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July 7, 2011, 08:25 AM | #1 |
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I don't own a .44 Special handgun,,,
And I'm suffering from GAS (Gun Acquisition Syndrome) very badly.
A long time ago on a Pacific island far far away,,, I had a beat-up Charter Arms Bulldog,,, That old handgun had a big bark. If any of you good folk have any .44 Special revolvers,,, Please post a pic and description of your gun(s). I'ld like to get some ideas for what my next acquisition could be. Thanks people,,, Aarond
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Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time) |
July 7, 2011, 08:59 AM | #2 |
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I don't currently own any .44 Special-only guns (just a .44 Magnum) but this is the last one I did own:
S&W Model 21-4 I have something of a love-hate relationship with the .44 Special. I love the cartridge, I really do, but I'm not so fond of the packages that it comes in. My first .44 was a Taurus 445 snubby. While the gun worked well enough, it was DAO (which I wasn't particularly wild about) and had absolutely horrendous muzzle flip with anything but the lightest of handloads. It was sold to help finance my S&W M66. The M21 was a much more pleasant gun to shoot, but I never could get past the gun being as large and heavy as it was without being able to shoot .44 Magnums. That gun was sold and part of the money put towards my S&W 629. Based on past experience, I think that a S&W 696 might be the .44 Special I'd most like, but they are neither common nor cheap. If I happened to find a good deal on a Charter Arms Bulldog or Rossi 720, I might pick it up to use as a glovebox gun. |
July 7, 2011, 09:03 AM | #3 |
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1926 S&W 3rd model. It was probably closer to 95% when I got it but it was made to be used not sit in a safe never to see the light of day or feel the heat of combustion. I hope you serious collectors are pizzin yourselves right about now.
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July 7, 2011, 09:26 AM | #4 |
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I love 'em
Here are mine -
They are the best-shooting revolvers I've ever owned. Don't make me choose! |
July 7, 2011, 09:28 AM | #5 | |
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Quote:
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July 7, 2011, 09:30 AM | #6 |
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G.A.S. is RAMPANT!
Local shop has original Charter for $260+tax.
Been eyeing it for awhile. Almost NIB, some wear on it. |
July 7, 2011, 09:41 AM | #7 |
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Taurus 445.
They're a bit heavier than the Charter Arms, but they absorb recoil better, and are more rugged: @ Webley & pendennis, those 21-4s are absolutely stunning!
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July 7, 2011, 10:25 AM | #8 |
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Here's mine, a 1980s vintage Model 24-3 target.
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July 7, 2011, 10:32 AM | #9 |
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Ooooooh,,, Pretty and Shiny,,,,,
These are some fine pics my friends,,,
You have me in Pavlovian response mode. Aarond
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Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time) |
July 7, 2011, 10:33 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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July 7, 2011, 10:37 AM | #11 |
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Fairly recent similar thread... .44 Special is my favorite! (A pic of mine is in there...)
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=450884
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July 7, 2011, 10:47 AM | #12 |
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My pair of Taurus (Tauri?) 44 Specials. I wish I could find a S&W for a reasonable price - cest la pool! All of my N frame Smiths are 44 mags.
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July 7, 2011, 10:48 AM | #13 |
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Check gunandbowoutpost.com
They have or did have one for sale |
July 7, 2011, 11:02 AM | #14 |
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And of course there is the SA Ruger .44Spec revolvers. Very very nice. Besides my CA Bulldog for CC, I have a Sheriff model (3 1/2" barrel), Blackhawk (5 1/2"), and just recently picked up a Bisley (5 1/2"). These are all on the flattop medium frame.
No pictures, but here is some reading up on them with pictures . http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-Sheriff44.htm http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-44Flattop.htm http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/ross...ley-revolvers/
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A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king. |
July 7, 2011, 12:12 PM | #15 |
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this one isn't mine but it's identical.
Rossi 720. It's what the S&W 696 would have been if they'd ever made it on the K-frame. If they had, that's what I would have, but since they didn't, this is the next best thing. My favorite gun to shoot. |
July 7, 2011, 12:23 PM | #16 |
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Check out the S&W Night Guard series; I believe they make one of those in 44 Special/Magnum. 45 ACP too, which is maybe even a better cartridge due to the available free brass from the pistol shooters.
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July 7, 2011, 12:59 PM | #17 |
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These are all N-frames, listed from oldest to newest:
5" re-blued 1914 First Model 44 Hand Ejector, New Century or the Triple Lock. 1921 2nd Model 44 Hand Ejector with barrel cut to 5". Re-barreled 4th Model 44 Hand Ejector or 1950 Model 44 Target. Model 24-3 w/ barrel cut to 5". Model 624, cut to ~3.5" and round butted. I constantly argue with myself about which is the better revolver cartridge: 44 Special or 45 ACP. On any given day, either one could win. (smile) Dave
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July 7, 2011, 01:05 PM | #18 | |
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Don't have a pic of my SS Bulldog pug but here's my SA Rugers 4 5/8" BH and a 3 3/4" sheriff's vaquero.
my 696
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July 7, 2011, 02:23 PM | #19 |
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Dave, great collection of N frames. As I get a little(sic) along in years my Appreciation for these excellent revolvers grows. I only wish I had forgone one or two K frames and invested in N frames. Oh-well such is life.
As I have been unable to find a 3 1/2" M-27 at a price I will pay, I may have to consider a 44 special. |
July 7, 2011, 02:32 PM | #20 | |
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Quote:
In my case, I have several. Used to have two Rossi 720's. One of each model (DA/SA and DAO). I relented and let my gunsmith buy the DAO one from me but the other one is staying here. I normally carry a S&W M296 with the 200 grain DPX load. When Ruger came out with the .44 Special FT, I bought one with the 5.5" barrel. I also acquired a well used .357 OM and had it converted to .44 Special. That one has a 5.1" barrel. Wow, do I really only have four now? That seems wrong! I may be missing somebody. Otherwise I need to go buy some more! Ruger is making the FT in .44 Special and stainless, I'm sure I need one of those. Gregg |
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July 7, 2011, 02:49 PM | #21 |
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So I went to the S&W website,,,
I was going to look up a few model numbers,,,
It turns out that the only .44 special still made is the Model 24 Classic. I really like the looks of those older .44 Hand Ejector models,,, That big old frame with that delicate tapered barrel is so very elegant. At least I have some model numbers to look for,,, I'm going to a gun show this Saturday,,, Maybe I'll get lucky and find a deal. Aarond
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Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time) |
July 7, 2011, 07:04 PM | #22 |
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Ruger Flattop .44 Special. [IMG][/IMG]
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July 7, 2011, 07:16 PM | #23 |
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Had a stainless S&W 696, a Scandium 396 (currently owned by a forum member who has posted pics of it here) and a blued Taurus 441.
They were neat revolvers, but I never fell in love with the cartridge or the package. As a result I sold them all. A 24 or a 624 might have done the trick, but I was seduced by N-frames in .45LC and .41 Mag. And there I remain. |
July 7, 2011, 08:07 PM | #24 |
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I have enjoyed the family of ".44's". I am in my 60's now so the specials are what I shoot mostly. I started reloading over 30 years ago, (scary thinking about it), and shooting is more fun with mild loads. My Lew Horton would not allow speed loaders so I bought an extra pr of stocks and modified them.
My favorite was / is the 3" 624 so I gave it to my son. He said it shoots pretty good!
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July 7, 2011, 08:32 PM | #25 |
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I had a .44spl Taurus (431) years ago which just never measured up and soured me on Taurus. I always meant to get another special but they always ended up being magnums for some reason. Well I finally bucked the trend and got another .44Spl, I picked up my new flat top Blackhawk yesterday so I'm back in the club. Looking forward to shooting it if I ever get a day off.
There was a Charter Arms Bulldog at the shop I got the Blackhawk at and I was tempted but thought I should play with the Blackhawk for a while first.
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