Loving the .44 Special

[DennisE]

I've got a Lipsey Bisley Flattop .44 special and I love the gun and the round. So easy to shoot well and so easy to reload. Anyone else feel that way about the .44 special? Thanks, Dennis

[hicard]

Yes, I have the standard SS Lipsey 4 5/8" barrel. Great shooter.

[462]

It's Special, all right.

[Dale53]

I have been a .44 Special shooter for MANY years. I have several Smiths and a Ruger .44 Lipsey Special.

The round is indeed SPECIAL. I shoot mostly the Skeeter load (7.5 grs of Unique behind a good 250 gr Keith for about 950 fps). My bullet choice is the MiHec copy of the H&G#503. Best bullet around in my "not so humble" opinion.

Dale53

[Wally]

Yes, it is a fantastic caliber to shoot. This year I found a 429348 bullet mold to load 185 WC bullets. Superb plinker in my Model 24..I only wished that I had obtained this mold years ago. It also shoots beautifully in my Ruger Superblackhawk...

[EDK]

Yes, it is a fantastic caliber to shoot. This year I found a 429348 bullet mold to load 185 WC bullets. Superb plinker in my Model 24..I only wished that I had obtained this mold years ago. It also shoots beautifully in my Ruger Superblackhawk...

Go to OLD WEST BULLET MOULDS and look at their clone of 429352, a 250 +/- grain wadcutter. It came in a brass four cavity mould. GLL had a group buy 200 grainer in a LEE awhile back...sold me a spare; Thank You Sir....that is d*** good also.

A 44 Special is a jewel to own. I mostly shoot Original Size VAQUEROS/BISLEY VAQUEROS in 44 Magnum that are loaded to 44 Special level. I've been shooting the big frame guns for almost 40 years ...kinda got used to their size and weight...but starting out now, I'd buy the 44 Specials in a heartbeat.

I've got an older Model 29 in 6.5 and a 629 in 5 inch, but my 6.5 inch 624 just feels better in my hands.

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

[Walt]

I bought my first 44 Special 35 years ago. My latest is one of the 5 1/2" flat tops and it is a shooter. It's a handy and accurate little piece just right for a 44 Special. Unique is still a main stay powder for a 250 LSWC but for those who haven't tried Power Pistol you're really missing out!

[Wally]

I use HP-38, W-231. Bullseye, & now Red Dot powders--all work very well in the .44 Special.

[Jeff H]

Been a fan for several decades but just found the "right" one last year.
Unique, W231, 2400.... about any powder or boolit combo I have tried has shot well. I currently use the LEE 208 WC, several versions of 250 SWC and a new RDO.

I have some Lil'Gun loads ready with RDO 265 grain RFNs to try next.

The hammer is a SBH hammer, grips from Cary Chapman and Belt Mountain Base pin, just because it's easier for me to get a grip on, especially when it's cold out.

[TCLouis]

The 200 grain Lee boolit does pretty well out of a Taurus 431 I have shot.

I thought about a single action in the Special and though it would do most of what I asked of it, the Mags are already in place and do it all.

[Combat Diver]

Just gave my son my Smith 29-2 this summer so only .44 gun I have is my Charter Arms 3" Bulldog. Had that gun for the last 25 yrs and it has never had a single issue. Bought a Lee double cav 430-240-SWC mold a few years ago but have had the chance to use it yet (only been home 6 mos out of the last 3 yrs). My standard load is a 240 cast under a charge of Unique.

[Snapping Twig]

Just made the jump myself. Always had a 29 or three, but I've been looking for a 3 or 4 inch Spl, a 24 or a 624 and here's what I found.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/SnappingTwig1/IMG00251-20101030-1326.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/SnappingTwig1/IMG00250-20101030-1326.jpg

It's a 1985 Lew Horton with the original combat grips. I contacted LH and they verified it. Box and papers, red C on the box, so it's a good one.

Never been fired - even at the factory. Hard to believe, but there it is. No carbon, no gas cut, totally sano.

I pick it up Wednesday.

Here's a pic of my 629-2 with the grips I'll be putting on the 624. The combats don't fit my hand and are worth a few bucks, so I'll swap them for these and stow them away.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/SnappingTwig1/P8180020.jpg

I'm going to shoot it!

[ironhead7544]

The 44 Special is my favorite. I have a 5 and 1/2 Flat Top. Its about the best size for a real all-around sidearm. Thinking of getting the Sheriffs model for CCW.

[Von Dingo]

It seems that Ruger made a good call making these little jems a regular production item. It has become one of my range buddies, and shoots better each time it goes out. The 5.5" Bisley doesn't stay home.

[theperfessor]

I have more revolvers in .44 Special than any other caliber, followed closely by the .38 Special. But there is the nice blend of enough power on the muzzle end without abusing the shooter on the handle end that makes the .44 special. It's not hard to get a decent .44 to shoot well, lots of choices in bullets and powders. My avatar is me with my winter carry gun, a 296 with CT lasergrips. Its DA only and I call it the humpback whale.

[NHlever]

Now, if we could get Ruger to make some aluminum framed .44 Specials we would have a really nice, light gun for woods use. My .45 Colt is lighter than my Special so sometimes that gets carried more. I sure do like loading, and shooting the .44 Special though. Right now I think that all the grip frames available for that size gun are steel. Anyone know any different? That would be 50th Anniversary, New Vaquero, and the Specials. I did notice that Ruger has wood grips, and the white plastic ones (pricey) available for the Flattop .44 Special guns though.

[Von Dingo]

NHlever,

You are correct, they are all, all steel. Nothing a couple of screwdrivers won't fix if you want to go that route.

[redneckdan]

I haven't been able to find an aluminum bisley grip frame yet. I am actually contemplating taking the elective casting class in the material science department just so I can cast up and machine some aluminum bisley grip frames.

[Jeff H]

I haven't been able to find an aluminum bisley grip frame yet..........

Had the Bisley 'Special too and never fired it. It felt a lot heavier and contradicted all my rationalizations for "needing" a dedicated 'Special on a medium frame instead of settling for the heavier and bulkier SBH.:oops:

I have never heard of an aluminum Bisley grip frame, but some aftermarket parts manufaturer may yet jump on this one.


I had a custom 3-screw Blackhawk in .44 Special and it was definitely a different-feeling gun (with the aluminum grip frame) than the new Flat Top. The new Flat Top COULD be lighter, but I won't complain too loudly myslef, after all, just getting a factory 'Special from Ruger is like a "new rope.":-D

I would complain even less if it were lighter though.:drinks:

Not pickin' at anyone here either. Just find it amusing at how hard we sixgunners are to please. But who knows better than we what it is we need?

[C1PNR]

Been casting and loading for the Special since the Charter Bulldog was first introduced. I actually had the opportunity to choose from half a dozen new one in the retailers case. I still carry it from time to time.

But now I'm loading for my converted 28 in 4" for field carry. It really is fun to hit the local "whistle pigs" with a lead boolit that weighs almost as much as they do!:p

[Shooter]

Why does .44 special brass cost so much more than magnum brass? It's shorter.

[theperfessor]

It's the same price at Starline.

[Dale53]

I discovered Starline brass just after they went retail. That's MY place to order brass ever since. Wholesale prices, excellent brass and free shipping:

http://www.starlinebrass.com/index.php?cPath=1&osCsid=fb8baf46711ccefb45637c3a8a9999fd

Good stuff, indeed!

Dale53

[NHlever]

Why does .44 special brass cost so much more than magnum brass? It's shorter.

Well, maybe if you buy enough of it, it will drop the price I have to pay? :D :D

[eastwa]

My first 44 SPL arrived this week. Had to go to WallyWorld to find some XTP's to run through it while waiting for my first MiHec mould to arrive.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l42/eastwa/RUGER44SPL2.jpg

[Dale53]

eastwa;
Good lookin' piece, that's for SURE!!

Dale53

[Walt]

I just placed an order for the last 5 1/2" Bisley 44 Special Lipseys had. They have only 23 of the 4 5/8" barreled guns left. Get 'em while you can.

[timkelley]

Does anyone know what, if any, difference there is between the Lipsey's 44 and the one that is regular production?

[DennisE]

LOL! I don't know but there is if you get the Lipsey Bisley .44 special like I did! Dennis

[Walt]

Does anyone know what, if any, difference there is between the Lipsey's 44 and the one that is regular production?

Right now Lipseys has the "Bisley" 44 Special (only 4 5/8" left), it is not standard production at this time. The standard production model 44 Special has the same grip frame as the "New" Vaquero.

[Von Dingo]

Does anyone know what, if any, difference there is between the Lipsey's 44 and the one that is regular production?

The Lipsey's .44 Spc Blackhawk of 2009, is now a regular production item, in the Ruger catalog. The Vaquero's, Bisleys, and the stainless 4.62" are all distributor exclusives, not regular production models.

[saz]

As I would LOVE to have a TALO or Lipseys blackhawk in 44 special, I cannot afford it right now. I have however stumbled upon a Rossi model 720 DAO in stainless. It looks to be lightly used and I have been tempted to trade my current carry gun in for it (Ruger LCP) but I just like to be able to throw the LCP in my pocket and go. Does anyone have any 1st hand with the rossi's? I have a puma 92 but have never owned a revolver from them. IMO a 44 special is the ideal caliber for a carry wheelgun, just cannot get over the price of a smith or the questionable quality of the latest charters. This one is priced very reasonable and is tempting to say the least. Thoughts?

[theperfessor]

I'm not where I can check the model # right now but I have a SS 5 shot Rossi that I picked up a couple years ago for $200. It's a SA/DA and seems to be pretty solidly built. It only has two problems - it has a lot of sharp edges (which can be dealt with), and none of the throats are the same size (they range from 0.431 to 0.434).

Despite this it doesn't lead and the accuracy is acceptable for reasonable defensive ranges but it's no target gun. One of these days I'm going to make a hollow base .44 mold to see if that will help. If not I may try to ream the throats out to the same size and make an oversize mold to fit. Luckily the chambers are cut large enough that it will chamber a round with a .434 bullet.

[Kraschenbirn]

My favorite back-country carry is one of those Lew Horton pieces from the mid-80s (see Snapping Twig's earlier post) only mine is blue instead of stainless and has definitely been shot...a lot!!

Bill

[saz]

My favorite back-country carry is one of those Lew Horton pieces from the mid-80s (see Snapping Twig's earlier post) only mine is blue instead of stainless and has definitely been shot...a lot!!

Bill

Yeah, a friend of mine has a Lew Horton 624 and WHAT A NICE PISTOL! Alas it falls into the "I cant afford" category right now.

I want a .44 special for a conceal gun so size is the issue at the moment. I am tired of carrying big handguns in holsters. Done it enough- I would like to have something around my old 642 profile maybe a little bigger in 44spl. I have heard a lot of bad things about the later charter stuff, and I guess it has scared me off a little. I would jump on an original in a second, as they are pretty solid little handguns.

[Ilwil]

I've loved them ever since I got a Guns & Ammo magazine back in the early 80s written entirely by Skeeter Skelton, the sage of .44 specials. I had a Lew Horton years ago, but I couldn't deal with that short barrel, and in an insane fit, sold it off. I've got otherst though, including the Lipsey single action. I agree that a good carrying revolver is needed. Taurus got really close with their Taurus Tracker, but they chambered it in every thing except .44 special. Too bad, it would have been a perfect match of revolver and cartridge.

[moondog911]

The Federal 200 grain lead hollowpoint. Shoots good in my S&W 624. It also has enough range and power to handle about any problem I am likely to have. I have been wanting to get the 629-3, and the only thing lacking is cash.
Would also like to acquire a Ruger in SS and in 44 special.

[2 dogs]

Its a grand cartridge alright, and much more versatile than just the Keith load.

I run a 180 JHP at 1300 out of a custom 4 inch Smith, I like the 215 grain GC 429215 at 1200 fps out of my FA97, of course I shoot the Keith load quite a bit and now, with Miha's last several HP offerings I have even more options. Finally, I converted my Anniversary model to a round butt Bisley, Im considering a 280 at 1100 just for kicks!

[MT Gianni]

I picked up a Ruger flat-top last night. I sold my Bulldog and had been without a 44 special for two weeks. This was just under $400, 5 1/2" BBL and the throats all seem uniform @.431 the bbl measures .429". It should be a shooter.
I had a 6 1/2" 624 but never got the accuracy out of it that I got out of the Redhawk 44 Magnum. This should be a great packing gun and never be run hard enough to stress it.

[Dale53]

MT Gianni;
I have a Ruger .44 Lipsey Special with 5½" and predict that you will LOVE it! However, I also have a 6½" and a 4" S&W Model 624 (along with a Model 24) and they ALL shoot extremely well.

My Ruger shoots equally good (well under 1" at 25 yards with the Mihec H&G #503 bullet which is a 250 gr Keith). I mostly use the Skeeter load (7.5 grs of Unique behind the MiHec 250 gr Keith) although I also have the group buy 200 gr full wad cutter. 4.0 grs of Bullseye or Red Dot behind this bullet gives excellent results on the target and should also be a good edible small game load.

5.0 grs of Bullseye behind the 250 gr Keith makes for a nice, pleasant, target load that is quite useful, also.

Dale53

[MT Gianni]

Thanks Dale, I have about 100 nosler 240 gr J-words I loaded to try t o smooth out the 624 some and then I sold it. I plan on shooting those then cleaning the bbl down and it should never see copper again. I have a couple of 429421's both sq an rd groove along with a Lee 215 Hp and a 208 WC lee. I am up for some experimenting but will use the Skeeter load as a base. Pics and a report next week.

[GLL]

The .44 Special in an old S&W 2nd or 3rd Model HE is hard to beat for pure fun ! :) :)
The youngsters with their black plastic guns laugh until they see the targets !

I must admit though that I bought my very first Ruger a few weeks ago ! it is one of the new 4 5/8" Lipsey's Bisley .44 Specials.

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/DB2FB904F454895/orig.jpg

[Dale53]

GLL;
Get a good trigger job done on the Ruger and I predict you will like it also.

Let's see:
1 - Rugers are always rugged.
2 - This one has the VERY nice alignment pawl which puts it considerably ahead
of a typical Black Hawk
3 - The cylinder throats on all of these late Ruger .44's that I have seen have
correct dimensions.
4 - Excellent adjustable sights
5 - Safe with all six loaded
6 - Shoot extremely well
7 - Arguably the best looking Ruger EVER
8 - Along with the above, it is STEEL (all over)
9 - On top of everything else, it is very reasonably priced for what you get.

I won't say I like mine better than my several Smith .44's but it sure ranks with
them in desirability.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/DalesPistolsRevolvers4Selects-0395.jpg

Pair that rig up with the excellent performance bullets from a MiHec mould and you have "Handgun Nirvana"...

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/4DalesPistolsRevolversSelects-3330.jpg

The Kings of yore may have had diamonds, rubies, and gold but they did NOT have a good Ruger or Smith & 'Wesson .44 Special. In my book, they were POOR!

Dale53[smilie=w:

[DennisE]

Like my Lipsey Bisley .44 Special so much I'm thinking of getting a S&W M21 .44 Special. Anybody have any experience with them? Thanks, Dennis

[saz]

GLL;
Get a good trigger job done on the Ruger and I predict you will like it also.

Let's see:
1 - Rugers are always rugged.
2 - This one has the VERY nice alignment pawl which puts it considerably ahead
of a typical Black Hawk
3 - The cylinder throats on all of these late Ruger .44's that I have seen have
correct dimensions.
4 - Excellent adjustable sights
5 - Safe with all six loaded
6 - Shoot extremely well
7 - Arguably the best looking Ruger EVER
8 - Along with the above, it is STEEL (all over)
9 - On top of everything else, it is very reasonably priced for what you get.

I won't say I like mine better than my several Smith .44's but it sure ranks with
them in desirability.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/DalesPistolsRevolvers4Selects-0395.jpg

Pair that rig up with the excellent performance bullets from a MiHec mould and you have "Handgun Nirvana"...

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/4DalesPistolsRevolversSelects-3330.jpg

The Kings of yore may have had diamonds, rubies, and gold but they did NOT have a good Ruger or Smith & 'Wesson .44 Special. In my book, they were POOR!

Dale53[smilie=w:

Dale,
Is that a pachmyer grip on there?

[Dale53]

saz;
That pair of grips is a pair of Pachmayr grips for a Colt SAA. Pachmayr does not make a grip for the new Ruger grip. Further, the Colt grips are no longer being made. There are still quite a few of them in the "pipeline" however, and I suggest that you try Ebay. I have found several pair out there.

The grips for the Colt need a bit of tugging and pulling for their best fit on the Ruger grips. They are not a perfect fit but are actually pretty dern close.

I have those Pachmayrs on three different revolvers (my .44 Lipsey Special, my 50th Anniversary .44 Magnum, and my U.S. Firearms SAA .45 Colt).

Dale53

[Walt]

Like my Lipsey Bisley .44 Special so much I'm thinking of getting a S&W M21 .44 Special. Anybody have any experience with them? Thanks, Dennis

I liked my first Blackhawk flat top 44 Special so much I bought one of the Bisleys to keep it company. I haven't shot the second one yet but, the first is a tack driver. I have a M21 also. It is finicky with boolit and load selection. It's not as accurate with its selected loads as the Blackhawk or my 6 1/2" 624 are. It doesn't shoot to the sights either and I will have to make some not so cheap adjustments to make me happy. It is the best "in your face" defense gun of the bunch though.