44spl. sweetness
After I consolidated ammo to 9mm, 22LR, 7.62X39 and 12GA., I thought I was done. I realized that I needed another revolver, other than the M&P 547 9mm. The only choice for me was 44spl.. Soft shooting compare to 357 and 44mag. Being a practical person, I chose the CA 44spl.. I have not regretted the choice. With $300 being the sweet spot for me when buying pistols, it was a no brainer. The hunt was on. 1st came the 3" Bridgeport CONN. $275. Then came a surprise. A Rossi 720c for $295. Final another 3" CA Bulldog Stratford CONN. $295. This one I had shorten to 2.5", front sight tweaked and duracoated. I put CA compact boot grips on it(FYI, all grips made by charter arms will fit any of their revolvers). It is part of my pocket carry rotation. It is shot(25rds.) DA every two/three weeks. The flames have left their mark on the duracoated cylinder

. It is my favorite

. All these revolvers have great DA triggers. SA is good also, but DA works just as well for me(see Mozambique Drill with last three rounds on target. I rest the revolver on bench. Face backwards and turn and pickup revolver and fire within 2 to 3 second DA) Money out to 15yds. I don't reload, so I stocked up on some PMC 180gr.(range ammo) when it was 21.00 a box. My personal choice is Copper Only Projectiles (C.O.P.) Ammunition 44 Special 200 Grain Solid Copper Hollow Point #: COP44SP200 and Prograde 180gr. XTP - Defense Grade. Both shoot to POA out of all my 44spl.'s. Here is some chrono. data.
Copper Only Projectiles (C.O.P.) 200gr. HP
Temp: 80 degree
Hum: 50% - Elevation 650 -750ft above sea level
Sunny
Chrono’d 6-15-12 from 3” CA 44 spl.
5rds. @ 10ft.
High – 901fps
Low - 844fps
Avg. – 872fps
Muzzle Energy: 338 ft-lb
Chrono’d 2-9-14 from 2.5” CA 44 spl.
Temp: 60 degree
Hum: 50% - Elevation 650 -750ft above sea level
Sunny
5rds. @ 10ft.
High - 855fps
Low - 825fps
Avg. – 836fps
Muzzle Energy: 310 ft-lb
44 Spl. CCI Blazer 200gr. 50rds.
Bonded GDHP Ammo 920fps [3556]
Chrono’d 6-8-12 from 3” CA 44 spl.
5rds. @ 10ft.
High – 887fps
Low - 851fps
Avg - 870fps
Muzzle energy: 336 ft-lb
44 Spl. Prograde 180gr. XTP - Defense Grade
Chrono'd 2-14-14 from 2.5" CA 44spl.
Temp: 84 degree
Hum: 50% - Elevation 650 -750ft above sea level
Sunny
5rds. @ 10ft.
High – 899fps
Low - 876fps
Avg - 883fps
Muzzle energy: 311 ft-lb
**Loctite locations tips– older CA 44spl.
The center "pin" that releases the cylinder when one pushes the thumb piece forward is actually a screw. It WILL eventually back up if you don't Loctite it in place. When it does, pushing on the thumb piece will not release the cylinder. The back of the screw is visible with the hammer cocked, so here's what you do: First, cock the hammer and make sure the screw is screwed forward enough to engage the cylinder locking pin. It has a slot in it, on the breech face side. You'll want it to be flush with the breech face when the cylinder is open. Then, put a drop of Loctite 290 (green, wicking) on a toothpick and touch it to the back of the screw. Loctite the crane screw.
FYI, I came across some nice wooden grips for CA revolvers being made out of Thailand.
jaruwan.p | eBay