Anyone have experience shooting Ruger SRH Alaskan in .44???

[dcewolf]

Why in the world am I asking bout a snubbie .44mag???
 
First off I love shootin .44s -- my favorite gun is my SRH w/ 7.5" barrel. 

Next, Im looking for a smaller revolver for use in home security, field carry (not worried too much bout big critters.. Im in VA), and occasional CC.
 
I've looked into the 357 realm and honestly I just like .44 better.  For CC and bedside drawer would mostly use .44spl, otherwise would play around with some magnum loads.  No I do not personally reload (yet) but a good friend of mine loads all of my .44 mag rounds anyway -- thus making the availability of spl rounds just a simple hurdle to cross.  So with the explanation out of the way......  anyone with thoughts or experience on the Alaskan?  Thanks.   

[safetysheriff]

by definition:   it is impossible to put two pounds of trash into a one-pound bag !   


unless you are a very large-framed individual i think that hiding the Super RedHawk frame is difficult to do.

i'd buy an sp-101 by Ruger with the .357 mag' caliber with the longest barrel available.

a .44 mag' for home defense is definitely overkill in most scenarios, and its use to fire .44 specials creates difficulties for many people as well if they later use it for .44 mag' ammo.

good luck with your decision,

ss' 

ps: in Virginia don't they have some rather large black bear?    a 7 1/2" SRH makes more sense for backwoods carry, in my opinion.   

[louiethelump]

Not to intentionally differ with the preceeding gentleman, but I have a SRH Alaskan in 44 mag and it is MUCH more compact than a full length barrel model.  I bought mine with the same intention as you, more portable carry than a full size with 44 spl capabilities.  You will have no problems with shooting 44 spl in it and then going to 44 mag unless you shoot several hundred rear dirty 44 spl out of it with lead bullets and then don't clean the chambers after.  (no more problems than those that shoot 38 spl in their SP 101 and then go back to 357 mag; none)  I do not plan to carry it concealed as it is quite big, but if a jacket were worn (this is rare in central FL where I live) it would be no more problem than a mountain gun that some carry.  I live in a rural area, and the 44 is often comforting compared to the 357 and if it makes you happy, go for it.  I think the idea of the gun is good, and so did Smith & Wesson as they have come out with similar models on their big frame.  Compared to them, the alaskan is petite.


By the way, the grip that comes on it is bigger than it needs to be for 44 spl and I changed it out to a GP100 grip which interchanges and makes the overall gun smaller.

Just my 2cents.

Louie

[corbanzo]

I was thinking of trading my taurus m444 titanium for a superred alaskan .44, so I can put some of those .44mag +p's through there.  No chance of me doing that with a titanium cylinder!

[dcewolf]

Well, as stated above I do have a SRH 7.5"....actually its my favorite gun.  For carry purposes my mood tends to change like the wind (and varies with the seasons).  Usually I have my Springfield XDSC with me, but was lookin into another wheel gun and I liked the thought of having another 44mag but with a shorter more concealable package.  For everyday carry, no -- thats what my XD, Bersa 380, and Beretta Tomcat are for -- just occasional carry use.  Yes, I am a recoil junkie of sorts too -- its nothing for me to go through 100 rounds + of 44mag at time with my SRH and still want more   I just need to get into reloading.

... I have a SRH Alaskan in 44 mag and it is MUCH more compact than a full length barrel model. ....


By the way, the grip that comes on it is bigger than it needs to be for 44 spl and I changed it out to a GP100 grip which interchanges and makes the overall gun smaller.
...

Louie

Louie, what are your thoughts on shooting it.  Obviously its gonna have more bite than a 7.5" but Ruger makes a heavy gun too.  Did the grip change affect your ability to reacquire the target, or change how it handles much?

Thanks gents.

[wolfsong]

It's stout, that's fer sure. But if you're comfortable shooting .44s in general, you won't be bothered by this little old thing. But take my opinion for what it's worth - I LOVE shooting Smith's .500, without a glove. Glutton fer punishment. Peace and God bless, Wolfsong. BTW, I left the stock Hogue tamer grips on.