S&W .45 ACP M22 v. S&W .44 Special M21

[MagnumDweeb]

This has been bothering me for sometime. I've been setting aside my loose change (pennies, nickels, and dimes) for close to a year now come march. Mind you I only use my credit cards for online transactions and buying gas, everything else is cash and nearly all my loose change gets set aside with my singles(singles get set aside for Christmas and Birthdays). So every few months I have about $100-$150 in cash, I figure I'll have around $600 by march and want to splurge on an indulgence. I didn't end up getting the Ruger GP100 I wanted so I'm hunting for a revolver in a caliber I don't have(I've got plenty in .357 magnum already).

I've got around 1.5k in .45 ACP sitting around for my NRA Pistol classes that I teach so I already have a source of ammo for the S&W M22. I thought about getting the M22 model in the 5.5" barrel but I want a gun I won't hesitate to carry and a revolver with a 4" barrel I can easily put in a shoulder holster or IWB. I already own a Taurs PT 1911 and while I have great respect for the 1911 platform I'm just too much of a revolver fan.

But then there's the .44 special in the M22 4". I realize for a long time past the .44 special either met the .45 ACP in performance or outperformed in hotter loads. But now with offerings of .45 ACP in +P I have to think the gap in performance can't be that great any longer.

I read an article in Shotgun News over a year ago where in a M22 the author shot a Corbon load in 165 grain that performed on average at 1200fps. So you get the .44 caliber hole, the high velocity and at 165 grains, a good weight to push for penetration. I haven't been able to find .45 ACP rounds that will commonly do this.

I can get access to a steady supply of .44 Special 'Cowboy Loads' pushing a 200 grain round at 750+ fps at $24 a box of 50 which would keep me practicing with a 100 rounds a month no problem. But are there good SD rounds at 800fps+/- that I can get access to is a worry.

It seems the .44 special and .45 ACP will accomplish the same performance in the same weights at 200 grains. But once you start lower the weight, the .44 Special gains over the .45 ACP in velocity, if I'm wrong please educate me.

I want to make this revolver my key carry and practical shooting gun. Oh and reload for .44 Magnum so reloading for .44 special wouldn't be too much of a change. Thanks ahead of time.

 

[SaxonPig]

I don't think there's much to choose in terms of performance on human targets between the 45 ACP and the 44 Special. Either will do. The 44 may have more potential with hand loads or high end specialty loads but not sure if you gain much for defensive use.

The 45 revolver uses the moon clips which can speed reloading. Also, last I saw the 44 model only came in round butt and I didn't like that. I bought one of the early 45 ACP TR models with a 4" barrel and like it.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Just as a point of reference, I recently chronographed current production Cor-Bon 165 gr. JHP .44 Special at 1065 fps out of my 80's vintage 4" 624.

 

[calaverasslim]

I have the M21 44 special 4" and wouldn't trade it for the world. I also have the M22 4" 45acp and wouldn't trade it for the world either.

Since you have all that 45acp brass, as much as I love the 44 special, I would have to recommend that you go with the 45acp M22.

However, either one will work great for what you want.

 

[Majik]

I'd get a colt .45 there's many converts that'll shoot 45 acp as well. Plus you can load 45 colt up to 44 mag heat, or down to cowboy action shooting loads

 

[Walkalong]

Tough choice for sure. Yep, really tough........

 

[NMGonzo]

.45 acp will be my choice since I already have a weapon that eats that round.

.44 special will be second, however, I also have a .44 magnum.

Better sit on my hands, or i will never retire.

 

[Landric]

I have the 21 and I want the 22. Either is great, but I think the .44 Special is more versatile. The .44 Spl can be loaded well past what the ACP +P can do, but it requires going above published data. If I had to pick one it would be the 21.

 

[harmon rabb]

corbon makes a 165gr .45+p load

 

[Dave T]

Both are fine cartridges and both will serve equally well in SD situations, being near ballistic twins. If anything a slight edge goes to the 45 ACP revolvers because of the necessary use of moon clips. The "Full Moon" variety (as opposed to the original Half Moons) offer what is simply the fastest reload available for a revolver. Just ask Jerry Miculek.

Dave

 

[Eightball]

As you already have a ton of .45ACP, I'd say that the M21 should get the nod in your case.....

....but if it were me, since I reload (as do you), I would be working up some spiffy-as-heck .44 Special loads to really get some extra performance beyond standard .45ACP. Plus, I'm still not quite positive how I feel about a revolver which requires the use of something akin to a "magazine" to function properly (moonclips).

But then again, I'm in the same debate as you, as I already stock up on what .45ACP I can for my 1911, and an M21 would be a real fun revolver that feeds the same round.

 

[Stophel]

I have both. Unless they have resumed production very recently, the .44 is no longer being made.

Both of mine have been delocked, and "oldified" to suit me. The .45 doesn't shoot so great for me, but I guess I just haven't come up with the proper load for it...or I'm just not holding my mouth right.

I have only fired a couple dozen rounds from my .44 so far, and it shoots VERY nicely indeed...despite the funky lookin' scratchy rifling that these guns have.

 

[dirtygrunt95]

I have a model 22 and put my vote in for that. Also don't forget you can use 45 auto rims in it. Buffalo bore makes a 255 grn HCFN that does 1050 fps out of the 4" barrel. That's just my 2 cents though.

 

[Mr. Whimsy]

I've been down this road before, and will share my biases. May not help you as your situation may be different, but here goes.

1. The .44 Special is a great caliber, but it is one of those things that is much more popular on the internet than in real life. I owned and sold several revolvers in both calibers and did not think I would ever move the .44 Spl. S&W's. Put differently, I could sell 5 .45 ACP's sixguns for every .44 Special. Many people didn't even know what ".44 Special" was, and were unimpressed when told it wasn't a .44 Magnum. In fact, most people would rather just go ahead and buy a Magnum if they were .44 people. The ACP is well known. This affects resale value.

2. Factory .45 ACP ammo is ubiquitous, and much easier to find locally. There is probably a greater variety of HP loads to choose from if self defense loads are important to you. They will likely even cost less.

3. If you want power and you reload, my Sierra loading manual has a "revolver only" section for .45 ACP that contains junior magnum recipes. I haven't seen any data for hot .44 spec. ammo, but I suspect it wouldn't have any advantage.

4. Moonclips - I like 'em. They seem to aid in ejection of the casings. And instead of searching the ground for six cases there is just one shiny clip of 6, much easier for me to relocate in the grass. I don't find them much quicker for reloading, since the auto chambers are tight and seem to lack the slop that normal revolver chambers possess. Often, I have to "jiggle" the moonclip so that all cartridges go in just right.

5. Moonclips are cheaper and smaller than speed loaders. Not as durable, but unless you plan on rolling all over the ground with a pocketfull, durable enough.

6. Standard .45 ACP loads are about 100 fps faster than .44 Spec. for similar bullet weights.

In conclusion, I am constantly amazed at the longevity of the .44 Special. I can do everything it does and more with my ACP reloads, plus I have ammo in common with my 1911's, which is a big plus to me, since I'm consolidating calibers now.

Hope this is something to consider.

 

[joed]

I have to agree with you to some extent. I have collected S&W .44 Spl revolvers for a few years and have had quite a few.

I have not found them hard to sell at all and they seem to get snatched up rather quickly. The .44 Spl has a cult following. That's why it is still around.

Chambered in an N frame smith you start to realize the potential of the .44 Spl as it can be loaded to a respectable level. At 1100 fps it is quite powerful. If you have ever read about Elmer Keith you'll know why the Spl is still popular.

Now the downside. If you don't load your own ammo is expensive, hard to come by and very few choices are available. The reason for this is there are some pretty small guns available in .44 Spl. One of my Spl's is a Taurus 445 about the size of a Bulldog. It's a good carry gun but don't shoot anything over 200 gr at .44 Spl velocity or it will punish you. Not sure but I think Taurus even offered a version of this in .45 acp too.

The working pressure of the Spl is quite low. If you kick it up to the same level as the acp it is a handful.

I also collected S&W's in .45 Colt. To me that was a worthless cartridge. Not much more power then a .45acp and once again unless you load it yourself expensive and few choices. I did have a S&W 25-5 that had the forcing cone recut and the chambers reamed. This was the most accurate revolver I ever fired. But I gave up the Colt, it's just not as versatile as a .44 mag.

Now the acp. Compact, efficient and ammo is available just about everywhere. As you mentioned there are revolver loads that will impress you. Unfortunately I don't own a revolver chambered in this cartridge to base an opinion on. I prefer the acp in any auto and I still own 1. Maybe some day I'll own a revolver chambered in the acp.

 

[Landric]

.44 Special is really for handloaders only. ACP ammunition is both easier to come by and much cheaper, but if one is willing to hot rod the .44 Special, it can do a lot more than the ACP. The ACP version is probably a better choice for most folks. The .44 Special really has a cult following, no doubt. If one doesn't "get it", it just means that other choices are better for that person.

I don't see the .44 Special really having any advantage over the ACP in the lighter bullet weights (200 +/-), where it really outshines the ACP is in the 250 grain + bullet weights.

 

[earplug]

If your considering bullet weights outside the normal 240 grain 44SPL or 230 grain 45 ACP, I would get a adjustable sight gun such as a 625. You mention using it for practical shooting and carry. Getting the stainless gun makes holster choice much easier as you don't have to worry about scratching the finish. A kydex holster is thinner then leather, easier to use and cost less.
I used to shoot a four inch M29 and replaced it with a 625. I was only reloading to 45 acp power.
45 ACP being shorter reloads faster then a longer round like a 44 spl.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

.45acp Super or if really wanting some heat ream it to .460 Rowland.
+P is plenty enough for bad guys though.

 

[Steve in Merritt Island]

I gotta go along with SaxonPig on this one. Couldn't have said it better. That "K" frame round butt has no place on an "N" frame. I emailed Smith about this just last week and got a dog and pony show from them about how "this" is what the world was clamoring for. Horsefeathers! Looks like it was designed by a committee. Whereas the M22 (with the addition of a Tyler T grip filler), feels and looks right at home.

 

[FoMoGo]

Having owned both the M21 and 22 TR editions I would say that as has been stated... the M21 is a reloaders gun.
Both are great to shoot.
My M21 is the pistol I have shot the best of any I have ever owned.
I also put a hogue square but monogrip on it.
.44 special loaded hot with heavy bullets is one hell of a do anything gun.


Jim