The Dying 44?

[peachhead]

In the latest Handloader magazine (I will try to find a link) Venturino declares the 44 revolver is dying.

"There will never be a great resurgence of 44 popularity. As old timers such as myself pass on, the younger generations will focus on autoloaders - mostly black ones. So yes, I think the great 44s of America are dying."

He says basically that he's hung his 44s up and they probably will never be shot again because he won't shoot them for pleasure. He says he does like the 44 special but he doesn't think it's any more accurate than the 45 Colt.

Always knew there was something about him I didn't like

 

[gunman42782]

Yeah, Mike ticked off a lot of folks with that .44 Special aint so special comment a few years back! As for the .44 dying, it won't ever happen while I am alive!

 

[Mobuck]

IMHO: 'Heavy' (large frame, big bore) revolvers will always have a place in the shooting world. As generations come and go, so do the preferences of firearms. Folks who basically 'live outside' and carry a handgun for real life use will always have need of a '44 revolver'.

 

[gnappi]

Someone in the world is using calibers called dead so no caliber is really ever dead. Uncommon? Rare? Not in style? Sure but dead is too wide a brush stroke to be accurate.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

The niche may be getting a little smaller, but it's still there.

Black plastic is the current "hot setup" but it, too, will pass.

Wonder what the next "thing" will be.

 

[gunman42782]

The niche may be getting a little smaller, but it's still there.

Black plastic is the current "hot setup" but it, too, will pass.

Wonder what the next "thing" will be.

Some companies are going back and offering aluminum frame auto's again. What's old is new again!

 

[41Dude]

I enjoy going shooting with my adult grandkids and their friends. They bring along a variety of Glock, FN and Rugers. Much fun.
But.
When I pull out the Super Blackhawk they put down the semis until the .44 is out of ammo.
Big smiles all the way around
Unfortunately I find myself now hankering for a 10mm FN lol

 

[the_leper_colony]

The niche may be getting a little smaller, but it's still there.

Black plastic is the current "hot setup" but it, too, will pass.

Wonder what the next "thing" will be.

The niche will expand to gigantic proportions, if folks keep voting for 'The Gun Ban Party'. At any given point in time, we're just an election away from a national magazine capacity limit, and it won't necessarily be 10 rounds next time. How about 8 rounds (like New York), or 6 rounds? The big advantage the black plastic guns have over revolvers is number of rounds on tap, and if 'The Gun Ban Party' has its way, we'll all be saying 'goodbye' to anything they call "high-capacity" or "military style".

It happened when Clinton was in the White House, and it can happen again, if folks keep voting for Clinton's party.

 

[Klondike Mike]

I think Mike V. has a point. The 44 Mag is the first cartridge that I ever reloaded for and the most prevalent caliber in my collection but I certainly don't shoot the big 44 as much as I used to. I'm finding an accurate 38 special or 9mm much more pleasant to shoot and practice with. I belong to three gun clubs and can't remember the last time I met anyone shooting a 44 Mag revolver. After my close encounter with moose on my annual bird hunt last year I'm considering toting my S&W Mountain Gun or a short barrel Super Blackhawk this year but a Colt Delta Elite carries much easier and shoots as well. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Hvymax]

Like most things it has been eclipsed by bigger, better rounds. Shure it's just as effective as it has ever been but like the Flathead Ford has been left behind by newer more efficient rounds. It's heyday passed when it ceased being "The Most Powerful Handgun in the World". When I got my Dan Wesson in the Early 80's I could do things I couldn't do with almost anything else. If I was going to do something similar today I'd be using a 460 S&W.

 

[contender]

First off,, gun writers write stuff to get responses from readers. It's part of what they do.

But often,, they inject their personal attitudes into a subject,, and let their ego's rule. A few feel THEY are the "top authority" on a subject,, and people will follow.
Maybe he's gotten too old or feeble to handle a heavier gun or a harder kicking one.
Maybe his ego is such he thinks he's capable of predicting the future.

Or,, maybe he's just a blow-hard that just wants to hear himself spread whatever.

Reminds me of a window sticker I saw a while back. It said;

"A .45 acp is a .9mm for grown-ups!"

 

[peachhead]

First off,, gun writers write stuff to get responses from readers. It's part of what they do.

But often,, they inject their personal attitudes into a subject,, and let their ego's rule. A few feel THEY are the "top authority" on a subject,, and people will follow.
Maybe he's gotten too old or feeble to handle a heavier gun or a harder kicking one.
Maybe his ego is such he thinks he's capable of predicting the future.

Or,, maybe he's just a blow-hard that just wants to hear himself spread whatever.

Reminds me of a window sticker I saw a while back. It said;

"A .45 acp is a .9mm for grown-ups!"

Probably a little bit of all of those.
Most of these writers feel like they know more about the subject than the rest of us. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.
In this case I think he is just dead wrong.
The revolver, for one thing, ain't dead, or even close. The big bore revolver will be here long after the black things are gone. Sitting next to it will be a 1911.

 

[contender]

"The big bore revolver will be here long after the black things are gone."

One of the biggest reasons for this will be "recoil junkies!"

Some people feel they NEED heavy recoiling guns for their purposes. And some just enjoy trying to master them. As we age,, and our bodies tell us we are not "Twenty-something, 10 ft tall & bulletproof" we all find out that heavy recoil isn't as much fun anymore.
I can still easily handle hard kickers. But I learned long ago,, well before necessary,, that accuracy trumps power. If you don't hit the target,, all the power in the world is useless. And I've found that many of the big kickers are fun with medium loads AND are quite accurate.

 

[BuckRimfire]

I belong to three gun clubs and can't remember the last time I met anyone shooting a 44 Mag revolver.

That makes me sad. It's a rare trip to the range that I don't take my Redhawk along and put at least a few .429 holes in paper. I recently got bigger rosewood grips from Eagle, which makes it just a little more comfortable, but the originals worked so well for me that even max loads were not punishing, although I'll admit that a lot of my reloads are 8/10 or 9/10, and some are more like .44 Russian. Which reminds me that I've been neglecting reloading and need to get to seating some primers.

Frankly, my 10 mms were aggravating my flinch way more than my Redhawk ever has, so I sold them at consignment. REALLY regret selling the cheaper one since I got so little for it, and my state has since enacted a stupid magazine limit which I was too dumb to anticipate, but I go out where large animal encounters* are possible so rarely that I figured the GP100 as a second-best option was good enough...

*Land animals, that is. I get out pretty often where sea lion or orca encounters are likely, but I'm not going to wear a pistol in a chest holster while in my sea kayak!

 

[the_leper_colony]

.... If you don't hit the target,, all the power in the world is useless. And I've found that many of the big kickers are fun with medium loads AND are quite accurate.

Heck, they're fun with LIGHT loads - and you can still stuff some real horsepower in the cylinder, anytime you think you might want it or need it!

 

[41Dude]

First off,, gun writers write stuff to get responses from readers. It's part of what they do.

But often,, they inject their personal attitudes into a subject,, and let their ego's rule. A few feel THEY are the "top authority" on a subject,, and people will follow.
Maybe he's gotten too old or feeble to handle a heavier gun or a harder kicking one.
Maybe his ego is such he thinks he's capable of predicting the future.

Or,, maybe he's just a blow-hard that just wants to hear himself spread whatever.

Reminds me of a window sticker I saw a while back. It said;

"A .45 acp is a .9mm for grown-ups!"

I will try to find the picture I took of it. Rear window of a pickup had a big decal.

.45acp because shooting twice is silly.

 

[41Dude]

I will try to find the picture I took of it. Rear window of a pickup had a big decal.

.45acp because shooting twice is silly.

Not my picture. But this is what it looked like.

 

[4896worker]

I didn’t think I was old but I can remember in the 1980’s when the “wonder 9’s “ came out the .38 special was dead then a few years later guns and ammo magazine asked if the 9mm was going away because of the new .40 S&W.
Then 10 mm was out . I think writers need something to wright about .
Also when have you seen a gun writer ever say a negative thing about any new caliber or firearm that they review.

 

[41Dude]

I didn't think I was old but I can remember in the 1980's when the "wonder 9's " came out the .38 special was dead then a few years later guns and ammo magazine asked if the 9mm was going away because of the new .40 S&W.
Then 10 mm was out . I think writers need something to wright about .
Also when have you seen a gun writer ever say a negative thing about any new caliber or firearm that they review.

My first thought was never.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I enjoy going shooting with my adult grandkids and their friends. They bring along a variety of Glock, FN and Rugers. Much fun.
But.
When I pull out the Super Blackhawk they put down the semis until the .44 is out of ammo.
Big smiles all the way around
Unfortunately I find myself now hankering for a 10mm FN lol

I've gave in to that urge, got one. I'd gently suggest not. Get a 45. FNX or 545, I think long term you would be much happier. There are a lot more holster options for the FNX and you can skip all that moon bulges, unsupported chamber nonsense and just enjoy shooting it.

 

[Paul B]

"Also when have you seen a gun writer ever say a negative thing about any new caliber or firearm that they review."

I remember when Remington first brought the 8MM Rem. Mag, out the late great Elmer Keith asked after reviewing it said, "Yes, but what's it good for?"

On another note, S&W finally had to wise up and strengthen the M29/629 as people shot Elmer's pet load in their guns and results were not all that good. I loved his 22.0 gr. 2400/240 gr. SWC bullet but it messed up the internals of my 629 within 250 rounds. I had to send it back to S&W. When it came back it crapped out again within 200 rounds. Nice gun but it couldn't take the loads. I don't remember exactly where I read it but it seems Elmer use light Bullseye load for paper and moderate Unique loads for small game and only shot his "pet" load when out for the big stuff or in bear country. Something no gun writers ever mention when discussing the .44 Mag and Elmer Keith in the same line.
FWIW, I have two Redhawks, a 5.5" and a 7.5" and Elmer's load put the 5.5" out of commission. My gunsmith took care of getting it straightened out so I never learned what the actual problem was.
Paul B.

 

[DGW1949]

I've owned some 44's....A 44-Mag Marlin 1894, a Ruger Super Blackhawk, a 4" Charter Arms 5-shot 44-Spl, and a 3rd Gen Colt Model P....None were any more accurate than the .45's that I've ever owned, one bit cheaper to reload for, nor could any of 'em do one single thing any better. In addition, I found that the blast and recoil from the magnum chambered guns to be way-more than I cared to deal with. In other words, "Skeeter and his writings" aside, me personally....I doubt that I'll ever feel the need for another.

But that's just me.

DGW

 

[Randyzzz]

The whole “getting older” comment hits too close to home. I have a blown out disc in my neck and a torn rotator cuff that I let heal without surgery. My wife works for a PT, and they were able to get everything back into place without surgery. But not without consequences. I can’t do much above shoulder height without pain and fatigue setting in within minutes. I can’t even lift a gallon of milk above my head.

So…while recoil does not bother me that much, the inability to hold a heavy gun steady just kicks my butt. My OM .44 Supers don’t get much time out of the safe anymore. And I put a brass Bisley grip frame on my NM Bisley- now that’s a heavy pig. So much that I’ve considered selling it several times.

But- I recently bought a 4 5/8” NM flat top in .44SPCL. It is a joy to shoot, and I’m in process of replacing the small steel grip frame with a RW aluminum grip frame. Should be perfect.

So for me the .44 and .45 will always be favorites because the guns themselves are lighter than a smaller caliber with similar external dimensions.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I remember when Remington first brought the 8MM Rem. Mag, out the late great Elmer Keith asked after reviewing it said, "Yes, but what's it good for?"

Paul B.

To sell more guns.

 

[The Norseman]

Got my H.A.R.J. No. 350 yesterday. I quickly
perused through it as usual.

Did you notice this issue is No. 350, and
there is an article on the S&W Model 350
in 350 Legend? Coincidence? I haven't
read it yet.

Brian Pearce's Pet Loads on the 270
Winchester was interesting. Since I like
my 270s I read this first.
Unfortunately I didn't learn anything new,
was hoping guidance on using Winchester
StaBall 6.5 powder.

Anyway, I seen the 44Rem Mag article, paid
no attention because of the negative connotation
of the Title and probably a Mike Venturino
propaganda article. I'll read it last, he's just
submitting an article, filling up pages, and
stirring up readers.

 

[peachhead]

@The Norseman
"probably a Mike Venturino
propaganda article. I'll read it last, he's just
submitting an article, filling up pages, and
stirring up readers"

I wondered if I was the only one that felt that way. I read his articles, because I read the whole magazine, but I've never really liked his articles in I'm just about any magazine I've ever seen him in. Honestly there are a couple of writers that I don't care for, because it's all about me, me, me. Kinda gets on my nerves.

 

[turd]

Well, I still shoot the 'dead' .41 Mag. I think it is more about how many are sold these days than anything else. Those who shoot a bit know what the big magnums can do, and have a place for them. They are not new and hi-tech, so the Venturino's of the world run out of things to say about them. "What am I gonna write about this month"?

 

[41Dude]

@The Norseman
"probably a Mike Venturino
propaganda article. I'll read it last, he's just
submitting an article, filling up pages, and
stirring up readers"

I wondered if I was the only one that felt that way. I read his articles, because I read the whole magazine, but I've never really liked his articles in I'm just about any magazine I've ever seen him in. Honestly there are a couple of writers that I don't care for, because it's all about me, me, me. Kinda gets on my nerves.

Hold on. Stop talking about my Wife.
I hear me,me,me,me. All day. Oops. We are talking about gun writers. Never mind lol

 

[Hvymax]

44Magnum is so 44 years ago.

 

[gunzo]

Several times over the years MV has used controversy for an article just to get readers attention.
OTOH, it does seem that not as many are actively shooting big bore revolvers these days.

Different & trying times. Used to be big uses for hand guns were hunting, sport & recreational shooting. Now,,,, it's training & carrying to protect yourself just to try & fill up the tank, or stop for a loaf of bread.