Thoughts on a 44
- Thread starter GetmeoutaCT
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Yeah, I would be kicking myself too if I were you. 
I remember driving hours to the Indianapolis 1500 gun show in Dec. of 1996 when S&W announced that gun hoping to find one. There was one - at one table. Best $400 I ever spent on a gun. I have done S&W trigger work for years but, on that one - it needed almost nothing - it is the smoothest pulling DA I have ever seen right out of the box. Now it's even better. I had no idea the .44 Spl. cartridge was this good. When handloaded it can easily equal or surpass .45 ACP ballistics and just gives a big slow push to your hand. No flash, no fireball, no hand numbing recoil. Old Elmer was a pretty sharp dude.
I remember driving hours to the Indianapolis 1500 gun show in Dec. of 1996 when S&W announced that gun hoping to find one. There was one - at one table. Best $400 I ever spent on a gun. I have done S&W trigger work for years but, on that one - it needed almost nothing - it is the smoothest pulling DA I have ever seen right out of the box. Now it's even better. I had no idea the .44 Spl. cartridge was this good. When handloaded it can easily equal or surpass .45 ACP ballistics and just gives a big slow push to your hand. No flash, no fireball, no hand numbing recoil. Old Elmer was a pretty sharp dude.
rob k
Member
Sorry I sold my 44 Special
Had a Charter Arms .44 Special for years and loved it ! It was small and light enough for concealed carry as well as punching a big hole in whatever you shot at. I'll probably get another.:
Had a Charter Arms .44 Special for years and loved it ! It was small and light enough for concealed carry as well as punching a big hole in whatever you shot at. I'll probably get another.:
greyghost01
Member
The Charter Arms Bulldog has been around a long time, The Taurus is a 50/50 you can get a great one and you can get junk. I've always liked the 629 but the one I really liked was the Ruger super Red Hawk now that's a 44, Not a conceal gun but it is a sweet shooter.
I carry a Ruger SP 101 in a 4.2" barrel for my woods gun, But don't have grizzly in Kolorado, Just black Bear and Mtn kittys
I carry a Ruger SP 101 in a 4.2" barrel for my woods gun, But don't have grizzly in Kolorado, Just black Bear and Mtn kittys
I've owned a couple .44 magnum guns in past years but got the bug for the .44 Special when a friend (and LGS owner) asked me to do an action job on his recently aquired Rossi Model 720. My opionion of Rossi guns was not very high in previous years. I was surprised by the M720 and when I completed the work I tried to buy the gun.
He wouldn't part with it for anything. It took me a couple years but I found one at a Gun show and bought it. I have not had one single regret about a stainless 3 inch barreled 5 shot gun about the size of a K frame S&W. The poor mans 696 as some refer to them is a keeper for me. In fact I have since bought two more of them and have been happy with all three guns. (I did sell one a couple years ago so now I have two)
My point I guess is if your serious about looking at all the choices at least give this gun a chance. It's metalergy is far superior to the Rossi guns I had previously delt with, and it's a good shooter.
Another gun I bought prior to finding my Rossi M720 was the Taurus Tracker in .44 magnum. About the size of an L-frame S&W mine was an excellent gun and was sold only because of the need for emergency cash. I shot .44 Specials from this Tracker and was very pleased with the gun. Also liked the fact I had a .44 Magnum gun if I felt the need. It handled them well but I would not put a steady supply of Magnums thru this gun as it was a little light for that (particulary for heavier loads) I think it was the smallest .44 magnum wheel gun until the S&W 69 recently xcame out. It is about the same size.
For those who dislike Taurus I'll remind you of something by telling you about my brothers new S&W 69. He told me it was the worst quality gun he every seen come out of S&W. Sent back they replaced the cylinder , barrel, trigger and hammer to correct problems. Any manufacture can put out a POS. Taurus might hold the number one spot here but 50/50 is a stretch the has no merit. ( I know it was an exageration to make a point - but some folks take that stuff as legit )
So there is two options/guns to also at least look at, and check over if you run across them.
He wouldn't part with it for anything. It took me a couple years but I found one at a Gun show and bought it. I have not had one single regret about a stainless 3 inch barreled 5 shot gun about the size of a K frame S&W. The poor mans 696 as some refer to them is a keeper for me. In fact I have since bought two more of them and have been happy with all three guns. (I did sell one a couple years ago so now I have two)
My point I guess is if your serious about looking at all the choices at least give this gun a chance. It's metalergy is far superior to the Rossi guns I had previously delt with, and it's a good shooter.
Another gun I bought prior to finding my Rossi M720 was the Taurus Tracker in .44 magnum. About the size of an L-frame S&W mine was an excellent gun and was sold only because of the need for emergency cash. I shot .44 Specials from this Tracker and was very pleased with the gun. Also liked the fact I had a .44 Magnum gun if I felt the need. It handled them well but I would not put a steady supply of Magnums thru this gun as it was a little light for that (particulary for heavier loads) I think it was the smallest .44 magnum wheel gun until the S&W 69 recently xcame out. It is about the same size.
For those who dislike Taurus I'll remind you of something by telling you about my brothers new S&W 69. He told me it was the worst quality gun he every seen come out of S&W. Sent back they replaced the cylinder , barrel, trigger and hammer to correct problems. Any manufacture can put out a POS. Taurus might hold the number one spot here but 50/50 is a stretch the has no merit. ( I know it was an exageration to make a point - but some folks take that stuff as legit )
So there is two options/guns to also at least look at, and check over if you run across them.
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Tallball
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This is my Taurus 44 special. I have owned 10 or twelve Taurus revolvers. This is one of the five that I would call excellent. Five or six were okay - reliable but with mediocre triggers. One had to go back to the factory. This one fits my hand well and the recoil is a lot milder than I expected, similar to a light 38 snub.
Tallball
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This is my Charter Arms Bulldog with shrouded hammer. It has gone bang every time and doesn't have a garment-snagging exposed hammer spur. It fits my hand well and the trigger is pretty good. It doesn't look or feel like a high-quality revolver to me, but I got a good price on it and it works just fine.
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Tallball
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Here is my Rossi 720. If you can get one, jump on it! I totally lucked out and got one that had barely been fired. It looks and feels great. The weight and 3" barrel make mild 44 specials feel like shooting 38's out of a 357. They also made some with fluted cylinders and some that were hammerless DAO.
I've got three .44 Specials, a Charter Bulldog, S&W 24-1 Thunder Ranch and the new Model 69. Hickock45 put it best when said to consider the 69 a .44 Special with Magnum capability, since it weighs 7 oz. less than an N-frame. I planned on also getting a 329PD, but since I've found my 69 carries as easily as my Bulldog, that's off the table now.
I originally got the 69 to be my car gun, but since I've found it carries so easily, it's been replacing my Bulldog as my EDC.
I originally got the 69 to be my car gun, but since I've found it carries so easily, it's been replacing my Bulldog as my EDC.
rduchateau2954
Member
Uh oh, I'm 26, am constantly watching and reading about WWII, and just traded my sr9c for super black hawk .44! I've also been told I drive like an old man! Come to think about it, I spend a lot of time in the summer whining about the neighbor kids on my lawn!
Time to buy some jean shorts and start taking my golf game seriously.
tomrkba
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I tried to love revolvers. I really did...to the tune of thousands and thousands of dollars in guns, ammo, reloading gear and several training classes. I found them to be more difficult to carry and spare ammo to be difficult to canceal and manipulate at speed. There is always the tension between size of the gun, carrying reloads and hiding both. Go small and you can hide it, but shooting is more difficult. Go larger and shooting is easier, but concealment of both gun and ammo is more difficult. Recoil greatly affects how the gun shoots and there is a tendency to go too heavy for the frame size.
GetmeoutaCT
Member
So I went browsing this am-
- it being a snowy day here in the CT. Hit a pretty large used/new gun emporium in Newington; they had a 3 inch (I'm guessing) S&W Model 24. Looked almost new; liked it a lot, didn't like the price - $875. A lot for a used gun.
So I went a couple miles down the Berlin Turnpike to what is probably the largest gun store in CT. they have a lot of Smiths and Rugers. Didn't see the new model M69 there, which surprised me. I suspect it's in high demand. I thought the Ruger Redhawks looked sweet; especially a little number called the Alaskan. About $900 new. Went home and checked the specs on it; only a 2.5 inch barrel and 43 ounces unloaded. The weight might help calm the short barrel, but that's a heavy gun.
So, I'm still looking. Thanks for the all the good suggestions. I may check out that Rossi...
- it being a snowy day here in the CT. Hit a pretty large used/new gun emporium in Newington; they had a 3 inch (I'm guessing) S&W Model 24. Looked almost new; liked it a lot, didn't like the price - $875. A lot for a used gun.
So I went a couple miles down the Berlin Turnpike to what is probably the largest gun store in CT. they have a lot of Smiths and Rugers. Didn't see the new model M69 there, which surprised me. I suspect it's in high demand. I thought the Ruger Redhawks looked sweet; especially a little number called the Alaskan. About $900 new. Went home and checked the specs on it; only a 2.5 inch barrel and 43 ounces unloaded. The weight might help calm the short barrel, but that's a heavy gun.
So, I'm still looking. Thanks for the all the good suggestions. I may check out that Rossi...
BLU
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Love my .44 magnums! My S&W Performance Center 629-4 3" weighs 40.5 oz. but still carries nicely in a Galco OWB holster. My S&W 329PD 4" weighs 26.2 oz. and is also carried in the same holster. For SD I carry .44 Special JHP in both. Woodland hikes in black bear country get the magnum loads. For just a couple hours, the 629 is fine but the 329 PD is an all day carry gun.
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GBExpat
Member
A pic of my 629-1 and my first Bulldog.
GetmeoutaCT
Member
Re: the Smith 329
A couple of questions -
Are all of the 329's the magic metal, or is it just the "PD" (?) models.
Isn't there a weight limit on bullets fired from this gun, due to the light cylinder?
A couple of questions -
Are all of the 329's the magic metal, or is it just the "PD" (?) models.
Isn't there a weight limit on bullets fired from this gun, due to the light cylinder?
GetmeoutaCT
Member
Scarpia -
I'm a Waterbury boy too, but a bit behind you - I was 6 years old in '62! Out of Waterbury but still inCT, until tuition bills are behind me.
Waterbury still had a bit of the old greatness in the 60's; it was pretty much gone by the mid 70's, though.
I'm a Waterbury boy too, but a bit behind you - I was 6 years old in '62! Out of Waterbury but still inCT, until tuition bills are behind me.
Waterbury still had a bit of the old greatness in the 60's; it was pretty much gone by the mid 70's, though.
375supermag
Member
Hi...
I have a couple of .44Spl only revolvers
One is a Lipsey's model from Ruger in the Flat Top BlackHawk configuration. Very nice revolver, light and accurate. It goes on hikes with me with 158gr LSWC over a load of 7.5grs of Unique...Thank you, Skeeter.
The other is the oft-maligned Taurus Da revolver in stainless. Mine has been shot an enormous amount with no issues and total reliability. I think very highly of it.
How highly??? When I don't carry one of my 1911s in .45ACP, you will find that Taurus in my jacket pocket. I trust my life and more importantly, the life of my wife and children with it.
I have a lot of handguns and of 30-40 or so, the 1911s and that Taurus .44Spl are the ones that are carried for self-defense.
I have a couple of .44Spl only revolvers
One is a Lipsey's model from Ruger in the Flat Top BlackHawk configuration. Very nice revolver, light and accurate. It goes on hikes with me with 158gr LSWC over a load of 7.5grs of Unique...Thank you, Skeeter.
The other is the oft-maligned Taurus Da revolver in stainless. Mine has been shot an enormous amount with no issues and total reliability. I think very highly of it.
How highly??? When I don't carry one of my 1911s in .45ACP, you will find that Taurus in my jacket pocket. I trust my life and more importantly, the life of my wife and children with it.
I have a lot of handguns and of 30-40 or so, the 1911s and that Taurus .44Spl are the ones that are carried for self-defense.
GetmeoutaCT
Member
Ohh, I can handle it. I view pain as validation I'm still alive, stubborn old cuss that I am.
As for the gloves, my atiitude is the same as for any other shooting aid. Unless you're sure you'll have it on when you need your gun, don't wear it when practicing.
As for the gloves, my atiitude is the same as for any other shooting aid. Unless you're sure you'll have it on when you need your gun, don't wear it when practicing.
BLU
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HexHead... As I mentioned before here, the recoil of the 329PD in .44 Mag, (Titanium cylinder), just doesn't bother me, even with these wood grips. I don't know why not, it just doesn't. I'm not immune to the effects of magnums, they just don't cause me pain or affect my accuracy very much. Just lucky that way I guess. I use the mag rounds for hunting and the 329PD has taken many deer for me. When at the range, (being basically cheap!), I shoot .44 Specials.
GetmeoutofCT... Yes you have certain ammo restrictions with the PD models. Similar to semi-autos being somewhat finicky to what they are being fed, certain types of ammunition don't perform as well as others in several of the S&W revolvers. I don't think S&W would mind the attachment from Page 12 of their S&W Revolvers Manual being posted for the sake of safety:
GetmeoutofCT... Yes you have certain ammo restrictions with the PD models. Similar to semi-autos being somewhat finicky to what they are being fed, certain types of ammunition don't perform as well as others in several of the S&W revolvers. I don't think S&W would mind the attachment from Page 12 of their S&W Revolvers Manual being posted for the sake of safety:
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kBob
Member
I am still trying to figure out why someone interested in WWII would want a .44 Special.
If I was a (oh, wait I was) a WWII nut I would be looking for a S&W M1917 in . 45 ACP , that is, a gun and caliber actually issued in WWII (and WWI).
Or maybe a Webly in .455 (Some folks here don't like the ones with the cylinder cut down for .45 ACP......Maybe I did not shoot the one I had enough or get crazy with my reloads)
Other than My current .44 I have little experience with the .44 guns. Most was with an older Charter Bull Dog, some was .44 Special from an M29 and a little from an Astra.
I doubt you will find a .44 quite like mine. During the time the M24 was not in production it was a former Georgia State Patrol S&W M27 converted to .44 Special. Same barrel contour as the old Highway patrolman (lined original barrel) so a svelt looking 4 inch gun. As it still has its original markings it is fun to put .44 Special ammo in it in front of x-spurts!
Perhaps you can find one of the recent M24 guns out there in the used market.
-kBob
If I was a (oh, wait I was) a WWII nut I would be looking for a S&W M1917 in . 45 ACP , that is, a gun and caliber actually issued in WWII (and WWI).
Or maybe a Webly in .455 (Some folks here don't like the ones with the cylinder cut down for .45 ACP......Maybe I did not shoot the one I had enough or get crazy with my reloads)
Other than My current .44 I have little experience with the .44 guns. Most was with an older Charter Bull Dog, some was .44 Special from an M29 and a little from an Astra.
I doubt you will find a .44 quite like mine. During the time the M24 was not in production it was a former Georgia State Patrol S&W M27 converted to .44 Special. Same barrel contour as the old Highway patrolman (lined original barrel) so a svelt looking 4 inch gun. As it still has its original markings it is fun to put .44 Special ammo in it in front of x-spurts!
Perhaps you can find one of the recent M24 guns out there in the used market.
-kBob
RealGun
Member
I have a S&W 696, a Taurus 441, and a Ruger New Model Blackhawk Flat Top, all in 44 S&W Special. The best shooter is the Taurus 441, proven capable of firing single hole groups from a test fire rig and with my own mild reloads with 200 gr lead. The 431 is the fixed sight version. These guns can only be bought as old stock or previously owned.
farm23
Member
I carry a 3" 629 every day and most of the time the first 6 are 44 spl. I have other 44's and love all. I also have a long list of guns I want and on that list is a Charter
Arms. The 44 spl cries for reloads but I don't so I buy expensive Buffalo Bore.
Arms. The 44 spl cries for reloads but I don't so I buy expensive Buffalo Bore.
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