FIRST TIME....!!!

[DBnoise]

It's hard to believe, but over the many, many decades of buying/selling/shooting, I never fired a honest-to-God factory .44 Magnum round. I owned many S&W Mod.29's but just passed them thru for the money I could make on them. During my 'macho years', I found a hot loaded Ruger OM 45Colt could push a (250 gr.) jacketed bullet 1300fps, so I figured, who needs anything else. Truth be told, I never needed that either, but I still own it. Fast forward to last year (IIRC), I bought my OM FT (7 1/2" bbl) in 44 Mag. I hand load so we've been able to enjoy each other in "our" senior years. Then, last Sept. I got a birthday present of some factory (Fiocchi) 44 Mag. ammo, and this past Tuesday, fired off my first 5 rounds of the big (to me) boomers just so I could experience the recoil of the round formerly known as the most powerful (handgun) in the world (I paraphrased Clint). I was actually able to hit my 25 yd. 'slow fire' target shooting off hand and standing (to be sure I didn't hurt myself). Probably will never fire the rest of that box (although, one never knows, do one?). Overall, it was a good experience that was long overdue. I'm happy...!!

J.

Haven't shot one since I tried my friends after Dirty Harry. I stick to my 357 Magnums in my GP100s. I don't bear hunt... if I did I would used ar least a 44 though. I dont think anything I would need to shoot with a 357 is going to get away.

 

[jmca]

In post 25, Paul B mentions an S&W "Registered" 357 magnum. What does this mean? In post ??, there is mentioned 1950's factory loads at 1500fps. Do they still make that?

 

[Shamus2022]

In post 25, Paul B mentions an S&W "Registered" 357 magnum. What does this mean? In post ??, there is mentioned 1950's factory loads at 1500fps. Do they still make that?

You are referring to my Winchester Lubaloys and no they are no longer made.... only one year, I believe... and believe me you don't want to shoot them.

 

[Jeepnik]

In post 25, Paul B mentions an S&W "Registered" 357 magnum. What does this mean? In post ??, there is mentioned 1950's factory loads at 1500fps. Do they still make that?

Registered Magnums were the first S&W .357’s. They are quite something and came in presentation cases. Later much of the pomp and circumstance was dropped and they were given the model designation of 27.

The original loading of the .357 was quite hot. I don’t know if they actually hit 1500 fps as a lot of hype happened before regular folks could get chronographs.

Still the loadings were reduced to allow lace pantyhose wearers to fire the round without physical damage.

True Registered Magnums go for boatloads these days.

 

[Shamus2022]

Registered Magnums were the first S&W .357's. They are quite something and came in presentation cases. Later much of the pomp and circumstance was dropped and they were given the model designation of 27.

The original loading of the .357 was quite hot. I don't know if they actually hit 1500 fps as a lot of hype happened before regular folks could get chronographs.

Still the loadings were reduced to allow lace pantyhose wearers to fire the round without physical damage.

True Registered Magnums go for boatloads these days.

Well, I don't wear any kind of pantyhose BUT, the second round from that box fired two handed buried the front sight in my head. Of course I was only 15 at the time but it sure scared the piss out of my father. So...physical damage smartass. And this was a .44 NOT a .357.

 

[AJGUNNER]

My son shooting a 44 magnum the first time at around 10-12 years old.



The same son about 10-12 years later with a short barreled 44 magnum and a fairly stout hand load.

 

[jmca]

I shot an S&W 44 mag once back in the early 80's. I was impressed! Belonged to a buddy of mine. In the early 90's another guy bought a Dan Wesson 454 Casull, I don't remember if I shot that?

 

[Johnnu2]

I bought a 454 Casull (Freedom Arms Mod. 83) fired one factory round.... sold it almost immediately.

J.