Why Do People Love the 44 Special So??

[Magnum-Krazy]

I'm another one that also likes the .44 Special.
Authough not a S&W, but do have a Taurus 445 2" and a Rossi M720 3".
Both good shooters.

Ernie

 

[m657]

I just picked up a deal on the 'Thunder Ranch' 44 special m24-1.

I've put a couple hundred rounds thru it side by side with a 3" and 4" 629, using same ammo & targets.

SO far, I can run the entire falling plate rack 5 times in a row with rapid DA action only....while I can't do that with the 629s.

And when I get this brass restuffed, I'm going back to work on my technique so more!

I think I've been missing out on something with this DA stuff.....

 

[BigBill]

Here's my thoughts and proven facts why i use the 44 special rounds.

I was loading the leadcast in the 44mag cases and realized using the same load I can get better ballastics when i use the 44 special cases with the leadcast bullets. My thoughts were why waste the 44mag cases for lesser ballastics when i can load the 44 special rounds at higher ballastics.

I been wanting to get the misses a charter arms bulldog in 44special. My plan is if its too much for her she can shoot the 44 russians out of it. the 44cal is still a making a big hole either way. Bill

 

[BigBill]

My very first forum I have ever submitted to. Retired U.S. Army first SGT. Then went on a major police Dept. for 20 years. I started playing with 44's right after Dirty Harry came out. Shoot at least 2 times a week now then it was about 3 times a week for 20 years. Been through a lot of 44's and always go back to Smith. Got a 396 Mountin Lite and a 629. Don't keep to many guns around that way I don't have to spend half my day deciding which gun to take to range. Can't say I am in love with the 44"s because I barely know anything else. Through the years collecting brass I probably have 10,000 pieces. Why would I change now?. Thanks for your time. Alamo Bob

Welcome to the forum I see its your second post.

Your right with the 10k of brass for one caliber. If you had more calibers it would be 10k of brass for every caliber plus the dies too, don't ask me how i know. Bill

 

[brucev]

Re: OP. I cannot speak for others. For myself I will only say that I've owned and used and gotten rid of a pile of revolvers and pistols. After 30 years, I've "simplified" my handgun lineup. I now have a .22 LR (18-3), a .38 Special (15-3), a couple of .357's (6" 28-3 and 4" 28-2), a .45 ACP (625-2) and a .44 which is intentionally a .44 Special (21-4). If I want more power, I'll just pick up my M-1 Garand as there is very little in North America that a M-1 loaded with M-2 ball can't handle. For hand gun work... I find the calibers I mentioned are about perfect. The 21 is just about ideal for my purposes... light and handy, rugged, finely fitted and finished, accurate and easily loaded with anything from plain Jane lead factory loads to the romping stomping JHP loads, and that doesn't even begin to take into account my various handloads.

 

[Dadsnugun]

After all of this, I honestly don't know what to add. I don't have a handgun manufactured strictly for the .44 special, as I belong to the "sometimes a magnum is necessary" camp, but I love the Special. The "boom" is right, the recoil is right (especially for these arthritic wrists) and the solid "thunk" of a large hunk of lead embedding itself into a dirt bank backstop is more than satisfying. I can manage 5 shot groups with all holes touching out of my .44mag Vaquero offhand at 30 feet which is plenty good for me, and go home at night without the week long ache that accompanies an outing with magnum fodder. It's great for reloading (just price a box of factory ammo ). It's one of the cartridges that makes shooting what it should be...fun! For me there are 5 calibers that fall into this catagory: .22lr, .38Spl, .44Spl, .45 Colt and .45ACP. I would hate to ever have to choose just one out of those 5, but if I did, the .44Spl would absolutely be in the running for the top!

 

[bobintherepublicoftexas]

I like the 44 special because it saves on brass. 44 maggies start splitting a little, trim them to 44 specials and keep shooting. No problem. Out of the 44 loadings who knows how many more uses you will get out of brass. If you shoot as much as I do, you can't be wasteful. Alamo Bob

 

[zeke]

696 (3)
M24 3 inchers (2), one old, one new
624 3 incher
624 4 incher
newer 24-? newer version 4 incher fixed sights
newer m24-5 (2) long skinney barrel, adj sights tint grip version cylinder lock
Ruger 4 5/8 flat top
AWA, 4 5/8 and 7 1/2 inchers
almost forgot the little stainless Taurus

Easy to load round at just right volume for efficient medium rate powder, enough umph, casn be had in smaller size than 44 mag

 

[fyimo]

The 44 special round is a great round all by itself and its joy to shoot and have plenty of power.

 

[Jerry N.]

I have an M29 with a 6" barrel. As has been said, the .44spl is a tack driver out of that gun. The problem with .44spl is that it is not available in the market and I don't reload. So for now, I bought a 625 and will use .45acp. If I ever get into reloading, I'll be all over .44mags and .44spl. Maybe when I retire.

 

[TAROMAN]

Cause Skeeter said it was the one and guess what?
Skeeter was right!

 

[bobintherepublicoftexas]

Just got rid of the 329 like to shoot my carry gun, with loads that I carry. The 329 was brutal, no fun to shoot. I now have a 21-4 Thunder Ranch. I will like shooting that a lot better. Besides kind of special for me since Clint Smith his brother Ron and his dad and I were all on the Ft.Wayne Police Department at the same time, it brings back some memories with all those guys. Alamo Bob

 

[Drail]

Shooting a .44 Spl. is a lot like bowling. Watching that big "ball" scatter those pins when it hits them is like...fun.

 

[rog8732]

.44 Special

Any of you folks lovin them .44s so much you might want to let loose one of your old 27-2 3/12" ??

 

[rog8732]

.44 Special

Any of you folks lovin them .44s so much you might want to let loose one of your old 27-2 3/12" ??

 

[GLL]

rog8732:

I have a LNIB 3.5" 27-2 I will trade you for a 4" 4th Model Target of 1950 .44 Special !

Jerry

 

[pilgrim6a]

Here's another reason.
Revolver is a Model 21-4.
Load: 240 gr SWC. 5.5 gr of W231
The target is a 1.5" dot.
Shot today by a half blind, arthritic, fat old man. 10 yds double action.
The second pic was shot last month by the same fat man.
3" post-it note, 6 rds , DA, at 10 yds.

 

[one eye joe]

Here's another reason.
Revolver is a Model 21-4.
Load: 240 gr SWC. 5.5 gr of W231
The target is a 1.5" dot.
Shot today by a half blind, arthritic, fat old man. 10 yds double action.
The second pic was shot last month by the same fat man.
3" post-it note, 6 rds , DA, at 10 yds.

HALF BLIND, ARTHRITIC OLD MEN RULE ! ! ! (SORRY, I'M JUST NOT FAT)

 

[jspick]

Not bad for a one eyed fat man!!

John

 

[Az. revolver fan]

Just read "Sixguns by Keith"! In my 1st edition version, the .44 Mag is not yet a reality and there is no "addendum" for it. Great read on a great caliber. By the way, that old "velocity rules" junk science from the "Super Vel" FBI reports in the 1970's was quickly discarded in the aftermath of the infamous "Miami Shootout". I would take a "warm" 1000 FPS .44 spl. load over any .357 mag load (even the venerable .45 acp is a better stopper)