.44 Magnums

tk421991

tk421991

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I'm going to American Firearms School over my March vacation to rent/shoot a .44 Magnum. Is there anywhere else "near" RI that will let me rent a .44? AFS is a little ridiculous with their prices.

Anyways, what is the toughest and simplest Double Action .44 Magnum?

Let me put it this way; I own a Glock and I find it complicated. The pull tabs on the sides of the pistol seem like a stupid idea to me. I'm much happier with my M91/30 and a screwdriver.

So, who makes or made the toughest and simplest Double Action .44 Magnum?

Also, what is the thing on the left side of a Colt's cylinder? I noticed it on a Colt Police Positive before, and when I look at pictures of the Anacondas, I see that same plumbob or door knob shaped object behind the cylinder on the left side.

Thanks in advance!
 
Gun don't get much simpler or more durable than a modern double action revolver. Smith & Wesson and Ruger are the favorites for MA residents, Colts are nice too if you can find one.

My experience has been that AFS is reasonably priced for what you're getting. Keep in mind that .44 magnum ammo is ridiculously expensive, no matter where you buy it. Don't know of any other rental ranges in or near RI, but Mass Firearms School and Manchester Firing Line probably have 44 mags in their rental inventory, but they won't be any cheaper than AFS.

Do you belong to a gun club? If you're determined to shoot a .44mag and on a budget, you may be better off making friends with someone who ownes one and will let you try it out (even better if they reload and only charge you their cost).
 
TonyDedo said:
Manchester Firing Line probably have 44 mags in their rental inventory, but they won't be any cheaper than AFS.

Do you belong to a gun club? If you're determined to shoot a .44mag and on a budget, you may be better off making friends with someone who ownes one and will let you try it out (even better if they reload and only charge you their cost).
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I saw MFL. The range fees are cheaper, but the revolver rental price is more expensive. But, they do have an Uzi, a Thompson Gun, and other full-auto guns for rent. That would be one fun way to spend a day of vacation. I'm going to email or call them sometime soon.

I'm a member of Wallum Lake RGC. All the guys I've ran into are .45ACP fans. M1911s, and one guy I know has a S&W 625.
 
If you want the toughest 44mag out there, get a Ruger. Period.

The Super Redhawk Alaskan
The Super Blackhawk Hunter (single action)
The Ruger Redhawk
 
I love my S&W revolvers. I have a 629 with 8 3/8" barrel. It's badass. Trigger is awesome too.

God I love TOYS!!!
 
I've noticed that the Rugers are the cheapest. Anacondas are about $1300 - 2500, depending on the specs. And if I was to go S&W, it would be the traditional M29, which isn't cheap either.

How's their customer service? My dad owns a 10/22, but it has messed up or bent sights. Him being him, he just stuck a scope on it.

Rugers don't have a safety, right? Its my understanding that S&Ws have an "internal lock" which acts like a safety. The Glock and the M91/30 have taught me to keep a gun unloaded and unable to fire, so I really don't feel the need for a safety.
 
ivarr said:
an hour or so ago i bought 50 rounds out here at the shop.
$48- [frown]
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I've seen the same thing. $44 or $48... Was it always like this? 44SPL isn't much cheaper that I can see. Anybody know of reloaders who sell?
I'd be very interested to see what the costs are versus buying a progressive reloading rig.... ore maybe not
 
tk421991 said:
I've noticed that the Rugers are the cheapest. Anacondas are about $1300 - 2500, depending on the specs. And if I was to go S&W, it would be the traditional M29, which isn't cheap either.
Click to expand...

I see used S&W 29s and 629s for ~$600-$700 once a month or so - I think that's an amazing price for a gun that will last longer than you will.

tk421991 said:
How's their customer service?
Click to expand...

Google "Smith & Wesson Customer Service" or "Smith & Wesson Warranty."

tk421991 said:
Rugers don't have a safety, right? Its my understanding that S&Ws have an "internal lock" which acts like a safety. The Glock and the M91/30 have taught me to keep a gun unloaded and unable to fire, so I really don't feel the need for a safety.
Click to expand...

I believe all modern revolvers have a firing pin block, so it doesn't fire if you drop it on the hammer. New S&W revolvers have a "lock" with a keyhole built into the frame - turn the key and it disables the gun. Most people hate the concept, but I've never met anyone who's actually had a problem with it. Regardless, it makes the older, "pre lock" S&W revolvers more desirable.

If you're torn between buying a Ruger or S&W, you should handle each model first. They're both great guns, but they have a distinctly different feel. One may fit your hand better than the other.

Or you can be really cool and get an old Dan Wesson pistol pack.
 
jbert27 said:
I've seen the same thing. $44 or $48... Was it always like this? 44SPL isn't much cheaper that I can see. Anybody know of reloaders who sell?
I'd be very interested to see what the costs are versus buying a progressive reloading rig.... ore maybe not
Click to expand...

So far as I know, all the area's reloaders are sold out and not taking any more orders because they can't get components reliably or consistently. I went to the Marlboro show specifically because my favorite reloader was going to be there - bought up the last of his .44mag for less than $30 a box.

I re-ordered bullets from my supplier back in January, he said he was 6-8 weeks behind. Just checked back in with him, he's so backlogged he's not taking any more new orders either.

It'll be nice when those bullets finally arrive, though - put my cost back around $0.15/round.
 
TonyDedo said:
I see used S&W 29s and 629s for ~$600-$700 once a month or so - I think that's an amazing price for a gun that will last longer than you will.

Google "Smith & Wesson Customer Service" or "Smith & Wesson Warranty."

If you're torn between buying a Ruger or S&W, you should handle each model first. They're both great guns, but they have a distinctly different feel. One may fit your hand better than the other.
Click to expand...

Lol, I'm 21. It'd have another 60 - 80 years to keep on shooting.

I read about S&W's customer service back before I settled on my Glock for my 1st pistol. I was going to get a M29, but I had never shot a pistol before. So I got my Glock 31, and .357SIG is fun for me. A .44 Magnum might just "make my day". But anyways from what I've read, S&W has a lifetime warranty for the original owner.

I do want to handle both. I like the nice, old school, blued-finish and square-butt grips of the Model 29. But, I've only seen a Model 29 once, in the not-for-sale display case up at the factory store in Springfield. In fact, that display model was the only "Classics" revolver I saw up there (2012).
 
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tk421991 said:
Lol, I'm 21. It'd have another 60 - 80 years to keep on shooting.
Click to expand...

Plenty of GIs younger than you went off to Europe with 1917s and 1911s that are still shooting today. I know, I've shot a few of them.

No idea how long modern guns will actually last, but if you take care of it, 60-80 years won't be a problem.
 
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While waiting for the S&W 329PD I ordered to arrive, I checked Wal-Mart's price for .44 Magnum: FMJ around $0.75-$0.80/round. Unfortunately, the stores are only getting one or two boxes per delivery, and they don't arrive with each ammo shipment.
 
TO the OP......what do you plan to use the .44 mag revolver for? If it is for Concealed Carry I would suggest you consider a .357 mag revolver for two reasons.......practice at the range with a .44 mag will definately break the bank......and .44 mag revolvers are heavy as all get out. I am a ruger fan.......consider a Sp101 in 2 and a quarter barrell for CCW or a GP100 full size frame in .357 if it is for home defense or just range use. 357 mag ammo can be had for between $21 to $28 for a box of 50....pricy but not in the stratosphere like .44 mag at about $45 - $50 a box.

You asked about safeties.......that is the beauty of the revolver......there is no safety. The heavy trigger pull combined with a modern transfer bar between the hammer and the firing pin is all you need. As far as ccw use I am a wheel gun fan......simple operation as all you have to remember before putting it in the hoslter for the day is "did I load it"! Fewer working parts to think about as compared to a semi.......ie.....it goes bang EVERY TIME! And even if you have a failure to fire just pull the trigger again and another round circles into place where with a semi you have to clear the failed round.

Wheel guns.....good!
 
Here is my Dan Wesson heavy barrel ported .44. It's about as beefy a .44 frame as I've seen and the barrel shroud construction is nice because you can not only change out barrel lengths but adjust the cylinder gap to whatever you want. They come with a takedown tool that unscrews the barrel shroud from the actual barrel.

danwesson.jpg
 
Before you buy a 44 Magnum revolver, go look at the prices for 44 Magnum ammunition. Unless you are rich or a reloader, you should use a different caliber -- it will run you about $0.80 per shot.

If you are a novice pistol shooter, a 44 Magnum revolver is simply not a good choice.
 
TonyDedo said:
...Mass Firearms School and Manchester Firing Line probably have 44 mags in their rental inventory, but they won't be any cheaper than AFS.
Click to expand...

MFS doesn't rent guns. Members shoot all the guns in the inventory free of charge. If you go during off hours you may be able to get on the range even as a non-member, and last I check they have at least 1 Model 29, as well as a Super Redhawk with a 9.5" barrel........

jbert27 said:
I've seen the same thing. $44 or $48... Was it always like this? 44SPL isn't much cheaper that I can see. Anybody know of reloaders who sell?
I'd be very interested to see what the costs are versus buying a progressive reloading rig.... ore maybe not
Click to expand...

MFS has (or at least had) Fiocchi 44Mag for $34.99.
 
Tiktock said:
Here is my Dan Wesson heavy barrel ported .44. It's about as beefy a .44 frame as I've seen and the barrel shroud construction is nice because you can not only change out barrel lengths but adjust the cylinder gap to whatever you want. They come with a takedown tool that unscrews the barrel shroud from the actual barrel.

danwesson.jpg
Click to expand...

Is it just me......or is that a purple gun? Easy....jsut stirring the pot. I bet that is a sweet wheel gun to shoot!
 
Tiktock said:
Here is my Dan Wesson heavy barrel ported .44. It's about as beefy a .44 frame as I've seen and the barrel shroud construction is nice because you can not only change out barrel lengths but adjust the cylinder gap to whatever you want. They come with a takedown tool that unscrews the barrel shroud from the actual barrel.

danwesson.jpg
Click to expand...
GOD, I just love D. W's. either 44's or 357's I don't care.
 
Don't listen to anyone about 'expensive' ammunition. Buy the gun you want to buy. If this was a cheap hobby, no one would do it. I have never thought for a second how much ammo is going to cost when I buy a gun.
 
Tiktock said:
Here is my Dan Wesson heavy barrel ported .44. It's about as beefy a .44 frame as I've seen and the barrel shroud construction is nice because you can not only change out barrel lengths but adjust the cylinder gap to whatever you want. They come with a takedown tool that unscrews the barrel shroud from the actual barrel.
Click to expand...

I see your Dan Wesson, and raise you an 8" barrel. This one came with 2 6" barrels (one ported, one not) and 2 8" barrels (one ported, one not). I wish I had the kit with the belt buckle, though...

P2270172_zps952da41c.jpg
 
ntomsw said:
Don't listen to anyone about 'expensive' ammunition. Buy the gun you want to buy. If this was a cheap hobby, no one would do it. I have never thought for a second how much ammo is going to cost when I buy a gun.
Click to expand...

I agree totally. I also disagree with the fact that I should stay away from the .44 Magnum because I'm just getting into pistols. Besides, it'll be about a year or so before I have $1000 or so for a quality .44 Magnum like the M29 or the Super Redhawk.

I love recoil. The .357SIG is easy for me to handle. And my M91/30 is very comfortable for me to shoot.

Mmmm... Recoil...
 
It is your money to do with as you please. But as an instructor I can tell you that you will learn marksmanship faster with more shots of a cartridge with less recoil than with less shot of a cartridge with more recoil.
 
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