Any 44 Special Fans Out There? Need Advice...

[HarrishMasher]

I am considering getting into a new revolver caliber. Right now my only revolver calibers are 38 and 357.

I like these calibers but have some concerns about them. Most of my revolvers are 1 7/8" J Frames and K/L 3"-4". I always wonder about the performance of 38 for self defense from such short barrels. Yes I have all kinds of short barrel defense loads, but I still wonder.

For 357 the muzzle blast, recoil out of a short barrel is certainly a concern. Both of these attributes can hinder follow up shot capabilities.

I love big and heavy slow bullets, especially low pressure loads with light recoil. What do you guys think about the 44 special for defense? Recoil? Follow up shot capabilities?

The only concern I have is that Smith does not currently produce a light and smaller 44 Special. Like the old 396 Night Guard, 396 SC, or 296. I'm not going to carry a 40oz full size 44 Special like a 624, 24, or Thunder Ranch 21. They are just too big and heavy.

I really wish S&W offered a light weight and compact 44 Special these days. That means I would have to look for a 396 Night Guard or Mountain Lite. Both of which go for $1K these days. You would think S&W would always have a model in the line up to compete with the Charter Arms Bulldog. Leaving that space in the line up give the sales automatically to Charter Arms.

 

[shouldazagged]

Have you considered the small, light Charter Arms Bulldog? I don't think this forum would have you burned at the stake for heresy if you did. They seem to be sturdy, dependable little guns, and marginally suitable for pocket carry. And they're vastly less expensive than Smiths in .44 Special.

I've wanted one for years.

 

[zac0419]

The 396 NG is one of my favorite guns. IMO an excellent defensive caliber.

The recoil isn't too bad but concentration is required for follow up shots with some of the warmer loads. With cowboy level (basically 45acp) loads its very controllable.

You're right about the prices getting bad, they're commanding north of $1K on the auction sites but I think there are still deals to be had. Keep your eyes open and your money ready!

 

[MikeyB]

Also don't forget there's the .44 Spl, 5 shot, 2" Taurus 445 Ultra-Lite.

 

[at_liberty]

I am considering getting into a new revolver caliber. Right now my only revolver calibers are 38 and 357.

I like these calibers but have some concerns about them. Most of my revolvers are 1 7/8" J Frames and K/L 3"-4". I always wonder about the performance of 38 for self defense from such short barrels. Yes I have all kinds of short barrel defense loads, but I still wonder.

For 357 the muzzle blast, recoil out of a short barrel is certainly a concern. Both of these attributes can hinder follow up shot capabilities.

I love big and heavy slow bullets, especially low pressure loads with light recoil. What do you guys think about the 44 special for defense? Recoil? Follow up shot capabilities?

The only concern I have is that Smith does not currently produce a light and smaller 44 Special. Like the old 396 Night Guard, 396 SC, or 296. I'm not going to carry a 40oz full size 44 Special like a 624, 24, or Thunder Ranch 21. They are just too big and heavy.

I really wish S&W offered a light weight and compact 44 Special these days. That means I would have to look for a 396 Night Guard or Mountain Lite. Both of which go for $1K these days. You would think S&W would always have a model in the line up to compete with the Charter Arms Bulldog. Leaving that space in the line up give the sales automatically to Charter Arms.

Taurus 430-431 (fixed sight) or 440-441 (adj sight) is a medium size 5 shot from the earlier days of Taurus. Both models are out of production. Those are nice guns that you should watch for. On the Smith side you have the 696, which will not be seen often or bought very cheaply. It too is L frame and 5 shot, 3".

 

[Watchdog]

I second the suggestion of shouldazagged of the Charter Arms Bulldog. It's a fine little self-defense revolver. Extremely well made, very sturdy.

Taking it one step further, I'd look for one of the earlier Stratford-manufactured guns. They're around, although getting harder to find, and they can usually be had for a decent price.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Or......A Rossi mdl. 720...3" stainless 5 shot .44 spl. I would rate them above the Charter.

 

[Otreb]

Taurus 430-431 (fixed sight) or 440-441 (adj sight) is a medium size 5 shot from the earlier days of Taurus. Both models are out of production. Those are nice guns that you should watch for. On the Smith side you have the 696, which will not be seen often or bought very cheaply. It too is L frame and 5 shot, 3".

I can second this, or the Rossi 720. Both are good med-small framed (like the K frame) 5 shot .44sp guns with good weight, but not heavy like the L frame 696 or N frame .44s.

I have no shooting experience with the newer Bulldogs, but these or the above mentioned Taurus or Rossi are decent guns, provided you inspect before buying.
I don't think typical remfedchester type .44sp offers anything over .38sp from the same makers, but the Hornady CD 165gr load isn't a bad choice if you like a bigger dia bullet with .38sp FBI load like performance...which is pretty good.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

When I owned a 3" M 629 I only kept it stoked with 230 grain LRN ammunition - big, heavy, slow bullets. Top of the line, actually, for self defense, IMHO. I don't own that particular gun any longer but I still keep a Winchester Model 94 .44Magnum Trapper model around and it's loaded with .44 Specials. Same concept as before - big, heavy, slow bullets - even if they are faster out of a rifle.

***GRJ***

 

[Frizzman]

I have a Rossi 720c like the one pictured above. It's about the same size as K Frame S&W, five shot, DAO with spurless hammer and stainless construction...It is very good quality and excellent for concealed carry. I discovered recently that HipGrip stocks made for Rossi 88 revolvers fit it and combined with a Tyler T-Grip, it makes a super .44 Spl carry piece. I had a 296 and the light weight was great for carry but it was nasty to shoot and being L Frame size, it was bulky...I had a 396 Mointainlite and found it to be the same. I did carry it when actually hiking and hunting in the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia. In that situation, the ultra lightweight construction was appreciated...I load my own .44 Spl/Mag so ammo isn't an issue for me but if you don't load your own, the selection of ammo is much more limited and expensive than .38 Spl and .357 Mag...Is .44 Spl more effective than good .38 or any .357 Mag?...I doubt it.

 

[dotdsd334]

44 SPL is my favorite at the moment. BIG BORE bullet, "little bore" recoil. Have to hand load this one...just love it!


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[Mtwoodson]

My 3" & 4" .44Mags are always stoked with .44Specials except when I'm hunting. Follow-up shots with the specials are more manageable, quicker back on target and more than adequate for most purposes.

 

[b_san]

.44 Specials, take your pick, any one of them would be a good choice but they are all bigger than a pocket gun. The 296 or 396 Mountain lite are the lightest and the Mt Lite is still very easy to shoot even as light as it is, the 296 is not as shooter friendly but not too bad. .44 Special is an elegant caliber IMO.

Obligatory .44 spl pic...

 

[eb07]

I have posted this review before:

The Charter Arms Bulldog 44 Special | The Desert's Edge

You cannot go wrong for the price

 

[David R]

I read the review. Must be a good review, I want a bulldog.

David

 

[Biggfoot44]

If the OP WANTS a .44Spl a .44Spl , great , and have at it . If he WANTS a large heavy bullet at modest vel , .44Spl is definately on the short list. ( .45Colt , .45acp w/ clips rounding the list.)

For the stated size and wt requirements would be either a Bulldog , or one of the 445 family of Tauri.

I like .44Spl . It is a handloader's ctg in both senses - great to load , needs to be reloaded for affordable practice ammo , or to have a selection of ammo for other than SD .

But for defense against human felons its not going to give signifigent inprovement over ( what I understand to be ) your current options. If I'm understanding the first post correctly , a medimum frame 2.5-3 inch .357 is among options. Factory defensive ammo come in a wide variety , experement in which medimum loaded .357 / hot .38 gives acceptable control, and said gun will be fairly close to the size and wt parameters of the .44Spls under discussion.

 

[at_liberty]

I read the review. Must be a good review, I want a bulldog.

David

I thought one in hand looked like something from my toolbox. It is just functional, not something I would fondle. It definitely serves a niche, and other makers are missing the boat for DA, at best forcing the caliber into a platform not made for it.

 

[steelslaver]

I don't think the debate over 357 vs 44/45 is ever going to be proven to anyone's satisfaction. Too many variables as to possibilities and past results. I am one who sides with the big bullet crowd though.

I have both a Charter arms Bulldog and a Taurus 431. Both are excellent revolvers even though the aren't Smiths. I would so like to have a L frame S&W with a 3" barrel that was lightened via alloy barrel shroud, a titanium cylinder in 45ACP. To me it would be the perfect CC gun. The 45ACP has no ballistic advantage over the 44 special, but I love the advantage of moon clip reloads, positive ejection of all rounds with the clip and the shorted case. Ease of empty case retrieval and even though I have a Dillon progressive loader I can buy bulk 45ACP with various bullet options was easier than 44 specials.

I'll keep beating the drum for a 5 shot S&W 45ACP till I have one.

 

[HarrishMasher]

.44 Specials, take your pick, any one of them would be a good choice but they are all bigger than a pocket gun. The 296 or 396 Mountain lite are the lightest and the Mt Lite is still very easy to shoot even as light as it is, the 296 is not as shooter friendly but not too bad. .44 Special is an elegant caliber IMO.

Obligatory .44 spl pic...

Love it. Nice collection!

 

[feralmerril]

I like .44 specials, I have acquired seven of them. I also like the .45 colt and .45 ACP. I would like to see smith make one like the old 2nd model. For self defense you dont need target sights. If they made it without the ejector housing and adjustable sights, service grips, narrow hammer and trigger with about a 3" barrel it would noticeably cut down the bulk and weight. They also could do the same thing in .45 ACP with even a shorter cylinder and also that with the slightly thinner barrel and cylinder would help cut even more weight.
I have a Cimmeron Thunderer made by Uberti with two cylinders in .45 colt and ACP. The gun feels good in the hand, is light and wouldnt be a bad option when you really think about it. They also make them in .44 special. My 4" model 24-3 is still my favorite. It helps greatly to carry by getting rid of the oversized target stocks and putting on sevice style stag or faux ivory. The bottom picture is a 25-5 .45 colt and the 24-3 .44 special. There is a noticable difference between the two due to the lighter barrel, shorter cylinder, service hammer and trigger. Replace the target grips with service style and it helps major.