WG, if you're not set on a red-dot, take RR's suggestion and go with a regular scope. Leupold and Nikon both make fine pistol scopes. And like RR said, 2X will be plenty for your 44mag. If you decide to go with a variable, Nikon makes on in 1.5-5X that is awesome and it won't break the bank. I've got a Leupie 2X on a 45-70 Contender and three of the Nikon variables on Encore's in 22-250, 308 and 450 Marlin and they've held up very well. As for the Gilmore, the only place that I've found that offers them is Natchez and they run from $150-240.