[phoglund]

There is a gun show in town this weekend and I have an interest in a .44 special. Preferably with less than a 4" barrel. I'm bringing $400 cash. I'm not anxious about this purchase so unless the deal is good I won't bite. What should I be looking for make and model wise?

I have studied the Revolver Checkout Guide by Jim March and tested the revolvers I currently own for practice so I think I can tell condition ok. I'm just not familiar with what might be available.

Opinions?

[Bailey Boat]

Assuming that your seeking a modern double action revolver the choices may be limited. I'm only aware of the Charter Arms Bulldog and the S&W 696. The Bulldog can probably be had within your budget but the Smith will cost considerably more.... that is if you can even find the Smith......

[Virginian]

If you can find a used Taurus 431, with a 3" or 4" barrel, they are the berries as far as I am concerned. I have a 4" that I had to buy twice; first time normal, then again after my ex-wife ended up with it in the deevorce (actually traded her a J frame Smith, which I did have to buy). Fixed sights that don't snag, accurate, reliable, from the times when Taurus was high on quality trying to win some market share from olt, S&W, and Ruger. I did put Wolff springs in mine.

[44and45]

If you are Lucky enough to find a 431, maybe you'll get Lucky and find a 441 in .44 special.

This one has a 3 inch barrel and is a five shot...looking forward to spring time and shooting it.

Jim

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/44and45/P4260026Nicecropped40brighter566X.jpg

[dbarale]

You can also keep your eyes open for a Rossi 720 in 3", they are pretty decent and should be well within your price range.
Just check for proper lockup in case they were used with heavy loads.

[Shawnee]

If you are open to a single-action revolver you really should consider a Ruger Blackhawk (or Super Blackhawk) .44 magnum - which obviously will shoot the .44 Specials also.
A 50th Anniversary model with 5.5" barrel would be a splendid "Special".

:cool:

[phoglund]

My thoughts were primarily on a double action revolver but I like singles as well. If I go single I might go the .45 Colt route.

Thanks for the replies!

[wnycollector]

+1 on the 431. I passed up a 2.5" 431a few months ago and still kick myself!

[tipoc]

Look for a S&W 624.

tipoc

[Oro]

Don't overlook that any .44mag will handle .44 spcl just fine - the case dimensions are the same except for length and the bullets and barrels are identical. This broadens your shopping "basket" and makes it more likely you'll find something. I know I enjoy .44 specials in my 629.

One point to keep in mind, the S&W "N" frame was "invented" specifically for the .44 special. Afficianados say the N and the .44 special rival other famous "platform/cartridge" combos for perfection, like the .45acp and the full size 1911. Original .44 special S&W "Triple Lock" Hand Ejectors are seriously great guns and worth quite a bit to shooters and collectors both.

$400 will be a tough budget for a S&W or Colt, but maybe a Taurus or Ruger could be had. Another thought is that if you are amenable to a 45LC like you said, don't ignore a wheelgun in .45acp. .44 special and .45 acp feel very much alike in the hand, and perform about the same ballistically. Plus, .45acp revolvers are fast and fun to shoot with moon clips. Fast.

[Gator]

Yep, $400 will get you a Taurus, Rossi, and maybe a Charter Arms double action, or a Ruger single action .44 Mag. You might get really lucky and find a S&W 29 .44 Mag for $400, but that is a long shot.

I have a Rossi 720 and a Taurus 445, both are nice guns for the money.

[nelson133]

I've got the Rossi 720 and the Taurus 441, both bought used. You should be able to find these for less than $300, the Rossi cost me $180 last year. They are both solid revolvers, all steel and well able to take a lot of standard .44 spec rounds. I don't know if I'd carry either due to their weight, the Rossi is a little smaller.
The Bulldog would be the best carry option, but Taurus did make a titanium .44 spec snubbie at one time. I have one of those in .45LC and have carried it. It is plenty light to carry and kicks like a mule.

[SlamFire1]

A Taurus M431 is in your price range. This is a 3" barreled version with Pachymr grips and fixed sights. It shoots to point of aim with 200 grain bullets.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/SlamFire/Pistols%20various/ReducedTarusM43144SplDSCN2708.jpg

Now if you find a M624 for $400.00, grab it. Great shooting pistol.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/SlamFire/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20Pistols/ReducedM624rightsideDSCN5067.jpg

[phoglund]

Success!!

Amazingly enough I found what I was looking for at a price I was willing to pay ($350). I'd have liked to spend a bit less of course but I stayed within my stated budgetary constraints and picked up a revolver in real nice shape.

Taurus Model 431? in .44 Special. I'm not quite sure what model it is. The Model 445 has a ported barrel and the 441 a 2" tube. This one seems to be an unported fixed site 2.5" barrel. I cannot find a Taurus in .44 spc. with a 2.5" barrel. I tried to put my serial number in their model finder but their database throws an error when I put it in. Oh well, I like it whatever model it might turn out to be! :D

Since everybody knows posts like this are useless without pictures, here are mine:

http://wardragon.com/cruffler/pics/taurus44spec/44spcrs.jpg

http://wardragon.com/cruffler/pics/taurus44spec/44spcls.jpg

http://wardragon.com/cruffler/pics/taurus44spec/44specrv.jpg

[Shawnee]

Did you measure for barrel length from the face of the cylinder ?

:confused:

Nice buy, either way !!!

[dbarale]

Amazingly enough I found what I was looking for at a price I was willing to pay ($350).

That is amazing, nice catch and good looking gun. How does it shoot?

[phoglund]

Here is how I measured: (Sorry for the bad picture)

http://wardragon.com/cruffler/pics/taurus44spec/barrel.jpg

[phoglund]

dbarale,

I wish I knew how well it shoots but alas I just picked it up a few hours ago and haven't been to the range. I did get some ammo though! Perhaps tomorrow!

[Virginian]

That looks like a 431 in 2-1/2" all right. You did real good.

[Shawnee]

As best I can tell I'd say "Virginian" pegged it right.

Good buy !

:cool:

[glockman19]

44and45,

Nice 431

I have a 629 classic 5".Love it perfectly balanced IMHO.

[44and45]

Thanks, but it's a model 441 in .44 special.

Only thing different from a model 431 is the adjustable target sights.

Lot of nice guns pictured here.

Here's some S&W old timers in .44 special:

2nd model WW-1 era...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/44and45/2ndmodel-1.jpg

3rd model 1926 era...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/44and45/P6190014.jpg

[wnycollector]

Yep it is a 431 with a 2.5" barrel. Nice catch!

[phoglund]

A couple of these replies beg the question: Is the 431 in a 2.5" barrel a somewhat unusual configuration?

[wnycollector]

I believe so. The 431 that I passed up back in Jan. was SS and a 2.5" barrel. I'm still kicking myself!!!

[Colt46]

I've heard great things about the Taurus 441/431 series as well. The few Charters I've seen haven't impressed me. The rare Smith 696 is also rare but considered to be a gem.
Good luck. A good(or any) .44 special is hard to find.

[oneiron]

Colt46 when you say that the few Charters you have seen what do you mean?
I have a Charter 44Special in SS. It shoot to point of aim at 7 yds with XTP bullets and 6.7 Green Dot Powder. True the Finnish has a few blemishes, the price was right $275.00 for a new gun.

[ccd]

Listened to a podcast (M. Bane's)today with a Ruger exec and he hints pretty heavily that Ruger WILL BE offering the 44SPL in the Blackhawk.

[Moonclip]

I passed a Taurus 445 at $225 in 2006:( shop was 100+ mile round trip from me, saw it at a gunshow and my state has 10day wait bs. And I was semi broke as usual. Good .44spl's are hard to find as mentioned. I passed a $200 nice Rossi 720 today! Passed a beat one in 2007 for $180.

All my Charter Arms have been marginal, I kept one ok example. A stainless older one is sitting in a local shop for $350. My Taurus 431 is excellent.

[phoglund]

I'm always of two minds about Stainless. I like the durability and rust resistance of a stainless gun but actually prefer the "look" of a blued gun particularly in a revolver.