Deciding on 44spl or 44acp revolver
- Thread starter ontargetagain
- Start date
And they're like potato chips...you can't have just one!
OP
ontargetagain
Member
Your point is understood. I really don't have any need for 44 Mag loads, I am limited to shooting indoors and paper punching. It just seems if you are going to download the 44 Mag to 44 Spl loads, why not get the shorter cylinder and less bullet jump of a 44 Spl revolver.........or maybe I am just looking for an excuse to get another gun
Thanks
Karl
OP
ontargetagain
Member
My SA pull is great, I did a little work on it and also dropped to the Wolff spring for DA and it isn't too bad but no where near how nice I had my N frame 625. By design it seems the S&W will offer a much nicer DA which I keep forcing myself to shoot better with.
I have a great local gunsmith that does Ruger, maybe I will let him help it along and then I might just get the new Redhawk 45 Colt /45 cap convertible
Thanks for your input on the Ruger-Smith variance
Karl
Rpg
Member
I have and love several 45 acp revolvers.
Were I looking for a new revolver , I 'd buy a 1950's vintage 44 special.
Were I looking for a new revolver , I 'd buy a 1950's vintage 44 special.
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at_liberty
Member
Not much current interest in 44 Special-only guns by gun manufacturers. I had to buy vintage guns. Because of my desire to carry 44 Special I have the 5 shot guns in Taurus 431, 441, and S&W 696. In single action I have a Ruger NMBH FlatTop 4 5/8" barrel.
I have enough guns to always shoot ammo that matches what is stamped on the barrel. However, to look at a new DA for 44 Special carry I would have to seriously consider the S&W 69, immediately removing and plugging the ILS.
I have enough guns to always shoot ammo that matches what is stamped on the barrel. However, to look at a new DA for 44 Special carry I would have to seriously consider the S&W 69, immediately removing and plugging the ILS.
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bananaman
Member
You are going to get "personal preference" comments here. I usually pick a caliber depending on the intended use of the handgun. More for target, range work, and/or self defense I would pick the 45 acp with moon clips. More for woods, hunting loads, and self defense, I pick the 44 Special.
The 45 is no problem loading moon-clips if you use the tools available. Here's a moon clip loader that makes easy work of loading and unloading.
The 45 is no problem loading moon-clips if you use the tools available. Here's a moon clip loader that makes easy work of loading and unloading.
Grayfox
US Veteran
While I am a big fan of both cartridges, I have never really cared for the .45acp in a revolver. The one exception being shooting target loads out of a 6" Model 25 for paper punching. That's what this gun was designed for and it truly excels at that task.
For defensive purposes, I much prefer the .45acp in a semi-auto, most notably the 1911.
OTOH, the .44 Special is an outstanding revolver round equally at home for target shooting or self defense. Yes, you can shoot them out of a .44 magnum, but if you have little need for the extra power of the big boomer why bother? There's just something special about a dedicated .44 Special revolver. They're usually a little bit lighter and balance much better than their big brothers. They just feel right in your hand.
I own one .44 magnum and six .44 Specials.
There are plenty of .44 Specials out there to choose from depending on your tastes and budget. There'res the old classic triple locks and early HEs, the more modern Model 24s and 624s, the smaller L-frames like the 696 or various offerings from Taurus, Rossi and Charter arms.
I'm particularly fond of the Model 24-3s made in the 1980s and am fortunate enough to own one in each of the three barrel lengths offered. I also have a 696 which serves as my hiking/camping gun.
The .45acp is a fine round, but as the name implies, the .44 Special is indeed special.
For defensive purposes, I much prefer the .45acp in a semi-auto, most notably the 1911.
OTOH, the .44 Special is an outstanding revolver round equally at home for target shooting or self defense. Yes, you can shoot them out of a .44 magnum, but if you have little need for the extra power of the big boomer why bother? There's just something special about a dedicated .44 Special revolver. They're usually a little bit lighter and balance much better than their big brothers. They just feel right in your hand.
I own one .44 magnum and six .44 Specials.
There are plenty of .44 Specials out there to choose from depending on your tastes and budget. There'res the old classic triple locks and early HEs, the more modern Model 24s and 624s, the smaller L-frames like the 696 or various offerings from Taurus, Rossi and Charter arms.
I'm particularly fond of the Model 24-3s made in the 1980s and am fortunate enough to own one in each of the three barrel lengths offered. I also have a 696 which serves as my hiking/camping gun.
The .45acp is a fine round, but as the name implies, the .44 Special is indeed special.
OP did not mention the mission for his proposed acquisition.
Target shooting/competition, 45 Auto wins hands down.
Even to the slightly larger bore. Cuts a ring that may otherwise cost you a point.
I have both won and lost matches by 1 point.
Most of my 45 Auto revolver shooting is actually with 45 Auto Rim brass.
This pair gets used...a lot:
Target shooting/competition, 45 Auto wins hands down.
Even to the slightly larger bore. Cuts a ring that may otherwise cost you a point.
I have both won and lost matches by 1 point.
Most of my 45 Auto revolver shooting is actually with 45 Auto Rim brass.
This pair gets used...a lot:
jhcii
US Veteran
.45 ACP Auto
I have target guns but this one, not supposed to be a "target gun" is more accurate at 50 yards than most "target" autos or revolvers I've owned.
In the .45 ACP revolver I had 4 using full moon clips. All SW N frames from the 60s through the 80s. To me the revolver in .45 ACP is a bit clumsier in shooting than a regular 1911 auto.
In finding a .44 Special because you want an excuse to buy one you just justified yourself. To your wife or friends you know more than they do and you just have an itch for .44 Special tapered barrel.
I get it. Continue your mission to get that itch scratched and after you get your indoor target .44 Special go home and announce to your kin now it is time to get serious and accurate at 100 yards with a standard SW 29-10 in whatever barrel length you want.
I'll help you on your second purchase and be your buddy to bring into the indoor target range punching paper .44 Magnum you just load up with .44 Special and I'll be behind you when you see the light about the .44 Magnum. Maybe you never owned a .44 Magnum but all dedicated .44 Specials shoot less or just as accurate as the .44 Magnum chambered with .44 Special.
For example, the PC Contender in .357 Magnum will shoot 148 gr Wadcutters supremely accurate out to about 25 yards (not much further) so in effect you can get two guns in ONE .44 Magnum or you can get TWO guns: one in .44 Special and the other in .44 Magnum. Then you'll have THREE guns because the Magnum will go both ways while the Special goes one.
Performance Center .357 Magnum which shoots 148 gr .38 Special Wadcutters w/ supreme accuracy AS WELL as MAGNUM .357!
I have target guns but this one, not supposed to be a "target gun" is more accurate at 50 yards than most "target" autos or revolvers I've owned.
In the .45 ACP revolver I had 4 using full moon clips. All SW N frames from the 60s through the 80s. To me the revolver in .45 ACP is a bit clumsier in shooting than a regular 1911 auto.
In finding a .44 Special because you want an excuse to buy one you just justified yourself. To your wife or friends you know more than they do and you just have an itch for .44 Special tapered barrel.
I get it. Continue your mission to get that itch scratched and after you get your indoor target .44 Special go home and announce to your kin now it is time to get serious and accurate at 100 yards with a standard SW 29-10 in whatever barrel length you want.
I'll help you on your second purchase and be your buddy to bring into the indoor target range punching paper .44 Magnum you just load up with .44 Special and I'll be behind you when you see the light about the .44 Magnum. Maybe you never owned a .44 Magnum but all dedicated .44 Specials shoot less or just as accurate as the .44 Magnum chambered with .44 Special.
For example, the PC Contender in .357 Magnum will shoot 148 gr Wadcutters supremely accurate out to about 25 yards (not much further) so in effect you can get two guns in ONE .44 Magnum or you can get TWO guns: one in .44 Special and the other in .44 Magnum. Then you'll have THREE guns because the Magnum will go both ways while the Special goes one.
Performance Center .357 Magnum which shoots 148 gr .38 Special Wadcutters w/ supreme accuracy AS WELL as MAGNUM .357!
OP
ontargetagain
Member
Let's both hope it doesn't end Bob
I guess it just boils down to which one is next or which one presents the best deal at the time to acquire!
Take care
Karl
Groo01
Member
Groo here
If you don.t like moon clips go with a Riz plastic one.
Easy to load by hand at the range,
Or, Ranch products 1/3 moon clips [2 rounds]
Easier to load/unload then full moon[ 6rounds] and can be done by hand.
About $.25 each get them in bulk.
If you don.t like moon clips go with a Riz plastic one.
Easy to load by hand at the range,
Or, Ranch products 1/3 moon clips [2 rounds]
Easier to load/unload then full moon[ 6rounds] and can be done by hand.
About $.25 each get them in bulk.
Let's both hope it doesn't end Bob
I guess it just boils down to which one is next or which one presents the best deal at the time to acquire!
Take care
Karl
LOL... that's the way it has worked for me, only a handful of what I've acquired were deliberately planned and obtained with a specific need or intended function associated with it... all else was either a result of an interest being whipped up by the reprobates on this forum, or whatever was at an LGS display case at the time, that made me go Hmmmmm when I saw it.
I've since stopped the practice of going by those kind of places [as often] on the way home after payday...
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For indoor target shooting I would replace the 625 you sold and regret doing so. If you dislike moonclips just shoot the gun without them and punch out your empties with a pencil or pull them out with a thumbnail. I don't know if it is true for all 625s but mine shoots just as accurately with or without the silly clips. I never use them anymore.
I like 45 and moon clips. I keep a whole bunch of them loaded up. At the range brass pick up is so simple. I demoon with a simple tool I made and drop them in a bucket for reloading.
Snapping Twig
Member
Well then... it's pretty clear to me what to do.
44Spl!
Nothing as inherently as accurate as a purpose built 44Spl.
Not only that, the ballistics are identical to 45Colt - 250g Keith @ 900fps.
Look for a 24-3 or a 624 and in my experience, the 4" shoots best.
If you can't find a 24, 24-3 or a 624. the same tapered barrel is available in a 629 Mountain Gun in .44mag.
at_liberty
Member
I own two and expect the 45 ACP DA revolvers to diminish in resale value since falling out of favor in competition. I wouldn't favor an N-frame for carrying 44 Special, so I am happy to have an S&W 696 (with 5 rounds).
Frizzman
US Veteran
I have had .44 Spls but haven't kept them and wound hanging on to a couple .44 Mags. They are just more versatile since I can go from powder puff to hot magnums. I have a 625-3 that I use for range shooting mainly. Unlike with my 1911s, I don't have to strain my back and old knees picking up brass and the brass doesn't land in muck outdoors or fly over the barricade at the indoor range. I dont compete with it. It serves as the house gun sometimes since its quick and easy to drop a clip of ammo in the cylinder if needed. I also load .45 AR and the same bullets work for my .45 ACPs and .45 Colts...I don't dislike the .44 Spl but find the .45 is more useful for my needs.
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