Which wheel gun should I purchase next

[Mage218]

The next firearms im looking to get is either a 44mag or 357/38sp snub nose

My gun shop has a 44 mag Ruger Super Blackhawk with scope rings for $599 Absolutely beautiful gun. The other choice is the snub nose that I want for summer/pocket carry when I cant conceal the XD.

Im really drawn to the 44 because it seems like its a really good deal, and if I dont jump on it, I wont find another one like it. On the other hand, with 44 ammo being as high as it is, I won't be shooting it that often, but it gives me a side arm while im out pig hunting.

Anyone have any experience with the Super Blackhawk, should I get it, or get the snub and wait till I can find a good deal on a Double Action 44 like a smith or taurus instead of the Single Action?

[Dan20703]

I am biased towards the .357 snub. It just has soooooo much coolness attached to it!

[KFP]

Snubbie gets my vote as well!

[karder]

If you are a Ruger fan and like snubbys, check out the new 357 lcr. It looks awesome!

[Carry-a-Kimber]

Both.

[WildBill]

I am biased towards the .357 snub. It just has soooooo much coolness attached to it!

Just has long as it has an exposed hammer.

[glbedd53]

I don't have the Ruger but I have a S&W Mod. 29, 6-1/2. I never shoot it but I'll never get rid of it. Sometimes I take it out of the safe when I watch Dirty Harry.

[Mage218]

Both.

I would love 2 but im limited to one for now, just cant decide which one i want to buy first.. The Super Blackhawk is beautiful but I kinda like double action revolvers better

[A-R]

you already have a .357 4-inch right? so go with the .357/.38 snub nose and be able to share ammo AND more importantly give yourself a great summer pocket gun option.

.44 Mag can wait. There will always be other deals.

Fill needs first. Wants second.

[Salty1]

I would say the LCR in 357 but it will be months before we actually seem many of them. I have a commitment to get 4 of them on their initial release and am not holding my breath that I will see them before August

[BLG]

I bought my first Super Blackhawk in 1979, with a box of ammo. Stopped at the gun range on my way home and with iron sights started shooting 3 1/2" groups at 100yds.

I sold it later to buy groceries for my kids. I don't regret that, times were hard and I did what I had to do. I do regret that I haven't found another like it,.....yet.

So, If you have what you need to defend yourself, jump all over it. If not, tell me where to jump.

[Mage218]

you already have a .357 4-inch right? so go with the .357/.38 snub nose and be able to share ammo AND more importantly give yourself a great summer pocket gun option.

.44 Mag can wait. There will always be other deals.

Fill needs first. Wants second.

Actually the 4in 357 I gave to my dad for a birthday/fathers day gift last year, but I can still shoot it whenever I want so it remains on my list of ones I own.

I also agree with the needs first wants second. And with the way the summer heat is getting, a smaller carry gun is more important than a hunting sidearm thats going to remain in the safe more often than get shot. Specially with ammo being 32+ a box.

So what I think I will do, is head out to the store later today, and if they have a 357 snub that is around the same price as the 44, Ill get that. If not the 44 will be mine, unless somoene else beat me to it. Which last time I was up there they didnt have any Taurus 357, only Smith which were starting at over 600(700 for SS), didnt look for a ruger though, so who knows.. Ill post back with whatever I get.

Thanks to everyone who posted and helped in my decision making process

[aaangel]

there's a sayin', a little snubnose in your pocket is far more effective than a 44 in the safe. if you want a 357/38 you can't go wrong with the SP 101. the added weight makes the 357 manageable. 38 spl+p is a dream to shoot!

[duns]

I have the S&W M&P 340CT (Crimson Trace) snubby. Thoroughly recommended. Carry it in the front pocket of my jean/shorts/slacks inside a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. So comfortable, I forget it's there. Have read posts saying the snubbies are too large for pocket carry but I have not found that to be so. In some of my jeans, it is a shade tight but still practical.

I carry it loaded with Gold Dot Short Barrel cartridges, either 38 Special +P or 357 Magnum. Due to its lightweight and thin grips, recoil is a little bit punishing. I find after about 50 rounds at the range, it has rubbed the skin off the side of my thumb but it doesn't bother me as I accept that comfort in shooting has been traded off for comfort in the pocket.

Someone told me that snubbies are not natural pointers but I don't find that to be so. I have done some point shooting with it one-handed and without using the sights and I'm plenty accurate to 5 yards that way.

I think the Crimson Trace laser is a useful feature because it allows accurate shooting at longer ranges without bringing the gun up to eye level but it adds a fair bit to the cost and most self-defense shootings happen at less than 3 yards (when point shooting should work well) so I don't think it is essential. In other words, the laser might be useful if you are rolling around on the ground trying to shoot someone 7 yards away but is that a very likely scenario?

PS I love this little gun and it gives me a lot of fun.

[JDJ]

I can see that this could be a problem for me too. I own a Ruger Redhawk 44, But if I didn't, It would be a hard choice for me.
Looking at it from a practical point on view, since I would most likely CC this weapon also, the .357 would be my first choice because even when hog hunting, the .357 is plenty adequate for defense of animals of that size.

I have promised that the next weapon that I buy will be the SP101 and I still plan to keep it. Saving..... slowly but surely, I will be mine.

Is there a .44 snubbie there?