bushmaster1313
Member
Is there any info on what was the original intended market of the .44 Magnum revolver.
Thank you
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What was original intended market of the .44 Magnum revolver
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LostintheOzone
US Veteran
Rogue cops?
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
I believe it was for hunting.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
I believe it was for hunting.
OP
bushmaster1313
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Dirty and hairy ?
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Anybody who would buy one. 
greenmachine
Member
That would certainly include me.
There was a great piece of work authored by Bill Cross and Roy Jinks in 2919 named The Smith & Wesson 44 Magnum and the small section on the early development is quite interesting. I can try to condense the section in chronological order.
Elmer Keith received his first 357 Magnum in 1933. He stated that everyone who saw the gun stated it should have been made in 44 caliber. For many years, the factory gave the issue little attention and in 1946 author and shooter John Lachuk inquired about the company's plans for the 44 Magnum. The factory replied that they were still not interested in pursuing.
Finally in the early 1950s at the repeated requests of Keith, Lachuk and ammunition manufacturers that resulted in the introduction of the 44 Mag in 1955. I can only assume that the gun was of interest for target shooting first and as a hunting caliber second.
Elmer Keith received his first 357 Magnum in 1933. He stated that everyone who saw the gun stated it should have been made in 44 caliber. For many years, the factory gave the issue little attention and in 1946 author and shooter John Lachuk inquired about the company's plans for the 44 Magnum. The factory replied that they were still not interested in pursuing.
Finally in the early 1950s at the repeated requests of Keith, Lachuk and ammunition manufacturers that resulted in the introduction of the 44 Mag in 1955. I can only assume that the gun was of interest for target shooting first and as a hunting caliber second.
ColbyBruce
Member
It was, at it’s conception, the answer to the “what is the best choice for bear protection” question that still plagues us to this day.
65Whelen
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It's the American way. If big is good, bigger is better.
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S&W, having great foresight, obviously knew how many bear gun threads would appear on this forum one day.
Well, I’m sure it was to sell more revolvers. Revolvers were king back then.
In most our opinion, and most here, they still are.
The 44 magnum was another home run for them. They seem to have accomplished that in spades.
In most our opinion, and most here, they still are.
The 44 magnum was another home run for them. They seem to have accomplished that in spades.
Rifleman200-10X
Member
An old friend owned a local sporting goods store for many years. One day while I was there, a customer came in and stated he was looking for a "Bear Gun" to carry while on a upcoming fishing trip in Alaska. My friend had a M29, a Ruger Super Blackhawk, and several other big magnums. My friend reached in the display case, and pulled out a 4" S&W Kit Gun in 22LR. Customer just stood there, puzzled look on his face, until my friend said: "This is what you need right here, won't make such a mess when you put it to your temple. No handgun is a bear gun".
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Hunting
I would say hunting. "World's most powerful handgun", right?
Reading my autographed copy of "Keith, An Autobiography". Elmer says he talked S&W and Remington into the making of the 1st .44 Magnum.
Elmer got a call from Harold Austin, S&W advertising manager. Harold said, "the 1st .44 Magnum ever produced, a tool-room job is on it's way to you now".
The 1st one had a 6 1/2" barrel and arrived in Feb, 1954.
Elmer talks about hitting a rock a few times at 500 yds and then killing a mule deer at 600 yds.
On a side note, I remember my dad talking about meeting Elmer Keith. I think the 1st time was at a SHOT Show.
My dad says Elmer said, "my name is Keith and I would like to buy you a drink". My dad said, "bourbon and branch".
My dad was a gun store owner and gun writer. Later he brought Elmer to Dallas for a seminar and a shooting session. Of course they shot .44 Magnums. Because he was Elmer Keith, the Winchester gun range in Dallas let us shoot on the 300 yd rifle range.
I would say hunting. "World's most powerful handgun", right?
Reading my autographed copy of "Keith, An Autobiography". Elmer says he talked S&W and Remington into the making of the 1st .44 Magnum.
Elmer got a call from Harold Austin, S&W advertising manager. Harold said, "the 1st .44 Magnum ever produced, a tool-room job is on it's way to you now".
The 1st one had a 6 1/2" barrel and arrived in Feb, 1954.
Elmer talks about hitting a rock a few times at 500 yds and then killing a mule deer at 600 yds.
On a side note, I remember my dad talking about meeting Elmer Keith. I think the 1st time was at a SHOT Show.
My dad says Elmer said, "my name is Keith and I would like to buy you a drink". My dad said, "bourbon and branch".
My dad was a gun store owner and gun writer. Later he brought Elmer to Dallas for a seminar and a shooting session. Of course they shot .44 Magnums. Because he was Elmer Keith, the Winchester gun range in Dallas let us shoot on the 300 yd rifle range.
Attachments
Elmer Keith was the person who kept pushing for a 44 Magnum. His primary interest was having a sidearm that would be useful for protection on his hunting and pack trips in the wilderness and could also be used to take a variety of game. So, I believe S&W developed the 44 Magnum for the handgun hunter and outdoorsman who spent time in the wilderness.
Of course, the movie, "Dirty Harry", was the reason everyone, outdoorsman or not, wanted the "World's Most Powerful Handgun".
Bill
Of course, the movie, "Dirty Harry", was the reason everyone, outdoorsman or not, wanted the "World's Most Powerful Handgun".
Bill
It is well known that Elmer did not get everything correct in his autobiography or his life. I would like to know the serial number of that gun since Roy's and Bill's account is different.
Referencing the book that I mentioned above, the prototypes were were identified as 44 Special Heavy Barrel revolvers. An important one was a 44 Special Target Heavy Barrel, # S121839, 4", Bright, chambered in 44 Magnum. It was shipped to Remington Arms on Sept. 20, 1955 to complete the development of the 44 Magnum cartridge.
The very first production 44 Magnum was # S130927 and went to Walter Sanborn, S&W Sales Department in 1955. The second, # S130806 went to R.H. Coleman of Remington Arms Company. Interesting to note that neither Bill nor Roy mentioned that Elmer Keith received the first 44 Magnum??
Doug M.
Member
Gary: Note the difference in the quoted material and what you post. Mr. Keith got his in Feb. 1954, and it was "a tool room job". The others are "production" and showed up in 1955. Those are very real differences and would completely explain the inconsistency.
I'll bet that a person with the right pull, even today, could get a "a tool room job" that does not otherwise exist. There may be darned few of those persons, maybe only the company president and a couple others ... but that does not mean no one.
I'll bet that a person with the right pull, even today, could get a "a tool room job" that does not otherwise exist. There may be darned few of those persons, maybe only the company president and a couple others ... but that does not mean no one.
That is excellent! I taught myself to shoot handguns on that range. I still shoot there; the guy who owns it (or leases it from the City, I am uncertain) is a friend of mine.
In the Summer 2021 edition of the SWCA Journal John Taffin has an excellent article on Elmer Keith and his various .44 caliber handguns.
kraynky
Member
Why, to blow heads clean off. What else, punk? LOL!
Call me a wuss, but that's too much handgun for me to actually enjoy shooting. My old .41 magnum Blackhawk was even hard on my knuckles. A .357 is about tops as far as magnums go for me.
I keep my 44 special and 45 colts loaded down to pleasurable levels too. Of course I swung a hammer for years on end, and old arther has settled in my joints as well.
