DennisE
Single-Sixer
I know it never died. I know I'm a recent convert. But I'm amazed that with the new Ruger and Lipsey offerings there has been such surge of interest in, and threads about, the .44 special. Anyone else surprised? Dennis
Anybody else notice - the .44 special is alive again?
- Thread starter DennisE
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Ruger4Life
Single-Sixer
Awesome caliber, and very versatile. I am not surprised at the interest in the caliber and revolver. It will do everything that the .45 will do and then some. IMO.
:roll: ACP --- Maybe??Ruger4Life said:
batmann
Single-Sixer
Great caliber and the Ruger offerings are among the very best.
J Miller
Blackhawk
The .44 Mag almost killed the .44 Special; not because the public didn't want it any more, but because the gun makers put out the hype that they didn't need a dedicated .44 Spcl any more cos they could just shoot the ammo out of the .44 Mag.
Many folks knew better and have been lobbying for 44 Spcl revolvers made on the lighter frame for years. S&W made a few runs and they all sold, but they wouldn't keep them in the line. A little here, a little there, not enough.
Ruger's new guns are a great boon for the .44 Special. I'm pretty sure I want one. And that's from a guy who feels no need at all for a .44 Mag.
Joe
Many folks knew better and have been lobbying for 44 Spcl revolvers made on the lighter frame for years. S&W made a few runs and they all sold, but they wouldn't keep them in the line. A little here, a little there, not enough.
Ruger's new guns are a great boon for the .44 Special. I'm pretty sure I want one. And that's from a guy who feels no need at all for a .44 Mag.
Joe
rkrcpa
Single-Sixer
What I find is that it eliminates my need for a 357 mag. Except for use in a small (SP101) revolver the 44spl with a 250gr bullet @ 950fps will do whatever needs done and in either my Flattop or S&W 696 it's the same size or smaller than most 357 revolvers.
I find it much more user friendly than the flash/bang of the 357 magnum. If I need more horsepower I use my 41mag.
I find it much more user friendly than the flash/bang of the 357 magnum. If I need more horsepower I use my 41mag.
deac45
Blackhawk
Well said, rkrcpa!
deac45
deac45
I have had my 44 Special Flattop for maybe 6 months to a year now. I just love the thing!
It don't rattle my teeth like the 357 and it shoots super nice!! It'll do any killin I need to do, and then some.
This is one that won't be leavin anytime soon.
It don't rattle my teeth like the 357 and it shoots super nice!! It'll do any killin I need to do, and then some.
This is one that won't be leavin anytime soon.
DGW1949
Hawkeye
No surprize here.
A lot of shooters have waited a long time for an affordable .44 Spl to come along. As noted in a previous post, the .44 Mag platform didn't realy serve the need for a handy sized 44Spl 6-gun. Colt chambered their then-new 3rd-Gen SAA in 44 Spl but your average shooter aint all that anxious to pony up the kind of money that is being asked for one. And yeah, I know about the Charter Bulldog but that was a case of too little, too light, too fragile and too specialized.
Simply put, for many years, all the available 44 Spl's were either too big, too heavy, too expensive or too small and fragile. What was needed was for Ruger to get off their duff and build one...which they finaly did.
Why Ruger never saw fit to offer a 44 Spl built on the OM-357 platform back in the old days has always been a mystery to me. Now THAT would have indeed been a prize.
DGW
A lot of shooters have waited a long time for an affordable .44 Spl to come along. As noted in a previous post, the .44 Mag platform didn't realy serve the need for a handy sized 44Spl 6-gun. Colt chambered their then-new 3rd-Gen SAA in 44 Spl but your average shooter aint all that anxious to pony up the kind of money that is being asked for one. And yeah, I know about the Charter Bulldog but that was a case of too little, too light, too fragile and too specialized.
Simply put, for many years, all the available 44 Spl's were either too big, too heavy, too expensive or too small and fragile. What was needed was for Ruger to get off their duff and build one...which they finaly did.
Why Ruger never saw fit to offer a 44 Spl built on the OM-357 platform back in the old days has always been a mystery to me. Now THAT would have indeed been a prize.
DGW
FergusonTO35
Hunter
I'm waitin' for a six shot GP-100 in .44 Special. Don't worry, I'm not holding my breath or anything. :roll: Speaking of the Charter Bulldog, that frame is perfect for the .38 Special +P. I have the Charter Police Undercover and its all stainless steel, holds six shots, and weighs less than the SP-101.
I think someone finally listened, but don't think it was Ruger. I think Lipsey's/Talo had a lot to do with it. I may be wrong, but that is my take.
By the way, I LOVE mine and thoroughly enjoy shooting it. Factory ammo is now becoming readily available, at a reasonable price, for those who don't reload.
JMO
Dave
By the way, I LOVE mine and thoroughly enjoy shooting it. Factory ammo is now becoming readily available, at a reasonable price, for those who don't reload.
JMO
Dave
bootheeljoe
Bearcat
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2010
- Messages
- 15
I have been giving a lot of thought on my next revolver purchase. Between 45 colt and 44 mag I am leaning more towards the 44 mag super blackhawk. My thought being I can shoot the 44 spcl and the 44 mag and have the best of both the worlds in one revolver. After reading this post I am wondering if there are any negative issues in doing so. Is it better to just buy the 44 spcl?
Vulcan Bob
Single-Sixer
Since Ruger and S&W have been offering new guns in .44 Special my poor checkbook is screaming for mercy! Things appear to be slowing down a bit but as the word get's out to the shooters that dident really know about the special, I think sales will be enough to keep the manufactors interest in keeping and adding new models in this grand cartridge. At least I hope so, gotta go and massage the checkbook now.
rkrcpa wrote "I find it much more user friendly than the flash/bang of the 357 magnum." I thought they all go flash/ bang. My Charter bulldog kicks and belches flame just like my sp-101 regardless of load. For conceal carry I prefer the sp-101(flatter). I wish the Charter would take more powerful loads (1000-1200 fps) then I would use it exclusively for woods bumming.
gramps
gramps
EDK
Single-Sixer
The 44 Special is at the balance point of power and accuracy. Regard it as an arabian horse or a fencing sword versus a Clydesdale or a machete. Until recently you had no choice than to go the custom route for a 44 Special in a Ruger Blackhawk or a Smith & Wesson N frame. Now we are blessed with the Rugers and a possible return of the S&W sometime in the future.
Another point to consider is that the writers who praised the 454, 475, etc wrist wreckers are starting to pay the physical price for all that power. Our most prolific writer now is John Taffin...who recently had heart surgery; wish him a speedy recovery...who is back to his roots with the 44 Special and 45 Colt in the more sedate loadings.
I personally prefer the Original Size VAQUERO and large frame Blackhawks...almost 40 years of owning and using them makes the new mid frames look small. I've got the guns, loading components and leather for them also; the leather fits my 357s also.
So I'll continue to use the larger guns...and load them to the same area that you are loading the smaller ones. BUT I'd buy the new guns in a heartbeat if I was starting out and knew what I know now.
PS Anybody need some nickle plated 44 Special brass? There's a couple thousand out in the shed that I used for low end loads in the VAQUEROS.
Another point to consider is that the writers who praised the 454, 475, etc wrist wreckers are starting to pay the physical price for all that power. Our most prolific writer now is John Taffin...who recently had heart surgery; wish him a speedy recovery...who is back to his roots with the 44 Special and 45 Colt in the more sedate loadings.
I personally prefer the Original Size VAQUERO and large frame Blackhawks...almost 40 years of owning and using them makes the new mid frames look small. I've got the guns, loading components and leather for them also; the leather fits my 357s also.
So I'll continue to use the larger guns...and load them to the same area that you are loading the smaller ones. BUT I'd buy the new guns in a heartbeat if I was starting out and knew what I know now.
PS Anybody need some nickle plated 44 Special brass? There's a couple thousand out in the shed that I used for low end loads in the VAQUEROS.
- Joined
- May 29, 2009
- Messages
- 227
I will take the brass. Tell me what you need for payment.
bootheeljoe said:
I don't see the Magnum obsoleted with the "new" advent (resurrection?) of the Special, just complimentary. The "mag" route is still viable if you anticipate the need of the magnum round on a more than infrequent basis, and then maybe "just because" or for serious medium-large sized game and dangerous four legged critters of the large brown kind...which still would suggest a mag, and is why I still have the two in my fleet. That said, my increasing passion has been for the .44 Special, in its own smaller format--for all the reasons others have stated--and have a few in the Colt design, as well as one New Vaquero in hand and another on the way. I'm one that's been clammoring for years for Ruger to "build 'em,...they will come." -'m glad someone wlas listening to us--whoever it was (If it was Lipsey's, I'm sure Ruger is now). If you have the luxury of having both, more's the better and you can then have dedicated weapons for their respective best tasks. If not and need the magnum now and then, no harm in sticking with the larger gun.
5of7
Hunter
To me, the charm of the .44 Special is in the mid frame guns that it can be built on and which can still be loaded to 44Sp+P loads without damage to gun or shooter.
That includes the L frame Smith and the recent Ruger Blackhawk Flat top.
I have owned the K frame copies by Taurus and Rossi and the little Charter Bulldog, but they just are too small to be that appealing, at least to me.
I still do own a Rossi 5 shot model 725 which serves as my sleeping aid beside the head of my bed. It is loaded with 180 gr. Rem. hollow points at around 900 fps and will last at least 100 years so loaded and so employed.
That includes the L frame Smith and the recent Ruger Blackhawk Flat top.
I have owned the K frame copies by Taurus and Rossi and the little Charter Bulldog, but they just are too small to be that appealing, at least to me.
I still do own a Rossi 5 shot model 725 which serves as my sleeping aid beside the head of my bed. It is loaded with 180 gr. Rem. hollow points at around 900 fps and will last at least 100 years so loaded and so employed.
Driftwood Johnson
Blackhawk
Howdy
Just look at production numbers of different models by different manufacturers and you will see that production of 44 Special revolvers has been way down for many years now.
I currently own five 44 Special revolvers, all of them are Smiths. They range in age from over 90 years old to just a few years old. Just bought another one a few weeks ago. I also own one Smith 44 Mag, but it never gets taken out to play. Just too darn big and heavy. For the same reason, I have no interest in a 44 mag Ruger. Although if I see one at the right price someplace I might pick up a used Super Blackhawk just for the fun of it.
I would LOVE to buy one of the new Ruger 44 Special Blackhawks, but unfortunately they have not been approved for sale in the state where I reside.
Bummer.
Looking back over the years, I don't recall the last time I loaded a 'full house' fire breathing .44Mag for my .44s. I am sure it must have been back in my 20s though :roll: . One reason I sold my SRH ... besides the size and weight of the beast. Always has been medium (up to 1200fps) to light loads. So to me, the .44 spec is the perfect match for me in the .44 class of cartridges. Between it and the .45 Colt I have what I want or ever need. Don't misunderstand, I still shoot my .44 SBH and .50th .44, but not to .44Mag levels.
I have the .44Spec Bulldog and like it. Big bore, small, CCable. However, I will use it as it is intended and not shoot it very often. The Ruger .44Spec BH will pick up the majority of .44 shooting chores.
I have the .44Spec Bulldog and like it. Big bore, small, CCable. However, I will use it as it is intended and not shoot it very often. The Ruger .44Spec BH will pick up the majority of .44 shooting chores.
On the .44spec., am only surprised that it took this long to return. A big thanks is owed to Charter Arms, for the Bulldog. They helped keep the caliber alive. For a number of yrs, it was the only factory offering in .44spec.. The Bulldog fills its niche well. My new FT takes it a step further, a field gun. Love it ! steve b
The .44 spcl is a nice cartridge-too bad it is sooo hard to find decent ammo for it. Too bad there isn't a decent DA revolver made for it, that won't break the bank. I haven't come across any used ones either.
gramps
gramps
Jayhawkhuntclub
Buckeye
I like my 44 spl NM FT, but I'd rather have a NM FT in 45 Colt built on the 44 BH anniversary frame. Even if they made one, it'd be hard to justify, but it'd be my preference. Maybe someday.
CraigC
Hawkeye
I guess this logic just doesn't make sense to me. Personally, I see no reason to pack a 48-50oz .44Mag, which is capable of launching 355gr cast bullets at 1200fps, if all I need can be accomplished with a 36oz .44Spl launching 240-250gr cast bullets at 900-1000fps (or more).bootheeljoe said:
Hammerdown77
Blackhawk
I think this is really the argument that most people fail to consider. They just hear "you can shoot .44 Special in a .44 Mag" and then think that they'd be better off buying a bigger, heavier .44 Mag because it gives them the option for both.
Well, most folks don't shoot much, if any, full tilt .44 Mag loads that their big, heavy gun was designed for. So now you're shooting .44 Special (or .44 Special level handloads in .44 Mag cases) in a gun that's waaaay overbuilt for that application, and you have to deal with carbon rings in the cylinders from the shorter cases, and slightly diminished accuracy due to the extra bullet jump from the chamber to the forcing cone. And it's HEAVY.
Personally, I think if you really want to understand the true benefit of using the .44 Special, you need a gun designed around that cartridge, not something designed around a much more powerful cartridge that most average handgunners probably won't shoot much anyway.
Well, most folks don't shoot much, if any, full tilt .44 Mag loads that their big, heavy gun was designed for. So now you're shooting .44 Special (or .44 Special level handloads in .44 Mag cases) in a gun that's waaaay overbuilt for that application, and you have to deal with carbon rings in the cylinders from the shorter cases, and slightly diminished accuracy due to the extra bullet jump from the chamber to the forcing cone. And it's HEAVY.
Personally, I think if you really want to understand the true benefit of using the .44 Special, you need a gun designed around that cartridge, not something designed around a much more powerful cartridge that most average handgunners probably won't shoot much anyway.
Driftwood Johnson
Blackhawk
I agree. Something like this, the gun the 44 Special was designed for:
rkrcpa
Single-Sixer
gramps said:
That's just it, my Flattop 44spl does not have the same abusive noise and recoil of the 357 mag. It seems to be a more mellow cartridge. IMHO
Do to arthritis in my wrist, I have found the 44 Spcl whether fired in a magnum platform or 44 Spcl platform, to be much more user friendly. I find myself shooting more 45LC and 44 Spcl guns than 357, 44 Mag, and even 45 ACP, than ever before. Not to say I can't shoot the magnums, it is just not as painful to shoot the non-magnums.
Shooting is about being able to shoot for fun and improve your skills. I find if I can shoot pain free, the shooting experience is much more productive.
That being said, my stainless 44 Spcl Blackhawk is a godsend.......
Dave
Shooting is about being able to shoot for fun and improve your skills. I find if I can shoot pain free, the shooting experience is much more productive.
That being said, my stainless 44 Spcl Blackhawk is a godsend.......
Dave
bootheeljoe
Bearcat
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2010
- Messages
- 15
Hammerdown77 made some very good points. I think I will go with the 45lc blackhawk which weighs 36oz compared to the sbh which weighs 45oz and cost about $100 more. It seems to me the 44spcl and the 45lc are close in the ballistics catagory. I'm sure the 44spcl is a great caliber also but the 45lc is more accessable to those of us who don't reload our shells. Truth be known I would probally be better off spending my money on a reloading press instead of another blackhawk.
A 3" Taurus Model 431 loaded with Silvertips has been in my nightstand for years.
