Big bore D/As

[walks with gun]

I know leverguns and single actions seem to go hand in hand but every once in awhile I like to carry my Smith m29 blued mountain gun, the little 44 is probably the most accurate sixgun I own and plenty easy to pack. Anyone else have a thing for big bore D/As.

[Rusty]

I had been looking for a Mtn gun in .44 mag to no avail when my wife bought me a 4" Redhawk. I love shooting it as the weight really tames the recoil but it's a bear to carry. I carry mine in a simply rugged holster but I have to wear construction grade suspenders to hold my pants up when I do.
I might still sneak a 629 into the fold some day if one turns up.

[AJMD429]

Every time I shoot my Redhawk, I think "this is my favorite big-bore handgun...!", but

Then when I shoot my Super Blackhawk, I think "this is my favorite big-bore handgun...!"

The fun part, is I get to keep repeating the test over and over...

[Sixgun]

I'd have to say its a close toss up between single actions and pre-war large frame 'Smiths and Colts for me. Triplelocks, New Services, 3rd and 4th hand ejectors, and post war N-frame 'Smiths are very cool.

Here's my sometimes carry gun, a fixed sight 2" 'Smith 629 "Tunnel Rat 44 mag. I load it with 200 grainers at 1,000----------Sixgun

[rjohns94]

I carried a 3 inch 629 trail boss for a good while until I sold it to a fellow levergunner. I have since gone to a Gary Reeder 4 inch SA. For many years, years ago, I chose a 5 1/2 inch ruger redhawk as my woods gun. Not so odd, all were in .44mag.

[Paladin]

I carried a S&W revolver for 15 years at work and when I got my 1st model 29 that was a special build for my military unit I got attached due to its accuracy. Then got a 3in 629 that I carried for a while in the woods on ATVs and when working Dope fields for the snake load capabilities and dog stopping protection. Traded for a 5 1/2 629 hunter and shot it a lot before getting a .44 AirLight PD that I carry a lot but don’t shoot much.

[jeepnik]

Best trigger on any of my handguns, including some that have hade work done on them, is this 1917 from the Brazilian contract. I don't know whether someone worked on it, or the decades of use just did it's magic.



I actually had someone once say it wasn't a "big" bore because it wasn't a magnum. Silly of me thinking that bore referred to the diameter of the hole in the barrel instead of the amount of powder loaded into the case.

[walks with gun]

Danged I really like those short Smiths, Dad had several 3" 44's but always seemd to trade them off, now he'd kinda like another one too.

[Dave]

I am a big fan of Smiths and I finally landed this 44. I wished for it a long time. It is very accurate. I don't like top 44 loads out of it though. I load a 240 gr SWC over 8 grains of Unique. It is probably doing 1000 fps. It is pretty powerful.

I carry this gun anytime I am in the woods either messing around, hunting small game, or fishing. It is one of the last guns I would part with.

[2ndovc]

I have a Model 29 with an 8 3/8" barrel that shoots tiny little groups and this
nifty 3" 629 that I got from rJohns a couple months ago pictured below my Model 66.


Also have a WWI Second Model Hand Ejector in .455 and Model 1917 in .45 ACP.
Both are excellent shooters.


jb

[Rusty]

Jeepnik,

When I had my FFL I sold 5 or 6 of those re-imported 1917's and kept one for myself for a while. They all had great actions. I think that was due to them being built in the 1930's when S&W quality was at a high point.

[jeepnik]

Jeepnik,

When I had my FFL I sold 5 or 6 of those re-imported 1917's and kept one for myself for a while. They all had great actions. I think that was due to them being built in the 1930's when S&W quality was at a high point.

You're likely right. All the wear on mine is holster wear, or bumps from floating around an armory for decades. No rust, and a bore that was spotless.

[Malamute]

I like the 4" 29's. I had a mountain gun for a while, but sold it, the difference in shooting with the lighter barrel was very noticable. It carried nicely, but the increased kick bothered me, I didn't care for the round butt grip frame either. Years later, I laid hands on a nice 24, which I like very much, and carry a fair bit when not in bear country, or in winter when they are supposed to be sleeping. I keep a few Keith loads in the belt for the 24. Don't shoot them much, but as Keith related, it shoots similar bullets at different volocities to the same point of aim.

I had a very nice, if refinished 1926 44 spl hand ejector. I traded it off. Side by side with the 24, I liked the 24 much better. Not as "cool", but has far better sights.

[Hobie]

No, I don't like 'em much. Only have three, er, ah, four... S&W M629 4", S&W 25-2 (Jovinoed) .45 ACP, a S&W M624 (.44 Special), and a Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag 4".

[madman4570]

It amazes me how the 629 even with a 6" barrel/dot scope, it packs so well(One with silver Ulta-Dot)

[blackhawk44]

Love my big bores. Right now I'm hoarding a S&W M24 3", M24 4", 1950 Target, 1915 HE and M29-3 4". I need them to counter my Webley MkIV, Colt 1909 and Redhawk.

[Ji in Hawaii]

I have been perfectly happy with my 6.5" barreled Taurus model 44 the past 12 years, reliable, accurate, and a joy to shoot with it's compensated barrel, and rubber grip design making full power loads very bearable.

[piller]

I don't pack it much, but my Blackhawk with the interchangeable cylinders, 4 5/8 inch barrel, and Hogue grip is a joy to shoot. I actually get better accuracy with .45 ACP in it. On the rare occasions that I carry a big handgun, that is the one I grab. I have a Ruper Redhawk in .480 and a scoped Super Blackhawk, and love both. I have carried the SBH on my cousin's land hunting for deer, and it was a great deer getter at about 85 yards the one time I got a chance to use it. But, for just carrying something for less than a bear and range of 50 yards or less, the Blackhawk with the .45ACP cylinder is a real joy. Yes, I know it is not a D/A, and the SRH is. The SRH has a 7.5 inch barrel, and I find that it sometimes gets in the way. As far as the accuracy and trigger pull, it is surprisingly good. Ruger has made a lot of improvements since they started the transfer bar, and I think they are getting back to having a trigger pull almost as good as before it. The holster is an Uncle Mike's nylon holster, and I use it on my belt. I don't carry more than 6 extra loads with it, but with .480, if I need more than 12 shots, I have really done something wrong.

[RIHMFIRE]

when hunting I carry a S&W 629 CLASSIC..
great grips...nice balance, very well made..
and i like the look of the full lug barrel

[Irelander]

My first wheel gun came to me only a few months ago. Some of you may remember my post asking for advice. I settled on the S&W 629 PC with a 2-5/8" barrel.



I really like it but I have not packed it yet except in a SafePacker holster from The Wilderness when hiking. I hated the grips that came on it so I got a set of Ahrends combat grips in Cordia and they fit me perfectly and look good too. I'd like to bob the hammer for DAO. I'm always on the lookout now for a good deal on a 3" 629 to feed this new passion for big bore D/As.

I'm enjoying the .44 caliber a lot. Just yesterday I picked up a Ruger Vaquero Sheriff model in 44SPL.

[JB]

I'll always own at least one S&W 629. They're my all time favorite handgun. I'm also a fan of the newest version of the Charter Arms 44 special Bulldog. It makes a great carry/truck gun.

[walks with gun]

I don't shoot too awful many factory full house loads through my mountain gun , mostly 8grs. unique with a Lee 214gr. swc.

[Irelander]

I don't shoot too awful many factory full house loads through my mountain gun , mostly 8grs. unique with a Lee 214gr. swc.

I'll second that. I load 8 gr. of TiteGroup under a 180gr Nosler JHP for most of my shooting. I need to invest in some hard cast lead bullets but I was given a bunch of JHPs. I keep fullhouse factory loads when I carry it for personal defense but for plinking I keep them light.

[Booger Bill]

Well, I guess so. These are all .44 specials. I have as many in .45 colts too.

[Pitchy]

Those short barrel 29`s are cool,

No we`re not getting the hacksaw out WWG`S, no no no

[JakeR]

Yep, I like the 4" .44

[Lastmohecken]

I have always liked the big M29's with 4 inch barrels, and currently have a stainless mountain gun and an older 4 Inch blued standard weight 29, I also have a 4-5/8 Ruger 44mag with a Blackhawk grip which I like on this gun, instead of the SuperBlackhawk grip.

I also have a pinned barrel model 25-2 in 45 ACP which I keep for a bed side gun with a few full moon clips.

[M. M. Wright]

I packed a 4" 629 for several years but I really like the 58, .41 Mag for an all-around carry gun. Guess that's not big bore, maybe medium bore? Let's see 190 Speer hollow point with XXgrains of WW296. Shoots lots flatter then the 44.

[damienph]

My 1937 Brazilian is my only big bore DA; three DA .357s and two SA .44 Magnums, one .357 SA and one .30 SA. I almost always shoot 255gr cast .45 Auto Rims through it. The 255gr bullet is actually intended for .45 Colt.



I would like to get a 4" blue model 29 some day.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

I'm a big fan of the Dan Wesson wheelguns. This is my favorite 44mag



I have been on the hunt for 3" barrel but I don't think they ever made one.

[Charles]

Although I have all kinds, I prefer DA Colt and Smith and Wesson handguns to either SA or Autopistols.

[Streetstar]

Double actions? You mean people still shoot those things? -- sheesh



none of these are true big bores though. --- my philosophy on big bores has usually been , "If i need something that big, i'll carry a carbine or shotgun "

[Streetstar]

I actually had someone once say it wasn't a "big" bore because it wasn't a magnum. Silly of me thinking that bore referred to the diameter of the hole in the barrel instead of the amount of powder loaded into the case.

I actually consider any N frame a "big bore" -- i may be wrong with that line of reasoning, but Winchester called their 307 model 94's Big bores too

[otteray]

Can't remember if I already mentioned (some time ago) how my daughter got me all liquored up on her 30-somethingish birthday and somehow, somehow I gave her my S&W 29 with the 8 3/8" barrel in a nice wood presentation box.
She still lets me shoot it when I visit the family in Grants Pass, OR.
And, she still argues and says that it was a fair and square deal the way she acquired it.
Harumph, I say.

I still haven't been talked out of the 1st generation Colt SAA .44 Spec., S&W .44 Mountain Gun, Ruger Super Blackhawk .44, and the older Vaquero .45 Colt that had the cylinders reamed and now shoots really tight groups.

[336A]

I can't believe no one has given a honorable mention to the .41 magnum yet so let me be the first to do so. Mine just so happens to be a S&W M58 that used to be my late fathers' service revolver when he worked for a small upstate N.Y. PD. It gets spared from the heavy loads I save those for my Ruger BH, but it really likes 8.0gr Unique and a 215gr SWC.

[JakeR]

Yep, I like DA big bores too. This one in .45 colt (converted from a Highway Patrolman) goes well with a lever gun in the same caliber. Comes in handy to have a long gun and handgun that share ammo.

[Lastmohecken]

On top of the 44 mag model 29's and my Ruger 4-5/8" singleaction, I had an 8-3/8 model 27 357mag, but this last saturday I traded it for a slightly rare Model 27-5 with a 5" barrel. I think I am really going to like this 5 inch barreled model 27.

I guess I was always a fan of Smith and Wesson Double actions, and learned to shoot them, long before I ever messed with the semi-autos.

[walks with gun]

I wish S&W would have built the 29's with the 3.5 inch barrel like the early 27's I always liked the way they looked.