Small, shrouded hammer .44 special?

[Snubgunner]

Is the 296 my only option in a shrouded hammer .44 special? I really like everything about the idea of the 296 except the extremely light weight. Are there any other alternatives in this little niche?

[Dave T]

Originally Posted by Snubgunner

Are there any other alternatives in this little niche?

AFAIK that is it. I've seen a number of guns with hammers bobbed (owners modification) and I believe you can buy a Charter Arms 44 with a factory bobbed hammer but nothing shrouded.

Dave

[Beaver]

Don't worry about the weight. I started shooting mine with some mellow Cowboy Action Loads from some box store, didn't seem too bad at all. I don't shoot mine a lot, but the recoil isn't that bad. Get the gun.

[WC145]

I believe there is at least one forum member that has replaced the Ti cylinder in his 296 with a stainless steel 696 cylinder, which adds a fair amount of weight.

[bubbajoe45]

I just got one and love the weight. With factory ammo such as the Federal 200 grn LSWC HP or the Blazer or Gold Dot 200 grn HP the recoil isn't bad at all. It certainly isn't as bad as a .357 snubby. With 200 grn Speer JHPs or Hornady XTPs and 7.5 grns of Unique, it's still quite managable. This gun is obviously designed to compete directly with Charter Arms Bulldog Pug et al, but it's a Smith!

Perhaps a Nightguard 396 with a bobbed hammer is your best bet.

[Hondo44]

I replaced the Ti cylinder with a 696 SS cyl some years ago and posted it here. I did it for several reasons:
I'd heard of TI cylinder wear and failure and wanted an extra measure of strength.
I hated the looks of the TI cyl.
I wanted more recoil reducing weight for long practice sessions.

The swap was successful on all counts. However I've been known to put the TI cylinder back in for summer carry or when weight reduction is critical.

Having said all that, however, Bubbajoe45's advice is the best option for you. If you want a lot more wieght, get a 696 all SS 44 and bob the hammer, but it has a 3" barrel and target sites.

[Snubgunner]

Thanks for the input everyone. Think I'll give the 296 a shot.

[Stainz]

Look for the 396 (3" with Ti cylinder - long gone!) or the recently dropped 396NG (2.5" SS cylinder) - both have exposed hammers, but run 18 & 24 oz respectively - the NG being some 3/4 lb lighter than the 3" 696. All have an exposed hammer.

My 296, bought new over 8 years ago, is a keeper - 'as is'. Sure, the OEM boots and light weight make it say 'Howdy!' when you launch it's steady diet of 200gr Gold Dots (GA Arms loads.), but it fits 3/4 of my pant's front pockets in a Mika pocket holster.



I prefer my stock 296 as a choice, my 642 being the other, for EDC, so I keep shooting it periodically to refamiliarize myself with it's function. It isn't designed to be a 'fun plinker' - like the 3" 696 is, at least here. Actually, I find a 4" 629 to be more fun to plink with - certainly no worries as to ammo choices there. Of course, that's me.

Stainz

[coach22]

Mag-na-port International--The Mag-na-port Process: Handgun Porting
They used to do a conversion of a Charter Arms 44 Special they called The Backpacker.
If I remember correctly, besides porting the barrel, they also cut it from 3 inches to just under 2,
bobbed the hammer and put a hard chrome type finish on it.

[Boge]

Factory bobbed hammer & Eagle Secret Service grips. It'll put five Corbon 200 gr. DPX in the 10 ring at 15yds. Recoil not bad at all IMO.

[whitecoyote]

[coiler666]

WhiteCoyote, you sir, have some of the most beautiful guns i've ever seen!!Thanx for all the great pix sir

[clarkstoncz]

Anyone still packing a .44 Special?

My Dad carries the CA PUG.

I've shot it a few times and really liked it?

What are you packing in 44SP and what loads and holsters?

[whitecoyote]

Charter Arms .44 Special BackPacker, Customized by Mag-Na-Port.

[WC145]

Originally Posted by coach22

Mag-na-port International--The Mag-na-port Process: Handgun Porting
They used to do a conversion of a Charter Arms 44 Special they called The Backpacker.
If I remember correctly, besides porting the barrel, they also cut it from 3 inches to just under 2,
bobbed the hammer and put a hard chrome type finish on it.

Funny this thread should come back up. I found one of the original 250 Backpackers last fall in practically new condition, even came with it's embossed suede gun rug. Great little belly gun if you like small frame big bores!

Here's a few pics. I need to work on my backgrounds and stuff, I hate posting along side WC, his photography skills are waaaayyy more refined than mine!

[Hondo44]

S&W 296 5 shot 44 Spl. Bianchi inside the pants left handed holster in the small of my back on the right side. I'm right handed and it's a much more convenient draw for me. Sometimes just put it in my pocket.

[Larry from Bend]

Originally Posted by clarkstoncz

Anyone still packing a .44 Special?

My Dad carries the CA PUG.

I've shot it a few times and really liked it?

What are you packing in 44SP and what loads and holsters?

Yep -- I carry one often -- this BlackHawk FlatTop. I shoot 240/250 grain SWCs or 240 grain JHPs @ 1050 fps or, for special occasions, a 200 grain XTP @ 1130 fps. It rides in a modified (to cover the rear sight) Bucheimer holster.

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by whitecoyote

Charter Arms .44 Special BackPacker, Customized by Mag-Na-Port.

I'm liking those Bulldogs more and more, might have to pick one up myself.

[whodat]

CA 3" Bulldog 1st gen.(Bridgeport, Conn) I use a Galati Gear - In The Pants Holster.

Copper Only Projectiles (C.O.P.) Ammunition 44 Special 200 Grain Solid Copper Hollow Point #: COP44SP200

Muzzle Velocity: 945 fps
Muzzle Energy: 400 ft. lbs.

Chrono’d 6-15-12 from 3” CA 44 spl.
5rds. @ 10ft.

Temp: 88-90 degree
Hum: 50% - Elevation 650 -750ft above sea level
Partly Cloudy

High – 901fps
Low - 844fps
Avg. – 872fps

[GLV]

Gets carried often, with Winchester Silver Tips.

Evan Marshall's group for eating great food, tested the WW Silver Tip (new resigned ST) on July 2nd, 2004.

If you wish to read the test results, they are at

WWW.stoppingpower.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC-ID=6115

Other 44 tests can be found in the 'Test Bed' forum at Stopping Power site.

This is my carry load, mild recoil, and shoots to point of aim. For the 696, I carry DPX. No recoil in that heavy weight gun. I carry the ST in the 396 also.