.44 Special Mania

[Mustang51]

I've got these two. I'm not sure I could justify them as a practical matter...my 629MG is the more practical choice, I guess. I do know that when I'm looking around the safe for something I might be willing to part with to fund another purchase, these two are off limits, and the MG is given serious consideration.

 

[thetrio_94043]

I found the discussion very interesting and like the pictures and descriptions.

I myself am not a collector. I like to shoot what I own because we have way to many collectors of stuff in the family (don't touch that do you know how much it will lose it value if you take it out of the box).

 

[Dave T]

I myself am not a collector. I like to shoot what I own...

That's why I call myself a "collector of shooters". I get the idea there are several of us here that fall into that catagory. (smile)

Dave

 

[BKDinTexas]

Now and then, given sufficient temptation, I switch teams. Wait, that sounds bad. Anyway, just picked up this Lipseys Flattop Bisley in our favorite caliber. This is a 5-1/2 inch, have a 4 5/8 inch on order...

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

That's why I call myself a "collector of shooters". I get the idea there are several of us here that fall into that catagory. (smile)

Dave

+1

...or a shooter of collectables

 

[mod34]

While we're on the subject, any thoughts on the 396?

 

[Poohgyrr]

I guess some manias don't need to be cured...

Here is a M24-3 that the powers to be allow for CCW.

When I am driving to the cabin, where the dirt shows the pumas tracking the deer, right within sight of our windows, this big bore on my side feels comforting.

The 44 Magnums, which would also be loaded with Specials, are specifically not allowed for CCW.

I figure things could be a lot worse, and happily load up the Special six shooter, with Special cartridges. Puns are absolutely intended.

A big, easy going, .38 Special is good to have.

Besides, I am a wuss these days, and prefer my 44 Magnums in a Lever gun.

 

[VonFatman]

Here are a few...

A couple Ruger NM Flat-tops:

Wish I had more...but I like the one's I have.

Gun 4 Fun....
Is that T-lock original finish? That's the most beautiful one I have ever seen!!!

Bob

 

[NE450No2]

Son, I don't believe I've ever heard that term used anywhere, but in a carnival sideshow!

This is just one of the reasons I favor the Special...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/92205-44-spl-scapegoat-mtn-bull.html

Su Amigo,
Dave

Dave...

For sure you, and others on this thread are 44 Special FREEKS...

Not that "that" is a bad thing....

With the exception of "period" revolvers...
It is just that I think a 44 Mag can do anything that a 44 Special can do, and more...
From a practicle point of view...

However I also do agree, that a properly loaded 44 Special [with Keith loads, from plinking to full power Keith 44 Specials], will do 80% of what needs to be done with a handgun, and 100% of what 80% of the people need to do with a handgun...

But all "them loads" can be shot in a 44 Mag as well.

 

[bubbajoe45]

I guess some manias don't need to be cured...

Here is a M24-3 that the powers to be allow for CCW.

When I am driving to the cabin, where the dirt shows the pumas tracking the deer, right within sight of our windows, this big bore on my side feels comforting.

The 44 Magnums, which would also be loaded with Specials, are specifically not allowed for CCW.

I figure things could be a lot worse, and happily load up the Special six shooter, with Special cartridges. Puns are absolutely intended.

A big, easy going, .38 Special is good to have.

Besides, I am a wuss these days, and prefer my 44 Magnums in a Lever gun.

Nice M24! What sort of grips are those?, if you don't mind. They look pretty coarsely checkered, and I like shape.

Also, I am curious about what state ' doesn't allow' you to CCW a .44 Mag???

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Here are a few...

A couple Ruger NM Flat-tops:

Wish I had more...but I like the one's I have.

Gun 4 Fun....
Is that T-lock original finish? That's the most beautiful one I have ever seen!!!

Bob

Hi Bob,
I am sorry, (I wasn't ignoring you) but I just saw your post. No, the gun was refinished at the factory at some point in its distant past. There is a date on it of 3 62, so I assume that's was when it was done. I am waiting on the factory letter now. I am hoping that it shipped with this barrel length (scarce) and in nickel originally. I have been told yes, no, and maybe on that. We'll see. It is a fine shooting old gun BTW.

 

[Poohgyrr]

Nice M24! What sort of grips are those?, if you don't mind. They look pretty coarsely checkered, and I like shape.
Also, I am curious about what state ' doesn't allow' you to CCW a .44 Mag???

The grips are out of production Fitz cherrywood; they work great. Designed back in the 1930's; the 1911 competition grips still go for about $90+ on eBay.

The carry thing is simply a policy adopted by several agency heads in the gun unfriendly parts here in CA. I can't speak for those guys, but real life lawsuits are what they are - liability and juries being picked partly because of their ignorance about guns. Again, it's a local jurisdiction thing. Kinda like how most places won't let us carry loaded AR's or 870's in the car (an interesting discussion over a morning cup of coffee), even though that could be a safer response to some thug trying to kill us - 1st, are thugs more likely to stop, and 2nd with the right ammo, it only takes one round.

(Rocking the boat a bit with some "uncomfortable" postings....

 

[David LaPell]

Lets see, my 24-3 wearing a set of Grashorn's

My Smith Triple Lock lettering to leaving the factory in 1917 wearing a set of very old Ajax's.

This was my 624 that I sold to a forum member. The only reason I sold it was so that I could buy the 24-3 which I had wanted more.

All of the guns get shot, even the Triple Lock

 

[keith44spl]

Dave...

For sure you, and others on this thread are 44 Special FREEKS...

Not that "that" is a bad thing....

With the exception of "period" revolvers...
It is just that I think a 44 Mag can do anything that a 44 Special can do, and more...
From a practicle point of view...

However I also do agree, that a properly loaded 44 Special [with Keith loads, from plinking to full power Keith 44 Specials], will do 80% of what needs to be done with a handgun, and 100% of what 80% of the people need to do with a handgun...

But all "them loads" can be shot in a 44 Mag as well.

Ah Son,
I started usin' the .44 Magnum back in the late '60s and I guess I've fired 50 or 60 thousand rounds of that one (all the 2400 I could get in that darn thing and still seat a hard cast 429421. I made it hard on several brands of revolvers.

Now 'n days I just don't require all that buck and bawl in my sidearm. Just about anything I run up on that need shootin' if I hit it anywhere it'll go down with the Special...Jest hit 'em anywhere in the eye and it'll fall! ~smile~


Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[semperfi71]

I hate all of the .44s, be it Russian, Colt, Special, or Magnum!

Because I have to buy all of them to satisfy my cravings!

Uberti .44 Russian Repro

Uberti .44 Colt Repro

Colt 3rd .44 Special

If one was to get hard-nosed about it the first S & W or Colt .44 Special OR .44 Magnum they bought will be ALL they would ever NEED.

Only one...or the other.

But "need" should never be discussed in sentences about firearms.

Elmer Keith wrote in Sixguns that an individual shot and killed a charging grizzly with one round from the .45 Long Colt blackpowder factory load. That would have been a 250 or 255 grain bullet at about 900 fps.

As such a .44 Special 240 grain bullet loaded to 900 or 1000 fps could do the same thing.

Or a .44 Magnum loaded down to 900 or 1000 fps could do the same thing.

Of course I have never shot a charging anything but I have read that some grizzlies have more vitality than others. In which case two shots might be required!!

Seriously, yes a .44 magnum will do what a .44 Special will do. And practically speaking the vice versa is true as well. The extra 200 fps of a full load .44 Magnum [1200 fps hot load .44 Spl vs 1400 fps .44 Mag] probably will not make a difference in killing power.

And either one at 1000 fps is a sure killer if the bullet is right and shot placement is good.

But Elmer and Skeeter moved back and forth with both calibers and so will I. Just because I am a romantic fool when it comes to firearms.

And don't even ask about the .41 Magnum! It will do whatever the other two will but I have to have 4 of them as well!