I have realized that I like shooting the .44 special. I think it is a great round. I never thought much about it before, till I tried it.I like the low recoil, power and the fact that its a .44,. I currently shoot them out of a m29-2 6.5". I am thinking I would like to look for a .44 special revolver. They seem hard to come by used. Could you .44 special lovers out there recommend a nice shooting, accurate revolver, that is somewhat easy to find used. Even if they are not easy to find,let me hear about your favorites, maybe I'll get lucky someday. thanks
help me buy a .44 special
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I have realized that I like shooting the .44 special. I think it is a great round. I never thought much about it before, till I tried it.I like the low recoil, power and the fact that its a .44,. I currently shoot them out of a m29-2 6.5". I am thinking I would like to look for a .44 special revolver. They seem hard to come by used. Could you .44 special lovers out there recommend a nice shooting, accurate revolver, that is somewhat easy to find used. Even if they are not easy to find,let me hear about your favorites, maybe I'll get lucky someday. thanks
welcome to world of .44 special converts. there is no cure. as to what is easy to find: nothing. what does come up more often is usually the 24/624 models from the 80s. they are great revolvers. all you have to do is decide which barrel length you like and wait for one to pop up. good luck. lee
GCF
Member
A stainless 4" 624 would be a perfect choice. Well, at least it was for me. Great fitment, & classic lines.
Like to call it the Mountain Gun that coulda' been / shoulda' been / but never was.
Member had one for sale on the classified yesterday. Might still be available...
Like to call it the Mountain Gun that coulda' been / shoulda' been / but never was.
Member had one for sale on the classified yesterday. Might still be available...
624s seem to be fairly available, a 6" just sold on auction for $575. The 3"ers, with original combat grips seem to start at $700 and go up from there. The 4"ers are some where in the middle.
There is a new (Classic) model 24 that has been released....
Seems to me a 6" Model 24 would be a perfect choice.
Terry
Seems to me a 6" Model 24 would be a perfect choice.
Terry
suckersrus
Member
Sometime back, I too, got the urge for a 44 Special.
I had a thought that the lightweight model would be the way to go for concealed carry.
But they are kinda hard to find.
It turns out S&W makes another model 44 Special that is readily available. This is a secret.
THE MODEL 329!
It can handle any 44 "Special" load you can cram in it.
I carry mine in an IWB from BladeTech.
Very pleasent to shoot with 44 Special loads.
Please don't tell anyone else about this. I'm afraid everyone will want one and my supply will dry up.
I had a thought that the lightweight model would be the way to go for concealed carry.
But they are kinda hard to find.
It turns out S&W makes another model 44 Special that is readily available. This is a secret.
THE MODEL 329!
It can handle any 44 "Special" load you can cram in it.
I carry mine in an IWB from BladeTech.
Very pleasent to shoot with 44 Special loads.
Please don't tell anyone else about this. I'm afraid everyone will want one and my supply will dry up.
smousefam5
Member
"Obviously" the 696 is the cream of the crop. After that is the 296's. Very cool...
I just can't get excited about an N frame .44 that ain't chambered for the magnum.
I just can't get excited about an N frame .44 that ain't chambered for the magnum.
Sir, FWIW, earlier this evening I saw a 6-inch 624 at a local shop priced at, of all things, $624. That seemed high to me, particularly since it had Goodyears on it, so I didn't ask to examine it. I'm in this shop with some frequency, so it'll be interesting to see how long it sits.
At a show a couple months ago, I saw a similar gun with factory grips for $550. That one was gone within about an hour.
Regarding the relative scarcity of .44 special Smiths, I suspect that's part of their appeal--you just don't see very many of them, so they have a certain cachet.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
At a show a couple months ago, I saw a similar gun with factory grips for $550. That one was gone within about an hour.
Regarding the relative scarcity of .44 special Smiths, I suspect that's part of their appeal--you just don't see very many of them, so they have a certain cachet.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
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Welcome to the club, you are in good company. Used .44 Specials are difficult to find, but anything made by S&W will be great. I understand CDNN is selling new S&W .44 Specials for $500 right now........
Will take the lock, rather than over sized cylinder throats, which alot of 80's era M24 seem to have.
Have one of the new 4 inchers , like CDNN is selling. Very nicely fitted and accurate. Fixed sights regulated for mid velocity 200 grainers. $500 would be a very good deal(just an opinion)
Have one of the new 4 inchers , like CDNN is selling. Very nicely fitted and accurate. Fixed sights regulated for mid velocity 200 grainers. $500 would be a very good deal(just an opinion)
Within the last 2 weeks several 624's have been listed and sold here in the classifieds. Finally it was my turn
I had wanted a 44 Spec since I started reading Skeeter Skelton back in the 70's. Just last week I took posession of a 4" 624,just happened to be at right place,at right time with the $$. It is one sweet revolver every thing I expected. I think if I had 2 of them I would have a problem deciding which one to take to the range.
All I can suggest is watch the classifieds here or the auction sites for one to turn up.
I had wanted a 44 Spec since I started reading Skeeter Skelton back in the 70's. Just last week I took posession of a 4" 624,just happened to be at right place,at right time with the $$. It is one sweet revolver every thing I expected. I think if I had 2 of them I would have a problem deciding which one to take to the range.
All I can suggest is watch the classifieds here or the auction sites for one to turn up.
Hot off the press. Talked to a S&W rep last week, he said they are introducing a new 44spl, called the Night Guard Model # 396. I am looking at it in the 08 catalog. He said this is going to be a hot item. The rep said it is one he is going to get as soon as they are avail. This thing is sweet, from the looks. Frame size is medium, SA/DA, 5 rounds,2.5"bbl, XS Sights,24-7 Tritium Night/C&S fixed. Grips are synthetic. Overall Lnth 7.325",24.2oz, Scandium Alloy frame stainless cylinder. Matte Black. Retail in catalog is 980.00. Check it out.
Once the 44 Spec. bug bites, you have to have one, (or 2, or....). I really like my 3" RB. I carry it all day when out for Prairie Dogs, and with a good holster from Simply Rugged, I never know it's there. Keep it loaded with half shot loads & half JHP's in case of snakes.
GCF
Member
Know whatcha' mean. My ol'Mod 624 has .432" cylinder throats. Can hardly hold my head up, & look ANYONE in the eye, at the range. ;=]
Seriously, not an issue for a handloader, as properly sized bullets are available for order from Montana Bullet Works, Beartooth, The Bull Shop (in AK), Penn Bullets, etc..
Love to find a blued 4" Mod 24 of the same vintage.
Sorry for the fuzzy pics, & oh yeah - no lock.
I've been wanting to nail down a few specifics about S&W .44 Specials anyway, this seems like a useful place to try work this out...
These statements seem to be true from what I've gathered but please correct me if I'm wrong!
Not being Magnum or Rimfire, they'd have never been recessed.
The 624 was never introduced until pinned barrels had stopped. Prelock, yes, dashes?
The L-frame was also never pinned, so the 696 was not. Prelock, yes, no dash and dash-1.
In blued or nickel the .44 Special has a much broader history, of which I am sadly mostly ignorant. Names like triple-lock and HD come to mind. This may not be the right forum for the majority of that story, but surely there are a few dashes of the 21 (fixed) and 24 (adjustable) that came after '45 and before locks.
I'll be watching this topic to hopefully learn.
My favorite handgun to shoot, bar none, is a Rossi 720, 3" K-frame sized 5-shot with RR/WO adjustable sights and a nice rubber factory fingergroove grip, fluted cylinder and standard hammer. If S&W had made one, I'd have it, but sadly the L-frame is significantly larger, and they cost so much I'll probably never be able to afford one.
I had and sold a Taurus 445, a 2" fixed sight steel 5-shot. Not nearly so much fun to shoot.
These statements seem to be true from what I've gathered but please correct me if I'm wrong!
Not being Magnum or Rimfire, they'd have never been recessed.
The 624 was never introduced until pinned barrels had stopped. Prelock, yes, dashes?
The L-frame was also never pinned, so the 696 was not. Prelock, yes, no dash and dash-1.
In blued or nickel the .44 Special has a much broader history, of which I am sadly mostly ignorant. Names like triple-lock and HD come to mind. This may not be the right forum for the majority of that story, but surely there are a few dashes of the 21 (fixed) and 24 (adjustable) that came after '45 and before locks.
I'll be watching this topic to hopefully learn.
My favorite handgun to shoot, bar none, is a Rossi 720, 3" K-frame sized 5-shot with RR/WO adjustable sights and a nice rubber factory fingergroove grip, fluted cylinder and standard hammer. If S&W had made one, I'd have it, but sadly the L-frame is significantly larger, and they cost so much I'll probably never be able to afford one.
I had and sold a Taurus 445, a 2" fixed sight steel 5-shot. Not nearly so much fun to shoot.
rburg
Member
The best guns are the older ones. They also cost you an arm and a leg. Since this is the post WWII section, you have a lot of choices, starting with postwar "3rd" models. Then of course 1950 targets and 44 Military, and then the model number editions. Most great guns.
Back to the pinned/not pinned 696 problems. Its not a great solution. Almost all that I've seen of the no-dash guns have a barrel ring. Its a dark ring inside the bore, right at the end of the frame. Its barrel damage at best, and apparently was caused by the interference fit of the threads between the frame and barrel.
It has no bad results as far as accuracy, but if you're looking at a 696, open the action, stick a piece of white paper in the frame window where the cylinder sits, and then view the bore from the business end. What you'll see is a dark ring up near the cylinder end. Thats the ring, and it shouldn't be there. On the 3 piece barrel guns it won't be visible because the reasons don't exist (same for the 396.)
Back to the pinned/not pinned 696 problems. Its not a great solution. Almost all that I've seen of the no-dash guns have a barrel ring. Its a dark ring inside the bore, right at the end of the frame. Its barrel damage at best, and apparently was caused by the interference fit of the threads between the frame and barrel.
It has no bad results as far as accuracy, but if you're looking at a 696, open the action, stick a piece of white paper in the frame window where the cylinder sits, and then view the bore from the business end. What you'll see is a dark ring up near the cylinder end. Thats the ring, and it shouldn't be there. On the 3 piece barrel guns it won't be visible because the reasons don't exist (same for the 396.)
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.
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!
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