Dave T
Member
I have long been a fan (accumulator) of N-frame Smiths, generality in 45 ACP, 44 Special and 357 Magnum. I preferred the ones with 5 frame mounted screws but wouldn't pass up a 4-screw and admit owning a few with only 3 screws holding the side plate on. Several years ago I acquired my first Heavy Duty, intended for the near magnum 38/44 round but labeled "38 Smith & Wesson Special" along side the barrel.
That pre-war N-frame started me on a journey that ended in the subject of this thread. I worked up a hand load that duplicated the published data for the 38/44 - a 158g bullet @ around 1150 fps, + or - a few fps depending on barrel length. That became my favorite shooting load in either the HD or the N-frame 357s. For a factory carry load that duplicates this level of performance I use Buffalo Bore's Heavy 38 Special +P, 158g SWC-HP GC. It is, for all intents and purposes, the old 38/44 round in modern configuration.
About a year ago a fellow revolver shooter, who is still spry enough to compete in IROC and practical pistol matches, told me his experimenting showed him that he could shoot his hand loaded +P+ 38 Specials and even 357s faster and more accurately (electronically timed and scored) than any 44 or 45 caliber on the same drills & targets. Since I had more 44s and 45s than anything else I scoffed at the notion.
Fast forward about 6 months to when I acquired one of the 6" Brazilian models of the 586 S&W, chambered in 38 Special. I thought of it as a modern day Heavy Duty and started shooting it with the hand loads described above. I liked it so much I acquired a few other L-frames, mostly chambered for the 357 Mag except for the lucky find of another Brazilian 38 Special, this time with the 4" barrel.
Several months of shooting has convinced me my friend was correct. I too can shoot just a bit faster and with more control (accuracy) with the near Magnum 38/44s than I can with even my lightest loads in 45 ACP or 44 Special. And, to my surprise I find the L-frame fits my hands, using a two hand grip, better than the N-frames.
Despite over 40 years of experience with the N-frame Smiths I have to admit the L-frames with my 38/44 hand loads or BB's Heavy +P 38 Specials are the best choice for a carry or range revolver for this old N-frame fan.
As always, YMMV!
Dave
That pre-war N-frame started me on a journey that ended in the subject of this thread. I worked up a hand load that duplicated the published data for the 38/44 - a 158g bullet @ around 1150 fps, + or - a few fps depending on barrel length. That became my favorite shooting load in either the HD or the N-frame 357s. For a factory carry load that duplicates this level of performance I use Buffalo Bore's Heavy 38 Special +P, 158g SWC-HP GC. It is, for all intents and purposes, the old 38/44 round in modern configuration.
About a year ago a fellow revolver shooter, who is still spry enough to compete in IROC and practical pistol matches, told me his experimenting showed him that he could shoot his hand loaded +P+ 38 Specials and even 357s faster and more accurately (electronically timed and scored) than any 44 or 45 caliber on the same drills & targets. Since I had more 44s and 45s than anything else I scoffed at the notion.
Fast forward about 6 months to when I acquired one of the 6" Brazilian models of the 586 S&W, chambered in 38 Special. I thought of it as a modern day Heavy Duty and started shooting it with the hand loads described above. I liked it so much I acquired a few other L-frames, mostly chambered for the 357 Mag except for the lucky find of another Brazilian 38 Special, this time with the 4" barrel.
Several months of shooting has convinced me my friend was correct. I too can shoot just a bit faster and with more control (accuracy) with the near Magnum 38/44s than I can with even my lightest loads in 45 ACP or 44 Special. And, to my surprise I find the L-frame fits my hands, using a two hand grip, better than the N-frames.
Despite over 40 years of experience with the N-frame Smiths I have to admit the L-frames with my 38/44 hand loads or BB's Heavy +P 38 Specials are the best choice for a carry or range revolver for this old N-frame fan.
As always, YMMV!
Dave
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