A "Special" State of Mind (The .44 Kind)
- Thread starter Burnston
- Start date
jcs266
Member
I still carry this 624 about 95% of the time since the day I got it. I'm also realizing I like the square butt more than the round-butt.
I've had my 4" Mtn Gun (round-butt) for nearly 30 yrs and carried it extensively. I would have NEVER guessed I'd prefer a square-butt, however I now realize I do. It just "feels" better in the hand and handles better.
Around my little chicken ranch here it's 250gr SWC at about 800fps with a snake load in one chamber during this time of year for rattlers. When I leave home it's 200gr Gold Dots.
I've had my 4" Mtn Gun (round-butt) for nearly 30 yrs and carried it extensively. I would have NEVER guessed I'd prefer a square-butt, however I now realize I do. It just "feels" better in the hand and handles better.
Around my little chicken ranch here it's 250gr SWC at about 800fps with a snake load in one chamber during this time of year for rattlers. When I leave home it's 200gr Gold Dots.
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I'm pretty settled on the Special .44 as well. Have .44 mags, .357s, and .38s but the .44 Special is tops to me. So much so I just bought a second 24-3 4". Also have a John Gallagher conversion of a Ruger .357 Flattop to .44 Special. And an old original Charter Bulldog 3". Would like to add a Colt SAA clone in 4 3/4".
My loads are all based on home-cast lead bullets, 429421, 429244 in both solid and HP form, and recently a Lee mold that throws a 215 grain SWC that I think I'm going to like. I've had a cast on my right hand for 4 weeks, can't wait to get it off and shoot some .44s!
My loads are all based on home-cast lead bullets, 429421, 429244 in both solid and HP form, and recently a Lee mold that throws a 215 grain SWC that I think I'm going to like. I've had a cast on my right hand for 4 weeks, can't wait to get it off and shoot some .44s!
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Most enjoyable thread (nice pics) on a most enjoyable caliber. Although currently only have 3 in .44 Special, my 629 Mtn. Gun carries well with them.
CA Early Stratford BD
4" M24
5" 2nd Model
CA Early Stratford BD
4" M24
5" 2nd Model
HamHands
Member
I just pulled my 3" barreled M24 off my hip. Stoked with CCi's 200gr "Flying-Ashtrays" at that... The perfect pills for Both the Burbs and the Highlands of North Georgia and North Carolina, fur or foe. In the right holster configuration, waist belt or shouder strap... and a few speed loaders with a pair of speed-strips and you've got the right sidearm of the "In The Know, Crowd..."
If I was going to carry one much it would probably be this one.
https://flic.kr/p/2neiCzh https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
Or maybe this ugly one.
https://flic.kr/p/2neiCya https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2neiCzh https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/ Or maybe this ugly one.
https://flic.kr/p/2neiCya https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/ Jeff
SWCA #1457
I just picked up this 24-3 today. Appears to be new in the box. I'll fix that as soon as I get this cast off my right hand. This is my second 4"24-3, I had a 6.5" one as well, but I just couldn't love the longer barrel. So now I have a pair of 4-inchers.
P.S. the jalapeños just happened to be on the cutting board when I got ready to make the pic, so I left them there. Shades of Skeeter...
The lower pic is with an old pair of diamond targets I had laying about.
P.S. the jalapeños just happened to be on the cutting board when I got ready to make the pic, so I left them there. Shades of Skeeter...
The lower pic is with an old pair of diamond targets I had laying about.
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BigMuddy
Member
Hoglegs, Hipshots, and Jalapeños. 
Fantastic looking 24-3. I had no doubt about you planning to shoot it. The diamond targets look great.
Dan
Fantastic looking 24-3. I had no doubt about you planning to shoot it. The diamond targets look great.
Dan
Only have one .44 spl a Ruger Flattop Blackhawk with then 4 5/8" barrel. To keep it special I only have the one, all other calibers have so many can never choose a favorite., some really great looking guns on this string
jcs266
Member
Everyone...
GREAT PICS! Gosh I love S&W revolvers and the classic .44 Special most of all!
GREAT PICS! Gosh I love S&W revolvers and the classic .44 Special most of all!
HamHands
Member
Ummmm... where exactly did you see that Beauty?
I wish I could swing getting another right now but unfortunately no... That is a nice M24-3 and Culina Stocks at that it appears!
-Hams
Doc Watson
Member
I agree
Your Post got the old juices flowing! Growing up with reading Skeeter, just had to have a 44 special. Wasn't until Smith and Wesson re-introduced it in the 80's that I cured the itch. Bought a four incher from J & G who I believe was still in Montana at that time. Anyway over the years I have added a Model 624 also a four incher. A thunder ranch special, fixed sights, Ruger Flattop 4 5/8 blue, a Ruger Bisley flattop 5 1/2 inch blue, a Ruger GP100 in five inch blue and the latest is a Colt New Frontier blue. All I shoot in them is the Skeeter load, no reason to wander away from that. Great write up and glad to see the old cartridge and the Smith and Wesson's that shoot them are not forgotten.
Your Post got the old juices flowing! Growing up with reading Skeeter, just had to have a 44 special. Wasn't until Smith and Wesson re-introduced it in the 80's that I cured the itch. Bought a four incher from J & G who I believe was still in Montana at that time. Anyway over the years I have added a Model 624 also a four incher. A thunder ranch special, fixed sights, Ruger Flattop 4 5/8 blue, a Ruger Bisley flattop 5 1/2 inch blue, a Ruger GP100 in five inch blue and the latest is a Colt New Frontier blue. All I shoot in them is the Skeeter load, no reason to wander away from that. Great write up and glad to see the old cartridge and the Smith and Wesson's that shoot them are not forgotten.
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Big Dave in WNC
Member
Great post OP!
I was (am) a huge fan of Skeeter Skelton also. Thanks for helping keep his legacy alive.
I've only owned one Special (Charter Bulldog stainless) but when I carried it, I had WAY more peace-of-mind than with the slightly smaller .38s. With the .44, I didn't have to HOPE the bullet would expand...lol. Just now back into old revolvers, and started with a nice model 29-2 which I've posted about. I'm excited for it as a "Special" as well as Magnum, but I feel like another dedicated Special is in my future.
I was (am) a huge fan of Skeeter Skelton also. Thanks for helping keep his legacy alive.
I've only owned one Special (Charter Bulldog stainless) but when I carried it, I had WAY more peace-of-mind than with the slightly smaller .38s. With the .44, I didn't have to HOPE the bullet would expand...lol. Just now back into old revolvers, and started with a nice model 29-2 which I've posted about. I'm excited for it as a "Special" as well as Magnum, but I feel like another dedicated Special is in my future.
BigMuddy
Member
My 624 took a "hog" this evening 45 yard shot with a GT 250 LHP @ 1000 fps.
Dan
45 yard shot with a GT 250 LHP @ 1000 fps.
Dan
HamHands
Member
It really is "Special..." Nice piece!
I ran mine that way for a while before committing to the "Combats" in Goncalo Alves full-time. Both combo's the Magna's paired with the Tyler-T and Smith-Combats fit really, really well in my mitts... Either are great!
-Hams
StrawHat
Member
I have a similar fondness for the square butt stock. Here is an image of my Model 625-6 Mountain Gun and my customized Model 28-2. Both 45 ACP.
I built the conversion stocks to fit the Moutain Gun but they will fit any N frame round butt.
Kevin
