.44 Special?

[K191145]

I've always wondered why the .44 Special round wasn't more popular. Looking at some ballistics it would be a good defensive round. A 240gr HP @ 800fps? Some time back I saw a S&W 29 with a 4" barrel that I wanted but didn't buy. Although it's a pretty heafty gun it wasn't too big for a good holster in winter clothing, and there's also the option of .44 Magnum for hunting etc.

Anybody ever carried .44 Special for defense? Bulldog or Redhawk or whatever?

[leroy]

K:_________________

The 44 special is a great caliber. We still shoot quite a bit of it thru Rugers, Colt SA's, and "N" frame smiths. Usually carry in a field type holster; though some old timers carried in a Milt Sparks A200 (....ALA Elmer Keith...). Link here: Milt Sparks Holsters. You can also carry the big SA's and "N" frame smiths in the old Bianchi shoulder holsters pretty well. Link here: X15H *Shoulder Harness.

For a great discussion of the 44 special, check this link out: http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt44spec.htm.

The 44 special is a powerful and accurate round that is well suited to self defense. It is the basis for the 44 magnum. We regularly shoot the old time handload of 7.5 grains of Unique and a 240 to 250 grain hard cast semi wadcutter bullet. It is good for about 950 fps out of 4 inch guns and is accurate and powerful. We also load a similar load in 44 magnum brass using 8.0 grains of Unique and the same hard cast bullets.

The 44 special is, indeed, a great caliber. All old time gunmen should own at least one!

We heartily recommend it.

Hope this helps,

Kind regards,

Leroy

[dlm37015]

I carry a 2 inch lightweight 5 shot 44 spl loaded with 200 grain full wad cutters very hard to beat .Ihave carried this load for over 30 years it has never let me down if Ihave done my part right but Iwill tell ya this load is not for everyone its a hand full .I used to fish alot in bear country and it made me feel better to have it

[K191145]

K:_________________

The 44 special is a great caliber. We still shoot quite a bit of it thru Rugers, Colt SA's, and "N" frame smiths. Usually carry in a field type holster; though some old timers carried in a Milt Sparks A200 (....ALA Elmer Keith...). Link here: Milt Sparks Holsters. You can also carry the big SA's and "N" frame smiths in the old Bianchi shoulder holsters pretty well. Link here: X15H *Shoulder Harness.

For a great discussion of the 44 special, check this link out: http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt44spec.htm.

The 44 special is a powerful and accurate round that is well suited to self defense. It is the basis for the 44 magnum. We regularly shoot the old time handload of 7.5 grains of Unique and a 240 to 250 grain hard cast semi wadcutter bullet. It is good for about 950 fps out of 4 inch guns and is accurate and powerful. We also load a similar load in 44 magnum brass using 8.0 grains of Unique and the same hard cast bullets.

The 44 special is, indeed, a great caliber. All old time gunmen should own at least one!

We heartily recommend it.

Hope this helps,

Kind regards,

Leroy

Thanks Leroy, I've been thinking about it lately, it may be a while before I buy a new handgun unless I make some sort of trade. That S&W29 seemed the way I would go if I were to buy a .44 but it's going to be about a year before I spend $600 + on a new gun.

[Guest horjdyk]

I Carry the Charter Arms Bulldog in the 44 spl and it is a very pleasant gun to tote in the waist band or out. I use a 240 grain semi wad cutter bullet and so far i have not tested the results in which I'm glad. It is very pleasant to shoot and I feel it delivers enough knock down power to get my point across.

[leroy]

....I carry a 2 inch lightweight 5 shot 44 spl loaded with 200 grain full wad cutters very hard to beat .Ihave carried this load for over 30 years it has never let me down if Ihave done my part right but Iwill tell ya this load is not for everyone its a hand full .I used to fish alot in bear country and it made me feel better to have it....

DLM:_____________

Please let me know where you are finding your 200 grain full wadcutters. I would like to try them.

Kind regards,

Leroy

[dlm37015]

i make them myself i will try to bring you some if you get out to the knoxville gun show in aug.

[leroy]

...i make them myself i will try to bring you some if you get out to the knoxville gun show in aug. ....

That would be great!! Drop me a PM and we can meet up.

Kind regards,

Leroy

[TullyMars]

I've got a S&W 29 mountain gun and it is usualy loaded with the 7.5gr unique loading. According to people in the know it is just as effective as a defensive load as the 230gr 45 acp. at 800fps. There are tons other loads for this round as it as been around for a lot of years. In the last couple of years Ruger has introduced their mid-frame Blackhawk in .44spcl. I've got a couple of em and they are a sweet gun if you happen to like S.A.s.