S&W leads the field with small-, medium-, and large-frame lightweight magnum revolvers.

Heavy-Hitters & Lightweights
On the other end of S&W's weight/power spectrum are the Model 329 AirLite PD .44 Magnum and Model 357 AirLite PD .41 Magnum, which represent the capstone of S&W's recent pioneering development of ultrahigh-performance, ultralightweight Magnum revolvers. These are large-frame, six-shot, four-inch, full-featured .44 Magnum and .41 Magnum revolvers--that weigh 26 ounces. No misprint: These are full-size Magnum revolvers that weigh a quarter-pound less than a snubnose two-inch S&W .38 Special made of standard steel. The secret behind this remarkable accomplishment is the unique AirLite Sc frame, which is fabricated of aluminum/scandium alloy; plus an aluminum-sleeved steel barrel and a titanium cylinder. (Incidentally, the "3" in these model numbers signifies the frame material, and the "29" and "57" refer to the original model numbers of S&W's first .44 Magnum and .41 Magnum guns. Which is why the Model 357 is not a .357 Magnum.)

The Model 329 and Model 357 are designed to be the ultimate in lightweight, comfortable holster carry for a powerful sportsman's sidearm. Both sport a matte black finish and feature a HiViz fiber-optic front sight, a fully adjustable micrometer-click rear sight, and both an Ahrends finger groove wooden grip and a Hogue soft-rubber Monogrip. At first feel the weight-to-size ratio of these two revolvers is absolutely startling.

What are they like to shoot? Well, with full-power heavy bullet Magnum loads they are very abrupt. You'll want to use the Hogue rubber grips--for sure. The wood grips are just for show--unless you're shooting light .44 Special loads in the Model 329. Even better, I've found that the wraparound Hogue grips designed specifically for the bigger S&W X-Frame revolvers will also fit on the N-Frame guns, and they provide a cushion for the thumb/forefinger web that is not present on the standard N-Frame grips. These grips increase comfort dramatically.

And with any load, both guns are definitely a joy to carry. Strap one on and forget it's there--until you need it. S&W's Product Manager Herb Belin observed to me that the Model 329 and Model 357 are designed to be used and not shot. By that he means no one in his right mind will want to go out plinking with full-power loads. But when a bear comes crashing out of the willows while you're fishing, you'll never even notice the recoil.

Using a Hogue S&W X-Frame grip on S&W's N-Frame AirLite .44 or .41 Magnum will add significant cushioning against recoil.

Taurus is a close second in the number of revolver models and types designed as outdoorsmen's companions. And like S&W it covers the range from the heaviest to the lightest. New this year is a 2-inch version of Taurus's massive Raging Bull Model 500 chambered for .500 Magnum and built on the new Taurus XL frame. Also available is a 2-inch Model 454 Raging Bull .454 Casull on the smaller Taurus large-frame platform. Both models feature the Raging Bull series diagnostic integrated muzzle ports and shock-absorber rubber grip design. For .44 Magnum fans, Taurus also offers the 4-inch Ultra-Lite Titanium Model 444 built on an alloy Raging Bull frame with titanium cylinder and weighing just 28.3 ounces.

My favorites among the Taurus field-sidearm list are all from the medium-frame Tracker Total Titanium series, led by the five-shot, 4-inch .41 Magnum Model 425 Titanium Tracker in Shadow Gray finish. (Taurus also offers a same-scale seven-shot titanium .357 Magnum Model Model 627TT with 4- or 61/2-inch barrel.) All Titanium Tracker models have titanium frames, sideplates, yokes, and barrels that are drop-forged in Taurus's metallurgical facility in Brazil. The titanium cylinders and titanium internal studs are CNC-machined from extruded titanium bar stock.