Lookin for a .44 spc...

O

omegapd

New member
Hey All,

I'm looking for a .44 Special revolver but have a couple of stipulations...I need some ideas...

I want one on a K/L frame. No N frames because this would most likely be used as an IWB off-duty gun.

I'd also prefer a 4 inch barrel.

Right now, I already have a S&W 696 and carry that occasionally but with what they're selling for now (and compared to what I paid) I'd rather turn it into a safe queen/range gun and save it from getting beat up.

So, all I can think of right now is one of the older Charter Arms that come up occasionally on gunbroker, etc.

Did S&W, Colt, Taurus, etc. make one with what I have in mind?

Thanks for any help-

EW
 
Did S&W, Colt, Taurus, etc. make one with what I have in mind?
Click to expand...

Taurus still does. OK, not exactly but close enough. Check out the Tracker series of guns. Five shot. Very close to a K frame in size. I'm particularly tempted by the .41 Magnum version. They make it in stainless steel and in titanium. Nice package. I've just never been able to talk myself in to buying one because I'm worried about quality. If you could pick your individual choice right in a gun store then you would have a better chance. They have made them in many calibers and now have a .44 Magnum version. So you could shoot Specials to your heart's content. The .45 ACP version with clips is cool too.

On the Smith side, about your only choice is the 396. The darn thing is flat out ugly but it would be a nice light trail or carry gun.

Rossi also made an interesting .44 Special that I prefer to the Charter products. It was called the 720 and you could get it with adjustable sights or fixed. I own one of each and they are accurate and solid guns. Of course they are also solid steel so they weigh as much as your 696! A lot of gun for the money. I would carry one of mine if I couldn't use my every day S&W M296 any more. If I was determined to stick to .44 Special.

Gregg
 
The last time I was in my local gunshop, they had
a nice one I think for $200.
Older Charter Arms .44 Special revolver.
If you like I could check and see if they still have it
or whatever.
 
I'd look at thTaurus and the Rossi Ive always had good luchwith Rossi pistols. The Taurus Ive looked at seem well made also. They have a 45LC snub I was looking at last week. Went back yesterday and was gone.
 
Here's a picture of both of my Rossi 720's. Both styles. I lined them up so that you could see the barrels are exactly the same length. And then there is my S&W M296 which is what I actually carry every day. It came with skimpy little rubber boot grips on it but I changed them out to substantial wooden ones. Loaded with the hot Corbon load. The speed loader works with all three of them.

Gregg

rossi.jpg
 
Does it have to be a .44 Special? Revolvers in this caliber (save the Charter Arms) are built on larger frames. I don't think S&W has built a .44 on less than the N frame (maybe a 5 shot L exists?).

If compact size is paramount how about another caliber?
 
Hey Tulsamal,

Thanks for the pics. Do you know if Rossi made one with fixed sights and a hammer? That'd be ideal for what I want...

Person OI,

Yeah, Smith made some on the L frame. The 696 I have now is one of them.
 
The MOD 21 thunder ranch might fill your needs

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976622633.htm

You can see one at the sight above.
But for a smaller gun I think that the Charter arms bull dog is a very good choice. I have carried one for over 10 years and it has over 500 rounds through it and it still functions very well with never a problem.
It does take some shooting to get used to the recoil, its about the same as a 29 smith with mags, just not as sharp.
I have the stanless with pachmier grips and find it an easy gun to hold 4 inch groups at 7 yards with one hand.
Just get an older one and you will be happy.
 
M629 and an M624.
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He SAID no N frames!

(I agree they are nice though!)

I didn't realize the 296 was an L frame. But then I'm not real up to date.
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Yep. Five shot .44 Special. Airweight with titanium cylinder. 18.5 ounces empty. Centennial style design which I prefer for a carry gun.

Whenever I unload it and hand it somebody, they always get that amazed look in their eyes. It doesn't seem possible it could be that light. A tiny little compact gun, maybe. But the 296 isn't small. It's just very light. No, recoil isn't bad especially with the middle of the road type loads. With the hot Corbons you definitely get a twisting kick. But it doesn't hurt or anything. Just have to work to pull it down for the next fast shot.

Gregg
 
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