I'm posting here but don't think it may not be a Smith.

Anyway I saw a real pretty 4 inch 44 special today at the LGS that caught my eye and am intrigued. I want something in 44, should it be the Special or Mag? I know some people really like the Special and this one was reasonably priced... what should I do and why?

edit: it's not for hunting but for range time and maybe home protection.

Well, it's sort of like.....I saw a redhead today, and a brunette, which should I ask out? There are a lot of things to consider, and part of the equation is what you like, what you intend to do with the gun, hunt?, target shoot?, self defense?, and also what brand of gun is it, and what alternatives do you envision????

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

more for range time and looks... hint:it's either a ruger or smith...

While I haven't actually owned one, I've always wanted a 44 Special. I like the thought of a large bore revolver that isn't a magnum.

Of course if you had a 44 Magnum you could always shoot 44 Specials out of it or download the 44 Magnum to 44 Special levels.

Guess that probably doesn't help your decision.

Well, you can shoot 44 specials out of a 44 magnum, so if you get the magnum, you could shoot either the lower powered specials or the magnums out of it. I would say that the magnum is more versatile.

But if you just envision range time, the 44 special would be a nice choice. The special is very highly regarded as a particularly versatile and accurate cartridge, and is no slouch as a defense gun, either. Ruger make some fine revolvers, but this is the S&W forum, so most of us probably lean towards the S&W.

That said, if you are looking for a heavy duty revolver capable of handling very hot 44 magnums, the Ruger has some very strong actions which will handle heavy handloads.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Thanks Les, I always enjoy your posts.


Best!

Don

I spotted a Ruger GP-100 in 44 Special at one of my local shops. I think it was a three inch barrel with an unflited cylinder. Quite the good looking piece. Lucky for me he had it priced a bit more than I would be willing to spend on a GP-100 so I left empty handed.

I have a Ruger Blackhawk that I shoot 44 special out of. I do shoot about 6 magnums when I'm shooting the specials just to make some noise.
Specials are a pleasure to shoot, magnums are not.

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If it ain't broke don't fix it

George, one of my first snubbies back in the early 70s, IIRC was a Charter Arms Bulldog. I agree...and wish I had never traded it off. Would love to have it back. Have seen some early ones like mine from time to time, probably will get another one of these days, for the reasons you cite. Fine gun for concealed carry. Makes a big hole.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I have a CA Bulldog too. Great as a CCW. The snubby 5-shot model 69 might also be a good one to consider - if you can find one. A little bigger and heavier than the Bulldog.

I've always wanted a .44 Special revolver. Several years ago I passed on a 696 before prices became crazy-high. I've always been interested in a Charter Arms Bulldog, but their spotty QC reputation has kept me away. I'm also a bit of a pragmatist and can't really focus on spending money on anything but protection guns/gear/ammo right now, so the easier availability of .38 Special and 9mm ammo, as well as the fact that the service caliber handgun rounds all perform about the same in actual shootings, governs my choices.

However, I would still like to get a .44 Special at some point. I say if the gun is good quality, in good shape, and you can afford it, go for it. Sometimes you just gotta get something because you want it. Nothing wrong with that.

I recently bought a Charter Bulldog 44 spl. and I like it so much it is now my main carry. $389 New out the door. A quality dependable revolver without having to skip a mortgage payment to buy it.
I really have lost interest in the 357 or the 38+P. I am so liking this gun. Good trigger action and even with it only weighing 19 oz the recoil isn't squat. I can shoot over 100 rounds with no discomfort. I reload my own 44 spl so the cost is nothing like retail cost.
I wish I had gone the way of 44 spl long ago. But I have it now so.......enjoy it.

There haven't been too many 4" .44 Specials made; it would be good to know the brand, condition, etc. for an opinion. (Unless you are independently wealthy and can buy whatever you like ).

Likewise, if you intend to shoot it regularly, reloading for it would be a good idea. For target shooting and defense you will not be undergunned with "only" a .44 Special, and with warmer loads it is also a fine hunting round.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I have 4 44s. Two 629s (3" and 6.5"), a model 24 3" LH, and a Charter Arms Bull Dog. I only use specials in the magnums. The 44 sp is quite accurate and the recoil in the heavier guns is sweet. Not too bad in the light CA. My next purchase is the just out 69 2.75" L frame. Once you fire a .44 sp (especially in the heavier guns) you won't want anything else.

I'm always open to revising my opinion, but for now .38 and 9mm meets my needs. I will likely revisit the Bulldog at some point. Thanks.

44 Special's, yea I have a few....
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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

If you're looking at the Ruger, check it over very carefully. There have been several posts here about problems with the GP-100 in .44 Special. Especially with poor front sight installation. In all fairness, I think Ruger has ironed out these bugs now.

I have a 1985 Charter Bulldog. Its a fine gun and shoots well.

But if you want the best .44, you gotta get a Smith and Wesson. I have six and all will shoot better than me.

Shooting the 44 Special gives you a nice thump when you pull the trigger, but doesn't cause arthritis is your wrists and elbows like a steady diet of magnums. It's all a matter of taste however. Since this is America, buy what you want.

Did the one you saw, look something like this?

Model 24-3





I paid $700.00 for this one about six months or so ago, to replace another one I had several years ago. I haven't had a chance to shoot this one yet, but the previous one was a good shooter.

I've owned both 24's and 29's and prefer the lighter, quicker handling 44 Special.

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John 3:16 .

While I have never owned a .44, I am quite fond of 45 cal. revolvers. Have 1 in ACP, and 2 in Colt. There are some good examples out there that tend to be less $$$ than .44's. Bob

As someone said earlier, check ammo availability. Or reload.

I have a 44 mag, don't often shoot magnums in it. Just often enough to remind me why I don't. .

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Reg. Magnum wants/Rossi wallet

As the owner of a 696, a 396, a Taurus 431 and 2 CA Bulldogs, all 5 shot 44 specials I leave you just guess what I think of the cartridge.

I very much like the Special cartridge. The Mag. has wayyy too much recoil. I lucked on a Rossi model 720 last Aug., not ever having heard of one before, for $325. Thought all Rossi's were junk. Not this one! Nice stainless 5-shot with a good DA trigger pull. Also have a S&W 396, but recoil can be brutal. Now hunting for a Ruger Super BH, through which I'll shoot Specials.

Remember the ol' epitaph:

Here lies Les Moore
Shot 5 times with a 44
No Les, no Moore!

Hank M.

Hank, I'll try not to take umbrage at that epitaph. My name is les, and my mom's maiden name was "Moore". Fortunately she married, and I'm not "Les More"!!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I have had the good fortune to have found, within the last couple of years, a M24 "snubbie" at a show in Phx. I have more recently gotten into one of the 5 shot Ruger GP100s. Really like the cartridge; nice to handload. Yes, I do have a Super Redhawk that comes out to play from time to time-it is large and heavy enough to keep the recoil manageable. I should note that I have many .357 Magnums, and RARELY shoot magnums through those. I likewise have several .38 Specials, and do not miss anything not being able to shoot magnums through them. NOW someone will come up with a SHTF scenario where you can only have one......

I have a CA Bulldog .44 Special 2.25" and a Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum 4".

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Life is short,live it fully.

Nice cartridge, nice gun. Great companion to the mag too. Get both!

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I've always wondered why 44 special revolvers are so expensive? I've looked and looked and the price is always up there. Just sayin

It actually reads " Here lies Lester Moore , 4 slugs from a 44 . No less no more . Boot Hill Cemetery , Tombstone Az .

+1 for Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 Spl. I purchased mine back in 2010 and while it isn't the gun to pound thousands of hot reloads thru, for the $ I find it to be an excellent revolver.

I purchased one of the first GP-100s in .44 Spl and was def not a fan. Very clunky and didn't shoot well for me (despite my sight adj and grip mod). A friend loved it and made me an offer so I parted with it and haven't looked back.

I have only one .44 special a 624 4" i got from a friend sometime ago and really like it. It is a fine addition to my collection.

I really like the m69 4" combat magnum. Shoots great ,better than the M24-3 . More accurate too! 240swc over 7.5 unique. Carry's better to.

I shoot 44special in my 29's . I don't have a dedicated 44spl and don't plan on buying one . I have a 25-5 (45 Colt) that fills that gap for me . I do appreciate 44spl but I find I shoot mostly +P in 44 spl. I'm not talking the Elmer Keith load , 900- 950 fps is my comfort level .

Les, I believe I've seen that on a tombstone in Tombstone, AZ. I believe it reads:
Here lies Lester Moore,
Four shots from a 44,
No Les no More.

I see Cowboy4vr beat me to it.

I have always been fond of .44 spl and .45 Colt. A nice chunk o'lead for down range or protection. If you don't care about mags it's a great choice, enhanced by the price.
I have a 4" 629 that I shoot mostly specials now. FWIW I load only .44 mag brass to spl or mag specs.

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"from my cold dead hands" C.H.

Most of them weren't made that long. They didn't make very many of the old Hand Ejectors and I believe most of Model (6)24s were limited runs. I got lucky with mine because because they had it mismarked and it had been refinished.

But after packing my 5" .44 Magnum and special, I can definitely understand why you would pick the special over a magnum with specials in it.

I'm not quite following you? Care to elaborate on what you mean? Does your magnum shoot poorly when loaded with specials?

No, what I mean is, most people just buy a .44 magnum and just shoot/carry it with specials in it, but, for a packing pistol a .44 special is a lot lighter than a .44 magnum. I don't know exactly how much each one weighs, but in a holster the Model 29 just feels a lot heavier.

Gotcha'.

I'm sure that extra 1/10 of an inch of cylinder on the 29/629 adds some weight - compared to the 24/624. Not sure exactly how much, but some.

And the lighter barrel.

Bought my first 44 spl too. Y'all are a bad influence.


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The last s&w nickel plated n frame revolver my LGS had on the sale was a s&w m24/6 1/2" barrel 44 special. I have no clue why I purchased it, but the nickel caused temporary blindness. It's still growing roots in the safe unshot. I didn't want the ring inside the chambers that forms from shooting 44 specials in a 44 mag. Lol plus one more nickel smith.

I hate to see you have such a problem. Need someone to take it off your hands. I have sun glasses I can shoot with.


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Love the .44 Special, wanted a S&W but was having a hard time finding one so I bought the Ruger Blackhawk, fine gun, but not a S&W. Wouldn't you know it, after buying the Ruger I did find a 24-3 at a local gun show. I now have three .44 specials, the third being a gun not mentioned here yet, it's an Interarms Rossi M720, a 5 shot 3" stainless approximation of the 696. I'm not a fan of stainless guns, but the Rossi is growing on me as it is pretty good shooter.