Any decent .44 specials currently made?

[.38 Special]

HEy guys,

Y'all miss the addition this year to the S&W
Classic line? S&W is making the Model 24 in .44
SPecial with a 6" or 6 1/2" Bbl. & square but frame.

And a lock, and MIM, and crummy shallow rifling that doesn't handle cast bullets well and leads more than it needs to. Like I said, "adequate", but not as good as the older ones -- which generally aren't as expensive, to boot.

 

[Stainz]

About 3.5 yr back found me selling my 6.5" 24-3 - then trading my Heritage 6.5" 24. Three years ago August, I spent the 24 moola on a new 6" 629 (SKU 163604) - $569 + s/t. The next year I replaced my 629MG with a new standard 4" 629 (SKU 163603). They are .44 Specials with Keith level load capability - and .44 Magnum, too. They sport wood grips for Russians and Specials; .500 Magnum Hogues for Magnums. Below is my .44 'Special' collection, includding an AirLite 296, 696, 4" & 6" 629s.



Odd remark about me and snubby N-frames... my shortest N-frames are 4"-ers!

Stainz

 

[krs]

I think an N frame with a 4" barrel is a snubbie - or I did until I found Lew Horton guns like this: with it's 3.5" barrel.

The actual length matters less in my defining a snubbie than the proportion of barrel to frame. See? Not so odd.

 

[moewadle]

S & W 624 Classic

Forgive me if someone already mentioned this but there is a SW 24 Classic (Not the 624 as I mistakenly put in header) made from about 2006 to 2007. You must be familiar with the SW Classic line....they brought back for brief manufacture famous models of earlier made SW guns. Mine is nickel plate. I haven't fired it yet as I found it unfired but pre-owned at a chain sporting goods store in Des Moines in June of 2008. I bought 1000 rounds of ammo but have not gotten out to the range yet. I am confident I will love it and it is a beautiful looking piece. I thought the price was very reasonable because it was technically pre-owned when the store bought from the original owner who never fired it. I paid $600 and was glad to get it. I think MSRP on a new one was around $1000.

See my further remarks below. It is actually a Model 21-4.

 

[calaverasslim]

Charter arms makes a "Bulldog Pup" 2.5" barrel, 44 special, 5 shot

You can still find the 3" Bulldog for a decent price.

Some folks bad mouth the Charter Arms but the one I have (3") is solid and reliable.


Smith makes several models and the Model 21 I have, not the Thunder Ranch, is a 6 shot "N" nickel frame and it has found a home.

They also make other models including the Model 24.

The best way S&W could improve on this gun is to make a baby brother!!!


5 shot K frame

 

[Dollar An Hour]

In '87 I bought a Charter .44 Spl Bulldog Pug. It had a bobbed hammer and rubber grips, maybe Pachmayrs. It wasn't that bad to fire recoil-wise and was actually well built. I regret selling it!

Newer Charters are not as nice unfortunately.

 

[moewadle]

Correction to my mistake

Okay, I will red-facedly admit I am completely ignorant. I did not have my SW models memorized and so to make sure of what I spoke I went to my gun storage safe and looked at my SW that I spoke of above. It is a Model 21-4 so that is now definitive. It is a nickel-plated .44 special in the SW Classics line. The original Model 21 was known as the Model 1950 .44 Military. It was discontinued in 1966. My classic model has a 4 inch barrel on an N frame.

Okay, hope that is the end of my mistakes. By the way, the current SW internet catalog does have a Model 24 in the Classics with a longer barrel and that also is a .44 Special as stated above.

 

[MikePGS]

It's a shame that Ruger won't make SP 101's in either .44 special or .45 a.c.p.

 

[FoMoGo]

My daily carry piece is a S&W M 21-4 Thunder Ranch with Goncalo Alves Monogrip loaded with Blazer Gold Dots.
I just worked up a nice handload thats as accurate as any pistol I have ever shot.
7.7 gr of Unique under a 226 gr Venom Ballistics cast hollowpoint.
I am 100% sold on the .44 special... and sold off my 6" S&W 629 after picking this one up due to lack of desire to shoot it.


Jim

 

[PRM]

Custom Built Bisley

My choice for a .44 Special Revolver was a custom built Colt Bisley. It took some time to get, but was well worth the wait. I carry it in an El Paso Saddlery "Cross Hair" holster. Rides high and is easy to get to. http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-162-11-crosshair.aspx

If you don't want to go the custom route, USFA sells a top of the line Bisley. http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/bisley.asp
Next, is the Cimarron/Uberti Bisley. http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/Bisley/Bisley.htm

Always liked the grip on the Bisley - not for everyone. You either like or not, few middle of the road opinions here.



Custom Built Colt Bisley by David Chicoine www.oldwestgunsmith.com
Pre-ban ivory grips by Jerry Meachum