Ruger GP100 or SP101 in 44 mag

Slackdaddy · Dec 28, 2021

I love the feel of the GP100 and SP101.
But I am in the market for a 44 mag carbine for SWC deer hunting in MD.
Also starting to spend some time in the Rockies,, Lion and Bears.

The 357 falls short on energy for deer hunting, and last ditch bear control.
(I know there is 1 or 2 357 loads that just barely make the legal energy for deer hunting, but not interested.)

I hate the Redhawk, Blackhawk frames/grips.

So what are my options for a 3.5 - 5" barreled modern 44 mag revolver ?

Slackdaddy · Dec 28, 2021

Ok,
Now I am seeing some more "modern" Super Redhawks,,,

joppaj · Dec 28, 2021

The Redhawks are so damn ugly. That bizarre barrel looks like they just soldered an extension onto an Alaskan.

Reloader · Dec 28, 2021

Although it's not common, don't leave out the 41 magnum as an option. I've been a fan after picking up a revolver chambered in it years ago and since added a Henry lever carbine in the same caliber. Being .410 in diameter compared to. 429 for the 44, there's not much difference.

balext · Dec 28, 2021

There is always the S&W Model 29 or 629.

DutchV · Dec 28, 2021

Taurus has a .44 Mag Tracker.

E.Shell · Dec 28, 2021

There is 4-1/4" S&W .44 and a 4" Taurus .454 in the classifieds:
https://www.mdshooters.com/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=45165

[Kev308] · Dec 28, 2021

If you will be handgun hunting in MD the barrel has to be 6". If I misunderstood the post, then disregard.

EDIT: (If it is just a sidearm for out of state predator protection)

Biggfoot44 · Dec 28, 2021

Bisley ?

Uncle Duke · Dec 28, 2021

There are lightweight 44 magnum revolvers on the market made within your mentioned barrel length specs. The performance center scandium SW Model 329 and the 5 shot SW Model 69 would be 2 examples.

There's an old adage that says that the gun you want to carry, you might not want to shoot, and vice versa. Tradeoffs....

Both of the above models fit this adage to a tee IMO. Many a man has bought a gun that they'll never ever shoot well.
Reason being, mainly because they find that they absolutely and positively hate shooting it.

Not saying that would be you, with either of these models or similar. Am saying that it may be a thought you may wish to consider. Better yet, if you can get your mitts on one of this breed of magnum lightweights, and if considering such, you can know before you go.

Caveat emptor....

308Scout · Dec 28, 2021

joppaj said:
The Redhawks are so damn ugly. That bizarre barrel looks like they just soldered an extension onto an Alaskan.

Assume you're referring to Super Redhawks. Standard Redhawks don't have the ridiculous barrel profile that you're referring to. Agree that those aren't exactly easy on the eyes.

joppaj · Dec 28, 2021

308Scout said:
Assume you're referring to Super Redhawks. Standard Redhawks don't have the ridiculous barrel profile that you're referring to. Agree that those aren't exactly easy on the eyes.

Good catch, yes.

308Scout · Dec 28, 2021

joppaj said:
Good catch, yes.

I can't unsee a Super RH without seeing exactly what you described now. It very much looks like they ran an additional barrel through an Alaskan. :lol2:

Trekker · Dec 28, 2021

Per the OP's thread title question-

I have no problem shooting 357s from my SP101, but am not too confident that I would enjoy shooting 44mag from my SP101. I would recommend the GP100 in that case.

308Scout · Dec 28, 2021

Slackdaddy said:
I love the feel of the GP100 and SP101.
But I am in the market for a 44 mag carbine for SWC deer hunting in MD.
Also starting to spend some time in the Rockies,, Lion and Bears.

The 357 falls short on energy for deer hunting, and last ditch bear control.
(I know there is 1 or 2 357 loads that just barely make the legal energy for deer hunting, but not interested.)

I hate the Redhawk, Blackhawk frames/grips.

So what are my options for a 3.5 - 5" barreled modern 44 mag revolver ?

I'd consider the S&W 460XVR given what you've described. They have a ~8" bbl version that would be GTG for MD deer. It's not .44mag specifically, but it has range in terms of what it shoots... can shoot .460 S&W Mag, .454 Casull, and .45 Colt. For MD deer, hot .45 Colt loads offer similar energy to .44 mag. 460 and 454 are better suited for larger game or predators out west.

Virgil Co.C · Dec 28, 2021

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I love my Super Redhawk and find it very attractive. Have Hogue grips and it’s long barrel , red dot on top. It is very accurate and to me very manageable. Put the red dot on versus a scope with the opinion if I had to ever target quickly I could do so which I feel I couldn’t do scoped.like I told my son ugly ones need love to and are usually better because no one wants them . Shoot one see what ya think . It is a very fine piece of work .

308Scout · Dec 28, 2021

Virgil Co.C said:
I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I love my Super Redhawk and find it very attractive. Have Hogue grips and it’s long barrel , red dot on top. It is very accurate and to me very manageable. Put the red dot on versus a scope with the opinion if I had to ever target quickly I could do so which I feel I couldn’t do scoped.like I told my son ugly ones need love to and are usually better because no one wants them . Shoot one see what ya think . It is a very fine piece of work .

From a purely functional perspective, a Super RH in .454 Casull is absolutely on my list to acquire if one crosses my path. Not "pretty" IMO, but damned if they aren't built to purpose and functional.

John from MD · Dec 28, 2021

DutchV said:
Taurus has a .44 Mag Tracker.

I carried one of these for some years in bear country. I practiced with the heavy stuff I carried like Grizzley and Buffalo bore. My Tracker never loosened up and was extremely accurate for a 4 inch barrel.

I had a chance to compare it to a S&W 69 and it did pretty well. It is a few ounces lighter than the Smith but it has a built in compensator which helps getting back on target. Being a S&W guy (I also had 29's and 629's), I didn't think the Model 69 was worth spending the extra $250 for.

You won't go wrong if you go with a Taurus .44 Mag Tracker.

Arcticwolf · Dec 28, 2021

Slackdaddy said:
I love the feel of the GP100 and SP101.
But I am in the market for a 44 mag carbine for SWC deer hunting in MD.
Also starting to spend some time in the Rockies,, Lion and Bears.

The 357 falls short on energy for deer hunting, and last ditch bear control.
(I know there is 1 or 2 357 loads that just barely make the legal energy for deer hunting, but not interested.)

I hate the Redhawk, Blackhawk frames/grips.

So what are my options for a 3.5 - 5" barreled modern 44 mag revolver ?

I'd go with the GP100. There are studies out there of people killing bear with 9mm in a self defense situation https://www.ammoland.com/2018/02/defense-against-bears-with-pistols-97-success-rate-37-incidents-by-caliber/#axzz7GOIv5B7l

I have an SP101 in .357, can imagine the hand cannon it would be in .44

Slackdaddy · Dec 28, 2021

Thanks for all the reply's.
I will be getting a Ruger 44 carbine , Ruger Deerfield 44 carbine, Ruger 96/44 carbine, or a pistol grip 44 lever carbine from Marlin or Henry - for deer hunting.

As I take more and more trips in the remote Rockies for fishing/hunting,, I wanted to get a matching 44 mag revolver.
Light would be good to carry, but hell to shoot.
Thinking something like a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan, or Taurus Tracker. This would be a last effort, point blank gun. In a chest holster to keep it out of the water.

Ruger GP100 or SP101 in 44 mag

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

My pronouns: Iva/Bigun

My pronouns: Iva/Bigun

Sheepdog

Ultimate Member

Active Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Sheepdog

Ultimate Member

Active Member

Ultimate Member

Active Member

Ultimate Member

American Patriot

Certified Brute

My pronouns: Iva/Bigun

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics