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I was reading the various posts today, then reflecting on the hundreds of .44 Special entries especially since the first Lipsey flattop three (?) years ago,...and it struck me, boy there's certainly no interest in this cartridge, is there?! . The .44 has been a regular daily item on the Forum especially since the Lipseys, but it's also all the years of naysayers (mostly elsewhere but some here as well)...after all those years of hearing from so many quarters "there's no interest, no demand," but for those same years or decades so many of "us" out there clamoring for Ruger to bring out the "little" .44,...and conversions having been one of the more enthusiastically sought--dating back to the first OM .357s in the 50's--that a cottage industry of sorts emerging to meet the small but persistent demand. Yes, certainly no interest out there!

My two .44 Sp New Vaqueros (regardless what they say on the frame!) are gems and my favorite Rugers--and vying with a late 3rd Gen Colt and Cimarron--both .44 Specials as well-- as my favorite guns. The 4-5/8" is my first non "CCH'd" blued Ruger of the Vaquero/NV line. I wish Ruger would try to give us a convincing finish again (and I like my older Rugers' blu'ing better as well). The fixed sight models just seem to "need" that "CCH" treatment more. However, the Turnbull'd (etc) flattops/BH's folks have posted here are also incredible...so I'll say that any SA seems to benefit from. a good CCH'ing.

But, I digress... the .44 part of these new Rugers is stellar. I just wish Ruger would now make the New Vaquero .44s a regular catalog offering like the flattops, and make previously limited- run flattops catalog'd as well. I understand demand is less for the NV, but the wish is still there Mr. CEO!

Ever since I bought mine, my other center-fire pistols have become, well, "neglected"

Nope, no interest on this end....whatsoever.

All I know is I can't keep my .44Spec(s) in the safe. They keep 'calling' me.... Just pulled one out last night for another round of load tests. So I'll be off to the club with a .44Spec flattop, .45 Colt flattop, and a Single Six revolver sometime soon.... I am a dyed in the wool .45 Colt fan ... but I find myself shooting a lot of .44Spec too. What gets 'neglected' around here is the .44Mags and the peanut .357s. I've found my 'niche' I think for my shooting wants/needs.

The .44Spec is certainly not dead! Nor the .45 Colt!

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A clinger. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns! Ruger SA .45 Colt (Sometimes improperly referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC) - Don't leave home without it. Oh, a SA .44Spec is acceptable too....

IMHO, the .44Spl, .44Mag and .45Colt need to take some fans away from the ubiquitous .357Mag.

The .44 special is a sign from God that He wants us to be happy.

I agree, though the .357 has found a happy spot with my Montado as a good "cheap shooting" all 'rounder. But, that's about all I need in the round. My 5.5 NV .357 really wants to be made into a .38-40/.40 convertible (or my fantasy - triple treat with third cylinder 10mm...just because)...OR sold to fund another .44! One way or the other, it's gonna have to go as it is!

Yep, the 44 Spl is just a passing fad...SINCE THE EARLY '60s!
Personally they never had much appeal for me. Only have:
1 OM FT conversion 4 5/8" Blue
2 NM FT 4 5/8" Blue
1 NV Sheriff Blue
4 Colts 4 3/4" Blue/CC, 1 2nd, 3 3rds (1 a convertible Sher.)
3 USFAs 4 3/4" Blue/CC, 1 convertible
1 American Derringer
6 S&Ws 2 Triple Lock targets, 2 Pre 24s, 1 296, 1 624 3"

And the 45 is so obsolete:
1 Montado
6 Colts 4 3/4" Blue/CC, 1 1st, 2 2nds and 3 3rds
1 USFA 4 3/4" Blue/CC

Just can't figure out what all the excitement is about, I just don't have a need for any of those.

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Jim
Ruger single action "collector, accumulator, builder and shooter"
NRA Life
CRPA Life
CRPC Life
SASS Life
SWCA
RCA

'Tis true -that. 44s Rule!

My Lipsey's SST 4 5/8 is a highlight.

Now if Ruger would just come up with a .44 Special in a Speed Six sized double action 5 shot revolver, in 3, 4 5/8, 5 1/2 and 6 inch barrels...(well, if you're going to dream, dream big). Even T***rus has a mid sized .44

God Bless you my son!!!!

@rafsob: Yes. As you guessed, I'm a .44 special fan, and I appreciate and enjoy the .44 spl discussions here. As said before, the .44 special is a useful cartridge. It can be frighteningly accurate, is easy to reload, and will do the job 99% of the time. For the remaining 1%, you will probably need something that fires with a lanyard, anyway.

Rclark, I was wording in my mind the response I'd write down and then read what you said and it almost exactly mirrored my thinking.
I love my 45C, the second Ruger caliber I owned, and my first love. I don't have my OM 45 yet, still looking. I almost never shoot the .357s anymore, with exception of the SP101 that I use for home and travel defense and keep familiar with it. The 44 mags haven't been shot in a couple of years. In fact the 7.5 inch blued NM was given to my son and the SS model traded. The 44spl on the other hand is so well balanced and fun to shoot, I naturally include it in just about every one of my range visits and as a side arm when walking the woods. I reload for all of them and the 'other 45' has lately gotten some of the limelight from it's brothers the 44spl and 45c since the SR1911 showed up. It tends to eat the ammo a bit faster too!
Good shootin' to all.
Jim H.

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The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.

@jimbo (& rclark): You're 100% correct. Any cartridge with a "4" in it should not be disparaged, either. The .45 colt, .44 rem mag, .41 rem mag, and .45 ACP are all great and fun cartridges. And I'll even include the .44-40 WCF. A 200 grain bullet @ 800 ft/sec is not a bad plinker.