I’m thinking about buying a 44 spec revolver.

[Moonpie]

I had one of the 629 3inch barrel guns.
I’m gonna tell you that things was s CHUNK of steel.
Fun as heck to shoot but it’ll give you a hernia carrying it around.

 

[xdmikey]

Shit, I got several of those, too! Hernia that is.

 

[Txhighlander]

I had a 3" 629 that I carried in my youth. Having a 696 5 shot l-frame 44 special, it is much nicer to carry than the 629. I don't know if they make a 69 in a 3".

 

[orbitup]

I think carrying 44 mag is a bad idea. That's a lot of recoil to manage in normal conditions much less in a stressful situation. 44 spcl will put a good hurting on anybody, mag is overkill unless you are worried about grizzlies.

 

[Tex929rr]

I really like 44 special. I’ve reloaded it for years with a 240 grain SWC. I have two handguns chambered for it. The first was is a scandium Night Guard. It’s so light that it’s a little uncomfortable to shoot. Last year I finally found a GP100 on gunbroker. Bigger and heavier than the Smith but a lot more pleasant to shoot.

 

[Tex929rr]

I really wish I had bought a 696 back when they were in production,

 

[Txhighlander]

While you may find this hard to believe, I have shot the 44 special in my 696 and a friend's GP100 back to back same loads. The lighter 696 was less recoil and much more pleasant to shoot. Same experience with a 4.2"Redhawk and my 625 4" mountain gun in 45 Colt. Had 2 friends there that experienced the same. The only thing that I figure is the S&W has a lower bore center.

 

[benenglish]

I’ve reloaded it for years with a 240 grain SWC.

Has anybody ever experimented with reloading those "Manstopper" bullets? I've occasionally seen them. They're basically cup-nose, pure/soft lead wadcutters. It seems like every time I get an urge to work with them, I can't find a supplier with any in stock. I'm wondering if they're worth the trouble for a potential carry gun.

 

[Tex929rr]

Has anybody ever experimented with reloading those "Manstopper" bullets? I've occasionally seen them. They're basically cup-nose, pure/soft lead wadcutters. It seems like every time I get an urge to work with them, I can't find a supplier with any in stock. I'm wondering if they're worth the trouble for a potential carry gun.

Like these? I did some googling and it looks like it’s primarily a black powder supplier.
Bandit Bullets

 

[Txhighlander]

Has anybody ever experimented with reloading those "Manstopper" bullets? I've occasionally seen them. They're basically cup-nose, pure/soft lead wadcutters. It seems like every time I get an urge to work with them, I can't find a supplier with any in stock. I'm wondering if they're worth the trouble for a potential carry gun.

Are talking about hollow base wadcutters?

 

[Otto_Mation]

Are talking about hollow base wadcutters?

I remember back in the 70's people used to reload hollow base wadcutters backwards making a giant hollow point. Hell they may still be doing it today, I don't know because I haven't reloaded since the early 2000's. I never tried it but I used to reload for everything that I shot though and must have had over 30 different die sets.

 

[Txhighlander]

They are still being used. A few companies still cast the bullets. I cant give details but a close friend that I trust has used them for protection. Outstanding performance was the results.

 

[benenglish]

Are talking about hollow base wadcutters?

Same idea but a less-deep hollow point.

 

[Txhighlander]

Same idea but a less-deep hollow point.

Haven't used what you are talking about but I use hbwc for 38/357 and 44. It works well.

 

[Roscoe]

Gun at top of photo is my S&W 624, lower gun is my 629. Thinking of having the barrel of the 624 shortened to 4.5" or 5" just to make it a bit easier to carry. Both are excellent shooting firearms.

 

[xdmikey]

If/when I pick up a second 44(have a 6.5”PP)it’ll be a 3 or 4” magnum for Special load outs.

 

[El Coyote]

Hi and yes get a 44 mag you can shoot 44 special in it. i have a model 29 with 4 inch barrel and a very nice gun to shoot hardly any kik with the 44 special

 

[Lonesome Dove]

Hi and yes get a 44 mag you can shoot 44 special in it. i have a model 29 with 4 inch barrel and a very nice gun to shoot hardly any kik with the 44 special

But then you have a 44 mag and not a 44 Special. Sometimes people like to have a designated caliber/gun.
I've had several 44 mags and never a 44 special. I no longer have the Mags and would love to have a Special.

Same goes for 38s and 357s.

 

[Moonpie]

Do what I did.

 

[Lonesome Dove]

Do what I did.

View attachment 428939

Need a left side pic.