Best .44 Special config.

[tcc]

I recently had the great pleasure of shooting a friends Triple-lock. A beautiful piece that has great history. Of course there is the "bite" in the web of my hand due to the small stocks on the old HE's. I'm just trying to learn about these models and am wondering about the .44 spl with target grips..pre 24? I'd like to hear others opinions about this caliber as I'm interested in finding a .44 in somewhat better than "shooter grade".

I understand the M 29 family will accomodate the .44 spl. but my previous experience with the .44 magnum completely satisfied my desire to ever go there again and so I'd like to find a dedicated .44 Special. A true Triple-Lock would be great but what about other options?

Any ideas, suggestions would be appreciated.

tcc

 

[STCM(SW)]

" I'm interested in finding a .44 in somewhat better than "shooter grade"."

But you want to shoot it?
I have a 1923 .44 target & it's just a shooter as is my 1935 M&P .44.
My M21 is much newer & is shot more then the other two.
Then a shooter would be more in line as far as cost for sure.
I shoot all my handguns, so when I got my M544 44-40 as new, I shot it.
To each his own......

 

[tcc]

STCM, sorry If I wasn't clear about that. I do want to shoot the gun (if I find one) but it looks like the ANIB, Exc condition are way out of my budget. "VGC" might be an affordable option. My recent experience shooting a vintage Triple-lock made me want to find a vintage revolver to take to the range.

 

[delta-419]

.44 HE

Have you tried the 2nd model 44HE. They are a "hoot to shoot". I have several Triplelocks and 2nd models and even a 3rd model, all in .44 S&W Special caliber. The lockwork in these old N frames is wonderfully smooth and to me all about the same. They were built by true craftsmen. I handload and shoot all of them. The going price for one in good condition starts at about $800 and increases to $12-1500 rapidely. And just to add a caution, "you cann't stop with just one"!

 

[DCWilson]

You can put target stocks on any N-frame, even the prewar models. I suspect that if you look for a .44 Hand Ejector second model (no ejector shroud under barrel) or third model (Model of 1926), you might find a decent specimen for less than a triple lock would cost. You could also look for a postwar Model of 1950 design (Pre-model 24), but those start to get pricy again because so few were made.

Good luck in the hunt! A good .44 special is a delight to shoot.

 

[Hondo44]

tcc,
You have lots of choices of vintage 44s besides TLs, all made before 1920. Any of them made after 1920 will have heat treated cylinders. I stick to very mild loads in my TLs.
There's post 1920 2nd model 44 HEs (no extractor rod shroud, and 3rd models after 1926 (w/shroud), both produced up to WW II. After the war there are 3rd model transition models (scarce) until 1950 then there's the 1950 44 Military (pre Mod 21) fairly scarce, and 1950 44 Targets (pre Mod 24).

A pre Mod 24 6" is the easiest to find in original condition if you want a target model; shooter grade up to $1500 and very nice shooters up to $2000. With box and 99% condition or better go up from there. Real nice examples of the older pre wars are going to be priced like the pre 24s. Shooters will be less and targets are harder to find.



That's generally what's available in old 44s. Hope that helps,

 

[STCM(SW)]

Have you tried the 2nd model 44HE. They are a "hoot to shoot". I have several Triplelocks and 2nd models and even a 3rd model, all in .44 S&W Special caliber. The lockwork in these old N frames is wonderfully smooth and to me all about the same. They were built by true craftsmen. I handload and shoot all of them. The going price for one in good condition starts at about $800 and increases to $12-1500 rapidely. And just to add a caution, "you cann't stop with just one"!

Just what I was trying to say......

 

[Frank46]

you have a bunch of choices. mod 24-3 3"bbl, 24-3 with 4" bbl, 624 with either size bbls and also the 6.5" bbl. All 44 specials. I have the 624 6.5" bbl, a 24-3 with 3" bbl and the 24-3 with 4" bbl and I only started with one. So if you get into 44 special caliber revolvers I dare you to say you can stop at only just one. Frank

 

[gunfish]

I know the feeling tcc. There lots of models in 44SPL. Service sights, target sights, service grips, target grips. Guns built in 1908 to today. There are so many variations that you should be able to locate something you like. I sort of closed my eyes and bought em if the mechcanics were OK. If you buy one that is not quite what you want, then I would suggest trying again.

 

[The Gila Bender]

For straight-up target shooting how about the 24-3 with 6-1/2" barrel? It's a great introduction to the .44 Special world. It's modern, with nearly a hundred years of history and a strong heritage (TL, 2nd, 3rd, transitional, 1950, Model 24, and reintroductions). They are not out of reach price-wise. I believe that very good to excellent examples can still be found in the range of $700-$900. The 24-3 "1950 Target Reintroduction" was produced in the mid-1980's. That's close to 30 years ago, so I suppose they are approaching "vintage" status.

I enjoy the heck out of mine. I put a set of Ahrends targets stocks on it and enjoy shooting it alongside an old 38/44 Heavy Duty.

 

[Doc44]

I agree completely with what "The Gila Bender" posted. You can find a 24-3 with a 6 1/2-inch or 4-inch barrel.

Bill

 

[S&W HE]

I also agree with Gila Bender, for straight-up target shooting a 24-3 with 6-1/2" is the way to go.

I have or have had the option to shoot the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Model 44 Hand Ejectors. I prefer the 6.5" 4th Model as the target stocks (Cokes) fit my hand best

I haven't yet picked up another 24-3 (traded off the first 6.5" and 4" 24-3s in a moment of $$$$ weakness), but plan to do so sometime in the near future.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I have a .44 HE 2nd model and it shoots up a storm with cowboy loads. Even with the old service grips, it is comfortable. Another option that may be even cheaper is to find a shooter grade Model 1917. They shoot .45 ACP in moon or half moon clips which is dirt cheap (comparatively). The 1917 is the same gun as the .44 2nd, just a different caliber cartridge.

 

[durco]

I agree with the Gila Bender also. A 24-3 is a wonderful shooting gun. (Even they are getting hard to find in 4".) I bought one new back years ago and now, I am reluctant to shoot it, since it still looks virtually unfired with original box, paperwork, etc., etc. So, I still shoot the ol' 4" worn finish pre-24 that I love so much.... Mike

 

[tcc]

Thanks for all the input, guys. The 24-3 might be a good introduction...slipery slope noted. I don't really hound the pawn shops and gun shows so I'm not expecting to find a "Grail Gun" at super saver prices...Wiregrassguy, I've thought about the 1917 also, and that might be another option. Any other thoughts are welcome and appreciated.
tcc

 

[lawandorder]

I never have met a .44 Special S&W revolver..

that I didn't like. But my favorite style is short barrel, fixed sight versions with enclosed ejector rods.

 

[rburg]

OK, here comes 'nother 44 special story.

About 20 years ago I bought a nice 24-3, one of the round butt Lew Horton guns. I liked it, but after a few year I realized I also owned way too many guns. So I set about to logically reduce the herd. One of the culls was the Horton gun.

And I have a buddy who can't shoot. He's a gun nut, but his accuracy and confidence left a lot to be desired. So right about that time my state passed its concealed carry law. And this buddy wanted his CCW in the worst way. Lets not talk about how advisable it might be. The guy liked things like Desert Eagles. If he got on shot out of the magazine into a man sized target at 20 feet, it was a good day for him. But he wanted the short barreled 44, so I sold it to him. And contrary to public opinion, sometimes I'm a good guy.

So I dug into my ammo stock and came up with a big ziplock baggie. The heavy kind computer parts are shipped in. So I gave him a double handful of my best reloads to shoot. All was well with the world except I was stupid and let the gun go. The next time I saw my buddy, he was kind of giddy. He produced a target (with no powder burns) he'd fired with the new gun. It was a foot square target, and it had 6 holes up in the target area. More of a pattern than a group, but for Murphy it was an all time best. So I was torn. I was happy my friend was finally doing OK, but starting to regret selling him the gun.

So time passes. Suddenly I get an envelope from my buddy. Its got a list of guns he's selling and prices. On the list was my 44. I couldn't believe he was letting it go, but it needed to come home to poppa in the worst way.

The only problem I'd seen with the gun is that it came to me with Goodyear grips. In the interval that it went to live with Murphy S&W had standardized round butt on N frames, so nice looking grips could be found with effort. It cost me a bundle, but I got some Goncolo Alves finger grip combats for it. Its still a nice gun, and its not going anywhere if I can help it. I've even got a belt slide holster and it fits great. Retaining snap, too. I think its Galco.

That comfortable holster will carry everything from my trail boss and the 24 up to my triple lock, 3rd models, and 6 1/2" Model 29s. And Registered Magnums, etc. Also the 627 8 times. Versatile.

 

[dewey]

I went thru a serious phase where I had many post war .44SPLs. Targets I concentrated on post war models as I believed they were underpriced and I was right! Anyway, they all were accurate regardless of the barrel length but for looks I like the four or five inch which are now too high priced for range use. But the M24-3 and 624 are as accurate as any Smith every made in the 4 inch version.

Opsss....there I go again. I was going to change my name to .44SPECIAL years ago on this forum, probably should have done it !

I reload so I have 240SWCs from 800 to 1150FPS which will do anything I want in a handgun.

HAVE FUN !

 

[dewey]

Just noticed rBurg's post

Lamenting his story of a 24-3 RB. I bought a 624-3 four inch from SmithNut that he had returned to the factory for roundbutting and the installation of a gold bead front sight. AWESOME gun....dan

 

[feralmerril]

These are all in .44 special. Probley for the best, cheapest available is the ruger. My favorite is the s&w 24-3 4". The last picture shows a .45 colt s&w 25-5 along with my 24-3 in 44 special. They are close in power but with the tapered barrel the 24-3 wins out for less weight.