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/044.jpg
Lost River
06-18-11, 15:48
A few others:
4" 629:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/018.jpg
4" 29-2:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/CityOfRocks208.jpg
Lost River
06-18-11, 15:50
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/CityOfRocks197.jpg
W/ Sparks rig
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/CityOfRocks198.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/Taffin44project030.jpg
montanadave
06-18-11, 17:00
I received the same handgun from my wife for my birthday last year. For backpacking I paired it with a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake holster (http://www.simplyrugged.com/sourdough-pancake/) and some 340gr. Buffalo Bore ammo (http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=54).
Hell of a nice rig and definitely gets a second look from folks you pass on the trail. Bears? Well, bears don't seem to give a shit. :laugh:
Lost River
06-18-11, 17:02
If forced to choose one, I would choose the Smith, but the Rugers have their place.
A few of both plus a Colt or two for the well prepared outdoorsman is never a bad call:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/018-1.jpg
I figure they are kind of like Glock 19s and 1911s. Extra 44 magnums are a good thing to have around a house, cabin, pickup or backpack.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/dec2006213.jpg
While there is an element of truth to the Ruger double actions being more durable if the user is going to subject the gun to substantial use with heavy loads, most owners never will.
In fact most people after firing a few full house 44 magnum loads through a S&W decide they have had enough and put their new toy away. Usually it gets taken out to show friends and that is about it.
I watched a show some years back that said the 44 Mag is one of the most owned but not used firearms, mostly comes from back during the time of Dirty Hairy where people saw it and went out and bought it but never acted. So it said, no matter what a lot of people don't step up even if they own it, probably why there are loads akin to normal 45 auto.
Was thinking about getting a 357 or 44 mag and in the end settled for a 460 magnum :dance3: now that is a fun gun and with the "recoil absorbing" grip and compensator it is pretty tame, even with heavier loads, heavy though. Pop off some 45 colt with it and that is all it is, "popping" :laugh:
Nice piece at any rate.
it shoots through schools.
That's the .88 magnum, not the .44.......farg'n icehole!
:ph34r:
I'm glad Ruger is finally offering a factory 4" Redhawk. Great guns.
Wilson/Wolff makes a drop in spring kit which will clean up the Ruger triggers, and because Ruger revolvers field strip almost like a semi auto, they're easy to install.
Another for the thread.
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l523/darr3239/DSCN4412.jpg
Alpha Sierra
06-19-11, 15:38
How about a 629-4 Mountain Gun.....
http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp290/JRossy/guns/pic057.jpg
Always wanted to see the difference between shooting .44 mag & .357 mag.
Cool gun!
Lost River
06-19-11, 18:56
Always wanted to see the difference between shooting .44 mag & .357 mag.
Cool gun!
The difference is substantial. I really enjoy the 44 magnum for the versatility. From small game, to large, you can load it to suit your needs and ability.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/montanaIdaho085.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/dec2006035.jpg
Lost River
06-19-11, 18:59
7.5" Flattop 44 Ruger.
Boar was taken with a mid range load of 10 grains of Unique and a 240 cast SWC. It is a great load for just about everything.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/Flattop44WildBoar10GrainsUniqueDec0.jpg
OP, would that be the KRH-444 [5026]? Always wanted one since they debuted. Nice pull on that.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
4" 29-2:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/CityOfRocks208.jpg
Open Range!
Cagemonkey
06-19-11, 19:45
I'm glad Ruger is finally offering a factory 4" Redhawk. Great guns.
Wilson/Wolff makes a drop in spring kit which will clean up the Ruger triggers, and because Ruger revolvers field strip almost like a semi auto, they're easy to install.
I'd like to add a wish regarding the .44 Redhawk. I wish Ruger would upgrade the Redhawk with a GP100/Super Redhawk grip frame. It would make the Redhawk more comfortable to shoot. I feel the .454 Super Redhawk kicks less than the .44 Redhawk.
Lost River
06-19-11, 20:14
Lots of open range in my neck of the Rockies.That is why I am well versed in "44". :D
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/montanaIdaho109-1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/101.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/092.jpg
I watched a show some years back that said the 44 Mag is one of the most owned but not used firearms, mostly comes from back during the time of Dirty Hairy where people saw it and went out and bought it but never acted. So it said, no matter what a lot of people don't step up even if they own it, probably why there are loads akin to normal 45 auto.
I saw that too. I believe it was on History Channel. Can't remember the title though.....
QuickStrike
06-20-11, 06:24
lol@ "Dirty hairy", sounds like an adult flick.. :p
I just won a blued redhawk with a 5.5" barrel on gunbroker. Finally got my favorite .44 mag! I seem to have something against stainless guns.
Hope the endshake isn't too bad, but they do seem to last forever...
Will post pics when it comes. B)
Eurodriver
06-20-11, 06:25
Those are some nice pics, both guns and scenery.
I have 200 rounds of ammo coming in tomorrow.
I shot my buddy's hot loaded .454 Ruger Alaskan yesterday. 3 rounds was enough for me. I'm good with a 4" .44 mag but hot loaded .454 out of a snubnose is insane.
At least you can light the bear on fire if you miss.
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