Firstly, the idea that the .44Spl is dead is downright comical. We have had more .44Spl sixguns produced in the last 10yrs than at any other time in history. Ruger finally got on the bandwagon with SEVERAL different .44Spl's from standard mid-frame Blackhawks, Bisley's, New Vaqueros and GP100's. S&W had produced several variants plus Colt, USFA, Uberti (sixguns and rifles of various importers), Charter Arms, etc.. It's not dead, you're just not paying attention.
With that out of the way, it is baffling how many still do not truly understand the cartridge and what it brings to the table. It will seemingly forever be known as the .44Mag's little brother and just something to plink with out of .44Mag sixguns. That ignores a whole lot of big bore goodness. Much of this seems to stem from the fact that handloading is required to realize its full potential. Or that many believe you need a "magnum" when deer-sized game is on the menu. The .44Spl is a perfectly balanced cartridge for its appropriate platforms. Which would be Colt SAA-sized single actions and medium to medium-large frame double actions. In the Colt sized sixguns, it is more capable than the .45Colt because the guns are stronger and can take more pressure. One does not need "magnum" power (whatever that means) to accomplish most tasks for which a handgun is appropriate. Delivering a 250gr at 950fps, the .44Spl makes a dandy packing pistol or trail companion in a package that is somewhat smaller and lighter than your average .44Mag. It will fully penetrate any deer that walks and has taken more than a few elk. If more is needed, more is available in the form of the famous 1200fps Keith load, or Brian Pearce's 300gr at 1000fps recipes. From the post-war Colt SAA, to it's replicas and mid-frame Ruger Blackhawk, it strikes the perfect balance between power and portability. Same holds true to the same degree with the N-frame or GP100, except for the latter dubious ability to handle the heavier stuff. Folks always say, "1200fps is a .44Mag load". No, it isn't. A .44Mag load is the same bullet 250fps faster with 10,000psi greater pressure. Or as much as a 355gr at over 1200fps. That's a big difference. If I'm walking the woods or hunting with a rifle, why would I 'need' to carry a sixgun capable of taking Cape buffalo when a lighter and more packable .44Spl is avaiable?? Yes, more is sometimes needed, especially when we're deliberately hunting with a handgun but for trail use or targets of opportunity, the .44Spl more than fills this role.
This old 37oz flat-top .44Spl is half a pound lighter than a comparable .44Mag, a pleasure to carry and shoot.
We waited for decades for Ruger to embrace the .44Spl and they finally did with several splendid sixguns.
You haven't lived until you've experienced a nice S&W .44Spl.
The Colt SAA or in this case replicas from Cimarron and USFA, is the perfect home for the .44Spl and 'should' be more popular than the .45Colt.
The Ruger GP100 is one of the neatest .44Spl's to come along in a long time. Maybe the perfect DA .44Spl?