Find me a lightweight, quality 44 special revolver and I will buy it. No not a Charter Arms.
I had one for 2 days.
Get yourself a 396. They are well made.
The -1 I have
had a lock (only lock gun I have purchased).
But it has the same correct and matching throat and bore dimensions as the 696-1 but with half the weight.
With twice the recoil, and it's a different, snappier, recoil than a magnum in a heavier gun, I can't be sure it's as accurate but it's close.
Good for carry, not so good for cleaning what with that titanium cylinder.
Given a surplus of $ I'd be looking for the original ND (no lock) version along with a 69.
L frame 44's are sweet.
The 44 Special has always been a reloaders .. well .. special!
Elmer gave us that religion among many others.
Having said that I carry factory ammo for SD on the advice of Mr. Ayoob and others from a legal perspective.
That debate rages on but I care to be conservative with regard to that issue.
Speer 200 gr GD is my current carry ammo.
It's easily duplicated for practice given the cost of the boxed stuff.
7 gr. Universal and the Speer bullets do the job.
Not currently available but unless I have to, God Forbid, shoot in anger I won't be using any of that factory ammo up.
I do have a Bulldog and yeah it's kind of a lemon.
Not really worth what I paid for it especially after putting a laser grip on it.
I consider it relatively disposable so the first one I'd use if God Forbid.
As you can see, I kinda like the 3" 44 Special:
