I need Help :(

[JdePietro]

Now I know most of my friends here do not hold the proper certification to provide me with the help I very desprately need. As luck would chance however I do have a problem most of you wise guys can give some sort of advice on.

My name is Josh DePietro and I have a gun problem. 

I own enough guns for a person my age but for some reason there is always that one that while I don't need, I just... I just really want. I have a carrie/comp sidearm, I have a pump shotgun and a sweeeeet semi, I have a semi auto "sport" rifle. So I feel as though I got my bases covered but there is just one gun I don't think I can live without.

5" or 6" barrelled 44 Remington Magnum Revolver. In truth I have my sights set on a Model 29 maybe a -5 I would certainly settle for a 629 in any variant. But for some reason I just want one really bad. Now of course I would take a Colt Anaconda or a CZ Dan Wesson in 44 but in truth I really with a S&W.

Here is the thing, I am saving up to move out to Scottsdale, AZ and I have no business buying any sort of firearm. I have even decide to take the year off of 3 gun while I save up and get my things inorder for a very big move.

The plot thickens...

A friend of mine knows me just to well, scary well for my likings but it would just so happen that he is in posession of a Ruger Redhawk in you guessed it 44 mag. He wants to trade me even up for my brand new Trijicon TR23R that I put on my M1A. I am stuck in a brain fart because I don't think I'll be shooting 3 gun for a while and I can shoot just fine without a scope I just...

I want a 44 mag but I want a S&W and if this was a S&W I would have made the trade yesterday. I just never really liked the Rugers. However everything I read online and from people that actually have owned one say they are more stoudt than the S&W and will last longer no matter what I shoot. I have never owned a Ruger and cannot attest to anything other than what I have read.

So my friends. Give me your sagely advice. 

[m25operator]

I really prefer S&W, they have the better double action, any of the above can be had with a great single action pull, I have the 5" which is great to carry in the woods, it wears a 2 power scope, and with Hornady 300 grain XTP will shot 5 shot 4" groups at 100 yards, so much for short guns not performing. The only thing I shoot in it now, are the 300 grainers at 1250 fps, been my hunting companion for a long time, killed white tail to 150 yards, and they usually drop right there. The iron sights are better as far as sight picture and adjustment, and can be upgraded too.



My .02 centavos.

[tommy tornado]

If it is a Smith and Wesson 29 you want then get it.  Don't settle.  Previous post is correct about the Smith trigger being better.  The advantage the Ruger has is handling heavy loads.  The Redhawk is stronger than the Smith.  But I agree the trigger is not as smooth. 

[fightingquaker13]

Personally, I like Ruger big bore wheel guns over Smiths. Im not going to argue about triggers vs a stronger frame for hunting type loads, I'm just talking aesthetics. There is just something about the clunkiness (?) that appeals to me in their larger caliber revolvers. As for the DA trigger? How often will you be shooting .44 mag DA? That's what God gave you a thumb for. Personally, I'd ask myself whether you would replace the optc if the money fairy didn't visit for awhile. If its going to eat at you everytime you shoot your M1A, don't do it. Likewise, if you're not going to really enjoy the Ruger because its not a Smith, don't do it.
 Still, I will say that Badger has a VERY nice price on a like new eo-tech 512 (I won't quote it as it was sent in a PM). Me? I'd make the trade and drop a (relatively) little green with badger. That way you are getting a very nice pistol at the price of a few bucks, and the only downside is that you move from a Caddillac optic to a Chevy. Win-Win.
FQ13 your friendly neighborhood voice of satan. ;

[saltydogbk]

That gun needs a home. Do the right thing

[Sponsor]

[GUNS-R-US]

FQ has some good points, though I personally think the optic is worth more than the firearm in question. I think it would have to be the firearm and some cash to be a worthy trade. I own a few ruger cowboy guns and they are good quality, but their not a Smith or a Colt. For now I'd say wait for a better deal, as it's not a necessity purchase, you can wait for what you really want!

[SpottHogg]

Well if the price is right go for it, but consider what your gonna be doing with it. A 44 6inch is a hunting or silloghette gun plain and simple. S&W are the smoothest revolvers out there but the N frame is not strong enough to withstand the battering of the 44 with any more than very moderate use with loads in upper middle to max charge. Unfortunately that means it wont stay tight with with stout hunting loads, and accuracy will lessen. Though I think the model 29 is one of the prettiest looking revolvers ever created I opted for a ruger for the durability and longevity. My Super blackhawk with a 2X burris with my loads will shoot 5 shot 1" groups at 50yds. So the ruger doesn't give up much on accuracy either. I will admit the ruger almost always need a trigger job. 

[tombogan03884]

The Ruger will handle loads that will leave a Smith in pieces.

[SpottHogg]

The Ruger will handle loads that will leave a Smith in pieces.

I cant argue with you there lol. I had some newly developed WW296, 240gr loads that I took with me to my clubs sight in breakfast. A gentleman had his chronograph set up. I fired one thru it and it showed as 1610fps. He said to shoot again cause that couldn't be right. I did, 1615fps. He said there was something wrong with his chrony and he packed it up! Well there was nothing wrong with it, mine showed the same the day before lol. The Super Blackhawk ate them with no problem and though I didn't continue to use that load I use a load just under max. To this day the SB shoots very accurately and is as tight as the day it was new. Those loads would have ended the smiths life.

[Walter45Auto]

Dude, I'd get the Redhawk. But I'm biased; I've always liked the Redhawk, anyway.