I just watched 19 min 30 seconds about a gun and ammunition that I have never fired or want to. That’s the power of an organized and effective narrator.
Yeah I’m not really interested in 44mag but I still enjoy the video cuz it’s well put together and still has to do with firearms, which is a big hobby of mine. I guess I don’t know enough about the caliber to understand how this is a terrible video. I also didn’t get the impression Chris was so uncomfortable with the caliber that he was unqualified to talk about it. But what do I know, I’m just a random guy on TH-cam posting a comment
I was writing a comment toward the end of the video about my disappointment at the lack of a Manny Mansfield cameo. I stand corrected. He is a wonderful character thanks for keeping him alive!
I have gotten friends into this channel by starting them off with Manny Mansfield videos, and then they go from there. The mascot we need, with such wisdom as "they all fall... to hardball"
There's literally never been a video produced by this channel that isn't extremely well-done. This one is no exception. Bravo, sir! I've owned and used .44 Magnum revolvers for 45 years now and still own many. It's such a flexible cartridge...load a 240 cast bullet to around 1,000 fps and have fun all day long. Load some 300's to 1,200 and hang on tight. In addition to a 29-6, 29-5 and several 629 models (as well as many DA and SA Rugers in the caliber), I also own 2 Desert Eagles in .44. Love this cartridge!
@@thelastpirate1906 I never said he was "familiar with handling .44 magnum," and he literally started off by saying he wasn't an expert on the cartridge. The history of the cartridge as presented was interesting, although I'd heard it many times before. He covered velocity differences in barrel lengths, recoil, various formats for the cartridge, and a number of other topics that would interest me if I were a beginner. He also used humor effectively. I have my opinion, you have yours; so what? You should probably lighten up, but you do you.
@@DasGoodSoup I have both a 6" and 10". With Hornady 240 JHP loads, they're both very reliable. I did switch the stock rubber "extractor springs" out for AR15 extractor springs (a trick I saw on forums many years ago), and that seemed to make them more consistently reliable. Mine are 20+ year old Israeli pistols. Not very practical, but a lot of fun. The 10" gun with a 2x Burris scope is extremely accurate out to 100 yards.
Fun fact: if you’re crazy enough to shoot a 329PD, make sure you get ammunition with a crenulated cannalure so the bullet can be crimped into the casing. It has so much recoil it can cause non crimped bullets to jump forward in the casings and lock the gun up.
@@LuckyGunner Agreed... to an extent. It's got a VERY niche application as a guide gun, but the recoil is so brutal I'd personally have a hard time with follow up shots. Idk maybe there are some gigachads out there who could one hand that beast, but not me.
Or you could swap the grips to rubber and load 44 specials in it and act like you handled that recoil like a boss. I’ve always liked the looks of it but unfortunately the hard wood grips are a key part of the good looks.
@@LuckyGunner could frankly be a possibility. If any guntuber is going to get a nontrivial amount of female views, I'd expect it to be you. I know women whose interest in firearms is pretty much limited to small and manageable concealed carry pistols and related discussions, and you've released a TON of content on those topics, without the kind of grandstanding, off-putting personality, or fluff others suffer from that would turn away lots of viewers. Hell, release videos about purse carry or something.
This is the best gun channel for me, I like your calm professional manner and the fact that you're not putting on this special ops tough guy act like so many other guntubers.
My first experience with .44 mag was in a Ruger Super Blackhawk. It was unpleasant when I tried shooting it like an auto loader, and I developed a nasty flinch. Then I relaxed, and let the pistol roll back in my hand instead of trying to fight it. Then it was awesome, and I was amazed how far I could connect with that pistol. I could shoot it all day without it being uncomfortable.
my first experience with the .44 Magnum, was firing it through a Desert Eagle that chambers the cartridge, which I happen to be the proud owner of. and what makes it funnier than it should be, is that my aunt watched me shoot it on my 42nd birthday (will be 45 in 5-months), and she was impressed with how I handled the recoil on such a massive gun.
I made the mistake of replacing the smooth wood plow handles with Pachmayrs. That experiment didn't last long. All my blackhawks wear stock, er, stocks.
@@bensears7499 no doubt, that’s physics. When you get to .454 cas, .460 S&W, .500 S&W levels, it’s silly to not run a comp/break. Even for .44 mag, if you’re not running a classic aesthetic, running a comp is a no brainer in my book.
@@Robin6512 Hang on to that 29-2. Back in the 79’s, after Dirty Harry made it famous, every cop west of New York had to have one. I had one and traded it away on who knows what…….and it took me 40 years to finally find another 29-2 to replace it. ( I actually have 2 pristine 29-2’s now. ) There’s just something about a “29-2”…….not a dash 3….or 4 ….or 5……( sorry )…..a TWENTY NINE DASH TWO !! Of course, I went through the “mines bigger than yours” phase…… Bought a Ruger 454 Casull. Shot it on Monday, sold it on Tuesday. My right arm is now 3” shorter than my left……and I’m deaf from the waist up…..! Yep……the 29-2……simply gorgeous !! What ? WHAAAT ??
Okay, Sports Fans……here’s all ya needs to do……. On Monday, buy a Ruger 454 Casull and 6 rds. Go to the range and fire all 6 rds. On Tuesday, sell same…….and buy a Smith model 29 and all the 44 mag ammo you can carry. You will NEVER AGAIN complain about “44 mag recoil”……..I PROMISE !!!
I have several .44 Magnum’s. I do often carry a S&W model 69 combat magnum with a 2.75” barrel. I carry Super Vel 180 grain solid copper hollow points. They get close to 1400 fps out of my gun and expand to about .80”. Honestly the recoil isn’t bad with that ammo. I will say, my new Colt Anaconda is the most pleasant shooting .44 Mag that I personally have ever shot.
Chrono data on that? Everything I’ve seen for 44 mag on a 2.75” barrel is 1100 fps or under I’ve never seen any actual load data showing 1400 fps under 6”
@ I have yet to chronograph it personally. The Super Vel website has a list of velocity readings from several different guns. They tested it out of a 3” model 29 and reported 1412 fps. They also claimed 1399 for from a 2.5” Ruger Redhawk. Gunsam has a video on here where he got an average of 1426 FPS from a 4-1/4” model 69. Based off of that information I estimate that it should be 1300-1400 fps, that’s assuming my gun doesn’t have a huge cylinder gap (it doesn’t) or a “slow” barrel.
I love my Model 69. I added custom wood grips and carry both open and concealed depending on the day. My son questioned the old timer hip shooting Lucky Gunner had in a video recently while we were at the range. Just for the heck of it, I tried with my baby. Two shots, center mass, 1.5 inches apart at 7 yards as fast as my son can double tap his 9mm. Weird technique but it can work. Who knew? Disclosure: I was shooting .44 SPL at the time, not magnum. I do shoot it alot,but haven't tried that exercise. It was just a spur of the moment having fun with my son.
I would like to see a video like this on the other major revolver cartridges like 357mag, 460S&W, 500S&W, 41mag and 480 Ruger. This was a well done and through video, keep up the good work.
When I (as a young Deputy Sheriff) finally bought my first M29-2 in 1978, it did indeed come with a box of ammo that was six rounds short! I carried that superb firearm for years, on and off duty, and one memorable year I harvested the "south Texas grand slam" of one whitetail, one coyote and one javelina. I learned speed and point shooting with light loads, and worked up to my carry-hunting load was and still is the excellent Speer 225 gr JSWCHP over 10.0/Unique, which many years later I found out is exactly Jerry Miculek's and Jim Cirillo's favorite .44 Mag load as well. Great minds...I used the Lee 44-210-SWC with the same charge for training. The gun has had two rebuild/yard periods and I've semi-retired it to use for hunting and in the local LEO matches' Big Bore Revolver side match, with the MP 44-215 HBWC over 4.5/W231. I also used Super Blackhawks for IHMSA competition and hunting; but when the M29 tagged along to a silhouette match and I shot some steel with it after the match, and it outshot the 7-1/2" Rugers, that sort of dampened my enthusiasm for them. My next purchase was the DeerStalker which unfortunately was stolen. I replaced it with a Browning B92, and recently found a lightly used DeerStalker as well as a Remington 788 and a Handi-Rifle. Plus One on a .44-M1, and a Lightning clone pump .44.
I was glad to hear you mention, even if briefly, the Dan Wesson. Almost every revolver video completely ignores this fantastic weapon. When I attended gun shows they were rarely seen because people don’t sell them. They are easily the equal of those made by the major companies in this market.
Yes, DW revolvers dominated the Steel Silhouette shooting in the 1970s-1980s. They were very accurate. Perhaps it was because of the interchangeable barrels with the locking system that pulls the barrel tighter against the frame. Maybe it was the overall quality manufacturing. Too bad DW went BK and emerged into just s shadow of themselves until CZ took over and flogged quality control into making very good 1911s.
Great video! Quite a few years ago now, I bought my first .44 Magnum, a 4" M29 Smith. I took it out to the range with a box of ammo and foolishly blew off the whole box [50 rounds]. The next day my hand was sore and I realized I should have bought an M29 with a 6" barrel. Nowadays I always reload my .44 Magnums with a .240 gr. bullet to 900 to 1000 ft./sec. just a little hotter than a .44 Special load and you can shoot this load all day long!
I replaced the factory rubber grips on my 629 with some nifty wooden grips. After a cylinder of medium hot factory loads...the rubber grips went right back on. OUCH ! I'm 67 years old and my old thumb just can't take it anymore.
I've been an avid 'gun enthusiast/shooter' for about 12 years now. I've JUST started getting into revolvers, and have been 'working my way up' to Buffalo Bore's out of my Ruger SP101. I still don't think I'm ready for the 44 Mag. Dunno... gimme 5 more years. LoL! Amazingly informative video, as always, @LuckyGunner!
Great video! In my opinion, the .44 Magnum is a very useful and versatile cartridge. It can be used to deliver a variety of bullet types and weights at a wide range of velocities. As an avid outdoorsman and guide, I have used and carried several different packing sized pistols, semi-auto and revolvers, for defense against dangerous game. If you practice with, handle, and shoot large revolvers frequently, they can be very effective tools. The large, heavy, high sectional density hard cast lead bullets that can be fired from .44 magnum and larger caliber revolvers have the ability to penetrate very consistently and deeply on large animals. This, combined with the large frontal area common of heavy cast flat nose bullets, makes for quick killing performance on dangerous game. These attributes just can not be matched by packing sized semi-autos. Even the .460 rowland, which I do like and shoot frequently, can't quite compete with the .44 mag, .45lc, etc. when it comes to deep, game dropping penetration. When guiding or backpacking in the mountains, I most commonly carry either a S&W 329 PD 4" with Houge tamer grips, or a Ruger Super Blackhawk Predator by Mag-na-port, both loaded with a 310 grain hard cast flat nose pushed to around 1100 fps from those barrel lengths. I can shoot both pistols quickly and effectively, and both pistols are capable of accurate shooting at extended distances. I can not overstate the importance of practicing with you woods/trail gun. I've seen hikers carry guns that are "the right choice" for bear defense (10mm, .44 etc), but have had little to no experience shooting their chosen pistol. If your edc and woods gun are different, practice with BOTH. If you don't have much experience shooting revolvers, or if you do have lots of experience with your edc 9mm, a 10mm auto would probably be a better choice for you. The learning curve between shooting a glock 19 and shooting a glock 20 should be easy to overcome for most, while the learning curve between shooting a glock 19 and a large revolver may be much more challenging. Anyway, I hope some of this was helpful. Just sharing my 2 cents, and hoping they can be useful to a fellow outdoorsman. 🙂
OMG! Manny channeling George McFly there! lol For a second I thought he'd say "Take your damn hands off of her Biff!". But also Christopher Walken screen test for Han Solo! "made the Kessel Run ...in less than 12 parsecs, is she fast enough ....for you.... old ... man?".
I’m 41 mag curious. It’s just obscure. Like my last 327 fed mag I couldn’t find any decent self defense or practice ammo for. Yes I’m aware you carry a 32 H&R mag Chris.
Aluminum Blazer. 44 mag. Cases ,stick and gall badly in my Marlin 1894! I've owned five .44 Magnum revolvers from Smith and Ruger, a Desert Eagle (magnaported) and two rifles (Marlin, Winchester). My first ,1956 ,cased ,6.5" model 29, started me on my reloading journey! I would feel confident against any animal on the continent with a Hot Rodded .44 load! Thankyou Elmer Keith! ..Thanks for the video! 👍
I just picked up my first .44 magnum from my local gun store, a 7.5 inch Ruger Redhawk. While the extra barrel length might not add much velocity, it really does absorb recoil well. My Redhawk with Hogue grips was MUCH more pleasant to shoot than my S&W 642 airweight in .38 spl with factory grips.
@@danielgreen6547 I own a Ruger Super Blackhawk that came with the wooden grips. It’s definitely punishing to my hands. I put hogue grips on it and the difference was noticeable. A far better experience shooting the gun.
I have (15) 44 magnum revolvers, and yes I am old and the Dirty Harry movies influenced me. I have a pre model 1956 and 1957 my birth year and my wife's birth year. The rest are 29 - 2 in various configurations. All in presentation cases unfired. I couldn't afford one when they came out, so as I got older they were first on my list. Thank you for the video. Well done.
I've fired a 4in barrel S & W stainless .44 mag. It was a handfull. I imagine it would take thousands of rounds to get really good w one of these. My hand started tingling & getting slightly sore after just 24 rounds. Feisty as it was. It was VERY satisfying to shoot. Power in a hand cannon like this is highly addictive. That's when I really understood the beatles song. "Happiness is a warm gun"
Are you small in stature? Asking seriously. I am very medium in size, height, weight hand size, etc. I have no problem with .44 mag. In fact, I enjoy shooting my S&W 629 Classic with the 6.5" barrel. That was my first revolver and I got it specifically for the then new handgun deer season in my state. I also have no problem carrying it all day when hunting. I have a good, but not fancy, belt rig and it is fine. I have also taken deer out to at least 75 yards, or a little more, with no problem. Lots of deer over the years. The most I ever fired at one session was a little over 200 rounds. I did this when I first got the gun, putting several different loads through it to see which would be the most accurate. I stopped because I ran out of ammo and because the gun was getting really hot. Toward the end when I pushed the cylinder out, I could hear a sizzle (shooting gloves with exposed fingertips).
@louisgiokas2206 Err NO. 4 in vs 6.5 in barrel can make a difference in recoil. Wood handle combined with heavy slugs & hot loads. When most recommend the opposite. Rubber grips light slugs & moderate loads. No gloves, either. I live in Australia. I have friends who own guns. I dont. So there is the likelihood that my holding of the weapon was less than perfect. But enjoyed it regardless. If I could be bothered dancing through the beurocratic nightmare. Owning a handgun here in Australia involves. I would go for a .357 magnum. For logistical reasons like ammo price & gun choices. If I was living in the US. I would definitely own a .44 magnum. Fired semi autos but I just like the feel of wheel guns. Because of our restrictive gun laws. There is little need for self defense edc unless you work in security. So it's target or hunting mainly.
@@gorillafunk725 Well, I guess I am not recoil sensitive. Actually, that is the case. The first gun I shot was a 1911-A1 when I was 10 years old. I loved it. I could hit a 3 oz. Dixie cup nailed to a tree (that was our target, fun story) at 10 yards with no problem. I have also shot shorter (and longer barrel) .44 mag guns and did not notice a major difference in recoil. Weight is a major determinant in felt recoil. For example, the difference between a 4" S&W 629 and my 6.5" 629 Classic is 7 oz. Comparing that to the regular 6" 629 and the difference is 3.5 oz. That is not a significant difference compared to the overall weight. As for my gun, at that session I mentioned I shot everything from 210gr to 300gr loads, both "normal" and "hot". The 210gr (Winchester Silvertip) was the most accurate, by the way. I hunt with a hot 240gr load, and used to hunt with 275gr loads. I used to have a security training company and the first guy running it was a former US Army sniper (and counter sniper) who was very good. He got me to point where I could put four shots, rapid fire, one handed into a 4" square target. It was fun being taught by a real expert. While plenty of deer have been taken with a .357 mag., I had one experience with that which did not encourage me. I was hunting with an uncle, on his farm, and one year he had obtained a Taurus revolver in .357 mag that held eight rounds. He was a very, very good shot with all types of firearms (and he had them all). So, we were hunting in January, cold, lots of snow, and he shot at a running deer. Usually no problem for him. His firing discipline was so good that he stopped firing after six rounds. He wounded the animal, and with another guy I tracked it for about five miles until the blood trail stopped. We never found it. Of course, my uncle's best friend started chiding him after that. He said with that gun my uncle wouldn't have to reload all weekend. I only have two experiences with recoil that I find significant. The first was firing a single action revolver in .454 Casull. It belonged to a guy I was handgun hunting with and one time back at the barn during lunch he let me shoot it. It was not a recoil problem per-se but a grip issue. It was cold and I had to take off my gloves because of the small trigger guard. The recoil didn't bother me, but between smooth wood grips and my cold, dry hands, and it almost slipped out of my hand. The second was the only time when I felt the recoil was too much for the gun. I was at a range and rented one of the very first SIG P365 pistols. It was not that I couldn't handle it, but that the gun was too small and light for the caliber. It was uncomfortable to shoot both because of its size and weight. You may have noticed that they are now offering longer grip versions which seem to be very popular. I feel for you and the issues you have in Australia. I still like the .44 and am sticking to that. I also like semi-autos and have guns in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. I do have a "list" and .22LR revolvers are on it, but more for fun and small game hunting. I have a recipe for a mean squirrel gumbo. Nice chatting with you.
The Manny skit was hilarious. On to the actual subject at hand. I think .44 magnum in a handgun is an interesting novelty. But I'm hard pressed to think of any practical application that couldn't be better handled by something else. That said, I am a fan of .44 spl which I think is a somewhat underrated self defense round, that would be appealing to fans of large caliber. I think the late Jeff Cooper once opined that .44 was the only revolver caliber he had any real respect for. (Take that for what its worth.)
I've been appreciative of your content the entire decade you've been creating; this the first time mentioning that. Superb as ever, may you go from strength to strength. Would love to see a .327/.32; .38/.357; .44/mag comparison... which is "enough" for any given application of a revolver/ lever combo. Thanks again.
Might also be interesting to throw in the "modern" alternative, 10mm auto as it's generally between 357 an 44 energy wise. No lever actions unfortunately but there are a few lightweight carbines including rugers weird thing.
My dad has a Ruger 44 carbine. Absolute solid little rifle. Was visiting dad once (NC mountains)and had the gun out nearby while working in the yard because he lives next to a National Forest bear sanctuary. A feral dog charged towards my 4yo. I took the shot while it was on a dead run at about 75-80yds. Worked perfectly. I’ve never made a better shot. only wish I could buy one for myself. Ruger if you see this-we want you to make a new run of them.
All I know is that,of all my guns,the model 29 I have would be the last I’d ever sell. I absolutely love my 50th anniversary edition. It’s a thing of beauty .
Your channel is very authentic. Your facts are researched and your opinions are genuine and come from your own personal experience rather than trying to impress people with tactical gun hero mall ninja nonsense. Please keep doing these videos.
With the Desert Eagle you need to make sure to use fully jacketed .44 rounds. Rounds with exposed lead will clog the gas system on the gun. Hotter loads also tend to help the gas system cycle reliably.
Lever action is our go-to at home. Partly because of the “optics” when dealing with a liberal jury, but mostly because it is ambidextrous and comfortable for both me (right handed) and my wife (left handed).
I own 2 44 magnums and shoot them both a lot. My hunting and target gun is a 10.5” super Blackhawk. Its fantastic. My EDC is a 2.75” Smith 69. About the same size as a Glock 17 but seems to carry easier to carry and it’s wicked accurate. Recoil on 44 mags is not as bad as it’s often made out to be. Cost will likely limit your ammo expenditure before your hand gets worn out.
My father sadly traded his Deerfield away for a boat, and has regretted it almost every year since. Hell of a close range deer gun. Even managed to run all of the ammo he got for it reliably.
Well done. Agree! I bought my first revolver in 1985. It was a 10 5/8" S&W Mod. 29. My next few revolvers were another 29(10 5/8), a Super Blackhawk,(10 1/2) a 629(8 3/8) and a 657 (41 Mag)(8 3/8). All were bought within a couple years of the first. I shot many thousand of rounds over the years of 44 magnum. Handloading made it feasible and more manageable. Though I have hit deer at over 100 yards with a 44 magnum revolver I limit myself to 60 yards and under. Too many gut shot deer beyond that. In a rifle we have adequately/effectively and ethically harvested dozens of deer from 25 to 125 yards with 44 magnum. Thank you for good coverage of a great cartridge and is firearms and history.
Great video. I bought a 629 5" for a planned motorcycle trip to Alaska that hasn't happened yet (that was 10 years ago). You are correct about .44 sp. Very nice. Makes a big hole, just not as fast. Mag, not so nice. Please include the .44 mag and .44 sp. in your ballistic ammo testing. That is still my go to for ammo purchases.
Hey Speer, the GDHPs and Deep Curl bullets are fine, but PLEASE bring back the jacketed SWC HP/SPs in 38, 41, 44 and introduce them in 32 and 45! 4" guns and SPL calibers need love too, and the GDs just won't function at SPL velocities!
A buddy has a custom Blackhawk with 3" barrel and beautiful wood camo grips. The gun is in a greyish matte finish, absolutely beautiful. He took a pic out of a video of me shooting it at the perfect timing for the ring of fire a foot in diameter. Love shooting it. I'm a fan of recoil, real power.
@@Scientist_Salarian It's subjective. Some are recoil sensitive, others aren't. I'm a fan. Shooting single actions are a little different than say a 686 or a Python or most double action. You hold a single action a little different, higher on the grip and Bisley changes it a little more. I have a Bisley Vanquero and have shot some pretty hot 45 Colts out of her. Shiny stainless steel, beautiful tool.
@@thelastpirate1906 I have tried different stances over the years. Honestly I rarely shoot my single action much anymore. Ammo cost and constant training with semi auto rifles and pistols has put those towards the back of the safe. 😄 Really enjoy classic revolver calibers, 45 Colt, 44 spl, 357 mag, 44 mag, etc but shoot 9, 40, 45acp, 380 way more, carry 40 mostly but also 9 a good bit. Nice to have my own range.
Finished the video. Noticed that you did not mention the effect of barrel twist on the accuracy of the 44mag. In my 4.2" 629, 240gr Federal Powershok worked fantastic for accuracy. But in my Marlin 44mag lever action, the ammo was a pattern at 50m. Once i purchased FTX 225gr from Hornady meant for a rifle, accuracy increased. Just to note, using the revolver at 50m with the 240gr federal powershok, still had a better group than the rifle. Barrel twist for the 629 is 1:20, but the Marlin rifle twist is 1:38. I repeated the tests using Blazer 240gr JHP, and HSM 240gr -- same results. I tried the 225gr FTX out of my 629 and accuracy is fantastic. Of course more testing could be done, but i'm pretty confident that the slower barrel twist does not allow for great accuracy using handgun ammo out of a 44mag rifle. As i am writing this, the one gap would be that i have not tried 200 gr or lighter projectiles between the two platforms.
Never owned a .44 mag handgun, but ive seriously considered a Rossi 92 in .44 mag. I think the carbine in .44 is where this cartridge really shines. Saying that I bough a Rossi in .357 mag instead, to pair with my SAA, and already having the reloading gear for 38/357 it just made more sense.
@@noshillgunreviews my buddy has a DE in 44 mag and it’s not bad. Granted the gun weighs almost as much as my AR and small SUV combined, but that’s beside the point.
@ it’s a lot of fun as a novelty. I’ve heard that it’s got reliability issues, but we shot perhaps 75 rounds with no issues. It’s by no means a good test by any means. It is HEAVY. I’m a single dude so my forearms are good and strong; that sucker was not something I’d want to shoot at a comp. He put a trijicon on it which was nice. It would take getting used to but it shoots softer than you think it would. Not something I’d want as a regular shooter
I own a 44 magnum Ruger Super Redhawk and love it. But I still want a model 29 Smith and Wesson because of the Dirty Harry movies . It’s probably going to be my next handgun purchase. I’ve put it off for years for more practical firearms but this coming year may well be the time to scratch that old itch.
I wanted a .44 magnum revolver since my teen years. Then in my 50s I bought a S&W Model 629 w/4 " barrel. It was a very difficult choice for me, as I love the Model 29 so much (can't go wrong with blued steel and wood grips). If I ever have a chance to pick up a Model 29, I certainly will.
I just picked up an N frame in the OG .44 revolver caliber. A 5" S&W 544 chambered in 44-40. Bout to cast some Big Lube bullets and load up some black powder cartridges.
Really great video. Greetings from over the Pond. 🇬🇧 I've had several guns in 44 Mag and it became my favourite pistol calibre. Used to load for it extensively.
I bought a Ruger M96 lever action .44 mag. carbine back in '07. Nice, compact mag-fed rifle that works well for woods-hunting deer and hogs. A simple design that uses a tilting bolt for lock-up and a 10/22 style stock.
@@henrymorgan3982 I had a Mod 29 6.5" bbl back in the 80s and you learned to not try to tame it so much as allow it to twist up and recover quickly. Mine was very accurate as well.
Maybe the factory loads were closer to max at the time, but most of what you buy today (aside from BB/Underwood/etc) is VERY shootable in a full-size N-frame or Red/Black hawk. I personally think .45 super in an FNX is "snappier" with a 185gr, and on paper the hottest .45 super is essentially .44spl +p/weak .44mag. I'd love to get my hands on a box of factory ammo from the early 60's to chrono it, as maybe they were pushing 240's at 1550fps+ from a 6"? I'm pretty sure W196/H110 was around back then and I've used a hair over 24gr to reach 1625fps from my 7.5" Redhawk. That's a relatively unpleasant round to shoot compared to most modern factory loads.
@@mfallen2023 I had a handful of the old 240gr swaged lead round nose flat point 44 mags from the late 50s. They were definitely spicy, but I didn’t tear any down to measure what powder charge they had. They got the full 1400 fps out of a smith m69 4.25” barrel, horrible leading in the bore
A KTW bronze bullet with the base reamed out to add lead for weight in a 44 magnum was designed to penetrate an elephant’s skull straight. Larry Kelly of Mag-Na-Port fame used that bullet to drop a bull elephant with one shot in his ported five inch Ruger Super Blackhawk revolver.
@18:00 . I would love to see a retro M1 carbine styled semi in either .357 Mag or .44 Mag. Stick them in a version of that Samson A team stock & you have a cool 'what if' carbine. Its especially interesting in light of the M1 being designed around a modified .32 Winchester Self Loading cartridge, it would be a neat counterfactual to see kinda what a version built around .351SL would have been like..
Always educational. I enjoy the facts presented here. I own two revolvers and one lever rifle. I have learned to load cowboy action loads for range shooting making them a pleasure to shoot. Otherwise, for folks with medium hands, it is painful to shoot more than a dozen rounds. The Hogue rubber grips are a must. Nerve damage can occur with the wood grips. Thank you for your presentations. Always common sense and facts.
I have the 629 "classic" with the 5" full underlug barrel. It is not the most practical gun I own, but it is my favorite handgun. The double action is so smooth I hardly use the single action trigger. The recoil is not bad, even with 300gr "bear loads"; but reloaders will have fun with it because the recoil can be tamed without too much loss in velocity.
Great video! Loved Manny's audition, did he get the part? What i was hoping for was just a quick mention of the .44 AMP Automag at the end with the semi autos
For the longest time, I was terrified to get into a 44 Magnum. I was all in on .357 Magnum and .45 ACP. When i brought a Mini-14 in for trade at my local gun store before moving to AZ, the owner who is a friend of mine had a Ruger Speed Six in stock. Good condition, looked good, but he just got it in and didn't want to work a trade on it just yet. Instead, he pulled out a Ruger Redhawk 44 magnum with a 4 inch barrel. Told him my doubts and he threw in a box of ammo and a Maverick 88 to sweeten the deal. I agreed. Have to say that for all the hype of the .44 Magnum being so powerful, I found it remarkably controllable and not nearly as bad as my Model 28 in .357. It has since become my home defense gun loaded with Ammo Inc .44 Magnum Hollow Points and a speed loader of .44 Specials for a reload
The anaconda is probably my favorite 44 magnum revolver without going into crazy money. Beautiful double action, longer cylinder for longer and more powerful loads as well as added weight for decreased recoil, and the dang thing just looks beautiful
I've had three 44 mags, one 41 mag, and one 357 mag. I had a Ruger Blackhawk with 10,1/2 barrel, Super Redhawk 7,1/2 barrel, and a Redhawk 7,1/2 barrel. I liked the Blackhawk best, was accurate and worked well. The 357 was a Ruger GP 100, six" barrel, and last the 41 was a Ruger Redhawk 7,1/2 barrel. Out of all of them I regret selling the 41. I believe for me it was the best all- around useful of them all, and I would say next to that I liked the big Blackhawk. I would still have the 41 though over all of them again, however, I gave up on magnum handguns as I really have no real need for one now. The 41 though was enough for me, whatever that would accomplish, was good enough for my purposes. Now I just have the old 38 special, and that seems enough for me these days as I don't hunt big or dangerous game.
Hilarious ending! For 30+ years I've shot IHMSA Silhouette with my M29, standing and with open sights, which I bought new in 1988. Silhouette is still around and nothing beats the thrill of shooting at a 55-lb steel ram at 200+ yards and watching it topple over a fraction of a second later. Actually, my 8-3/8" M29 was the very first firearm I ever bought (but not the first I shot). The fun of shooting a friend's M29 is what switched me from being among the gun-control crowd to being pro-gun. I need to make a video about my journey with the M29. Thank you for your video with its good historical perspective and discussion of this legendary revolver.
This video is spot on. Purchased the classic model 29-10 classic several years ago. Shot 6 rounds (240 gr) and agree, it kicks. Purchased the Hogue grips and a great improvement but took away the aesthetics. I have a dedicated shooting glove now. I run .44 specials now and purchased the Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter edition. Ruger gets my vote for .44 magnum rounds and keep the classic @ .44 special. Both are great revolvers. Old school and still love wood grips...
I got my first .44 Mag revolver 44 years ago. Worked all summer and went down to a pawn shop with Dad and picked out what I wanted - a Ruger 7.5" bbl Super Blackhawk - and Dad did the paperwork. The guy in the shop threw in a gun rug and a box of .44 Specials. Before anyone starts screaming, straw purchase!, it was a different time back then, especially in the Southwestern United States.
As a 15 year old I had a few shots with a model 29 at a Kent gun range and cannot forget that feeling of immense destructive fire power. Six shots of thunder and lightening.
Had the model 29 8"barrel, stretched it a bit, between the barrel and the cylinder, got the super black hawk 10 1/2" barrel what a difference, much stronger and more accurate. Do not what powders you were using but I got a lot flatter shooting out of the 10 1/2" barrel of the Ruger Black Hawk, I shot from 20 yards to 100 yards. Did have to change the handle on the Ruger to a much larger and softer one, then was able to shoot it with one hand, but most who tried with one hand could not. Pays to weight train if you want to shoot these more powerful rounds. Thanks for the very good video, one of the best I have seen on the 44 magnum.
I had two 4” S&W .44 Magnums One was a 629-1 with a smooth radiused trigger the other was a 29-3 with the serrated trigger face. The 629-1 did not beat my hand up too bad. I could shoot a box of 50 and be OK. The 29-3 was murder on my trigger finger. The vibration of the recoil and the edge of the trigger beat my trigger finger up so badly it swelled. I was surprised. I sold the 29-3 soon after. I am going to get either a 6” Colt Anaconda, or a 5” or 6” full underlug S&W 629 for my .44 Magnum needs.
My youngest brother almost bought a Deagle in .44 magnum for meme purposes and range flexing. I was with him at the gun store to ask him "Are you sure about this?". But if he had got it, I guess it would have been better than him being a typical Marine Corporal buying a 25% APR Mustang or crotch-rocket.
For recoil, as in beating your hand up, don't get a ported or weighted barrel. You want that energy to go into lifting the barrel and not back in your hand. Also, for the 629, the grips have an exposed backstrap on newer models. The grips from the X-frame pistols like the 500 don't and will fit. Makes a huge difference. And nothing wrong with a shooting glove. I find the 6" the sweet spot for recoil. Longer barrels add a bit of weight which is good, but don't let the muzzle rise which isn't so good and will feel it in your palm. For recoil sensitive folks that want something with a bit more punch than .357 I recommend the 41 magnum however. Ammo is a tad harder to get, but looks like it is getting better there, and out of those N-frames quite pleasant to shoot.
Yeah, I’d love to get the X-frame grips for the model 29, but I don’t think they will fit a square butt frame, unfortunately. Shooting gloves definitely help
Excellent content as usual. I currently have 6 of these revolvers. Handloading is advisable to get the result for the intended application. That said, the Underwood 200 grain hard cast wadcutter in a model 69 makes a perfectly reasonable edc in colder weather.
I use an old Winchester 94 in 44 extensively. It sits by the front door and goes with me in the trucks and tractor and out to go hunt deer. Anything within 200 yards is pretty easy to hit with the iron sights and she’s dead accurate with no recoil and fairly quiet love that gun
I love my Ruger super blackhawk. Never noticed it being that hard to shoot. Granted I only shoot Herters ammo and it's on the low end of velocity, I've actually shot 357 loads that kicked harder out of a gp100. But that being said, the 44 might be the best handgun round ever made. Use the 44spcl for home and full power mag rounds in the woods.
Very nice shooting with the .44 magnum on the steel silhouettes. The Marlin 1894 is my Dream Gun, not this Xmas though. Interesting history too and that's funny how S&W got caught short after the Dirty Harry classic. Cheers & Merry Xmas. 🍀
![Is 5.7x28mm Just Overpriced .22 Magnum? [Part 1]](/img/n.gif)
I just watched 19 min 30 seconds about a gun and ammunition that I have never fired or want to. That’s the power of an organized and effective narrator.
You do want to shoot a 44. Don't lie to yourself.
Yeah I’m not really interested in 44mag but I still enjoy the video cuz it’s well put together and still has to do with firearms, which is a big hobby of mine. I guess I don’t know enough about the caliber to understand how this is a terrible video.
I also didn’t get the impression Chris was so uncomfortable with the caliber that he was unqualified to talk about it. But what do I know, I’m just a random guy on TH-cam posting a comment
General knowledge is always good.
@thelastpirate1906
Who pissed in your cornflakes?
Get more rest and your posts might improve.
It's fun, and a great bear gun when need be.
I was writing a comment toward the end of the video about my disappointment at the lack of a Manny Mansfield cameo. I stand corrected. He is a wonderful character thanks for keeping him alive!
I have gotten friends into this channel by starting them off with Manny Mansfield videos, and then they go from there. The mascot we need, with such wisdom as "they all fall... to hardball"
Man thanks for this comment I had already paused and was about to click away!!!
There's literally never been a video produced by this channel that isn't extremely well-done. This one is no exception. Bravo, sir! I've owned and used .44 Magnum revolvers for 45 years now and still own many. It's such a flexible cartridge...load a 240 cast bullet to around 1,000 fps and have fun all day long. Load some 300's to 1,200 and hang on tight. In addition to a 29-6, 29-5 and several 629 models (as well as many DA and SA Rugers in the caliber), I also own 2 Desert Eagles in .44. Love this cartridge!
@@thelastpirate1906 I never said he was "familiar with handling .44 magnum," and he literally started off by saying he wasn't an expert on the cartridge. The history of the cartridge as presented was interesting, although I'd heard it many times before. He covered velocity differences in barrel lengths, recoil, various formats for the cartridge, and a number of other topics that would interest me if I were a beginner. He also used humor effectively. I have my opinion, you have yours; so what? You should probably lighten up, but you do you.
@@robolive123that 44 degal is reliable??
@@DasGoodSoup I have both a 6" and 10". With Hornady 240 JHP loads, they're both very reliable. I did switch the stock rubber "extractor springs" out for AR15 extractor springs (a trick I saw on forums many years ago), and that seemed to make them more consistently reliable. Mine are 20+ year old Israeli pistols. Not very practical, but a lot of fun. The 10" gun with a 2x Burris scope is extremely accurate out to 100 yards.
@@DasGoodSoupyou have to have the right Ammo. The worst are the lead soft point that will jam.
Ruger needs to bring back the 44 carbine
Great woods whitetail hammer. Hard to find
....and the Security Six.
Not sure I’d call 30-30 intermediate. Also you didn’t include energy data on 8mm or 30 carbine.
10mm is going the way of the Dodo.
Colt discontinued 44mags a couple of decades ago
Fun fact: if you’re crazy enough to shoot a 329PD, make sure you get ammunition with a crenulated cannalure so the bullet can be crimped into the casing. It has so much recoil it can cause non crimped bullets to jump forward in the casings and lock the gun up.
Just further proof that that gun is an abomination that should never have been created
@@LuckyGunner Agreed... to an extent. It's got a VERY niche application as a guide gun, but the recoil is so brutal I'd personally have a hard time with follow up shots. Idk maybe there are some gigachads out there who could one hand that beast, but not me.
The 325pd will also cause that to happen. Particularly with 45acp +p.
Looking at the specs...barely over 26oz...that's gotta be brutal.
Or you could swap the grips to rubber and load 44 specials in it and act like you handled that recoil like a boss. I’ve always liked the looks of it but unfortunately the hard wood grips are a key part of the good looks.
"Babe come quick Chris Baker finally uploaded" 😂
lol, girls don't watch this channel!
@@LuckyGunner they do when their man makes them!!
@@LuckyGunner could frankly be a possibility. If any guntuber is going to get a nontrivial amount of female views, I'd expect it to be you. I know women whose interest in firearms is pretty much limited to small and manageable concealed carry pistols and related discussions, and you've released a TON of content on those topics, without the kind of grandstanding, off-putting personality, or fluff others suffer from that would turn away lots of viewers. Hell, release videos about purse carry or something.
@@LuckyGunner i bet there's a few - and I'd like to know them...
Christmas came early
Manny auditioning for Dirty Harry was EPIC! 🤣🤣🤣
At 55 years old, I just acquired my very first .44 magnum revolver. So this is a very timely video for my learning curve.
That's awesome. I got my first .44 Magnum around age 55, too. I am 58 now and have two: a Cimarron Bad Boy and Ruger Super Redhawk.
My wife bought me a S&W 629 for my 40th bday. I think I'll keep her. And my wife.
@linguisticman , I never thought I would own a .44 magnum. It just wasn't one that was on my list. Now I can't imagine not having it.
@@dubsspilly5864, definitely take care of that woman. It sounds like true love to me.
I just bought my first one today, 28 years old. I wanted vintage and found a 1965 product 29-2 8⅜" barrel and original "Coke-bottle" grips.
This is the best gun channel for me, I like your calm professional manner and the fact that you're not putting on this special ops tough guy act like so many other guntubers.
Ha ha - Who could you possibly mean? 😆
My first experience with .44 mag was in a Ruger Super Blackhawk. It was unpleasant when I tried shooting it like an auto loader, and I developed a nasty flinch. Then I relaxed, and let the pistol roll back in my hand instead of trying to fight it. Then it was awesome, and I was amazed how far I could connect with that pistol. I could shoot it all day without it being uncomfortable.
my first experience with the .44 Magnum, was firing it through a Desert Eagle that chambers the cartridge, which I happen to be the proud owner of. and what makes it funnier than it should be, is that my aunt watched me shoot it on my 42nd birthday (will be 45 in 5-months), and she was impressed with how I handled the recoil on such a massive gun.
@@DrQuagmire1are the deagles as finicky about ammo as people say?
I made the mistake of replacing the smooth wood plow handles with Pachmayrs. That experiment didn't last long. All my blackhawks wear stock, er, stocks.
454 casul is worse. Sharp and heavy recoil.
@@bensears7499 no doubt, that’s physics. When you get to .454 cas, .460 S&W, .500 S&W levels, it’s silly to not run a comp/break. Even for .44 mag, if you’re not running a classic aesthetic, running a comp is a no brainer in my book.
SW Model 29-2 owner here. I love that thing. Very nice shooter.
I have the 29-2 in 4 inch 1980 in mint condition
@@Robin6512 Hang on to that 29-2.
Back in the 79’s, after Dirty Harry made it famous, every cop west of New York had to have one.
I had one and traded it away on who knows what…….and it took me 40 years to finally find another 29-2 to replace it. ( I actually have 2 pristine 29-2’s now. )
There’s just something about a “29-2”…….not a dash 3….or 4 ….or 5……( sorry )…..a TWENTY NINE DASH TWO !!
Of course, I went through the “mines bigger than yours” phase……
Bought a Ruger 454 Casull. Shot it on Monday, sold it on Tuesday.
My right arm is now 3” shorter than my left……and I’m deaf from the waist up…..!
Yep……the 29-2……simply gorgeous !!
What ? WHAAAT ??
@@Robin6512 ( 70’s )
Yes, to the 44 magnum m1 carbine.
Ruger used to make a 44 10/22 style gun
so like a mini 14 but 44?
@@MyLonewolf25Didn’t Marlin make one too?
@@MyLonewolf25The Deer Stalker & Model 44.
I have a Winchester 94 16" Tracker in 44 mag. Sweet brush gun.
“Is it really that bad? … … Yes, it is.” The deadpan made me actually LOL, Chris. well done.
Okay, Sports Fans……here’s all ya needs to do…….
On Monday, buy a Ruger 454 Casull and 6 rds. Go to the range and fire all 6 rds.
On Tuesday, sell same…….and buy a Smith model 29 and all the 44 mag ammo you can carry.
You will NEVER AGAIN complain about “44 mag recoil”……..I PROMISE !!!
I have several .44 Magnum’s. I do often carry a S&W model 69 combat magnum with a 2.75” barrel. I carry Super Vel 180 grain solid copper hollow points. They get close to 1400 fps out of my gun and expand to about .80”. Honestly the recoil isn’t bad with that ammo. I will say, my new Colt Anaconda is the most pleasant shooting .44 Mag that I personally have ever shot.
Chrono data on that?
Everything I’ve seen for 44 mag on a 2.75” barrel is 1100 fps or under
I’ve never seen any actual load data showing 1400 fps under 6”
@ I have yet to chronograph it personally. The Super Vel website has a list of velocity readings from several different guns. They tested it out of a 3” model 29 and reported 1412 fps. They also claimed 1399 for from a 2.5” Ruger Redhawk. Gunsam has a video on here where he got an average of 1426 FPS from a 4-1/4” model 69. Based off of that information I estimate that it should be 1300-1400 fps, that’s assuming my gun doesn’t have a huge cylinder gap (it doesn’t) or a “slow” barrel.
I love my Model 69. I added custom wood grips and carry both open and concealed depending on the day. My son questioned the old timer hip shooting Lucky Gunner had in a video recently while we were at the range. Just for the heck of it, I tried with my baby. Two shots, center mass, 1.5 inches apart at 7 yards as fast as my son can double tap his 9mm. Weird technique but it can work. Who knew?
Disclosure: I was shooting .44 SPL at the time, not magnum. I do shoot it alot,but haven't tried that exercise. It was just a spur of the moment having fun with my son.
@ Very nice! I put the VZ finger grove g10 grips on mine, they fit my hand perfectly.
“Can I take this home?” Got me rolling! Love me some manny Mansfield!!!
I would like to see a video like this on the other major revolver cartridges like 357mag, 460S&W, 500S&W, 41mag and 480 Ruger. This was a well done and through video, keep up the good work.
When I (as a young Deputy Sheriff) finally bought my first M29-2 in 1978, it did indeed come with a box of ammo that was six rounds short! I carried that superb firearm for years, on and off duty, and one memorable year I harvested the "south Texas grand slam" of one whitetail, one coyote and one javelina. I learned speed and point shooting with light loads, and worked up to my carry-hunting load was and still is the excellent Speer 225 gr JSWCHP over 10.0/Unique, which many years later I found out is exactly Jerry Miculek's and Jim Cirillo's favorite .44 Mag load as well. Great minds...I used the Lee 44-210-SWC with the same charge for training. The gun has had two rebuild/yard periods and I've semi-retired it to use for hunting and in the local LEO matches' Big Bore Revolver side match, with the MP 44-215 HBWC over 4.5/W231. I also used Super Blackhawks for IHMSA competition and hunting; but when the M29 tagged along to a silhouette match and I shot some steel with it after the match, and it outshot the 7-1/2" Rugers, that sort of dampened my enthusiasm for them. My next purchase was the DeerStalker which unfortunately was stolen. I replaced it with a Browning B92, and recently found a lightly used DeerStalker as well as a Remington 788 and a Handi-Rifle.
Plus One on a .44-M1, and a Lightning clone pump .44.
I was glad to hear you mention, even if briefly, the Dan Wesson. Almost every revolver video completely ignores this fantastic weapon. When I attended gun shows they were rarely seen because people don’t sell them. They are easily the equal of those made by the major companies in this market.
Yes, DW revolvers dominated the Steel Silhouette shooting in the 1970s-1980s. They were very accurate. Perhaps it was because of the interchangeable barrels with the locking system that pulls the barrel tighter against the frame. Maybe it was the overall quality manufacturing. Too bad DW went BK and emerged into just s shadow of themselves until CZ took over and flogged quality control into making very good 1911s.
Yeah, I think they are definitely underappreciated. I might do a video on the Dan Wesson revolvers someday
@ yeah, you definitely want to find one made in Monson in the early days.
Manny manfield is the foremost authority on .44 mag
9mm??? what’re you just trying to wound the man?
I need more Lucky Gunner videos in my life.
Great video! Quite a few years ago now, I bought my first .44 Magnum, a 4" M29 Smith. I took it out to the range with a box of ammo and foolishly blew off the whole box [50 rounds]. The next day my hand was sore and I realized I should have bought an M29 with a 6" barrel. Nowadays I always reload my .44 Magnums with a .240 gr. bullet to 900 to 1000 ft./sec. just a little hotter than a .44 Special load and you can shoot this load all day long!
I replaced the factory rubber grips on my 629 with some nifty wooden grips.
After a cylinder of medium hot factory loads...the rubber grips went right back on. OUCH ! I'm 67 years old and my old thumb just can't take it anymore.
I've been an avid 'gun enthusiast/shooter' for about 12 years now.
I've JUST started getting into revolvers, and have been 'working my way up' to Buffalo Bore's out of my Ruger SP101.
I still don't think I'm ready for the 44 Mag.
Dunno... gimme 5 more years.
LoL!
Amazingly informative video, as always, @LuckyGunner!
Great video!
In my opinion, the .44 Magnum is a very useful and versatile cartridge. It can be used to deliver a variety of bullet types and weights at a wide range of velocities.
As an avid outdoorsman and guide, I have used and carried several different packing sized pistols, semi-auto and revolvers, for defense against dangerous game.
If you practice with, handle, and shoot large revolvers frequently, they can be very effective tools. The large, heavy, high sectional density hard cast lead bullets that can be fired from .44 magnum and larger caliber revolvers have the ability to penetrate very consistently and deeply on large animals. This, combined with the large frontal area common of heavy cast flat nose bullets, makes for quick killing performance on dangerous game. These attributes just can not be matched by packing sized semi-autos. Even the .460 rowland, which I do like and shoot frequently, can't quite compete with the .44 mag, .45lc, etc. when it comes to deep, game dropping penetration.
When guiding or backpacking in the mountains, I most commonly carry either a S&W 329 PD 4" with Houge tamer grips, or a Ruger Super Blackhawk Predator by Mag-na-port, both loaded with a 310 grain hard cast flat nose pushed to around 1100 fps from those barrel lengths. I can shoot both pistols quickly and effectively, and both pistols are capable of accurate shooting at extended distances.
I can not overstate the importance of practicing with you woods/trail gun. I've seen hikers carry guns that are "the right choice" for bear defense (10mm, .44 etc), but have had little to no experience shooting their chosen pistol. If your edc and woods gun are different, practice with BOTH. If you don't have much experience shooting revolvers, or if you do have lots of experience with your edc 9mm, a 10mm auto would probably be a better choice for you. The learning curve between shooting a glock 19 and shooting a glock 20 should be easy to overcome for most, while the learning curve between shooting a glock 19 and a large revolver may be much more challenging.
Anyway, I hope some of this was helpful. Just sharing my 2 cents, and hoping they can be useful to a fellow outdoorsman. 🙂
Can you do a video like this on the 45 colt? It's a versatile cartridge that can range from cowboy loads to +p loads that can beat the 44 magnum
Welcome back Chris Baker . Thank you for the content 🇦🇺
OMG! Manny channeling George McFly there! lol For a second I thought he'd say "Take your damn hands off of her Biff!". But also Christopher Walken screen test for Han Solo! "made the Kessel Run ...in less than 12 parsecs, is she fast enough ....for you.... old ... man?".
Hah, sounds about right
I’m 41 mag curious. It’s just obscure. Like my last 327 fed mag I couldn’t find any decent self defense or practice ammo for.
Yes I’m aware you carry a 32 H&R mag Chris.
Aluminum Blazer. 44 mag. Cases ,stick and gall badly in my Marlin 1894! I've owned five .44 Magnum revolvers from Smith and Ruger, a Desert Eagle (magnaported) and two rifles (Marlin, Winchester). My first ,1956 ,cased ,6.5" model 29, started me on my reloading journey! I would feel confident against any animal on the continent with a Hot Rodded .44 load! Thankyou Elmer Keith! ..Thanks for the video! 👍
I just picked up my first .44 magnum from my local gun store, a 7.5 inch Ruger Redhawk. While the extra barrel length might not add much velocity, it really does absorb recoil well. My Redhawk with Hogue grips was MUCH more pleasant to shoot than my S&W 642 airweight in .38 spl with factory grips.
@mcjon77 Did you ever shoot the Redhawk with the factory wood grips? I'm curious how bad the wood grips are because they don't cover the backstrap.
You should try full power 357 mag in a 340/360pd, it’s much worse than 44 mag, even in the scandium 329PD.
It’s absolutely brutal
@@danielgreen6547 No. The gun was used and didn't come with the wood grips.
@@danielgreen6547 I own a Ruger Super Blackhawk that came with the wooden grips. It’s definitely punishing to my hands. I put hogue grips on it and the difference was noticeable. A far better experience shooting the gun.
I have (15) 44 magnum revolvers, and yes I am old and the Dirty Harry movies influenced me. I have a pre model 1956 and 1957 my birth year and my wife's birth year. The rest are 29 - 2 in various configurations. All in presentation cases unfired. I couldn't afford one when they came out, so as I got older they were first on my list. Thank you for the video. Well done.
I've fired a 4in barrel S & W stainless .44 mag. It was a handfull. I imagine it would take thousands of rounds to get really good w one of these.
My hand started tingling & getting slightly sore after just 24 rounds.
Feisty as it was. It was VERY satisfying to shoot. Power in a hand cannon like this is highly addictive. That's when I really understood the beatles song.
"Happiness is a warm gun"
Are you small in stature? Asking seriously. I am very medium in size, height, weight hand size, etc. I have no problem with .44 mag. In fact, I enjoy shooting my S&W 629 Classic with the 6.5" barrel. That was my first revolver and I got it specifically for the then new handgun deer season in my state. I also have no problem carrying it all day when hunting. I have a good, but not fancy, belt rig and it is fine. I have also taken deer out to at least 75 yards, or a little more, with no problem. Lots of deer over the years.
The most I ever fired at one session was a little over 200 rounds. I did this when I first got the gun, putting several different loads through it to see which would be the most accurate. I stopped because I ran out of ammo and because the gun was getting really hot. Toward the end when I pushed the cylinder out, I could hear a sizzle (shooting gloves with exposed fingertips).
@louisgiokas2206 Err NO. 4 in vs 6.5 in barrel can make a difference in recoil. Wood handle combined with heavy slugs & hot loads. When most recommend the opposite. Rubber grips light slugs & moderate loads. No gloves, either.
I live in Australia. I have friends who own guns. I dont.
So there is the likelihood that my holding of the weapon was less than perfect. But enjoyed it regardless. If I could be bothered dancing through the beurocratic nightmare. Owning a handgun here in Australia involves. I would go for a .357 magnum. For logistical reasons like ammo price & gun choices. If I was living in the US.
I would definitely own a .44 magnum. Fired semi autos but I just like the feel of wheel guns.
Because of our restrictive gun laws. There is little need for self defense edc unless you work in security. So it's target or hunting mainly.
@@gorillafunk725 Well, I guess I am not recoil sensitive. Actually, that is the case. The first gun I shot was a 1911-A1 when I was 10 years old. I loved it. I could hit a 3 oz. Dixie cup nailed to a tree (that was our target, fun story) at 10 yards with no problem. I have also shot shorter (and longer barrel) .44 mag guns and did not notice a major difference in recoil. Weight is a major determinant in felt recoil. For example, the difference between a 4" S&W 629 and my 6.5" 629 Classic is 7 oz. Comparing that to the regular 6" 629 and the difference is 3.5 oz. That is not a significant difference compared to the overall weight. As for my gun, at that session I mentioned I shot everything from 210gr to 300gr loads, both "normal" and "hot". The 210gr (Winchester Silvertip) was the most accurate, by the way. I hunt with a hot 240gr load, and used to hunt with 275gr loads. I used to have a security training company and the first guy running it was a former US Army sniper (and counter sniper) who was very good. He got me to point where I could put four shots, rapid fire, one handed into a 4" square target. It was fun being taught by a real expert.
While plenty of deer have been taken with a .357 mag., I had one experience with that which did not encourage me. I was hunting with an uncle, on his farm, and one year he had obtained a Taurus revolver in .357 mag that held eight rounds. He was a very, very good shot with all types of firearms (and he had them all). So, we were hunting in January, cold, lots of snow, and he shot at a running deer. Usually no problem for him. His firing discipline was so good that he stopped firing after six rounds. He wounded the animal, and with another guy I tracked it for about five miles until the blood trail stopped. We never found it. Of course, my uncle's best friend started chiding him after that. He said with that gun my uncle wouldn't have to reload all weekend.
I only have two experiences with recoil that I find significant. The first was firing a single action revolver in .454 Casull. It belonged to a guy I was handgun hunting with and one time back at the barn during lunch he let me shoot it. It was not a recoil problem per-se but a grip issue. It was cold and I had to take off my gloves because of the small trigger guard. The recoil didn't bother me, but between smooth wood grips and my cold, dry hands, and it almost slipped out of my hand.
The second was the only time when I felt the recoil was too much for the gun. I was at a range and rented one of the very first SIG P365 pistols. It was not that I couldn't handle it, but that the gun was too small and light for the caliber. It was uncomfortable to shoot both because of its size and weight. You may have noticed that they are now offering longer grip versions which seem to be very popular.
I feel for you and the issues you have in Australia. I still like the .44 and am sticking to that. I also like semi-autos and have guns in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. I do have a "list" and .22LR revolvers are on it, but more for fun and small game hunting. I have a recipe for a mean squirrel gumbo.
Nice chatting with you.
The Manny skit was hilarious. On to the actual subject at hand. I think .44 magnum in a handgun is an interesting novelty. But I'm hard pressed to think of any practical application that couldn't be better handled by something else. That said, I am a fan of .44 spl which I think is a somewhat underrated self defense round, that would be appealing to fans of large caliber. I think the late Jeff Cooper once opined that .44 was the only revolver caliber he had any real respect for. (Take that for what its worth.)
I've been appreciative of your content the entire decade you've been creating; this the first time mentioning that. Superb as ever, may you go from strength to strength.
Would love to see a .327/.32; .38/.357; .44/mag comparison... which is "enough" for any given application of a revolver/ lever combo.
Thanks again.
Might also be interesting to throw in the "modern" alternative, 10mm auto as it's generally between 357 an 44 energy wise. No lever actions unfortunately but there are a few lightweight carbines including rugers weird thing.
My dad has a Ruger 44 carbine. Absolute solid little rifle. Was visiting dad once (NC mountains)and had the gun out nearby while working in the yard because he lives next to a National Forest bear sanctuary. A feral dog charged towards my 4yo. I took the shot while it was on a dead run at about 75-80yds. Worked perfectly. I’ve never made a better shot. only wish I could buy one for myself. Ruger if you see this-we want you to make a new run of them.
That wide angle shot at 8:14 is so cool. Reminds me of that scene in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas when he shoots his .357 in the desert.
I heard that if you shoot the round without hearing protection and listen carefully as you fire it, you won’t hear anything for a while.
😂😂😂
Ya heard wrong you'll hear ringing for a few hours lmao
@ Haha, I’ve never tested it with .44, but it’s true for 556. I made that mistake once.
LOL It's actually not as bad as my Ruger Blackhawk 30 carbine
Not true! You get a nice permanent "EEEEEEEEEEEE"
I am so happy that Manny showed up!
Remember : you can always get a new family, but you can't get a new tactical advantage.
All I know is that,of all my guns,the model 29 I have would be the last I’d ever sell.
I absolutely love my 50th anniversary edition. It’s a thing of beauty .
I'm never gonna buy a .44mag, just chiming in to say Lucky Gunner really does have the fastest shipping.
Your channel is very authentic. Your facts are researched and your opinions are genuine and come from your own personal experience rather than trying to impress people with tactical gun hero mall ninja nonsense. Please keep doing these videos.
With the Desert Eagle you need to make sure to use fully jacketed .44 rounds. Rounds with exposed lead will clog the gas system on the gun. Hotter loads also tend to help the gas system cycle reliably.
This was fantastic! I hope you do more of these on other calibers (maybe .41 magnum?)
I stsrted watching this video 45 seconds after it went live... Missed it by *that* much.
Lever action is our go-to at home. Partly because of the “optics” when dealing with a liberal jury, but mostly because it is ambidextrous and comfortable for both me (right handed) and my wife (left handed).
I own 2 44 magnums and shoot them both a lot. My hunting and target gun is a 10.5” super Blackhawk. Its fantastic. My EDC is a 2.75” Smith 69. About the same size as a Glock 17 but seems to carry easier to carry and it’s wicked accurate. Recoil on 44 mags is not as bad as it’s often made out to be. Cost will likely limit your ammo expenditure before your hand gets worn out.
My father sadly traded his Deerfield away for a boat, and has regretted it almost every year since.
Hell of a close range deer gun.
Even managed to run all of the ammo he got for it reliably.
A Manny appearance? Best TH-cam Christmas present ever.
Well done. Agree! I bought my first revolver in 1985. It was a 10 5/8" S&W Mod. 29. My next few revolvers were another 29(10 5/8), a Super Blackhawk,(10 1/2) a 629(8 3/8) and a 657 (41 Mag)(8 3/8). All were bought within a couple years of the first. I shot many thousand of rounds over the years of 44 magnum. Handloading made it feasible and more manageable.
Though I have hit deer at over 100 yards with a 44 magnum revolver I limit myself to 60 yards and under.
Too many gut shot deer beyond that. In a rifle we have adequately/effectively and ethically harvested dozens of deer from 25 to 125 yards with 44 magnum. Thank you for good coverage of a great cartridge and is firearms and history.
Great video. I bought a 629 5" for a planned motorcycle trip to Alaska that hasn't happened yet (that was 10 years ago). You are correct about .44 sp. Very nice. Makes a big hole, just not as fast. Mag, not so nice. Please include the .44 mag and .44 sp. in your ballistic ammo testing. That is still my go to for ammo purchases.
Loved the Manny Mansfield tryout. If he doesn't get that role, maybe he can audition to play Tackleberry!
Hey Speer, the GDHPs and Deep Curl bullets are fine, but PLEASE bring back the jacketed SWC HP/SPs in 38, 41, 44 and introduce them in 32 and 45! 4" guns and SPL calibers need love too, and the GDs just won't function at SPL velocities!
Seeing Manny Mansfield was a wonderful Christmas present.
A buddy has a custom Blackhawk with 3" barrel and beautiful wood camo grips. The gun is in a greyish matte finish, absolutely beautiful. He took a pic out of a video of me shooting it at the perfect timing for the ring of fire a foot in diameter. Love shooting it. I'm a fan of recoil, real power.
@@thelastpirate1906 It could be, not sure. It's a Bisley style grip. It's a very dramatic piece, manageable recoil and lots of noise and fire. 😃
3”, jeez. That’s gotta hurt.
@@Scientist_Salarian It's subjective. Some are recoil sensitive, others aren't. I'm a fan. Shooting single actions are a little different than say a 686 or a Python or most double action. You hold a single action a little different, higher on the grip and Bisley changes it a little more. I have a Bisley Vanquero and have shot some pretty hot 45 Colts out of her. Shiny stainless steel, beautiful tool.
@@thelastpirate1906 I have tried different stances over the years. Honestly I rarely shoot my single action much anymore. Ammo cost and constant training with semi auto rifles and pistols has put those towards the back of the safe. 😄 Really enjoy classic revolver calibers, 45 Colt, 44 spl, 357 mag, 44 mag, etc but shoot 9, 40, 45acp, 380 way more, carry 40 mostly but also 9 a good bit. Nice to have my own range.
It's always impressive to hear about its origins and how it remains a top choice for both hunting and self-defense.
Love the “acting” at the end.
Finished the video. Noticed that you did not mention the effect of barrel twist on the accuracy of the 44mag. In my 4.2" 629, 240gr Federal Powershok worked fantastic for accuracy. But in my Marlin 44mag lever action, the ammo was a pattern at 50m. Once i purchased FTX 225gr from Hornady meant for a rifle, accuracy increased. Just to note, using the revolver at 50m with the 240gr federal powershok, still had a better group than the rifle. Barrel twist for the 629 is 1:20, but the Marlin rifle twist is 1:38.
I repeated the tests using Blazer 240gr JHP, and HSM 240gr -- same results. I tried the 225gr FTX out of my 629 and accuracy is fantastic.
Of course more testing could be done, but i'm pretty confident that the slower barrel twist does not allow for great accuracy using handgun ammo out of a 44mag rifle. As i am writing this, the one gap would be that i have not tried 200 gr or lighter projectiles between the two platforms.
Never owned a .44 mag handgun, but ive seriously considered a Rossi 92 in .44 mag. I think the carbine in .44 is where this cartridge really shines. Saying that I bough a Rossi in .357 mag instead, to pair with my SAA, and already having the reloading gear for 38/357 it just made more sense.
Everything you need to know about 44 magnum:
Its not as bad as you think it is to shoot.😊
@@noshillgunreviews my buddy has a DE in 44 mag and it’s not bad. Granted the gun weighs almost as much as my AR and small SUV combined, but that’s beside the point.
@SDGLFDNC lol facts but like you said it isn't that bad. How does it shoot btw? I've never shot a desert eagle.
@ it’s a lot of fun as a novelty. I’ve heard that it’s got reliability issues, but we shot perhaps 75 rounds with no issues. It’s by no means a good test by any means. It is HEAVY. I’m a single dude so my forearms are good and strong; that sucker was not something I’d want to shoot at a comp. He put a trijicon on it which was nice. It would take getting used to but it shoots softer than you think it would. Not something I’d want as a regular shooter
@SDGLFDNC okay bet bet, thanks you for that. It's something I want to get, but I wanna get it in 50 A.E. Hopefully soon I can!
I own a 44 magnum Ruger Super Redhawk and love it. But I still want a model 29 Smith and Wesson because of the Dirty Harry movies . It’s probably going to be my next handgun purchase. I’ve put it off for years for more practical firearms but this coming year may well be the time to scratch that old itch.
I wanted a .44 magnum revolver since my teen years. Then in my 50s I bought a S&W Model 629 w/4 " barrel. It was a very difficult choice for me, as I love the Model 29 so much (can't go wrong with blued steel and wood grips). If I ever have a chance to pick up a Model 29, I certainly will.
I just picked up an N frame in the OG .44 revolver caliber.
A 5" S&W 544 chambered in 44-40.
Bout to cast some Big Lube bullets and load up some black powder cartridges.
Really great video.
Greetings from over the Pond. 🇬🇧
I've had several guns in 44 Mag and it became my favourite pistol calibre. Used to load for it extensively.
I bought a Ruger M96 lever action .44 mag. carbine back in '07. Nice, compact mag-fed rifle that works well for woods-hunting deer and hogs. A simple design that uses a tilting bolt for lock-up and a 10/22 style stock.
a lot of people bought it because of the movie but we're too scared to shoot it
It is the most fun you can have at the range. IF you are in to Big Guns.
@@henrymorgan3982 I had a Mod 29 6.5" bbl back in the 80s and you learned to not try to tame it so much as allow it to twist up and recover quickly. Mine was very accurate as well.
A lot of people bought it because of the movie but were scared because they shot it.
Maybe the factory loads were closer to max at the time, but most of what you buy today (aside from BB/Underwood/etc) is VERY shootable in a full-size N-frame or Red/Black hawk. I personally think .45 super in an FNX is "snappier" with a 185gr, and on paper the hottest .45 super is essentially .44spl +p/weak .44mag.
I'd love to get my hands on a box of factory ammo from the early 60's to chrono it, as maybe they were pushing 240's at 1550fps+ from a 6"? I'm pretty sure W196/H110 was around back then and I've used a hair over 24gr to reach 1625fps from my 7.5" Redhawk. That's a relatively unpleasant round to shoot compared to most modern factory loads.
@@mfallen2023 I had a handful of the old 240gr swaged lead round nose flat point 44 mags from the late 50s. They were definitely spicy, but I didn’t tear any down to measure what powder charge they had. They got the full 1400 fps out of a smith m69 4.25” barrel, horrible leading in the bore
My 629 has Pachmayr grips and an 8 3/8 in barrel. Both of these help tremendously.
A KTW bronze bullet with the base reamed out to add lead for weight in a 44 magnum was designed to penetrate an elephant’s skull straight. Larry Kelly of Mag-Na-Port fame used that bullet to drop a bull elephant with one shot in his ported five inch Ruger Super Blackhawk revolver.
@18:00 . I would love to see a retro M1 carbine styled semi in either .357 Mag or .44 Mag. Stick them in a version of that Samson A team stock & you have a cool 'what if' carbine.
Its especially interesting in light of the M1 being designed around a modified .32 Winchester Self Loading cartridge, it would be a neat counterfactual to see kinda what a version built around .351SL would have been like..
Either would be great. I think the challenge is getting the rimmed cartridges to feed out of a box magazine
Like the Ruger 10/44?
Always educational. I enjoy the facts presented here. I own two revolvers and one lever rifle. I have learned to load cowboy action loads for range shooting making them a pleasure to shoot. Otherwise, for folks with medium hands, it is painful to shoot more than a dozen rounds. The Hogue rubber grips are a must. Nerve damage can occur with the wood grips. Thank you for your presentations. Always common sense and facts.
Great lever action cartridge!
0:20 Im sold Im switching over
Real
My question about it is,"was it 6 shots or only 5?"...."i gots to know!"
I have the 629 "classic" with the 5" full underlug barrel. It is not the most practical gun I own, but it is my favorite handgun. The double action is so smooth I hardly use the single action trigger. The recoil is not bad, even with 300gr "bear loads"; but reloaders will have fun with it because the recoil can be tamed without too much loss in velocity.
Great video! Loved Manny's audition, did he get the part?
What i was hoping for was just a quick mention of the .44 AMP Automag at the end with the semi autos
For the longest time, I was terrified to get into a 44 Magnum. I was all in on .357 Magnum and .45 ACP. When i brought a Mini-14 in for trade at my local gun store before moving to AZ, the owner who is a friend of mine had a Ruger Speed Six in stock. Good condition, looked good, but he just got it in and didn't want to work a trade on it just yet. Instead, he pulled out a Ruger Redhawk 44 magnum with a 4 inch barrel. Told him my doubts and he threw in a box of ammo and a Maverick 88 to sweeten the deal. I agreed. Have to say that for all the hype of the .44 Magnum being so powerful, I found it remarkably controllable and not nearly as bad as my Model 28 in .357. It has since become my home defense gun loaded with Ammo Inc .44 Magnum Hollow Points and a speed loader of .44 Specials for a reload
The anaconda is probably my favorite 44 magnum revolver without going into crazy money. Beautiful double action, longer cylinder for longer and more powerful loads as well as added weight for decreased recoil, and the dang thing just looks beautiful
I’ll never skip a lucky gunner video been watching your channel since I was 17 I’m 25 now 💪🏾💯🇺🇸
Chris, you're a legend my man.
👍👍👍Elmer was a smart man
I've had three 44 mags, one 41 mag, and one 357 mag. I had a Ruger Blackhawk with 10,1/2 barrel, Super Redhawk 7,1/2 barrel, and a Redhawk 7,1/2 barrel. I liked the Blackhawk best, was accurate and worked well. The 357 was a Ruger GP 100, six" barrel, and last the 41 was a Ruger Redhawk 7,1/2 barrel. Out of all of them I regret selling the 41. I believe for me it was the best all- around useful of them all, and I would say next to that I liked the big Blackhawk. I would still have the 41 though over all of them again, however, I gave up on magnum handguns as I really have no real need for one now. The 41 though was enough for me, whatever that would accomplish, was good enough for my purposes. Now I just have the old 38 special, and that seems enough for me these days as I don't hunt big or dangerous game.
Hilarious ending! For 30+ years I've shot IHMSA Silhouette with my M29, standing and with open sights, which I bought new in 1988. Silhouette is still around and nothing beats the thrill of shooting at a 55-lb steel ram at 200+ yards and watching it topple over a fraction of a second later. Actually, my 8-3/8" M29 was the very first firearm I ever bought (but not the first I shot). The fun of shooting a friend's M29 is what switched me from being among the gun-control crowd to being pro-gun. I need to make a video about my journey with the M29. Thank you for your video with its good historical perspective and discussion of this legendary revolver.
First! Also I was actually loading for .44 right now! I got a 29 no dash mfg in 1960
Cool! Our Model 29 featured in the video is also from 1960
Nice ! I had one of the first nickled 29's.
Good info. Loved the funny bit at the end.
This video is spot on. Purchased the classic model 29-10 classic several years ago. Shot 6 rounds (240 gr) and agree, it kicks. Purchased the Hogue grips and a great improvement but took away the aesthetics. I have a dedicated shooting glove now. I run .44 specials now and purchased the Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter edition. Ruger gets my vote for .44 magnum rounds and keep the classic @ .44 special. Both are great revolvers. Old school and still love wood grips...
I got my first .44 Mag revolver 44 years ago. Worked all summer and went down to a pawn shop with Dad and picked out what I wanted - a Ruger 7.5" bbl Super Blackhawk - and Dad did the paperwork. The guy in the shop threw in a gun rug and a box of .44 Specials. Before anyone starts screaming, straw purchase!, it was a different time back then, especially in the Southwestern United States.
Thanks Chris! You are a great teacher. I love my SRH in 44 but like you 50 is enough for a day.
As a 15 year old I had a few shots with a model 29 at a Kent gun range and cannot forget that feeling of immense destructive fire power.
Six shots of thunder and lightening.
manny Mansfield packed video, gotta love it
I had a S&W 329 PD frame break with standard magnum loads. It's light, but I'm not sold on alloy magnum revolvers.
Had the model 29 8"barrel, stretched it a bit, between the barrel and the cylinder, got the super black hawk 10 1/2" barrel what a difference, much stronger and more accurate. Do not what powders you were using but I got a lot flatter shooting out of the 10 1/2" barrel of the Ruger Black Hawk, I shot from 20 yards to 100 yards. Did have to change the handle on the Ruger to a much larger and softer one, then was able to shoot it with one hand, but most who tried with one hand could not. Pays to weight train if you want to shoot these more powerful rounds. Thanks for the very good video, one of the best I have seen on the 44 magnum.
I had two 4” S&W .44 Magnums
One was a 629-1 with a smooth radiused trigger the other was a 29-3 with the serrated trigger face.
The 629-1 did not beat my hand up too bad. I could shoot a box of 50 and be OK.
The 29-3 was murder on my trigger finger. The vibration of the recoil and the edge of the trigger beat my trigger finger up so badly it swelled. I was surprised. I sold the 29-3 soon after.
I am going to get either a 6” Colt Anaconda, or a 5” or 6” full underlug S&W 629 for my .44 Magnum needs.
Yes, the serrated triggers are awful, especially shooting double action with more finger on the trigger
I just walked out of the gun shop with a 1965 Model 29-2 with the 8⅜" barrel. Checked another one off the bucket list boys!
My youngest brother almost bought a Deagle in .44 magnum for meme purposes and range flexing. I was with him at the gun store to ask him "Are you sure about this?". But if he had got it, I guess it would have been better than him being a typical Marine Corporal buying a 25% APR Mustang or crotch-rocket.
For recoil, as in beating your hand up, don't get a ported or weighted barrel. You want that energy to go into lifting the barrel and not back in your hand. Also, for the 629, the grips have an exposed backstrap on newer models. The grips from the X-frame pistols like the 500 don't and will fit. Makes a huge difference. And nothing wrong with a shooting glove. I find the 6" the sweet spot for recoil. Longer barrels add a bit of weight which is good, but don't let the muzzle rise which isn't so good and will feel it in your palm.
For recoil sensitive folks that want something with a bit more punch than .357 I recommend the 41 magnum however. Ammo is a tad harder to get, but looks like it is getting better there, and out of those N-frames quite pleasant to shoot.
Yeah, I’d love to get the X-frame grips for the model 29, but I don’t think they will fit a square butt frame, unfortunately. Shooting gloves definitely help
Excellent content as usual. I currently have 6 of these revolvers. Handloading is advisable to get the result for the intended application. That said, the Underwood 200 grain hard cast wadcutter in a model 69 makes a perfectly reasonable edc in colder weather.
That sounds like a pretty good combo
I use an old Winchester 94 in 44 extensively. It sits by the front door and goes with me in the trucks and tractor and out to go hunt deer. Anything within 200 yards is pretty easy to hit with the iron sights and she’s dead accurate with no recoil and fairly quiet love that gun
I love my Ruger super blackhawk. Never noticed it being that hard to shoot. Granted I only shoot Herters ammo and it's on the low end of velocity, I've actually shot 357 loads that kicked harder out of a gp100. But that being said, the 44 might be the best handgun round ever made. Use the 44spcl for home and full power mag rounds in the woods.
the chart at 5:42 is super helpful
Very nice shooting with the .44 magnum on the steel silhouettes. The Marlin 1894 is my Dream Gun, not this Xmas though. Interesting history too and that's funny how S&W got caught short after the Dirty Harry classic.
Cheers & Merry Xmas. 🍀
The best gun channel on TH-cam. Thanks, Chris!
Thanks, I’m glad you’re enjoying it!