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Smith & Wesson Model 629 (.44 Magnum)

Top 10 · Gear

The 10 Best Outdoor Handguns

Trail and backcountry handguns ranked on reliability in filth, sight options, and carryability.

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A backcountry handgun is emergency equipment: it must fire dirty, wet, and cold, and it must be light enough that you still have it on day nine. We ranked on reliability, cartridge effectiveness on large animals, sights and optic readiness, and carry weight. Bear spray remains the first tool; this list is about the second one.

Best of the Best · Head to Head

Model 329PD (.44 Magnum) vs G20 Gen5 MOS (10 mm)

#1 vs #2 — side-by-side specs, pros & cons, and the final verdict.

Topic summary

Trail and backcountry handguns ranked on reliability in filth, sight options, and carryability.

Key takeaways

  • #1 Model 329PD (.44 Magnum) — Smith & Wesson
  • #2 G20 Gen5 MOS (10 mm) — Glock
  • #3 Super Redhawk Alaskan (.454 Casull) — Ruger
  • #4 Model 69 Combat Magnum (.44) — Smith & Wesson
  • #5 Model 83 (.454 Casull) — Freedom Arms
  • #6 G40 Gen4 MOS (10 mm) — Glock

Intended uses

Gear

Verification notes

Editorial ranked list, 10 entries. Evidence mix — 10 research only. Buy links open the maker or a retailer search.

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  1. 1
    Model 329PD (.44 Magnum) by Smith & Wesson

    Model 329PD (.44 Magnum)

    — Smith & Wesson

    Scandium-alloy Airlite frame, 4.125-inch barrel, six rounds of .44 Magnum at about 26 ounces. The trail gun you actually carry.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at smith-wesson.com Buy at sportsmans.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  2. 2
    G20 Gen5 MOS (10 mm) by Glock

    G20 Gen5 MOS (10 mm)

    — Glock

    Fifteen rounds of 10 mm, optic-ready, and reliable when packed in silt and rain.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at us.glock.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  3. 3
    Super Redhawk Alaskan (.454 Casull) by Ruger

    Super Redhawk Alaskan (.454 Casull)

    — Ruger

    Two-and-a-half inch barrel, brutal recoil, and total confidence at contact distance.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at ruger.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  4. 4
    Model 69 Combat Magnum (.44) by Smith & Wesson

    Model 69 Combat Magnum (.44)

    — Smith & Wesson

    L-frame .44 Magnum — the most carryable big-bore revolver made.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at smith-wesson.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  5. 5
    Model 83 (.454 Casull) by Freedom Arms

    Model 83 (.454 Casull)

    — Freedom Arms

    Wyoming-built, single-action, and the most precisely made revolver in North America.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at freedomarms.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  6. 6
    G40 Gen4 MOS (10 mm) by Glock

    G40 Gen4 MOS (10 mm)

    — Glock

    Six-inch barrel wrings full velocity from hard-cast 10 mm loads. The thinking person's bear gun.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at us.glock.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  7. 7
    GP100 (.357 Magnum) by Ruger

    GP100 (.357 Magnum)

    — Ruger

    The all-round trail gun: manageable for practice, effective on everything short of the great bears.

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    Buy at ruger.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  8. 8
    Ranger .357 by Korth

    Ranger .357

    — Korth

    German-made, hand-fitted, and the finest double-action trigger in the world.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at korthwaffen.de Full review
    No ratings yet
  9. 9
    BFR .45-70 by Magnum Research

    BFR .45-70

    — Magnum Research

    A rifle cartridge in a revolver. Absurd, effective, and startlingly accurate.

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    Buy at magnumresearch.com Full review
    No ratings yet
  10. 10
    Model 500 Performance Center by Smith & Wesson

    Model 500 Performance Center

    — Smith & Wesson

    The heaviest hitter available in a production revolver. Buy it only if you will practice with it.

    Research onlyRead the full profile
    Buy at smith-wesson.com Full review
    No ratings yet
Bottom line

Carry what you can shoot well under stress. A .44 Magnum you flinch with is worse than a 10 mm you can put five rounds into a pie plate at 15 yards.

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