Burnston
Member
As a child I can remember dad reading to us from our three household standards; the Bible, Good Friends, Good Guns, Good Whiskey, and Hoglegs, Hipshots, and Jalapenos. Based on these early impressions, I've managed to always have a Bible in my saddlebags, and a wheelgun on my hip; more specifically a .44 Special.
I do not know how/why I gravitated towards this particular caliber above all others, unless on some cognitive level it registered with me as a child listening to Skeeter praise of it. Regardless of the reason, this has always been my work/carry choice, in spite of owning .357s, .45s, .44 mags, and other odds and ends. I've experimented with all of them in my harsh and unforgiving work environment, but always come back to the Special.
The first .44spl I came across was an m21 that I came into at the trade price of a Ruger no.1 in 416 Rigby, plus a $100 tin. I outfitted it with Grashorn service style grips, a hard sought vintage Tyler T, a good Tom Threepersons from Lobo Leather, and a home-made six-round slide.
Positions of gun, knife, and slide required a lot of experimenting. I've made several adjustments over the years and have come to what I believe to be the perfect configuration of the three for a ranch work environment.
I fell into a rough crowd who got me set up with dies, turrets, brass, and every type of bullet known to man. After lots of experimenting, this gun ends up shooting POA at 35 yards with Skeeter's pet mid-level load plus .3gr of powder. From there I worked into a single action or two with some grade-A Harton tinkering, which I also put to good use.
Fast forward a few years, Mr. Harton has limited his work to Colts only, but was graciously willing to take on a Smith DA project for me. Evidently, another Skeeter detail that stuck with me as a child was the allure of a 5in barrel. Combine this with adjustable sights and the incomparable .44spl, and it seemed I just had to have it.
The result was a Harton converted 5in .44spl on an m28-3 donor. I realize this could have been easier accomplished (maybe) by just finding a suitable m24, but it wouldn't have had a 5in barrel, interchangeable front sights, nor would it have Mr. Harton's fingerprints all over it.
So far it prefers 260gr 429421 bullets with a borderline reckless dose of 2400 and magnum, (yes, magnum) primers, but I am searching for alternatives. I forgot a screwdriver to adjust my sights at the rawhide range, but a flattened .22 shell from my saddlebags and fencing pliers filled the void.
I hope to get it outfitted with a set of Zane's wonderful service grips, but for now resides in a home-carved set of some unidentified wood randomly found in the barn. The leather is homemade as well, and I find the shoulder rig particularly comfortable on horseback, though it will not do for serious puncher work. For that I've gone with a neutral-cant basket weave number that I'm not quite used to, so experiments are still underway.
I'll refrain from going through the critters name by name, but I've managed to bag several among the finest Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas has to offer.
In the meantime, until I get the Harton gun ironed out, I maintain my existence with the ever reliable m21. So familiar it is that even my Hancock horse can distinguish its report from other guns. The proof is in the pudding when he comes running to the gate when I discharge my daily 24 rounds of practice shots in the morning.
I cannot seem to move past my Special state of mind, and have all but decided resistance is futile. Like everyone here, guns are a primary enthusiasm in my life for use in recreation, as well as intensive work. I'll likely always have a few calibers, but by default it seems I never leave the house anymore without a .44 Special. It rides nice in a feed truck, in a saddle, and even "Mexican style" when I do not feel a holster is appropriate.
I'm afraid I am, and will likely always be a "Special" man, in spite of what my critics may assert.
I do not know how/why I gravitated towards this particular caliber above all others, unless on some cognitive level it registered with me as a child listening to Skeeter praise of it. Regardless of the reason, this has always been my work/carry choice, in spite of owning .357s, .45s, .44 mags, and other odds and ends. I've experimented with all of them in my harsh and unforgiving work environment, but always come back to the Special.
The first .44spl I came across was an m21 that I came into at the trade price of a Ruger no.1 in 416 Rigby, plus a $100 tin. I outfitted it with Grashorn service style grips, a hard sought vintage Tyler T, a good Tom Threepersons from Lobo Leather, and a home-made six-round slide.
Positions of gun, knife, and slide required a lot of experimenting. I've made several adjustments over the years and have come to what I believe to be the perfect configuration of the three for a ranch work environment.
I fell into a rough crowd who got me set up with dies, turrets, brass, and every type of bullet known to man. After lots of experimenting, this gun ends up shooting POA at 35 yards with Skeeter's pet mid-level load plus .3gr of powder. From there I worked into a single action or two with some grade-A Harton tinkering, which I also put to good use.
Fast forward a few years, Mr. Harton has limited his work to Colts only, but was graciously willing to take on a Smith DA project for me. Evidently, another Skeeter detail that stuck with me as a child was the allure of a 5in barrel. Combine this with adjustable sights and the incomparable .44spl, and it seemed I just had to have it.
The result was a Harton converted 5in .44spl on an m28-3 donor. I realize this could have been easier accomplished (maybe) by just finding a suitable m24, but it wouldn't have had a 5in barrel, interchangeable front sights, nor would it have Mr. Harton's fingerprints all over it.
So far it prefers 260gr 429421 bullets with a borderline reckless dose of 2400 and magnum, (yes, magnum) primers, but I am searching for alternatives. I forgot a screwdriver to adjust my sights at the rawhide range, but a flattened .22 shell from my saddlebags and fencing pliers filled the void.
I hope to get it outfitted with a set of Zane's wonderful service grips, but for now resides in a home-carved set of some unidentified wood randomly found in the barn. The leather is homemade as well, and I find the shoulder rig particularly comfortable on horseback, though it will not do for serious puncher work. For that I've gone with a neutral-cant basket weave number that I'm not quite used to, so experiments are still underway.
I'll refrain from going through the critters name by name, but I've managed to bag several among the finest Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas has to offer.
In the meantime, until I get the Harton gun ironed out, I maintain my existence with the ever reliable m21. So familiar it is that even my Hancock horse can distinguish its report from other guns. The proof is in the pudding when he comes running to the gate when I discharge my daily 24 rounds of practice shots in the morning.
I cannot seem to move past my Special state of mind, and have all but decided resistance is futile. Like everyone here, guns are a primary enthusiasm in my life for use in recreation, as well as intensive work. I'll likely always have a few calibers, but by default it seems I never leave the house anymore without a .44 Special. It rides nice in a feed truck, in a saddle, and even "Mexican style" when I do not feel a holster is appropriate.
I'm afraid I am, and will likely always be a "Special" man, in spite of what my critics may assert.
