44 Special

[shooterchris]

I would like to buy a single action revolver in a 44 Special. Not really that easy to find so far. Does anyone still make one?

[nicholst55]

Ruger just began shipping their new .44 Special mid-size flattop revolvers in two new varieties; stainless steel, and blue Bisley-style. You should be able to pick up either variety pretty easily, in addition to their standard blued models. I'm holding out for a stainless Bisley, myself.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have a pair of USAFs in 44 Special. They are sweet!

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20091201USAF44SWSpecials10.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20091201USAF44SWSpecials13.jpg

The pictures do not really do the guns justice. The one taken from behind the gun gives an idea of the quality.

[405]

4fingers,
I'm jealous- a pair of beauties! Excellent rig. Are those regular base model USFAs or special run for SASS members at the modest discount?

[Chip]

Freedom Arms

[Dale53]

I have a new (middle of last year) Ruger .44 Lipsey Special 5½". I am completely enamored of this fine revolver.

I had a trigger job done and that was all it needed. It shoots under an 1" at 25 yards and in spite of the fact that I am "blind in one eye and can't see out of the other" I am shooting it well with iron sights. It has near perfect cylinder throat dimensions and I flat LOVE the new cylinder pawl. It lines up the cylinder perfectly for either case ejection or when loading. You can load in the dark with this revolver. The finish is good, kind of a subdued blue but very even and it is polished quite well under the blue. Here is a picture of mine:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/DalesPistolsRevolvers4Selects-0388.jpg

It has a nice set of adjustable sights (a must for a field revolver) and shoots well with 200 gr Wadcutters to 255 gr Keith SWC's. It does not seem particular at all to load for.

NO, it is NOT for sale. However, Ruger is now shipping the standard cataloged ones as we speak.

Dale53

[GLL]

I have ordered the blue 4 5/8" Bisely and am waiting for them to produce the stainless version as well ! :)

erry

[Dale53]

Jerry;
Well, you have the bullet moulds for that baby. I just KNOW you'll be makin' sweet music shortly!

I was out shooting today with mine. The weather was wonderful (I don't think that the sun shone one time during the month of February and we had record snow falls along with rather cold temperatures (way under the norm), so it was especially nice. I was rather rusty after not shooting outdoors since last fall (did shoot a couple of times indoors). By the fourth or fifth target I was beginning to come around. Just LOVE those big holes in the target!

Dale53

[doghawg]

FA and Smith 624.

[Dale53]

I have a Model 24, a 624 (6.5") and a 624 (4"). They are not so easy to come by:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/DalesPistolsRevolvers5Selects-0198.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/DalesPistolsRevolvers4Selects-0307.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/DalesPistolsRevolvers4Selects-0322.jpg

Then, of course there is the Cimarron:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/DalesPistolsRevolvers4Selects-0315.jpg

Dale53

[doghawg]

Dale 53

Your 4 incher with a 250 gr. SWC at 1000 to 1050 fps would be my idea of the ideal hip gun for woods walking. As you said though........Not easy to come by.

[Dale53]

doghawg;
It is indeed the "Perfect Packing Pistol" (as coined by John Taffin).

The .44 Special actually makes a very decent edible small game gun. It is certainly more powerful than needed, but the Skeeter load works well on the ubiquitous cottontail rabbit as well as the much larger (but hardly fierce:mrgreen:) snowshoe rabbit. Either a shot to the head or through the "slats" will stop one instantly (and you do NOT have to shoot them twice.

I often carried either the 4" or even the 6.5" in a crossdraw holster when bird hunting with my Beretta Silver Snipe O/U for those sitting shots on rabbits and to finish grouse that were knocked down with a broken wing. Sure beat having to shoot them again with a shotgun!

FWIW
Dale53

[shooterchris]

Ok Dale,

Now I'm just a little jealous. If you recall, you turned me on to the Taffin book and it is turnung out to be a great read. So I place the blame for my wanting to find this revolver squarely on you!:kidding:
I really like that lipsey, and would not want anything with a longer barrel right now. Also, I agree, the adjustable sights are a must. Thanks for the advice.

[Mumblypeg]

Hey Chris, They got a Colt SAA in 44 on Gun Broker... I think you can aford it. What you want to sell me now?

[Dframe]

I love my single action army.

[Dale53]

shooterchris;
I will sleep well tonight knowing I "corrupted" another into the delightful world of .44 Specials[smilie=l:.

Dale53

[GLL]

Dale:

Where did you find that purple Model 24 ? That looks like the West Hollywood version ! :)

Why would anyone want so many .44 Special revolvers in the first place ? ;) ;)

Jerry

624 & 24-3 Dressed for BBQ !
http://www.fototime.com/11340082315E6D3/orig.jpg


Pre-24 “4th Model of 1950”
http://www.fototime.com/DAC1B10ADFF6042/standard.jpg

[stubshaft]

Dale,
If my wife finds out that I just ordered a Lipsey Special it's all your fault.:kidding:

[Dale53]

GLL;
It's a sickness, I tell you, it's a sickness!

Regarding the "purple" Model 24. I am embarrassed to admit that the white balance in that picture is not what it should be. I need to redo that picture but it is on a couple of web sites and if I moved it, it would disappear. I just leave it up to remind me, that I am better today, than I was yesterday.

I have become a "nut" regarding white balance in color photographs. Things got a lot easier when I started using WhiBal as a standard. Incidentally, your pictures are excellent with CORRECT white balance. Nice work!

On the other hand, don't you think the purple is kind of sexy in a Hollywood sort of way?:roll:

Stubshaft, I shall sleep well tonight:kidding:.

Dale53

[Four Fingers of Death]

4fingers,
I'm jealous- a pair of beauties! Excellent rig. Are those regular base model USFAs or special run for SASS members at the modest discount?

They were ordered by a friend of mine who moved across to BPCR and gave SASS shooting away.

They are the standard gun above the Rodeo grade. He ordered them with custom serial numbers (the initials of his alias, followed by 44.1 and 44.2), and Tru Ivory grips and the optional Colour Case Hardened hammer.

The finish is Dome Blue and apparently this was the finish they left the factory with in the old days.

I have decided to stick to 44WCF for SASS competition and sold one to a dear friend who is not well and absolutely fell in love with them. I will keep one for plinking, playing with, copying Elmer's loads, etc.

I will probably order a pair of Rodeos with the optional 44/40 chambering and custom serial numbers (FFD44.1 &2 probably). Even with a lot of bells and whistles they are two thirds the price of a Colt (and a better gun to boot from what I hear).

[shooterchris]

Hey Chris, They got a Colt SAA in 44 on Gun Broker... I think you can aford it. What you want to sell me now?

I can't think of anything right now, but you never know. How much is the 44 on GB?

[405]

4fingers,
Thanks for the info. Just curious. USFA lists the Rodeo for 625, the basic blue and case color SAA for 975 but through SASS what looks to be the same basic SAA for 875... a nice discount. Haven't looked at one though.
http://www.sassnet.com/usfa.html

And yes, there is something special about the 44-40.... the elder, thin brassed cousin of the 44 SPL. :)

[Mumblypeg]

Chris, they want $1345 for buy now...

[BarryinIN]

GLL-
What kind of wood is that on the two S&Ws?
And/or, where/who did the grips come from?
Thanks.

[GLL]

Barry:

The grips are actually all walnut and were crafted by Don Collins.
Although they are the magna style Mr. Collins makes them a little "fatter" than factory originals so they fit my hand much better ! :)

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/6543E7FDA3870A9/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/E433466B15987BF/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/0098759477C3D35/standard.jpg

[BarryinIN]

Wow, very nice.
Yes, a fat Magna would be just about right.

[smkummer]

For what its worth, check out what is for sale on the classifieds at coltforum.com He has a 3rd gen. 44 special New Frontier ( adjustable sight SAA) with a full Royal Blue finish (same finish as a python) He is asking $900 for it. One sweet single action.

[Leadforbrains]

Barry:

The grips are actually all walnut and were crafted by Don Collins.
Although they are the magna style Mr. Collins makes them a little "fatter" than factory originals so they fit my hand much better ! :)

Jerry


That is just plain beautiful! A work of art!

[excavman]

I have a Cimarron 1872 Open Top in 44spl. it handles good and is really fun to shoot. Besides that, it looks like something Josey Wales would carry.

Larry

[JIMinPHX]

If you're not locked into single action, then the Charter Arms Bulldog is a nice carry piece.

You could always get a Ruger Blackhawk .44 Mag & just load .44 Special ammo in it.

[Landric]

Bud's has the 5 1/2" blued Blackhawk .44 Special in stock for $414 shipped:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/61814

[Farmall 1066]

I love my Ruger / Lipsey 5.5" 44 Special. Excellent value for the money. Mine likes the Lee 200RNFP bullet sized to .430 over 8gn Unique.