44 Mag Decision

bullsi1911

if you were going to get a double action 44 Magnum Wheelgun, which would you get?  

S&W 629: https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-629-4-barrel

or 

Ruger Redhawk 4”: https://www.ruger.com/products/redhawk/specSheets/5044.html

breamfisher

S&W 629

What's it fer? 

bullsi1911

I don’t have a .44 Mag revolver.  No real need or reason for it, but if pressed, I would say field carry.

breamfisher

S&W 629

Well in that case I vote for the Smith.  It looks better, in my eyes, and unless you plan on feeding it a lot of .44 mag ammo or field carrying it a lot, the Ruger doesn't have much on it for most users.

Just my opinion.

earlyagain

I like the indisructable construction of the Ruger but I hate that grip. If there are decent after market grips for the Ruger, I'd get it. If not I'd get the Smith. So I didn't vote due to insufficient information.

Elk creek

To know what my vote is.....

GunNut

My first choice would be a pre-lock S&W 629 (I've never been a fan of the ignition keyed S&Ws), second choice would be a new Ruger.  But, either gun will be equally great for what you want.

Zee

Ruger Redhawk

Ruger hands down!!!

Just put wood grips on it. 

sakodude

Ruger Redhawk

I voted Redhawk simply for it's robust nature but for field carry, where I might be carrying more than shooting  l would consider the S&W model 69. Smaller, lighter over all package. 

shotgunshooter3

Ruger Redhawk

For my money the Redhawk is a stellar magnum handgun.

Also, you suck. I have a 7.5" Redhawk 44 Hunter and really wish I had taken the time to track down one with a shorter tube.

jaywapti

Ruger Redhawk

The only purpose I can see for a 4" barreled 44 is self defense in bear country, I went with Ruger because I like them better than S&W, it just needs Rosewood or Lignum Vitae grips.

JAY

zorba

S&W 629

You couldn't possibly go wrong with either. Without handling either gun, its hard to make a choice - I checked the S&W because the grip *looks* a tad longer, and the MSRP is a bit less (How that translates into real world prices I have no idea). Plus I don't have a Smith, but have several Rugers (and love them all).

My advice is to handle both, preferably shoot both, and then decide.

wddodge

S&W 629

I've had both and still have the Smith. My 629 was much smoother than the Redhawk. But, If I was pushing the limits on  my reloads the Redhawk would have stayed.

Denny

Gene L

Ruger Redhawk

I've got a Redhawk 5".  It's rugged and heavy and accurate.  You can load it up as high as you want to.  A few years ago, I had an excellent S&W 29 6.5" which I never shot, so I sold it.  A couple of years ago, I got to wanting a .44 again.  I'm unwilling to buy a new Smith with a hole in it, so I went Ruger. If I could have bought a pre-lock Smith, I would have.

You can get Pachmayr grips for either one.  I don't trust S&Ws new grips...they're made by the cheapest outsourcer.

Michakav

Ruger Redhawk

Ruger by a small margin.

joeg52

I would go for the S&W 69.

Gila

S&W 629

If I were actually going to get one, I'd go for a Model 29.  I just happen to know of a pawn shop with two of them available and decent pricing, and one of those is like brand new.  It's probably never had a full box of ammo run through it.

jbohio

Ruger Redhawk

My 4" 44 Redhawk is packed for my out west trip.  So is my 2" 44 Redhawk.  
My Smith's are in the safe.  
I'm begrudgingly leaving my 5" 45 Colt Redhawk behind.  

GunNut

shotgunshooter3 said:

For my money the Redhawk is a stellar magnum handgun.

Also, you suck. I have a 7.5" Redhawk 44 Hunter and really wish I had taken the time to track down one with a shorter tube.

I owned a 7.5” for about 3 weeks.  Carried it in a good crossdraw holster and got sick of pulling my pants up all the time.  At 4.5 lbs IIRC it’s a crew served handgun.  Great gun!  Just would have never left the house.

Zee

Ruger Redhawk

My Ruger’s go to the field. My Smith is a safe queen. 

A nice safe queen. Yes. But......

Zee

Ruger Redhawk

If you were to find some sort of a classic Smith or something to give it value beyond just being a run of the mill Smith, yes. Get it. 

If you’re looking for a field gun to use and work. 

Ruger. 

HAWKEN

Ruger Redhawk

I don't have a Redhawk or model 29 but I do have two Ruger SBH's and a Vaquero.  I voted RH because of the strength, there when you need it. For field or every day carry, I would choose the Vaquero, well finished and a tad bit lighter than either of your other choices.  Keep yer powder dry......robin

GunNut

I'd squeeze the toothpaste tube just a LITTLE more and buy this first year production 629-2 Mountain gun.  It has JUST enough wear on it that you wouldn't have to make it a safe queen but DAMN classy gun to tote in the field.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/839139835

JKP

Ruger Redhawk

S&W doesn't even include a photo on their site (link above) showing the cylinder release side of the gun with the lock...

GunNut

JKP said:

S&W doesn't even include a photo on their site (link above) showing the cylinder release side of the gun with the lock...

They have pretty much given up on photographing ANY of their revolvers on that side.

Jermanator

Ruger Redhawk

Both. You can never have enough 44 magnums. Start with the Ruger first. Finding the right Smith may take some time.

mitdr774

I have a 629 DX Classic that is a safe/range queen.  Im not lugging around a 8 3/8" barreled revolver, but it sure is fun to take shots at a 200m 18" gong with.  If I wanted a field gun or was going to potentially push things a bit, I would go with a Ruger.  My GP100 has taken over from my 686 for hot .357 shooting.  Now the 686 revolvers await a niece and two nephews (one for each) when they are old enough if they decide to take an interest.

Michakav

Ruger Redhawk

Serious question to a lot of you. Why are Smith's considered safe queens compared to a "beat it up" Ruger? These 2 models are similarly priced as are some of the older models of each. 

Jermanator

Ruger Redhawk

Michakav-- Rugers tend to be built heavier and can handle heavier loads. At the same time, the Smiths tend to cost more and look a bit prettier.

NN

S&W 629

My experience is with a Redhawk 5.5" and the 4" 629.

The 629 is easier to shoot and I carry it if I go on my bicycle in the forest on the gravel roads. If I did some foot travel in the woods I used the Redhawk.


If I were just to get  one of them -----I'd get the 629.  

Michakav

Ruger Redhawk

Jermanator said:

Michakav-- Rugers tend to be built heavier and can handle heavier loads. At the same time, the Smiths tend to cost more and look a bit prettier.

I recognize those aspects. But the new Ruger pricing is similar to the Smith's given like models. Even the older Ruger's are catching up to older Smith pricing. I guess that's why my questioning as to why the Ruger is seen as a beater compared to the other. I am guessing a lot of it has to do with name? 

BTW...I love both, but prefer Ruger.