mill428
Bearcat
Okay, I realize right off the bat I did at least two things I shouldn't have. ONE, I used the word "need" in reference to the acquisition of an additional firearm, and TWO, I am on a Ruger forum asking what seems to be a silly question for Ruger folks. But this is the basis for my question:
I have owned many BH's and SBH's over the years (although nothing in comparison to many here). I love Ruger single actions. Up until about four years ago, I had no double actions of any kind - ever. At that time I started buying S&W's to fill that void. I had always been enamored with the look and feel of a finely tuned Smith trigger. They were beautiful (to me) inside and out. Quite a few have passed through my hands in those years in the quest for the perfect four (in my mind). I traded and bartered for years ending up with what I thought were the S&W's that would perfectly fill the double-action niche. I have a 640 no-dash .38 sp., 2.5" 66-2 .357, 4" 19-5 .357, and a 4" 629-1 .44mag. The subject of this post is mainly about the 629.
It is a beautiful revolver and I love shooting it. It was Magna-ported before I got it along with some trigger work. I don't know that the porting does much - maybe a little. I guess what I am concerned with is the idea that it can be worn out over time by shooting heavy loads. I realize anything can wear out over time given enough abuse, but when I buy something like this it is for a lifetime and then handed down. I buy tools with the same mindset. I don't want something working for a short time and then have to be replaced. I KNOW a RH or a SRH is a bank vault. A tool that, when cared for properly, can take a lot of abuse and live (very well) to tell about it. From my research over time, here and elsewhere, the Ruger double actions will outlive a S&W given the same treatment.
That said, I live in the middle of Kansas, surrounded by trees and farm ground. We have no grizzlies (although on rare occasion a mountain lion). Nothing dangerous other than a few pesky snakes. The biggest game is whitetail deer which on a good day I can shoot from my front porch. I have plans to hunt something bigger someday - maybe an elk or two. At this time, I don't shoot much in the way of high powered loads. I do reload, but most of it is for practice and fun with the kids. If I need to get crazy, I have a slick .44 mag Bisley SBH, I have worked over a little. But it is not a double action.
I am first and foremost a shooter - on the rare occasion a collector. All of my firearms at this point have a specific purpose or fill a particular niche (in my mind). I don't have a huge number (although, my wife would probably argue that point). I value quality over quantity. My desire is to get to a place where I can have both, but to get an additional gun now, I have to be able to justify it to some degree. Don't get me wrong - I would LOVE to have a Redhawk (or SRH) - but I have to have a good reason.
So...do I "need" a RH or a SBH (.44 mag)? Do I replace the 629 with a RH?
Just so you know, it is mainly the fault of this forum that I am even raising this question.
I was blissfully unaware of the difference until spending time here. There so many here extolling the virtues of the Ruger double action that I have no choice but to ask. While certainly anyone can weigh in on this, I would love to hear from those who may have had experience with both. Oh, and pictures are always a welcome object lesson.
Thanks,
Craig
I have owned many BH's and SBH's over the years (although nothing in comparison to many here). I love Ruger single actions. Up until about four years ago, I had no double actions of any kind - ever. At that time I started buying S&W's to fill that void. I had always been enamored with the look and feel of a finely tuned Smith trigger. They were beautiful (to me) inside and out. Quite a few have passed through my hands in those years in the quest for the perfect four (in my mind). I traded and bartered for years ending up with what I thought were the S&W's that would perfectly fill the double-action niche. I have a 640 no-dash .38 sp., 2.5" 66-2 .357, 4" 19-5 .357, and a 4" 629-1 .44mag. The subject of this post is mainly about the 629.
It is a beautiful revolver and I love shooting it. It was Magna-ported before I got it along with some trigger work. I don't know that the porting does much - maybe a little. I guess what I am concerned with is the idea that it can be worn out over time by shooting heavy loads. I realize anything can wear out over time given enough abuse, but when I buy something like this it is for a lifetime and then handed down. I buy tools with the same mindset. I don't want something working for a short time and then have to be replaced. I KNOW a RH or a SRH is a bank vault. A tool that, when cared for properly, can take a lot of abuse and live (very well) to tell about it. From my research over time, here and elsewhere, the Ruger double actions will outlive a S&W given the same treatment.
That said, I live in the middle of Kansas, surrounded by trees and farm ground. We have no grizzlies (although on rare occasion a mountain lion). Nothing dangerous other than a few pesky snakes. The biggest game is whitetail deer which on a good day I can shoot from my front porch. I have plans to hunt something bigger someday - maybe an elk or two. At this time, I don't shoot much in the way of high powered loads. I do reload, but most of it is for practice and fun with the kids. If I need to get crazy, I have a slick .44 mag Bisley SBH, I have worked over a little. But it is not a double action.
I am first and foremost a shooter - on the rare occasion a collector. All of my firearms at this point have a specific purpose or fill a particular niche (in my mind). I don't have a huge number (although, my wife would probably argue that point). I value quality over quantity. My desire is to get to a place where I can have both, but to get an additional gun now, I have to be able to justify it to some degree. Don't get me wrong - I would LOVE to have a Redhawk (or SRH) - but I have to have a good reason.
So...do I "need" a RH or a SBH (.44 mag)? Do I replace the 629 with a RH?
Just so you know, it is mainly the fault of this forum that I am even raising this question.
I was blissfully unaware of the difference until spending time here. There so many here extolling the virtues of the Ruger double action that I have no choice but to ask. While certainly anyone can weigh in on this, I would love to hear from those who may have had experience with both. Oh, and pictures are always a welcome object lesson.Thanks,
Craig
). I started a love affair with the .45 Colt round several years ago when I started reloading that caliber. If I had a better source for cast bullets, it would probably be the round I spent the most time with. 
