44 magnum

[ultra12]

I am considering S&W N frame revolver as my first gun. I am new to hand guns and most of my experience is hunting and at the range with long guns bolt , lever and pump. I started to look into .44 mag. With so many versions of model 29 I hope some one can give me a quick rundown of the differences starting with the original .44 pre model 29 to the latest 29-10. Any info would be appreciated.

[Triplelock]

If your new to handguns jumping in to a 44 magnum is a quantum leap. Even to experienced handgunners their first attempts with a 44 magnum can be quite intimidating. Learning a smooth trigger squeeze while maintaing sight alinement with a handgun is best learned with a mild recoil and muzzleblast handgun caliber. . . But you asked, stay away from short barrels and light weight models. I'd suggest a stainless steel 44 mag with a full length barrel underlug, and I'd start out with 44 special factory ammo. . .You'd probably be better served if you started with a K-22 and got the fundamentals squarred away before going to a heavy recoiling magnum revolver.

HANK

[Donaldjr1969]

Ultra, first off... Welcome to the forum!

If I may ask, while you say that the M29 is on your list to be your first gun, have you been shooting beforehand. If you do not have much experience shooting handguns, I am going to recommend you reconsider a 44Mag for your first. I am not thinking about the recoil. You may very well have strong wrists and be able to handle it. If your handgunning skills are minimal, the biggest drawback to a 44Mag is cost of ammunition! At 35-40 dollars for a box of 50, how can you afford to shoot the thing unless you have a money tree?

If your handgunning skills are minimal, I am going to recommend you purchase either a 22lr handgun (autoloader or revolver) or, if you must have centerfire, a 9mm. 9mm is still somewhat cheap at 10-12 dollars per 50. FOr revolvers, get a mid-frame 257 and shoot 38Specials through it. But still, I strongly recommend a 22lr handgun for learning. A M617 would be a good choice in a revolver or a 22A for a bottom-feeder. Then you can afford to shoot it. Best thing is that everything you learn with a 22 WILL pass over into a big bore such as grip, trigger release technique, etc. Then you will be very accurate with you do get your M29.

Of course, if you already have plenty of handgun experience and are already an accurate shot, go for the M29. But if you are new, the cost of 44Mag ammo will put you off to regular practice in no time.

[grasshopper]

if your new to handguns jumping in to a 44 magnum is a quantum leap. Even to experienced handgunners their first attempts with a 44 magnum can be quite intimidating. Learning a smooth trigger squeeze while maintaing sight alinement with a handgun is best learned with a mild recoil and muzzleblast handgun caliber. . . But you asked, stay away from short barrels and light weight models. I'd suggest a stainless steel 44 mag with a full length barrel underlug, and i'd start out with 44 special factory ammo. . .you'd probably be better served if you started with a k-22 and got the fundamentals squarred away before going to a heavy recoiling magnum revolver.

Hank

ditto!

[ultra12]

Thank you guys for quick replies. I do have hand gun experience and I am a decent shot. Perhaps I should have mentioned that I live in NYC and we don't have the luxury to buy what ever guns and how ever many we want. Eventually I will have the guns that I want but for now I want my first gun to be jack of all trades. I am looking for a back up while hunting, home defence range time. I started looking at colt python 6 inch. I was suggested by one of the members at Colt forum to look at S&W .44. I do like. I do like shooting big guns and enjoyed shooting my friends S&W 500 more than a 9mm. .44 with 8inch was always on my list of guns to have especially after reading " unintentional consequences ". When I started looking in to them there were a lot of diff models from pre 29 to 29-10. Forums are the best place to get reviews and info so that's why I joined this forum and posted a question. Thank you guys again for your replies.

PS. And thank you I am glad to be a part of this online community.

[ultra12]

Also I will be reloading since the cost my rifle ammo is starting to add up

[cush619]

Reloading will really pay off for you both in reduced ammo costs and the opportunity to load milder .44 loads to practice with. I reload for my rifles and my handguns. I recommend a dedicated loading machine for your primary handgun caliber- I like Dillon's Square Deal- and a good "C" type press and dies for your various rifle calibers.

[ultra12]

I am looking for Dillion 550 for both hand gun and rifle reloading

[rjgnwdc]

My first revolver was a .44mag I went with model 629 5" barrel with full lug I do not regret it a bit I love this beast.

[Donaldjr1969]

Also I will be reloading since the cost my rifle ammo is starting to add up

Good call there. I never would have purchased my 44Mag when I did had I not planned to reload. Same with the M500 I bought a few weeks ago.

Which 550 are you looking at? The RL 550 or the BL 550?