[DetroitStudent]

I posted a while ago as I am currently a student in a rough area of detroit (downtown). I went to a number of gun rangers, and fired a number of different types of guns in a number of different calibers, instead of buying a gun outright.

My question comes down to this- I like revolvers, they are reliable, accurate, and require little maintenance. I like big bore guns, so I think I would go with a 44 special- I really like the look of the Smith+Wesson 696. What do you think about it? How do I get one? Do they still even make them??

Also What do you all think about the 44 special cartridge? (It doesn't have that great of a one-shot stop rating, but any med student could tell you those percentage ratings are bogus to begin with. So I want to know your guys' opinion). BTW we are talking bona-fide 44 special ammo, as in the buffalo bore 180 grain JHP load at 1150 FPS.

Finally, where are good places to get good SD ammo for the 44 special- seems like a hard cartridge to find.

PM me if you want to get rid of a 696

[Sniper X]

I may be mistaken but doesn't the 44 mag shoot .44spl in the revolvers as well giving you the best of both worlds? S&W 629-whatever for a carry gun?

[MatthewVanitas]

S&W 696 has been out of production for years, and had a high price on the used market, maybe $600-700 last I checked.

On the bright side, there are tons of good-quality S&W .38 Spl revolvers on the market for peanuts. Those J-frame models would also be far easier to carry than an L-frame 696.

A S&W 36, 49, or similar can be had under $300, and will be made of solid steel, built to last, etc.

.38 ammo is also a lot cheaper than .44 Spl ammo, so you'll get a lot more practice ammo for your buck. There are tons of .38 defensive loads on the market, so easy to shop around and pick one you feel comforted by.

Keep your eye out for a good S&W .38 snub, maybe get some aftermarket grips for it (or add a Tyler T-Grip to the current grips), and put it into a good-quality holster.

Classy and effective, for half of what a Glock would cost you.

-MV

[Jackal]

For a snubbie .44spc, I think the only current valid revolver is the Charter Arms Bulldog. While thier other revos may not be up to S&W standards, the Bulldogs that I have seen have had quite decent workmanship, at least on par with most com-block weapons.

[MikeJackmin]

You would be very well armed with a .44 special. If that's the gun that you shoot well and have confidence in, then that gun is going to be an excellent choice.

As another poster already pointed out, any .44 mag can be used with .44 special ammo. If you can't find your first choice, the .44 airweights are often available used in very good shape, as they tend to be shot little.

I assume you can carry legally, and that you have access to the appropriate training?

[azredhawk44]

I'm not familiar with Detroit laws specifically, but it strikes me as a pretty "union" and liberal town. Add to that the fact that you say you're a college student, and I feel I can safely assume 1 of 2 things:
1. You won't carry... this gun will be a range toy and home defense piece.
or:
2. You intend to carry, authority be damned. The gun must be discrete.

If you intend to comply with carry regulations at your school and city, I'd suggest a Smith & Wesson 4" model 629. It will shoot 44special as well as magnum. You will actually find that the magnum ammo is cheaper and easier to get than the special ammo. If you're willing to do some hunting for the gun, I'd suggest a S&W 625 over the 629 though. This is a 45acp gun, it holds the rimless acp cartridge in a moon clip, facilitating speedloading. This then makes the caliber you intend to shoot more available and cheaper.

If you intend to carry, don't get that large of a gun. Look into something significantly smaller... L and N frames are hard to hide. Look at something chambered in 38special or 357magnum, with a 5 shot cylinder. J frame, K frame, Ruger sp101.

I'm not advocating illegal carry, BTW. Just suggesting if you intend to, you would be best served if you make it small enough that it is easily hidden.

For what it's worth, I love the 44special and magnum cartridges. But I only carry them hiking or target shooting, not for home or routine personal defense.

[MikeJackmin]

Pricey, but very nice:

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7814791&aa=%20%20Smith%20&%20Wesson%20m/624%2044sp%20Lew%20Horton,%203in,%20STS,%20Like%20New%20In%20Box,%20**NO%20RES** (http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7814791)

Not so nice, but cheap:

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7814187&aa=%20Charter%20Arms%20%20Bulldog%20.44%20Special.%203%E2%80%9D%20barrel%20%20-- (http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7814187)

Here's a good compromise between small, quality, and affordable:

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7831283&aa=%20Taurus%20%20Model%20445%20.44Spl%20Revolver-2%20in%20Stainless (http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7831283)

[rockstar.esq]

Firstly for CCW the bulldog is a great option. I have a Taurus 445ch which is a five shot "L frame" with a 2" barrel and bobbed hammer. This gun in most respects is a ringer for the Bulldog. Sadly it and all other .44spl Tauri are now discontinued. A 629 is the S&W 6 shot .44 magnum, they are availible used however none are particularly discrete. Frankly a six shot cylinder will stick out too much for concealment purposes.

The ammo question is actually very easy to answer for you. Black Hills Ammo company produces the "Thunder Ranch Special" line of hard cast Keith Type wadcutters in 125 Grain bullet weights. Without a doubt the most impressive cast bullet handgun ammo I've ever seen.

A little mentioned fact about the .44 special is that it achieves similar velocities to a .45ACP in shorter barrel lengths. Couple that with identical bullet weights and you're looking at energy numbers that differ by a digit or two.

Should you be interested in pushing the limits of flexible design I'd recommend you look into Dan Wesson revolvers as they are often set up with changeable barrel & shroud kits to enable the owner to go from snubbie to silohuette shooter in 10 minutes. They aren't cheap but most .44 Mags that are well built will hover $300-$500 used, $500-$900 new.

[ronto]

A 44 is a little overkill for a CCW not to mention the recoil and size. A .357 Magnum will do the job nicely. Get a Ruger SP101 or various models of S&W snubbies.

[Lou22]

Here's a picture of my S&W 296. It's a .44 special that I believe weighs only 18oz. It's got a titanium frame and is hammerless.

BTW - I live in the Detroit metro area, and if you are interested in this gun, I'm thinking of selling it. I might even throw in a box of ammo.

Even if you are not interested, these aren't made anymore but can be found.

Lou

[Chief 101]

I like the idea of 44special for sd and I would look at what Lou22 has, or, someone mentioned the "bulldog" and that would be a good choice. I see no reason to have a .44mag in less than 5-6"bbl as it will beat you up good. You definately don't need .44mag for sd, well, unless you are concerned about taking out mechanical robots. ;) Chief

[wcwhitey]

Lou, I did not even think they made such a snubbie. That is friggin great. BTB, 18 oz and 44 Special cannot be alot of fun to shoot.

The .44 Special is a great round, very, very accurate. If that is the gun you liked the most and shoot the best, that is the best gun for you, period. People will debate stopping power and one shot statistics till we are all old and gray. The best gun is the one you shoot the best. I would pile on the other suggestions of looking into the a nice .44 Mag. Many more models to choose from. If you ever get into reloading the .44's are a dream as well. Good Luck, Bill

[VacuumJockey]

Taurus has a 4" .44 revolver (http://taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=226&category=Revolver#). I have no idea if it's any good, but it's another option. And you can probably get it for under $500 retail.

[Confederate]

I'm inclined to recommend a 4-inch Smith 629. It not only will shoot .44 Spc and .44 mag rounds, it will shoot lighter magnum rounds and heavier special rounds.

The .44 Spc is a bit anemic. The .44 mag is just way too much for most defense purposes. A good in-between load is always possible with the 629. It's also a great shooter. The Charter Arms isn't made for sustained shooting and it can't really take heavier loads. The 629 has such a wide range of possibilities, especially for a handloader, that it's incredibly versitile. That's why the .41 was such an unnecessary solution. It was a great caliber, but ultimately did nothing a good .44 mag would do for heavy game and nothing a 125gr JHP .357 would do for personal protection.

The 629 is a perfect outdoor/camping gun. It's also a great, wonderful, fabulous (and did I mention fun?) gun. A good .357 mag isn't any slouch, either, and also is wonderfully versitile.
.

http://www.gunshopfinder.com/smithandwesson/model629.jpg

[crebralfix]

44 Special is a neat cartridge, but 45 ACP will do everything 44 SPL will do.

If you get a revolver with 3 or 4 inch barrel, then:

1) Carry it in an inside the waistband holster. Look at something with lots of forward cant. The forward angle helps avoid the butt of the gun from sticking straight out.

2) Change the grips to Ahrends Tactical Stocks or stocks labeled "boot grips". This makes the overall height of the gun around 5 inches, which is about Glock 19 size. The Hogue rubber grips hang down too far past the end of the grip frame. Minimize this.

3) Learn to reload quickly using speedloaders or moonclips.

[earplug]

I used to own and carry a Charter .44. Its was a ok carry gun. I never developed any pride in owning it.
I own and shoot some N Frames in 44 and 45 ACP. For me they don't fit for CCW.
Between my four inch M29 and my four inch 625, the 625 is a tad lighter and there are lots of options in factory loads and the moon clips make reloading easier and faster then speed loaders.
Now can anyone recall a citizen needing a fast reload to defend themselves?
I reload for both calibers and really like the 625.
For CCW its a 642.

[dbarale]

A really nice S&W currently for sale on the S&W forum: http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/511103904/m/3761041691

[mnrivrat]

Take a look at the Rossi Model 720 if you like the .44 Spl. No longer made so the used market is where you have to look $300 to $350 is the general price.

If going to the .44 mag but would like to shoot mostly .44 Spl then look at the Taurus Tracker 4 inch in .44 Mag. A 5 shot revolver about the size of a L - Frame Smith. (as in like the 696)

[roo_ster]

.44spl
A fine cartridge & will do the job. In the same class as .45Colt and.45ACP in SAAMI specs.

You got a couple of incompatible requirements when it comes to a CCW:
1. You want something that you can shoot well...& bigger revos are easier to shoot well.
2. You want something you can conceal without having to don a parka.

That said, if you do your best shooting with an L-frame S&W in .44spl, I see no reason why you shouldn't get one. They are not common, but I saw a wonderful round-butt example the other day. I would have bought it, except that I like being married & my kids...so spending milk-money on it was not an option.

To increase your odds of success:
1. Find a gun shop or kitchen table FFL who is willing to do a transfer for a reasonable amount of money. ~$25 is reasonable, IMO.
2. Haunt the gun auction sites: auctionarms, gunbroker, etc.

Good luck on your hunt. If you ever decide to include semi-autos for consideration, know that the 1911-pattern pistols carry easier than most & are available in .45ACP.

[roo_ster]

.44spl ammo is pricey. You'll get your best deals by buying over the 'net.

Or, you can mosey on down to the Handloading board and learn how little it costs to get into reloading. FWIW, my wife's purchase of a Rossi 92 in .44mag is what finally made me make the plunge. .44mag & .44spl ammo is PRICEY.

[langenc]

Whatever you buy it is always prudent to shoot it (or one like it) before buying. I would think that esp true in a 44 something.

[TFin04]

I remember your original thread, good to see you're getting closer with your purchase.

Do you ever shoot at Firing Line in Westland? If you haven't shot a J Frame yet, I can bring my Stainless S&W J Frame .357 for you to try out one weekend if you want. It's an all around great firearm. I have a ton of fun with it every weekend. Spend 10 minutes and two drops of oil cleaning it up when I get home, toss another 5 rounds in the wheel and set it back on the nightstand. Doesn't get much easier.

Let me know if you're interested.

[HiWayMan]

Confederate-
The .44 Spc is a bit anemic.

That is a joke right?

The .44 spcl is anything but anemic in anything but possibly cowboy loads. It is the better or at the very least equal to the much touted .45ACP.

[Phil DeGraves]

.44 Spl is a wonderful cartridge and is not in the least anemic for self defense purposes. Even in the light loads, a 240 grain bullet at 700fps is more than enough to wump any body on his behind. I have never understood the mentality of going to a light or small gun that you can't shoot as well for the sake of concealability. I mean if I am carrying a gun, it is to protect myself and I want to carry the gun that I shoot best when my life is on the line. It is very easy to get used to a carry method with whatver type of firearm that you hit best with. The 696 is an excellent choice if you can find one. Easier to find are the 629 Mountain guns. They are slightly larger, hold six rounds and have a tapered barrel and are a joy to shoot with the Specials.

[springmom]

The .44 spl cartridge is a fine choice for self defense. I probably wouldn't use it to HUNT, but that's not what you're talking about. I *do* use it for range practice with my SRH because there is an enormous difference in recoil versus the magnum rounds. It is true that big bore handgun ammo is expensive, even the specials, so be aware that this is going to devour your budget if you spend much range time with it.

Go back to the shop/range/wherever you found the .44. Ask to try it with a holster. Wear what you'd normally wear (one great piece of advice from Pax's website...if it isn't something you'd wear when you're not carrying, don't wear it just because you ARE.) Take somebody with you. Try it on, bend over, sit down, move, and see if you can keep it concealed in normal-for-you clothes.

If you can, buy it.

Myself, I'd sooner shoot myself in the foot than buy a snubbie...especially a titanium snubbie...in .44 magnum. And that nice, pleasant recoil level that you get in a heavy gun with specials isn't going to be so nice and pleasant in that small a revolver.

If you can conceal it, go for it. You've made a great choice.

Springmom