I may be in the market for a .44 spl revolver. I'm pretty sure I don't need a magnum since the gun would be primarily as a second home defense gun. I also know I can shoot the .44spl through the .44 magnum but I like to suit the gun to my needs...no more, no less....if I can help it. So here in lies my question: Aside from the cost and decorations, are there any other concerns that have manifested themselves with this firearm? Using the "search" function, I've seen the posts regarding certain cone & barrel issues with early serial #. Are these still issues, and if not, which serial # should be avoided? Or, just chalk up the TR as a "collectors" piece and get a magnum? Thanks in advance for any and all opinions related to the topic.
S&W Mod. 21 .44 Thunder Ranch...thoughts and opinions please.
- Thread starter Badger71
- Start date
There were several quality control problems with them, but not all were bad. It's something of a gamble.
Don't think there's any period or serial range to avoid.
Among other things, there was a question on where they were sighted in. Published reports said it was supposedly to match the limited run of Black Hills loads, actual shooters found it usually wasn't, and tended to shoot off to one side. Front sights were canted on some.
Denis
Don't think there's any period or serial range to avoid.
Among other things, there was a question on where they were sighted in. Published reports said it was supposedly to match the limited run of Black Hills loads, actual shooters found it usually wasn't, and tended to shoot off to one side. Front sights were canted on some.
Denis
Why a .44 spl? I like shooting big bullets. My wife can't handle heavy recoil from a magnum. She is more comfortable with and would prefer to have a revolver for a home defense situation as opposed to a pistol. IME, the recoil from a .44 spl isn't significantly more than a .38 fired from a similar framed gun. And in that case, I would rather put a larger round out (.44 spl) than a (.38)....+p rounds not included.
I like the 44 special but I no longer own one. Untill the Model 21TR came out I thought all the guns that held six rounds were too big for the cartridge. Barrels were thick for 44 mags and just seem to make the gun too muzzel heavy.
The tapered barrel of the 21 is different and I like the round butt, both together seem to give it a good feel to me. I have stayed away from it till all the bugs of a new gun are worked out. When Smith came out with their 5 shot 44 special they had timing problems.
I like to wait and see if I don't need the gun and make sure they work because it's alot of money for a boat anchor. Just my 2 cents. (all it's worth
)
25
The tapered barrel of the 21 is different and I like the round butt, both together seem to give it a good feel to me. I have stayed away from it till all the bugs of a new gun are worked out. When Smith came out with their 5 shot 44 special they had timing problems.
I like to wait and see if I don't need the gun and make sure they work because it's alot of money for a boat anchor. Just my 2 cents. (all it's worth
)25
The heavy barrels weren't needed for the .44 magnum. It had just became the style to put the heavy barrel on most of the N-frames. They did make the .44 MG with tapered barrels.
When did the M696 have timing problems? Mine has been perfect and no one is reporting of any timing problems. With it being such a hot little seller now this is the first I have heard anyone complain of anything about one except that they are hard to find.
When did the M696 have timing problems? Mine has been perfect and no one is reporting of any timing problems. With it being such a hot little seller now this is the first I have heard anyone complain of anything about one except that they are hard to find.
I've had no problems with my TR21. It functions just fine and is accurate with common loads. Since I have purchased a model TR22 in .45ACP I am considering selling the TR21. I like them both, but am pretty much standardizing on .45ACP -- though I don't plan on ever selling my 624.
When did the M696 have timing problems? Mine has been perfect and no one is reporting of any timing problems. With it being such a hot little seller now this is the first I have heard anyone complain of anything about one except that they are hard to find.
When they first came out. I was at a big dealer looking at them and trying the action. When I pulled back slowly on the hammer the bolt wouldn't engage the bolt cut. Store owner said it was the third one he had that didn't work right. Don't know how they are now but the early guns had problems.
25
edited to say they made the 696 from 1997 to 02 by the blue book
When they first came out. I was at a big dealer looking at them and trying the action. When I pulled back slowly on the hammer the bolt wouldn't engage the bolt cut. Store owner said it was the third one he had that didn't work right. Don't know how they are now but the early guns had problems.
25
edited to say they made the 696 from 1997 to 02 by the blue book
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