I' ve used a set of BD aluminum poles, very surdy but would collapse when I would stumble, and eventually became hard to open, so I thought I'd try cascade mountain carbon poles. They broke on my first hike, bought the CM 3k, my 3 year old broke them before I could try them out. I'm not sure if...
44 Mag is 3.5 lbs, find a used Argali, they're under 2 lbs.
If you're using a nalgene and water bottle pouch, you can bungee a plastic bottle to your shoulder strap to save about 6oz. Kifaru has a video on youtube on this.