Shooting 44 spl more than .357

[wnc wheelgun]

Have been exclusively shooting .357 out of my L and N frames over the last couple of years. Went to the LGS last month and my pusher tells me he has something for me. A 99% 24-3 in 4 inch barrel. I love N frame wheelies and have been looking for a 45 acp one with no luck. This thing is just beautiful and comes with the box and 50 rounds. Best part was the gentleman selling it was presently in the range so we could talk price face to face! He could tell I was a pre-lock revolver geek and gave me a sweet deal. I love shooting 200-240 grain rounds out of this beauty and it is so accurate. I have started looking for a lever action rifle in 44 so that I can have one caliber for ease of use.

 

[brucev]

Wonderful revolver. The .44 Special is eternal. You are most fortunate.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I was a big Skeeter Skelton fan. I didn't "discover" the .44 Special until after S&W discontinued the original model 24 (model of 1950), so in the early 70's I had a model 28-2 converted using an original S&W barrel. That gun has seen thousands of Skeeter's favorite load of 7.5 grs of Unique behind a Lyman 429421 Keith-style bullet, and has accounted for a multitude of turkeys and hams at local club shoots. No question that it is my favorite revolver...

Enjoy yours.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Frank46]

Your 24-3 4" bbl is somewhat of a collector gun. Think they may have made only 2500 or so of them. And you will definitely like both the revolver and cartridge. There is a strong following here for the 44 special cartridge. From pussycat loads for cowboy action to the skeeter load for hunting. Frank

 

[STCM(SW)]

Ah, the .44 Spl., Skeeter turned me on to that one also.
Only calaber I have more of is .38 Spl.

Nothing like placeing a big bullet on target......

 

[rbswede]

.44 SPCL.

I will say that in the last couple of years, when going to the range
one of these two go with. I will also take one of my 27's as well then change it up with just the big bore's .44 spcl.and .45 colt. Both of these are so accurate (better than the shooter!) and working up hand loads is a blast. It is one of the best all around ctg. in my opinion. I can see why you end up shooting it more!

Thanks Rusty

 

[zzclancy]

My favorite, 44 special. This week I was told by the Denver manger of Armored Car company I was under gunned with a revolver in 44 special. Hi cap Glock is his answer. I told him if there are more than six I will reload. And I practice reloading a lot. We live or die by the choice we make.

 

[MattJames]

Nice revolvers!
I'm a new owner of a nice used 629.... I love it. But I'm having a hard time finding ammo. Outside of re-loading (I'm only just reading/learning) can anyone advise of a source for target ammo? Thanks!

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Welcome to the .44 Special club! I rather think that this one will not be your last. Check out Brian Pearce's articles in Handloader for some good info for loading the special. As for a long gun may I suggest a Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag, my Cowboy model is marked for .44 Mag or .44 Special and feeds and functions quite well with the special. Enjoy that fine looking six gun!

 

[Snapping Twig]

Favorite cartridge!

Accurate, hard hitting, able to do most all of anything you need to do with a handgun.

I reload, so it makes sense for me, but if you don't reload...

Favorite load for me is a Snapper, not quite a Skeeter, way more than factory.

6.5g W231/HP38 under a 250g Keith.

Try it, you'll like it!

 

[whodat]

Hello MattJames,

I shoot PMC 180gr. for practice. I get it at Cabela's when it is available. $27.99 for 50rds. It still the best bang for your buck if you don't reload or shoot "cowboy type" loads. I was paying $21.99 or less before the insanity set in. I try to keep the level at 500rds. of range ammo. I burn a box every three weeks now. Here is a link I check as much as my 401k. GunBot 44special pistol ammo Finding range ammo for certain cal's., at a decent price these days, is a sport within itself .

 

[MattJames]

Thanks, whodat!

 

[jtcarm]

Your 24-3 4" bbl is somewhat of a collector gun. Think they may have made only 2500 or so of them. And you will definitely like both the revolver and cartridge. There is a strong following here for the 44 special cartridge. From pussycat loads for cowboy action to the skeeter load for hunting. Frank

I think it was the other way around:5000 4", 2500 6.5".

Yeah I grew up on Skeeter, too, and snagged a 4" 24-3 new off a dealers shelf in 1984.

I immediately had it round-butted to better fit my stubby fingers. A year later Lew Horton introduced the same gun in the 3" length.

I've written Lew and S&W several times over the years inquiring about when the royalty checks would start start coming in, since they so shamelessly copied my gun.

Haven't heard back yet. I wonder if they have my correct address?

 

[wnc wheelgun]

Checked my S&W bible last night, it looks like the 6 inch version of the 24-3 had the larger 5,000 production run. This caliber out of an N frame is near perfection, easy to shoot and delivers the punch that I have been looking for. I have been buying quality good ammo and saving every case for reloading.

 

[loc n load]

Skeeter did it

I must confess that Skeeter indoctrinated me to the 357 mag and the 44 spl....my first 44 spl was a Charter Arms bulldog when they first came out with them.....Skeeter wrote an article about them and I still have that copy of the magazine ( and the gun).....over the years I have acquired several Smith 44 spl's and one of my carry guns is a LH 3" 24 RB.....I also carry the Skeeter load in my 44 spl's.....has served me well for decades.

 

[Cal44]

Now you need a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag/special to go with it.

I have a stainless version.

No model 24's however. I need to remedy that problem at some point.