4 5/8" barrel SA for hiking, 44mag or 45colt

[gsp7]

I need another short barrel carry/hiking sa.

My non ruger 44mag 4 5/8 barrel gun is unaccurate, bad front sight, over sized throats, leads like hell, has a heavy barrel profile.

Would you get a Ruger 4 5/8" barrel sbh or a 4 5/8" bh 45 colt?

I know,,, both ! ;D

[Aggie01]

neither

Talo SS 4.63" 44 SPL:

[bigbores]

weight is the enemy when hiking, 45 colt is lighter than the 44mag.

[cubrock]

Either will do the job. The arguments favoring one over the other will be angels dancing on the head of a pin.

[Aggie01]

This is the internet, and pictures win over logic!

I still have the above gun and sold the one below when push came to shove.
(NM .45 Colt)

[Sarge]

Depending on where I was hiking or what I might run into, I'd get either a New or Old Vaquero with the shorter tube and call it good.

[jimmarch]

The current production 45LC/45ACP large-frame convertible with the aluminum grip frame would be a very flexible lightweight hiking companion and cheap to feed as well. As long as the Ruger "billboard" is under the barrel instead of on the side, the quality level of the cylinders has been brought up to the same standards as the mid-frames. These can also shoot 45LC+P with horsepower approaching or in a few cases exceeding most 44Mag ammo.

[carl]

Sometimes a .44 mag., sometimes a .45 Colt.........



I don't mind a few extra ounces......

Carl

[Frank V]

I wouldn't get the Super Blackhawk, it's a heavier gun. I'd go for a Ruger New Model on the smaller frame such as the commemorative & I'd get it in .45 Colt ( bigger holes in barrel & cylinder= less weight) the .45 Colt is a great field cartridge & will do almost anything really needed doing with a six-gun.
Maybe a New Vaquero? Once the sights are regulated for your eyes, there is almost nothing to go wrong with one. They look nice, & are a great "packing six-gun".
Good luck on your quest, let us know what you decide.
Frank

[ermont0825]

I would second a stainless 44 special blackhawk. Unless you are worried about the big bears, it will handle anything. This from a guy with a bunch of 44 mags and 45 colts.

[groo]

Groo here
Unless you need adj sights there is a 44 spec ruger NV with a 3 3/4 in barrel...
The FA front sight can be installed by any good smith and Keith type loads would
make it sing...
I am one of the few here that is not interested in the 44 spec,,, but instead had a
357 Mondago 3 3/4 in converted to 41mag[ before the 44spec was made---would have
changed my mind ]]

[rexster]

.45 Colt is a gentler shove than a .44 Mag, all else being equal. If the models are identical, the .44 has had less metal removed to form the bore and chambers, which means the .45 will weigh less. Either can be made lighter with an aluminum alloy grip frame.

My only actual experience with .44 mag was in S&W N-frames, and my only experience with .45 Colt in my SA six-guns, so I have never actually compared apples-to-apples. I like shooting SA sixguns, and that has transferred liking the .45 Colt. That Model 629 thrashed me so badly, I doubt I will ever own a 44 Mag again, even though an SA .44 should be easier on my hand. N-frames are really too big for me, so I had to hold it wrong to reach the trigger in DA mode, which concentrated recoil in the base joint of the thumb. I am paying for that today, over 25 years later, so I will admit prejudice against the .44
Mag.

My Ruger Montado in .45 Colt is delightfully light and handy, and could be made lighter with an alloy grip frame, though if I swap grip frames, I would rather it be a Bisley grip frame than a lighter grip frame.

(Edited for spelling and to remove some weird stuff auto-filled by my iPad.)

[Markbo]

Let's see.... in lightweight I have a Cimarron in .44 special - an SAA duplicate that is quite light. Then again I consider all the SAA duplicates I have are quite light, up to and including .45 Colt.

And I don't know where you are hiking, but I have a Stainless Single Six Bird's Head in .32 H&R that is quite light and very accurate too. Great lightweight packing gun.

[gsp7]

May 21, 2011 0:49:20 GMT -5 jimmarch said:

. As long as the Ruger "billboard" is under the barrel instead of on the side, the quality level of the cylinders has been brought up to the same standards as the mid-frames. .

The cylinder throat size is a major concern for accuracy and leading.
I was thinking of getting and older Ruger, But you say "As long as the Ruger "billboard" is under the barrel instead of on the side, the quality level of the cylinders has been brought up to the same standards as the mid-frames"

Is a brand new Blackhawk 45 colt 4 5/8" from buds Gunshop at $427 the hot tip to get?
www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_49_118/products_id/49724
id prefer wood grips though

.

[jefats]

Woodsbumming rig

USFA 44 Special in Rybka holster