Understanding the .44 Special obsession
- Thread starter netfotoj
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Evil One
Member
Bringing this back up from a deep sleep.
I bought a 21-4 TR a few months back, and let me tell you... this is the sweetest handling and shooting handgun I have ever owned.
Previously I had a nickel 5" 27-2,629-1 6", ruger GP100, and a Star Modelo Super.
I had carried the Star almost daily since 1993ish, and loved the 629.
The star is gathering dust and I have sold off the 629. The nickel 27-2 is going up for sale and my wife carries the GP100.
I cant believe how the 21-4 carries and shoots.
I am a convert. I love my .44 special.
Jim
I bought a 21-4 TR a few months back, and let me tell you... this is the sweetest handling and shooting handgun I have ever owned.
Previously I had a nickel 5" 27-2,629-1 6", ruger GP100, and a Star Modelo Super.
I had carried the Star almost daily since 1993ish, and loved the 629.
The star is gathering dust and I have sold off the 629. The nickel 27-2 is going up for sale and my wife carries the GP100.
I cant believe how the 21-4 carries and shoots.
I am a convert. I love my .44 special.
Jim
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Originally posted by wheelgun1958:
Skeeter forgive me, for I have sinned. I have strayed and thoughtlessly purchased a Taurus 445 Total Titanium. I was tempted by this 44 special and did not seek counsel. This is not the first time I have been with a Taurus.
We will be sending the forum cat-o-nine tails. For buying Taurus, flog yourself 21 times, then forward the cat-o-nine tails back using the prepaid S&W shipping label.
Stainz
Member
I first bought a 629MG for .44 Special - followed by a 696 & 296 - both bought new the same day nearing six years ago - then a 20+ yr safe queen 6.5" 24-3. After starting my reloading hobby with .45 Colts, I made .45 ACPs... then .44 Specials - then .44 Russians. Just something about Specials - and Russians!
The 696 became an every range trip companion, along with usually that 629MG. The 296 fit an OWL black leather pancake OWB holster - a great closeout buy from Michael's of oregon. It sported the 696's UM's rounded Combats - enclosing that hump for better recoil control. I shot 1,200+ Blazers through it - still miserable, but what a shooter/protector.
The 24-3 was beset with a myriad of inexcusable QC problems - thank goodness they don't make them like that (1983-ish) anymore. I fixed it finally - but a new favorite had arrived - a closeout on the '01-'02 Heritage 24 - in 6.5" - far better than that -3 would ever be - what a blue job, too. I sold the older 24 - and traded the newer one away, my last blued guns... I couldn't bare seeing the Heritage model grow 'character' like that -3. I soon bought a new 6" 629-6 - SS - and available now - my idea of a proper '.44 Special' - Keith-load ready, too. I ultimately replaced my 629MG with a new production 4" 629-6 - same as the 6", except for the barrel. Sporting wood grips, they are .44 Special/Russian shooters... cleaned - and sporting Hoge .500 Magnum grips, they are .44 Magnum ready. YMMV, but those are my all-time-favorite '.44 Specials'!
The 296 went back to it's OEM boots - and a Mika's pocket holster. The combo fits ~75% of my britches front pockets - and gets a lot more carry. No more Blazers - one burst in my 696. The GA Arms 200gr GDJHP .44 Special load is the same ballistically, cheaper, and in reloadable new Starline brass. I'm up to 2,200+ through it now - still tight (The gun... not my wrist!).
Stainz
The 696 became an every range trip companion, along with usually that 629MG. The 296 fit an OWL black leather pancake OWB holster - a great closeout buy from Michael's of oregon. It sported the 696's UM's rounded Combats - enclosing that hump for better recoil control. I shot 1,200+ Blazers through it - still miserable, but what a shooter/protector.
The 24-3 was beset with a myriad of inexcusable QC problems - thank goodness they don't make them like that (1983-ish) anymore. I fixed it finally - but a new favorite had arrived - a closeout on the '01-'02 Heritage 24 - in 6.5" - far better than that -3 would ever be - what a blue job, too. I sold the older 24 - and traded the newer one away, my last blued guns... I couldn't bare seeing the Heritage model grow 'character' like that -3. I soon bought a new 6" 629-6 - SS - and available now - my idea of a proper '.44 Special' - Keith-load ready, too. I ultimately replaced my 629MG with a new production 4" 629-6 - same as the 6", except for the barrel. Sporting wood grips, they are .44 Special/Russian shooters... cleaned - and sporting Hoge .500 Magnum grips, they are .44 Magnum ready. YMMV, but those are my all-time-favorite '.44 Specials'!
The 296 went back to it's OEM boots - and a Mika's pocket holster. The combo fits ~75% of my britches front pockets - and gets a lot more carry. No more Blazers - one burst in my 696. The GA Arms 200gr GDJHP .44 Special load is the same ballistically, cheaper, and in reloadable new Starline brass. I'm up to 2,200+ through it now - still tight (The gun... not my wrist!).
Stainz
OP
netfotoj
Member
I love those Georgia Arms 200-gr. HPs. Here's 12 in an Osama target I made to celebrate 9/11.
And here's my 29-3 with Pachmayr grips along with a Sig P226 .357 Sig and Browning FEG GKK-45 ACP at the range.
And here's my 29-3 with Pachmayr grips along with a Sig P226 .357 Sig and Browning FEG GKK-45 ACP at the range.
Meeteetse
Member
The best way to explain the 44 craze is to simply say that I will buy them where ever I find one, especially the pre-lock versions. I can give no other reason. I have even dedicated a couple of 44 Mtn Guns to 44 special only. I love the cartridge. The only caliber that even comes close is the 45 Colt and it is a distant second, right next to the .22lr.
magnummitch
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Now Ya'll got me curious- My theory has always been to buy the .357s and the .44 mags, and have a gun that fires the Specials as well- but I had an old S&W .455 Eley wallered out to shoot yer Colt .45s- and it was a very nice, pleasant..(And accurate) thing to shoot... Are there any distinct advantages to ballistics of the .44 special fired from a revolver made specifically for that cartridge ? Or is the attraction mainly in the history, and cool factor of the orginals? Because those ARE cool!! I particularly like the Old Timers.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
It,s popular because it IS good. Yes, the mag will do everything it will, and do it with yet hotter loads. But most people seldom shoot the hot loads regularly anyway. The real beauty is the lighter weight due to thinner barrel then the mag. Yeah I know about the mountain gun, but how many are out there to be found? And how many without the lock? I have a batch of .44 specials, and also at least one example of everything else. The 25-5 is pretty close to the special, but again is heavier with the larger barrel. So are examples in .41 mag.
Beyound 357, for the larger calibers the .44 special is the best balenced gun & cartridge combination hands down! Another I left out and shouldnt have is the .45 ACP in a revolver. Very good, but not AS good considering bullets for reloading at different levels etc.
Beyound 357, for the larger calibers the .44 special is the best balenced gun & cartridge combination hands down! Another I left out and shouldnt have is the .45 ACP in a revolver. Very good, but not AS good considering bullets for reloading at different levels etc.
smith revolver cop
Member
That's the appeal of the .44 Special... a wolf in sheep's clothing!!!
RidgwayCO
Member
I recently had some "friends of friends" from England visit us here in Colorado. The husband had heard of my interest in guns, and asked to see some samples. He seemed to be especially interested in the revolvers. I asked if he'd like to go shooting with me at the range the next day, and he eagerly agreed. I was surprised when he let slip that he'd never shot a handgun before.
The next day, I brought an assortment of handguns to the range. I started him out with a couple of cylinders-full of .22LR in a 6" S&W 617, followed by a couple of mags of .22LR in the Browning Buckmark Camper, then a couple of mags of .380 Auto through the Bersa 95, and then a couple of mags of 9mm through the Beretta 92FS. He liked all of them well enough, but his eyes lit up when I pulled out the S&W 696.
Shooting my pet load of a 185gr LSWC at 900 fps, he proceeded to knock down every steel target in sight, all with a huge grin on his face. He shot all 100 rounds of .44 Special that I had brought to the range, and then reluctantly handed back the 696. He said if it was legal in his country, he'd have a .44 Special revolver in short order. He also said the time at the range had been one of the highlights of his 5-week trip to America.
It was fun sharing the joy of the .44 Special with a newbie. Unfortunately for him, his government would never consider trusting one of their subjects with such a weapon (or any handgun, really...).
The next day, I brought an assortment of handguns to the range. I started him out with a couple of cylinders-full of .22LR in a 6" S&W 617, followed by a couple of mags of .22LR in the Browning Buckmark Camper, then a couple of mags of .380 Auto through the Bersa 95, and then a couple of mags of 9mm through the Beretta 92FS. He liked all of them well enough, but his eyes lit up when I pulled out the S&W 696.
Shooting my pet load of a 185gr LSWC at 900 fps, he proceeded to knock down every steel target in sight, all with a huge grin on his face. He shot all 100 rounds of .44 Special that I had brought to the range, and then reluctantly handed back the 696. He said if it was legal in his country, he'd have a .44 Special revolver in short order. He also said the time at the range had been one of the highlights of his 5-week trip to America.
It was fun sharing the joy of the .44 Special with a newbie. Unfortunately for him, his government would never consider trusting one of their subjects with such a weapon (or any handgun, really...).
SergeantC
Member
I read this whole thread, and I wish I hadn't. Because now, I'm finding myself wanting more .44 Specials (I currently own only one; a Taurus M445) and I cannot afford any. Small matter of being unemployed.
What's more, when I'm working again, I may not be in a position to buy more handguns.
But, if I could, I think I'd seek out a M24 or M624 with a 6" barrel.
What's more, when I'm working again, I may not be in a position to buy more handguns.
But, if I could, I think I'd seek out a M24 or M624 with a 6" barrel.
Snapping Twig
Member
A friend came out here from England on business last year, much the same situation on shooting, so I took him to the range and he also liked .44spl the most. It's a good caliber to like.
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Wow. There are some nice 44's here. You guys are bad for my wallet...
Here are two of my favorite .44 Specials, a 4" M24-3 and a 16" octagon M92 from EMF and built by Steves Gunz:
Here are two of my favorite .44 Specials, a 4" M24-3 and a 16" octagon M92 from EMF and built by Steves Gunz:
phenson
US Veteran
This one is mine. It was my 52nd birthday present to myself. I plan on getting Keith Brown conversion grips for it as soon as I can afford them.
OP
netfotoj
Member
Beautiful color-case-hardened frame. A Model 21 Classic I presume? Happy Birthday and good shootin'.
phenson
US Veteran
Thanks,
Yes, it's a 21 classic. I have a little skill with photoshop, and you'll notice it has no keyhole.
Pat
Yes, it's a 21 classic. I have a little skill with photoshop, and you'll notice it has no keyhole.
Pat
Nerol
Member
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