.44 Special Mania

[Smithhound]

Brought out some of the family for a portrait tonite, hoping you all enjoy.
Here is just a small part of my collection, took me years to acquire but these few are some of the ones I am most proud of.
On the right is the complete run of 24-3 .44 Specials 3", 4" & 6 1/2", all unfired, NIB with all paperwork etc, on the left the run of 624's in .44 Special, 3", 4" & 6 1/2", both the 3" & 6 1/2" are NIB with papers etc, but sadly the 4" is not, looking hard for a pristine example to round out this set of Safe Queens.

Somehow a Lipsey Ruger .44 Special Flattop found it's way into the house, it too is NIB.

Thanks for looking:

RD

 

[pownal55]

very nice bunch. love that long barrel blued one with the killer grips.

 

[Muley Gil]

Very nice collectin.

But you are missing the best part of the .44 Special: shooting them.

 

[Allen-frame]

I guess I understand the new in box part of collecting. But I cannot bring myself to own too many safe queens.
I did acquire a stunning 5" 27-2 that appears unfired ,and cannot bring myself to shoot it.

That is a stunning collection of 24s/624s. And I applaud you for being one of the guys to keep these beauties as they are.
They sure will only appreciate in value with time.

Regards ,, Allen Frame

 

[Raspy]

I agree with Muley Gil. Very nice collection (although seems to be missing a 696), but what a shame to not get the enjoyment of shooting them. To me the real value is the fun you can have with them. But, then again, I just bought a "new, unfired" 1997 or 1998, 696 no dash from someone's collection. Cool. And I will admit I'm worried about scratching up the new Lipsey 44 Flattop. Man these things are adicting!

 

[Smithhound]

I've became a 'collector' over a period of years, my philosiphy is simple:
If I acquire a NIB, older, S&W it will stay that way, if I acquire one that has been fired, it will be fired. I just cannot bring myself to fire a gun that has remained in a pristine state for 25 or so years, it just seems wrong.
Given 100 examples of an item, over time perhaps 90 of them will be used, leaving the remaining 10 more valuable. Just look at current prices for vintage Models of 1950 Targets, or Outdoorsman's, which is worth more, a NIB specimen or a fired one?
That is what i am trying to do.
Having said that, what I do try to do is to acquire an identical or similar model to the Safe Queen to shoot, the 4" 624 shown above is an example, I shoot it regularly, also the 6 1/2" 624 shown is NIB, but I found another that has been shot, and plan on putting it to use.
I'd love to find used versions of the 24-3's, so far, no luck, that may change, never know.
I like collecting for the simple pleasure of collecting, I have dozens of handguns that i reload for and fire, I enjoy them all for what they are, good quality firearms that I can enjoy at the range. The Safe Queens I enjoy for what they are, excellent quality firearms that I can enjoy just possessing.
I know not everyone agrees with this, but this is what will make my unfired exampled grow in value. Think about it: How many sets of totally unfired Model 24-3, pristine, can there still be? I would guess not many.
That's just me. I urge everyone else to enjoy this hobby exactly the way they want to. That is the fun of it!
RD

 

[Marshall 357]

I dont think I would resist not shooting them. Beautiful Collection.

 

[batmann]

Great collection and an even better explaination.

 

[feralmerril]

Smith hound, you and me been kicked by the same horse!

 

[sw44spl]

wow nice collection. I have a 624 and a 24 both shoot great.

 

[Raider]

Fine collection. Those 24/624's are beautiful. Thanks

Charlie

 

[Mule88]

Great collection, thanx for sharing.

 

[NE450No2]

At the risk of being tarred and feathered...

I just do not see the need for a new made N frame in 44 Special...

To me it is "waste of skin"... as a Klingon would say.

Why not make them all 44 Mag.

Oh for sure, shoot light 44 Special type loads most of the time, but then you have the option of going to the 44 Mag when/if you need it.

My Mountain Gun has the same slim barrel as a 44 Special, and handles just as good.

If I knew I would only ever need "44 Special" power then I would get a S&W in 45 ACP. I would then have the advantage of Full Moon Clips or the ability to use Auto Rim brass...


Don't even ask me about my thoughts on the 41 Mag. [And I did have and carry a Mod 58 as a work gun... If it had been a "M&P in 44 Mag I would still have it.

 

[Jason68]

De-luxe 44's

Sheesh, Skeeter Skelton just sat up in his grave, those are some fine 44 specials!
The only NIB Smiths I have are my #40 lemon squeezer, and my #15-22. The #40 might keep her virginity, but the 15-22 is gonna eat bricks!

 

[smiffundvessen]

Nice revolvers all. The .44 Special is a nice cartridge, useful and tractable with a long and colorful history.

I've had NIB revolvers before. They stayed that way for as long as it took me to load cartridges and walk outside to my range.

 

[kennyb]

I've became a 'collector' over a period of years, my philosiphy is simple:
If I acquire a NIB, older, S&W it will stay that way, if I acquire one that has been fired, it will be fired. I just cannot bring myself to fire a gun that has remained in a pristine state for 25 or so years, it just seems wrong.
Given 100 examples of an item, over time perhaps 90 of them will be used, leaving the remaining 10 more valuable. Just look at current prices for vintage Models of 1950 Targets, or Outdoorsman's, which is worth more, a NIB specimen or a fired one?
That is what i am trying to do.
Having said that, what I do try to do is to acquire an identical or similar model to the Safe Queen to shoot, the 4" 624 shown above is an example, I shoot it regularly, also the 6 1/2" 624 shown is NIB, but I found another that has been shot, and plan on putting it to use.
I'd love to find used versions of the 24-3's, so far, no luck, that may change, never know.
I like collecting for the simple pleasure of collecting, I have dozens of handguns that i reload for and fire, I enjoy them all for what they are, good quality firearms that I can enjoy at the range. The Safe Queens I enjoy for what they are, excellent quality firearms that I can enjoy just possessing.
I know not everyone agrees with this, but this is what will make my unfired exampled grow in value. Think about it: How many sets of totally unfired Model 24-3, pristine, can there still be? I would guess not many.
That's just me. I urge everyone else to enjoy this hobby exactly the way they want to. That is the fun of it!
RD

well stated!

 

[holo]

nice

nice collections gents

 

[brionic]

David Clements conversion on a M27-2

 

[stevie-ca]

Nice collection, cute dillo!

 

[Dave T]

At the risk of being tarred and feathered...

I just do not see the need for a new made N frame in 44 Special...

To me it is "waste of skin"... as a Klingon would say.

Why not make them all 44 Mag.

Oh for sure, shoot light 44 Special type loads most of the time, but then you have the option of going to the 44 Mag when/if you need it.

My Mountain Gun has the same slim barrel as a 44 Special, and handles just as good.

If I knew I would only ever need "44 Special" power then I would get a S&W in 45 ACP. I would then have the advantage of Full Moon Clips or the ability to use Auto Rim brass...


Don't even ask me about my thoughts on the 41 Mag. [And I did have and carry a Mod 58 as a work gun... If it had been a "M&P in 44 Mag I would still have it.

Glad there are folks like you out there. Leaves more 44 Specials for those of us who are discriminating and prefer shooting the proper ammunition in the guns so chambered.

Dave