Why Do People Love the 44 Special So??

[Conagher45]

Just got rid of the 329 like to shoot my carry gun, with loads that I carry. The 329 was brutal, no fun to shoot. I now have a 21-4 Thunder Ranch. I will like shooting that a lot better. Besides kind of special for me since Clint Smith his brother Ron and his dad and I were all on the Ft.Wayne Police Department at the same time, it brings back some memories with all those guys. Alamo Bob

Hey Alamo Bob , Glad I found you here. I do spend alot of my time on the Down Range forum but I like the guys here too. Let me see if I can post a pic of my .44 hear, hope this works. Conagher

 

[Conagher45]

That is a 29-2 .44 magnum. Most of the loads that I shoot in it are 240 gr. LSWC at 950 fps.

 

[gto364cid]

Well liked for self-defence because those on the receiving end of a 44 Special don't like it as much.

 

[CajunBass]

I went to the range today for the first time in a few months. I took my Model 21-4, Thunder Ranch, in 44 Special to shoot for basically the first time (I had plinked a dozen rounds out back, earlier). I had a box of Winchester Cowboy loads to try out.

Now the range I went to, only has 7 yard pistol ranges, so it's not a great long shot, but man I was able to just shoot the "X/10" ring out of my targets today. That was FUN. Those big slugs cut a hole in that paper that even I could see. BOOM!!

I think I like this 44 Special thing, even though it's a non-pinned, MIM parts revolver, with a lock.

Now I need reloading dies for it.

 

[Pampero]

Interesting to learn the five 44 Specials in my safe are there because of fashion and nostalgia. Who'd a thunk it!

And here I thought it was because I like the cartridge and think it is one of the easier ones to reload for the performance level I want (800-900 fps and bullets over 200g). Oh and it's easier on the gun, the brass and my arthritic hands than the magnums.

Maybe some of you should stick to reporting why you do or don't like the cartridge personally and not try branding us all with your goofy ideas and excuses.

Dave

Ditto...I love my 696 no dash...I used to be a 1911 semiauto guy, but now I'm a revolver nut...in .44 S&W SPL of course!!!

 

[jspick]

The 44 special is a cart that can be shot in a slightly smaller frame gun because the pressures are lower than the 44 mag.

People can carry a lighter gun and still say "I have a 44".

Me I just shoot 44 special loads in my 44 mag and carry 44 mags in it when I am in the woods. But I live where I need the extra edge of the 44 mag.

It is a cult type following for the 44 special right now that is in all reality the why is it so popular right now.

John

 

[Duke426]

...
I ask this question because in doing some VERY BASIC research last night looking through ammo tables it looks like the 44 Special doesn't pack much of a wallop.

I just want to know and am curious as I LOVE revolvers...

Hope I don't ruffle anyone's feathers here.

Thanks again for indulging my questions and comments.

Nalajr

Believe me, the 44 Special packs plenty of punch. There is more to being an effective cartridge than numbers on a sheet of paper.

Without reading through the entire thread, I'm sure there are many people here who can or will provide anecdotal evidence as to the effectiveness of the gentle 44. I'll let them say it better than I ever could.

Good question and I appreciate people that like to learn!

 

[Doc Nonverbal]

This revolver started life as a 686-4. It is now a 5-shot .44 Special - the conversion was done by David Clements.

Comparing the two cartridges in the same handgun, the .357 magnum has a louder bark, more flash, and sharper recoil.

This handgun has a ball detent in the yoke and an Ed Brown extended cylinder release on the other side. It is drop dead accurate and is an absolute joy to shoot.

Here is another David Clements conversion. This Uberti Remington 1875 "Outlaw" started life as a .44/40. It is now a .44 Special.

I really like the .44 Special. At last count, I have 16 .44 Special revolvers. I'm still looking for more. 8^ )

 

[TheTinMan]

Doc - your 5-shot .44 Special is fantastic!

 

[Doc Nonverbal]

Doc - your 5-shot .44 Special is fantastic!

Thanks! It really is a joy to shoot. I'm occasionally tempted to find some pretty wood grips to replace the Hogue rubbers, but they're so darn comfortable that I'm having a difficult time parting with them.

The barrel is 5" long. It's a very heavy barrel, but it balances beautifully in the hand.

To me, this is the revolver that S&W should have made. 8^ )

 

[Oscarflytyer]

If you even remotely like the 44 Mag - you will LOVE the 44 SPC! I gave up the Mag for a SPC recently. Always wanted a 44 SPC specific gun and got a flattop BH. LOVE it. Liked it so much I got exactly the same gun in 45 Colt. I really like big holes. Both my big bore revolvers are Ruger Flattop BHs on the 357 BH frame.

Terminally the 44 SPC will do nearly all the 44 mag will do (deer, etc, and certainly paper! - also long range shooting) w/o beating the shooter to death. And I shoot it more than the I ever did the mag - a LOT more. And not because I was recoil shy, but just 'cause it is more fun. Plus, as I get older, I have had shoulder issues (torn rotator cuffs/surgery) and the SPC is much more forgiving. Same w/ the 45 Colt

 

[Gamecock]

The .44 Special is just right to me. .44 Magnum is overkill.

 

[Engieman]

Here's why I like my .44 Special (attached). Model 629 Classic, 6 1/2 barrel, about 20 years old, completely stock. Have only shot Specials in it...handloads, home cast 240 grain Keith style SWC (Saeco mold), 5 grains of Bullseye. Brass lasts forever. These targets at 16 yards. Most accurate gun I own. Twenty-five rounds in each target

 

[DonD]

Consider the 45-70 vs the 458. There is no dispute which is the more powerful, the 458 rules the roost. Using the same weight and diameter bullet, the 458 moves @ 2800fps and is devastating! Compared to the 45-70 moving @ 1800fps, there is no contest.

When you take these two rifles to a penetration contest, well, there is no contest - the 45-70 with its slower bullet blows the 458 out of the water! Not even close. Shoot a cape buffalo with the 458 and you'll drop it and when you open up the bull you'll generally find the bullet.

Do the same thing with a 45-70 and you better be sure there's not another bull behind the one you're shooting or you'll end up hauling both away. The 45-70 so out penetrates the 458 that it's legendary.

I'd call you on that and I have a .458 Win Mag. Use famous big bore revolver gunsmith, John Linebaugh's annual penetration tests.

In that, 45-70s in typical non Ruger No. 1 velocities penetrated 23-28" in the test medium. The .458 penetrated 47" before exiting the stack and doing damage elsewhere. Doesn't look like a win for the 45-70 to me.

After the initial, relatively underpowered .458 ammo way, way back, it's become the most frequently used rifle for professional hunters, replicating or exceeding the performance of the .470 Nitro Express.

Re the original question. Why shoot a .44 Spl when you can have a far larger selection of ammo and more rugged guns if you get a .44 Mag? You can load the .44 Mag to .44 Special levels and way beyond. Have it both ways.

Edited to add that the .44 Spl is a good round, just believe the .44 Mag is more versatile. Don

 

[Hellcat]

I like my 24 very much. Like loads of 240gr LSWC at 900-950fps. I use my 629-6 6.5" PP for the .44 Mag fun.

 

[DR505]

The .44 Special is a great round, as everyone has said. For me it is my 4th favorite caliber behind .45 Colt, .41 Magnum and .44 Magnum.

Edit to add: The above is for revolver calibers...I carry a .45 ACP every day for work and like that just fine too!

 

[brokenprism]

Those are some fine targets. I not only like the big ragged hole, I like that the single holes are big too. Nearly a half inch of lead side to side.

 

[MikeyB]

I fell in love with the .44 Spl when I was given a 1950 many years ago. I like it so much I sold my M29.

The .44 really shines if you're a reloader.

 

[The Gila Bender]

Prewar 3rd, Post war transitional 3rd, 1950 (4th) Model, 3rd Model Target replica by Hamilton Bowen, and a cherry 2nd Model. All good reasons to appreciate the .44 Special

 

[Poohgyrr]

Re the original question. Why shoot a .44 Spl when you can have a far larger selection of ammo and more rugged guns if you get a .44 Mag? You can load the .44 Mag to .44 Special levels and way beyond. Have it both ways.

Well, yes. Perhaps I'm not the only one, but my CCW rules say no Magnums bigger than the 357Magnum. (This is policy/ procedure, not any kind of codified law.) They won't discuss why, but I believe the lawsuits & way our general public misunderstands guns, and the way "Dirty Harry" has been mis-represented by the anti gun folks, all have much to do with this rule. Can't even load 44 Specials into a 44 Magnum pistol for carry about town.

Hunting, or protection from wild animals out in the woods, is different.

Considering that some Magnums are Special level, and vice versa, well, it is what it is. Like some other things in life.

44 Specials are still great!