UH-OH! I'm thinking retro! M&P 44 S&W

S

Sir William

New member
I am narrowing my options. I have been considering 325s, 625s and a 629 in snubs and mountain gun forms. I then stopped and thought better. Older classic S&Ws are what I have and most of them are blued. 2" to 6" K and N frames. 38 S&W, 38 Special and 357 Magnums. I figured I should research the item I really want. The one S&W that I do not have. The M&P 44. Anybody have one? Pics would be great. Experiences would be good to hear. I wonder if Tamara has one?
 
You are in luck. S&W now had an undoubtedly limited run of blued, 4" .44-Special N frames. They have round butts, like I guess all S&W's do now. But I have seen one and they exist. I think they actually have the round front sight rather than the serrated variety but I'm not sure about that since I was so dazzled. But it does have a tapered barrel and an ejector rod shroud or whatever you call it. I'm not sure what you would call it but I think S&W just calls it a model 24.

Do you have a model 58, which is probably better for a lot of purposes, as long as you have a large frame double action?
 
Correction here: the new special run is the Model 21 Thunder Ranch special model.

There were other models in the large frame, fixed sight S&W revolvers. The large frame .38 special was called the "heavy duty", while the target sighted version was the "outdoorsman." I'm not sure what that implies but the ammuntion for those revolvers was designated .38/44.

I personally like the idea of a large, fixed sight revolver, though evidentally not enough other people do to justify S&W or Colt making any. There are single actions but no more double actions, other than the special run like this one. Colt made the New Service for a long time but they haven't been made in my lifetime and they are rather scarce on the ground now. S&W 1917's are in some ways more desirable but they are not easy to find either, at least at prices my wife is willing to allow me to pay.
 
There is also now a reintroduction of the M22. It's the Thunder Ranch model without the gold billboard and chambered in .45acp.
 
Well, the original .44 Special is the New Century Hand Ejector (Triple LOck) but these are pricey and have un-tempered cylinders limiting them to light loads IMO.

The Second Model isn't as classy but nearly as expensive.

The Third Model (1926) returns the sophistication of the 1st Model but good luck in finding one. I have been looking for 25 years, now.

The Fourth Model (1950) is more available but still costly. The good thing is they are modern in design and strength. I have a couple of these (Target Models) and love them.

The 24-3 from 1983 is a copy of the 1950. I have one, but it's disappointing when compared to the original.

The current 21-4 is a copy of the 1926. I have heard good things about it in general save the complaints about the commemorative decorations.

I don't know about the other .44 Specials from S&W.
 
I agree with

"Person of Interest" "The 24-3 from 1983 is a copy of the 1950. I have one, but it's disappointing when compared to the original."
I have one also and I like it but he said it best its disappointing.
I compair all revolvers to the finest that I have ever held and its the Mod 25-5 that I have and the newer 24 is lacking.
As far as the thunder ranch I was in the shop looking on the availability of one and found that there is one shipper that has over 150 in stock so if some one says there not available and hard to come by,,,,, they are lying!
With the wooden box the price is in the upper 700's but I would have to see one to put up that much cash.
One other gun that has surprised me, I just picked up one last week, I admit that I have a weekness for the 44 sp and when I see somthing different I take a hard look at it.
In the past I have stayed away from Taurus but a friends store had a 445 used and well I had a week moment and its now setting infront of me.
Havent had the chance to fire it yet but the fit and finish and the trigger and action lock up are impressive, about that I was used to from smith 25 years ago and not what you get any more.
 
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