.44 suggestions

[Tioga County]

Frist post, hello from North Cnetral Pennsylvania.

I'm planning on acquiring a .44, and I'd like some input from this forum. It'll be for hunting and target use. I'm looking for reasons to select either a Redhawk, or a Blackhawk in .44 magnum, or the mid-framed Blackhawk in .44 special. If I go single action, I think I'd rather have stainless and a bisley grip. I also like barrel lengths longer than the Alaskan and shorter than 7.5", but that's mostly an asthetic thing.

 

[Lee Martin]

I'm partial to 5.5" Super Blackhawks. Great sight pattern and still easy to carry.

 

[Lefty SRH]

A 5 1/2" SBH or BH is a very handy size for hunting and target.

 

[Donaldjr1969]

You probably would have a lot better luck finding a Super Blackhawk than a Redhawk. I was lucky to find a Super Redhawk alongside a Redhawk Hunter last year at a gun show. Yet I can go to any LGS and walk out with a SBH that day, or at the very latest, with a 2-3 day wait.

So unless you plan on shooting those Garrett 330g +P Hammerheads which are too long for even the SBH cylinder and thus need to be fired in a Redhawk or SRH, get the Blackhawk.

Since you like the medium length barrels, you will have an even more difficult time finding a 5.5" barreled Redhawk. In that case, you would do best to save yourself the aggravation of trying to find one and purchase the SBH instead.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

I would go with the super blackhawk 4 5/8" in stainless. Well I did I already owned 5 44 blackhawks 2 with 4 5/8" and went and bought a stainless steel one to go with the blued ones. I am a 4 5/8" nutt They shoot great and pack great. In fact I own 10 or 12 4 5/8" rugers.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Years ago I purchased a stainless 7 1/2" SBH 44 Mag and immediately took it in to get it hacked of to 5 1/2" I've been very please with it. Last year I got around to getting a 4 5/8" which I like but the fact is the longer grip of the first one and the barrel balances very well for me. I do like my Redhawks with the 4" barrel.

 

[Hugh]

Welcome to the Ruger Forum, Tioga County.

What to do what to do. I am the proud owner of a 4" Stainless Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum. Have had it for a few years. It doesn't get shot much. Why? A variety of reasons, but mainly just onacountabecause.

I've had single actions for just a couple of years, and have grown to really like them. I typically shoot revolvers single action anyway.

I've never cared for the Super Blackhawk, because it is so dern big. But, after shooting my .45 Cal New Model Blackhawks I've come to the conclusion that a 5-1/2" Super Blackhawk just may be alright. Although neither of my .45's is 5-1/2". Mainly, from my view, it is more handy to shoot that stout a cartridge single action. I know any followup shots by me would be quicker and more accurate with a single action than double action.

I see a 5-1/2" .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk in my future. Not sure about stainless or blue yet.

 

[BlackEagle]

I think the 50th Anniversary .44 Magnum Flat Tops are still one of the best deals out there. They have a 6 1/2" barrel.

 

[Dale53]

I would like to caution any of you contemplating a short barreled revolver for hunting. My home state, Ohio requires a minimum barrel length of 5" for hunting. If you wanted to hunt with your revolver here, then you would be out of luck with anything shorter.

I consider hunting serious work. I shoot better with barrels on the longer side (5½" minimum) when using iron sights. Of course, with optical sights, that is of little moment.

My long barreled .44 Magnums are not pleasant to shoot with full house loads but neither are they punishing (with proper grips for ME). My 4" 629 is flat out punishing and provides little pleasure when shooting. It is a great carry gun of significant power, but it IS a handful and I am not particularly recoil shy.

If you are limited to factory loads, then, by all means go with a .44 magnum. If you reload (and I really believe nearly anyone with "good hands" should reload), then the Ruger .44 Special Flattops is absolutely a viable revolver in every way. I love BOTH of mine.

Just a thought or two...

Dale53

 

[gak]

Another +1 for the SBH in 5.5". I have the same in the .44 Mag Vaquero and love it. A tank and, as the one gent alludes to, probably can be hunted anywhere in the country, but not so long as to be unwieldy. The 50th Anniversary .44 Flattop is another good suggestion if the gripframe suits. Otherwise, no other main advantage I know of (did it get the proper indexing treatment of themidframes?)--though the 6.5" length is a Ruger classic and a good hunting-or-range oriented length. For all 'round duty.though-- 5.5" IMO.

 

[Dale53]

As simply a matter of information, the New Flattops DID get the proper indexing treatment (the .357 and .44 Magnum Anniversary Flattops as well as both the .44 Special and .45 Colt midframes).

I consider that a major improvement...

FWIW
Dale53

 

[twobisquit]

I'll go with the Anniversary Flattop too.

The full size .45 Bisley might be worth consideration too.

 

[Dale53]

I DID :mrgreen: :

Dale53

 

[flatgate]

Me? I'll take the 7-1/2" example. Easier to shoot, IMHO. As far as carrying goes I use cross draw holsters. Sure, setting in a truck seat ain't quite the best unless you're a "north paw"........

flatgate

 

[BlackEagle]

I think Ruger's .44 Magnum Flat Tops (Old and New Models) are just right. My favorite caliber and barrel length. If you don't like the grips (many don't) they can be swapped for a few different types.

 

[Tioga County]

Thanks for the responses. I had always thought of myself as a double action guy, but have had a ball shooting a single six, and had pretty much decided on a single action .44. In reading this and other forums, I thought the Redhawk would get more support, but instead all responses supported the Blackhawk, (although nobody had anything against the RH). So, basically you've reinforced the idea that I really do need a single action .44. There certainly are worse hobbies, but I'm not sure there is a working definition for the term: enough guns.

 

[LuckenbachTexas]

Stainless Vaquero 4 3/4" 44 mag is the one for me.

 

[44shootist]

I shoot a pair of Stainless 44mag. Vaquero's 5 1/2" barrels I like them a lot, they can be found in the bisley model Vaquero also, the 44mag Vaquero's have been discontinued so you would be looking at used if you can find them, Redhawk is a good chose as well as Blackhawk which any dealer can get you new in 44mag. if you really want the Bisley you will have to go with the Vaquero to get that type of grip.

 

[BearStopper]

You really cannot go wrong with any Ruger single or double action with even the 4 5/8" versions shooting well. Sure everyone has his preference but I solved the problem of which one by aquiring several. Love the 44 Special Flattop, got an OM SBH, a 5 1/2 RH, and I like all the OM's and NM Flattops of all chamberings. Nothing wrong with the stainless Bisleys either!