Are we done with 44 spls?

[williamc]

I've been waiting for over a year in the hope that some distributor would request a run of 5 1/2" stainless flattops in 44 special. With the run of specials for the platform waning, I'm running out of hope.

Do you guys think this surge in 44 specials has run its course and that we've seen the last of the special love for the 44 flattop? Is it time to settle for a blued 5 1/2" or hunt down a 4 5/8" stainless talo?

William

 

[jbntx]

I just got a 44 special New Vaquero from Lipsey's.
http://www.lipseysguns.com/post/Ruger-New-Vaquero-44-Special-Stainless-Steel.aspx

IT'S PERFECT!
Shoots dead on to point of aim, too!

My love for the 44 special still runs strong.

 

[BigBlue]

Heck I'm only recently discovering just how special the .44 Special is. Got the Talo S.S. 4 5/8" last month and just today ordered the Lipsey's 3 3/4" blued Vaquero.
Don

 

[williamc]

Hey, I'm excited too!

I'm more interested to see if you guys think the distributors have moved on. We can love all the guns in the world, but if davidsons, lipseys, talo, etc. don't want to sell them, we can't buy them.

William

 

[Festus]

Could be. What makes these dealer exclusives so special is their limited production and select offerings. If they offered a particular chambering in every configuration,folks would soon grow bored with them. I too am anticipating a .44 special purchase. I'm a 4 5/8" type fella,but would be happy with barrels up to 7.5" Gotta be flexable at times. I've seen more than a few posts on this and other forums wanting a 44-40,38-40 or 32-20 offering. Me,I'd be in line for a 44-40. The success of dealer exclusives hinges on demand. I can see where a couple models of each could very well be headed our way in the near future. You may get your wish though before the next rage. Keep on shaking the trees.

 

[M'BOGO]

I'm with you about the 5.5 stainless Bisley. Is the run of variety over, good question. The blue 5.5 Bisley has been in production for awhile now, IIRC two years.

 

[Heliman]

William, sent you a pm........

Dave

 

[Tellico]

I just traded in a RUKNV44S Lipsey 44 spl NIB yesterday. It is at Benton Shooters Supply in Benton TN. They have a web site if anyone wants one.

 

[Rafsob]

I fell in love with mine:

I use it as my woods gun during hunting season.

It amazes me as to how accurate it is, with both jacketed and lead.

 

[stantheman86]

The .44 Special will always have it's die hard fans, just like .41 Magnum.

Unfortunately it never stayed on like .38 Special did, with the advent of .357. Few people actually shoot .44 Special as a "light" load in their .44 Magnum revolvers, they either just load up light Magnum cases or they just shoot full house Mags. Factory .44 Special is as much, if not more than .44 Mag and is harder to find.

 

[BigBlue]

Factory .44 Special is as much, if not more than .44 Mag and is harder to find.

Without a doubt it's a reloaders cartridge, but as such reloaders do love it.
Don

 

[Hondo44]

The .44 Special will always have it's die hard fans, just like .41 Magnum.

Unfortunately it never stayed on like .38 Special did, with the advent of .357. Few people actually shoot .44 Special as a "light" load in their .44 Magnum revolvers, they either just load up light Magnum cases or they just shoot full house Mags. Factory .44 Special is as much, if not more than .44 Mag and is harder to find.

I did that for years but I did use 44 Spl cases. You can only load down the 44 Mag case so far before you get inconsistent burn rates and therefore eratic accuracy. And it's too darn easy to double charge a light load and not notice it. Although not usually harmful to the gun since it's built for 44 Mag pressures anyway (double the 44 Spl max pressure). But fast burning powders like Bullseye powder get can get dangerous when double charged.

 

[ProfessorWes]

Well, I'm certainly not done with .44 Specials. I'd like a couple more of 'em.

...Only thing is, since the purchase price of one new Ruger .44 SPL sixgun is roughly equal to two payments on my new car, it might be a while before I can buy another...

 

[Rclark]

I'd like to say I am 'not' done with .44Spec ... But I have three that will last me the rest of my life. A Bisley 5 1/2", the regular 5 1/2", and a Sheriff. I don't see a need for any more at this time (note ... at this time) as these shoot extremely well and no need for 'replacement'.

 

[Rclark]

You can only load down the 44 Mag case so far before you get inconsistent burn rates and therefore eratic accuracy.

If you get that 'low', just use Trail Boss .... The powder puff king!

 

[Hondo44]

You can only load down the 44 Mag case so far before you get inconsistent burn rates and therefore eratic accuracy.

If you get that 'low', just use Trail Boss .... The powder puff king!

That was yyeeaaars ago before trail boss was even a glint in Hodgson's bank acct. I have 11 44 Spls now. I don't even shoot 44 Mag anymore, the 38-40 Mag, 500 Mag Smith and 500 WYO Express have long ago taken it's place.

 

[Rclark]

I don't shoot .44Mag level loads much anymore either. Skeeter load is as hot as it gets so .44Spec works juuust fine. I like .45 Colt and just load it up when I feel I need a hotter load (which is very rare as I don't handgun hunt). If Ross Seyfried can take a Cape Buffalo with .45 Colt, then I need not look any further for a good home and woods defensive cartridge.