Are 44 Revolvers Dying?

[.45Coltguy]

"And I'm a .45 Colt fan. But I know .44 Magnum is the better of the two cartridges."

Truth!^^^

 

[Hookeye]

Used to shoot .44 mag frequently.
Not anymore, hardly shoot anything these days.
If I wanted a backpack gun, or something to hunt deer w locally, I'd just get a 10mm Auto.

 

[Hookeye]

Have no use for a 629 4" again.
But I still want one LOL
They're just cool.

 

[CraigC]

I think popularity is waning for the .44, particularly the .44 Remington Magnum.
People who want a powerful, but pleasant to shoot, more easily controlled big-bore are finding the .45 Colt superior.
For those who need, or just want, absolute power there are several calibers to top the .44. .454 Casull, .460 S&W, .500 S&W, etc.; none of which existed in 1955.
The .44 magnum appealed at its inception to essentially two categories of people: Those who wanted it because it was, after all, "the most powerful handgun in the world and will blow your head clean off" [raising my hand; "guilty your honor] and those who hunt with a handgun or need it for protection against dangerous animals. When I was stationed in Alaska in the mid 70s very few people could scrape up enough money to buy one even if one could be found for sale.
Today it's in no man's land. It offers nothing over the .357 for defense against two legged vermin and for wow factor and pure power there are better choices.

Anyone who thinks the .45Colt is more controllable, it's because they're comparing milquetoast 800fps loads to 1400fps loads that are more than double the pressure. Fact is the .45 isn't superior and wins no contests until it's ran at 50,000psi. At "Ruger only" levels, it's always 50-100fps behind in all bullet weights. I own more .45's than most .45 fans but there are a lot of myths surrounding the cartridge.

There is literally no critter on the planet that can't be taken with the .44 and the right bullet.

 

[.38 Special]

Venturino is also the fellow who wrote an article entitled "The .44 Special Ain't So Special", which over the following few months engendered multiple responses from folks like John Taffin. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the whole thing was orchestrated between gunwriters - who do have a lot of pages to fill about things that haven't significantly changed in the last fifty years.

As something of an aside, you can put me on record as saying that Handloader and Rifle have gone steeply downhill from their heyday of a decade or so ago. I'm not much of a fan of Dave Scovill, but he was apparently a very good editor. Combined with the loss of Ross Seyfried and John Barsness from the masthead, there just isn't enough talent left to keep the magazines at a really high level. (I enjoy Mike Venturino, by the way...)

As to the actual question, I'd say .44s (by themselves, and as compared with wondernines, etc.) are pretty stable. They continue to attract a certain type, and continue to be made (and sold) at a brisk pace. No, they're not ever going to be the top of the heap - either in terms of power or in sales - but I don't see them disappearing any time in the foreseeable future.

 

[Mark_Mark]

That's exactly how I feel about 460. That's like having a 444 pistol for 44mag. I appreciate versatility but the 38/357 45c/454 are the groups.

you can shove everything into .460! maybe even .45 ACP

 

[.45Coltguy]

Well, the .45 Colt is more controllable just because of the pressure you mentioned. Simple physics. I explained in my earlier posts why I like the .45 Colt. I do not hunt with handguns, so don't need all the power the .44 mag has. Those who use them, swell. I think Old_Grouch was referencing the same reason I like the .45 Colt, not saying the Colt is superior in performance levels as the .44 mag. That's what I think.

 

[KnightHawk]

Well I believe in the 44 calibers. They are a good balance and will stand up to anything drawing breath on this planet.
As far as 454, 460, and the 500’s go I see a lot of for sale ads.
Almost new, only fired once.

 

[silicosys4]

Well, the .45 Colt is more controllable just because of the pressure you mentioned. Simple physics. I explained in my earlier posts why I like the .45 Colt. I do not hunt with handguns, so don't need all the power the .44 mag has. Those who use them, swell. I think Old_Grouch was referencing the same reason I like the .45 Colt, not saying the Colt is superior in performance levels as the .44 mag. That's what I think.

Thats what the .44spcl is for.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Thats what the .44spcl is for.

Probably so also.

 

[PapaG]

Certainly not in my family and friends group. I have 5 44 mags and 2 specials and my boys have at least one each. Regardless of what the cognoscenti say, the 45 Colt hasn’t put it to rest and only one in a thousand can handle the 454.
29-2, Super Blackhawk, 94 Marlin, 94 Win, CVA Scout, 624, 431.
Kids each have a Handi Rifle.

 

[KnightHawk]

you can shove everything into .460! maybe even .45 ACP

But why? If your going to drag something that heavy around it might as well have a butt stock on it.

 

[Mark_Mark]

But why? If your going to drag something that heavy around it might as well have a butt stock on it.

Trigger Practice! I have a 4” with a giant comp and it’s a Earth Quake! I was thinking of putting .45 or light .45 Colt in the Mix of .460 and see how bad my flinch is

 

[Miami_JBT]

Anyone who thinks the .45Colt is more controllable, it's because they're comparing milquetoast 800fps loads to 1400fps loads that are more than double the pressure. Fact is the .45 isn't superior and wins no contests until it's ran at 50,000psi. At "Ruger only" levels, it's always 50-100fps behind in all bullet weights. I own more .45's than most .45 fans but there are a lot of myths surrounding the cartridge.

There is literally no critter on the planet that can't be taken with the .44 and the right bullet.

Yup.... I have a diehard love for the .45 Colt. But the .44 Magnum smoke-checks it everyday of the week and twice on Sundays. The .45 Colt is a fantastic anti-personnel round. Accurate, has enough mass and speed to knock the horse from under a rider, and still not be discouraging in the recoil department. But for folks to compare .45 Colt to .44 Magnum is a disservice to both cartridges.

As I said earlier in this thread, the Ruger Only Loads are up there. But you can't shoot those in even modern-day Vaqueros and Blackhawks since they're physically a smaller (weaker) frame.

.44 Magnum is just about the perfect magnum revolver cartridge.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Well, the .45 Colt is more controllable just because of the pressure you mentioned. Simple physics. I explained in my earlier posts why I like the .45 Colt. I do not hunt with handguns, so don't need all the power the .44 mag has. Those who use them, swell. I think Old_Grouch was referencing the same reason I like the .45 Colt, not saying the Colt is superior in performance levels as the .44 mag. That's what I think.

I do hunt with handguns. But that isn't even the reason why I have both. My favorite magnum round is the .41 Magnum. But I have .44 Magnum because I just want it. I don't need a reason to own things. I just like it.

 

[Old_Grouch]

Anyone who thinks the .45Colt is more controllable, it's because they're comparing milquetoast 800fps loads to 1400fps loads

Exactly. Isn't that a bit like saying "well, yeah, a bowling ball is easier to lift than a wrecking ball only because it weighs less"?
I genuinely don't get the point of your statement.

There is literally no critter on the planet that can't be taken with the .44 and the right bullet.

I agree. Nothing in my post disputes that.

 

[KnightHawk]

I have a Bulldog and a Rossi 720 both 3” barrels, Bulldog is very light, both are great I the pocket. The Bulldog is my wife’s and she shoots it quite well.
I have a 24-3 6 inch that’s right up there with the 625 Smith as far as accuracy goes.
I shoot 180 to 310’s.
I have a Browning 92 that’s a dream, had a Marlin JM 94 that I got $1,400 and was very pleased with the price and the fact that it was gone.
Picked up a Rossi 92 with a 16 barrel, haven’t shot it yet as I’d like to put a Decelerator pad on it first.
The 44’s are just great cartridges. You might be able to say I’m a 44 fan.
I’m working on a trade for a Ruger Redhawk in 45 Colt - 45ACP
Never had a 45 Colt, but do have a couple 45 Auto Rim.
Well I’m rambling here, but most calibers that start with a “4” are great.
If you can’t get it done with 250 to 300 grains at 1000 fps, then it doesn’t need doing.

 

[GBExpat]

Are 44 Revolvers Dying?​

Not at my house.

2 44spc & 1 44mag wheelguns ... and 2 Marlin 1894S leverguns.

 

[W.E.G.]

Clint Eastwood was so disgusted with .44 he moved up to the .45 in his later movies.

 

[gilgsn]

Heck, even the current production Vaqueros and Blackhawks can't take those stout Ruger only loads.

Just curious, but how is the current production Blackhawk different from the old ones?
Sure, the New Vaquero is a different gun than the old one, but the Blackhawk???
Gil.

 

[AJC1]

Clint Eastwood was so disgusted with .44 he moved up to the .45 in his later movies.

View attachment 1208739

That's because he demands honesty and so do I. That's why I call it the 43 mag.... it just so happens that every reason given for a 44 over a 41 makes me want a 41. If I could find a 41 in 6" in good shape I'd own it today. By the numbers a 454 is really a super mag, as all the rest are 40kpsi loadings, and if I could get am n frame 40kpsi 45, I'd be just as happy. The x frame is just to much.

 

[Mosin77]

I would love a .44-40 Blackhawk. I would love a .44spl one even more.

Thus far neither has come across my radar at a reasonable price but one day….


Do I need them? No. I have an Uberti 1873 rifle in .44-40 and a Charter Bulldog in .44spl, so objectively the bases are well enough covered. But I do crave a single action .44. My friends do roll their eyes at me though. You have to have read the right books, apparently.

 

[2ndtimer]

I left the .44 Magnum club years ago. Deciding that the .357 Magnum was sufficient for my purposes and the projectiles were cheaper to buy (and ship!). So, after a couple of Model 29’s, a 629, a Ruger Red Hawk and a couple stainless Super Blackhawks, I made due with a few 9mm’s, .357 Mags and a .45 ACP or two.
Last fall on a guided cow elk hunt, our guide packed a Glock Model 20 10mm in a chest holster, primarily for bear protection. A few months back, my son showed up with one and explained the virtues of having 15 (or 10 in the states that ignore the U S Constitution) of 180 or 200 gr bullets at 1200 fps on tap in the nearby mountains where black bears and mountain lions are known to wander.
After shooting his, I had to concede it made a lot of sense. Practically speaking, my new Glock 20.5 could easily replace all my centerfire handguns (not that it will, but it could). And while it lacks the classic beauty of my revolvers and the ease of concealment of my smaller 9mm’s, as for all around capability, it is all a reasonable person needs.

 

[Crosshair]

You need to remember WHY certain guns are popular.

Why are ARs popular? Why are Glocks popular. Why are Heritage 22 rimfires popular.

All have the same answer: They're the cheapest options.

That's it. All the "It's modular" and "Good ergonomics" is just excuses most of the time. People often avoid admitting that they bought something because they're a cheapass.

Back when SKS and 91/30 rifles were $100 and $60 respectively, we openly stated that we bought it because they were cheap. $250 Saiga AKs? Same reason. Now though, with $400 ARs, it's often nothing but excuse making.

Guns like the Mini-14, AR-18, M1A, XCR, Marlin, Winchester, Henry, it's not an excuse to say you like the ergonomics or whatnot. Because you typically pay a premium, compared to cheaper options, to get them.

So don't worry so much. There is still a market. Just because people buy loads of ground beef doesn't mean there is no market for steak, cube steak, or other cuts of meat. If anything, getting people eating ground beef will have them eventually start looking to buy the better cuts from time to time.

 

[silicosys4]

That's because he demands honesty and so do I. That's why I call it the 43 mag.... it just so happens that every reason given for a 44 over a 41 makes me want a 41. If I could find a 41 in 6" in good shape I'd own it today. By the numbers a 454 is really a super mag, as all the rest are 40kpsi loadings, and if I could get am n frame 40kpsi 45, I'd be just as happy. The x frame is just to much.

Yup. You sure do trade a lot off in useability to get that extra 0.23" in diameter.
When all is said and done, the .45 Colt isn't half the cartridge of the .44M, and the .454 just gets you more recoil, weight, and noise for little to no added effect.