Over the years I have had two 5" .44 Specials based on M27's, the first was a 27-2 built by Jim Stroh of Alpha Precision and the other based on a pre-27 built by Hamilton Bowen. The Hamilton Bowen Special I pulled out all the stops and had Mr. Bowen perform every service that he offered at the time. Both were really sweet shooting revolvers, I shot the Skeeter Skelton load exclusively in both. 7.5gr. of Unique with a 200gr. RNFP cowboy bullet.

If one were to want to build a 5" .44 Special on an N frame (27 or 28), what would one use for a barrel? Have to find a 6.5" .44 barrel and cut it down? This presuming one wanted a tapered barrel not a model 29 type heavy barrel.

I bought a 5in blue m24 barrel off of a forum member for my m28 conversion.

I would think those are quite scarce...

New photos added . See response #38

Love those stocks! Are they in current production? Will have to watch for a set of those.

Here is a pretty special 44 S&W Special. 3rd Model 44HE aka Wolf & Klar with jigged bone stocks and a S.D. Myres floral carved holster.

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On the Oak Savannah

A trip to the feed store on a beautiful, crisp morning...

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jcs266 - Wow! That was in their gun case?

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Heavily armed old man.

Haha, that would be nice!

A lil bump for the thread… Carried 100% daily

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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.

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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!

This is my Colt NF in .44 special:



I also have a pair of Ruger Vaqueros in .44 special. A 3-1/2” and a 4-3/4”:

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

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.




Or maybe this ugly one.



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.

Hoglegs, Hipshots, and Jalapeños.
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

I’ve had a stainless Charter Arms .44 for many years but never a S&W until recent acquisition of my first .44 magnum - a hard chromed / TT & TH / magnported model 29-3. It’s a pleasure to shoot .44 specials in it.

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Everyone...

GREAT PICS! Gosh I love S&W revolvers and the classic .44 Special most of all!

Saw a really nice 24-3 three inch with combats at my LGS today.

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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

It is called the .44 Special because it is "SPECIAL!"

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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.

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.

My 624 took a “hog” this evening 45 yard shot with a GT 250 LHP @ 1000 fps.



Dan

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

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

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

This and my 15-4 combat masterpiece snub are my two all time favorite guns.

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Mr. Burnston:

I really enjoyed reading your unanimously acclaimed poetic post!

You are a gifted writer!

I dig .44 Specials too!

My favorite is a Fire Breathing Dragon (.44 Target Model of 1950)!

Thank you, sir!

Kind regards,
Say When!

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Way to honor your father by carrying on tradition.

I have been a member of this forum since April 2008. This stands out as one of my favorite threads. Just seeing it now. I like to see working guns. Guns that show honest wear. These revolvers are awesome and I am glad to see them in the wild. Great posts.

Partner, what are you loading that .44 with?

Thanks in advance, Sarge

There might be a couple revolvers chambered in .44 Special around here somewhere. Let’s see…

1938 Hand Ejector 2nd Model


Model of 1950 .44 Target


696-1


And the one I’ve owned the longest, a Model 624


Those are just the Smith & Wessons…

Burnston, I truly don’t believe that I’m talking out of school when I say this, but you sir are LIVING the life that many of us here just dream about! I say that knowing that if we actually lived it, we might change our minds. You seem to be a modern day cowboy or ranchhand/owner.

I missed this thread when it first appeared, but am glad that I opened it today! You have some really nice guns, grips, and leather, and all of them are being used like they were made to do. Zane Thompson is a new name to me, and he appears to make some spectacular grips. I always appreciate learning of “new to me” folks like that. Thanks for sharing your life, work, and experiences with us, allowing us to live vicariously through you! Stay Safe,
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

Nice! I love RB's... Because you can always go from RB to Square but not the other way around for grips... Nice Set you have there!

-Hams

Thank you.

But you can go SB to RB, the bottom revolver is a Model 28-2.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

That M696 and the M624 just "make me moist!" Hahaha! Just kidding... and a Quote from the "Nutty Professor..."

-Hams

I got one of those last weekend, along with 4 other 44 special revolvers. Including 2 triple locks. There was a comment on another thread about there being less than 25 3rd model transitional guns known with the 4 inch barrel. I haven't been able to confirm that.

Here are the 5 .44 Special guns from last weekend.

Although the .357 is my ride or die revolver cartridge, also thanks to Skeeter, I've always loved the .44 Special. For years I've pined for a pristine condition Model 21, but never found one I could afford and now, being 66 y/o and on a limited income I doubt I ever will. I do have a couple of kinda scarce .44 specials in my safe, a "Classic" S&W 21-4 that has a Turnbull casehardened frame (only 50 made), and a Lipsey's Ruger New Vaquero 4.75" blue (only 500 made). I've only shot 200gr bullets, both lead and jacketed, thru them and am pleased with the way they shoot with anything I've run thru them. If I ever have to give up my .357's , God forbid, I'll be well satisfied with a .44 Special.

Thanks for the kind words, Larry. I am fortunate; there are few occupations that allow for such proximity to both God and family as what we've been entrusted with.
Zane is a top notch fellow, and can often be seen peddling his wares over on the SingleActions forum, goes by the handle lscg (Lonestar Custom Grips.) Don't tell him I sent you or he may add a 10% markup.

Very nice, Burnston. I also love 44 Special. I’m lucky enough to have a 3 inch 24-3 and a 4 inch 624.

The 24-3 tends to live in the safe but the 624 occasionally rides in either a Simply Rugged pancake or a DM Bullard Bodyguard. My preferred load is a 240 grain coated SWc over 7.5 grains of Herco. A slightly modified Skeeter load. Clocks in at 900fps from the 624.

I picked up the 624 from another forum many years ago and it’s in excellent shape. Unfortunately it developed some push-off so I had to send it back to Smith for repair. It came back good as new and with a very nice trigger.



I need to take a good picture of the 24-3. I used to have a Vaquero in 44 Special as well, but stupidly let it go. I’m wanting to replace it maybe this fall…..

I have a few.
But I’ll just sing one song.
Here’s my Second Model HE.

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