44 Special...your thoughts?

[PegLeg45]

This is my Ruger Blackhawk (50th Anniversary) .44mag, but it shoots .44 SPL loads like a mild 38spl.  

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/7738254-md.jpg

Very nice lookin' shooter there, SIG229....... I really like those stocks.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello.  To me,  it is a dilemma like "Ginger or Mary Ann?"  (Just kidding!)

I actually am fond of both .44 Special and .45 Colt revolvers.  At the present time, I own waaaay too few of either, having so foolishly let several examples in each caliber "get away".  Right now I own but one Taurus Model 431 3" in .44 Special along with a S&W Model 24 w/6.5" bbl and solitary 4" S&W Mountain Gun in .45 Colt.


Here is my 431 (bottom) with my 3" Ruger GP100. (I wish Ruger would offer that very configuration in a 5-shot .44 Special?)


This is my only S&W Model 24 and is my favorite S&W revolver just to shoot, a V E R Y close second being a Model 14.  This revolver was legally-used to "harvest" (kill) Texas whitetail deer  in a state-sanctioned management program.  Using 240-gr. SWC handloaded to just under 1000 ft/sec, or 180-gr. Hornady XTP's at about 1150 ft/sec, no deer required more than one shot.  Either load offered "plenty" and only "sure" shots were taken; any doubt whatsoever and the shot was passed.  I killed a total of 7 deer with that revolver, the farthest shot being right at 27 yards, broadside and the deer standing still.


This S&W Mountain Gun in .45 Colt has been just a peach of a fun revolver.  I've taken a few deer with this one as well, usually using a 250-gr. SWC at about 900 ft/sec.  Probably the most "potent" thing I've shot through it has been Corbon's DPX round, but its main "diet" remains handloaded SWC's at about 900 ft/sec or so.  They group plenty tightly enough for me and are potent enough to handle anything in Texas that might need "handling" in my opinion.  I have been unable to tell any difference in effect on whitetails from about 85-lbs to about 140-lbs when hit with any of the mentioned .45 Colt or .44 Special loads.  When smacking the animal just behind the shoulder, about 1/3 of the way from the bottom of the chest cavity, they jump, run no more than 50 yards or so (usually less) and fall. A few have run right into trees, which might indicate that blood loss was already bringing on vision-failure.  Keep in mind that a deer can cover this short distance in but a few seconds, waaaaay less than the "dead man's 10 seconds".

Between the two cartridges, I prefer the .44 Special but by a very narrow margin.  I cannot really offer anything all that logical as to why...only that I do.  That said, I sure wouldn't whine if the "Gun God" decreed, "No more .44 Specials for you, heathen.  You will only shoot these vintage S&W .45 Colt caliber revolvers"...but I am simple-minded and easily amused; I even like .38 Specials!

Best to all.

[CJS3]

Love that Ruger. I don't remember ever seeing a 3" GP100. That looks SHARP.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, and thanks.  It has proven itself to me and I have no issues with it at all.

Best.

[fightingquaker13]

Hello, and thanks.  It has proven itself to me and I have no issues with it at all.

Best.

You should. The thing is ugly from the front and obviously unsafe, as well being an eyesore to the general public. I'd go so far as to say its probably a cheap Chinese knockoff. However as a good Christian gentleman I would be willing to take it off your hands and spare you the embarassment of owning such a thing. I'd even do it free of charge, just to prove how strongly I feel about the issue.
fightingquaker13 who is always willing to martyr himself for a worthy cause

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

You should. The thing is ugly from the front and obviously unsafe, as well being an eyesore to the general public. I'd go so far as to say its probably a cheap Chinese knockoff. However as a good Christian gentleman I would be willing to take it off your hands and spare you the embarassment of owning such a thing. I'd even do it free of charge, just to prove how strongly I feel about the issue.
fightingquaker13 who is always willing to martyr himself for a worthy cause being a total wanker

Edited for accuracy 

[Frisco]

WRONG!   There was the .45 Schofield and the 45 Colt then came the 45 acp.  So IDIOTS started calling the 45 Colt a 'long colt' to differentiate.  THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A .45 LONG COLT!

TRUTH...and that's....wait for it...wait for it....The LONG and the SHORT of it.

.45 COLT

[Frisco]

And because people now say 'axe' instead of ask and 'liberry' in stead of libRary that makes it right??

It is the .45 COLT, .45 ACP (or ap) and the .45 Schofield!

My favorite, and worst pet peeve....then for than, and vice versa.  Closely followed by effect and affect.  There is also..."excape" and "probally"  of course "irregardless".  UGH.  Barbarians.

[Hazcat]

Frisco,

I see eye to eye with you on both posts!

[CDR]

My favorite, and worst pet peeve....then for than, and vice versa.  Closely followed by effect and affect.  There is also..."excape" and "probally"  of course "irregardless".  UGH.  Barbarians.

And don't forget the ever popular........ "their, there and they're".  "Suscriber" bothers me as well.