.44 mag handguns seem to be a rarity in my area

Jason_W · Post by **Jason_W** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:32 am

I've been hoping to find a used but not abused blackhawk in .44 mag, but my gun shop searches have been fruitless. There are usually plenty of .357 mags in the display case, but then there is gap with the newfangled .500 magnum hand cannons being abundant.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:47 am

Most Guys don't like to give them up. Seems like when I see a used one they're priced so high that you might be better off buying a new one. I managed to bag an OM SuperBH at a show cheap. Got lucky. It was pretty worn and he didn't know what he had.

I've had several 357s but I keep trading them off. The 44 & 45 are keepers!

Betting once you land one you'll have it for a good long time

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:54 am

I recommend shooting a 44 a bunch on more than one occasion before buying one.
Many people find they are done for the day after two cylinders fired.

Jason_W · Post by **Jason_W** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:55 am

The Ruger 4" bbl redhawks looks real nice. I think I'll avoid Taurus, though.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:11 am

You should have gone to the Manchester, NH gun show last weekend - there were several available, at decent prices.

Here's the next shows in VT/NH - I can vouch for the Concord show as being one of the better New England shows.

Feb 9-10 VT Bennington, National Guard Armory
February 23 - 24, 2008 West Lebanon, NH (Fireside Inn)
Feb.23-24 VT White River Jct- (American Legion #26)
Mar 29-30 VT Rutland - (Rutland Armory )
April 12 - 13, 2008 Concord, NH (Everett Ice Arena)
Apr 26-27 VT Brattleboro- ( Memorial Park Arena )
August 30 - 31, 2008 Concord, NH (Everett Ice Arena)
October 11 - 12, 2008 Manchester, NH (Radisson Hotel)

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:27 am

Tycer wrote:I recommend shooting a 44 a bunch on more than one occasion before buying one.
Many people find they are done for the day after two cylinders fired.

+1

Back after "Dirty Harry" came out, there was a run on S&W Model 29's. Many bought them - for small fortunes - only to realize they couldn't handle the recoil. Some sold a few years later, but a lot got tucked in the back of safes, with little to no use. Given the time between now and then, hopefully these little-used safe queens will turn up soon.

The Rugers, on the other hand, tended to be bought and used heavily by those in the know - IMHO. These folks rarely let them go - so finding one is a treasure in and of itself.

Good luck!

Jason_W · Post by **Jason_W** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:40 am

Pete44ru wrote:You should have gone to the Manchester, NH gun show last weekend - there were several available, at decent prices.

Here's the next shows in VT/NH - I can vouch for the Concord show as being one of the better New England shows.

Feb 9-10 VT Bennington, National Guard Armory
February 23 - 24, 2008 West Lebanon, NH (Fireside Inn)
Feb.23-24 VT White River Jct- (American Legion #26)
Mar 29-30 VT Rutland - (Rutland Armory )
April 12 - 13, 2008 Concord, NH (Everett Ice Arena)
Apr 26-27 VT Brattleboro- ( Memorial Park Arena )
August 30 - 31, 2008 Concord, NH (Everett Ice Arena)
October 11 - 12, 2008 Manchester, NH (Radisson Hotel)

I went to the Barre, VT show last year and that was a complete zoo. There's wasn't enough room to even look at anything.

Jason_W · Post by **Jason_W** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:41 am

Ysabel Kid wrote:
Tycer wrote:I recommend shooting a 44 a bunch on more than one occasion before buying one.
Many people find they are done for the day after two cylinders fired.
+1

Back after "Dirty Harry" came out, there was a run on S&W Model 29's. Many bought them - for small fortunes - only to realize they couldn't handle the recoil. Some sold a few years later, but a lot got tucked in the back of safes, with little to no use. Given the time between now and then, hopefully these little-used safe queens will turn up soon.

The Rugers, on the other hand, tended to be bought and used heavily by those in the know - IMHO. These folks rarely let them go - so finding one is a treasure in and of itself.

Good luck!

Dirty Harry didn't even fire full mags from his gun. In the second film in the series he states he fire's a "light special" load.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:45 am

That's how I got my Model 29. My Uncle bought it after the movie came out, though it's got a 8 3/8" barrel. Four and six inchers were really hard to come by.

Anyway oneday he pulls out this mahogany case and shows it to me knowing I was really into N frames and 44's and says he's thinking about selling it. Has only ever put half a box of shells through it!!

I told him to let me know what he wanted for it when he decided. About a week later he asked if I'd stop by and pick up a small fridge that needed to go to my Grandmother's w/ my truck. Thought it was odd since he has a bunch of trucks for his business. Got there, nobody home. Let myself into the garage and saw the S&W case on top of the fridge. Little note said " Thanks and have fun". Called him later that day to say thank you. All he said was Just don't sell it!

Sell it? Not a chance! One of the coolest things anyone has ever given me!!

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:38 pm

Ysabel Kid wrote:
Tycer wrote:I recommend shooting a 44 a bunch on more than one occasion before buying one.
Many people find they are done for the day after two cylinders fired.
+1

Back after "Dirty Harry" came out, there was a run on S&W Model 29's. Many bought them - for small fortunes - only to realize they couldn't handle the recoil. Some sold a few years later, but a lot got tucked in the back of safes, with little to no use. Given the time between now and then, hopefully these little-used safe queens will turn up soon.

The Rugers, on the other hand, tended to be bought and used heavily by those in the know - IMHO. These folks rarely let them go - so finding one is a treasure in and of itself.

THE THING I LIKE ABOUT 44 MAG IS YOU CAN LOAD YOUR ROUND
VERY LIGHT, LIKE A 44 SPECIAL OR 357 ..
AND WITH A MODEL 629 CLASSIC WITH 6" BARREL AND HOGUE GRIPS...ITS FUN TO SHOOT..
I HAD A SUPER BLACKHAWK BUT I TRADED IT FOR THE 629.
THE WOOD GRIPS ON THE BLACKHAWK WERE KILLING MY HANDS
AND THE PACMEYERS LOOKED BAD ON IT....
TRY A GUN SHOW....YOU MIGHT GET LUCKY THERE...
OR CHECK OUT THE GUN AUCTIONS ON THE NET...

Good luck!

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:15 pm

Jason_W wrote: I think I'll avoid Taurus, though.

I bought my Taurus model 44 SS 6.5" ported barrel back 10 years ago, this was right before they started putting their keyed hammer lock on all their guns. I don't know about the newer ones but i'm 110% happy with my Taurus.

Jason_W · Post by **Jason_W** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:17 pm

GANJIRO wrote:
Jason_W wrote: I think I'll avoid Taurus, though.
I bought my Taurus model 44 SS 6.5" ported barrel back 10 years ago, this was right before they started putting their keyed hammer lock on all their guns. I don't know about the newer ones but i'm 110% happy with my Taurus.

I've just read a lot of less than great reviews of them on various forums as opposed to almost none for Ruger.

I'm sure Taurus is a decent make, but I have a good track record with Rugers.

Bullet Bob · Post by **Bullet Bob** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:46 pm

"I've been hoping to find a used but not abused blackhawk in .44 mag, but my gun shop searches have been fruitless"
_________________________________________________

Really? .44's seemed to be multiplying like rabbits at my house.

MikeS. · Post by **MikeS.** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:50 pm

I bought my 1st .44mag back in October from a friend. A 629 with 6" barrel. I paid 500 for it, seems like a very sweet deal. Although it forced me to buy a SS levergun in .44mag.

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:31 pm

Down here in Florida, they're pretty bundant and fairly cheap.

There's a 7.5" one listed right now for $275 as well as a Marlin 1894 for $350

http://floridashootersnetwork.com/phpbb ... 61674bfb2a

I usually see them on other gunboards for around $300-$350.

Dang sure beats driving around town looking for one.

WinM71 · Post by **WinM71** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:39 pm

I have a stainless Redhawk .44 with the 7-1/2" bbl. What a sweet shooter with the big oversize Pachmayr (sp?) grips. Not unpleasant at all.

gon2shoot · Post by **gon2shoot** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:57 pm

The last SBH I picked up was $325, showed a lot of carry miles but not much shootin.
You might check Buds gun shop online, they have fair prices at times.

cutter · Post by **cutter** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:13 pm

Maybe it's just me, but I don't understand the references to excesive recoil. The 44 mag with most factory loads, in my and many others opinions, recoils less than a .380 .

I remember when I got my first 45 1911. I thought," this is gonna hurt..." Then when I fired it for the first time, I tought," That's it?". Same with the 44 mag.

Yes, the guns do 'roll' in your hand, but it isn't punishing. Not like the snappy blowback action sub caliber pistols. I think most of the '44 arm crushing recoil myth' comes from persons buying the wrong first handgun, combined with the expense of factory ammo.

Plus, ammunition af any power level is easily purchased. Taurus may have lousey customer service, but they do make a fine and affordable pistol. In fact, my favorite feature of the Taurus, is the LOW resale value! What else can you find in a 10 inch 44 mag, for under 300$ on the used shelf?

SmokeEater2 · Post by **SmokeEater2** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:23 pm

Jason_W wrote:I've been hoping to find a used but not abused blackhawk in .44 mag, but my gun shop searches have been fruitless. There are usually plenty of .357 mags in the display case, but then there is gap with the newfangled .500 magnum hand cannons being abundant.

Jason, several years ago I was having the same luck finding a SBH. I put a wanted to buy ad in the local newspaper and got 17 calls!

A lot of the guys that called said they had them for several years but had fired them very little but hadn't thought about selling them until they read my ad.
I was able to pick and choose and in the end I bought a barely used SBH with the 7 1/2 in. bbl with holster and 37 rounds of Remington ammo for $175.00. I think I got a good deal. You might give a newspaper ad a try.

Good Luck !

.44 mag handguns seem to be a rarity in my area

.44 mag handguns seem to be a rarity in my area

Re: .44 mag handguns seem to be a rarity in my area