Used .44 Special Recommendations

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......

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.

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

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.

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".

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

Look for a S&W 624.

tipoc

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.

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.

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.

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.



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

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



Nice buy, either way !!!

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

Click to expand...

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

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

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

Good buy !

44and45,

Nice 431

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

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...



3rd model 1926 era...

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

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