.44 Magnum revolvers - which one?

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Looking at two used .44 mag revolvers. Which one to choose?

a) S&W 629-5, 6.5" SS BBL, original wood grips, pre-lock, asking price is $750

b) Ruger Super Blackhawk, 7.5" SS BBL, F.O. sights & leather holster, asking $625

Comments? Preferences?

a) Which one is the better deal?
b) Which one is the better gun?

1) have not looked at either yet in person, so assume same condition
2) This will be a range gun (not self defense)
3) Almost certain I can shoot .44 special cartridges, can the brain trust confirm? (indoor range rules prohibit magnum rounds).
4) Would it be possible to add scope/optics in the future?, and if yes, what would that entail?

Looking forward to your replies :)
 
3) - Yes, you can shoot .44 Special in .44 Mag revolvers.

I have never handled a S&W 629, all of the older S&W revolvers I have shot have left me with good impressions. I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 7.5" Barrel, I like it a LOT, the only change I made was to put Hogue grips on it.
 
pre-lock 629 sounds nice. I have the Stealth Hunter and love it. the SBH is single action no? for that reason and the prelock of the two I'd go 629. I don't know used revolvers too well though so this is just IMHO.
 
I've been kicking around the thought of buying a 44 mag. With all the reading I've done and talking with a few guys that handload 44 Magnum I've set my sights on a Blackhawk. I know it's single action.....but my primary use for it will be a range gun or maybe hunting someday. If your into single action revolvers the Blackhawks are very good! Ruger has the market cornered on big single action whell guns for a reason.

If your desire is double action Imo you'd be good with a 629 or a Redhawk.

That being said I think the prices are a bit high on the ones you've listed. I've seen Blackhawks for under $500 recently. Kittery had one in decent shape for $475 a few months ago and I'm kicking myself in the ass for not buying it.
 
I have a couple of them. I also have a hatred for the S&W locks. The 629 is great, beware that the 4" with full magnum loads is a lot to handle. I have the stealth hunter. I also have a super blackhawk which is a beast. It is tougher than the 629 but that only matters if you plan to shoot stupid hot reloads which I like to do. Both are good guns.
 
Not that it is on your list, but I have a 5.5” Redhawk, late 80s, that I absolutely love. Found it used for 350 in a shop, just a small ding in the handle. Very happy with the barrel length.

Keep in mind that 44 special can be hard to find and is often just as much as magnum. If I end up reloading then 44 special makes a heck of a lot of sense.
 
Hope you're reloading. Spl and Mag are pricey. I have a 629 4" and a Redhawk, maybe 6.5". Both great. Ruger has less recoil and is just built stronger. Smith has a nicer trigger, came with target grips and rubber.
 
I have both a 29 and 629. No locks on either. The 29 is a 6" Dirty Harry with orange sights. The 629 has an 8 3/8" barrel that gets lots of attention when fired at the range.

I made my own loads and as the movie line goes, "Think ya used enough dynamite there, Butch?". You only lose feeling in the shooting hand for a few days, a week at most... :)

Love .44 Mag!!!
 
I have both a 29 and 629. No locks on either. The 29 is a 6" Dirty Harry with orange sights. The 629 has an 8 3/8" barrel that gets lots of attention when fired at the range.

I made my own loads and as the movie line goes, "Think ya used enough dynamite there, Butch?". You only lose feeling in the shooting hand for a few days, a week at most... :)

Love .44 Mag!!!

Lol,
I often feel mentally numb after reading the news so ... this just fits ;)
 
you ain't gonna mount no scope on a super Blackhawk unless you blast. super blackhawk hunter comes with ring attach points already, and the rings come in the box I think. same with a redhawk. the super redhawk comes scope ready also. I own a 6 1/2" retired 29, 3" talo 629, 7 1/2" super Blackhawk, and a 7 1/2" redhawk. pound for pound the rugers are the strongest. my favorite is the redhawk d/a revolver. big, heavy...a damn tank.

doesn't carl at 4 seasons sell used super blackhawks for around 550? hell, people buy 'em and no one shoots them. all the used ones I see are cherry. I picked up a used redhawk from carl a while back for about that. and it came with extra front sights including fiber optics, box, factory papers and....8 boxes of ammo of various manufacture from blazer up to 300 gr buffalo bore, with 3 rounds missing from the blazer, the rest full. [laugh]

I wish someone would out the guy selling redhawks for 350 bucks. I want to shop there!
 
I would go S&W myself. I like single actions but I prefer the classic lines of the fixed sights.
It’s all about preference aesthetically I think. Other than the obvious single vs double action swing out cylinder vs loading gate deal.
 
The $350 Redhawk was probably around 10 years ago at the Bullet Hole in NJ. I wanted one for a long time, and couldn't believe the price when I saw it in the case. It was dirty as hell, had a small ding at the bottom side of the handle, and a significant ding in the front site. Someone one a Ruger forum mailed me a bright orange front site for nothing. It cleaned up really well. And I fixed some light primer strikes by putting factory springs back in (sent free from Ruger). Probably my favorite handgun I have.
 
Ruger Super BH is SAO. Keep that in mind.

I have one and love it but have to load one round at a time
 
Here ya' go! Mark at Shooting Supply in Westport is having a Father's day sale. I might snag that Blackhawk if you don't hurry.

$461.09 RUGER SUPER BLACKHAWK 44 MAG 7.5" BARREL
$627.83 S&W 629-5 44 MAG 6" NO LOCK


USED GUN SALE NOW TILL 6-23-18
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10% PLUS 3% CASH CHECK DEBIT DISCOUNT PRICE SHOWN

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$217.49 WINCHESER 1200 12 GA N.W.T.F. 28"
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$434.99 WINCHESTER 1903 22 AUTO CALIBER 20"
$108.75 WINCHESTER 67 22 SHORT
$139.19 WINCHESTER 67 22 27" BLUED
$448.44 WINCHESTER 75 22 LR 28"
$861.29 WINCHESTER 9422M 22 WMR 20" W/SCOPE
 
My super redhawk with 300 gn JSP and and 18 gn of H110 stops pigs dead. After 6 or so shots, I'll switch over to a rifle because fudge my wrist hurts but it is fun!
 
not even close. 629 all day long. if you want nuclear 44 mag loads just go up to a 454. as much as I detest S&W as a company I'm a 629 fanatic.
 
+1 to a 629. I just went through the same debacle- 629, or Super Redhawk last November. I settled for a classic with the 5" full underlug. Zero regrets. At least in my opinion, the trigger on the 629 is worth the extra bump in price over the Ruger. Maybe it's just me, but based on prices I've seen, the S&Ws seem to hold their value a little better too.

I mean, you could always get both? It is the best way to decide which you like better!
I'll probably end up with a Ruger too, soon enough. Because why not?
 
I had a full underlug s@w in a 6” .44. One that I really regret selling.

I would opt for the smith. IMO they just tend to be all around nicer and the triggers far better than the Rugers.
6” is great on specials. It’s a shoot it all day gun.
 
I had a 629 w/a 8-3/8 and sold it because I prefer blue

I have an old 29 w/a 8-3/8. I also have a SBH with I think a 10" that was reworked with a very nice trigger that I was given as a gift.

I prefer the S&W.
 
The only downside to the SBH is that dragoon trigger guard.

Sure it looks cool and must have some significance in design, but one bad grip and your knuckle gets beat up or hamburgered.

The Hogue grip fixes it, but better to learn how to grip it properly, though a painful learning curve.
 
I have the new model super black hunter 44 mag....most awesome revolver I have ever shot...ever...ever....aside from my Ruger Alaskam 44 mag....
 
[QUOTE="Asaltweapon, po]
I also have a SBH with I think a 10" that was reworked with a very nice trigger that I was given as a gift.

I prefer the S&W.[/QUOTE]
Somebody put a reel on it and gave the gift of a fly rod?

Nice of them..
 
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