Looking to buy a side carry 44 mag single action.

Currently I own 2 S&W
629 DX with scope. 6.5" barrel shoots 1.5"@100 w sand bags 240r XTP@1290fps
629 Performance hunter (the black one) 7.5" barrel with a red dot. Shoots 3"@100 240 GR XTP @1375 fps
Glock 20 10mm with red dot 1200fps 180 gr XTP

I like the XTP's

NOW I am wanting to buy a single action with iron sights. Thinking 5.5" barrel. Thinking Ruger black hawk. But they weigh 45 oz. Is there a lighter solution?

The main issue I have with the above 3 weapons is that I need to pack them or shoulder rig them. Hang them from the belt and my pants fall off. (unless I load the Glock with 6 rounds but then that beats the purpose. Will never need the 15 rounds but it feels better to carry a gun full. Even in a six shooter, most i have ever fired were 2 shots.

So:
Is the Ruger Blackhawk the one to look at?
5.5" or shorter?
Want to carry it on a belt and shoot to 75 yards max. therefore I thought the 5.5 would be a nice 'short" barrel. Fairly good at shooting iron sights and want to do it more.

Is there a custom thing I could do to shave another 5-7 oz off?

All suggestions appreciated

Thanks
SnT

Look at the freedom arms M97 in 45 colt or 41 mag; the M97 isn't offered in 44 mag. It's offered in the 5.5" and is a dream to shoot and carry.

The Freedom Arms M97 is available in 44 Spl.. S&W has the 329PD Airlite, 4", 44 mag at 26 oz., Taurus has their "air weight" 44 mag also in a 4", and a 4" Tracker 5 shot.

Doc

This little Bisley is hard to beat.....

I like that ;-)

ME TOO!

A blued 4 5/8" Blackhawk in .45 Colt will shave a few ounces off, because of the aluminum grip frame and ejector rod housing, as well as the shorter barrel.

How do you like that sw 629 classic delux. Shop near me has had a clean used one for a while. I think he wants 800. I think that's high but wouldn't really know what to offer.

I had mine sent to the performance center where they cleaned up all the little details (timing, trigger, etc. Makes a world of difference. 800 is steep. I think all in with custom shop I paid less than a grand.

It is a tack driver and on a good day I will shoot 1" 6 shot groups off of a sand bag.
And i think it looks better than most guns they make today. Mine came with the rubber grip and a wood grip. The wood allows me to do 60 round sessions with 240's at 1290 fps. Love it.

THIS x2!! You can even go with the 5.5 inch. You really need to be a reloader though.

want to stick with a 44 mag. will loogk at a 4.6 and a 5.5" and see what i like best
thanks for your input

I got the 5.5 SBH in Blue for the exact reasons your looking at one. I can shoot it lights out to about 40 yards and good out to about 60. I have been using Hornady 200 gr xtp for all around loads.

By far the best handgun I've ever owned or shot. The smaller grip frame works for me and can easily manage the 44 mag out of it. I also find its easy to shoot relatively quick follow up shots with the slightly longer barrel. I'm currently using and old number 3 uncle mikes hip holster. I also have a new uncle mikes shoulder holster that's just ok.

I bought the gun to be my everyday outdoorsman rig. It's more than capable. It's not a great gun for CC. I'm however exploring a simply rugged holster for that duty. Hoep this helps!

Cool! A 5 1/2 inch Super Blackhawk for a concealed carry weapon. About the biggest I want to handle is my .45 auto. Commander.

Thank you guys for the input. Big spruce. glad to see it's working well for you. I want to carry it on a belt and 5.5 is probably the maximum practical length for that.
SnT

My all time favorite revolvers are my Ruger .44 Special Blackhawks....have three of them, and they are a joy to carry.

I've got an old blued .44 Redhawk that I Jack Huntington shorten the barrel to 4", do an action job and round butt the grip frame that is perfect for me. I guess there making a factory gun like that now, I sure like mine, not super huge but is really stout made

The 629 Classic Deluxe is a great gun, and delivers on its accuracy promises. I agree with SNT that $800 is a bit steep. I bought mine a few years back and got the DX and a 686 for $900. He would not sell me the DX without the 686, so I did the best I could on the price. At todays prices, I think that you should be able to get a DX for $650-$700.

Suspenders. have the same problem as my waist is bigger than my... well anyway. i try to make sure that i dont use the elastic kind. in fact i went one step further and put every thing i want when hunting ( gun,knife, binos, extra ammo ) on a duty belt that i added heavy duty suspenders from home depot.
imo 5.5 sbh is just the right size. if im going shorter than it will be 2-3 inch 5 shot 38/357. something i can stick in my pocket.

The bottom revolver is my S&W Mtn.Gun in 45 Colt and gold bead front sight. I have her loaded with 280 grain SWC-GC bullets running a little over 900fps. As fine a back-up as you will ever see....
PS- the gold bead front gives amazingly fast on target acquisition..... The 38 special Trail Masterpiece, at the top of the photo, is no slouch when used as a back-up. Finished a few deer shooting Norma 158 grain FMJ-SWC bullets. The 22 mag J-frame in the center has killed more game then all my handguns combined. Loaded with Winchester 40 grain FMJ ammo and a shot to the base of the ear works wonders when your downed critter is still breathing....