Are these .44 Specials "OK" to own?

[Rust E. Badge]

Was wondering if anyone else suffers from the ".44 Spl" disease, or if its just me? And is there a cure?

[Brian Parrish]

Sorry to hear of your affliction.
Tell us the stories of each one?
Kind Regards,
BrianD

[S-W4EVER]

I like .44 Special revolvers. I have S&W M24’s (Lew Horton 3” & a 6.5”), a S&W M21-4 TR, a Charter Arms Bulldog Classic, and a Ruger New Vaquero 4 3/4”. I wish .44 Special ammo was cheaper.

[Rust E. Badge]

Thanks for asking Brian. Maybe talking about it will help me feel better about myself. The top two are Model 1917's - both are 1918, left is first contract and the right is the second contract. Second row left is an HE .44 Second Model from 1924 with "Triple Lock" grips. Next is a Lew Horton Heritage Series with Coca Bola grips, Third row left is a Model 21-4 with a S&W PC action job, and last (but not least), is a Model 24-3 with a S&W PC action job as well. I have one other .44 Spl but it is a Colt SAA and didn't make the family photo. Whew! I do feel better. Thanks again.

[Rust E. Badge]

Thank goodness I reload for .44 Spl (and 17 other calibers). That makes it a little more affordable to shoot.

[Beemer-mark]

Yes there is a cure. Stop buying 44 Spl and start buying 44 WCF

[rct269]

The only incurable disease applicable to .44 Specials (and .38 Specials) is their use in their respective Magnum versions-------and it's not really incurable---simply use "Special" loads in Magnum cases.

The symptom of this disease is less than ultimate accuracy when Specials (in Special cases) are used in Magnum guns. (And if you're satisfied with "practical" accuracy, don't lose any sleep over this-----and you have my undying sympathies---which actually diminish in fairly short order.

Ralph Tremaine

[quinn]

The "cure" is relatively simple... running out of room in the gun safe and no floor space for additional safes. That is of course after you have evicted all the other calibers from your safe.

[CH4]

I was recently diagnosed with chronic 44 spl disease. Although I’ve been in remission for about 60 days, I will again become symptomatic.

[Frailer]

I do not suffer from this particular disease. And I’m glad; looks like the treatment is expensive.

Beautiful guns, BTW.

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by quinn

The "cure" is relatively simple... running out of room in the gun safe and no floor space for additional safes. That is of course after you have evicted all the other calibers from your safe.

I thought so too, then I bought another safe…….the only real cure is running out of money!

[Krogen]

It's not just you. There is no cure. I am there too.

Krogen out.

[mchom]

All of this group therapy should have you right as rain.

[Model19man]

Sounds like SW 4 Ever needs to buy some reloading gear.

[flagaman1950]

Wow! I had the symptoms, but "luckily", I found some people that wanted my 44's more than I did. I am down to just two, an old model charter bulldog and a 696-1. Will probably keep these two as they balance out my two lever action 44 mag carbines.

[Rust E. Badge]

Thanks Beemer but I have several (more than 5) .44 WCF's as well. Whatever will I do?

[Rust E. Badge]

I hurt for you, CH4.

[22hipower]

This thread is a good one but a little light on pictures. As to the affliction, there's no cure that I know of, frankly I hope there isn't one.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[Rust E. Badge]

Thanks Jim (Hondo44). So you're saying that there is hope?

[Wyatt Burp]

So, you walk right into a Triplelock/Model 24/ .44 Special Anonymous halfway house to have your addiction validated. well, I think you should go cold turkey and sell all those guns……to me.

[Truckman]

Originally Posted by quinn

The "cure" is relatively simple... running out of room in the gun safe and no floor space for additional safes.

Time to go house shopping...

My current stack in the evidence room (evidence of my affliction) stands at seven Models of 1950 Target, three 6 1/2", three 4" and one lonely 3 1/2"...All lettered...Last year I had three of the 3" Lew Horton versions, but now none...

And my one 4" 24-3 is awaiting its new daddy at this weekend's gun show...Its new proud papa will be signing the adoption papers...I miss it already......Ben

[44wheelman]

Sometimes it will pass on its own, other times it replaced by something worse, like; 45itis, 1911ism, or single action army psychosis. Any of these wont be cured until you run out of money or space or both. I had it, it morphed into full blown magnumtitus.

[TheTinMan]

Originally Posted by Wyatt Burp

So, you walk right into a Triplelock/Model 24/ .44 Special Anonymous halfway house to have your addiction validated. well, I think you should go cold turkey and sell all those guns……to me.

It’s like the time I went onto the M14 forum and asked the guys there to talk me out of buying a particular rifle …

Hmmm photos… you have seen these before

1938 Hand Ejector .44 (2nd model)


Model of 1950 .44


696-1


624


Colt New Service Target .44


There - did that help the OP with his problem? If not, my only suggestion is to switch to .45 Colt.

[Marshal tom]

No-one answered your initial question which was are these .44specials OK to own. The answer is no! Ship them to me immediately for proper disposal. I have encountered people with this affliction in the past and have done my best to help them overcome this unfortunate, crippling disease.

[S-W4EVER]

Originally Posted by Model19man

Sounds like SW 4 Ever needs to buy some reloading gear.

I’ve still got the RCBS Rock Chucker press I bought when I was in college (almost fifty years ago) but I quit reloading when I went to work. Now that I’m retired I need to get back into it. I enjoyed reloading back then, even reloaded for my Dad. (I sure miss going to the Range with that old man...)

[Model19man]

Originally Posted by S-W4EVER

I’ve still got the RCBS Rock Chucker press I bought when I was in college (almost fifty years ago) but I quit reloading when I went to work. Now that I’m retired I need to get back into it. I enjoyed reloading back then, even reloaded for my Dad. (I sure miss going to the Range with that old man...)

Well for us old retired guys it makes a lot of sense to save money on every round that you reload for.

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Originally Posted by S-W4EVER

I like .44 Special revolvers. I have S&W M24’s (Lew Horton 3” & a 6.5”), a S&W M21-4 TR, a Charter Arms Bulldog Classic, and a Ruger New Vaquero 4 3/4”. I wish .44 Special ammo was cheaper.

You have to reload my friend. Its really the only way to get the most out of the .44 Special. BTW, I never "hotrod" it, that is why the .44 Magnum exists. The .44 Special is extremely accurate.

I am reloading .44 Special for 26 cents per round.

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Originally Posted by Marshal tom

No-one answered your initial question which was are these .44specials OK to own. The answer is no! Ship them to me immediately for proper disposal. I have encountered people with this affliction in the past and have done my best to help them overcome this unfortunate, crippling disease.

I agree. I bet they could use some range time.

Actually I was at the Range this morning and I shot 50 rounds of .44 Special to start it off.

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Originally Posted by S-W4EVER

I’ve still got the RCBS Rock Chucker press I bought when I was in college (almost fifty years ago) but I quit reloading when I went to work.

Why? You take fifty years off from shooting?

[Shotguncoach]

Oh good....I found where the meeting is this week.

Hi, my name is Shotguncoach and I'm a Special-oholic.

OP, this may be your only chance to save yourself. If you don't escape now, you'll begin a downward spiral into a never ending search for everything .44 special. Sure it begins slowly with just one or two but that's how it gets you. Soon you'll be saying "But I don't have one with that barrel length" or "That front sight is different" or "I have all these nice guns, I'll just buy this one to be a shooter."

Get out while you can.

Luckily for you, we are here to help. It's to late to save us but you still have a chance. Sell us your .44 specials and just walk away. It's your only hope.

[Beemer-mark]

Originally Posted by Rust E. Badge

Thanks Beemer but I have several (more than 5) .44 WCF's as well. Whatever will I do?

But do you have the S&W 44 WCF?

[S-W4EVER]

Originally Posted by SGT ROCK 11B

Why? You take fifty years off from shooting?

No, I was pretty busy Troopin’. Not many State Troopers put in forty hour work weeks, and the weeks got even longer when I promoted to Sergeant. Somewhere along the way my girls grew up (and served in the Army). I don’t know where the time went... I sure enjoyed our time at the Range together when they were young.

[Rust E. Badge]

Beemer-mark;141979842]But do you have the S&W 44 WCF?

Ooooh Nooooo! I don't have a S&W in .44WCF. I feel myself slipping. Here I go again. Stay away from me Beemer-mark. Let me be free.

[Rust E. Badge]

Shotguncoach Oh good....I found where the meeting is this week.

Hi, my name is Shotguncoach and I'm a Special-oholic.



Very funny Shotgun. And sage advice sir.

Can you give me the story and mechanics of the revolver pictured in the lower left, second row?

Rustebadge

[mtgianni]

IMO, they are really nice to look at and to hold. Beware when you start to shoot them, and God help you when you reload for them. You are truly a lost soul when you begin to cast for them as they are some of the most accurate revolvers to play with. Perfect balance of power and weight balancing with recoil.

[Hawg Rider]

Rust E. Badge: Unfortunately there is no cure or treatment for your .44 Spl. affliction. Although it's not as much of a pandemic as COVID-19, it will most likely spread quickly to include other S&W N-frames (.357 Magnum, .44 Magnums, .45, etc.). About all you can do is take the advice of other afflicted Forum members and buy another gun safe! LOL! Enjoy!

[Shotguncoach]

Originally Posted by Rust E. Badge

Can you give me the story and mechanics of the revolver pictured in the lower left, second row?

The one in the lower left corner is Project Whack Job.

Since that write up I've replaced the stocks with a set of Jay Scott target stocks for pre-war N frames that I was able to find on flea-bay. I haven't shot it yet in that configuration but I intend to take care of that this coming weekend.

[Grayfox]

Yes, I suffer from the .44 Special addiction.
I'm not the slightest bit interested in a cure. I like it!

[hibbs]

My therapist says my addition is hopeless, unless I downsize. The problem is which one!!

Two First model Targets
One second model Target
One Third model Target
Two Third model Transitional Targets
One 1950 Target

Richard

[The Norseman]

The 44 Special is one of my favorite cartridges
to Reload and Shoot.

One of three 44Spl revolvers.

[22hipower]

Originally Posted by hibbs

My therapist says my addition is hopeless, unless I downsize. The problem is which one!!

Two First model Targets
One second model Target
One Third model Target
Two Third model Transitional Targets
One 1950 Target

Richard

Bring a couple of those to Tulsa in June and I'll help you with your downsizing project.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[RKmesa]

Whew.... A S&W addiction that I do not have... yet... So far the only true addictions I have are the 357 Magnum and K 22s, all the rest of the guns in my collection are accumulated...

[quinn]

Worse! I'm a BIPOLER addict!

At one pole I like the working typles, the ones prowdly wearing their scars, and in-hand willing to tell you their stories.

My treasured 5" Triple lock with period reloading tool:


Wolf & Klar Houston PD with badge and HPD marked billy:


At the other pole are the prtty boys whose biggest accomplishment is the number of BBQs they manage to get invited to attend:

Wolf & Klar "wriggle cut" (pawn shop) engraved 5" 44 wearing pearls:


Nobody has meetings for the likes of me.

[Pizza Bob]

NO! They are NOT OK to own - you need to send them immediately to me where I can mix them in with the herd. Mum's the word.



Adios,

Pizza Bob

[BaylorCattleGuy]

My dream is to find a 3rd model with
4 or 5 inch barrel
King sights
Roper, vintage stag, Fishpaw, Sanderson, or ivory grips
Honest wear (not a safe queen)

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by Rust E. Badge

Thanks Jim (Hondo44). So you're saying that there is hope?

I know what the cure is but haven’t run out money yet so no hope for me, I’m far from cured!

I’ve liked and shot 44 Special all my life (77 years) but about 20 years ago I suddenly realized I had no guns that were marked 44 Special! That was the beginning of the end…..now I have 18:

5 S&Ws - (2 TL targets, 2 1950s, 1 624 3”)
4 Ruger SAs,
3 Colt SAs,
3 US Firearm SAs,
2 Cimarron open top SAs,
and 1 American derringer.

My sickness is terminal! The real problem is it’s not my only gun addiction, there’s also the .22s, .32s, .45s………the lever action rifles ………. egads I need to lie down, I don’t feel well.

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Originally Posted by S-W4EVER

No, I was pretty busy Troopin’. Not many State Troopers put in forty hour work weeks, and the weeks got even longer when I promoted to Sergeant. Somewhere along the way my girls grew up (and served in the Army). I don’t know where the time went... I sure enjoyed our time at the Range together when they were young.

Roger that on the hours. One year I had 1,000+ hours of Overtime. I was the Captain of the Pistol Team but I could only practice on lunch break. The Chief was not a gun guy and actually somewhat of a jerk.

My children grew up shooting and scouting. They all got Expert Pistol Ribbons in the Navy.

[CH4]

Originally Posted by mchom

All of this group therapy should have you right as rain.

I don’t think the holistic approach will work.

[bill-in-texas]

I'm still at "beginner" level, with my two...



-Bill

[Rust E. Badge]

I'm still at "beginner" level, with my two...

Ooooo, aren't they preeeetty?