Big Bore Snubby--any subbestions?

[EDELWEISS]

Im looking for a Big Bore snubby revolver, any suggestions would be appreciated.  Its been awhile since I toyed with revolvers.  I try to keep the magazine publishers in business but I may be a little out of date on revolvers.  Also I live in The PEOPLE's REPUBLIK of MARYLAND, so any NEW gun has to have a fired shell casing; but used guns are exempted, (go figure?).

Honestly this wont be shot or carried alot, I just WANT it!  It all started when I lost a deal on a Webley Bulldog and now Im suffering from the loss.  I looked at the Ruger Alaskans in 454 and 44 magnum.  I may still go that way but Im thinking that I should atleast investigate other options before I spend $800.oo on the Alaskan.

If I wanted a 4 or 6 inch barrel, I could have my pick; but I want to keep it around 2-3inches.  Given a choice Id pick a 6 shot over 5; but I wont rule out a 5 shot.  If possible Id like blue over stainless because I like wood in my hand.  My initial thought was a Charter 44 Bulldog but it would have to be used since they wont provide a casing.  I know the Charter is only 5 shots but the price is much nicer than the Alaskan.

Im willing to consider other calibers; but Id really like 40 caliber or larger, 45acp or 40 S&W would be great, 44 is acceptable.  Im not looking to stop pacyderms.  Most of my shooting will be dry fireing, followed by parper targets.  Any shots on Dangerous Game is likely to be two legged types; but this wont be a carry gun as Im limited to DA autos for that.

Any suggestions?

[Redhawk1]

Model 29 - 3"  44 Mag

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&langId=-1&productId=53942&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15706

[Dusty Miller]

My guess is you'd do well to pick up a used 44 mag. or 45 Colt and have a gunsmith shorten the barrel to suit you. 

[EDELWEISS]

Redhawk, thats the idea I was going for.... your link says price not available, so Im searching the auctions and local dealers.  The more I start to look at this the more I question the need to spend $8oo on the Alaskan.  I think you and Dusty are right.  Im also looking for a longer barrel to have shortened.  If I can find a gun that cheaper because the finish is worn and have the barrel cut to where I want,  it'd be worth having it re finished.

[drdougrx]

Funny.....I thought I lived in the only communist country!!!   Massachusetts!!!!!

[deerhunter]

I know you were looking for a larger caliber, but you might want to check out a Ruger SP101 with a 2.25" bbl.

Its a controlable .357 that packs really easy.  I wouldnt be afraid of anything up to and including a black bear with one.   

[Lloyd Smale]

smith is making a run of 3 inch 44 mags and 44 specials either would do nicely. I had an alaskan and it would work too but is substaintialy heavier and a bit harder to shoot accurately.

[Old Griz]

The S&W 3" models 24 (44 Sp) and 25 (45 ACP) look really nice. If I didn't have so many short .357 k-frames I'd have to get one.

[OLDHandgunner]

Love my S&W 696, 3" in 44 spl.  Handles nice, shoots great & hits hard.

[gstewart44]

I found my perfect glovebox/sometimes carry gun about 20 years ago.   A whole bunch of 5" S&W model 1917's in 45acp were released on the market.   I got three of them.  One is in excellent original military condition, the second has had the action slicked and is a great shooter - it goes with me on pig hunts.   I got the third one for real cheap as the bluing was very worn and the screws looked as if they had been worked on by a 1st grader.   the front sight was actually bent. 

I took the third gun in and had the barrel cut to about 3" - just in front of the ejector rod - and had a new lower front sight put on.  The original square butt was rounded and Pachmayer Compact grips placed on it.  I have always been fascinated with the "Fitz Specials" of days gone by, but I kept the trigger guard intact.  Using standard 230 gr ball ammo I can keep it at Center of Mass out to 25 yds on a black silhouette target.  Quick reloads are a snap with full moon clips. 

It weighs about 30 ounces but feels very natural when pointing. It stores in the glove box perfectly and gives me peace of mind.   If you happen to come across one of these 1917's that has lost it's collectors value it makes a great project gun.   

[AtlLaw]

I know this thread is a year old, but since it's been brought back up...
I carry 24/7 and have decided in my old age that the S&W M-49 I've been packing (and never used BTW) for the last 30 odd years just isn't enough gun!     I love 44 Spl's and have been looking - and looking and looking - for a S&W M-696 but missed out on the only one I found for sale.  I have small hands and the N frame doesn't appeal to me or I'd have a "Mountain Gun" in 45 Colt with a bobbed barrel right now.

I have located a source for the now discontinued Taurus line of medium frame, large caliber (44 Mag), 2" ported Bbl., 5 shot revolvers and am now trying to decide between the Blue Steel or Stainless Steel models.  Most people talk favorably about the Taurus nowadays and, as I've said before, they ain't much a 240 gr. 40 odd caliber Keith style bullet at 900 fps won't do that needs doin'! 

That'll be 3 since the first of the year Lloyd!   

[STUMPJMPR]

i carry a rossi 720 in 44sp got it used for $250 that may have been a little high but its a good little gun...

[StrawHat]

Hey EDELWEISS,

What did you end up getting?

[Skillet]

It's a decent compromise between weight and durability.

Here's a typical 15 yd SA group with a mid-range handload...



This one is a first-generation CA .44. Double action trigger-pull is very smooth. SA trigger breaks at about 3 lbs.

Skillet

[Lloyd Smale]

Probably one of the finest carry guns ever made. I had one and it was light compact and a tack driver. I foolsihly let a buddy talk me out of it. Only downfall to them is the astronomical prices there getting for them on the used market.

Love my S&W 696, 3" in 44 spl.  Handles nice, shoots great & hits hard.

[AtlLaw]

Probably one of the finest carry guns ever made. I had one and it was light compact and a tack driver. I foolsihly let a buddy talk me out of it. Only downfall to them is the astronomical prices there getting for them on the used market.

Love my S&W 696, 3" in 44 spl.  Handles nice, shoots great & hits hard.

+1 and Amen!  I fired a friend's S&W for a bit then went looking for my own.  I finally gave up and bought a 2 inch Taurus medium frame (5 shot) 44 mag.  A fun gun, but it just ain't the 696.

Added a few minutes later...  Geeeze Lloyd!  I see we've already posted on this thread!  It's one of those that keep bouncing up ever once in a while.

[Cayoot]

What is the thoughts on the new Night Guard in .44 spl?

My work is taking me more and more into the big city (i.e. Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, etc), and where I work, fire arms are really frowned upon.

I used to carry a 642...super sweet little thing, in an apache ankle holster, but more and more, I want more umph.

I'm wondering if the new Night Guard in .44 spl (L frame snubbie) might not do well in an ankle holster or belly band.

I wear a suit and tie all the time, but when I settle down to work, I take my suit coat off.

What do you guys think?  Would it be doable?

[Will]

I haven't posted on here in years, but I'd feel bad if I didn't reply to this. I've got a Taurus 445 .44sp., and I think it's about the size of an L frame. It's too big for an ankle holster (at least for me), but does pretty well in a belly band. That gun is a comforting thing, so much so that my wife keeps it at the house and in her car, and I rarely get to carry it any more.

Personally, I've always found the bellyband thing too hard to reach, so I downsized to a 642 in a IWB holster myself.

[Cayoot]

Thanks Will, I'm starting to think that is the way I'm going to have to go too.

[dougk]

Dan Wesson .445 Supermag wit 4 inch ported barrel that is actually 5 inches given the porting

[BBF]

What is that casing thing in Maryland you wrote about??

[32 Magnum]

My current favorite big bore snubbie is a Taurus Model 450Ti.  It weighs in at 19 oz, empty; has a 2" ported barrel, is rated for +P ammo and holds 5 rounds.


As previously suggested, there are a bunch of used 1st Generation Charter Arms Corp. .44 Special Bulldogs on the market, and they usually sell for less than $300 in excellent condition.  Here's a couple I've picked up over the past year, in different configurations - all cost less than $290 and are in excellent condition:

[SharonAnne]

suBBestions??

[Bob C]

I have owned Mountain guns in different calibers, and I also had a 3" 629 for a while.

I currently have an Alaskan SRH in .44 magnum, and like it better than any of the S&W models. The weight of the Ruger isn't that different, and the action was a little rough when new but it was easy enough to smooth out.

On the used market you can occasionally get a better price on the .44 chambering than on the .454.  Full power 300 grain .44's are more than enough for me.

One complaint with the Alaskan as it comes from the factory are the Hogue grips. Some people like them, but I do not. I bought a pair of the older style SRH grips on ebay and much prefer them.

[The Montanan]

I very partial to the .44 Spl/Magnum and if your on a budget you can not go wrong with the Taurus 44C (which I had owned) or Charter Arms Bulldog.  The nice thing about the Taurus 44C is that you can shoot magnum loads should you desire, or just down load magnum cases to a nice low powered .44 Magnum loading.

Personally I would like a shorter barreled 629 3" that would be ported like the Taurus 44C is.  If you want a 5 shot then the Taurus 44C is a nice packable snub nose and really is not a bad little revolver.  I do not know about Taurus customer service issues as I have never had any, but I do prefer an American made firearm and that is why I came back full circle to Smith & Wesson.

Get one of the others and your milage may vary.

JMHO

[bearmgc]

$800 for a New Ruger Alaskan?! Oh no, no. I bought my Alaskan 44mag online, lightly used, at a forum from a guy who simply became disenchanted with it. $535 shipped, and he let me make 2 payments in 2 weeks, cause I didn't have it all up front. I hunt in Grizz country, so its comfortably on my belt in a Simply Rugged holster, which WAS INCLUDED, WOW! I can shoot Win Partition Golds into a small pie plate offhand, pretty good for a medium framed 57yr old gal. Gonna try the Fed Castcore next, just bought a box. Honey shop the Forums. I saw 2 Alaskans lately go for $600 shipped. I sure do like those SW's too. I have a SW Mountain gun in 41Mag that I traded for at a gunshow, new,  took an 11-87LH and $150. I was happy. But you don't have to buy new. Some folks buy new, then learn 44mag is too much recoil, and they may sell or trade cheap.

[Messer]

Keep an eye out at the local shops, good ones show up from time to time. I just picked this one up last week - S&W 24-3 3" Lew Horton limited edition, for $425.00



With the economy being nervous right now, a few folks are putting stuff up for sale while others have the money to buy them.

Take care,
Bob S.

[Lloyd Smale]

you stole that one!

Keep an eye out at the local shops, good ones show up from time to time. I just picked this one up last week - S&W 24-3 3" Lew Horton limited edition, for $425.00



With the economy being nervous right now, a few folks are putting stuff up for sale while others have the money to buy them.

Take care,
Bob S.

[dogsoldier0513]

It's a decent compromise between weight and durability.

Here's a typical 15 yd SA group with a mid-range handload...



This one is a first-generation CA .44. Double action trigger-pull is very smooth. SA trigger breaks at about 3 lbs.

Skillet

Not meaning to be picky, but that's a pic of a 2nd Generation Charter Arms .44 Spl. Bulldog.  The 1st Generation Bulldogs DID NOT have shrouded ejector rods.

[kiddekop]

Im looking for a Big Bore snubby revolver, any suggestions would be appreciated.  Its been awhile since I toyed with revolvers.  I try to keep the magazine publishers in business but I may be a little out of date on revolvers.  Also I live in The PEOPLE's REPUBLIK of MARYLAND, so any NEW gun has to have a fired shell casing; but used guns are exempted, (go figure?).

Honestly this wont be shot or carried alot, I just WANT it!  It all started when I lost a deal on a Webley Bulldog and now Im suffering from the loss.  I looked at the Ruger Alaskans in 454 and 44 magnum.  I may still go that way but Im thinking that I should atleast investigate other options before I spend $800.oo on the Alaskan.

If I wanted a 4 or 6 inch barrel, I could have my pick; but I want to keep it around 2-3inches.  Given a choice Id pick a 6 shot over 5; but I wont rule out a 5 shot.  If possible Id like blue over stainless because I like wood in my hand.  My initial thought was a Charter 44 Bulldog but it would have to be used since they wont provide a casing.  I know the Charter is only 5 shots but the price is much nicer than the Alaskan.

Im willing to consider other calibers; but Id really like 40 caliber or larger, 45acp or 40 S&W would be great, 44 is acceptable.  Im not looking to stop pacyderms.  Most of my shooting will be dry fireing, followed by parper targets.  Any shots on Dangerous Game is likely to be two legged types; but this wont be a carry gun as Im limited to DA autos for that.

Any suggestions?

In 1976 I purchased a bicentennial SS 357mag 4" Ruger Security Six with adj sights that was a great shooting and carry weapon but  a club member wanted to trade so I agreed getting a 30-06 Ruger #1 which I traded for something else I can't remember. I'm still sorry I traded it off.  I purchased a Rossi Model 88 SS 38spec 2" 5 shot (no +P's) that came with rubber grips it's not a big bore but for a 2" bellygun it's really accurate,a friend has one and his remarks duplicate mine on handling & accuracy,these are discontinued models.