Need help choosing revolver

[Grayson Everett]

I'm looking to purchase a revolver to deer and hog hunt with. I have many rifles and shotguns that I have inherited from my dad and grandpa. I'm looking to start a new tradition and pass it down to my son when he gets old enough.

I'm in between two different revolvers. They are the Smith Wesson performance center 629 44 magnums and a Ruger black hawk hunter in 44 magnum

What are yalls thoughts on which one would be better? I do have smaller hands for a man. I've held the Ruger 44 magnum Bisley just can't find smith Wesson to hold.

 

[dante322]

I have the ruger super redhawk and I like it. Haven't got any experience with the s&w. Ruger revolvers are known to be high quality at an affordable price point. S&W are typically more expensive do to slightly better fit and finish. But you can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Hedgelj]

Go ruger for one reason, it's built stronger. If you'd decide to take it after bigger game and buy buffalo bore ammo for it, some of their leads cannot be shot through the SW, they are only designed for Rugers.

 

[giles]

I've owned both and only shot buffalo bore ammo out of both. Never had any issues. Go get your hands on them and decide. I personally felt like the 629 was a better fit for me. But for whatever reason, I can't hit shit with any revolver. Thank God I never needed to go rounds with a grizzly, because it was just making noise in my hands.

If your intention is for hunting deer, have you considered a TC contender?

 

[Jamie]

I prefer SW. I have never fired a Ruger revolver that I really liked, and I'm not planning on hunting dangerous game with my revolver, so high powered ammo isn't really a consideration for me. the triggers are nicer on the Smiths, imo, and I like they way they feel better than Rugers. I've killed a pile of deer with my 657 .41mag. I have a 629, and it shoots fine, but the .41 is a pleasure to shoot, and has put two holes in every deer I've shot with it. I sleep with a 7 shot 686 at my bedside. I'm not really interested in pinching pennies when buying guns. I get what I like and pay the price.

 

[Buckmaster]

I’ve got the S&W model 29....it’s killed 6-8 deer in its day.

 

[giles]

I think the answer is clear. You need to own both!

 

[Jackalope]

If your intention is for hunting deer, have you considered a TC contender?

This is a solid versatile option to consider. With the swap of a barrel you can go with a 38 for the kids and then back to whatever you want for you. Land on the round you want and take it from there.

 

[CJD3]

I have enjoyed taking hogs and deer with my Ruger Redhawk for many years.

 

[Bowhunter57]

I owned a S&W 29, many years ago. It had an 8 3/8" barrel and had decent accuracy. I had problems with parts rattling lose on it, from the recoil.

The Ruger Super Redhawk was a much better handgun. Never had a single issue with it. It would handle any reloads with accuracy...and would handle stronger reloads than my Henry steel frame lever-action. I installed a Sightmark Ultra Sight on it, so there's no eye relief issue, like there are with crosshair type scopes. It had a 9 1/2" barrel.
I shot this 8 point buck at 58 yards, in 2013.

Good luck with your choices!
Bowhunter57

 

[Ohiosam]

The Super Blackhawk is stronger than the Smith. If you’re shooting factory ammo either are strong enough. In my hands I have trouble with heavy recoil with the plow handle grips. I don’t have experience shooting with the bisley grip but it feels like it would be better. I have a .357 with birdshead grip and the recoil from that is very tolerable. N frame Smiths feel good in my hand shooting heavy loads. I’ve never shot a red hawk but those grips feel good to me.

 

[Hedgelj]

The Super Blackhawk is stronger than the Smith. If you’re shooting factory ammo either are strong enough. In my hands I have trouble with heavy recoil with the plow handle grips. I don’t have experience shooting with the bisley grip but it feels like it would be better. I have a .357 with birdshead grip and the recoil from that is very tolerable. N frame Smiths feel good in my hand shooting heavy loads. I’ve never shot a red hawk but those grips feel good to me.

Any of the Rugers (blackhawk, redhawk, or super variants) are stronger than the smith. If you look at Buffalo Bore 44 mag +p+ ammo it specifically states to NOT use in the model 29.

I had the original grips on my Blackhawk 44 mag and they were ok but I prefer my Hogue ones. The only difference is that the standard grips are designed to let the pistol roll more in your hands to diffuse the recoil and the Hogue ones do not, but I prefer them.

 

[Archertl]

I really like my s&w 69 .44 mag.