Author Topic: 44 back up gun. (Read 1044 times)

HappyHunter · « **on:** November 17, 2004, 03:17:25 PM »

I am considering a new gun...again.

This time I am considering a 44 mag with a 5 inch barrel. My preference is a double action Smith and Wesson (what else).

The older 629 with the firing pin in the hammer and no ugly lock built into the frame. Of course the 29 with same qualities would be ok as well.

This gun will be shot at bowling pins, paper and carried for a backup hunting gun, it will never see optics.

What do you guys think of my choice and do you have any other suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

Fred a.k.a. HappyHunter

southern utah · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2004, 04:47:37 PM »

Not a bad choice. I use a 629 mtn. gun ( 4 inch ) for the trails.

De41mag · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2004, 06:43:31 PM »

HH;

I have a 5 inch 44mag in a S&W, and have found a load that would not beat the crap out of my gun. I have settled on the Speer 200gr. GDHP in 44Spl. bullet in 44 mag. Man what a hollow point! I use it ahead of 15gr. of AA#5. It's a little above the listing of what Speer recommends,but it sure is accurate. I would not hesisate to use it for deer this season. That is the load I will be using for my five inch in case of a close shot.
Good Shooting.

Dennis

DWARREN123 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2004, 04:32:18 AM »

If the S&W turns you on go for it. Mine is a Ruger GP100 357 mag, 6" barrel, full under lug. Shoots great and is accurate.

44 Man · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2004, 10:46:18 AM »

Sorry, 41mag, I would advise against using that 200 .44 spl gold dot on deer! That bullet was designed to expand rapidly at 750 to 850 fps and I use it in my .44 spl loads over 8 gr of unique. You may find at .44 mag velocitys, it will just blow up on a deers shoulder. I'd advise using a bullet designed for .44 mag velocitys or bring your load down to 9 gr or unique in .44 mag cases, which will probably get you about 950 fps. I too do not want to shoot my guns loose, so other than in my freedom arms, I keep the velocity around 1050/1150 fps for .44 mag. Any cast 240 gr bullet at 1000 fps will still shoot through a deer. 44 Man

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2004, 01:50:59 PM »

Hey there Happyhunter,

You need to know up front that I am not a Smith fan in most cases - Ruger what else? - but I think my question is a valid one.

Why, when S&W themselves stated in their own ads, that the "NEW" 29 Classic was built for sustained use of .44 Mag. loads, would you want an old 29?

If a person wants/needs to shoot lower pressure/velocity loads to protect their handgun, you may as well start with a .44 Special to begin with.

I agree with the cal for a hunting carry gun, but the 5 1/2" Red Hawk comes with no such worries or concerns and is able to do what a .44 Mag. was ment to do, rip and snort.

Do I shoot "reduced" loads through my Red Hawk? Yes, at times. However, the reason is not because I must do so to keep from my handgun loose, but because I wish to add to the length and pleasure of my practice sessions.

My "normal" load for my Red Hawk (5 1/2") is a quenched 310gr. LBT cast from WW. This slug is fired ahead of 19gr. of AA #9 for a velocity over the screens of 1317fps (average of 6 shots).

Keep em coming! :grin:

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2004, 01:58:21 PM »

Hey there Happyhunter,

You need to know up front that I am not a Smith fan in most cases - Ruger what else? - but I think my question is a valid one.

Why, when S&W themselves stated in their own ads, that the "NEW" 29 Classic was built for sustained use of .44 Mag. loads, would you want an old Smith 29?

If a person wants/needs to fire lower pressure/velocity loads to protect their handgun, you may as well start with a .44 Special to begin with.

I agree with the cal for a hunting carry gun, but the 5 1/2" Red Hawk comes with no such worries or concerns and is able to do what a .44 Mag. was ment to do, rip and snort.

Do I fire "reduced" loads through my Red Hawk? Yes, at times. However, the reason is not because I must do so to keep from firing my handgun loose, but because I wish to add to the length and pleasure of my practice sessions.

My "normal" load for my Red Hawk (5 1/2") is a quenched 310gr. LBT cast from WW. This slug is fired ahead of 19gr. of AA #9 for a velocity over the screens of 1317fps (average of 6 shots).

Keep em coming! :grin:

HappyHunter · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2004, 02:41:50 PM »

Darrell,

I assume that you mean the new 629 not 29.

The model 29 is B E A U T I F U L. It is a personal preference.

Smith is my first choice because of the trigger and it simply feels/looks great.

For the use I want, I suppose that the 629 5 inch classic with the real firing pin in the hammer and no frame lock would do. But those that have this out of production gun usually will not part with it.

Fred

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2004, 11:10:34 AM »

Hey there Happyhunter,

Not being a Smith fan, I know I can be wrong. As I recall, it has happened one other time.

However, it was my understanding that the 29 was blued and the 629 was stainless. Also it was my understanding that Smith's ad refered to both Blue and Stainless when saying that the new was built to withstand sustained firing of .44 Mag. ammo.

They in effect stated that they were aware that the older design wasn't up to the wear caused by the Mag. loads.

If (?) I am incorrect on the 29 = blue and the 629 = stainless, this will make two times and in that case I hope you will set me strieght as per the numbers and what they mean.

Keep em coming! :wink:

Lawdog · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2004, 11:30:15 AM »

Darrell,

I own two S&W M29's(the old 'Dirty Harry' model) and have put at least 3,000 rounds of "full house" magnum loads through them. NO problem. They still shoot as they did when new. Lawdog

HappyHunter · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2004, 12:45:22 PM »

Darrell,

You are correct on the 29 and 629.

I was unaware that the classic (made in both 29 and 629) was deemed heavier duty that the pre-classic 29.

I just brought home a 29 classic 5 inch...it is on loan from the gun shop. It will "push off" and I am attempting to see what the problem is. The rebound spring is not the culprit. It appears to be the single action sears, these are on the hammer and trigger that have improper wear or angle on them. Does anybody have any suggestions? Price will be good if I decide to buy it...$360.

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2004, 05:17:50 PM »

Hey there Lawdog,

3000 Mag. loads is indeed a goodly amount! Glad to hear there are no ware problems on your end!

However, somewhere there must have been some problems, otherwise why would I have read, in S&W's own ads, that the NEW Classic was designed for sustained firing of Mag. loads.

You can imagine the glee the above ad brought to the fans of the other manufactures. It was wow, they made my day!

Back about 1980, I happened to be in the market for a new 4" .357 and upon asking the then editor of the Speer loading manual what brand to look for at the gun show we were both attending. he said, "buy Ruger."

His reason, the other makes needed to to sent in for service and/or repair while the Rugers just kept .

The fit and finish on my Rugers may not be up to that of the S&W, but my triggers are good and they shoot well and as long those needs are met, I'll come down on the side of tough rather then pretty any day.

So, with all that being said, we are indeed blessed to have the range and quality of firearms available to us at this time. There is something out there to please almost everyone!

Keep em coming! :wink: