Hello all:

I have a couple of questions concerning the 44 Special Caliber:

First, does Smith make revolvers in the 44 Special Caliber?

Secondly, what is the advantage of the 44 Special to say a 44 Magnum or 357 Magnum?

Be kind now just seeking information. LOL!

That is all!

__________________
"That is all!"

S&W introduced the .44 Special in about 1908 and has built many since then.

At present, I 'm not sure if there are any .44 Specials in the catalog.

A .44 Special has a bigger bore than a .357 and it doesn't kick as much as a .44 Magnum. .44 Specials are generally lighter than .44 Magnums as well.

A good .44 Special load can handle 95% of any North American chore.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Around 1983, S&W made the model 24-3 in limited numbers. They came in barrel lengths of 3", 4", and 6 1/2". You can still find them on Gunbroker, but they are kinda pricey unless you get lucky.

S&W made several six-shot N-frames in 44 Special such as the Model 24, 624, and model 21. Older 44 Specials include the Triple-lock and its two successors. A few 5-shot L Frames were made too.

The 44 Magnum is a lengthened and beefed up 44 Special and all 44 Magnum revolvers will also digest the Specials.

The cartridge has a loyal following and I am among them. If handloaded it can be tailored to spit a heavy and wide lead bullet most accurately while maintaining controllable recoil and effective impact. It is a straight casing that is easy to handload. Many current factory loading are good in these modern times as well.

The 44 Special, the 41 magnum, and the 10mm are the three big cartridges that come to mind that never were big commercial hits, yet maintain solid fan clubs among knowlegeable handgunners. All must be handloaded to be practical.

I have had 5 or 6 44 magnums in the past.
Now only have one M29-2 6.5".
Now, ,44 Spl? Five S&W & one off brand.
From 2.5" , 3", 4"and 3 6".
There not called "Special" for nothing....
But as posted, you do have to reload to get the most from them for target, SD or hunting.

__________________
Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I have one 44 magnum, but three 44 specials. Guess which ones get shot the most. Recoil is easy and won't beat you up, accurate and you can probably guess that most folks that have them are not in a rush to get rid of them. And dare I say they do have a following with the members here, cult following I'd say so. Frank

If you are interested in a .44 you should consider getting a .44 Magnum, as you can shoot specials and magnums from it.

A .44 special revolver will NOT shoot magnums.

The case length on a Magnum is just so teeny teeny bit longer so they will not chamber in a special cylinder.

They are both pricey to shoot, but if you are an outdoorsman, and there is big game where you are, it's a good way to go.

There are several models to consider.

The classic 29 and it's stainless little brother the 629 are worth looking into. Ruger makes a great. 44 called an Alaskan.

They are all pricey, but they are out there just grabbed a real nice, clean 629 with a 4" barrel myself. I can't wait to shoot it.

Be careful though, you get one Smith and Wesson, and more are sure yo follow.

Also, checkout hickock45 on YouTube.

He had a great video that talks about Magnums vs specials.

http://m.youtube.com/results?q=hickock45%20magnums&27=3

S&W made several 44 Special revolvers in the past but I don't think there are any currently in production. The last one I can recall was the Night Guard 396 which was on the market in 2009. Although the caliber sells well, these 44 Special guns have been overshadowed by 44 Magnums (which can handle both rounds.) Ruger and Taurus dropped them from production and the only one I know of currently available is the Charter Arms Bulldog.

I personally love shooting this caliber. Ballistics are close to the 45 acp and if you're loading your own and you can really push it further.

I've included a link for you to the complete "John Taffin's Book of the 44". It's great reading material for anyone who wants to learn more about the 44 Special.
Book Of The .44

__________________
Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

Yeah, I believe they were only made for one year. Mine was made in Aug-2008.

The .44 special was introduced in 1907 as an improvement to the .44 Russian.
Back then all handgun rounds were loaded around 750 fps, so a .44 246 grain bullet at 750 fps beat out a .38 (.357") 158 grain slug at 750 fps.
In modern "snub nose" revolvers the same still holds true. The Charter Arms Bulldog weighs 19.6 ounces - 5.1 ounces more than a S&W M642 J-frame yet it is capable of sending out a single bullet that is anywhere from 30-50% heavier with approximately 100 lb-ft more kinetic energy. In the "modern" world this is where the .44 special shines!
Given proper barrel length the .357 Magnum beats the "classic" loading of the .44 special, however there are many companies putting together .44 special loads in the mid-500 lb-ft range which is right there in the wheelhouse of the .357 Magnum from shorter barrels.
S&W has and does build guns in the .44 spl chambering but by "modern" standards they tend to be excessively large and bulky...for some reason S&W doesn't get it - and no one else, has managed to figure out that Charter Arms is selling their .44 Bulldog like hotcakes because it puts a BIG bullet into a .38 snubbie package.
I like the .357 Magnum...actually I like ANY caliber because they're all "SaWHEET," however from SHORT barrels where "magnums" are not able to build speed, the bigger and heavier the slug the better 'cause they're all going to end up going "slow!"

The one not mentioned so far has been the S&W 696. .44 Special, 3" barrel, 5-shots on an L-frame. My favorite shooter!

All .44 Specials are low-pressure rounds, so the recoil is a push, rather than a snap. Very similar to a .45 ACP in equivalent size guns.

Most folks can't handle a steady session of .44 Magnum rounds, thus the .44 Special presents a viable alternative. The Special is a connoisseur's round, favored by reloaders, purists, and Elmer Keith disciples. Until you actually own a dedicated .44 Special, you won't fully appreciate the allure of the chambering.

The more popular .44 Special revolvers, the 696 and 624, are getting very pricey ... north of $1K and not stopping anytime soon. The Thunder Ranch 21-4 can be found for $700, and is a nice value. There are also numerous Single Action models to choose from, with Cimarron offering some beautiful reproductions.

__________________
I'm with the banned ...

Here's my M24-3 chambered in .44 special, circa 1983.

To me shooting 44 Specials out of 44Magnum guns is just icing on the cake ! Makes for a versatile mild to wild choice of loads.

__________________
Hue 68 noli me tangere

S&W is currently manufacturing the model 69...its a 5-shot, 44spcl/44 magnum on the L- frame, true it is not a 44 special per say, but it is available brand new and would be a sweet shooter in 44 special. Factory list is $849. Something to think about if one of the used/older specials are elusive or expensive.

Gary

The last time I saw factory loaded commercial, not re-manufactured, 44spl/44mag side by side on a shelf the 44mag was a $1.00 cheaper per 20 round box. Bigger demand for magnums? Better supply of magnums. That was awhile ago.

As I understand the current ammo situation, a much wider variety of .44 spl ammo is available than used to be, but you'll pay for it. The Speer 200 gr looks good in YouTube ammo tests and seems promising for SD, though a heavier bullet would be nice. Georgia Arms just shipped me 100 rds of LFP for $66 shipped; not bad. I also picked up a 50-rd box of Buffalo Bore 255 gr Keith hard cast LSWC advertised at 1000 fps -- just about perfect for a lot of things, including SD -- but it was just over $80 shipped! They like to package their stuff in styrofoam blocks, so the box was the size of a toaster.

If you do an AmmoSeek or GunBot search for .44 spl, you'll get the impression that no one else has components because Buffalo Bore is buying it all... which brings us (or me) to reloading. If you don't reload already, there's a fairly steep financial curve at the beginning for good and efficient equipment (buy used and save, but still), and then you too will be at the mercy of component manufacturers. If I were 30 instead of 60, I'd pick this caliber, reload it, and never look back because there simply aren't a lot of things it can't do as well as (or better than) the other popular calibers.

As for platform, I don't mind large framed guns -- I love the N -- or small ones (the Bulldog is OK, but you can't shoot hot stuff in it). The 5-shot L-framed 696 was a step in the right direction, but it's a transition design which means that it has cosmetic features of Smiths built past the time I care about. A 5-inch 24/624 with the cosmetics of a 27-2 would be wonderful, or a 2.5" 19/66 in .44. (I know the L frame is perfect compromise, but I never cared for the Python underlug.) As I speak, there's a Blackhawk in .44 spl at my LGS.

So, OP... the .44 special is a rock-solid caliber with a lot of history and potential, but in my opinion, the best/most attractive guns chambered for it are no longer being made, so be prepared to pay.

What about the Charter Arms .44 Special "just to get into the game?"

Let me hear from you?

__________________
"That is all!"

Please forgive me for posting these yet again.



696 ND 5 shot L frame 44Spl



Both 1985 624 ND's, 3" & 4" and were both cleared for the 'cylinder issue', so I can and do use... 'modern loads'.

I have one of the Ruger New Model Blackhawk flattop 44 Specials and it is a handy sized gun and an excellent all around revolver. Certainly not a S&W Double-action but a great 44 Special all around woods gun for around $550. They make them in blue and stainless, bisley or plowhandle, adjustable or fixed.

I just bought a 1985 Model 624 6.5", counting down my CA 10 day waiting period is killing me. 7 days left to go. I also bought a Model 29-5 classic hunter the same day.

So, I went to a gun show last weekend and picked up 500 .44 spl rounds in bulk & only got a box of 50 .44 magnum rounds. Pretty much says it all for my opinion on the 2. I know I'll love the power of the .44 mag, but I doubt I'll shoot it much. Regardless, I look forward to getting into the reloading game.

Can't wait!!

I bought a C/A Bulldog back when they first were introduced in the 70's( back then, some guy's were having M-28's converted to 44 spl),it was my first 44 spl. Skeeter Skelton did an article about them( which is primarily why I bought one).....since then, I have gathered several model 24's ranging from 3",4", and longer bl's....the Bulldog is a good way to "get into" the 44 spl if you cannot manage a 24 or 29 ( to shoot specials in).....the little bulldog is approx. 19 oz's and it is a handful....particularly with some of my handloads...I still have mine...and it has served me well...it isn't a S&W M-24 or a 29 by any comparison, but it served a purpose for me, and that was to make me appreciate the 44 spl for the great round that it is & to want some S&W's chambered for the 44 special.

I like the Buuldog. I carried one for awhile. I'd own one again, but I prefer the aesthetics of a S&W revolver. I'd put Gold Dots through a Bulldog but probably not the Buffalo Bore amped-up rounds (even they recommend against it). I suppose the worst that could happen would be it blows up and you and the BG are both surprised long enough to run in opposite directions.

I got a Charter Bulldog after they caught the Son of Sam killer.
Just not my cup of tea. Too light even with light loads with a steel sleeve I had made for the barrel.

__________________
Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Ever since the introduction of the .44 Magnum in 1955 Smith & Wesson has engaged in a schizophrenic relationship with the "parent" .44 Special.
You see, whatever the .44 Special can do, the .44 Magnum can do "better." OTC sales show that at the same price-point, the consumer is going to choose the .44 Magnum over the .44 Special 99/100 times...so why make a gun nobody is going to buy? This is because Americans are obsessed with POWER...and ".44 MAGNUM" on the barrel means you've got POWER, whereas .44 Special means...."meh"...or so people think.
In full-size guns the Magnum does make sense...but when we move into ever-more-compact revolvers the .44 Spl starts to make a come-back. This is why Charter Arms has been selling the "Bulldog" like hotcakes for DECADES...because nobody else "gets it" (the consumer does). S&W came out with a 5 shot L-frame .44 Spl BEFORE they came out with the current .44 Magnum version! But what S&W has never managed to do, not has Colt, nor Ruger, is to bring out a compact, LIGHT, compact revovler that chambers the .44 Spl. The .44 Spl will deliver on average 100 lb-ft more kinetic energy from a compact, "snub-nose" than will a .38 Spl.

If I had the money I'd own at least one of everything S&W builds, but having said that, I would - and do own a 19.6 oz. Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special!

Doesn't the 396NG fill that bill for you? At just 24oz. it works for me.

.



.

It MIGHT if it were CALIFORNIA approved and reasonably priced!

Sorry... I must have missed those "qualifiers" in your post.

Great cartridge for a revolver!!! one of my favorite Smiths is my 629-4, 4". it is very versatile and with 44 spcl an absolute joy to shoot while packing plenty of punch. If you are looking at N frame options, I would suggest just getting a 44 mag for the power range it offers.
If you are looking for something smaller and lighter, I would have to look pretty hard at the new 69. I have only handled one and immediately thought it was the perfect platform for the 44 spcl. I have been toying with that temptation for a while now. I would have no desire to shoot 44 mag from it and if the example I handled is typical, it would need a complete action tune. All that aside I think this would be a great choice.

When guns were steel, the Special was liked because the guns were a little lighter - they had shorter cylinders than the magnum, and tapered barrels, unlike the magnums. A 1962 Gun Digest has a model 24 .44 Special with a 6 & 1/2 inch barrel as weighing 39 & 1/2 ounces, with the model 29 in the same barrel length as 47 ounces. That's quite a difference in the days people used to carry their guns around, instead of letting them ride in a safe like today.

All that started to change with the S&W mountain guns which all had tapered barrels, even though the special still had the advantage of shorter, lighter cylinders.

With the advent of titanium, scandium. etc., all bets were off as far as weight goes, so pragmatically there's not much reason to get a Special only chambered gun.

However, as many pointed out, 99% of what most people do with a .44 caliber can be done with a Special, and guns nuts in general love the romantic, historic past. I know I do.



I think though that there's a requirement for S&W folks to have both, but I could be wrong about that.

I really wanted one of those when they came out but even when they were new I remember the MSRP was around $1,049. That scandium frame is pricey. Used ones today are going for much higher and they've pretty much just become "collector" guns (low number produced, not many were sold, and somewhat rare nowadays.)

I'd like to see S&W release a compact 44 Spl that competes with the Charter Bulldog.

__________________
Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

To echo what some others have said, I own one .44 Magnum. A 6" Model 29. I have five .44 Specials.
I don't hunt any more, so I just don't need the extra noise and recoil of the Magnum. But the .44 Special is a pleasure to shoot.
I reload, but have never seen a need to try to hot rod the Special. My favorite load is a 240gr LSWC loping along at a leisurely 800fps. Which BTW is just a little faster than most factory lead offerings.
This load fired out of any of my S&W revolvers is far more accurate than I'll ever be.

SaWHEET of course...but then S&W has the "formula" down pat! Of course I like the 396NG! But it also costs a lot more than the CA which for some people is where the decision making process exists. "Gun" people will shell out for an S&W...guilty.

.44 Spl. My favorite. I've got to find more.
624


696


21-4

Others have come and gone, but my 4" 24-3 will never leave my meager collection.
The one gun I truly regret letting go was a 6.5" 624. I decided I needed a varmint rifle for some reason, and traded it for an also long-departed Remington 22-250.

I think the .44 Special is a hand loaders round, simply due to the price of factory ammo.

I like the old-style (old school for the hommies) grips...they may not look as cool to some, but they allow a very solid purchase!

I'll chime in here as I'm very new to revolvers. I had a pleasant afternoon yesterday at the range.
I went up the line from .22lr, 38Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special and .44 Magnum.
And I'll tell you - that .44 Special had me going back for more!
It was a good day...





I'm developing a fondness for .44 Special...

If you're familiar with the .38/.357, the .44 special/magnum share the same relationship, only bigger:

Special vs .44 Magnum: with a few exceptions, the guns are lighter. Some of us like the lines of a tapered barrel N-frame .44 special. Obviously, the magnum has the advantage in peak power, and probably ammo availability, although I'm a reloader and can't speak to factory ammo. I've bought one 20-round box of factory .44 Specials in 30 years, and a think I've still got 15 of those left. I don't think I've ever purchased factory .44 magnums.

vs .357: The .44 special can push bullets 100 grains heavier than the .357 to at or near the same velocity, in stout guns, like modern N-frame Smiths. Most people don't do this, since you may as well go to a magnum for magnum-class loads.

A lot of us .44 special aficionados feel that a 250-grain .44 SWC at 900 FPS is at least as effective as a 158-grain .357 JHP at 1,200 FPS, and is a lot easier on the shooter, gun, and brass. To some of us, this makes a DA .44 Special a great all-around handgun for targets, self-defense, and medium-sized big game at reasonable distances.

In shorter barrels, the .44 Special forfeits less effectiveness than a .357, and doesn't generate the noise and fireball muzzle blast of a snub-barrel .357, though the latter may be an asset in close-range self-defense, kinda like a flash-bang grenade should you miss:-)

Do your homework before selecting a .44 Special revolver, though. Not all guns should be fed a steady diet of loads that exceed SAAMI chamber pressures (I think that's around 15,500 PSI.)

There is more to the Smith & Wesson handguns chambered in .44 Spl. than just that special chambering. No question the .44 Special is a fantastic caliber but the N frame models chambered in the caliber are pick of the litter when it comes to N frames.

In my opinion it is where ergonomics, weight and balance combine perfectly. If you want the ultimate fighting handgun a 4 or 5 inch model 21 is the gun. It points like the finger of God. It is up there with the Colt 1851 Navy and 1911 for point ability. There are no adjustable sights to worry about. It is just deadly quick point and shoot. The balance is perfect. It really has a lot to do with the barrel contour and thickness. It is gun that if you ever own one you will never part with or regret it if you do.

The same can be said of the target model 24. It is magic.

I own six .44s; four ,44 specials and two .44 Magnums. I do have my eye out for an affordable .44 Mag. Mountain gun which is pretty much a .44 magnum with the setup of a .44 Special.

There was a reason the old .44 Spl. Handejector was the go to gun for some many famous lawmen of the past. It flat works in a quick and deadly way.

__________________
Bill Bates

I have 2 of the S&W 296 light .44sp and being older I have trouble handling recoil after 3 rounds. I recently got some .44sp cowboy loads and Russian ammo but have not yet tried them. Anybody have experience with this combination? Please let me know. Thanks

I have 2 of the S&W 296 models and being older I have problems with the recoil after 3 rounds. I have acquired some .44sp cowboy loads and Russian loads to try. Does anybody have any experience with this combination. Also I have several CA Bulldogs and will try the cowboy loads in them. ---Thanks

I may be old and slow, but this beauty can heat things up. Wonderful fun to own, shoot, and reload for. Mild to wild, your choice with the .44 Special.
Dave
SWCA#2778

Attached Images

image.jpg (72.1 KB, 41 views)

__________________
mr mom
Fire Chief, Retired

That's a lot of hyperbole, but If I was going to go with a gun as big as an N frame, I would much prefer a .44 magnum. My preference with .44 Special is a gun scaled back enough to carry in some practical way. My favorite is the Taurus 441 with 5 rounds in a medium frame, 3" barrel gun.

I have two .44 Specials. One is a 624 3" Lew Horton in unfired condition with all it left the factory with. Unfortunately, it has become a safe queen. At the other end of the spectrum is my Rossi 720c. Its a five shot, medium frame, stainless revolver. The "c" model has a spurless hammer and is DAO with fixed sights. The action is smooth and it functions as well as any Smith or Colt I have had and better than many. It has been said the 720's were the best revolvers Rossi has made and it makes an excellent concealed carry revolver. Some have referred to it as "the poor man's 696"...The only "poor" part was the modest price. I paid a little over $200 for it in the early 90's.

You DO know how to fix that 'problem', don't you?

Shoot it! Enjoy it!

I own these 7 various .44 specials. Also have a 29-2 in 5" to compare. They are my long time favorite and here are my reasons, I hate to repeat what others have said but lets see:
1, The special is lighter to pack due to its slimmer barrel and shorter cylinder.
2, The cartridge when handloaded will do 90% or more of what most people dream what a 44 mag will do.
3, I also like the .45 colt and have a batch BUT if you do get a 45 colt you are lucky if they arent overbored. The specials are always bored spot on.
4, I have never heard of a unaccurate .44 special.
5, While powerful they do not have the annoying ear breaking sharp muzzle blast of the 357 mag.
6, The .44 special has been around since 1906 in the triplelock. The cartridge has been wrung out probley as much or more than most other calibers by many fans. Lots of pet loads to choose from by many who found them.
7, It has had a cult following for 108 years for good reasons. I doubt even the .45 colt has had as much experimentation.
The biggest excuse of .44 mag lovers is, well the model 29 can do everything the special can AND you can shoot specials in it. That doesnt take in consideration that the specials are noticeable sweethearts to actually pack in the same barrel lengths of whatever 29 you are talking about. I also own or have owned every barrel length of the 29s too, and I cant recall the last time I actually packed my 5" 29. My 4" 24-3, or my converted HD 5" model 21 always seem to take the nod. A few ounces along with useing service grips DOES make the difference.
Here in no particular order are my 7 44 specials.
Colt single action armys in 7 1/2" and 4 3/4"
A 6 1/2" triplelock with added target sights.
A 6 1/2" 1950 target.
A model 4" model 24-3 (My favorite)
A 5" converted HD that I found a barrel off a model 21.
A 5 1/2" Ruger Lipsey special.
I also have a 4" s&w 25-5 in .45 colt to farther form my opinion along with other colt single actions in 45 colt etc. The model 25-5 is also nice, but there again, its as heavy as a 29-2 in the same barrel length.
They are all good but the .44 specials are what I call "Sweethearts". Included is a ruger that I had converted many years ago, but I made a mistake and sold it.