No non-snubby .44 specials

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

BlkHawk73

Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2003
Messages
2,366
Location
Maine
Why is it that all the non-snubby (4" or longer) .44 special revolvers have ceased production? I know taurus made them as did a few others. yeah I know the new Thunder Ranch Smith...no thanx not worth the $ for my needs. All I want is an affordable adjustable sight non-snubby DA .44 special revolver. Can't even find them used at decent prices. heck, I'd even get a Blackhawk in .44 special for that matter.
With all the overbore non-gap-filling cartridges out now, why can't this gap be filled too?
 
The answer always given by Smith is "sales", or more specifically the lack of same. Although there seems to be quite a few of us (on the internet at least) who long for a regular production, duty size 44 Special revolver, we don't number enough to impress the gun makers. Funny but we do seem to impress the used gun dealers who charge three arms and two legs for every 44 Special I see (LOL).

Dave
 
Apparently the 44 Special doesn't appeal to a wide enough marketing base. Every 44 Special S&W has made was been dropped from production after dismal sales. The Triple Lock, the 1926, the 1950, etc. Not enough sales.
 
Weird, ain't it. Maybe Smith will do more in that area if the 21-4 sells a bunch. One alternative is to find worn older guns and have them converted. I have done a handful that way for not a lot more than what a new one would cost.
 
I think the main reason is the 44 Mag. It's not signifigantly larger to build than 44 special and stronger. The slight size and weight savings going to a 44 Spl only makes sense to a buyer in the CCW market where 2" barrels dominate but isn't signifigant to most people shopping for a duty size gun.

Low velocity big bore revolvers are currently dominated by 45 Colt and 45 ACP offerings leaving little room for the 44 Spl in the market, as excellent a round as it is.

That's why sales are in the pooper. That's why you don't see more 44 Spls.
 
I bet if Ruger came out with a flat top in 44 spl on the same frame as the new 357 mag, they couldn't make enough of 'em to fill orders for years. Why gunmakers don't do obvious things like that is beyond me. Otoh, figuring out how to fix up older guns is a heck of a lot of fun.
 
The other guys have said it already; the 44 Special is not so special in regard to sales volume. Although it dates back nearly as far as the 38 Special I would venture to say that S&W sold 1,000 or more 38s for each 44 it sold. The Colt SAA was also offered in 44 Special. One of Elmer Keith's favorites as it had more meat between the chambers than the more usual 45 Colt.
 
Though it's not a 4"+ barrel, don't forget the S&W 696, the sweet 3" barrel L-frame .44 Spl that was produced from 1997-2001 (I think). Again, disappointing sales; yet again, they are appreciating like lightning on the used market. A minty one was bid up to $805 on Gunbroker last time I looked. That's Python territory.

If you think about it, S&W's current Model 329PD -- the 4" barrel, 26 oz scandium .44 Mag -- is another duty-sized .44 Special. I mean, are you really going to shoot .44 Mag in that thing? ;)

But costs around $750.
 
Is it a limited edition? I thought it was supposed to be a working/fighting handgun. And is the msrp a lot more than their others? Come to think of it, it does come in a presentation case.
 
dumb question, but can you load .44 special in a .44 magnum revolver?

If so, why buy one specifically for .44 special?
If not, disregard me as a revolver newbie.
 
can you load .44 special in a .44 magnum revolver? If so, why buy a gun specifically chambered for .44 Spl...
Click to expand...

Aye, there's the rub. Up until recently the 44 Special was built only on the largest frame (N) Smith produces. The broke that mold by making some on the L frame which is a good deal smaller, although holding 1 shot less.
 
dumb question, but can you load .44 special in a .44 magnum revolver?
Click to expand...

Yes I could just buy a .44 mag and load in specials but I don't want that. For what I want it for, I'll never need magnums, If I need a magnum, I've got one. They wouldn't require the size and therefore strength of a .44 magnum frame. Besides, .44mags are just way too common. ;)
 
"They wouldn't require the size and therefore strength of a .44 magnum frame."

what other frame could you get a .44 special on?

other than the 696 (L-frame) and charter arms bulldog , which i would say falls into the "snubby class" (3" barrel)the smallest frame that i know of chambered for the .44spl is the N-frame, which is the same as the m-29 .44mag. as i remember it, the only difference (other than the chambering) between the two is the barrel profile...which becomes a moot point with the 629 mountain gun.
 
The '83 vintage 6.5" M24's appear around $400-$500 used somewhat irregularly of late. The '01-'02 vintage 'Heritage' series 24 is also a possibility - CDNN had them earlier this year for $600 new. I have one of those and an older one, a 'LNIB' twenty-year safe queen '83 24 which had more QC problems than all of my other S&W's combined. The N-framed 24's have adjustable sights and, especially the H24, a finer blueing reportedly than the new MSRP $958 21-4 TR special.

I did buy a 629 MG several years ago as just a '.44 Special'. Okay, it doe see some .44 Russians, too. My latest 'toy' is a homebrew of sorts. I really like my 4.6" SS BHG Vaquero in .45 Colt and wanted one in .44 Special. I ordered a .357 Vaquero BHG for a conversion, but lost my nerve when I found out what it would cost. I bought a new 4.6" Super Blackhawk and a QPR BHG and fitted it... what a treat! I now have a .44 BHG - with adjustable sights, a real boon for .44 Special use. Sure, it, like my 629MG, says '.44 Magnum', but to me, it's a .44 Special (and .44 Russian). That SBH in 4.6" is so nice, I may have to get one and a Bisely gripframe...

Ammo is a problem - unless you reload. My 296 is highly ammo-restrictive - and the Blazer 200gr GDJHP's, at $12.99/50 at a local sport's chain, are both ideal and frugal enough for plinking in my 696, too. I now buy the Georgia Arms similar all-new ammo in Starline cases - you get some nice reloadable brass that way - ~$18/50. Oddly, both are less dear than local Cowboy loads (~$20/50). I reload... problem solved.

The .44 Special is special... the .44 Russian, even more so. Try to find anything chambered in THAT (Okay, Navy Arms still makes the S&W Model 3 .44 Russian clone...). The use of a .44 Magnum revolver is about the only way to get a 4"+ these days.

Stainz

PS The 3.1" S&W 396 is reportedly still in the catalog... adjustable sights, too. ~$600
 
Why have a 44 Special when there aren't any worthwhile loads to shoot out of it? With the exception of snubbies, load development for the Specials died in 1956.
Click to expand...

Why have all the cartridges we have now? Surely only a handful is capable of anything that needs to be done. Why own more than a .22 and 12 gauge and a .458? Those 3 will do it all.
Load development for snubbies varies vastly from load development for non-snubbies? :confused:
 
Maybe I missed something....

S&W had a .44 Spl. constantly catalonged (except when civilian production stopped for the wars) from 1908 until 1962.

The first model Hand Ejector from 1908 to 1915 or so, the Second Model was cataloged until about 1938 and the Third model until 1950. The 1950 model was available until 1962.

Not a bad history.

FWIW

Chuck



Apparently the 44 Special doesn't appeal to a wide enough marketing base. Every 44 Special S&W has made was been dropped from production after dismal sales. The Triple Lock, the 1926, the 1950, etc. Not enough sales.
 
Is it just me or.....GP100 in .44Spec? Even as a 5 shooter!
Click to expand...

I'd buy one in a blue minute. Whether they'd yield mass sales is harder to say.

Still, Ruger could do a .44 Spl GP as one of those limited "Lipsey's only" or "Davidson's only" runs they're fond of. Since the stock GP100 frame handles hot .357s with ease, it would surely be tough enough for any .44 Special. Cutting a new cylinder would be easy; it would probably be a five-shooter, as you say. The need for a new, wider barrel would present more of an obstacle to production.

I suspect such a move by Ruger would cut the high prices for used S&W 696s in short order.
 
What happened to all the long barreled 44 specials? Well they didn't sell for one. All the guys that say they would buy one for the most part are just talking not buying.

A lot of folks are like me, I'd rather have a 44 magnum. Its the same size and weight for the most part (maybe a slight difference, but not enough to notice). I don't reload and have no desire to start, yet in my 44 mags I can shoot special , light mags or full house mags.

Yeah, the L frame 696 is a nice gun. But why the hell would I buy a 5 shot 44 special when I can get the same gun as a 7 shot 357 magnum. Sure some of you guys would prefer the 5 shot 44 special, but alot more are like me and would rather have the 7 shot magnum thats cheaper to shoot which has much better ammo selection and availablity.

For me, a 3-4 inch S&W 29/629 is the way to go. Just too much versatility to pass up and limit myself to a 44 special. The question that you should be asking is, why would a manufacturer waste their time and money on the 44 special thats at best is only going to sell in limited qualities. S&W has proved this time and time again, occassionally doing a limited run to pick up those limited sales which are never enough to maintain a 44 special in the line up for long.
 
Why ask why - you need a light weight (compared to the magnums) .44 special because you're a real pistolero! And because Skeeter said so.

standard.jpg

That doesn't mean you don't ALSO need a .44 magnum though; what's wrong with you people! More guns! Shoes and electricity are optional!

standard.jpg
 
That case hardened one is a pretty one, Bullet Bob! Is that one of the recent special issues? Looks like an Ed McGivern sight on it. :D :D
 
...the only difference (other than the chambering) between the two is the barrel profile...
Click to expand...

Actually there is a little more than that. N-Frame 44 Special cylinders are shorter and consequently lighter than the Magnum version. The whole reason Smith brought out the Mountain Gun was because of the appeal of the lighter 44 Special N-Frame. The Mountain gun carries more like the 44 Specials, however the Special is even lighter yet.

As for those of you who don't see the need for a dedicated 44 Special, some of us are more descriminating. For example, I don't shoot 38 Specials in my 357 Magnums either. If I want 38 Special performance I shoot 38 Specials rather than create an added cleaning chore in a 357 Magnum. Likewise, if I don't need magnum performance in 44 caliber (and I almost never do) I prefer to shoot a 44 Special - a real 44 Special with all the class and tradition it entails.

As always, YMMV!
Dave

Dave
 
Hi BigG; it's one of the "Heritage" models that S&W put out around 2001.

The front sight's just a patridge with a gold bead, but since the thin barrel doesn't have a rib, it sits waaay up there, causing some wags to make comments about using it as a gutting tool.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

R
  • Locked
What's the corresponding S&W model # for this...
Replies
5
Views
455
ATAShooter
ATAShooter
W
  • Locked
taurus tracker .44
Replies
16
Views
2K
Arcticfox
A
Deanimator
  • Locked
.44 Special or .45acp Concealment Guns?
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
SwampWolf
S
L
  • Locked
Compact .44 Special Revolver?
2
Replies
31
Views
19K
Logan5
L
W
  • Locked
.44 special CCW choices
2
Replies
37
Views
4K
groovemastergreg
G
Back
Top