New Gun Advice/Opinions

[painted horse]

A friend of mine owes me a new/used  pistol. Details are long and boring so we'll just leave it at that.     The original gun in question was a S&W 629 5in. 44mag but he says he'll replace with the gun of my choice. Herein lies the dilemma. First, I no longer have a 44mag (all 45 colt) so replacement in kind would be good, plus I also really like Smiths and don't currently own one. Second is I also really like Rugers, I have several SA models and one 4in Redhawk all 45 colt (see above). So I was thinking a Stainless Redhawk 5 1/2in in 44mag would also be very nice. Either one would be completely satifactory to me but we haven't got to third yet. Third...and this is really the big if for me...how about a Magnum Research BFR in 475/480 with 6 1/2in barrel??  In all reality I have no NEED for anything like that. None, zip, zilch.  I really don't even shoot very many hot 45 colts loads anymore and I don't handgun hunt, (if you've ever hunted the Pacific Blacktail deer, also known as the "Ghost of the woods") you want every advantage you can get, so rifle it is for me.  I know this is a decision that is ultimately mine, but other thoughts and opinions sometimes bring things to light that a person hasen't thought of himself. Truth is, I'm really leaning towards that BFR, never had one and they really look outstanding....

[Savage]

If you have no real "Need" for another handgun, then go with the one you want. It doesn't have to be practical, or even useful. Don't try to rationalize your decision, just wanting a gun is reason enough for owning it.
Savage

[spruce]

How about a Freedom Arms?  Even if you kicked in for part of it you'll probably never have another chance to get one for that small of cash outlay.
 
I say just get what you want.  I've bought quite a few guns over the years and I actually "needed" very, very few of them!

[painted horse]

Thanks for the replys. I agree that "need" doesn't have to be in the equation, but for me at least, a gun should be practical. I don't "need" a 45 colt, ( I have rifles that are better suited for most applications) but for where I live and the things I do, they are "practical" in the sense that they're handy to carry and capable of handling pretty much any situation that may arise. A 44mag would be at least as good. How "practical" would a 475/480 BFR be??, I have no idea, but it's kinda like 1080i, I don't know but I want it..   yes I'm still waffleing....

[williamlayton]

I would vote for a .41 mag---just to add fuel to the delima.
Blessings

[Lloyd Smale]

get yourself a stainless 4 5/8s super blackhawk. Ive got tons of handguns but nothing is more versitile.

[Lloyd Smale]

get yourself a stainless 4 5/8s super blackhawk or a 4 inch 629. Ive got tons of handguns but nothing is more versitile.

[painted horse]

I would vote for a .41 mag---just to add fuel to the delima.
Blessings

Well thanks alot William....   I can see that you'd be alot of fun in a gunshop..   Lloyd, I've got a 4in RH so thought I'd rather have the 5in Smith. Had a 6in but didn't like it as well. I'd also be willing to bet that you have a 475 linebaugh, maybe even in the BFR configuration. Whats your opionion of that caliber and how does it compare recoil wise to a full load (270gr lead WFP w/25gr h110) 45 colt? By the way that load is uncomfortable to me in the 4in RH (really slams the web of my hand)  but is fine in the Bisley BH. Well, sorta. Like Rocky said in the movie, after you get hit in the face a few times, it starts to sting a little...I don't know, a guy needs a good 44mag in the arsenal, (I no longer have one) I've got the 45 colt thing covered pretty well, but from what I've read, that BFR 475/480 is a fine and accurate piece. And who knows, maybe I'll try handgun hunting one of these days, or run into a charging Grizzly somewhere, oops, shouldn't of said that...    Just the ramblings of a doddering old cowboy who's been  flipped on his head to many times...

[NickSS]

I have a 5.5 inch Red hawk in 44 mag and think it is a great hand gun.  I have had Smiths and ruger single actions in that caliber but the red hawk is the only one that I have now and it is the one I will keep.

[williamlayton]

Always trying to help. 
Actually, I vote for a Smith---choosing the caliber is easy---get one of all.
Now, for me, one of all, the .41 being the top limit. 
It is a good delima you have on your hands.
Blessings