devilfrog1911
US Veteran
While it may be heresy to some, I love my M21 Thunder Ranch. The lock doesn't bother me, MIM parts are not an issue, and it shoots great -- not to mention, it's got fixed sights.
help me buy a .44 special
- Thread starter b swanson
- Start date
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
I shouldnt do this, but I cant help myself. Here are my .44 specials. Again.
GB
Member
I have been shooting 44 spec. for about 35 years. Bought a used, reblued, put together from parts 5in, hand ejector in about 1972. Bought a 2nd gen Colt SA in the early 80s (wish I had it back) and a new 24 when they made the run in the 80s. The Spc. and the 45 LC are without a doubt my favorite shootin irons (never owned a S&W in LC but would buy one in a heart beat if one came alone at even close to a reasonable price, Missed a couple that I thought were too high. They weren't!) Anywho if all I had was a 44spc. and my casting equipment, I would could spend the rest of my life fairly happy!
Wyatt Earp
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+1
And so do M29s.
Stainz
Member
I had a 6.5" 24-3 - horrid QC from '83, little wonder it had been a safe-queen for 20 yr when I bought it LNIB. I also bought a NIB similar 6.5" Heritage 24 - wow, what a beauty. I traded it away for something I really wanted - and would shoot. I hate blued guns - I looked at S&W's new 60 in SS many years ago as a Godsend. Something near six years ago, I bought a 296 (closeout - new $349) and 696 (new - regular price at $439) - my biggest S&W buy date. Great, but very limited in use, revolvers.
For general .44 Special plinking, I found I like my current production 4" 629 (SKU #163603) better than it's predecessor, a 4" 629 Mountain Gun, as I do the 6" 629 (#163606). Yeah, MIM, IL, etc - and all of the 'enhancements', for those times when I want to shoot real .44 Magnums. They sport Hogue .500 Magnum rubber for just such an occasion, although my left-over wood grips, Ahrends, etc, are fine for the Specials - and Russians.
Yesterday found me at the range with the 696 and 4" 629 blasting away with wimpy .44 Russians to moderate .44 Specials. They were, as predicted, a lot of fun. Don't overlook current 629 - or 29 - production as a source of a fine .44 Special (and .44 Russian) launch platform.
Stainz
For general .44 Special plinking, I found I like my current production 4" 629 (SKU #163603) better than it's predecessor, a 4" 629 Mountain Gun, as I do the 6" 629 (#163606). Yeah, MIM, IL, etc - and all of the 'enhancements', for those times when I want to shoot real .44 Magnums. They sport Hogue .500 Magnum rubber for just such an occasion, although my left-over wood grips, Ahrends, etc, are fine for the Specials - and Russians.
Yesterday found me at the range with the 696 and 4" 629 blasting away with wimpy .44 Russians to moderate .44 Specials. They were, as predicted, a lot of fun. Don't overlook current 629 - or 29 - production as a source of a fine .44 Special (and .44 Russian) launch platform.
Stainz
David LaPell
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b swanson, give me a shout on my email, I know where there is a 4 inch 624 .44 Special for sale. I was going to get it, but I have a lack of funds at the moment.
semperfi71
US Veteran
I have .44 Specials because Elmer and Skeeter said I should have them. I like them too.
But a .44 Magnum can MOST often do what any .44 Special can do. Unless you are looking for a smaller sized weapon like the S&W 696. Which I hope to find some day.
If you find a .44 Magnum S&W "Mountain Gun" you have essensially a .44 Special M-24.
But a .44 Magnum can MOST often do what any .44 Special can do. Unless you are looking for a smaller sized weapon like the S&W 696. Which I hope to find some day.
If you find a .44 Magnum S&W "Mountain Gun" you have essensially a .44 Special M-24.
GB
Member
Guess I got lucky with my 24-3 6.5. I have never measured the throat but get good accuracy with my hand loads( When I have been practicing!)
For CalFred: Fossil Butte national Monument is about 15 miles W. of Kemmerer. I will be chasing goats about 20 miles NE of Kemmerer this fall and plan to take a doe with a 629 Smith and maybe a Buck is it is dumb enough to get within 75 yards or so and is big enough!
For CalFred: Fossil Butte national Monument is about 15 miles W. of Kemmerer. I will be chasing goats about 20 miles NE of Kemmerer this fall and plan to take a doe with a 629 Smith and maybe a Buck is it is dumb enough to get within 75 yards or so and is big enough!
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Sure a 29 will do a little more than a special. But they are not as light as a 24! The tapered barrel and shorter clyinder makes it more desireable and handier to pack. You can soup it up to be on the edge of the mag, and just how much of the time do you really need the hot mag loads? Thats why it is my sweetheart, and I also have had most barrel lengths of 29s to compare it with. I also own a 25-5 and the calibers are close. However the 25-5 again had the straight heavy barrel and really handels like the 29. I have all three, and when I am bumming in the back country, the 24 is my 1st choice.
Wyatt Earp
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Agree that the 29 and 629 MGs are sweet.
My all time favorite is 3" 29 and 629 Lew Hortons, but my 629 Mountain Gun is a close second.
Here most of my .44 Specials. I've added a few since then. I need to do another group photo.
I was also an avid Skeeter Skelton and Elmer Keith fan. My first .44 Special was a M27 that I had converted in 1976, a direct result of reading one of Skeeter's articles in Shooting Times. It is the second down from the top.
The top revolver is a converted M28. Next is the M27, followed by a 3rd model hand ejector. It is the lowest numbered 3rd model that has been reported.
The fourth revolver is a 2nd model HE and the fifth revolver is a 1st model aka the Triple Lock.
The next two are converted Ruger Old Model Blackhawks. The 5 1/2" gun is done with a Colt New Frontier barrel.
The bottom revolver is a USFA Single Action Army with the 4 3/4" barrel.
All are good shooters.
I was also an avid Skeeter Skelton and Elmer Keith fan. My first .44 Special was a M27 that I had converted in 1976, a direct result of reading one of Skeeter's articles in Shooting Times. It is the second down from the top.
The top revolver is a converted M28. Next is the M27, followed by a 3rd model hand ejector. It is the lowest numbered 3rd model that has been reported.
The fourth revolver is a 2nd model HE and the fifth revolver is a 1st model aka the Triple Lock.
The next two are converted Ruger Old Model Blackhawks. The 5 1/2" gun is done with a Colt New Frontier barrel.
The bottom revolver is a USFA Single Action Army with the 4 3/4" barrel.
All are good shooters.
semperfi71
US Veteran
Here's my 4 inch M29-2.
And here's my 4 inch M24-3. It will shoot 2 inch groups at 25 yards if I am doing the right thing.
For me either handgun would be just as handy in the woods/desert and on my hip. I actually prefer the weight and balance of the heavy M29-2 barrel but then I LOVE the looks of the tapered barrels on M24s and M27s and M28s. And of course anybody who wants to be known as a "handgunner" [regardless of their skill level] either HAS to have a .44 Special or they ain't got nuttin'. One gunwriter explained it this way...."The .44 Special somehow just seems more relaxed." And to me it does.
Bu if you had to make only ONE choice [God forbid] you could get a .44 Magnum and make do with light loads.
Here's my Colt 3rd Generation .44 Special. Again Skeeter said I had to have one.
And here's my 4 inch M24-3. It will shoot 2 inch groups at 25 yards if I am doing the right thing.
For me either handgun would be just as handy in the woods/desert and on my hip. I actually prefer the weight and balance of the heavy M29-2 barrel but then I LOVE the looks of the tapered barrels on M24s and M27s and M28s. And of course anybody who wants to be known as a "handgunner" [regardless of their skill level] either HAS to have a .44 Special or they ain't got nuttin'. One gunwriter explained it this way...."The .44 Special somehow just seems more relaxed." And to me it does.
Bu if you had to make only ONE choice [God forbid] you could get a .44 Magnum and make do with light loads.
Here's my Colt 3rd Generation .44 Special. Again Skeeter said I had to have one.
ldp4570
US Veteran
Both of my 624's. One day I'll get a Blackhawk or Vaquero reworked to 44spl.
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Evil One
Member
I LOVE my Model 21 TR.
It has the original stocks replaced with a Hogue Goncalo Alves round to square butt conversion monogrip. I carry it in a Galco Silhouette holster and keep it fed with Blazer gold dots.
It is the most comfortable shooting pistol I have ever owned.
I gave up my 629-1 for this one.
The weight, balance, and grip feel on it forces me to sit around holding and dry firing it constantly... I feel strange when I dont have it with me.
I really need to get pics of it.
Jim
It has the original stocks replaced with a Hogue Goncalo Alves round to square butt conversion monogrip. I carry it in a Galco Silhouette holster and keep it fed with Blazer gold dots.
It is the most comfortable shooting pistol I have ever owned.
I gave up my 629-1 for this one.
The weight, balance, and grip feel on it forces me to sit around holding and dry firing it constantly... I feel strange when I dont have it with me.
I really need to get pics of it.
Jim
Stophel
Member
Just what is the deal with the cylinders on the 624's? I just bought a 6.5" 624 at the gunshow, and someone asked me if the box had the big red "C" stamped on it (it does). He said there was a recall, and the stamped guns have been fixed. Is this the "large throat" problem, or something else?
I LOVE the gun, by the way. Would dearly like to have a 4" 24-3 (or a 24...or a pre war any kind of .44, but when I see them, which is rare, they're well over a thousand.). IF I could find a .44 mag mountain gun, I'd be happy with that, but so far I haven't seen one for sale (I'd REALLY like a pre-lock, pre-MIM one).
I'd even consider buying the new 21, but for that cursed round butt. I can fix the lock, and even turn the cylinder stop "lug" into a more proper looking stud, but I can't weld up the grip frame. And, no, a conversion grip ain't the same thing!
Actually, at the moment, I'm pretty well tapped out, and not up to buying any kind of gun...
I LOVE the gun, by the way. Would dearly like to have a 4" 24-3 (or a 24...or a pre war any kind of .44, but when I see them, which is rare, they're well over a thousand.). IF I could find a .44 mag mountain gun, I'd be happy with that, but so far I haven't seen one for sale (I'd REALLY like a pre-lock, pre-MIM one).
I'd even consider buying the new 21, but for that cursed round butt. I can fix the lock, and even turn the cylinder stop "lug" into a more proper looking stud, but I can't weld up the grip frame. And, no, a conversion grip ain't the same thing!
Actually, at the moment, I'm pretty well tapped out, and not up to buying any kind of gun...
Stophel
Member
Oh, by the way, here it is
I think the quality of this one is fairly nice. Much nicer than my 681 from the '80's.
I think the quality of this one is fairly nice. Much nicer than my 681 from the '80's.
Ran across a 24-3 4inch today. Perfect condition. Hardly looked shot, for 699.
Have also been looking at the "new" 29 4inch, lock etc.
I will be reloading. No hunting in the future, probably settle on a light plinker round, but like the magnum load option or factory ammo.
About 125. difference between both.
What do you all think...new 29 or older 24-3???
Have also been looking at the "new" 29 4inch, lock etc.
I will be reloading. No hunting in the future, probably settle on a light plinker round, but like the magnum load option or factory ammo.
About 125. difference between both.
What do you all think...new 29 or older 24-3???
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