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Originally Posted by ray1970
oh ya I looked at that one, and a big plus is the lower price point, the only thing I don't like is the 4" barrel. The lock is a negative on the smiths but finding a pre lock doesn't look easy. But it's another one I haven't held in person and not totally out of the running.
If it can be a single action, there's a 3.75" (Bisley or regular grip) grip Super Blackhawk out there... I have a 4.75" that I don't have any issues carrying. They mitigate recoil much better than double action guns, and they point very naturally.
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As to the scandium frame Smiths, my experience is they are a dream to carry, nightmare to shoot.
I had a 629 3" with non-fluted cylinder. While it was an amazing piece to look at recoil was not fun with magnum rounds.
Also had a super blackhawk with the short barrel, super strong piece but the grip was too small for me and recoil was a unpleasant with full power loads.
Id probobly look at ~4" barreled pistols but I would want to be able to shoot it a bit as well as carry it.
629 and redhawk are probably your best options.
Full power mag loads aren't going to be fun to shoot in anything short of a 6" barrel IMHO. The nice thing is if you're reloading, you can make something in between special and full house mag loads that is useful, but doesn't kill on both ends. I like 7.8 grains of Unique and a cast 250 grain lswc. From my old 4" 629, I was getting 939 fps. Basically like a standard pressure .45 Colt if you want to look at it that way. For Colorado applications, anything hotter than that becomes an academic exercise of how far the slug will go into the mud after passing completely through the animal.
i have just over 300 pounds worth of 240gr LSWC's sitting under the bench as we'll as the cans of loaded ammo and then some buckets of lead in the garage. I have a few different powders I run in mag and special I think my specials are running 745 FPS for the plinkers and mags are right around 890, so not far off of yours. Then I have some 1010, 1170, and 1340 mag loads for range fun. The titegroup loads are my favorite, but I just love how versatile the 44 is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zombie Steve
And this is why I keep debating whether I should get one or not... I think it's one of the most versatile out there. So, who wants to give me one so I can see if I'm right? [Coffee]Quote:
Originally Posted by trlcavscout
You could always go classic with a lightly used Smith & Wesson model 29. They're out there, and probably appreciate in value. Not sure what one like my 29-2 is worth but it's silky smooth and a sweet shooter. I sometimes carry it while elk and bear hunting.
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I had a 629 3" with fluted cyclinder and j frame round butt.
It was a handful but manageable with some 300gr JSP loads from a company in Eagle AK, it was my carry gun when I lived up there.
They are available
Whenever the "If you could have only one handgun" threads come up, I always come back to one of my .44's.Quote:
Originally Posted by trlcavscout
Well, you can shoot mine if you'd like.Quote:
Originally Posted by sellersm
Just for thought, I was in the north Cabela's today and they have a used Taurus 44 spec Ultra Light 5 shot, for $350 ish if IIRC. Not a Smith or Ruger but one way to get up and running for a lower cost.