need recommendations for a 44 mag.

[Troy26]

I'm moving to California soon ( I know, I know...the LAST place a firearm owner would think to move...but love gets you to do things you wouldn't otherwise). My fiance and I both love camping, but I'm also aware that there are a fair amount of bear in the area.

She tells me that all I have to do is get up on a picknic table and make myself look bigger than the bear. That might work the majority of the time, but I prefer to be prepared in the event the bear isn't so impressed by my picknic table.

From what I've been told, the 44 mag has about the best chance one is going to have of stopping a bear with a handgun. i'm looking for recommendations on a good platform that will allow me the most control possible with such a powerful round.

Also, is it completely necessary to have a really long barrel like I've seen on some or will a barrel length like what's on the Colt Anaconda be fine? I'm also thinking about how easy it will be to draw the weapon should I need it, and making some sort of attempt (yeah...I know) to conceal it.

Also, I'd be happy to hear about any aftermarket grips and such that will help with controllability.

thanks

[DMacLeod]

A 44 mag is more than enough handgun for anything 4 legged in California. As
far as concealing it; I wouldn't in the peoples republik without a carry permit.

4" barrel is fine but I prefer 6" in a 44 mag. The extra barrel length helps dampen recoil. With the dampened recoil a second shot is easier to get off.

[DMacLeod]

Just noticed that you posted this in the semiauto forum. Here is my 44. Hammer is bobbed as I never shoot it single action.

If looking for an auto, you can buy a wildey ($$$$) or desert eagle

[Troy26]

thanks for bringing that to my attention DM. I'm pretty much an autoloader kind of guy so I'm always here, but I'll probably go for a revolver on this one (if someone needs to move this to the revolver forum, it's fine by me). A desert eagle would be nice, but I don;t want to pay that kind of money for a gun I won't use that often. I'm thinking something like this:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/31570

would do fine. what do you guys think?

[spodwo]

Since this is the Semi-Auto forum - are you looking for a Semi Auto .44? Frankly - for what you are looking for - I would assume revolver. Desert Eagle makes a .44 magnum but the price is esily $500.00 more than the solid S&W.

Go with a SMITH - 4, 6, or 6.5 inch. There are enough models with variations [heavier barrel, ported, etc.]. Plus there are enough ammo variations that can be utilized between a shorter or longer barrel.




Still - I would consider shooting a .44 mag before buying.

Grips? I put pachmeyers on my 29 but actually liked the standard grips better. I have an 8 3/8" and that wooden standard grip and overall desigh of it makes it [to me] very controllable.

I like the 629 in the 6.5. Note the heavier barrel on this. Then again - a 4" is fine - you don't need to put the hottest load in it...there are no more Grizzly in California despite it being on the CA state flag. All of them were killed off long ago. So Black bears are the ones left - and they are generally 100 to 300 pounds [females smaller]. Some in CA that have been hunted are up to 600 but that is a rarity.

Guns in state parks are not allowed unless locked up. Federal law has restrictions also.

[Troy26]

I like the 629 in the 6.5. Note the heavier barrel on this.

Is it that much of a difference over teh ported barrel in the Tauras model?

Guns in state parks are not allowed unless locked up.

I could have sworn someone on here posted a link a good while back that essentially said that wasn't the case in CA

[Smaug]

Well, since this is the Semiauto forum, I guess the only thing I can recommend is a Desert Eagle.

[AZAK]

Since we are in the semi forum -

How about a G29 in 10mm? With good loads you are approaching .44 performance with ten shots as opposed to six. I believe that the G29 is CA friendly? Much easier to conceal.

I went through three different .44 mags for years as a "bear hiking" gun. Ended up with the 10mm. Much lighter (doesn't pull your pants down all day long), easier to conceal, easier to sit down with, friendly in inclement weather, etc...

With only black bears to think about, should work out. I personally still rely on magnum hunting rifle, slug shotgun or bear spray in addition to the pistol (G29 as back up) when out. And as I have stated before, flamethrower would be the most appropriate when facing any good sized bear. If you don't think so, try reading Alaska Bear Tales by Larry Kaniut. This is outside my front door.

[spodwo]

I could have sworn someone on here posted a link a good while back that essentially said that wasn't the case in CA

Note the link FROM the California GOV website:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=21300

It states:

LOADED FIREARMS AND HUNTING are not allowed in units of the State Parks System. Possession of loaded firearms or air rifles is prohibited. Exceptions are for hunting in recreation areas that have been designated by the State Park and Recreation Commission.

I would always check with the GOV or law enforcement for the rules and not get rulings on what firearm laws are from public forums. You may get some wrong information. Also - FED parks have specific rules on firearms. Always check.

As far as the Taurus - I don't have one so I referred to something I have and know about. You may want to search for TAURUS .44 mag reviews. Some will deride Taurus for quality. I have a Taurus 9mm that I love.

I personally am not a fan of Porting. You have to keep the ports clean to be effective. One less thing from me to have to maintain. Since I hand load - I find that running a heavier bullet with lower powder content is an effective means of "controlling" the .44 so "porting" is not necessary to me....I also have a Ruger .44 mag Super Blackhawk which I also like in 7.5". .44 mag ammo is EXPENSIVE so hand loading is necessary in my world. I have several loads with several bullet weights, bullet types, powder type, and powder weight. If your serious about examing the full flexibility of a .44 mag, consider handloading if you already don't...

I think the Taurus looks great but check here and others if these are a solid ...

Here is link you should read:

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...44#post2924293

I would search a lot and pose the question to others that may have this particular revolver before buying.

Good luck!

[71Commander]

Auto Mag. Probably close to 4 grand by now. But what a gun.

I went and found one. Didn't miss it by much.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=111453433

[Smaug]

spodwo - I bet a lot of folks ignore that rule.

One guy has a signature that says: "I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six." This is a prime example.

One would have to make sure it is concealed though, so as not to be hassled by national park employees.

[Troy26]

How about a G29 in 10mm? With good loads you are approaching .44 performance

I didn't realize that...and just would constitue a "good load" for such a purpose?

Wouldn't a powerful round require a full-size grip?

Would an all-metal frame be better for this round as well?

[Troy26]

this is an example of what I'm talking about as far as my understanding of what's allowed in Cal.

http://www.calccw.com/Forums/where-c...tate-park.html

[cold dead hands]

You may also want to consider a .460 Rowland conversion for a quality 1911. This is a load/cartridge that is .44 mag power in an auto loader that is known by many gun enthusiasts to one of the most reliable platforms to date.

A simple and cheap conversion (recoil and firing pin spring kit) for a Government size 1911 will give the ability to shoot 45 Super.

This round is nothing to sneeze at and it will handle most CA critters.

Get a Para P14 and upgrade it to 45 Super. You now have 14+1 rounds of very effective ammo.

Or go with a Ruger Redhawk in .44 with some heavy Buffalo Bore ammo.

The revolver route is cheaper, but how much is you and your sweety's life worth?

[tplumeri]

regardless of which forum we're on, here's my idea of a 44 mag

[Troy26]

How does that lighter frame fair with that caliber though?

[s4s4u]

How about a G29 in 10mm? With good loads you are approaching .44 performance with ten shots as opposed to six.

PUH-LEEZE!!! The 10mm will get close to the 44 SPECIAL, but NOT the 44 MAGNUM, not even close.

I second the 460 Rowland on a 1911 frame. You can buy the whole gun from Clark if you want. I don't know about your CA restrictions tho.

[ActivShootr]

Seeing as how this is the semi-auto forum and all, I would say an AMT Auto-Mag.

[44 AMP]

The most easily found (and the least expensive, generally) is one like this.

A huge gun, over 4lbs empty (and significantly heavier when loaded), with a grip size that many people find difficult to manage. It does, however use the standard .44 Magnum ammo, but only jacketed bullets should be used.

If you have enough money and a flair for the uncommon, you can sometimes find ones like these,

The .44AMP uses a rimless case, and delivers .44 mag performance. For many years a handloading only proposition, factory ammo from specialty makers is again available, but it isn't cheap.

The Wildey pistol is also reported to be now chambered in .44 AMP (sorry no pic, yet) and a small number of the LAR Grizzly pistols were made for the .44 Mag revolver round.

Only the Desert Eagle and the Wildey are still in production, the Grizzly and the Auto Mag have not been for quite some time.

Note that the Auto Mag was not made by AMT. The Automag II, III, IV, & V were made by AMT, but are a completely different design that the orginal Auto Mag (note the spelling difference). The AMT guns were made in .22WMR (II), .30 Carbine (III), 9mm Win Mag & .45 Win Mag (IV), and .50 AE (V), never in .44 AMP, or .44 magnum.

[Majic]

She tells me that all I have to do is get up on a picknic table and make myself look bigger than the bear.

That probably would work but dragging a picnic table around with you all the time is bound to be a chore.

[ActivShootr]

I would say an AMT Auto-Mag.

I stand corrected.

Note that the Auto Mag was not made by AMT. The Automag II, III, IV, & V were made by AMT, but are a completely different design that the orginal Auto Mag (note the spelling difference). The AMT guns were made in .22WMR (II), .30 Carbine (III), 9mm Win Mag & .45 Win Mag (IV), and .50 AE (V), never in .44 AMP, or .44 magnum.

Yet another reason I like this place; I learn new information about stuff I thought I knew.

[dairycreek]

Troy 26:

Ruger with a 4" barrel in 44 magnum. Perfect for woods carry and will deal with just about anything you might find in back country California.