The Best .44 Magnum Revolver

Guns Domain Editor February 5, 2025

0 15 9 minutes read

Which is the Best .44 Magnum Revolver.

The .44 Magnum Revolver was made famous by the Dirty Harry Callahan movies and this line: “Do I feel fortunate?” The S&W Model 29 was also a big seller. It’s probably the main reason why they continue to produce this gun. The .44 magnum is still one of the most popular magnum cartridges and is used in many magnum revolvers.

Early Origins of the 44 Magnum

The history of the.44 Magnum is really fascinating. The.44 Russian was designed in 1870 to fulfill a Russian contract. The.44 Russian was quite popular. In this period, the first fighting cartridges were 4. The .44 Russians had the perfect balance between fighting power and recoil. S&W was eager to adopt the smokeless powder technology when it became available in the early 1900s.

The New Century revolver was also called the Triple Lock. They also released the.44 Special which is a smokeless.44 Russian. Unfortunately, the.44 Special was not much different from the.44 Russian in terms of ballistics.

The cartridge did gain some popularity. Elmer Keith, Skeeter Skelton and other gun writers and enthusiasts, such as Skeeter Skelton and Elmer Keith, began hot-rodding the cartridge. The .44 Associates were born. Elmer Keith was inspired by these hot rod loads to ask Remington in 1956 to create a .44-magnum load. The.44 Magnum is similar to the.357 Magnum, which uses.38 Special loads.

It was at this time the most powerful cartridge available for production. The.454 Casull was the most powerful production cartridge until the 1980s when it entered the production world and left the wildcatter category. It is still quite powerful, and because of its popularity, it’s one of the cheapest magnums.

How to Choose the Best 44 Magnum Revolver

As a Marine who has been shooting for more than twenty years, I have tried many different revolvers. As a result, I know how to pick out a good revolver from a group. When I made this list of the best.44 magnum revolvers, I didn’t just want to rely on my personal experience. I then asked some professional shooters for their help. Combining what we know, I have put together this list.

I know that choosing a revolver in.44 magnum is a very personal choice. What works for me, may not work for you. Everybody has different preferences. Even though I have ranked the revolvers 1-7, I made sure that they cater to a wide range of needs. A buyer’s manual is also included to help you know what to look out for when shopping for a.44 magnum revolver. Let’s get started!

Reviews of the Best 44 Magnum Revolvers

1. Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan

A small market exists for stubby, .44 Magnums. They are primarily used to protect bears in bear country. These revolvers can be used for hiking, hunting, canoeing, and other activities where encountering bears is possible. The Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan got its name from this. The first company to recognise the potential of.44 Magnum for this role, and to produce a gun that is convenient and easy to carry. Super Redhawk revolvers are known for their durability.

These heavy-duty revolvers were designed to handle powerful magnum cartridges and provide you with years of service. The Alaskan version is identical to the standard model, except that they have shortened the barrel by 2.5 inches. Triple lock cylinders ensure that it keeps its timing after firing a battery of .44 magnum rounds. The frame was strengthened with extra steel on the top strap and sidewalls. The stainless steel and the top strap make it a half tank, half revolver.

The gun is tough, but the real test is whether you can handle it. It’s hard-recoiling and beefy because of the 2.5-inch barrel. Ruger has added the large Hogue grips that make it easier to hold.

This compact handgun is remarkably accurate thanks to its cold-hammer-forged barrel. The Ruger Redhawk is capable of surprising results, despite its short-sight radius. Hold on, buckle your seat belt, and blast off.

Pros

Convenient to carry
Made To Last
Massive Grips

Cons

Short Sight Radius
Rough Recoil

Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan Specs

Double Action
Capacity6
Barrel Length2.5 in
Weight45 oz
Front SightBlack Ramp
Adjustable rear sight

2. Korth 44 Magnum

Am I saving the best until last? Yes, I did. Korth revolvers are legendary. Although they are slow to produce, they still make revolvers. The revolvers are hard to obtain, but once you do, they make a huge difference. Each design element is carefully thought out and constructed. They are not only well-built and designed but also absolutely beautiful.

The NXR 44 Magnum was released a few decades ago and has been a very successful product. Korth makes them, Nighthawk Imports them and we love them. The NXR trigger is so smooth that it makes the Colt Anaconda look like an old Charter Arms. It may sound harsh, but I was not expecting the trigger to feel so smooth. It looks like it was made by Dwarven armourers in the Tolkien Universe.

There are a few modern features on the front. There is a weight under the barrel and an optics rail at the top. Shooters can change the sights to suit different styles. The barrel is kept cool by a ventilated housing. A compensator can also be added. Korth revolvers have several interesting options that are well-designed. The cylinder is released by the hammer and can be easily removed for cleaning. This is a great gun and in my opinion the best.44 magnum in the world. The best guns are expensive and if you find one, expect to pay around six grand.

Pros

Amazing Trigger
Awesome Ergonomics
Very Customizable
Almost Soft Shooting

Cons

The Price!

Korth NXR44 Magnum Specifications

ActionDA/SA
Capacity6
Barrel Length4 / 6 inches
Weight44.1 oz / 55.3 oz
Front SightFixed, with removable sides
Adjustable rear sight

3. Cimarron Bad Boy

Show up in boots to slow down the pace and go back to our roots. Cowboy boots and cowboy firearms are what I am referring to. Cimarron Bad Boy is a new cowboy gun in.44 magnum, a calibre that was not traditionally associated with cowboys. Cimarron has re-created the classic cowboy pistol in modern and more powerful calibres. The design is influenced by the Colt Single Action Army but it’s still its gun.

The Big Boy is a beefy 8-inch barrel with a long, straight sight. There’s no trench, just an adjustable rear sight and a front sight that is even larger. The light, short single-action trigger works well with the sight radius and proper sights. It may have a cowboy style, but it is still accurate enough to be used for hunting.

The barrel is shaped in an octagon shape, which looks quite stylish. It’s also a good choice stylistically, as the cylinder is not scalloped. The revolver also has a wood grip and a blued finish, which make it a unique-looking revolver. The round SAA grip is not very effective. The magnum rounds tend to roll around in your hands when recoiling. It makes the follow-up shots slower.

Pros

Great Looking
Excellent Accuracy
Affordable

Cons

Rolls with the Recoil

Cimarron Bad Boy Specs

Single Action Only
Capacity6
Barrel Length6 / 8 in
Weight49 oz / 50 oz
Front SightBlack Ramp
Adjustable rear sight

4. Colt Anaconda

Colt’s decision to bring back snake guns is one of their best decisions. The Cobra is now joined by the Anaconda and Python series revolvers. The Anaconda revolver is the biggest bore of the bunch. This massive.44 Mangum re-creates the classic Colt feel and looks without the Colt fragility. Although the old snake guns were very popular, they had a bad reputation for durability when fired a lot of rounds in.44 Magnum.

The 2021 Anaconda is a well-built, durable gun. It’s been strengthened and has benefited from decades of improvements in metallurgy. The 2021 Anaconda is a good shooter, with a double-action modernized design, a six-round cylinder and an unbeatable finish in stainless steel. Before Colt brought back the snake guns I had never used one. After some time behind the Anaconda, I got it.

You have to feel it to believe it. It is absolutely magnificent. The trigger is simply amazing. The barrel and trigger are a perfect match for the adjustable sights. Three features combine to ensure that you get your six.44 Magnum rounds exactly where you want.

The gun’s massive weight helps absorb recoil. It also pairs well with the rubber grip to ensure you won’t be flinching at the .44 magnum power. The Anaconda lives up to its reputation as a big, mean gun.

Pros

Amazing Trigger
Easy Control
Accurate

Cons

Hard to Find

Colt Anaconda Specs

ActionDA/SA
Capacity6
Barrel Length6 / 8 in
Weight59 oz
Front SightRed Ramp
Adjustable rear sight

5. S&W Model 69 Review

Dirty Harry is a film that has made many people think of S&W and the.44 Magnum. You may have seen it. Although the Model 29 is still produced and still very famous, it is not the best.44 magnum. The only reason it’s still around is because of its reputation. For serious shooters, the Model 69 is a better choice. This modern wheel gun offers a higher level of durability and ergonomics than most traditional wheel guns.

Model 69 revolver is a modern, double-action model. The Model 69 has a five-shot barrel with an exposed hammer. Model 69 uses a full-barrel underlug to add some weight at the front and benefit from modern metallurgy. The Model 69 is more compact and lighter but built to withstand full-powered magnum cartridges.

Even if you feed it only magnums, this heavy wheel gun will not break. This is a shooter’s.44 magnum. It’s easier to hold the Model 29 with its beefy N frame than the slimmer, lighter and smaller design. It is easier to handle and shoot.

The Model 69 is a lot of fun to shoot, and it eats.44 Magnums very well. The straight rubber grips on the Model 69 will appeal to experienced magnum shooters due to the fact that they prevent the gun from bending in the hand. Model 69 is an accurate gun that can be used for hunting and big animal defence.

Although the five-shot capacity may turn some people off, you are not laying suppressive fire down with a revolver. This is enough to handle almost any.44 magnum job.

Pros

Great Grips size
Ergonomic Design
Ideal for High Volume Shooters

Cons

Five-shot Capacity

S&W Model 69 Specs

ActionDA/SA
Capacity5
Barrel Length4.25 in
Weight37.4 oz
Front SightRed Ramp
Adjustable rear sight

6. Taurus Raging Hunter Review

Taurus firearms have come a very long way over the past few years. The company has steadily improved its production and quality control and produced some fantastic guns. Taurus 42 Raging Hunter represents the best of modernization and firepower. The Raging Hunter, as its name suggests, is a.44 Magnum hunting rifle. The name Raging Hunter is accurate as well because the gun is huge.

The Raging Hunter comes with a barrel of 8.375 inches and a cylinder that holds six rounds. The massive 55-ounce gun is huge and heavy. This.44 Magnum is one of the most accurate due to its weight, barrel, and ported barrel. Do not misunderstand me, there is a lot of recoil. It won’t hurt you, but it will give you a good jolt. In terms of recoil, it’s closer to a hot 357 Magnum. This is a remarkable reduction. The rubber grips provide comfort and recoil.

The Taurus Raging Hunter is also equipped with a massive rail that runs across the barrel. It’s very easy to add long-eye relief optics and a red dot. If optics aren’t your thing, the Raging Hunter has a set of nice adjustable sights. The trigger was what I found most impressive. The trigger is not as smooth as that of the Anaconda but it’s still surprisingly good for a modern, budget-conscious hunting revolver.

The Raging Hunter is not free, but with its modern design and features, it won’t break your wallet. This is a fun gun to shoot that will allow you to get your feet wet in the market for big-bore Magnums.

Pros

Optics ready
Low Recoil
Affordable

Cons

Massive in Size

Taurus Raging Hunt Specs

ActionDA/SA
Capacity6
Barrel Length5.12 inches / 6.75 inches / 8.37 inches
Weight49 oz / 53 oz / 55 oz
Front SightBlack Ramp
Adjustable rear sight

7. MAGNUM RESEARCH BFR Review

According to Magnum Research BFR is not the Biggest finest revolver as my mischievous brain assumed. BFR comes in all the powerful, big magnum calibres that you would expect. One of these guns is almost as light as the.44 Mangum. Magnum Research also makes guns in calibres such as .454 Casull or .500 S&W Magnum. They are tough and rigid, even with calibres much more powerful than the .44 Magnum.

BFRs in.44 Magnum are built to last, not only because they have a rigid frame, but also because their design is simple and single-action. The same design has existed for over a hundred years, with only minor improvements. The BFR is a great gun with a solid trigger and excellent reliability. It also has a thin, ergonomic grip which fits most hands.

The Bisley grip also reduces recoil and prevents the gun from rolling backwards after firing. The BFR is available in many different barrel lengths. For me, the 5-inch is perfect. You can choose to go longer or slightly shorter if that is what you prefer. The maximum capacity is five rounds. This keeps the gun lightweight and slim. The adjustable sights make it a good option for hunting. The massive front sight and adjustable sights allow you to place accurate and humane shots on target.