If you even remotely like the 44 Mag - you will LOVE the 44 SPC! I gave up the Mag for a SPC recently. Always wanted a 44 SPC specific gun and got a flattop BH. LOVE it. Liked it so much I got exactly the same gun in 45 Colt. I really like big holes. Both my big bore revolvers are Ruger Flattop BHs on the 357 BH frame.

Terminally the 44 SPC will do nearly all the 44 mag will do (deer, etc, and certainly paper! - also long range shooting) w/o beating the shooter to death. And I shoot it more than the I ever did the mag - a LOT more. And not because I was recoil shy, but just 'cause it is more fun. Plus, as I get older, I have had shoulder issues (torn rotator cuffs/surgery) and the SPC is much more forgiving. Same w/ the 45 Colt

The .44 Special is just right to me. .44 Magnum is overkill.

Here's why I like my .44 Special (attached). Model 629 Classic, 6 1/2 barrel, about 20 years old, completely stock. Have only shot Specials in it...handloads, home cast 240 grain Keith style SWC (Saeco mold), 5 grains of Bullseye. Brass lasts forever. These targets at 16 yards. Most accurate gun I own. Twenty-five rounds in each target

Attached Images

DSC00192.JPG (174.4 KB, 145 views)

I'd call you on that and I have a .458 Win Mag. Use famous big bore revolver gunsmith, John Linebaugh's annual penetration tests.

In that, 45-70s in typical non Ruger No. 1 velocities penetrated 23-28" in the test medium. The .458 penetrated 47" before exiting the stack and doing damage elsewhere. Doesn't look like a win for the 45-70 to me.

After the initial, relatively underpowered .458 ammo way, way back, it's become the most frequently used rifle for professional hunters, replicating or exceeding the performance of the .470 Nitro Express.

Re the original question. Why shoot a .44 Spl when you can have a far larger selection of ammo and more rugged guns if you get a .44 Mag? You can load the .44 Mag to .44 Special levels and way beyond. Have it both ways.

Edited to add that the .44 Spl is a good round, just believe the .44 Mag is more versatile. Don

I like my 24 very much. Like loads of 240gr LSWC at 900-950fps. I use my 629-6 6.5" PP for the .44 Mag fun.

Attached Images

24-6.JPG (259.3 KB, 77 views)

The .44 Special is a great round, as everyone has said. For me it is my 4th favorite caliber behind .45 Colt, .41 Magnum and .44 Magnum.

Edit to add: The above is for revolver calibers...I carry a .45 ACP every day for work and like that just fine too!

Those are some fine targets. I not only like the big ragged hole, I like that the single holes are big too. Nearly a half inch of lead side to side.

I fell in love with the .44 Spl when I was given a 1950 many years ago. I like it so much I sold my M29.

The .44 really shines if you're a reloader.

56527 44HE3rd right.jpg S69015 right.jpg S142950 profile left.jpg right.jpg IMG_2719.JPG

Prewar 3rd, Post war transitional 3rd, 1950 (4th) Model, 3rd Model Target replica by Hamilton Bowen, and a cherry 2nd Model. All good reasons to appreciate the .44 Special

__________________
Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

Well, yes. Perhaps I'm not the only one, but my CCW rules say no Magnums bigger than the 357Magnum. (This is policy/ procedure, not any kind of codified law.) They won't discuss why, but I believe the lawsuits & way our general public misunderstands guns, and the way "Dirty Harry" has been mis-represented by the anti gun folks, all have much to do with this rule. Can't even load 44 Specials into a 44 Magnum pistol for carry about town.

Hunting, or protection from wild animals out in the woods, is different.

Considering that some Magnums are Special level, and vice versa, well, it is what it is. Like some other things in life.

44 Specials are still great!

__________________
July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909

^ +1.

Now, if you don't have CCW issues and your collection is limited, it makes sense too. Why limit yourself? One does both, it's a no-brainer.

I did that for over 20 years and it makes sense.

However...

Just like fine wine or cigar or any other thing you work your way into, subtle nuances, differences you wouldn't notice at first, come to the forefront.

The 44Spl in a dedicated 44Spl revolver is sublime. The way they shoot, the accuracy, the balance, all top drawer.

Until you have the disposable income to go for the purpose built Spl. revolver, the Mag. is the one to own.

Add to this, the ability to feed a Spl. Unless you reload or buy expensive stuff, it's not impressive.

Do so however, and it opens up a whole new world.

I bought a Lew Horton 24-6 today. Bright nickle finish. I would love to shoot it but it is way too pretty and rare. PLus I already have the following guns chambered in 44special that I do shoot: S&W NightGuard 396, Ruger Lipseys edition NewVaquero stainless, Ruger Lipseys edition flat top bisley (sweet, sweet shooter!), Ruger lipseys edition sheriff model 3.75".

WELCOME TO THE FORUM 44SPECIAL LH. FUNNY HOW THINGS WORK AROUND HERE--IF YA DON'T POST PICTURES, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. WE JUST LOVE OUR EYE CANDY.......

__________________
'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I could give you as others have, the Taylor formula, bullet meplat, kinetic energy ad nauseum...The most simple and elegant of explanations as I once read was....

"A 9MM "May" expand, but a .44 will NEVER shrink...."

To add further exclamation to bigger is better.....

The coy and demure lass looked up at the large pistol on the roughneck's belt and excitedly asked "Gee handsome...why do you carry that big ole .45 on your hip...He slowly replied...because they don't make a .46"



Unknown

__________________
U.S. Army 81-84, USCG 84-01

Model 21-4 (no TR logo), 2 grip choices:

Interesting thread, am enjoying it very much. Some of the collections shown are absolutely wonderful.

Thanks for the WARM welcome. I will try to get some pics loaded on here

I like the 44spcl because it's very comfortable to shoot, extremely accurate and makes big holes. I'd love to have a nice a S&W chambered for the 44spcl only. They are tough to find, and I'm considering a Ruger.

Don't think I'd CCW a 44spcl but maybe; my first love in pistols is a great 45 ACP, and I just purchased an Ed Brown Cobra Carry and would like to get a Sig P220 Equinox Carry and get the action/trigger reworked to make it smoooth and crisp at the break, like shattering fine stemmed crystal, snap! I'm also very partial to 38 spcls too.

Anyway, long live the 44spcl . . . great cartridge.

R

__________________
Rachel
Grande Torina

There are several good cartriges out there that have dedicated followings and the 44 Special is probably at the top of the list, with the 41 mag, 10mm, 44WCF, and others right up there with it. ALL of these cartriges must be handloaded to be properly appreciated and affordable. Definitely not mainstream WALMART fodder.

I love 44spc because this beauty is chambered for it. uploadfromtaptalk1374243431719.jpg

__________________
91st SMW, Minot AFB
Minot, ND

That was interesting, sorry for the double pics

__________________
91st SMW, Minot AFB
Minot, ND

Bull-oney. Shoot it!!!

Well it is hard to add to what has already been posted but I will try. Early in my shooting career I was on a very limited budget. I adopted the attitude who needs a 44 spl when I have a 44 mag or even a 38 spl when I have a 357 mag. Then I shot a 44 spl I think that it was a Taurus. It was very accurate to my surprise. About the same time I realized that if wanted to shoot more that I needed to reload. So I picked up several 44spls and 44 mags. I shoot only 44 mag in my 29 and 629s. I love to shoot the 624s and 696. As mentioned before reloading is a must to fully enjoy the 44 spl.

29 6", 624 6", 629 Classic Hunter, 624 4" 629 Classic DX 6½", 696, 629 Classic PP.



3" 624

Here's a couple images.

696



A pair of 624 no dash's

At least in a modern handgun, ala the S & W 624, you can get the .44 special up to sub-magnum loads, as I would describe them. Elmer Keith's ultimate .44 Special load was a 250 grain bullet at 1200 fps, which he acheived using heavy loads of Hercules (now Alliant Powders) #2400 (up to and maybe over 16 grains). This same reference (The Book of the .44, I don't know the author off the top of my head) also described this as abuse to S & W revolvers of the 1930's era with which Keith was experimenting. These experiments were of course the inspiration for the .44 Magnum.

Well, I own a 4" Model 624 that was made in the 1980s. I have run loads up to 8.5 grains of Unique with 240 grain bullets through this gun, and let me tell you, those loads go off with considerable recoil and muzzle blast! They are accurate once one gets used to them, but my father, who does my reloading (I know, gotta learn!), found that some of the cases had split! They were admittedly hard to eject from the cylinder...but this makes a good bear load, and I have seen them in some of my fly-fishing spots.

I also have a 6" Model 629 which is Magna-Ported, and it is a lot of fun to shoot. But after about 40 rounds or so, I get tired of the "hand-cannon" effect, and the .44 Special is not quite so harsh, but still very effective.

shoot one and then you can make your own determination(?)

I like the .44 Special round because it shoots very much like a .45 ACP. I like the .44 Special guns, because the 5 shot revolver is about the only way to carry a revolver caliber that starts with a [4] and with manageable weight, size, recoil, and noise. So far, I only carry DA revolvers but own a couple range guns in SA.

Just been reading some old posts as to why so many people love the .44spl. I have the identical gun you have and shot my first landloads in .44spl in it yesterday. I love it. Want to experiment with different loads.

While i own multiple 44 Special revolvers here is my anallysis.

Separate the cartridge from the revolver it is fired in. Revolver feel and balance is subjective and unless carried to an extreme very personal. For instance a lot of you guys love Magna type stocks. I think they are pretty in ivory but HATE the way they feel in my hand. None of my revolvers wear Magnas.

I can't think of anything that you can do with a 44 Special that you can't also do with a 44 Mag. As a handloader you can go mild to wild w a Special. You can go mild to even wilder w the Mag.

The 44 Special is a great cartridge but the 44 Mag is a greater one. I own firearms chambered for both rounds. I admit i really like my 44 Special Ruger Bisley because it is easier to carry than the larger 44 Mag Bisley but that is a gun choice issue not a cartridge issue. There are also smaller carry guns in 44 Special and that is a plus if you are so inclined. They aren't that much smaller than the relatively new snub 44 Mag 5 shooter that S&W is now making.

44 Mag ammo is generally easier to find and often cheaper than 44 Special. While I know of no factory loaded 44 Mag powder puff loads you can load 44 Special factory ammo in the Mag. There isn't a lot of high performance 44 Special factory ammo. If you live in a rural area w limited shopping try finding some without having to order it. The advantage to 44 Special is in high performance guise it is a better defensive carry ammo than 44 Mag because of less recoil. It is a hotly debated topic but I believe in factory ammo for carry. Keep in mind though you can carry Specials in your 44 Mag revolver.

While the Special is more pleasant to shoot if you handload you can load low recoil 44 Mags. If you don't handload you can shoot factory 44 Specials in your magnum revolver.

Unless there is a particular revolver that is just perfect for YOU that you can't get in a 44 Mag there are really only two reasons to pick a 44 Special over the 44 Mag:
1. Because you want one; and
2. Because I got one (or 7) and you don't.
Yes I deliberately left out collecting. There are no Triple Lock 44 Mags. I'm a shooter not a collector. I'll buy a bargain on a collectible gun but it is almost universally trading stock for me. No slam against collecting for collecting's sake just not my cup of tea. I've got one and you don't is also human nature running the whole spectrum of human toys from the sandbox as children to the grave. Unless carried to hurtful extremes it is certainly an acceptable reason to own something.

Looking at apples to apples and comparing a 624 4 inch barrel w a 44 Mag Mountain Gun:
1. The 624 is more collectible because it was a limited run:
2. The 624 has a square butt which is a plus to some but I had my 624 roundbutted bc I prefer round butt grip frames;
3. The MG shoots a more versatile cartridge.
Other than the grip frame I'd bet if you pulled the trigger blindfolded using the same ammo you couldn't tell the two apart. The difference would be a 44 Mag won't fit in the 624. If I could only have one between the two revolvers and collecting / resale value wasn't in the picture I'd always take the MG over the 624. Compare a 629 to the 624 and the choice is tougher because of how the 624 balances. The flip side is w the heavier barrel I can get off aimed subsequent shots faster w the 629.

Again I have 44 Special revolvers and like them a lot. That doesn't make them better than my 44 Mag revolvers. They are both useful tools but for most people, collectability aside there really isn't an advantage for the 44 Special unless there is a specific handgun chambered in the Special that you can't get in 44 Mag. Admittedly that can make a difference but that is gun choice not cartridge choice. For a guy who is only going to have a few handguns I recommend the 44 Mag in most cases over the 44 Special. For the guy w a safe full of handguns the choice depends on preference.

The .44 Magnum is just a bit too hard to handle but the glory being, the .44 Magnum shoots .44 Specials In fact, most .44 Target shooters prefer a .44 light special in that .44 Magnum because it is a joy to shoot. I'm a fairly big and strong guy yet I'm not embarrassed to say that after about 15 round of .44 Magnums downrange, I'm done ... my nerves wincing in anticipation of the bone-rattling force of the .44 Magnum.

With the introduction of the .44 Magnum the .44 Special revolvers took a backslide in popularity. All those Dirty Harry movies sure helped do that.

To me the .44 Specials, especially the pre-war .44 Special N frames are just sweet. It is only recently the value on those old .44 Special S&Ws started to rise to a respectable price and are still rather affordable.

Mark my words, in the next few years, they will be as coveted by collectors and shooters, alike, as much as the pre-29 .44 Magnums.

Think of it .. NOW, .44 magnums are all over the place and newer productions just keep going, and going. Surely no shortage what so ever unless you want some of the pre-29s. Now even the Model 29, 629 ( no dash ) are climbing in value as there are more people that want them then there were made. 29-1 are scarce for short production numbers but 29-2s are plentiful and up till about 5 years ago, was tough to sell a NIB 29-2 (in the wood box) for more than $700. Now, depending on barrel length and finish, go for an average of $1200 and I see some sell even higher. A beat 8" nickel 29-2 sold at the last Lakeland show for $1100 (no box just a beat gun). The purchased came to my table with it to brag on what a great deal he just got on a beat 29-2. I'm lost there.

It is only recently the vintage .44 Special revolvers have a resurgence in popularity for all the correct reasons.

In the coming years, watch the vintage .44 Specials and the .41 Magnums are going to be rediscovered. Both are fantastic rounds and high quality revovlers yet all were overstepped by the dirty Harry .44 Magnum in years past.

Get 'em while you can still afford 'em, I think.

__________________
ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

44 Special has always attracted me, I had a nice Redhawk 44 mag but my primary shooting at this point in life is indoors at a 6-lane shooting facility. Shooting 44mag indoors in a small area is almost disrespectful to others LOL!
I like the versatility of 44 bullets options, I like to punch larger holes in paper and like larger caliber guns so I just picked up a sweet 624 6 1/2in no-dash to shoot 44 special. My 686 357 mag basically saw a diet of 38spls.
There is a loyal following on 44 spl revolvers, I think they may retain a bit more value in some models due to a more limited availability and the novelty associated with the famous 44 Special
Karl

For me the 44 Special is "just right." An earlier post suggested separating the cartridge from the gun, but that's tough for me. I really like the guns chambered for 44 Special.

I think the 44 Special vs. 44 Magnum discussions are a lot like the small block vs. big block chatter of the muscle car era. One can be light and high-strung while the other is heavier with more "grunt power."

I think the quest for more more more power is over rated. Sure, .44 mag has it's uses. But there's no way it's a better cartridge for self defense. Your follow up shots area going to be slower. In a gun of similar weight.

I personally think .38 +p vs. .357 is the same argument for self defense. More flash and recoil just makes it harder to shoot and I think +p's are plenty good for self defense.

Now hunting, that's a whole other matter. I can see they desire for more power for certain game.

These Model 24-3 .44 Specials are:



money in the bank!

I rest my case.

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

It is beginning to be a puzzle as to why folks are so quick to identify the capability to shoot specials from magnum chambers as a benefit. It can't be that they don't know, so it must be that they don't care. If that's the case, then so be it---case closed.

There is no question specials can be fired from magnum chambers---if the shooter is not concerned with accuracy. But then we have the conundrum of why shoot if you don't care about accuracy? Or you reckon maybe there's an accuracy which is "close enough"? That'd be pretty sad.

By way of review for any neophytes in the crowd, the longer the throat the less the accuracy. Shooting specials in a magnum adds what---1/10" to the throat? If that doesn't sound like enough to hurt, figure it as a percentage increase. Then factor in the bullet scraper you've introduced into the equation. It's sitting in the magnum's chamber 1/10" ahead of the special's case mouth. One can only imagine what that's doing to the bullet as it passes by---and one can only wonder about the effect on accuracy.

If you want to know, get a Ransom machine rest---and get answers. But fair warning: Once you use a machine rest you're going to find out just how well your guns shoot. Then comes the problem of figuring out how come you can't even come close. It's a great motivator----or it'll drive you nuts!!

Ralph Tremaine

Skeeter said it was the best.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I did not read all the posts and I am sure these we mentioned.

accuracy, low recoil for a large boolit, you can turn up the heat with handloads if you want to. and when somethin need killin it will do a good job,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

OP, the .44Special is my favorite round of all time! I carry a 3" barreled M29 daily loaded with 200 grain Gold Dots rated at 900fps for street/neighborhood use and a 255grain Hard Cast rated at 1000fps from Underwood for the Woods. It's an extremely accurate round that can be loaded from mild to freaking wild (almost to the punch of a .44mag) and is so venerable it's making a total come back by getting the younger guys interested in the cartridge. I just turned 41 (today), and am enamored with the round over the last 2 years of my 22 years shooting. In fact the .44Special round has eclipsed my previous favorite carry round, the .45ACP... of which I thought would never be possible. I do my fair share of full house magnums thru my M29 and 3" barreled M629 as well and I love the power, accuracy, and the unadulterated horsepower/thump of the Magnum. But the .44Special just seems more refined, like a hand tuned twin turbo 911 Porsche. Sometimes you don't need the full power of the Magnum to get the job done... especially when the .44 Special is more than capable. Pic below of my .44Mags/Specials below... My favorite 2 handguns I own... and until I got these two I was a semi-auto (1911/CZ Junkie in 9mm and .45ACP).

Unless I missed it,the L frame,5 shot M69 might be an answer to a CCW 44Spl/44Mag in the current production S&W revolvers for a ltwt.,easy to carry 44Spl. There is a 2 3/4 and 4.2 in. bbls. available,both with different type of lock ups(I do not know which is better) and for a nice,easy to carry 44Spl. this might be a good compromise.

So interesting! I'm just an old guy who loves both calibers. I'm just dedicated to shooting, handloading and having fun. I'm doing all three

Well, just about everything that can be said is already been said. So I'll just add these.

Tell me more about the bottom row, center of the row, Revo! I love that piece. I love all of them but that one is something real special! Is it a Lew Horton Version??? It looks to be just like mine. Gosh the prices for those have skyrocketed... You appear to be a real connoisseur my friend! Thanks for sharing...

The .44 Special is just about the best option for a low pressure big bore cartridge in a double action revolver.

Yeah, there are revolvers chambered for .45 ACP as well, but being a semiautomatic pistol cartridge, it pretty much requires the use of moon clips to ensure reliable extraction.

Sadly, while .45 Long Colt is arguably a superior cartridge due to the capability to load it up much hotter than .44 Special or even .44 Magnum with significantly lower operating pressure to boot, there are very few double action revolvers chambered in .45LC, and even fewer which can handle high pressure loads. .45LC is more of a Cowboy Action Shooting cartridge these days, so most firearms chambered in .45LC are clones of the Colt Single Action Army, whereas the amount of available double action revolvers can be counted on one hand.

HamHands: its just the basic 24-3 3". Not a Lou Horton, one of the later ones. I don't care for round butts on N-frames. So I took an old set of Ace rd to sq conversion grips, shortened and thinned them a bit to make a set of sq butt boot grips.
I like it.

Oh that is hot! I'm thinking about getting a pair of Magna's and a blued Tyler T for my Lew Horton M29 and putting the Goncalo Alves "Combats" in the box...

Oh I like it too. I'm a round butt fan in all frames but your 24's square butts just seems to work. Nice revo!

I like .44 Specials because they make a nice sound when you touch them off, put nice size holes in targets, and give you a nice nudge instead of wrecking your wrist and elbow. I've shot all my Specials in a Model 629 however.

I have shown these before and I have more and an equal number of 44 mags. I love "em" all. Each dedicated to its own cartridge. My standard load is a cast 250 gr swc pushed by 7.5 grs of Unique. I lighten it up a little for the 696 and Rossi 720. And I shoot "em" all......No safe queens.

Attached Images

	100_0767.jpg (238.2 KB, 23 views)
	100_1344.jpg (103.2 KB, 16 views)

__________________
S&W Accumulator

Yep you nailed it.

My EDC

Attached Images

DSC01473.jpg (121.5 KB, 19 views)

It's a matter of personal capability. If you can handle a 44 Magnum, there's no reason to buy a 44 Special revolver. Same goes for 357 Magnum and 38 Specials.

Magnums afford you the ability to shoot either magnums or specials, if you choose. If you buy a revolver built for specials only, then specials are all you can shoot. If specials are what you can handle, buy a special. If you can handle magnums, there's no reason to buy a special...unless you just want one for the sake of having it.