In a recent thread, a number of .44 people commented that they own and shoot more Special guns than Magnum guns. I'm interested to know how common this is. I personally have 6 Specials and only one Mod 29-2.
Anybody care to share their ratio?
Scott

4 of each.

Have 2 of each. Prefer the 69 Mag in 4" over them all.

44 specials

.545 here.

Ten 44 Special, three 44 mag. I haven't shot the 44 mags in years, maybe ten years. Occasionally load some 44 mag ammo but just don't get around to shoot it. The 44 Specials are more comfortable, and consequently for me anyway, more fun to shoot. On the ranch I carry a 696 or sometimes a 296 mostly for the ability to mix effective snake shot loads with bullet loads. The other reason for more 44 Specials, there are just more older options from a "gathering" perspective; Triplelocks, 2nd model HEs, 3rd model HEs, 1950 Military, 1950 Target, and the model numbered varieties. Lots of excuses to accumulate 44 Specials. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

One special, three magnums.

Five specials, NO magnums!

I used to have two magnums----way back before I came to my senses. It took exactly one round of factory ammo to bring me to my senses. Then I set out to develop a civilized load.

Ralph Tremaine

Two Model 29s a 4'' and a 8 3/8. Since I stopped deer hunting with those guns I mostly just shoot .44 specials through them now. I guess that puts me in the confused category as the OP did not mention that choice.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Magnums in my magnums only. No ring around the cylinder bores. 44 specials in my m24.

I have 2 44 magnum pistols, a 629 and a Desert Eagle. And I just shoot 44 Mag ammo in them. The DE needs full power ammo to operate correctly but is heavy as an anvil and gas operated so recoil isn't too bad and I shoot mostly milder to mid range rounds in the 629. No commercial ammo; all reloads.

I'm thinking seriously of getting a 29 though, maybe a 29-5 or -6 Classic to match my 629-3 Classic.

I have three 44 magnums, and shoot mostly 44 special in them. The ratio of spec to mags shot is around 100 to 1

Walt

I have two magnums, a 29 and a 629 DX, and no specials. I use my full magnum handloads only. Why? Because I like the challenge and satisfaction of learning to hit consistently well with them, overcome the common flinch from recoil and blast, and take targets home with the holes close together. The time may well come when this is no longer fun due to physical infirmity, but I'll leap that hurdle when I come to it.

Regards,
Andy

Three 44 specials. Zero 44 magnums. I've owned a total of one 44 magnum in my 60 years. It was a Super Blackhawk with 8" or so oc barrel. I flinched so bad I couldn't hit diddley with it. Once missed a dose at 40 yards, complete miss. I sold it soon after.

I have 3 of each, all N frames. The Specials get used a lot more, I just don't have the use for magnums when the Spl can do almost as much with a lighter load.

To tell the truth none of my .44 Magnums have ever seen a magnum load. I load them just a little higher then a stout Spl.

29-3, 29-2 (2x), 69, 629-4 .
624, 696, 28-2 SPL conversion.

Magnums win 5-3.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

5 Specials, 4 Magnums

Seven .44 Specials and one .44 magnum. And I wouldn't have the one magnum if it hadn't been left to me when a dear friend passed away.

I've owned several of each, both 44 magnum and special. These days's I'm down to just one, a Model 69, 44 Magnum. However, I have never fired a round of 44 Magnum ammo in it and I doubt I ever will. I load 44 special loads in 44 Magnum brass.

You can figure out what category I fit into. I can't.

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John 3:16 .

1 of each. My magnum loads are loaded to special levels.

4:1 ratio in favor of magnums.

And where do you people find all these 44 spls? Took me forever to find a 3 & 4 inch locally.

One M29-2, have had at least 6 or 7 in the past. All gone now.
.44 Spl, I believe 7 right now.
Haven't shot the M29 in maybe 18 years,

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I'm down to one of each; a 624 3" and a nickel 29-2 4".

As to shooting specials out of magnum handguns, I've preferred sticking with the caliber designation on the barrel.

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FBINA, 204th Session

3 specials and 3 magnums. One of the magnums I got to convert it to another 45 colt.

2 specials and 6 magnums, but I would happily take more of each.

1:1 here. I use the special mostly. I don't have much that a special loaded to 900 or 1000 won't handle nicely.

Jack

4 44 magnums but shoot 100% specials

4 357s but shoot 100% 38 specials

2 41 magnums but shoot 100% 41 specials

three specials and two magnums. hunt whitetails some with the magnum, outside of that, the magnums stay hid in the safe most of the time.

6:1:1

6 - specials
1 - 29 no dash
1 - Russian

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

3 44 specials and 1 lonely Ruger Redhawk in 44 magnum. Haven't shot the 44 maggie since getting the 44 specials. Having too much fun with the specials. Frank

1 special and 6 mags.

Mine is in the other thread: 5 specials, 1 magnum.....and one .45 Colt Blackhawk that likes to think it's a magnum. :-)

(2) 44HE 2nd & 4th specials and (6) 29/629 44 mag, but I shoot 100% special!

No Specials , but i do have a 6"29-2 and a 3" PC 629-6. I do like the 44 mag so the are a few off brands. A Marlin 1894 that was cleaned up by Doug Turnbull in his early years. 14" TC Contender and a Desert Eagle. I have been looking for an old semi auto Ruger carbine. The revolvers see mostly 240g lead at about 100 fps or less. A real joy to shoot! The Contender is good for long and heavy magnums. The 1894 likes hot 240g JSPs. Then finally the Deagle needs factory duplication jacketed. Yes I do have to carefully track the different 44s that come off the loading bench.

old 1011 fan

3 Specials (Pre-24, 24-3 and a Ruger Blackhawk)

3 Magnums (29-2 629-4, M69)

Although... the M69 has not seen and will probably not see any .44 Magnum through it, being relegated to just .44 Special. Arthritis in my right hand has ended my days of shooting the boomers.

For long guns, a Ruger Deerfield .44 Mag. semi-auto carbine.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

Two 44 magnums (29-2 & 29-3). Zero 44 specials. I never shoot 44 special in them. If I want to shoot something with less recoil than 44 magnum, I shoot 41 magnum or 357 magnum.

EDIT to my original post: I just picked up a 629-6 6", so now I'm at three 44 mags and still zero 44 specials.

44 magnums M29 (4) and M629 (5) with Zero rounds of 44 special ammo.

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S&WHF 366

All magnum,

Five Magnums and seven Specials....

The Magnums never ever saw one round of .44 Specials.

Sold my last .44 earlier this year and don't plan on any more....strictly .41s now.

Bob

4 Spls / 2 Mags

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No life story has happy end.

I have 3 44 mags, 2/29's and 1/629 . 2/4" and 1/6.0" barrel . I have considered selling all my 44's . I have 4 / 41 mags and one 25-5 , 4" 45 colt . I've had the desire to build a 41 special using a GP-100 . Haven't found the GP-100 that I want to use , yet . Used ones are bringing about the same price as a new one . I will wait . Regards, Paul

I've never shot a .44 special so only 629's for me.

5 Specials
1 629-3

27 44 mag
5 44 spl
What kind of ratio izzat?

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Short barrel 69 - I have settled on a "tweener" load for range work. It's hotter than a "Skeeter" but not quite a "starting magnum". It's still a handful in a 34 ounce gun.
Mild loads? That's what the 63 is for.

44 specials, sold or traded off my 44 mag Blackhawks. Have hunted with the 44 special which will do the job on white tails at 20 yds or less.
On a similar subject, has anyone shot the Ruger gp in 44 special?

Have 2 44 specials and 3 44 magnums. I shoot special in special revolvers. I shoot a special load in 44 magnum cases in my magnums. When i elect to shoot magnums in my magnums, i don't worry about the special ring.

I have 6 of each. The oldest is a TL. If you count long guns have 3 more magnums.

One of each in revolvers + a contender magnum barrel. It doesn't see specials. I load the 44 Magnum to two different levels and differentiate with nail polish on the primers.

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Front sight and squeeze

I have a M29 and two 44 Specials. I bought the M29 during the Dirty Harry era when this model was routinely scalped, simply because it was at list price. I find heavy .44 Special level loads in this weapon completely meet my needs.