Guess I just like the shorter grip and longer barrel in basic Redhawk form better.

Me too.  I have never understood the appeal of the Alaskan.  But it came to mind so I had to post it.

I think that 4" you had in your picture is about the perfect packin' pistol for 44 mag.  Longer is better to shoot, but not carry.

Quote from: sqlbullet on August 02 2012 01:51:55 PM MDT
Me too.  I have never understood the appeal of the Alaskan.  But it came to mind so I had to post it.

I also posted that I want an Alaskan in 44 mag. I also never saw the appeal in it until I got to shoot one.  That is one hell of a fun gun.  I dont know what I would use it for since I never get into bear country. I wouldnt use it deer hunting.  The recoil was actually less than my Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5" barrel.  I love it and want one in the worse way.

A pair of super lightweight S&W 360PD's for ankle and pocket carry.
A pair of steel S&W 640's for pocket and belt carry.  One in 38sp and the other in 357mag.

Quote from: sqlbullet on August 02 2012 01:51:55 PM MDT
Me too.  I have never understood the appeal of the Alaskan.  But it came to mind so I had to post it.

I think that 4" you had in your picture is about the perfect packin' pistol for 44 mag.  Longer is better to shoot, but not carry.

It's called the Alaskan for a reason.  Being bear jumped happens fast. Imagine back pedaling over roots, rocks and your own big feet and trying to draw your gun. Pulling a handgun at that moment doesn't need sight radius or increased velocity. it needs all the possible speed to get on target that you can get.  A short barrel will come up faster. A couple years back a guy walking his dog, outside of Soldotna used a Super Redhawk Alaskan, to stop a bear charge. Since this is a firearms forum, bear stories always do well.http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/080709/out_478669517.shtml

Just an opinion, but I'm not sure about not needing, let alone wanting, greater sight radius or increased velocity. 

To me that's like saying if I had both a long gun and handgun on me that I'ld still go for the handgun.  I would still want to create the most damage to the bear possible per round, and having an option I'ld go with the long gun. 

Taking it back to just handguns, a 4" barrel isn't much to pull, and at some barrel length and less I wouldn't think there would be a measureable difference in the draw.  Just a difference in holsters could probably lengthen your draw time more than the difference between a 2.5" or 4" barrel.

I guess it's all for each to decide for themselves with various options to consider and blend accordingly.

Quotedoesn't need sight radius or increased velocity

It does sound like I may have overstated my point a bit, doesn't it? 

I chrono'ed some Buffalo Bore 158gr .357 Mag rounds through the S&W 640-1 snubbie.

158gr JHC : 1242, 1231, 1226, 1260, 1255 : avg 1243 ft/s and 540 ft-lb energy

Really like the performance and controllable-ness of this round.

Unfortunately, from Buffalo Bore, one can receive different ammo listed under the same product number. I chrono'ed some of my older rounds, the ones that appear to have Speer bonded bullets. Liked them and stopped by a Cabelas to pick up more. I should have opened the box and inspected the ammo.

Here's a photo of two rounds purchased a couple of days ago (on the left) and a few years ago (on the right). They were both sold in boxes identified as "Item 19C/20".

In my mind, ammo manufacturers should present the same consistency as McDonalds. Any place and any time, Big Mac's are the same. If the ammo is different, give it a different product number.

I'm placing an order with Underwood for their 158gr .357 Mag ammo.



[attachment deleted by admin]

Quote from: harrygunner on November 17 2012 03:24:14 PM MST
In my mind, ammo manufacturers should present the same consistency as McDonalds. Any place and any time, Big Mac's are the same. If the ammo is different, give it a different product number.

Definitely agree!  Because of that Buffalo Bore is right at the bottom of my list with Double Tap as ammo companies that don't deserve and won't get any more of my business based on their shady business practices.  It especially makes me mad with Buffalo Bore as they're already charging a premium price for their ammo.

Quote from: harrygunner on November 17 2012 03:24:14 PM MST
I chrono'ed some Buffalo Bore 158gr .357 Mag rounds through the S&W 640-1 snubbie.

158gr JHC : 1242, 1231, 1226, 1260, 1255 : avg 1243 ft/s and 540 ft-lb energy

Really like the performance and controllable-ness of this round.

Unfortunately, from Buffalo Bore, one can receive different ammo listed under the same product number. I chrono'ed some of my older rounds, the ones that appear to have Speer bonded bullets. Liked them and stopped by a Cabelas to pick up more. I should have opened the box and inspected the ammo.

Here's a photo of two rounds purchased a couple of days ago (on the left) and a few years ago (on the right). They were both sold in boxes identified as "Item 19C/20".

In my mind, ammo manufacturers should present the same consistency as McDonalds. Any place and any time, Big Mac's are the same. If the ammo is different, give it a different product number.

I'm placing an order with Underwood for their 158gr .357 Mag ammo.

Tim openly admitted a few years back to using Montana Gold Bullets during the ammo/reloading component shortage.  Looks like he is probably still using them.

https://www.montanagoldbullet.com/Images/320x200/38-jhp-158.jpg

I generally agree about the Montana Gold bullets.  For me it more about the velocity just not being that great.  Then add in the smoke cloud everytime you set one off..........and at the end of the day, what's the point for the price they ask.

Please know that I have great respect for Buffalo Bore with many of their loadings.  It's only their 10mm that I find lacking for the price they want.

My trusty old friend has ridden in my pocket for quite some time.  Just a plain old nuthin' fancy Model 36.

She'll put at least 4 outta 5 into a playing card at 60'.

I've been carrying a brace of Smith M&P 340's for a few years, love 'em, but I would love to find a Colt magnum carry, but they demand so much money now it would be hard to cram it a pocket for all day carry.

I'm not real fond about snubbies. I actually like LONGER barrels (Except for my carry guns, which are all semi-autos) I have like ONE snubbie barrel. It was part of the 4 different length barrels that came in my Dan Wesson .357 mag pistol pack. I can put on the .25, 4. 6. or 8 inch barrels.

But I'm actually trying to find one of the Wesson 10,12, or 15" barrel assemblies for it. About the only thing I can say about the 2.5" barrel assembly. is I shot it. I find my accuracy is just so much BETTER with one of the longer barrels.

I did just put a red fiber optic front sight on the 2.5 inch barrel. Have to see if I shoot any better with it.