Not asking about the need for it. Just wondering whether anyone carries a 44 Mag (loaded with 44 Mags), and which one.

I have carried mine but for everyday I'd get a 4" light weight [aluminum frame] with loads of about 1000 fps with 240 or maybe even a 200 gr. Otherwis it's tto much unless in grizzly country !

Varies between a S& W 629 with a 3" barrel and a 1911.

I carried a 329 for four or five years fishing. My brother-in-law started taking his 7 year old son with him flyfishing the Clearwater Loop and borrowed it so often, I gave up and sold it to him.

Fall / Winter I'll sometimes carry a S&W Mountain Gun in a Simply Rugged holster. It conceals under an untucked shirt, long vest or jacket.
Really not any harder to EDC than any other full sized pistol if you are willing to make wardrobe concessions.

I am strongly considering it.

A buddy of mine from Ranchester, Wyoming, carried a 4" Model 29 all day, every day for many years. I don't recall ever seeing Jerry without it. He was a disciple of Elmer Keith and spent a lot of time with him. Last time I talked with Jerry he mentioned that he had a Ruger LCP that he was putting a lot of rounds through so maybe he's come over to the dark side in his old age. But I'll bet he's got a Model 29 within quick gettin' distance.

I think once you commit to carrying a full-size handgun there isn't that much difference between a 4" N-Frame revolver and say a Sig 226. Still going to require a lot of leather to strap up for secure carry.

Yes, a 3 inch nickel 29 with the federal 180 grain hollowpoints

quote:

Originally posted by Hizzie:
I am strongly considering it.

There's one of these at the LGS for $899.

A 329 is hard to beat.

OP here. Ended up buying a NIB 3" S&W Model 24-6 N-frame 44 Special. Barrel is marked ".44 S&W Special CTG". But, it can take 44 Mags. They chamber. I'll stick with Specials.

At first, the DA trigger was rough and heavy. So, every day for a couple of weeks, several times a day, I dry fired it with snap caps until my finger got tired. After several thousand snaps the trigger is now very smooth and easy to keep on target.

I'm not a fan of the sharply grooved trigger. It's a blister-maker. I'll either smooth it a bit or replace it.

I'd go with a S&W 69 personally. Hand filling enough and portable.

I carry one of my 44s when I need to personally they are too big ad heavy for me as a EDC.

98% of the time my EDC is my Glock 23.

That's nice but it is still heavy. I need to throw suspenders on when I carry any of my Redhawks. But then I am skinny and no hips.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
That's nice but it is still heavy. I need to throw suspenders on when I carry any of my Redhawks. But then I am skinny and no hips.

I cheat too. Suspenders just make carrying easier. You don't have to crank your belt as tight. Much more comfortable.

quote:

Originally posted by CTI1USNRET:
OP here. Ended up buying a NIB 3" S&W Model 24-6 N-frame 44 Special. Barrel is marked ".44 S&W Special CTG". But, it can take 44 Mags. They chamber. I'll stick with Specials.

You got me curious, I just tried to chamber a 44 Mag in my Model 624, it won't go in far enough to close the cylinder. Don't have a caliper handy, 44 mag round was a 240 JHP loaded to the cannelure.

I carried both a 4 inch and a half 6.5 inch S&W mod 29 as an on duty and off duty gun for many years.
I used a Milt Sparks IWB holster off duty. Some times I still carry a 44 Mag as a CHL when on a road trip.
Especially if my final destination is a huntrip.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I carried both a 4 inch and a half 6.5 inch S&W mod 29 as an on duty and off duty gun for many years.
I used a Milt Sparks IWB holster off duty. Some times I still carry a 44 Mag as a CHL when on a road trip.
Especially if my final destination is a huntrip.

Is that you Harry?

p dog shooter

As a matter of fact, Dirty Harry and I are the only two Cops that both used the 44 Magnum AND the 458 Winchester Magnum in on duty shootings. He did it in the movies, I DID IT IN REAL LIFE....

I gotta ask. What was the occasion that called for a 458?

quote:

Originally posted by Mikelravy:
I gotta ask. What was the occasion that called for a 458?

Dirty Harry used his 458 on stakeouts.

I'm not a policeman and don't play one in the movies. And I'm half afraid of 458s anyway.

I carried a lot of different firearms on duty but never a 458wm.

I think a .44 Ruger Redhawk is going to be rather hard to conceal unless I dress like my dad or Captain Kirk on that TV show "Stuff my Dad says". (pretty much the same thing)

I was surprised by the size, frankly. That said, I like it. And it's concealable sometimes. Effective, no doubt.

What called for a 458 Win Mag...
An Angry Gorilla at 6 yards. ..

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
What called for a 458 Win Mag...
An Angry Gorilla at 6 yards. ..

Did you have to go home to get the 458.

No, it was an issued Duty Rifle.

Not a CCW friendly option.

Alaskan 44 in Gunfighters Inc. Kenai chest rig. No hips or pants required.

Yep. Carried a 6" Model 29 for a few years in a DeSantis Inside Waist band Cross draw holster that they said was made for a "federal Agency." Don't see them around anymore. Gave the holster to a LEO buddy in NY. Very comfortable and concealable. Only the barrel was inside your pants. Cylinder laid right at belt top level.

quote:

Originally posted by Fury01:
Yep. Carried a 6" Model 29 for a few years in a DeSantis Inside Waist band Cross draw holster that they said was made for a "federal Agency." Don't see them around anymore. Gave the holster to a LEO buddy in NY. Very comfortable and concealable. Only the barrel was inside your pants. Cylinder laid right at belt top level.

Wow! Are you Shaq size?

quote:

Originally posted by Fury01:
Yep. Carried a 6" Model 29 for a few years in a DeSantis Inside Waist band Cross draw holster that they said was made for a "federal Agency." Don't see them around anymore. Gave the holster to a LEO buddy in NY. Very comfortable and concealable. Only the barrel was inside your pants. Cylinder laid right at belt top level.

Fury, I have that exact holster and I used it daily for several years. It was very comfortable to use, and very conceal able as well. I still have it, and still use it every so often.

6 foot 2 and 185 pounds.
Carried two extra speed loaders in my pocket as well. A long tailed, long sleeved shirt flapping in the wind covered it all most of the time.

For you guys who shoot HR218 quals I shoot the revolver portion of mine with my 7.5 inch red hawk.

Because I can I want to find a 500 smith to do with but haven't yet.

CTI1USNRET,
My old 29 had the wide target trigger. I removed it and made it smooth and slick, rounding the edges as well. I dehorned the hammer to a minimum height to just be able to cock it with a thumb if so desired. I shot it DA almost exclusively. If I remember correctly, used the Pachmayr Professional compact grips with the bare back strap. I found that allowed a great grip and good trigger control in DA. I miss that pistol.