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43GRAYGOST

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Please help me out regarding the difference between 44 special and 44 magnum guns.
It is my understanding that you can shoot 44 special out of a 44 magnum gun, but not the other way around. Is this correct?
If so why would the new S&W Thunder Ranch Revolver be released in 44 special and not the 44 magnum where you could use either round?

Thanks for any insight.
 
It is my understanding that you can shoot 44 special out of a 44 magnum gun, but not the other way around. Is this correct?
Click to expand...
Correct, the .44 mag is slightly longer but the same diameter.
If so why would the new S&W Thunder Ranch Revolver be released in 44 special and not the 44 magnum where you could use either round
Click to expand...
For the same reason some revolvers are .38 special anot .357 where you could use either round
 
The power and recoil of the .44mag is not always needed or wanted. So why buy a gun so chambered when you can have the .44sp? Versatility is not always the answer.
 
The manufacturer can usually make a .44 Special gun, smaller and lighter than a gun that would be chambered for .44 Magnum because the former gun doesn't need to deal with the pressure and recoil of the latter.
 
43graygost,

I think I know where your confusion lies. The .44 Special and the .44 mag (which will shoot both cartridges including the shorter .44 special), are not the same size revolver. The magnum is larger and heavier! The diameter of the holes in the cylinder are the same but not the length. If a person knows that they are never going to want to fire a .44mag, then the .44 special may be more convenient to carry.


Also, as stated above, the cartridges are the same diameter but they are not the same length, so the shorter .44 special will fit into the longer chamber on the .44 magnum. This chamber length is not the only difference in size (but is the only thing that matters with regard to firing the .44 spl. cartridges). The .44 mag frame is heavier usually.


Someone said it above. The .357 will fire .38 spl. but the .38 spl. will neither chamber or fire the .357. ......size does matter in pistol cartridges.

Post Over done a little?.....................Perhaps.

PigPen
 
One other item.....when you shoot an under-length cartridge in a magnum cylinder you have to clean the bajeebers out of the cylinder to remove the burnt powder ring out of it before shooting magnum cases again. Otherwise you'll have trouble seating the magnum cartridges in the cylinder. And if you force them into place and shoot anyways, you could get an over-pressure situation from having that tiny bit of space near the lip of the cartridge that the brass normally expands into to release the bullet being filled by the said crud. I like both .44 Mags and .44 Specials and I have guns for both.
 
Some people find the .44 Special (actually .429 bore) enough for their purposes and don't feel the need for the power and recoil of the .44 Magnum. The new offering from S&W is meant to appeal to the sense of nostalgia many shooters feel. Sort of like GM bringing out a brand new 1957 Chevy. I suspect it would sell like hotcakes.
 
Thanks for all the replys.

I've been looking for a 44 special Mountain Gun but all I can find are the 44 magnums.

I guess I'll just buy one of the 44 magnums and just shoot 44 specials out of it. After I clean the beeggeeeesss out of the cylinder.

Thanks to all. If any one has a nice 44 special set up like the Mountain gus and want to get rid of it let me know.

[email protected]
 
Majic,

That is as close as you will ever get to a "Mountain Gun" in .44 Special!! :) I have the 6 1/2" barrel model from the same production run and LOVE it.

Sure wish I had the $$ and 01 FFL to buy that one right NOW.:D
 
From what I hear, Clint Smith and S&W are coming out with a blue steel .44 Special with fixed sights for defensive purposes. It is not meant for hunting or precision target shooting. It is going to be affordable for the average joe.

It is intended to be an anti-personnel weapon.
 
Man, that sounds like JUST the one I want!

About 6 years ago I was in Fowler's on Tustin in Orange, CA and they had two 3" 24's with round butt and "gripper" type wood grips. Beautiful carry guns! Problem was, they also had a really nice 57 (.41 Mag) in 6" with pinned barrel, etc., and I only had $ for one or the other. :( I came away with the 57.:)

Sure wish I could have afforded that and the 24 as well. But if Smith is talking with Clint, and it's a 4", I may be able to live with that.

I've been thinking recently that I really "NEED" :D a new "woods loafing" pistol in .44 Special, preferably in 4". Have given some thought to having a Ruger .357 Single Action converted, but haven't done anything about that yet. Now maybe I'll wait a bit and see what happens. :p
 
$700?!:what: Gee, I sure hope not. I popped $600 for one of the 29-8 Mountain Guns last year. Now I figger this is the same frame....doesn't need quite the same heat treatment....and has much simpler sights with less machine time involved. The M G even came with that gold junk on the barrel too. In all, if the price isn't less than the Mountain Gun I'd consider it robbery.
 
Majic

Thanks for the link to the 24-3.

What makes me mad is I passed up a S&W SS 44 special about three weeks ago when I thought they made one in the Mountain gun.

The PT is nothing but a Neon, one of thr worst cars ever made. It looks cool for a girls car.

What is the weight difference between a 44 special and a 44 magnum? I looked at a nickel Smith that was a 4" 44 magnum and it felt like a boat anchor.

Keep the info commmmmmmmmming.
 
The PT is nothing but a Neon, one of thr worst cars ever made. It looks cool for a girls car.
Click to expand...
That may be true but it's the retro styling that makes it popular and the modern engineering towards cost cutting that would make it crap.
Which goes along with the original comment by thatguy and the follow up by Standing Wolf.

By the way everybody I know that has one likes them, and one is a sales man that puts 1000 miles a week on it, I do kinda agree with the girl car comment though but girls do buy cars, as do blue hairs
 
PapPy John,
I paid around $575 for my 29-8 early last year when they came out. The 25-13 (I think) Mountain Gun in .45 Colt out right now is close to $650. So I think the $700 for that TR-21 won't be too far off, but I have been known to be wrong. :eek:
About the only affordable to the average joe S&W these days is the little M642 and M637 that are heavily discounted and have the clear coat finish peeling and flaking off. They will probably drop them back off the market again like they did before.
 
Most of the weight difference between the 44 Magnum and 44 Special revolvers is in the heavy 44 Magnum barrel versus the tapered 44 Special barrel; the same as what S&W puts on the Mountain guns. You really want either a 624 4" ( a square butt Mountain gun) or a 624 3" (round butt, but 3" barrel) depending on which grip design you want.
 
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