.44 Mag Snubbie

[BamaM4]

I bought one at auction. Haven't gotten it yet, but anxiously awaiting....

So, how well does .44 Mag work with a snubbie? I have never shot more than .38spl with one....

[skyugo]

what model is it? I think 44 mag still packs a fair punch out of a shorter barrel. Doesn't drop off bad like 357 mag if i remember correctly.

I was looking at ruger alaskans for awhile (though i have yet to see a bear in this state), they seem to get decent reviews in regard to shootability.

a friend of mine has an airweight smith 44... apparently it's brutal to shoot.

[Preliator]

Who is the maker? what model? Steel or some airweight alloy? How hot of rounds you wanna shoot through it? Have you shot any .44 mags before?

I enjoy shooting my .44 mag Ruger SuperRedhawk - but it is heavy with a 7" barrel. I shoot 300 grain hard cast lead loaded to max SAAMI specs through mine (bear protection) and I dont mind the recoil much - though others have complained about it.

Any shortened version is gonna have a bit of kick and some flash - but the good news is that depending on your use you may find .44 special to be more up your alley.

[Eirerogue]

You're going to get a helluva muzzle blast and flame with .44 mag loads. Forget any double tap. Consider some good defensive .44 Special loads.

[BamaM4]

Taurus Tracker. But, it does not appear to have the ported barrel.....

I am used to .357 with a four inch barrel, just never done a snubbie or .44mag

looks like this.

[Alaskapopo]

what model is it? I think 44 mag still packs a fair punch out of a shorter barrel. Doesn't drop off bad like 357 mag if i remember correctly.

I was looking at ruger alaskans for awhile (though i have yet to see a bear in this state), they seem to get decent reviews in regard to shootability.

a friend of mine has an airweight smith 44... apparently it's brutal to shoot.

It drops off the same as any other cartridge that uses slow burning powder in a short barrel. Personally I much prefer 4 inch 44 mags as a universal choice. Not so big you can't pack it in the woods not so small you can't shoot it well enough to do the job.
Pat

[GJM]

I agree, and most of my 44's are four inch. However I do have a Smith Nightguard .44 magnum snubbie that I have squeezed Hogue K/L frame small rubber grips onto, to carry in a fanny pack out XC skiing. Not much fun to shoot with the Garrett Defender ammo, but it is another tool in the toolbox.

[Dienekes]

You might want to read what John Taffin had to say after shooting howitzers like that. It pretty well destroyed his wrists over time.

[GJM]

The Defender load is a hard cast, penetrating load designed for the Scandium and drives the 310 load at "only" 1,020 fps. I average between 6-12 cartridges a year, per each of my 329's, to verify function, so neither the revolver or my wrists are at too much risk.

[Jake'sDad]

I agree, and most of my 44's are four inch. However I do have a Smith Nightguard .44 magnum snubbie that I have squeezed Hogue K/L frame small rubber grips onto, to carry in a fanny pack out XC skiing. Not much fun to shoot with the Garrett Defender ammo, but it is another tool in the toolbox.

That Defender is a great load. It'll drop anything in North America. The Federal Cast Core is a good 2nd choice.