Thanks to all those who are continuing this educational journey. I wonder of anyone here owns one [or more] of the very .44s that these .44 Associates used in their excursions into the frontiers of the .44 Magnum? Or if one of our numbers knows the location of such a gun, in addition to the EK .44, which I think is in a display. [Refresher needed.] It would be a hoot to locate and get a shooting report on such a piece.

Also wonder if a modern distributor would care to do a run of ".44 Associates 4" or 6.5" or even 5" .44 S&W Special N-frame non-lock square-butt revolvers? Like a Model 24-3, but perhaps marked '.44 Associates', yet made like an enhanced Model 29 but with short chamber for .44 Special.

Regards,

Dyson

I'd get in line for one. Definately.

On the fifth page of the informaton provided by mike454, under the heading "Source Identification", Lawrence Newton wrote that load entries labled with a source of "Assoc." came from "reliable data from 44 Associates files". And indeed one load with that source citation is shown on the page of loads provided by mike454. The informaton for this load must have come from someone, and likely from some other Associates member whose contribution was not as great as one of the 'named' contributors

The following appears a bit further down on the same page, under the heading "Acknowledgements":
"This compilation could not have been made without the ready cooperation of the several score big bore shooters who call themselves informally "44 ASSOCIATES". To each of them personally the editor acknowledges his debt and tenders sincere thanks, and especially is he grateful to those whose major contributions are evidenced by individual listing in the Source Identification table above." Since Mr. Newton refers to "the several score", it can be reasonably assumed that the .44 Associates numbered something in excess of 40.

In similar discussions on other boards I have seen the following additional men mentioned as having also been members of the 44 Associates: Parker O. Ackley, Julian Hatcher, John Lachuck, Earl Naramore, and Townsend Whelen.

Jim

Thanks for posting that information Triplelock.
I totally missed that "several score" statement.
Didn't read carefully enough!

Item 2: A member of another board, Zac0419, took an online article by Ross Seyfried on the Lipsey Ruger Flattop and made a pdf file of it.
I have uploaded that pdf file to the server.
Dale53 had reminded me of that article a while back by giving me a link, but I kind of forgot about it and didn't follow through.

Item 3: If anyone has trouble getting the pdf files to show properly in your browser, try right clicking the link and clicking "save link as" or "save target as" and then saving the file to your local hard drive and opening it from there.

Matt_G thanks for posting these articles on your website. An excellent asset for .44 Special fans!

I don't have a copy to send you, but Ken Waters did a "Pet Loads" article on the .44 Special in the May 1981 Handloader. It would be a fine article to include if someone has a copy available.

Hi Dyson,

A prototype (so to speak) of your desired gun has been produced by S&W. It is a 24-4.
I'm sure you're aware of "The Twelve Revolvers", a distributor exclusive shown in the SCSW 3rd edition. One of these revolvers was a 44 Spl and since it was not produced until 1990, well after the limited run of 24-3 .44s, it had all the features of the N frame enhancements of the period including the longer cyl stop notches. It was stamped 24-4. Unbeknownst to most but typical for dist. exc. guns, there were "over run" guns. I recently past up one for sale, but was sorely tempted since I have the same desire as you described. Ruger has made a set of 44 Assoc single action 44s for current living Assoc. members with a few "over runs" also floating around.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Hello, Jim -

Thanks for your informative post. While having read on the "12", I had forgotten a .44 Special; nor did I know of overruns. You are quite right in saying that would have been a prototype for my suggested S&W. Perhaps drawings and CAD/CAM materials are yet known internally to S&W. With all the interest in the Ruger .44 Specials, blue, stainless, plow handle and Bisley, I should think S&W could attract more than a few buyers with newly minted Model 24s. [Why - they could even call them the New Triple Lock, substituting the IL for the middle lock on the TL. Kidding http://smith-wessonforum.com/images/icons/icon12.gif..]

How about a run of 3", 4", 5" and 6.5"? [Or even just 3" and 5".] Everything from carry to hunting could be accommodated. Maybe a few pinto blue/stainless examples. Well, we can dream.

As to which, maybe a standard price loader such as Mag-Tech would undertake some +P, to bring down the cost of the .44 MiniMags offered by some notable small American loaders.

But, to return to the topic, the .44 Associates led the way for years; and their leadership is not forgotten. S&W - are you listening?

Best,

Dyson

I just took delivery of a new Ruger myself.
Bisley Flattop 44 Special.
I already had one of Lipsey's that were run a couple years back.
When I saw they did 'em with the Bisley grip frame I just had to have one.
Can't wait to get out to the range with it.