44 special

[jgt]

I keep seeing the 44 special vs 44 mag or 44 special vs 45 colt again and again. I think it is pot stiring more than anything. BUT, just in case there is still some one out there that really, really has questions about this matter, then you are at a poor place to get the answers. The internet is no place to get the information you need to make such a decision. This kind of decision can only be made from experience. So, if you are still on the fence you would be well served to go to another shooter who owns the gun in question and ask to shoot it. If you shoot one and like it fine but can't bring yourself to own one because you can shoot the 44 special in a magnum then relax and think this over. You can shoot the 44 American, 44 Colt , and 44 Russian in a 44 special so now you have justification. :wink: Or if you are hyper-practical you can stick with the 44 magnum with the assurance it will shoot the 44 special plus all the afore mentioned rounds. The 45 colt can't hold a candle to that. Now before I stir up the 45 colt lovers I want to state infatically I have no issue with this fine cartridge.
I have owned the majority of the smokeless powder guns and chose the 44 family in the early seventies and have owned only revolvers chambered for them since. I also shoot lever actions in 44 magnum and 444 marlin. I didn't choose them because I ask someone about them on the internet. I owned and shot other caliber guns and made up my mind based on my experience and thus feel no need to justify them or defend them. People have my permission to dispise these cartridges if they so desire. I also give myself permission to love them. I just want to encourage those who truely want to know to make up your mind based on shooting one yourself. You have no idea how many people are on here at any given time who may be basing their answers on what they were told on a forum rather than from shooting the gun or cartridge. The only criteria for such an endever is for you to enjoy the experience. If you like it, no one will have to talk you into it, If you don't, no one CAN talk you into it. Now, go forth and pull the trigger. :lol:

 

[steve b]

Don't ya just hate it when people throw a shovel full'a common sense at a problem ? LOL ! While we like to "debate",endlessly, in theory. I agree, make your own decision after you get your hands dirty. steve b

 

[Rclark]

What you say is true... Basically "find what you like and shoot it". But shooters like to know 'why' you shoot what you do. Why do you think a .45 Colt is Special or .44Mag or .44Spec or even the peashooters like the .357 <jab>... If you don't ask questions... you don't get answers. Conversation is a way of relaying information, feelings, opinions. The shooter then can make a more 'informed' decision with what to 'get your hands dirty' with as relayed by Steve B..... I think that is why the subjects keep coming up all the time.... And hey, we tend to enjoy weighing in on the subjects it seems :) . Some can wax quite eloquently too!

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

In a perfect world, it'd be best to shoot them all and hunt with them all. But that's not practicle for everyone. Nothing wrong with asking the opinions of those who've had them first hand. Personally, I like the 44 Russian, the 44 spl and the 44 Remington Mag. But my choicee would be the 45 Colt. I wouldn't sell my 44s just to buy another 45 though.

 

[GR8_Outdoorsman]

Besides, everyone already knows that the .44 mag is superior in every way and does everything the special does and then some! :lol:


Just kidding! I've enjoyed reading the comparisons of the special vs. magnum. I will be the first to tell you that I've never shot the special, so I rely on what you guys tell me on this forum. Hopefully someday soon I'll get the privilege of shooting someone's spl.


Good shooting!!! 8)

 

[Olsherm]

"Dang it" JGT. now you have made it so common sense like ,no one will have anything to talk about and the forum may go dead.LOL

 

[gramps]

I have a Charter 2000 in .44 spcl. I wanted aDA gun to pack around in the boonies that was light weight(it is), and able to shoot 240gr lswc at 1100 fps. CHARTERS DON'T. Arrrrgh. No one makes such a beast. At least not one that is American made and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I keep looking at the non-ported Taurus Tracker snub in 44 mag, but it is not American made. I may end up with one eventually for what it does. I'll have to sell the Charter to finance the other.
gramps

 

[tek4260]

I have a Charter 2000 in .44 spcl. I wanted aDA gun to pack around in the boonies that was light weight(it is), and able to shoot 240gr lswc at 1100 fps. CHARTERS DON'T. Arrrrgh. No one makes such a beast. At least not one that is American made and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I keep looking at the non-ported Taurus Tracker snub in 44 mag, but it is not American made. I may end up with one eventually for what it does. I'll have to sell the Charter to finance the other.
gramps

Gramps, that Taurus Tracker sure is a dog. Mine gave me nice groups of about a foot at 25 yards.

 

[Snobal]

If Ruger would chamber the GP100 for .44 Special, I'd be the first in line to get one (even if it is a 5-shooter like their wonderful SP101's).

THAT would be about a perfect gun for nightstand, woods walking, truck gun, winter CCW, small game, Bullseye Matches, etc. etc.

I'd like at least one each in 3", 4", and 6" please, and maybe Davidson's could have a few made with 5" barrels, all stainless steel with full lug barrels. :D

 

[txpitdog]

put me in line for the 6" model, Snobal. Think Lipsey's would do a special 2 gun run for us?

 

[VAdoublegunner]

In a perfect world, it'd be best to shoot them all ....

Man, in a perfect world it would be best to own all you wanted! :D

 

[Ruber]

BUT, just in case there is still some one out there that really, really has questions about this matter, then you are at a poor place to get the answers. The internet is no place to get the information you need to make such a decision. This kind of decision can only be made from experience.

Well... Yes and no. I liked your post and I also did enjoy watching the back and forth on the other threads. My main thoughts are that these forums and discussions allow others to share their experiences. They may do so in the form of an opinion, but quite often they are based on experience, and those experiences may be quite different than what I would encounter at a range or testing out friends firearms.

For example, I may go and try a friends set of mid sized Ruger single actions, a .357, a 44 Special and a .45 Colt. That 44 Special may balance really well and make nice holes in targets at the range. Now, if I base my selection on that and if I were not a reloader, I would be outta luck! I can ride my bike to the local sporting good store and load up on .38 specials, .357 magnums and .45 Colts, but .44 Special is no where to be found. Whoops! Not all areas are like where I live, but if someone locally were asking the question, I would definitely bring up this point.

I agree there is a particular romance to going and trying out all these different guns and finding that magic combination of fit and feel, but there is also a real world practicality that needs to be considered if you are of limited resources. I like .44 specials, especially in a snubbie DA, but I don't realistically have time or money to deal with them. Forums and discussions like these help bring out some of these practicality issues. Just my probably unnecessary $.02...

 

[Glupy]

If Ruger would chamber the GP100 for .44 Special, I'd be the first in line to get one (even if it is a 5-shooter like their wonderful SP101's).

THAT would be about a perfect gun for nightstand, woods walking, truck gun, winter CCW, small game, Bullseye Matches, etc. etc.

I never thought of that. Snobal is brilliant.
Sign me up for one too.

Dave

 

[tek4260]

If Ruger would chamber the GP100 for .44 Special, I'd be the first in line to get one (even if it is a 5-shooter like their wonderful SP101's).

THAT would be about a perfect gun for nightstand, woods walking, truck gun, winter CCW, small game, Bullseye Matches, etc. etc.

I'd like at least one each in 3", 4", and 6" please, and maybe Davidson's could have a few made with 5" barrels, all stainless steel with full lug barrels. :D

The sad part is that every time someone brings this up, I am reminded of the custom 5 shot Speed Six by Alpha Precision that I passed on at a Jackson MS gun show. $500 asking price and I didn't know what I had in my hand.

 

[sunday bill]

Hmmmmmm........45 Cowboy Special, 45 Schofield, 45 Colt, 454 Casull, 460 S&W??????

EDIT TO ADD: I'm a 44 freak, too, and regularly load all the 44s listed except the American, which I've never fired.

I'd be interested to know how many forum members load the American.

I've loaded all the 45s mentioned and still do except for the 460. In case you're not familiar with it, the 45 Cowboy Special has somewhat the same case capacity as the 45 ACP. I get my brass from CAS shooter Adirondack Jack who has Star-Line make them up.

 

[Dave T]

jgt,

I've read through this whole thread and I still can't figure out how you limited yourself to just 44s. There's all those 45s out there, and some of the 3357s are pretty interesting. Gee, just one bore diameter? I'm not sure I could handle that. (LOL)

Dave

 

[sunday bill]

Come to think of it, the 44 Colt aint a bad round, either. I know a few who load it for use in open tops.

 

[jgt]

Dave,
A lot of my post was meant tongue in cheek, because I have learned much form the well informed folks here. Not true of the internet as a whole.
I have owned many others calibers, but they didn't do it for me like the 44's do. I have never regreted my decision.

 

[protoolman]

Yeah I wouldn't want to take anyone here's word for what I shoud buy either. I usually just ask the 18 year old college student behind the sporting goods counter that sells soccer cleats, bicycles and guns what i should get!

 

[AKGrouch]

The secret to happiness is to not whine, not snivel, and not ask too many questions about which is better (by someone's definition). The answer is to just get em all!!!! I shoot .44 special, .44 mag, and 45 colt. I reload em all so I have control over the load's I'm shooting. I have a blast with em!!!!! As for which is best, it depends on the day and my whims....the .45's are the winners........hmmmmm. No, the .44's......hmmmm.....but then......Hell shoot em all and enjoy!!!! nuff said

 

[jgt]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Protoolman Thanks I needed a good laugh this morning. Point taken. Thanks :lol: :lol:

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

In a perfect world, it'd be best to shoot them all ....

Man, in a perfect world it would be best to own all you wanted! :D

Okay, you got me there. I guess I should have said in a "near perfect world." 8)

 

[Olsherm]

Hey! I don't know if I shoot so I can reload or reload so I can shoot?? Both are fun things to do whether they are 44's or 45's.