44 Mag Revolver Buffs, Need Your Help

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  • MDHunter

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 12, 2007
    1,207
    Free America
    Looking to pick up a .44 Magnum revolver that would be used strictly as a bear defense weapon - I hunt moose/caribou in remote Alaska, and we see grizzlies every year. I’ve attached a photo of the big guy we ran off the ridge where we were camped in 2017 – wish I could have shot him, but non-res can’t hunt AK grizzlies without a guide. ☹

    I want a revolver because they’re simplest and they always go BANG when you pull the trigger. Not gonna use it for hunting, so want a barrel length of 4-5” which (to my untrained mind) should be easier to unholster than a 6-7” barrel. Plan to carry it in a chest or hip rig, and wear it always in remote camp (we’ve had grizz as close as 30 yards from the tent in past years).

    I’m looking at the S&W 629 with a 5” barrel, and the Ruger Redhawk Model 5044 with a 4.2” barrel. Anyone have experience with these revolvers, and care to share any pros/cons from your perspective? Thanks in advance for any thoughts or input you can share.

    2017 Grizzly

    6Gtvfy.jpg
     

    MeatGrinder

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 27, 2013
    2,379
    MoCo, Eastern edge
    The only bear that I have ever killed with a handgun was a black bear in Maine with a Super Redhawk in 44 magnum. As I recall, one needed to use a hard cast bullet instead of expanding so as to maximize penetration. The scope on it and the longer barrel would make it terrible for quick deployment. But, it did get the job done. Obviously, you want stainless steel. From my experience, I'd vote for your choice of the Ruger with the shorter barrel. I had a chest rig for mine because of it's size, but thought it was awkward.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,881
    I've had a 5in M629 ( full lug) , and an identical replacement , love them . Never handled a Canadian spec Redhawk , but like the 5.5in .
     

    MDHunter

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 12, 2007
    1,207
    Free America
    Curious, why not a 500 S&W? I'd want the biggest thing I could get against that big guy

    I have seen guys at Hap Baker with a 500 S&W - it didn't look like something I could deploy quickly, with one hand, if I needed to. The revolver will only be used if there isn't time to deploy my .338 WinMag. With a lot of practice, I think I could unholster and shoot the .44 mag with a 4-5" barrel with one hand, if I had to. HOPING I never have to...
     

    MDHunter

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 12, 2007
    1,207
    Free America
    The only bear that I have ever killed with a handgun was a black bear in Maine with a Super Redhawk in 44 magnum. As I recall, one needed to use a hard cast bullet instead of expanding so as to maximize penetration. The scope on it and the longer barrel would make it terrible for quick deployment. But, it did get the job done. Obviously, you want stainless steel. From my experience, I'd vote for your choice of the Ruger with the shorter barrel. I had a chest rig for mine because of it's size, but thought it was awkward.

    Thanks Meat. No scope for me, a defense weapon in close quarters only. I am hoping I can find a chest rig that works well - in AK we are hiking with backpacks most of the time, not sure how a hip rig will fit yet...
     

    MeatGrinder

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 27, 2013
    2,379
    MoCo, Eastern edge
    Thanks Meat. No scope for me, a defense weapon in close quarters only. I am hoping I can find a chest rig that works well - in AK we are hiking with backpacks most of the time, not sure how a hip rig will fit yet...

    Yes, I realize you are asking grizzly and I'm responding black bear. But, I did actually kill one. To be honest, I'm sceptical about a chest rig, but if you try out several and do the experiment, maybe it would work for you. Ammo choice is a big deal. And don't forget, practice, practice, practice.
     

    pop-gunner

    Ultimate Member
    May 8, 2008
    2,270
    I have shot a bunch of .44s over the years, and still own 4 I can think of now.
    That said, given the choices you presented I would go with the Ruger.
    They simply make a stronger gun in .44.

    If I were going into grizzly country I would have a S&W .460 loaded with a hard cast .454, or .460 depending on which I could shoot the best at speed.
     

    lowoncash

    Baned
    Jan 4, 2010
    3,447
    Calvert county
    I had a chance to shoot a S&W, Ruger and a Taurus all in one day at the range. All three felt very different. Side note; the Taurus was ported. Suggest you shoot different brands if you can. I agree with the comment about stainless steel. It boils down to which one you shoot best and draw best.

    I also agree with the above comments about the .460. That would be my choice.
     

    Tracker

    Active Member
    Aug 21, 2011
    587
    Anne Arundel County
    For something as big as a grizzly a 629 mountain gun would be the min I would choose. The 460 sounds like a good option because you can shoot 45lc, 454casull or 460 out of it. Also the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in 454 will also shoot 45lc. Whichever one I would surely want it to be a double action. I love my SA big bores but not in a panic situation like a 800+ lb bear charging me :eek:
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I carry a Taurus Tracker in .44 Mag for the same reasons. I have practiced much with it and can put five rounds of hot 240 or 300 gr ammo into a 4 inch group at 25 yards double action pretty quick. Whatever you get, I would put a fiber optic on the front and practice, practice, practice to get used to the recoil. Also put Hogue grips on it for better control if it doesn't come with them.
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,667
    Not Far Enough from the City
    Me, if I was going to spend considerable time in that country, I think I’d look at Ruger’s Super Redhawk #5517. It’s a 5 inch tube chambered in 454 Casull. Good trade off barrel length I think versus alternative lengths, if the balance is right.

    Now I’m not sure how well I’d shoot the .454. I don’t currently own one. Lots of guys shoot the larger big bores. Fewer guys shoot them well. But if I found that I could shoot the Casull well, that’s great because more is better if delivered well, and what I really would want right about then is a damned good 12ga. That said, if I couldn’t shoot Casull as well as I’d like, I’d tone it down a bit and stuff it full of Buffalo Bore .45 Colt. Now I’m back on familiar ground. And I’m right there or better with a .44 mag alternative. Just spitballing here and thinking out loud.
     

    dink

    Member
    Mar 30, 2014
    63
    Hands down Ruger for the revolver. You'll find many of the loads you look at will exclude S&W from usage. Another thought for you....consider 45 colt... 44mag gets all the press, but hot 45 colt +P is arguably even more potent with max loadings, since you can go with heavier bullets = higher sectional density = greater penetration. For slow (under 1700fps or so) bullets, heavier and wide meplat is best. Muzzle blast is actually a bit less, as it's a lower pressure load. Check out 360gr hardcast Doubletap loads, Buffalo Bore, Grizzly... You'll be impressed. As far as platform goes, Ruger makes a 4" Redhawk that shoots both 45LC and 45ACP (with moon clips) so you can get cheap (and mild) practice in.
     

    outrider58

    Eats Bacon Raw
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 29, 2014
    49,818
    I carry a 629 Classic 6" in Ak.

    And if you ever have to use it on a bear in self defense, you'd better have claw marks in your azz, or they sling your butt.
     

    teratos

    My hair is amazing
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Jan 22, 2009
    59,775
    Bel Air
    I use a S&W 329 PD. It is VERY light coming in at a little over 25 ounces.
     

    Sundazes

    My brain hurts
    MDS Supporter
    Nov 13, 2006
    21,301
    Arkham
    One thing you may want to take into consideration is ammo availability where you are going. You may not be able to find some of less common ones there. Yea, I know you will take your own, but $shit happens. I would want to make damn sure that I could get more if needed.
     

    DutchV

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 8, 2012
    4,703
    I use a S&W 329 PD. It is VERY light coming in at a little over 25 ounces.

    Hadn't seen that model. That's about half the weight of a Blackhawk. Is recoil as unpleasant as I suspect it would be?
     

    Petar

    Member
    Nov 18, 2010
    532
    Shotgun with slugs or Marlin 1895 with 500+ grain bullet for some stopping power. For a last ditch effort, Ruger Alaskan in .454 with Garrett Hammerhead ammo
     

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