Question about Revolvers Chambered for .44 Special
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oddshooter
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If the world was to have only one 44 AMMO, please make it a 44 Special.
Having written that, I have only 44 Magnum handguns.
There are two topics here you shouldn't confuse: the ammo and the handgun that shoots it.
I'm always on the lookout for a early SAA in 44 special. They are lighter and handier than a corresponding 44 Mag of today.
I've been looking for 10 years without finding one that was nice and affordable. I think when you get to why on the 44 special, it is about weight. If you're not concerned about weight, the 44 special handgun offers nothing over the 44 mag handgun (opinion). The 44 special guns of today seem to be as heavy as the 44 mag guns.
44 Specials command a premium in both weapons and ammo. The Special ammo is more expensive and much harder to find than magnums.
I must add that I am a handloader. That changes everything.
I make my 44 mags do exactly what I want. I make mine just above a hot 44 special. I define that as 1050fps and up. I find 1200fps delightful.
Yes, I do try to turn my 44 mags into 44 specials. Real Magnums at 1400fps are too much for me.
The 44 mag handguns are much less expensive than the 44 Specials. Most folks who buy the 44 mag handgun shoot a cylinder and put it away. Without experience shooting big bore, the recoil is punishing and the sound is intense. Conversely, the 44 Special handguns get shot continually for enjoyment.
I think the 44 mag is the Best Buy of revolvers today. Like I said, most have had one cylinder fired and then put up for sale. I prefer buying the beautiful, strong 44 mag handgun cheap and then shooting soft 44 mag ammo that is real close to a 44 special.
I use 44 mag brass and so there is no cleaning the cylinder ring involved.
Of course, if a Colt New Frontier in 44 special came along, I'd jump in a flash. That and the triple lock are the real 44 special handguns to me.
Prescut
Having written that, I have only 44 Magnum handguns.
There are two topics here you shouldn't confuse: the ammo and the handgun that shoots it.
I'm always on the lookout for a early SAA in 44 special. They are lighter and handier than a corresponding 44 Mag of today.
I've been looking for 10 years without finding one that was nice and affordable. I think when you get to why on the 44 special, it is about weight. If you're not concerned about weight, the 44 special handgun offers nothing over the 44 mag handgun (opinion). The 44 special guns of today seem to be as heavy as the 44 mag guns.
44 Specials command a premium in both weapons and ammo. The Special ammo is more expensive and much harder to find than magnums.
I must add that I am a handloader. That changes everything.
I make my 44 mags do exactly what I want. I make mine just above a hot 44 special. I define that as 1050fps and up. I find 1200fps delightful.
Yes, I do try to turn my 44 mags into 44 specials. Real Magnums at 1400fps are too much for me.
The 44 mag handguns are much less expensive than the 44 Specials. Most folks who buy the 44 mag handgun shoot a cylinder and put it away. Without experience shooting big bore, the recoil is punishing and the sound is intense. Conversely, the 44 Special handguns get shot continually for enjoyment.
I think the 44 mag is the Best Buy of revolvers today. Like I said, most have had one cylinder fired and then put up for sale. I prefer buying the beautiful, strong 44 mag handgun cheap and then shooting soft 44 mag ammo that is real close to a 44 special.
I use 44 mag brass and so there is no cleaning the cylinder ring involved.
Of course, if a Colt New Frontier in 44 special came along, I'd jump in a flash. That and the triple lock are the real 44 special handguns to me.
Prescut
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Someone already mentioned the cleaning issue, but in theory the shorter 44 special cylinder has a slight accuracy advantage potential over firing 44 specials in the longer 44 magnum cylinder. Not enough to matter for my intended uses, but the potential advantage is there.
75Vette
Member
'Cause they're just plain fun to shoot.
jtcarm
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Uh, a .44 special still a.44.
You can’t downsize the frame or cylinder, correctly or otherwise. A model 24 cylinder is already shorter than a magnum. That plus the tapered barrel make it lighter than a standard M-29 (excluding Mountain variants, scandium, etc.)
Why are there still .38s built on the same frame as .357s?
Doug M.
Member
A lot of those .357s are made on frames that started with .38s (the K frame, in particular). I don't often carry revolvers, so my opinion will not be as valuable as some others. My reason for getting the guns that are chambered for the more powerful rounds is simply that if there is a shortage or other problem, I can use the lighter load in the gun that can shoot either.
That is a very different value from the goals expressed by several here, and their goals are valid. In my world, the .44 special would do all I ever need, and I admit I have little .44 magnum ammo. I just value the flexibility enough to make the magnum models more useful FOR ME.
That is a very different value from the goals expressed by several here, and their goals are valid. In my world, the .44 special would do all I ever need, and I admit I have little .44 magnum ammo. I just value the flexibility enough to make the magnum models more useful FOR ME.
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jtcarm
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My question was rhetorical, but you are correct, and it’s the same with the N-frame revolvers. The frame size began life as a .44 Special in the Triple Lock.
Some earlier posts suggest that the Model 24 is built on an oversized frame designed for the .44 Magnum, when, in fact, it’s the exact opposite.
fortyshooter
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I shoot .44 Mag and Special. But the trick to enjoying .44 Mag is to load your own. My favorite is 240 gr.bullet over 9 gr. of Unique which gives you a "tweener"...between a .44 Special load and start level of .44 Mag.
A nice round out of my 629 or Ruger SBH and also my new Model 69 when it comes back from SW.
A nice round out of my 629 or Ruger SBH and also my new Model 69 when it comes back from SW.
Snapping Twig
Member
My first revolver was a 6" 586ND, my second was a 6.5" 29-2 S s/n.
After that, I started collecting 44mags.
Later in life, I got the bug for a 44Spl specific revolver, now I have 4.
I also have a lot of 357's, but they are my eco friendly revolvers - they feel like the 44's, but use less powder and lead.
44Spl is a hand loader's proposition. Ammo cost for the anemic as well as the high end is unreasonable.
I loaded my magnum cases to Spl velocities to avoid the carbon ring and keep the bullet further forward in the chamber, but once you get a Spl, it's a whole new world. Nothing is as smooth as a 44Spl N frame with a bullet @ 900fps. Truth be told, that's exactly what a 45Colt is - 250g @ 900fps.
Target friendly, good for SD and hunting, a 44Spl IS special.
After that, I started collecting 44mags.
Later in life, I got the bug for a 44Spl specific revolver, now I have 4.
I also have a lot of 357's, but they are my eco friendly revolvers - they feel like the 44's, but use less powder and lead.
44Spl is a hand loader's proposition. Ammo cost for the anemic as well as the high end is unreasonable.
I loaded my magnum cases to Spl velocities to avoid the carbon ring and keep the bullet further forward in the chamber, but once you get a Spl, it's a whole new world. Nothing is as smooth as a 44Spl N frame with a bullet @ 900fps. Truth be told, that's exactly what a 45Colt is - 250g @ 900fps.
Target friendly, good for SD and hunting, a 44Spl IS special.
The only advantage I know of shooting a SPL in a gun chambered for it is I have seen folks post chrono readings that show a SPL loses speed when shot from a MAG gun.
I think it all hinges on whether you reload. If you don't reload, get a 44 SPL. Factory 44 MAG loads are just ridiculous and not much fun to shoot unless you are a masochist. Precision One has a good price on 44 SPL practice ammo, and Underwood sells relatively inexpensive JHPs for it. There's no advantage to getting a magnum unless you hunt with it.
If you do reload, I think the one advantage to a magnum is you can reload light magnums that are still very comfortable to shoot in an N frame while being hotter than any recommended load for a 44 SPL. My current 44 MAG pet load is 9gr of Universal under a 180gr, which is perfectly manageable in an N frame, but much hotter than the 44 SPL which maxes out at 5.6gr on Universal. Now, you can work up an above max 44 SPL load, but many are not comfortable doing that.
That said, the carry ammo I use in my 3" M629 is Underwood 44 SPL, and I have to say I'd be fine with just a 44 SPL. In fact, the only reason I didn't buy one when I got my M629 is I wanted a 3" barrel and 3" M24/M624 have been getting spendy. I'll still pick one up if I find a SPL for the right price.
I think it all hinges on whether you reload. If you don't reload, get a 44 SPL. Factory 44 MAG loads are just ridiculous and not much fun to shoot unless you are a masochist. Precision One has a good price on 44 SPL practice ammo, and Underwood sells relatively inexpensive JHPs for it. There's no advantage to getting a magnum unless you hunt with it.
If you do reload, I think the one advantage to a magnum is you can reload light magnums that are still very comfortable to shoot in an N frame while being hotter than any recommended load for a 44 SPL. My current 44 MAG pet load is 9gr of Universal under a 180gr, which is perfectly manageable in an N frame, but much hotter than the 44 SPL which maxes out at 5.6gr on Universal. Now, you can work up an above max 44 SPL load, but many are not comfortable doing that.
That said, the carry ammo I use in my 3" M629 is Underwood 44 SPL, and I have to say I'd be fine with just a 44 SPL. In fact, the only reason I didn't buy one when I got my M629 is I wanted a 3" barrel and 3" M24/M624 have been getting spendy. I'll still pick one up if I find a SPL for the right price.
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Frank46
US Veteran
Bought a Ruger Redhawk 44 magnum some years back. Must have approx 1000 rounds through it. Since I bought my 3 S&W 44 specials the Redhawk sits in the safe. Enjoy shooting them much more than the 44 magnum. Frank
Its true that a 44 mag gun will fire 44 specials fine.
Versatility is a good thing.
Very small minus of fouling the 0.10 of mag chamber.
Very small minus of velocity and accuracy lose of special in mag chamber.
Some weight reduction in most 44 special guns.
44 special is the superior round for a defense gun mostly due to recoil recovery.
Shorter guns are better suited for defense
Longer guns for hunting targets etc.
Thee 44 special has proven to be very effective and has a following. Similar to the 41 mag, why have one of those? Same frame as a 44 mag, really no special rounds. Less commercial ammo choices. But, the 41 mag has a following because many educated shooters find that it fits their needs best.
I have a couple 44 specials. I could sell my 696 no dash for enough to buy a snub 69 or a 44 mag. Won't happen. Traditional one piece barrel, no lock and I would only use it for a carry gun. Same short barreled gun in 44 mag would go up and twist more and be harder to get back on target, why would I need magnums for it.
44 special is like my favorite caliber the 45 Colt. Big heavy bullets don't really need the speed. The magnum speed gets you a bit flatter trajectory, but, what kind of trajectory are we talking within the distance 99% can fire a 6" or less barreled gun? If Fired accurately to vitals not many things are going to notice a few hundred fps when a 240 to 260 grain bullet wacks it. Over a 100 yds, the 44 mag is a clear winner, but until you get to there I just don't see any real big advantage.
Yes, I have 3 44 mags. They set in a drawer. Nothing wrong with them, just don't ever chose them for anything I am going do.
Versatility is a good thing.
Very small minus of fouling the 0.10 of mag chamber.
Very small minus of velocity and accuracy lose of special in mag chamber.
Some weight reduction in most 44 special guns.
44 special is the superior round for a defense gun mostly due to recoil recovery.
Shorter guns are better suited for defense
Longer guns for hunting targets etc.
Thee 44 special has proven to be very effective and has a following. Similar to the 41 mag, why have one of those? Same frame as a 44 mag, really no special rounds. Less commercial ammo choices. But, the 41 mag has a following because many educated shooters find that it fits their needs best.
I have a couple 44 specials. I could sell my 696 no dash for enough to buy a snub 69 or a 44 mag. Won't happen. Traditional one piece barrel, no lock and I would only use it for a carry gun. Same short barreled gun in 44 mag would go up and twist more and be harder to get back on target, why would I need magnums for it.
44 special is like my favorite caliber the 45 Colt. Big heavy bullets don't really need the speed. The magnum speed gets you a bit flatter trajectory, but, what kind of trajectory are we talking within the distance 99% can fire a 6" or less barreled gun? If Fired accurately to vitals not many things are going to notice a few hundred fps when a 240 to 260 grain bullet wacks it. Over a 100 yds, the 44 mag is a clear winner, but until you get to there I just don't see any real big advantage.
Yes, I have 3 44 mags. They set in a drawer. Nothing wrong with them, just don't ever chose them for anything I am going do.
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dr. mordo said:"I think it all hinges on whether you reload. If you don't reload, get a 44 SPL. Factory 44 MAG loads are just ridiculous and not much fun to shoot unless you are a masochist."
I used to reload but for some reason it started to seem like a tedious chore instead of an enjoyable hobby so I quit. But even without reloading there are options.
I get most of the range ammo for my M69 from Georgia Arms. They sell a cowboy load that is smoky but duplicates 44 special velocities in a 44 magnum case for about 25 cents a round. They also have a load that drives a 240 grain FMJ to about 1000 fps for 27 cents a round. The second load nicely splits the difference between a 44 special and 44 magnum and is what I shoot most often in my M69. If you don't reload now but are thinking of starting all the GA arms 44 ammo I have bought came in Starline brass.
If I had to shoot nothing but full power magnums through my M69 I would sell it. Its fun for two or three cylinders but not more.
I used to reload but for some reason it started to seem like a tedious chore instead of an enjoyable hobby so I quit. But even without reloading there are options.
I get most of the range ammo for my M69 from Georgia Arms. They sell a cowboy load that is smoky but duplicates 44 special velocities in a 44 magnum case for about 25 cents a round. They also have a load that drives a 240 grain FMJ to about 1000 fps for 27 cents a round. The second load nicely splits the difference between a 44 special and 44 magnum and is what I shoot most often in my M69. If you don't reload now but are thinking of starting all the GA arms 44 ammo I have bought came in Starline brass.
If I had to shoot nothing but full power magnums through my M69 I would sell it. Its fun for two or three cylinders but not more.
My first 44 special was a Lipsey Blackhawk, a fun gun to shoot at the range or carry in the woods. I like the round so much I started trying to find a Rossi or Taurus revolver with a 3" barrel, and only found a few hammerless models. Then I came across a good deal on a 696 ND right about the time Ruger brought out their GP100 in 44 special. The 696 is a great gun, although it's a bit large for EDC, so I went back to trying to find a smaller 44 special. I was about to buy the Ruger when I came across a Taurus 445, 5 shot revolver, with a 2" barrel.
It's an earlier model, before the goofy lock and it's not ported (like many were). I have finally found a perfect sized 44 special to carry IWB. It rides in a Sticky holster and I can't even tell it's there. But I'm not getting rid of the 696. In fact, I'm looking for a nice 624 6" range toy at a good price. I had a moment of "Stupid" overtake me and I traded off my Blackhawk.
It's an earlier model, before the goofy lock and it's not ported (like many were). I have finally found a perfect sized 44 special to carry IWB. It rides in a Sticky holster and I can't even tell it's there. But I'm not getting rid of the 696. In fact, I'm looking for a nice 624 6" range toy at a good price. I had a moment of "Stupid" overtake me and I traded off my Blackhawk.
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Brad Cayton
Member
I like the 44 special and have 4 of em. I don't shoot them much since I got a 4" 69. Like fortyshooter, I shoot 9 grains of unique under my cast 429421 in it. It's a good woods/walking around load.
The 69's is the most accurate revolver I own and carries very well. It's even sweeter after I put the Wilson Combat spring kit in it. My 44 specials have been sitting in the safe for a while.
The 69's is the most accurate revolver I own and carries very well. It's even sweeter after I put the Wilson Combat spring kit in it. My 44 specials have been sitting in the safe for a while.
oink
Member
First let me say that if I found a great deal on a model 24 I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
From a practical standpoint I'd say it depends on what you want it for and what fits your lifestyle. For a carry gun I very much like my new model 69. I haven't shot any light "special" loads in it yet but I thought it didn't seem to bad with factory magnums. I know light loads will be a pleasure.
My duty gun for many years was a 629 (6") and I carried Dept issued magnums and had to qualify with same. I shot many hot hand rolled magnums of wheel weights with gas checks in practice along with a bazillion hand rolled cast light loads that were accurate and just fun and pleasant to shoot. Sometimes with the right light I could see them heading to the target. Point being, in most cases I'd say get a magnum. You don't have to shoot hot loads, but you can. You can get used to shooting the magnums with practice if you want to to where you don't think anything of it.
However, I was looking at the Charter Arms Bulldog. I've never liked Charter Arms much but that's a compact 44 special that weighs less than 2/3s what my 69 weighs. Probably half of what my 3" 629 trail Boss weighs. Very tempting indeed.
Apples and oranges but I also have an old Ruger 44 semi-auto carbine, a Marlin lever trapper carbine and a 71/2" super blackhawk. I'm not as 44 saturated as some guys but I'm slowly working on it. A model 24 4 or 6" would be sweet.
From a practical standpoint I'd say it depends on what you want it for and what fits your lifestyle. For a carry gun I very much like my new model 69. I haven't shot any light "special" loads in it yet but I thought it didn't seem to bad with factory magnums. I know light loads will be a pleasure.
My duty gun for many years was a 629 (6") and I carried Dept issued magnums and had to qualify with same. I shot many hot hand rolled magnums of wheel weights with gas checks in practice along with a bazillion hand rolled cast light loads that were accurate and just fun and pleasant to shoot. Sometimes with the right light I could see them heading to the target. Point being, in most cases I'd say get a magnum. You don't have to shoot hot loads, but you can. You can get used to shooting the magnums with practice if you want to to where you don't think anything of it.
However, I was looking at the Charter Arms Bulldog. I've never liked Charter Arms much but that's a compact 44 special that weighs less than 2/3s what my 69 weighs. Probably half of what my 3" 629 trail Boss weighs. Very tempting indeed.
Apples and oranges but I also have an old Ruger 44 semi-auto carbine, a Marlin lever trapper carbine and a 71/2" super blackhawk. I'm not as 44 saturated as some guys but I'm slowly working on it. A model 24 4 or 6" would be sweet.
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Exactly. If you need to be explained with 8 by 10, color glossy photos, with the pictures and arrows and writing on the back ... you'll never understand.
you have to truly try one in comparison to the .44 Magnums.
Honestly, how many of you guys actually put full load 44 magnums through your .44 Magnum revolvers ? 10 rounds of .44 Magnum and I'm done. Can shoot the .44 Special, all day, and enjoy yourself.
I think the older .44 Specials are just classy and smooth, with all due respect to the early .44 Magnums that I admire very fondly.
Snapping Twig
Member
I've shot a whole lot of souped up magnums. Multi thousands of 265g home cast GCSWC over 22g W296/H110. I figure I was making ultra premium ammo since the early 80's. Buffalo Bore type stuff, because I could.
I actually bought a 44 that came with a box of 50 rounds missing 6.
That said, 44Spl pushing a 250g Keith @ 850 ~ 900fps is sublime in a purpose built 44Spl N frame.
I actually bought a 44 that came with a box of 50 rounds missing 6.
That said, 44Spl pushing a 250g Keith @ 850 ~ 900fps is sublime in a purpose built 44Spl N frame.
amazingflapjack
US Veteran
There is just something about the 44 spl. Some think it is inherently more accurate-I do.
oink
Member
That would be me. I wore out my 6" and had to send it back to the factory for a rebuild. Some people shoot them!model3sw said:
