44 Special
With all the hulabaloo about compact 40 and 45 autos lately, I can't understand why a manufacturer other than Charter Arms can't come up with a concealable revolver in 44 Special. I bet there is a good market for this round in a defense style snubbie. All that being said, I got tired of waiting and went out and bought a Bulldog Pug. I didn't pay that much for it so my experiment won't be too costly. I also got some Blazer 200gr Gold Dot HP ammo to try out. Anybody have any experience with this load in this gun? I know the recoil will probably be stout, but I am not that sensitive to it. Thoughts?[?]
0
-
Any thoughts/advice on the use of 44spl in a 44mag revolver? 0 -
does anyone know if there is a semi-auto chambered for 44special? Yes, I realize this is a rimmed cartridge. 0 -
I like the 44spl and the 45lc as well as the 41mag light round. All mis-understood caliburs. My 2 cents [8D] 0 -
I had one of the old Charter Arms Bulldog 44 spl and it was a 5 shot carry revolver.
I used to salmon/steelhead fish all over Washington and that was my carry gun on the rivers.
I shot that thing so much it finally started to loosen up bad and get sloppy enough that I sold it for exactly what I paid for it about 10 years pryor.
I bought it from a cop.
We used to say that little dog barks Loud.
right at around dusk,It was a flame thrower too.
I mainly shot handloaded lead cast bullets from it.0 -
I intend to use it for a "car gun" and for a tackle box gun. Had a 44 special in a Taurus years ago but it too was too big to carry concealed. 0 -
You'll prolly need something a little bigger to bag a car!
[:D]0 -
That's true! Big enough to prevent some one else from bagging my car though![:)][:)][:)] 0 -
The 200 grain bullet is a lot more comfortable to shoot than the 250 out of the light Charter Arms Bulldog. Loaded to about 1000fps, it equals the old 44-40 load out of a 7 1/2" SAA barrel that did good work in its' day.
I've fired Keith's heavy (1250fps) 235 gr HP out of it which is a serious load.
Of the several grips available a modified Charter rubber grip was the best for fit and recoil reduction.
I ground flat and thinned that part of the grip covering the back strap. The original wedge shape of the wood and rubber grips really bites and needs to be modified.0 -
Thanks for the suggestions. I will be eager to get to the range this week and use up some ammo.[:)] 0 -
does'nt S&W make a 44 special in their 696 and thunder ranch models?
Not saying charter is a bad choice, but other choices are available.0 -
quote:Originally posted by 65gto389
does'nt S&W make a 44 special in their 696 and thunder ranch models?
Not saying charter is a bad choice, but other choices are available.
696 is discontinued and pricey when you find one. Thunder Ranch is a 6 shot N frame, much bigger that the Pug.0 -
I bought the 44 pug last year, It's stainless and shoots my reloads in to a 2" group at 25 yards, My load is 240gr simi wad cutter with 6gr. of unique, very mild to shoot. I am a cripple and I can use a walker, some times I am in my wheel chair, the little 44 is with in reach. 0 -
I enjoy shooting my 44-mag loaded with 44-specials.
Why buy a gun that will only shoot specials when a mag will shoot both of them? That's like buying a 38-special when you can buy a .357 magnum.0 -
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
I enjoy shooting my 44-mag loaded with 44-specials.
Why buy a gun that will only shoot specials when a mag will shoot both of them? That's like buying a 38-special when you can buy a .357 magnum.
Some people like The 38 & 44 spl and have no desire to shoot the magnum rounds. Especially in a compact revolver.
When I owned my Bulldog 44spl it was more then adequate for its intended purpose and a magnum would have been overkill.
Plus a handloader can load magnum performance into the spl case if they really felt like they neede more power.0 -
I have the Taurus 44 special SS five shot revolver. A bit big to lug around, but it could be a good woods gun or home protection revolver.
Its a fun cal to reload and shoot!0 -
quote:Originally posted by MVP
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
I enjoy shooting my 44-mag loaded with 44-specials.
Why buy a gun that will only shoot specials when a mag will shoot both of them? That's like buying a 38-special when you can buy a .357 magnum.
Some people like The 38 & 44 spl and have no desire to shoot the magnum rounds. Especially in a compact revolver.
When I owned my Bulldog 44spl it was more then adequate for its intended purpose and a magnum would have been overkill.
Plus a handloader can load magnum performance into the spl case if they really felt like they neede more power.
But, to me, that's like buying a Ferrari with an automatic transmission and a four-cylinder engine.0 -
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
quote:Originally posted by MVP
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
I enjoy shooting my 44-mag loaded with 44-specials.
Why buy a gun that will only shoot specials when a mag will shoot both of them? That's like buying a 38-special when you can buy a .357 magnum.
Some people like The 38 & 44 spl and have no desire to shoot the magnum rounds. Especially in a compact revolver.
When I owned my Bulldog 44spl it was more then adequate for its intended purpose and a magnum would have been overkill.
Plus a handloader can load magnum performance into the spl case if they really felt like they neede more power.
But, to me, that's like buying a Ferrari with an automatic transmission and a four-cylinder engine.
It to me is like telling someone who bought a half ton truck and is happy with the half ton trucks performance, and then someone comes along and tries to convince them they need to have a 1 ton . More power/More better?0 -
Why would anyone waste their time on an underpowered 357 magnum when they could buy a 44 magnum?
That would be like buying a Ferrari with an automatic transmission and a four-cylinder engine.0 -
quote:Originally posted by MVP
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
quote:Originally posted by MVP
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
I enjoy shooting my 44-mag loaded with 44-specials.
Why buy a gun that will only shoot specials when a mag will shoot both of them? That's like buying a 38-special when you can buy a .357 magnum.
Some people like The 38 & 44 spl and have no desire to shoot the magnum rounds. Especially in a compact revolver.
When I owned my Bulldog 44spl it was more then adequate for its intended purpose and a magnum would have been overkill.
Plus a handloader can load magnum performance into the spl case if they really felt like they neede more power.
But, to me, that's like buying a Ferrari with an automatic transmission and a four-cylinder engine.
It to me is like telling someone who bought a half ton truck and is happy with the half ton trucks performance, and then someone comes along and tries to convince them they need to have a 1 ton . More power/More better?
Your mileage may vary.0 -
quote:Originally posted by MVP
Why would anyone waste their time on an underpowered 357 magnum when they could buy a 44 magnum?
That would be like buying a Ferrari with an automatic transmission and a four-cylinder engine.
That's why I don't have a .357 but I do have a .44. [:D]0 -
Quote: "I've fired Keith's heavy (1250 fps) load out of it . . . ."
So did I. I fired three rounds, 250 grain solid @ 1200 fps, that's all I wanted. Middle and index finger hurt for a week. Usually load them to a pleasant 800 fps. Very versatile caliber. Keith's favorite. At least till the .44 magnum came along.0 -
I have several .38 and .357 snubbies, but the reason I wanted the .44 Spl, is because I like bog bores and have always wanted a personal defense in that caliber. Problem has been, no one produces a smaller, concealable 44, except for the Bulldog. We will see what happens tomorrow when I go to the range.[:)] 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
22 comments