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The 44 special
Kevin_L
Member Posts: 2,011 ✭✭✭✭
There’s a limited edition 44 special revolver at the local gun store. A bit of a premium to buy given that it’s unfired and 1 of 500. But man o’ man…it’s a NICE revolver!!!
Who’s got experience with the 44 special and what do you think of it?
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Comments
I have a model 1917 Smith and Wesson that my FIL had converted to 44 special. It shoots great 240 grain bullets with not much recoil and good accuracy.
Elmer Keith's hot loaded .44 Specials are what convinced S&W to come up with the .44 Magnum.
My favorite caliber, especially in a Ruger Blackhawk.
I have fired a few different examples of .44 special revolvers over the years.... All were easy on recoil and accurate..
My favorite is my buddy's S&W 24-3 with a 6.5" barrel. Beautiful deep blue finish and nice stocks.... He won't sell it to me !!!! 🙃
A couple SWs and a Ruger, unless you reload, I would not recommend the 44 SPL. Factory ammo is limited, expensive, and scarce. Only with reloads can you obtain the full potential and one hole accuracy. IMHO its more accurate the 44 Mag, especially with cast bullets.
I have a couple of Ruger Blackhawks. I ordered the first one from a local gun shop because I just had to have one (You guys know what that's like!). I blame Rocky Raab for the article he wrote for a gun magazine. The second one was at another LGS and I just couldn't leave it there (Again, you guys know what that's like!). Fun to shoot and a lot less pain than the magnum.
If the price is anywhere near right, go for it.
Rocky should be along pretty soon with his favorite .44 Special load.
smith 624 6", nothing lacking
My bedside gun is a Rossi 5 shot 44 spl dao bob hammer
ready all the time
Here I is!
If anyone would like it, PM me with an email addy and I'll send you that article with load tables.
A 44 Special loaded with a 240 to 260 grain truncated cone hard cast lead bullet moving along at 800 to 850 fps is my concept of the perfect self defense load.
At 30 to 50 feet I would love to know how big a person would have to be to stop that bullet inside his body rather than going right on through! All with reasonable recoil!
I had to go to my archived files to refresh my memory.
THE 44 Special load. with any bullet from 180 to 240 grains, cast, plated, or jacketed (any brass, standard LP primer) is:
6.0 gr American Select.
Safe pressures, very accurate, and depending on the bullet 800 to 900 fps from about 5" barrels.
I have about a half dozen hand guns in 44 Mag and two lever guns, I prefer the Mag, but also enjoy the special they can shoot as my hands get older. As mentioned it is hard to find at a decent price, often it is more than the Mag version, I did recently jump on the deal that was posted a couple weeks ago and got some at a good price. Kevin which gun are you thinking about exactly?.
If its the s&W Thunder Ranch one its massive! six cyl was too big for me to do anything than sit in a safe, i find gold to be too flashy... 5 round in 44 in SS is plenty for me
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1031616506 bees knees
I'd pass.
I have 2 of the older Stratford Charter Arms Bulldog Pugs that I'm very comfortable with. Not so happy with 1 of the new Shelton models. Rossi revolvers are OK also.
The Ruger Blackhawk Flattop 44 special.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Makes no difference now. It sold already. Now I’ll look for other 44 special options.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Well I have a few of the Black Hawks and a couple of Red Hawks I luv em all, but mine will support both 44 Mag and the Special which I'd recommend you go that route, why limit yourself to one that only supports Special? Anyways you peaked my interest so I googled and there are a lot of write-ups on the Special only versions... I found some of them interesting, but most likely will just stick with the ones that can use both. It is often easier to find the Mag ammo cheaper than the special, but the power of either is enough for my older hands. If you wanna shoot more than a box or two, you will probably enjoy the Special more though... Wherever I am in my place there is usually at least one of then within a few feet of me, so I guess you'd say the 44's are my self defense go to, although there are a few 9mm hanging around close by and a couple of 22s I use for 4 legged varmints. Get what you want! Although I'm partial to Rugers I wouldn't kick a S&W or a Colt out.
I found and recognized a Taurus 441. 6". Its a 5 shooter in blue and equal to a SW in all regards, notwithstanding my complete absence of experience in SW .44. Not meant to be loaded too warmly but a fantastic pistol. They were made in early to mid 90s.
44 special is one of my favorite calibers to shoot. Very smooth.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain