Does anyone make a J-frame .44 special?

As in SMITH AND WESSON?

No.

Well, I would say probably because the cylinder diameter is just too small to drill big holes into.

+1

.380" size holes for .38/.357 is pushing it as far as you can push it in a J-Frame size cylinder.

.457" holes for .44 cartridges would leave daylight showing through the sides of the chambers.

rc

However all is not lost. Taurus and Charter Arms offer 5-shot/.44 Special snubbies that are based on a frame that's slightly larger then Smith's K-frame in some respects, and smaller in others. Take a look at them.

The closest thing is the S&W 296 centennial airlite revolver in .44 special. It's a 5 shot snub on the L-frame, so quite a big bigger than the J frame, but unconventionally smaller than most other L-frame offerings and very light with a scandium frame and titanium cylinder. Mine fits in cargo style pockets (cargo shorts, pants, some jeans) and disappears on a belt. Due to it's lightweight, bullets are limited to 200 grains (to prevent the round backing out of the cartridge under intense recoil and disabling the cylinder). I have not seen any evidence of this in factory 200 grain rounds (the Corbon DPX factory loads seem very promising for defense, but have vicious recoil. They are seated firmly in brass casing).

Next to a J-frame 442



In a Mika's pocket holster



The frame is comparable to the Gp100 but the barrel, grip, and topstrap are smaller. Even at this size I tend to pocket carry it. Notice there is no adjustable rear sight or hammer to snag on. The large hammer is internal much like other S&W centennial models.



I have also been known to holster it with jeans and a polo with great success (lobo gunleather makes my favorite IWB holster).



Another 5-shot .44 special snub is the charter arms bulldog. I have no experience with the model and it has mixed reviews and a somewhat macabre history. Perhaps other forum members can help you on that one (Old Fuff mentioned it earlier in the thread).

Best,

-T

Not possible, at all, in any custom format. Just not enough real estate. The five-shot L-frame is pushing it and is good enough for the Skeeter load. The Charter Arms is as small as you can get but must be run at standard pressures.

There were some custom K-frames years ago but they must also be kept to standard pressures.

The S&W 696 on the L-frame could shoot the skeeter load @ 250 grains. However, the 296 I posted about is limited to 200 grains so a poor candidate for the classic load.

Such a trade-off is a compromise for weight and concealability. In the broadest sense, all pistol sized handgunning firearms are a tradeoff for size as well.

Charter Arm Bull Dog Pug is the only one that is almost J frame size.

I have owned several Charter Arms 44's from the first ones to the most recent ones and loved them all. The most recent ones are slightly more user friendly than the older ones.

I'd still have one if I wasn't so easily snookered by my friends who are to lazy to go look for one of thier own, since they all know I'm easy.

Ned

S&W COULD make a 4 shot .44 on the J frame by using the old Colt cloverleaf system. My 296 has all the recoil I can handle and maybe a might too much. +1 on that Corbon load for bear country in lower 48. I have put waist clips on my 296 and it's 7 shot understudy 242 as the kydex holsters for it are a little bulky for true CCW and they are convient with no belt as in sweat pants where they dissappear. I'd Buy a 4 shot j frame .44 tho....

As said above, Charter Arms makes a J frame size .44 Special, it's called the Bulldog.

Rossi Model 720 is about K-frame size and one of the smallest of the 44's.

The J Frame is a Smith & Wesson nominclature. Other manufacturers may have something of similar size but to my knowledge only S&W uses the letters J, K, L, M & X to denote frame sizes.

Nice pair of L-frame Centennials, Gordon. The 296 and the elusive 242 go together like pancakes and maple syrup

Kind of neat, someone is selling a 296 on gunbroker with a steel cylinder. I'd guess they found a 696 cylinder and installed it on the 296. Correct me if I'm wrong but such a hybrid may be able to handle heavier loads, although I have not weighed one and only have experience with the titanium cylinder.Big emphasis on -may-. I wonder where the titanium cylinder and factory supplied trigger lock went... and I'd be careful buying someones "project" especially since the seller does not seem to know much about it, but it does look shiny. It's definitely been more than 'test fired' as evidenced by case wear marks near te firing pin.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=251017795

You can look at the Night Guards too. There is a snub .44Spcl. and mag. The mag is obviously large frame, the other medium. Light weight too.

I have a 340PD, and it is light, but man, it has the most recoil of anything I've ever fired with stiff loads.

When I was young I saw a Chevy Corvair with an old 392 Chrysler Hemi stuffed in the back seat area connected to the transaxle. That was at least possible if not feasible. The 44 caliber cartridge is too big for the J Frame size gun.

About as close to a .44 J frame would be the Charter Arms Bulldog.

S&W M640 in .357 and a .44spl Bulldog. I find the Bulldog much more pleasant to shoot.

S&W COULD make a 4 shot .44 on the J frame by using the old Colt cloverleaf system.

Click to expand...

Explain this magic.

Correct me if I'm wrong but such a hybrid may be able to handle heavier loads...

Click to expand...

No. The cylinder is not really the limiting factor, it's the paper thin forcing cone. IMHO, the 200gr warning from S&W is not written in stone. As long as you give a good crimp, heavier bullets are fine.

As others have mentioned, there's Charter Arms' Bulldog. ("J-frame" is the name Smith & Wesson uses for their current small-framed revolvers.) If S&W is what you're familiar with, the Bulldog frame is between the sizes of a J and K frame. It's sort of like a J-frame with a fatter cylinder.

There's also the Taurus Tracker in .44 magnum. It's no pocket gun, but it's only about 2 lbs and holds 5 shots instead of 6, making it pretty small. You'd be able to shoot a wider variety of .44 spl handloads out of it than the Bulldog, which is limited to standard pressure loads.

Hope this helps!

.41 Colt Cloverleaf
http://antiquearmsinc.com/images/colt-cloverleaf-revolver/colt-cloverleaf-revolver.jpg
http://www.yankeegunnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CloverleafCylinder.jpg

the older original Charter arms Bulldogs were pretty small, like a Colt D frame with a 3" barrel. Newer ones are a touch larger. The S&W Scandium guns are pretty cool if you get lucky and get a good one. Mine are pre lock.

CraigC said:

There were some custom K-frames years ago but they must also be kept to standard pressures.

Click to expand...

Now true at all... What the maker of the guns said was, "do not exceed 1,000 fps loads with 250 grain cast bullets".

DM

Now true at all... What the maker of the guns said was, "do not exceed 1,000 fps loads with 250 grain cast bullets".

Click to expand...

True according to those I trust. Do you have any idea how thin those chamber walls are???

I'm not sure who you trust, but my info came from the "maker of the guns", (directly to me on the phone) who would you know that knows more about "K" frame 44 spl's, than the designer and builder himself????

DM