I'm A Ruger fan as well! .41 blackhawk, .45 auto and several mark 2s. Red label, 10/22s. In the process of modding my 10/22 for a target gun. I will leave the other as a field gun. I really like them all but the .41 mag is my all time, go to gun. I think it's just because it fits me so well. It's incredibly accurate. The draw back is it can be difficult to get bullets to reload, probably will start casting them myself. I forgot but I also have a GP 100.
Larger caliber revolvers - preference....?
After seeing all those nice Rugers on the Post your Ruger Photos thread, I had to start this thread before I was accused of high jacking the photo thread!
Those revolvers look so good!
I've been considering going to a larger caliber gun and would like any impressions on shooting of these larger caliber guns. .... Like gp100 vs sp101 in 357. Recoil?? Which do you like better?
And especially the Blackhawks (convertibles, too) and Redhawks in those 45 calibers (45colt vs 45 ACP) and 44 Mag vs 44 special -- and maybe a comparison in similar guns between the 45 and the 44 Mag - recoil wise. I realize that this is somewhat of an unfair comparison because there is a big weight difference between the Blackhawk and the Redhawk, but ...
Heck... even throw in the Alaskan line - if you like!
I love Rugers!
Have a Single Six convertible, LCP, LC9, Mark III, and LCR.
Those revolvers look so good!
I've been considering going to a larger caliber gun and would like any impressions on shooting of these larger caliber guns. .... Like gp100 vs sp101 in 357. Recoil?? Which do you like better?
And especially the Blackhawks (convertibles, too) and Redhawks in those 45 calibers (45colt vs 45 ACP) and 44 Mag vs 44 special -- and maybe a comparison in similar guns between the 45 and the 44 Mag - recoil wise. I realize that this is somewhat of an unfair comparison because there is a big weight difference between the Blackhawk and the Redhawk, but ...
Heck... even throw in the Alaskan line - if you like!
I love Rugers!
Have a Single Six convertible, LCP, LC9, Mark III, and LCR.
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
Seen the magnum research BFR in 45-70?!
I have S&W revolvers in all the calibers you mention. Rugers are great as well, but caliber is the question. If I chose one it would be .44 spl./mag. .44 spl. is a nice controlable chunk of lead and having the mag. as alternate is best of both worlds. I reload only mag. cases, lead for specials and hollow points for mag. If you practise with the mag. it becomes not so formidable.
I own a few revolvers in .357 Magnum.
4 Rugers and one taurus.
The GP100's are well balanced and recoil is managable.
I have alwauys felt that .357 Magnum is the ideal self defense cartridge because it is powerful enough to virtually guarantee a knock down on the first center mass hit but still managable from a recoil and traing effort/training cost standpoint.
Anything more is too muc,h as a self defense round IMO, as you will find yourself training less and less due to painful recoil and greater ammo expense with say a 44 Magnum
4 Rugers and one taurus.
The GP100's are well balanced and recoil is managable.
I have alwauys felt that .357 Magnum is the ideal self defense cartridge because it is powerful enough to virtually guarantee a knock down on the first center mass hit but still managable from a recoil and traing effort/training cost standpoint.
Anything more is too muc,h as a self defense round IMO, as you will find yourself training less and less due to painful recoil and greater ammo expense with say a 44 Magnum
Sounds like 357 may be the way to go.
But I was thinking with the 44 magnum, that the weight of the gun being greater might soften up the recoil some.
I have not fired one of these larger calibers.
But even the 38 Special out of my little S&W Airweight gives a pretty good jolt. Not the most pleasant gun to shoot. But it is pretty light weight.
My Ruger LCP 380 falls in that not so pleasant category, too. But that gun is very light. The LCP is somewhere around 12 oz - and the 38 around 14 oz, I believe.
I know the larger guns - like 44 Mag - go up to as much as 44 oz. That would be a lot greater recoil softening weight.
But I was thinking with the 44 magnum, that the weight of the gun being greater might soften up the recoil some.
I have not fired one of these larger calibers.
But even the 38 Special out of my little S&W Airweight gives a pretty good jolt. Not the most pleasant gun to shoot. But it is pretty light weight.
My Ruger LCP 380 falls in that not so pleasant category, too. But that gun is very light. The LCP is somewhere around 12 oz - and the 38 around 14 oz, I believe.
I know the larger guns - like 44 Mag - go up to as much as 44 oz. That would be a lot greater recoil softening weight.
20-30 years ago, Charter Arms made a nice revolver in their .44 spl Bulldog. I've heard some concerns about their recent production, but nothing I could substantiate. I think I'd give it another go if I ran across one.
In any case, it pays to buy the magnum and shoot specials and shorts when practicing, saving the magnum noise and recoil for when you need it.
In any case, it pays to buy the magnum and shoot specials and shorts when practicing, saving the magnum noise and recoil for when you need it.
We have a SP101 and 357 Blackhawk convertible. The SP101 is a small gun with a 2.25" barrel. For such a short barrel it is a good shooting gun. The Blackhawk is a beast with a 6 1/2" barrel. The Blackhawk is built like a tank. Ruger had no concern for weight when they designed the Blackhawk, everything about it is over built. For a hunting weapon a blackhawk is tough to beat. The SP101 was designed to be an EDC weapon and it fills that role nicely. I have an old Charter that fills that role well too. The Charter is not as accurate as the Ruger but it does what it was designed to do, put a 357 mag bullet into an attacker at close range, first time, every time.
For self defense and range use the 357 is a decent cartridge. For hunting the 44 mag fired from a 7.5" barrel is best. In the woods a handgun is a huge compromise. You need all the help you can get in the woods. I never carry a handgun as my primary weapon when hunting. Game does have a way of appearing when you are away from your rifle/shotgun, a large handgun is the answer.
Scottybaccus mentioned concerns with the new Charters. I have heard the same rumors. Charter has been repurchased by the original owners. I am concerned about the composite trigger guards and the workmanship of the new Charters. Yes, the new Charters are lighter than the old Charters but will they stand up to 50 years of EDC? Only time will tell. I wouldn't touch the Charters with a ported barrel with a ten foot pole. It's not that porting makes the gun weak. I don't like the idea of being blinded at night for very little benefit. The muzzle flash from a 2" 357 is large. I don't like the idea of the muzzle flash being directed into my field of view.
For self defense and range use the 357 is a decent cartridge. For hunting the 44 mag fired from a 7.5" barrel is best. In the woods a handgun is a huge compromise. You need all the help you can get in the woods. I never carry a handgun as my primary weapon when hunting. Game does have a way of appearing when you are away from your rifle/shotgun, a large handgun is the answer.
Scottybaccus mentioned concerns with the new Charters. I have heard the same rumors. Charter has been repurchased by the original owners. I am concerned about the composite trigger guards and the workmanship of the new Charters. Yes, the new Charters are lighter than the old Charters but will they stand up to 50 years of EDC? Only time will tell. I wouldn't touch the Charters with a ported barrel with a ten foot pole. It's not that porting makes the gun weak. I don't like the idea of being blinded at night for very little benefit. The muzzle flash from a 2" 357 is large. I don't like the idea of the muzzle flash being directed into my field of view.
Of all my guns; the blackhawk in .41 is my favorite. I don't take very good care of it but it doesn't seem to mind. It's kinda like a good dog.
I think Larger caliber revolvers I think 44mag 
Anything less just aint large & anything over is overkill
Anything less just aint large & anything over is overkill
.357 revolver good enough for me backed up by a 12 gauge shotgun!
I handled a Ruger Special Blackhawk with a 7 1/2" barrel the other day and it was very nicely balanced for such a large revolver. A big bore revolver is the next gun on my list. I'll be keeping an eye on this discussion.
Well, my take on field guns has been the .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk, with 7 1/2" barrel. I load my own ammunition, so can tailor my cartridges from 180 gr. JHP for varmints to 240 gr. SJHP for deer size game.
Magnum takes a little getting used to, but in a longer barreled Super Blackhawk, recoil is no big thing. I also have set up a .45 Colt to duplicate a Super Blackhawk, and with handloads, there is not too much difference in actual performance.
As to a .44 Special, I carry an ex-357 Magnum Blackhawk three-screw for daily carry.
Bob Wright
Magnum takes a little getting used to, but in a longer barreled Super Blackhawk, recoil is no big thing. I also have set up a .45 Colt to duplicate a Super Blackhawk, and with handloads, there is not too much difference in actual performance.
As to a .44 Special, I carry an ex-357 Magnum Blackhawk three-screw for daily carry.
Bob Wright
cant go wrong with consecutive serial number ruger new vaquero in both 45acp and 45colt!!After seeing all those nice Rugers on the Post your Ruger Photos thread, I had to start this thread before I was accused of high jacking the photo thread!
Those revolvers look so good!
I've been considering going to a larger caliber gun and would like any impressions on shooting of these larger caliber guns. .... Like gp100 vs sp101 in 357. Recoil?? Which do you like better?
And especially the Blackhawks (convertibles, too) and Redhawks in those 45 calibers (45colt vs 45 ACP) and 44 Mag vs 44 special -- and maybe a comparison in similar guns between the 45 and the 44 Mag - recoil wise. I realize that this is somewhat of an unfair comparison because there is a big weight difference between the Blackhawk and the Redhawk, but ...
Heck... even throw in the Alaskan line - if you like!
I love Rugers!
Have a Single Six convertible, LCP, LC9, Mark III, and LCR.
very smooth single actions very accurate very very ease shooting
My collection of revolvers consists of the following.
Llama Comanche 357, blue steel 4" barrel
I use .38+p in it, iwb holster.
Smith & Wesson 625. 45 acp. , stainless steel 5" barrel, I use .230 fmj in it, owb holster.
Taurus 605. 5 shot 357, 2" barrel, stainless steel, crimson trace grips. I use .38+ p in it, iwb holster.
Smith & Wesson Governor .45 acp, 45 colt & 410. 3 " barrel, black steel. I use .230 fmj and .410 #000 shot in it. Iwb or owb holster.
These are in the order that they were purchased.
The Taurus 605 is used as a concealed carry firearm the most.
Llama Comanche 357, blue steel 4" barrel
I use .38+p in it, iwb holster.
Smith & Wesson 625. 45 acp. , stainless steel 5" barrel, I use .230 fmj in it, owb holster.
Taurus 605. 5 shot 357, 2" barrel, stainless steel, crimson trace grips. I use .38+ p in it, iwb holster.
Smith & Wesson Governor .45 acp, 45 colt & 410. 3 " barrel, black steel. I use .230 fmj and .410 #000 shot in it. Iwb or owb holster.
These are in the order that they were purchased.
The Taurus 605 is used as a concealed carry firearm the most.
My collection of revolvers consists of the following.
Llama Comanche 357, blue steel 4" barrel
Smith & Wesson 625. 45 acp. , stainless steel 5" barrel
Taurus 605. 5 shot 357, 2" barrel, stainless steel, crimson trace grips.
Smith & Wesson Governor .45 acp, 45 colt & 410. 3 " barrel, black steel.
These are in the order that they were purchased.
The Taurus 605 is used as a concealed carry firearm the most.
If this is a comparison of calibers and recoil 44 mag is in a class by itself. People have mentioned 38 snubbies in light weight frames as being heavy recoil. I have a J-frame that shoots 38 +p. It is a hand full. But when I shoot my 7 1/2" Super Blackhawk in 44 mag with 300 grain bullets it makes that J-frame feel like a 22. 44 mag is the most powerful handgun I have ever shot. I don't need anything bigger.
How do you carry these larger revolvers? Inside - outside - concealed - not? Favorite holsters?
I'm leaning towards a 357 for carry but don't exactly know how I would carry it. Both of those Rugers - 100 and 101 sound excellent and would make good companions. But they must be carried somehow. That's what I don't know.
I'm guessing that the very large - such as the 44 magnum is carried outside - most likely a tailored leather holster.
Your experiences would be appreciated.
I'm leaning towards a 357 for carry but don't exactly know how I would carry it. Both of those Rugers - 100 and 101 sound excellent and would make good companions. But they must be carried somehow. That's what I don't know.
I'm guessing that the very large - such as the 44 magnum is carried outside - most likely a tailored leather holster.
Your experiences would be appreciated.
Unless you get a shoulder rig, a belt holster's the only way to go. I have S&W, Ruger and Colt large caliber, (44, 41, 357mag. 45LC), revolvers and the only one close to being concealable is the 4" S&W Model 19. While there are several bigger choices available, I wouldn't go any higher than .44mag. I've got a Model 29 and a Super Blackhawk. Recoil is brutal, 2nd shot acquisition's difficult. The Redhawk .41mag is easier to handle, but ammo's expensive, (as are all large calibers), and can be hard to find. The .357mag's a good compromise between power and ease of handling IMHO.How do you carry these larger revolvers? Your experiences would be appreciated.
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
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