.44 Special Rant

[KLYDE]

I think it is a given that we will never see a Bulldog size revolver from S&W. I think the best we can hope for is a fixed sight short barrel (2-2.5"), all stainless L frame. That would fit the bill for me.

 

[hotrod150]

If you've ever overlaid a Colt DS on a j-frame Smith, you'll see that they're just about the same size. I know the DS came first, but the best comparison I can come up with is that it's as if Colt took a Chief Spl & heated it up until they could jam in a 6-shot cylinder. I don't know why S&W can't do the same thing and come up with a "fat j-frame", sort of halfway between a j & a k. Another new one could be a snubby k-frame but with a 5 shot 44 or 45 cylinder. Make them old-school-- no titanium scandium or unobtanium, no slab-sided barrels, no zombie sights.

 

[mc5aw]

Gemini Customs did up a pair of 296s about a year or so ago, and were featured in American Handgunner Magazine. They looked very hot-rodded, and certainly came with a hefty price tag, but seemed to be amazing carry guns. I think they were one-offs though, and not an available package.

 

[Boge]

If the CA has proven to be unreliable, as evidenced by two returns for repair, it is not ideal for anything beyond being a paperweight. Banking on a a CCW firearm that may or may not go boom when you most need it to falls somewhere between optimistic and foolhardy. 100% reliability is what breeds confidence...

I should have added that I only used it as a backup CCW. My main carry is a semi-auto. I live on the Border and no one here carries a revolver as a primary CCW that I know of. The bad guys down here just have too much firepower. I sometimes visit a range that borders on the Rio Grande. Needless to say, most who frequent it are armed to the teeth.

 

[oak1971]

A carry gun needs to be 100% reliable-period. I don't care how small it is, it needs to go bang every time. I'd rather have 38 that is rock solid than a 44 special that is spotty.

 

[setxn]

My 1970 Charter bulldog is a bit of an oddity because it
has a Bridgeport roll mark and 1970 serial # number but they didn't introduce the gun until 1971 after they moved to Stafford. The nice lady I spoke to that is the in house keeper of the records/historian said it should not exist. Sounds like S&W transitions gun syndrome.

 

[Boge]

A carry gun needs to be 100% reliable-period. I don't care how small it is, it needs to go bang every time. I'd rather have 38 that is rock solid than a 44 special that is spotty.

You're right, which is why I carry a 442 now or a Det. Special as a backup.

 

[bubbajoe45]

This is the one you want (296) - it's pocketable.

"I don't carry the 696. If it were fixed sight I might."

There is a super sized centennial, the M296, in 44 special.

Not sure you could ever find one.

 

[bubbajoe45]

forgot pic . . .

 

[KLYDE]

forgot pic . . .

View attachment 121683

I agree 100%. You would have better luck finding hens teeth.

 

[gen3guy]

I have always longed for a S&W K frame .44 Special 5 shooter with a 3 inch barrel. Never happened.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

the rossi 720 is no longer made, but they make a slightly smaller .44mag.

Taurus has the ticket down pat with the 445. get the Taurus if you can live with a built in lock.