.44 Special

[WPWarhawk]

I've been a big fan of the 629 Mountain Gun for many years. I rarely go above midrange 44 Magnum loads.

I bought a 4" model 69 when they came out. I immediately liked it, and it's taken over as a woods gun from the 629s. I recently bought the 2 3/4" version of the 69. I can see myself carrying this one as a CCW piece.

I also have one of the fixed sights and bobbed hammer version of the Rossi 720. It's a 5 shot 44 Special in a K frame clone. I keep it loaded with the CCI Blazer 200 grain JHP load and have never felt under armed.

 

[keith44spl]

I carry the 44 Special..........

Advanced 'Pancake' with a S&W Model 24-3 three inch.

Or my custom built fix sighted 44 Special.

.

 

[Gunnut1952]

You folks have given me a lot of good info and the pictures have been a big help.

It would be nice to have all of the above revolvers in front of me which would make it easier to narrow down the revolver I would like to have.

The three inch barrel I like a lot. I may have to go with some features that I don't want in order to get a revolver with the three inch barrel. The 2.50 or 2.750 will do too.

There are a few more stores in the area for me to check out and a few pawn shops too but they always are high in price.

Our next gun show is a little less than 2 weeks from now and I could get lucky and find something there. MC

 

[bronco45]

Have owned the 696, 396, 24-3, 624 3" and the Model 69 in 4". Still have several Smith 44s but my next purchase is a Model 69 2.75" model with the Magnum capability.
My 69 that I use a great deal now is a good all around revolver. Stellar accuracy, which I don't think you'll find in the Ruger or Charter.

 

[jtcarm]

What models "made" is the question since they don't make any .44 specials at the moment.

The 24-3 or the 624 are the epitome of .44 specials (Ok, except the triple lock and HE III).

The 3" Lew Horton would make the best actual .44 spl (not magnum) carry gun. But be ready to fork up some cash for one.

 

[clarkstoncz]

 

[clarkstoncz]

Anymore .44 Special pics with holsters?

Esp. a GP44 in a chest rig would be cool.

 

[dr. mordo]

Not a 44 SPL, but I've been very pleased with the holster made for my 629 Deluxe by a local guy.

 

[kraynky]

The one in the center is my Taurus 445, built in '89 IIRC. For size comparison, S&W model 38 in 38 special on the bottom, and a S&W 66-1 .357 on top. The little Taurus 445 is a 5 shot 44 special, that I finally stumbled across after looking for one about 4-5 years. It goes with me almost everywhere, currently in a Sticky holster, IWB at 3:00. A speed strip reload rides in my jeans watch pocket.

I have a photo here somewhere with it next to my 696, another 5 shot 44 special, in the considerably larger "L" frame Smith.

 

[keith44spl]

Sometimes..........

I jest build one to suit me self.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

Sometimes..........

I jest build one to suit me self.

Man I love that gun ,they all are great but that last one wow.

 

[tgmr05]

The current smith 69 2.75 inch is a great 44 special. Lighter than some, but not too light, and not very big. Great for carrying, for any purpose, ccw/woods/hunting backup. The specials make it very easy for quick follow up shots.

What really makes it shine, is the ability to use 44 mag. Makes it a little more versatile. I was pleased to find the recoil is very similar to a mountain revolver. I was expecting more snap, as it is a lighter/smaller frame. Not something I would pick/prefer to shoot 100+ magnum rounds through at a time, but they are somewhat manageable.

Not necessarily what the op was asking, but it is a great 44 special choice. Slightly smaller than the 696, and with a thicker forcing cone.

 

[amazingflapjack]

CDNN has a GP-100 Ruger 5 inch in 44 spl (5 shot) unfluted for 499.00-I bought one recently-a very nice gun at a great price. I'm a fan of the venerable 44 Spl-I have a 2 1/2 bulldog-a 4 inch model 441 Taurus, and now the 5 inch GP-100. I sent the Ruger to TK Custom to get it cut for moon clips and chamfering. All set.

 

[H Richard]

I've always liked my 3" Mod 24-3. It came with the finger groove RB combat grips, which don't fit my hand, so I modified a set of rosewood grips to fit as RB to SB conversion. It carries well in a Simply Rugged pancake holster.

 

[HamHands]

One of the many gun selling regrets I have is selling my Lew Horton 24-3 3"

Nooooooooooooooooooooo! You never sell a LHS! But you know that now. If you look hard enough you'll find another! Best of luck to ya!

 

[Brasso4]

At one time, about 20 years ago, I had 2 696's. Stupidest thing I ever did was to sell them.

I really wish S&W would bring it back. I know they have the model 69, but it has a shorter barrel and just doesn't "do it" for me. I want the full under lug 3" barrel.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

I really like my 2.75 inch model 69

 

[junglefighter]

My EDC is now a M69,4.25",loaded with Sig 44 Spl. 200 gr.HP and I carry in a Bianchi Shadow II. Comfortable and 5 rds. of 44 Spl. is to me,adequate for all self defense.My HKS speedloaders(2) have 44 Mag. as emergency reloads.I just stopped carrying 38/357 for 44 Spl.

 

[ABPOS]

Sometimes..........

I jest build one to suit me self.

Keith, do you happen to have a shot of the same session with that gun on the other side? That thing is GORGEOUS? That's a model 24, correct?

 

[Buckeye63]

My friend bought a 3" Charter w/adj. sights.....It rattled so much when I shook it and you could finger push the cylinder side to side when was in its locked position........That I refused to shoot it......By the Ruger or one of the older discontinued Smiths if you want a special with longevity....

I have owned my Charter Bulldog for 12 yrs .. Bought it new .. Good revolver... Not Ruger quality, no canted barrels .. Weighs 21oz 2.5 inch barrel ... Your friends Bulldog is a variation I never heard of .. A 3 inch with adj sights ..,.must have been a 4 inch barreled target model .. Charter went through a rough spell after a bankruptcy and during tbe dark days, Charco days ... Dark times .. Serious QC problems
They have great customer service ..
They are what they are .. I can say now they have no more QC problems than S&W or Ruger ..
I have owned at least one Charter revolver or more for the past 35 years ... Which equals my Ruger revolver in years in my safe .. Charter is and was innovated .. 23 oz 45acp ,41 mag & 45 Colt
revolvers ... 12oz 38spl revolvers , 6 shot "D" frame size 38spl that weighs 5 oz less than the new Colt ..
The Ruger no side plate frame , came from Charter .. The transfer bar safety that most revolver companies use , came from Charter ..
Personally the GP100 as a five shot 44spl is behind the S&W 69.
and I'm a Ruger guy ...