Finally...a .44 Special for me

Don't make me do this again.....oh, all right. Not that you haven't seen this before...

44s-rev.jpg


OP - Congrats on a great gun - it is a slippery slope, as the picture suggests.

Adios,

Pizza Bob
 
I haven't seen a 24 dash anything in the wild in quite dome time. Good find.
 
I was in a small store in Pa. last month that had an unknown to me enclosed hammer Airweight 44sp. snub nose S&W. ???
 
I currently have six 44 specials, very neat cartridge! I just traded in a Thunder Ranch version, still have a 24 Heritage Series CCH by Turnbull, a 24 'Through The Line' commemorative, A Flattop Blackhawk 4 5/8", a Bisley Flattop 5 1/2", a Rossi Stainless five shot 4" (was my 'bedroom closet gun' for the last 12 years), and a recently acquired Charter Arms 50 Anniversary engraved Bulldog.
 

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I completely blanked out on my safe queen, my 1923 44 HE, factory nickel, 6 3/8" barrel, fixed sights. Lettered to 9/12/1923. So I DO have a S&W 44, just not a 24...

Original grips are not worn, but seemingly fragile because of age. I put the finger groove Altamonts on it so it's easy to hold and show off.
 

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Gryff said:
Hope not. I already keep looking at a Colt New Frontier in .44 Special they have in the used case. Additionally, I really like the look of the Lipsey's Ruger GP100 in .44 SPL that was released a few years ago

GP100_10_2.jpg
Click to expand...


The Ruger is one that currently has my eye, if I ever find one around me, I'll be buying it (thankfully I'm not living in the CCP). Do you recall how much they wanted?
 
I had a Ruger GP100 in 44 Special. I fed it one too many warm handloads, and cracked the forcing cone. They couldn’t/ wouldn’t fix it. Ruger gave an SR1911 Target to me as an exchange. The SR1911T rocks.

I recently got a used M69, 2.75”. It’s the better gun than the GP100.
 
pasound said:
I completely blanked out on my safe queen, my 1923 44 HE, factory nickel, 6 3/8" barrel, fixed sights. Lettered to 9/12/1923. So I DO have a S&W 44, just not a 24...

Original grips are not worn, but seemingly fragile because of age. I put the finger groove Altamonts on it so it's easy to hold and show off.
Click to expand...
If you ever tire of that one, I offer a good home where it will be surrounded by other shiny friends.
 
Pictures of my early 80s manufactured S&W Model 24-3 with 3" barrel, and Model 624 with 4" barrel.

Caliber 44 Special. The cartridges are loaded with 205 grain semi-wadcutter bullets cast from a LEE mold.

The holster is S&W branded.

I like the flap holster.

20250615_181753 (002).jpg20250615_182110 (002).jpg20250615_185407 (002).jpg20250615_185436 (002).jpg20250615_185501 (002).jpg
 
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My first 44 was a Mod 29 in 1973 thanks to Dirty Harry. Ammo was too expensive and too strong so I started reloading 44 Special and never quit. The Skeeter load has served me very well. I load it in batches of 500. Now I have seven 44 Specials plus the Mod 29. Other than a lighter load for just my two Triple Locks, that's about all I shoot.
I keep telling myself that my gun buying days are over but I do keep an eye on the used revolvers at my LGS just in case. You never know . . .
 
Gryff said:
$650 before taxes and donations to the California Communist Party. Pretty sure it sat because so few people appreciate .44 Special, as well as the fact they wanted $1200 for it.

Sadly, I really like the feel of those Pachmayrs. But its like a moped...fun to ride but your don't want you friends to see you with one.
Click to expand...
That is a great deal and a good catch.

For the Range I put the Pachmyr grips on. After cleaning I put the ivory, stag or wood grips on.

Thank you for sharing.
 
Shotguncoach said:
Be careful....this is how it starts.

Soon you'll have a 624 to match. Then you'll find a 4" 24-3. Then you'll need a 4" 624 to round things out.

Then you'll explore all things Lew Horton.

Then if you're really unlucky, you'll run across a 1950 Target. From that point it's "Abandon hope all ye who enter here".
Click to expand...
You are absolutly correct.
For me it started back when they brought back the Colt SAA 44S in 1979. Then smith brought out the 24-3. Well I had to have 6.5" to go with my 29. Then the 4" and along came Lew Horton 3" had to have a pair. Then the 624 and of course i had to have all barrel lengths. Add a Colt New Frontier and a couple more SAA.
Skeeter was my favorite gun writer of all time and my love of 44S proves it.
Ps. I don't regret it one bit recently found a 296 my wife calls it a uncurable disease lol.
 
The .44 special is a great cartridge and the guns are an excellent teaching platform.

I fish the backwater "wilds" of south Florida and have carried a snubby Super Blackhawk in .44 mag as my gator getter and rabid giant otter terminator but I've always felt more comfortable with a DA big bore. I have wanted a 624 for a long time though prices have been silly but last year a 2 7/8" 624 no dash was in a local shop and the dealer said it was there for too many years and made me an offer I did not refuse.

I had Simply Rugged make a holster for me that I can wear strong side or cross draw and it's now on my side whenever I'm fishing.
 

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