Is there a good compact .44 special?

[WheelMan]

I'm gearing up for CC in Missouri and looking for the piece I want. My handgunning goes straight from rimfire to big bore single actions so I need something new. Because of my bigbore revolver background a .44 special double action is appealing but the only ones I've seen in the stores are the charter arms bulldod pug, which seems less than sturdy, but maybe I'm just spoiled on rugers. So any advice? I'm tempted to just find a way to stick my 5.5 .44 mag vaquero in my pants (I knew I should have got the sheriffs model ).

 

[webley455]

I have found that taurus revolvers in the non-high pressure loadings work fine. I have had a 5 shot 445 for five years and it is very good. It has over 600 rounds through it with no problems. It is sturdy. I owned a charter arms and could never warm up to it.

 

[C.R.Sam]

I find the N frame Smiths are not that hard to conceal with good, GOOD, belt and holster.

Your dress is part of your rig when you carryin concealed.

Sam

 

[VictorLouis]

The now discontinued L-frame S&W models

696 in all stainless, and the Airweight Titanium cylindered 296.

 

[CZ 75 BD]

Taurus 445 Titanium

in .44 spl holds 5 rounds. Mine is 2" barrel, ported. 19 oz. empty. Very accurate. The "ribber" grip is comfortable to shoot, but not a fast draw.

Bought mine for $360.00, then saw the same at a gun show for $300.00 Used should be a real bargain, 250-275 maybe.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I've got the Taurus 445 on my list, but I just wish they'd offer it with a 3 inch tube. That would make it near perfect.

 

[glockten]

I recommend, without reservation, a Rossi 720 if you can find one in good condition, especially the bobbed-hammer version. It's a 3" stainless 5-shooter.

 

[SnWnMe]

Charter 2000. They're sturdy for sure. Solid frame too. Recoil is nasty but this is carry alot and shoot a little correct?

 

[WheelMan]

Well carry more than shoot I suppose, but shoot regularly and enough to be profecient. I apprecaite all the recomendations, I'll look these over.

 

[Stainz]

I love my S&W 296. It is <19 oz, Al & Ti, 2.5" barrel, enclosed hammer, and 200gr or less, clad only, .44 S&W Special, 5-shot, fixed sight, L-frame. It listed for ~$780 - yet has been dumped for as little as $350 (CDNN) since it's dropping from S&W (mid 2001). The SS 3" adjustable sight 696 (axed in late 2002 and impossible to find...) weighs in around 35 oz - but has a better UM's grip (I replaced it with the squared version from S&W - put the 696's grips on the 296 - infinitely better!).

My 296 has had a few PMC 180gr JHP's - ~ 768fps - and a bunch of Blazer 200gr GDJHP - ~ 795 fps. The latter was quite abrupt with the original boot grip as the 'hump' backstrap would hit my hand. The backstrap enclosing Uncle Mike's grips, standard on my 696 and 2" M10-11 and available as an accessory from S&W, really help. The PMC's are milder - but their HP may not open up as well as those Speer Gold Dots. I did have one of those Al cased Blazers split it's case recently... it made ejection slow... a first here.

Get a 296 while they are still around. Everyone who has bought one, after seeing mine, of course, is happy with their purchase. You won't know it is on your hip (21 oz with the Blazers loaded); in your pocket... well, it'll be full - but easy to retrieve! Local experience with that 445 Ti has not been good... seem to bind up after a few rounds (heat - clearances???).

Stainz

 

[Deepdiver]

I recommend, without reservation, a Rossi 720 if you can find one in good condition, especially the bobbed-hammer version. It's a 3" stainless 5-shooter.

I will second this recommendation. I have one that I carried for a while before I switched to a 1911A1 platform.

The Rossi is very accurate, and seems to be very sturdy. Mine has held up to hot reloads just fine.

 

[cleve land]

I second the Taurus 445. Accurate, easy to conceal and easy to shoot.

 

[chaim]

Taurus 445: 2", ported, available in stainless steel, blued carbon steel, aluminum or titanium, fairly compact 5 shooter.

Taurus 431: Used only (discontinued). 3" (typically anyway, they might have also been available in 4" but I'm not sure), steel, six shot revolver. It is basically a K/L frame sized gun.

Taurus 441: Same as above but adjustable sights

Rossi 720: Used only (discontinued). 3" (typically anyway, may be some 4" also), steel (I think), six shot, medium framed revolver. I understand that they are quite lightweight (something like 27oz?). Some have bobbed hammers, some have regular hammers.

S&W 696: I think this one too has been discontinued. Steel, 3" (I think), 5 shot, L-frame

S&W 296/396: I'm pretty sure at least one of these are current production. Titanium and scandium version of above. One is 3" and one is 2".

All are on my list for eventual purchase.

 

[Chuck from arkansaw]

Yet another vote for the now extinct Rosi 720. It is a stainless 3" five shooter with factory rubber grips. It is small, strong and accurate.

 

[Cthulhu]

Rossi 720 for the above mentioned reasons. Vintage Charter Arms Bulldog (skinny barrel, exposed ejector) as a second.

 

[Airboss]

.44 Special

My primary carry gun is now a S&W 296.It weighs nothing(19 oz.) I carry in a Krammer Belt slide or for that quick run to the store just slip it in to the front pocket of your jeans.
BTW does any one know where I can get 5 round speed loaders for this.

 

[glockten]

Airboss, I think the HKS CA44 speedloader will work with your 296.

 

[clin4580]

Used to have and carry a 296.It was a good gun but got the craving for a new auto-chunker and had to trade it in.As stated above the ca44 speedloader works in these.Just recently saw a post on Smith&Wesson forum were someone blew theres up supposedly.

 

[clin4580]

http://www.smith-wessonforum.com/ubb/Forum15/HTML/000304.html Hope this link works.

 

[JERRY]

have a taurus ti ported hammerless .38 would trade for most any of the .44spls mentioned here.

 

[AL-GUNNER]

I own and carry at times both of my 44 spls on and off duty. One is a Smith M24 in 3" and a Charter Arms Bulldog, both are very dependable and conceal very well. Like some one else said your dress is part of the rig.

God luck

 

[Tamara]

MY 296 is my everyday carry purse gun. Love it, but that grooved backstrap will tattoo you pretty good... (The price you pay for light weight. )

 

[Stainz]

Another 'smaller'- and available - .44 Special is the S&W 629 Mountain Gun. Sure, it is really a .44 Magnum - but mine only eats .44 S&W Specials. With it's tapered tube, partial lug, chamfered cylinder, and 39.5 oz, it is highly 'packable' - and will definitely take any Keith .44 S&W Special loads - and with some decent square butt conversion wood grips, a la the S&W #21991, it will even look like a revolver Keith would have liked, though I am not sure about the SS. If you like blued guns, a 29 Mountain gun was available earlier this year. Yeah, Tamara, the 4" N-frame may be a bit big for your purse... but it is a handier size than that Mateba!

Stainz

PS Try those backstrap-enclosing Uncle Mike's grips like S&W sources for the 2" M10 and the 696 I bought on your 296. They give you a little longer grip to hold on to than those boot grips - and cover that hump backstrap, too.