Let’s see those 44 “Special” Revolvers

Freedom Arms Model 97 5 1/2"


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S&W M396.
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5 1/2” Ruger Blackhawk Flattop
I carry it in a simply rugged sourdough pancake holster and it disappears on my hip.
My daily driver load is 7.5gn of unique under a 265gn kieth bullet cast from an h&g #503 clone I got from MP molds.
This is my favorite revolver. I’m
Waiting for the right hunk of wood to be available on the chigs grips website for a new set of grips to be made for it.

Lnf Crzr said:

Oh nice fine items you have there.

Is the 396 a pre lock?

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Nope, just neutered.

Barbaroja said:

View attachment 1045388
5 1/2” Ruger Blackhawk Flattop
I carry it in a simply rugged sourdough pancake holster and it disappears on my hip.
My daily driver load is 7.5gn of unique under a 265gn kieth bullet cast from an h&g #503 clone I got from MP molds.
This is my favorite revolver. I’m
Waiting for the right hunk of wood to be available on the chigs grips website for a new set of grips to be made for it.

Click to expand...

Great Picture!

S&W 624...along with a holster I made for it

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Charter Arms Bulldog Pug.

Edited to add a photo with the piece out of its holster. Bobbed hammer for easier pocket draw, but can still be thumbcocked for single-action fire.

I always enjoy shooting the little Rossi 720.

S&W "Classic".



S&W 1950 Military.



Lipsey's medium-frame Ruger (blued gun).

I generally stick with the Skeeter load for everything. I do occasionally enjoy "original" loads of 6 grains Unique with a 246 LRN, though. They're no good for hunting or defense, and they don't punch clean holes in paper either, but they bust pine cones and dirt clods just fine, with essentially no recoil at all.

Lnf Crzr said:

Man, What a nice Ruger . Very classy

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It may be my best centerfire revolver. It came from the factory with no significant problems, so I installed a Belt Mountain base pin, firelapped it, and had an action job done on it. It now is essentially perfect, and far more accurate than I can hold for. Every time I see a @CraigC post I am reminded that I really ought to have it engraved - but I'd hate to be away from it for so long!

Lnf Crzr said:

The 50s Military is a beautiful example

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It has a bit of holster wear, and small area of pitting on the cylinder. It also had been a bit monkeyed with when I got it, and despite having a world-class S&W specialist work it over - and despite having essentially perfect internal measurements - it is one of the least accurate revolvers I have ever played with. Under other circumstances I would have sold it long ago, but it actually was given to me by an old friend, so is part of the family now.

Howdy

In the beginning, there was the Smith and Wesson 44 Hand Ejector 1st Model, also known as the New Century, but popularly known as the Triple Lock.

This well worn Triple Lock shipped in 1907. One year before they were officially cataloged. Notice the barrel marking says 44 S&W CTG (short for cartridge). This was before they started marking them 44 S&W SPECIAL CTG, as the later ones were marked. I found this one on the white elephant table of a local auction, because the finish was so worn. I got it for a song. Worn as it is on the outside, it still locks up tight and shoots great.






This Target Model Triple Lock is a little bit more scarce than the standard fixed sight models. It shipped in 1913. Notice the barrel marking now says 44 S&W SPECIAL CTG.






This nickel plated Triple Lock shipped in 1915.






When S&W introduced the 44 Hand Ejector, 2nd Model, in 1915, they did away with the complicated 3rd lock and the under barrel lug that housed it. This resulted in a factory price reduction from $21 to $19. This equates to $54.44 in today's currency.






In 1926, Texas dealer Wolff & Klar requested an update to the 44 Hand Ejector line. They requested a return to the under barrel lug, although the third lock was not reintroduced. (It never was) This very funky 44 Hand Ejector, 3rd Model, also known as the Model 1926 for the year it was introduced, was carried during WWII by an officer. The grips are very worn, and it has been refinished with nickel plating. Somewhere I have the holster that came with it. This one shipped in 1929.






This 44 Hand Ejector 4th Model shipped in 1955. After 1957 this model became known as the Model 24.






A bit more recent, this Model 624 shipped in 1985. I substituted Magna grips for the original over sized target grips.

24-4 One of the Twelve Revolvers. I also have a CA Boomer somewhere.

This 2nd Model Hand Ejector shipped from the factory in 1925. Sometime in the 1930s or 1940s it was customized, first by shortening the barrel to 4-1/2".



The front sight was relocated, ramped, and serrated.



Finally the top strap was serrated and a new rear sight was installed.



And the old girl shoots original performance level 44 Specials (246 @ 750) to point of aim at 20 yards.

Dave

Love this thing Ruger Bisley Flattop 4 5/8”

Well, not too flashy with my .44 Specials. Here are two Colt New Frontiers, a Ruger Blackhawk Three Screw (an ex-.357 Magnum) and a Uberti Model P:



And a recent addition, a Ruger Flat Top New Model Blackhawk:



And, from 'way back in history, and now its location unknown, my very first attempt at a custom revolver, ca. 1960. It is an old Colt New Service, a former Mounties revolver originally a .455, reamed to .45 Colt, then reworked to .44 Special.



New sights, refinished, and my home made grips. This many, many years ago. And my first real handgun.

Bob Wright

My love of the .44spl started 3 years ago with a Charter Arms Bulldog, then a 3" Taurus 431, then the Blackhawk Flattop .44spl and then a stainless original Bulldog. I sold off all but the Blackhawk. I really like this gun!

I had a Bisley trigger and hammer installed, but took the Bisley hammer off as I didn't care for it. I sure like the Bisley trigger though.

I made a modest holster for it and love how it carries. I carried it while elk bow hunting this year. Carried very nicely. I may get the gun hard chromed with Metalife.