Does anyone make a J-frame .44 special?

[tipoc]

DM,

Do you have any pics of the K frame conversion to 44 Spl.? They would be interesting to look at. Also can you measure the thickness of the cylinder walls?

Thank you.

tipoc

 

[whalerman]

CraigC NICE PHOTOS!

 

[CraigC]

Thank you!

 

[Dave T]

When S&W first came out with the 696 I was disappointed that it wasn't a K-frame. I actually called the factory and got someone on the phone. My question was, if CH could build a 44 Special Bulldog on the equivalent of a D-frame Colt (Dick Special) why can S&W build one on the K-frame. He said it could not be done and maintain the safety margin S&W insisted on. He specifically mentioned the thin spot on the bottom of the barrel shank as a problem area when cut to 44 (.43") caliber.

Dave

 

[Gordon]

Well maybe because of this thread when I came across an estate sale the HS Sentinel snub and the Charter Arms .44 Bulldog early version ( 1981 I think as it is serial 207... and has a very nice polish and a pocket hammer) for $500 the brace as NIB I took it! I have to wait 10 days until I can show and tell BUT I can tell you this: The sleek old school Bulldog is about the same physical size as the High Standard Sentinel Snub .22. Both dropped into the front pocket of my 501s with no grip visable from any angle. I think the barrels are 3" on both guns. The weight was very little more than the Sentinel . Both guns are egual in print to a pre shrouded barrel 3" Detective Special and weigh right at 19oz empty which is about a 1/4 pound lighter than a Dick Special so when one of those .44 boolits back off from the gun...owchee mama
I am ordering a set of Crimson Trace grips for the Charter Bulldog, found them for $200, should help with the recoil and the intimidation factor!

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Sweet

Gordon, when you get it, could you please post a photo of it next to your 296?

 

[WC145]

I had a Bulldog a few years ago that I had some work done on and then foolishly traded away. I know who has it now but he won't sell it back to me, I'm going to stop bugging him though, because now he doesn't have to. I just picked up about the coolest Charter Arms Bulldog ever - a Mag-Na-Port custom "Backpacker". From what I can find they made 200 of them in the mid to late '70s. They took a blued Bulldog, cut the barrel down to 1 7/8" barrel and ported it, shaved the front sight (it's a belly gun, don't know why they called in a Backpacker), bobbed the hammer, did an action job, and finished the frame, cyl, and barrel in hard chrome and the grip frame and ejector rod in gloss black. They used Pachmayr grips and included an embossed gun rug.

Mine is in exellent shape, near new, and has a terrific trigger pull, short, light, and smooth. I just picked it up yesterday and have only had time to shoot some Hornady 165gr Critical Defense through it but it functions perfectly and it is plenty accurate at point shooting distances (remember, no front sight). Impressive muzzle blast thanks to the ports but they make it easy to control, recoil is very manageable. If you're looking for a compact .44spl done right, keep an eye out for one of these and don't hesitate to buy it if you find one.

I haven't had a chance to take any pics of my own, these are from the gunbroker ad and the angles are kind of odd, grip is not so big in real life -

 

[Gordon]

Oh that is a sweet Magna Port custom! I really would like one , maybe Larry Kelly would do mine but put a modern Hi Viz front site on it. I figure with his honing of the guts and Metal Life hardening of the surfaces the thing is gonna hold up well. Thanks for sharing it is really nice. BTW Crimson Trace makes laser grips for these, might be cool with no sights to have them. I found a set for $203 on Amazon.
So THERE you have it folks a (almost) J frame .44 !