44 special revolvers

[Hooda Thunkit]

I don't know about the 357. If I'm going to shoot a handgun without hearing protection, I'm going to choose a low pressure round vs a high pressure.

IOW, I would rather shoot a 44 Spl over a 357 Mag, if I had to shoot without ear plugs.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm a big fan of the 44 Special. When I recently found myself without one, but didn't want to pay a lot for one, I found a Taurus Tracker, in 44 Magnum. It's a five shot cylinder, with a 4" ported barrel (not crazy about the ports, but they don't seem to hurt anything). It fits into holsters I've got for K-frame Smith and Wesson revolvers without any problems. Seems to weigh about the same as a Model 19 or so.





I paid about $400 for it used (I don't even know if they still make it or not.). It can shoot 44 Magnums of course, but I suspect they will let you know you've done something. Hot rodding a 44 Special should be a piece of cake.

 

[AK103K]

not crazy about the ports, but they don't seem to hurt anything

My 696 is ported, and I find the ports to be very annoying. Does nothing for muzzle rise, and just loads up the front sight with fouling, and in short order (usually very noticeable in just a cylinder or two). You have to constantly keep wiping the front sight off as you shoot.

I quit using lead bullets with it too, and now only shoot plated and jacketed bullets. The lead fouling coats the whole front of the gun, but especially the front sight and is a bitch to get off. Powder fouling is bad enough.

 

[RealGun]

I own a 6 inch gp100, sure it's a medium frame but its still a big heavy pistol.

I also owned a 44 mag snubby, a m44c taurus, at one time. It hated 44 special loads for whatever reason but wasn't bad at all to fire with full power 300 great magnums. This amount of recoil you are talking about is fine for me.

Seriously RealGun......I'm not talking about firing many of the heavy buffalo bore ammo, if it gets 10 rounds thru it in its entire life I would be stunned. I want a gun....that can fire a super limited amount of heavier rounds thru it that isn't full sized, I just want the option if I need it. For some reason I cannot fathom you can't wrap your head around the " not full sized" that I mentioned in my original post. A gp100 is a full sized revolver. A 640 is not full sized, do you understand what I'm saying here? I literally mentioned a taurus 445 snubby and a charter arms bulldog in my post. These are not huge guns. I understand that you don't like recoil, I don't have the same problem. This isn't a personal attack on you, leave your opinion elsewhere.

The GP100 3" is a medium size gun, maybe too big for you, but there is another level or two in size beyond it and a couple below. I had a 5" full lug GP100 and can understand how you might mistake that much barrel for a "big" gun. Keep in mind that the overall length of a gun must provide for a length of ejector sufficient to clear the chambers. The length of the barrel can't be too short, or the powder burn rate and bullet weight will have to be customized. I think 3" is minimum for any heavier bullet.

Inviting me to butt out does not reflect a sense of community here. I don't believe you can quote me as being other than well meaning.
https://ruger.com/products/gp100/specSheets/1761.html

 

[CajunBass]

Yea, I quit using plain lead bullets years ago. Mostly because the indoor range where I shoot, doesn't allow them, but once I started using plated bullets (Berry's), I realized how much easier it is to keep things clean. I wouldn't go back to plain lead if I could. Plated aren't a lot more expensive than the cast lead bullets I used to buy. Maybe if you cast your own, they're cheaper, but I've always been way to lazy to cast my own. (Some recent experiments with powder coated bullets show promise too.)

 

[AK103K]

Ive been buying plated lead more and more these days. And youre right, the cost isnt really that much different, especially when you buy in bulk.

Ports or not, cleanup is definitely a lot easier with the plated/jacketed rounds.

 

[Antihero]

I don't know about the 357. If I'm going to shoot a handgun without hearing protection, I'm going to choose a low pressure round vs a high pressure.

IOW, I would rather shoot a 44 Spl over a 357 Mag, if I had to shoot without ear plugs.

Hmm, you aren't wrong there. I hadn't considered that

 

[Antihero]

I'm a big fan of the 44 Special. When I recently found myself without one, but didn't want to pay a lot for one, I found a Taurus Tracker, in 44 Magnum. It's a five shot cylinder, with a 4" ported barrel (not crazy about the ports, but they don't seem to hurt anything). It fits into holsters I've got for K-frame Smith and Wesson revolvers without any problems. Seems to weigh about the same as a Model 19 or so.

View attachment 872870

View attachment 872871

I paid about $400 for it used (I don't even know if they still make it or not.). It can shoot 44 Magnums of course, but I suspect they will let you know you've done something. Hot rodding a 44 Special should be a piece of cake.

I'm a pretty big fan of my wife's 357 tracker, but the m44c was basically a 44 mag tracker and it hated a lot of 44 special I threw at it so I've been discounting it, and it's a bit big.

How does yours shoot with 44 special?

 

[Antihero]

@Antihero I've always labored under the impression that .357 Magnum (even handloaded and hotrodded) was not suited for bear. Just not enough bullet there. And every dedicated .44 Spl I know of today (Charter Bulldog, Ruger GP100) the Bulldog is too light weight for heavy loads, and the GP100 is too large for your stated want. From where I'm sitting, only option I see for you to do is change your preferred caliber or accept the GP100 as inevitably large.

The 357 loaded heavy is plenty of gun for the lower 48 bears. The 180gr buffalo bore moves along at around 1400fps and shows muzzle energy that a lot of 44 mag doesn't have. My gp100 is loaded with it.

What I should really do is probably track down a 445. It's basically exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[RealGun]

The 357 loaded heavy is plenty of gun for the lower 48 bears. The 180gr buffalo bore moves along at around 1400fps and shows muzzle energy that a lot of 44 mag doesn't have. My gp100 is loaded with it.

What I should really do is probably track down a 445. It's basically exactly what I'm looking for.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2011/12/8/the-taurus-445-ultra-lite-44-spl-revolver/
This article from 2011 does not provide the part about expecting heavy bullets in high performance loads being inappropriate for this size and weight. There was mention of testing with higher velocity, light-for-caliber defensive ammo. Guns like the S&W 696 and the Taurus 430/441 were mostly about use of 180-200 grain bullets and moderate loadings. I don't think anyone was seriously talking about loads one might choose for a Blackhawk or large frame Vaquero, for examples.

 

[Crowman]

In 44 Special, I like to carry the Charter Classic 3” Bulldog loaded with the Buffalo Bore Manstopper wad cutters. This load is designed for the Charter Bulldog series. If ya want hot 44 Specials, then the short barrel S&W model 69 should do. It is a tad lighter and a bit more compact than the Ruger GP 100 in 44 Special. FYI...the Model 69 is chambered in 44 Magnum, so that covers your bear loads pretty well...

Here is a comparison between the Model 69 and GP 100.

Model 69 with 44 Specials


Charter Classic Bulldog and BB wadcutters.

 

[RealGun]

In 44 Special, I like to carry the Charter Classic 3” Bulldog loaded with the Buffalo Bore Manstopper wad cutters. This load is designed for the Charter Bulldog series. If ya want hot 44 Specials, then the short barrel S&W model 69 should do. It is a tad lighter and a bit more compact than the Ruger GP 100 in 44 Special. FYI...the Model 69 is chambered in 44 Magnum, so that covers your bear loads pretty well...

Here is a comparison between the Model 69 and GP 100.
View attachment 872901
Model 69 with 44 Specials
View attachment 872902

Charter Classic Bulldog and BB wadcutters.
View attachment 872903

Pics can be deceiving. I checked the websites for specs and have 34.4 oz for the 629 Combat ($854 MSRP) and 36.0 oz for the GP100 44 Special ($829 MSRP). My calculator says that the Ruger is 4.7 % heavier, to me much less than the comparative pictures would suggest. Ruger's heavy top strap always make it look like a tank. My postal scales showed the 1.6 ounce difference to be close to the weight of 8 old-issue quarters.

 

[tbob38]

The 357 loaded heavy is plenty of gun for the lower 48 bears. The 180gr buffalo bore moves along at around 1400fps and shows muzzle energy that a lot of 44 mag doesn't have. My gp100 is loaded with it.

What I should really do is probably track down a 445. It's basically exactly what I'm looking for.

We do have grizzly in the lower 48, you know. And I have been nose to nose with a 500+ lb black that I would not have tried shooting with a .357.

 

[Antihero]

We do have grizzly in the lower 48, you know. And I have been nose to nose with a 500+ lb black that I would not have tried shooting with a .357.

Sure, and I live in an area with them. It's enough gun but its not the best of the best. I personally carry a Blackhawk in 45 colt loaded with 325gr buffalo bore most always in the woods.

I'm not saying it's barely adequate, after all there's stories of people killing grizzlies with a 9mm,and I'm not saying it's the most powerful either. It is enough and I've carried a 357 in the woods and felt safe too

 

[ThomasT]

Gunwriter and Alaskan guide Phil Shoemaker supplied his Daughter Tia with a 6 shot 357 mag loaded with 180gr TMJ bullets to use against Grizzly Bears. That guys lives with those bears so I respect his opinion on that gun choice. Me, I just stay the hell away from Grizzlies.

If it were me making the choice the OP is trying to make I would find the lightest 44 Special (other than the Charter) and put that on my belt. In the truck I would have either a rifle, shotgun or a full size 44 mag revolver. Trucks don't care how much guns weigh. The whole secret to carrying a heavy gun is a sturdy belt and quality holster.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm a pretty big fan of my wife's 357 tracker, but the m44c was basically a 44 mag tracker and it hated a lot of 44 special I threw at it so I've been discounting it, and it's a bit big.

How does yours shoot with 44 special?

Just noticed this, sorry for the slow reply, but the Tracker seems to shoot just fine. I haven't shot it a lot, but I was impressed what it did with a moderately stiff handloads.

 

[ThomasT]

I had a 44 mag Tracker blued several years ago. I liked the gun but hated the porting. It turned a 4" barreled gun into a 3" barreled gun. I shot a few full power 44 mags through it but mostly used 44 Special or low end 44 mag loads all in 44 mag brass. That made it a good gun to shoot. The full power loads had some pretty stiff recoil. I wish I still had the gun. If it would occur to Taurus to make it without the silly ports I would buy another one.

 

[LaneP]

I had a 44 mag Tracker blued several years ago. I liked the gun but hated the porting. It turned a 4" barreled gun into a 3" barreled gun. I shot a few full power 44 mags through it but mostly used 44 Special or low end 44 mag loads all in 44 mag brass. That made it a good gun to shoot. The full power loads had some pretty stiff recoil. I wish I still had the gun. If it would occur to Taurus to make it without the silly ports I would buy another one.

Same here. I'm not a fan of ported barrels in general but particularly on handguns.

 

[ThomasT]

Talk of these Taurus guns made me curious so I looked on GB and found several blued and one SS 4” barreled gun for under $400. And even saw they have a 2.5” version with fixed sights and a 31.5oz weight in 44 mag. Not too bad. And these were all NIB. Dang it! I don’t need another gun.

 

[Crowman]

Pics can be deceiving. I checked the websites for specs and have 34.4 oz for the 629 Combat ($854 MSRP) and 36.0 oz for the GP100 44 Special ($829 MSRP). My calculator says that the Ruger is 4.7 % heavier, to me much less than the comparative pictures would suggest. Ruger's heavy top strap always make it look like a tank. My postal scales showed the 1.6 ounce difference to be close to the weight of 8 old-issue quarters.

Yup...Another thing...the 5-shot S&W Model 69 has a 2-3/4” barrel vs. 3” for the 5-shot GP100. Also, you are correct...the Ruger is a bit bulkier; whereas, the Model 69 is more rounded and is more compact. Also has a much better trigger. They shaved as much off it as they could. When you compare them to a Performance Center 629 with 2-1/2 inch barrel, they actually are dwarfed. The 6-shot 629 44 Magnum is a beast of a revolver to carry, and shoot. That is my mule gun for that reason. The barrel axis is high relative to the hand and the short barrel generates more muzzle flip with Magnum loads than does the short barrel model 69 with magnums because the Bore axis is lower relative to the hand. Even though it is lighter, I find the 69 to be more controllable than the larger and heavier 629. It is pleasant to shoot 44 specials in it. The 69 is much more portable and fits nicely in a Galco Miami Classic shoulder rig. I think it points better than the GP100 as well.

 

[Milt1]

I have a Ruger Blackhawk in .44 Special and a Blackhawk Convertible in .45 Colt/.45 ACP. Lately I've decide to reduce the number of handguns that I hand load for. One of my decisions is to sell the Convertible and keep the .44 Special as I really like that caliber.

 

[RealGun]

Yup...Another thing...the 5-shot S&W Model 69 has a 2-3/4” barrel vs. 3” for the 5-shot GP100. Also, you are correct...the Ruger is a bit bulkier; whereas, the Model 69 is more rounded and is more compact. Also has a much better trigger. They shaved as much off it as they could. When you compare them to a Performance Center 629 with 2-1/2 inch barrel, they actually are dwarfed. The 6-shot 629 44 Magnum is a beast of a revolver to carry, and shoot. That is my mule gun for that reason. The barrel axis is high relative to the hand and the short barrel generates more muzzle flip with Magnum loads than does the short barrel model 69 with magnums because the Bore axis is lower relative to the hand. Even though it is lighter, I find the 69 to be more controllable than the larger and heavier 629. It is pleasant to shoot 44 specials in it. The 69 is much more portable and fits nicely in a Galco Miami Classic shoulder rig. I think it points better than the GP100 as well.

The 69 is not an N-frame like the 629 and neither is the GP100 comparatively. The Combat Magnum as 2 3/4" barrel means to me that I would not be shooting full power 44 Magnum in it. Too much fireball, when the barrel isn't long enough. Like smaller 357 Magnums that are more realistically 38 Specials, the 69 is a 44 Special capable of firing 44 Magnum. I sold all but one of my Smiths with the ILS, so I am not considering another one, although I like the 69 in concept.

 

[MidRoad]

I'm a fan of the 44 special. I had a new model Blackhawk flattop bisley in 44 special. While the bisley was nice it's not needed for the 44 special recoil, and I'd weighed 45 oz so it was heavy on the hip. I sent it out late this summer and had the bisley frame ,hammer and trigger swapped for the standard hammer and trigger along with the aluminum grip frame and ejector rod housing. Paired with the smaller flattop frame it's one handy little revolver now. It weighs 37 oz, has a 5.5" barrel and holds six rounds. While being able to handle the stoutest 44 special you can load.

Before:

After:


Now if I want something super easy to carry but still have plenty of snap while being controllable , the model 60 with a 3" full underlug is hard to beat. Weighs about 24-25 oz.

 

[fireside44]

IOW, I would rather shoot a 44 Spl over a 357 Mag, if I had to shoot without ear plugs

Guilty as charged I have shot a cylinder or two of 38s and 44 special on a couple occasions the hotter load was (38s )accordingly worse with a 3" j being worse than 4" k. Light 38s were we're almost tolerable on a repeat basis in a 4", almost being the key word. I can't imagine shooting 357 without ears on, especially indoors. Only if I had too. Honestly convinced me a 38 was probably the better overall, and cheaper, carry gun. Except I really like casting 44s in nice Lyman molds and I have a couple nice ones that are the pride of my gun collection because it's my only firearms related self indulgent goodies/guns I didn't sell off.

 

[ThomasT]

Midroad I like that flat top conversion. That is a manageable weight. I have a Super BH in 44 mag and the weight keeps me from taking it to the field very often even though I have a good holster and heavy belt for it. I use one of the wide leather tool belts that really spreads the weight.