short barrelled .44 spec/mag?
- Thread starter chorlton
- Start date
progunner1957
Moderator
Check out the Tarus .44 special snubbie
I just picked up a Tarus 5 shot .44 special DAO revolver. It has the hammer spur removed so it is flush with the frame, has a 2.5" barrel and Pachmayr type rubber grips. Got it for $220 used (looks new); they had a new one for $270.
In my book, I'd rather have 5 rds. of .44 special than 6 of .38 special. The Tarus .44 is all steel and heavier than an alloy .38 snubbie, but it is one serious little gun! It is about the same size as a 6 shot .38 snubbie.
This little gun is a great compromise between size, concealibility and stopping power. I have it loaded with 200g. HP Silvertips; HKS sppedloaders for the Charter Arms Bulldog .44 spec. fit it.
I just picked up a Tarus 5 shot .44 special DAO revolver. It has the hammer spur removed so it is flush with the frame, has a 2.5" barrel and Pachmayr type rubber grips. Got it for $220 used (looks new); they had a new one for $270.
In my book, I'd rather have 5 rds. of .44 special than 6 of .38 special. The Tarus .44 is all steel and heavier than an alloy .38 snubbie, but it is one serious little gun! It is about the same size as a 6 shot .38 snubbie.
This little gun is a great compromise between size, concealibility and stopping power. I have it loaded with 200g. HP Silvertips; HKS sppedloaders for the Charter Arms Bulldog .44 spec. fit it.
If you don't mind spending the bucks, S&W's custom shop can give you a 3" barrel on any of their magnums. Most of the foreign guns are 5 shooters, but Tauras did make their 44 with a 3" barrel for awhile along with the 8 shot .357 on the same frame. And, if bigger is better and if it's for field use, or a house gun, there's always the new Ruger SRH with a 2.5" barrel in .480 and .454 which of course would allow you to shoot "tamer" .45 LC loads. You probably already know what size of revolver we are talking about here, even with a 2.5" tube.
Another thought popped to mind; try Dan Wesson, since they do have interchangeable barrels, they might have something that would work. I can't ever remember the 3" length as an option, but 2.5" was and they are somewhat flexible on customs, or were before CZ bought them. Seems like a 3" .460 Rowland was talked about and it ain't no slouch for similar purposes as the .44! Shorter cartridge specifically meant to be ballistically efficient in shorter barrels and plenty of power and multi-caliber to boot, including the .45ACP and Super!
Another thought popped to mind; try Dan Wesson, since they do have interchangeable barrels, they might have something that would work. I can't ever remember the 3" length as an option, but 2.5" was and they are somewhat flexible on customs, or were before CZ bought them. Seems like a 3" .460 Rowland was talked about and it ain't no slouch for similar purposes as the .44! Shorter cartridge specifically meant to be ballistically efficient in shorter barrels and plenty of power and multi-caliber to boot, including the .45ACP and Super!
Webleywielder
Moderator
Special or Magnum?
If you want a Mag that can shoot Spc, get one of the new Scandium S&Ws.
If you want a cheap and small Spc, get a used Charter Arms Bulldog that is in good condition. Most of the used ones are in good condition because most owners didn't like the recoil. It has been faceiously said that the reason why the Son of Sam murderer didn't kill more people is because he had to let his hand heal for a few days after every murder. With Pachmyr Grips, a dehorned trigger, and 180JHP instead of 246LRN, the Charter is considerably less painful but still not pleasant. I rarley shoot my Bulldog anymore because my S&W 340Sc with full power .357 is relatively pleasant in comparison. I suspect the same would not be true of a .44mag Scandium.
In a world devoid of semiautomatics, a properly set-up Webley is the ultimate full-size self-defense handgun.
If you want a Mag that can shoot Spc, get one of the new Scandium S&Ws.
If you want a cheap and small Spc, get a used Charter Arms Bulldog that is in good condition. Most of the used ones are in good condition because most owners didn't like the recoil. It has been faceiously said that the reason why the Son of Sam murderer didn't kill more people is because he had to let his hand heal for a few days after every murder. With Pachmyr Grips, a dehorned trigger, and 180JHP instead of 246LRN, the Charter is considerably less painful but still not pleasant. I rarley shoot my Bulldog anymore because my S&W 340Sc with full power .357 is relatively pleasant in comparison. I suspect the same would not be true of a .44mag Scandium.
In a world devoid of semiautomatics, a properly set-up Webley is the ultimate full-size self-defense handgun.
Daniel BOON
New member
smith and wesson mdl 24
I bought a mdl 24, 3" in 44 special, and it will drive tacks with re loads; the problem comes in when you have to look for store bought ammo; very little of it will shoot 850 fps with a 200 gr pill; cor-bon has some light weight ammo at just over 1,000. buffalo bor is expensive, but bumps theirs up to 180 gr, at close to 1,200 fps. I would think that would take care of any social problems that may pop up.
I bought a mdl 24, 3" in 44 special, and it will drive tacks with re loads; the problem comes in when you have to look for store bought ammo; very little of it will shoot 850 fps with a 200 gr pill; cor-bon has some light weight ammo at just over 1,000. buffalo bor is expensive, but bumps theirs up to 180 gr, at close to 1,200 fps. I would think that would take care of any social problems that may pop up.
BillCa, is the wholesaler in NYC out of business that commonly had short barrelled 29's?
I was under the impression that the Custom Shop would do you up a 629 with your choice of barrel length, albeit with a waiting period. Is this no longer the case?
P.S. I would definitly shoot a Scandium before buying one. The Mountain Gun is light as well and made in Stainless Steel. You can usually tell when there has been a recent production run by checking gun dealers that have used ones, where the short term owner got more gun than he had in mind. Scandium guns are only about 2/3 of the weight of the Mountain Gun. Maybe Smith would do a hybrid with a standard 629, by putting the Scandium barrel assembly on it? I think I would just order a 3" 629 and wait if necessary. You can call the Smith custom shop and enquire yourself, BTW!
I was under the impression that the Custom Shop would do you up a 629 with your choice of barrel length, albeit with a waiting period. Is this no longer the case?
P.S. I would definitly shoot a Scandium before buying one. The Mountain Gun is light as well and made in Stainless Steel. You can usually tell when there has been a recent production run by checking gun dealers that have used ones, where the short term owner got more gun than he had in mind. Scandium guns are only about 2/3 of the weight of the Mountain Gun. Maybe Smith would do a hybrid with a standard 629, by putting the Scandium barrel assembly on it? I think I would just order a 3" 629 and wait if necessary. You can call the Smith custom shop and enquire yourself, BTW!
A number of years ago, Astra produced some 3" .44 mag revolvers. I bought a stainless version called "The Terminator" and I keep it next to the bed loaded w/ .44 Specials as my night gun. Very accurate...but recoil with full power .44 Mag loads is healthy. I think you could pick one up used for about $300. It is a six-shooter.
The Taurus guns are great! I have a Model 445, which is a .44 Special, five shot, steel revolver in blue. It has a two inch barrel, non-ported. These roughly correspond to S&W K-frames in size. The cheapest factory ammo I can find is CCI Blazer, 200gr Gold Dot Hollow Point. At Academy Sports, it's around $16/50. Recoil is brisk, but it is much more accurate than I am (though that's not saying much 
) The BIG downside is that Taurus is not making them any more.
for a gun in this size/weight range, .44 magnum is waaay too powerful for the vast majority of shooters.
) The BIG downside is that Taurus is not making them any more.for a gun in this size/weight range, .44 magnum is waaay too powerful for the vast majority of shooters.
rallyhound
New member
I have a taurus model 44 with a 3 inch barrel, It is stainless with bobbed hammer and DAO. It must have been a custom shop gun although i found it stocked at a local shop a few years ago.
I have several of both sp and mag in 44
The problem with a 44 mag with short barrel is the muzzle flip and the ability to see after shooting one at night.
You havent said if its for carry or just shooting.
If you want somthing in 44 to carry. Look at a Charter arms 44 bulldog. I have one with over 400 rounds and its been reliable, I will agree that a gun like the bulldog has a short life span if its shot a lot, but its hard to get somthing the size and weight unless your willing to spend the ammount for a smith.
I had one of the smith titanium 44 sp (forget the model number) double action only, with the covered hammer.
I was going to retire the charter and carry just it, but The trigger pull level was so high that (several people shot it, some much better than I) no one could hit the right side of a barn with it. Had the hammer been exposed I might have thought differently (plus the darn thing was so uggly I was embarrased to carry it).
Smith has an other 44 sp called the Thunder ranch which looks good on papper but the price is crazzy.
I have a 629 with a short barrel, non fluted cylinder and love the gun, but to carry you need a gravity cancling device and that invisable sheet that Harry Potter has.
The problem with a 44 mag with short barrel is the muzzle flip and the ability to see after shooting one at night.
You havent said if its for carry or just shooting.
If you want somthing in 44 to carry. Look at a Charter arms 44 bulldog. I have one with over 400 rounds and its been reliable, I will agree that a gun like the bulldog has a short life span if its shot a lot, but its hard to get somthing the size and weight unless your willing to spend the ammount for a smith.
I had one of the smith titanium 44 sp (forget the model number) double action only, with the covered hammer.
I was going to retire the charter and carry just it, but The trigger pull level was so high that (several people shot it, some much better than I) no one could hit the right side of a barn with it. Had the hammer been exposed I might have thought differently (plus the darn thing was so uggly I was embarrased to carry it).
Smith has an other 44 sp called the Thunder ranch which looks good on papper but the price is crazzy.
I have a 629 with a short barrel, non fluted cylinder and love the gun, but to carry you need a gravity cancling device and that invisable sheet that Harry Potter has.
Ozzie,
Your "ugly" S&W .44 was most probably the Model 296Ti - an L-Frame .44 Special with a concealed hammer - sort of a cross between the Centennial and the "Bodyguard" models. Calling the gun ugly may be uncharitable, but it was certainly homely.
I'd opt for a Taurus before I'd stake my tender behind on a Charter Arms Bulldog. After seeing how they loosen up after anything more than about 250 rounds it's not a gun I'd want.
I think S&W would do well to bring back the idea, but in an "airweight" version of the 696. And if they do that, a 3" barreled airweight version in .41 Magnum would make a lot of folks happy too. (Note to S&W: No wood grips on the magnum!)
Your "ugly" S&W .44 was most probably the Model 296Ti - an L-Frame .44 Special with a concealed hammer - sort of a cross between the Centennial and the "Bodyguard" models. Calling the gun ugly may be uncharitable, but it was certainly homely.
I'd opt for a Taurus before I'd stake my tender behind on a Charter Arms Bulldog. After seeing how they loosen up after anything more than about 250 rounds it's not a gun I'd want.
I think S&W would do well to bring back the idea, but in an "airweight" version of the 696. And if they do that, a 3" barreled airweight version in .41 Magnum would make a lot of folks happy too.
(Note to S&W: No wood grips on the magnum!)Ive heard of these problems with the older Charter Arms revolvers, but their ive got one of their Charter 2000 BullDog Pugs in 44 special and have ran probably 2000 rounds through it in the last couple years and its just as tight as any smith or ruger ive got. The cylinder gap is a little on the large side(.008), but its been the same since the say i bought it and doesnt seem to loose any velocity or have any increaced blast compared to a tighter one. Pops has one too with nearly the same amount of rounds and has had the same results. Great conceilable revolvers for under 300 bucks.
BILLCA I think your right.
I think that was the smith, but if I was going to change the discription of that smith (and I do like smiths) it would be calling it BUT uggly.
Jeffro250 I agree with what you said about the bulldog's
I did work an old blued one loose after around 500 rounds but it was used when I bought it and its history was unknown.
The one I have now is a stanless and I shoot it enough to keep up with it.
A lot of people dont like them for many reasions, many dont like the recoil. That was why I bought the used blued one, shoot 500 rounds through a light gun like that in one month like I did, and a 629 with mags is a pop gun.
I think that was the smith, but if I was going to change the discription of that smith (and I do like smiths) it would be calling it BUT uggly.
Jeffro250 I agree with what you said about the bulldog's
I did work an old blued one loose after around 500 rounds but it was used when I bought it and its history was unknown.
The one I have now is a stanless and I shoot it enough to keep up with it.
A lot of people dont like them for many reasions, many dont like the recoil. That was why I bought the used blued one, shoot 500 rounds through a light gun like that in one month like I did, and a 629 with mags is a pop gun.