For me it is a Ruger Redhawk in .44 mag with a 4" barrel and V-notch rear, fiber optic front bead stoked with Winchester .44Special 200 gr Silvertip HP's.
It rides easily on a belt with a coat, or IWB in a custom leather holster. I carry a double speedloader pouch on the strong side with the same ammo. 18 rounds is WAY MORE than enough for self defense as far as I'm concerned. But I also tote another 18 rounds in an MTM Ammo Wallet in my back pocket. Mostly I have this much ammo for incidental shooting and plinking while out and about.
So what do you tote?
I have a question,and don't take it the wrong way,I'm not saying its a bad choice. Im just curious why you wouldn't want something lighter. It just seems that (as I presume you agree,since your loading 44 special) 44mag is too big for self defense. That being said,you have a gun that's built to shoot that,and therefore much heavier and larger than something that was made to shoot 44special. The 44 special from my reloading manual seems to be similar to a 45 auto (at least the 220 and 230 grain ones) which is what I prefer,so the ballistics seem very good. It just seems that a Redhawk is sort of bulky. I am currently shopping for something to take fishing and hiking, and that's exactly why I tend to pass up the Redhawks I see in my price range. (They are invariably 44magnum,and if I was going to go with the extra bulk,I would go with something heavier,of course my potential attackers are of the four legged variety,although I understand they are rather scary on two legs as well.
) Of course concealment isn't an issue here as I can carry openly here if it makes more sense (and the cops don't even mess with you over it! Got pulled over the other day,told him I had a gun,he took my gun (which was plainly visible and in no way concealed) and put it on top of the car while he was writing the ticket (took forever,I'm sure he was checking my permit) then put it back on the passenger seat through the passenger window and that was it. My current favorite is the Super Blackhawk with the 7.5" barrel. Its not cartoon length like the 10" models and its reasonably light (for what it is) and reloading isn't that much of a concern. (If six buffalo bore 44 magnum +p+ rounds don't put it down,my guess is that Ill be dead before I could reload anyway.)
Still,for concealment and for carrying it seems like a Redhawk is more gun than you need for what your shooting and you would be better off with "just enough gun" to shoot those 44 specials. Im curious I guess what advantages you find in the Redhawk vs something a little smaller.
