I remember at the time most ex lawmen and the like we're not taken by the wonder nines of the new era. Thinking then was to shoot a big hole in perps, all the way through. The justice system was beginning to fail, and the only real justice dispensed on the street by police and citizens. A 44 magnum was impractible. Too much recoil. Bad PR. These 44 specials were thought to be one shot stoppers. Just the ticket for old timers to carry. I still think they make sense for all the same reasons...