The Frontier Sixshooter Community Message Board - The common “strong” .44 specials

The common “strong” .44 specials (reply)

Kantos Kreig — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 02:22:20 +0000

I use 14.0 Grains 2400 and a RCBS 44-245 KT in; Ruger old model 3 screw conversion, New GP100 44 spl and Taurus Tracker 44 mag.

Runs 1095 from the Ruger OM 3 screw with 5.5" barrel

Glad we could talk you off the ledge:) NM (reply)

rob — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 03:30:10 +0000

True, true (reply)

jerry b — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 17:01:30 +0000

There are a couple of long guns and three or four handguns I regret ever selling/trading over the years. The rest I can still rationalize not keeping. A couple of Old Model Rugers....good riddance; not good in any way. Others just had no real use other than occupying space in the safe. Still, it's good to take time and contemplate what one really wants or needs, and then keep and use what you have. This goes for guns, guitars, whatever.

I'm keeping my Smith 624. I shot it the other day quite a bit, and it is amazingly accurate and nice generally. What the heck was I thinking?

regards

Sage advice... (reply)

rob — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 04:25:49 +0000

I have a gallon freezer bag stuffed full of receipts from guns bought, then traded for something else, which in turn were traded, etc., ad nauseum. I regret most of them...not the purchases, but the trades. Several are returns to the same gun over again, sometimes several times! It took a while but I came to realize that if I wanted it once, I probably will again! Therefore, by keeping the guns I currently have I'm insuring myself from the liability of having to buy it again someday. And, I'm saving myself the loss that comes from selling and likely having to replace it at higher cost later. And, by saving for another firearm outright without trading or selling, I have time to contemplate my next purchase. Sometimes I talk myself out where I was going; sometimes I become more resolved. Always, contemplation beats rash decisions we will regret later. The only guns I've sold and regret not are the total lemons (and I've had a few). Even some of those I wish I had simply done whatever it took to make them right. It's a hassle sending a gun in for warranty work, but some of my absolute favorites are the ones I did send back to let the manufacturer do their thing. I have a Springfield Loaded 1911 that I sent back once to resolve the sight regulation and a second time for a barrel issue. They regulated the sights right on the first time and replaced the barrel. I've carried that pistol every day for several years now as a concealed carry gun and a duty weapon when working as an armed security patrol officer. I wouldn't let that pistol go for $2500, but there was a time I'd have dumped it over the sights being off or it needing a barrel. It took a while but I've learned my lesson.

If the forcing cone is thin enough to cause worries, (reply)

former hater of plastic — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 02:40:23 +0000

with loads of 1000fps, then the gun holds no interest for me at all, as it would not be as well built as my Charter Boomer. But, I truly doubt that is the case.

As for forcing cones, (reply)

Otony — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 04:14:24 +0000

Take a hard look at a .44 Special GP-100 forcing cone, and you might see a reason to worry. It is very, very thin, in fact it is the thinnest I’ve ever seen. Anecdotal evidence is that a few Smith 696 resolvers split forcing cones, but I can’t prove it.

Still want one though, but I think it would be best built as a 10mm for longevity’s sake.....

Otony, who is ducking behind cover

As for forcing cones, (reply)

former hater of plastic — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 05:31:53 +0000

perhaps dumb of me, but 1000fps does not have me worrying about barrel shank support, not even with an M&P 10.. for sure would worry about wearing out or breaking something else long before I killed a barrel. Even when I shot 250-500rds per week, hurting a barrel was the least of my worries, and about all of it was 1000fps or so, no matter the caliber. Erosion with maybe unburned 2400, maybe...but support? What? Me worry?

I do suspect (reply)

cubrock — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 01:33:51 +0000

That the strength of the new mid-sized flat tops may be underestimated by some, too.

The robustness of the forcing cone is definitely something to consider, as Otony pointed out. Think 624 versus 696. I have held a couple .44 Special GP100s, but have not had them apart to look at in detail.

I'm definitely a "both/and" kind of guy when it comes to discussions like this. I like my single actions and my double actions. :)

ayup...but if a diet of 1000fps 240s would be it, (reply)

former hater of plastic — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 23:54:36 +0000

that load is no poofball load, and also if this is again the tired "one gun" sorta thinking, would still compare things such as ratchet pads to see which spreads the load better. It might be that the GP beats the Blackhawk, or etc. Lacking either, and having only a Smith .44 personally, along with the Charter, really no way I should be hazarding a call, excepting instinct still says the single action parts more robust and simple, 2hich is news to nobody.

You are right (reply)

Otony — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 02:06:18 +0000

Once in awhile it happens, but not too often.....

Still wouldn't mind having a 3" .44 GP

Otony

You are right (reply)

cubrock — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 01:15:30 +0000

Should have pulled them out of the safe to compare. :)

My only reason for suspecting the GP might get a slight nod (reply)

Otony — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 00:56:36 +0000

The GP-100 has a much smaller frame than the Flattop (remember, the Flattop will fit six .45 Colt rounds if asked) , plus the barrel shank is a great deal smaller where it comes through frame, not much wall thickness to the forcing cone.

I’d say the Flattop has a level of long term strength that will far outmatch the GP-100.

Otony

SELL THE 624??? (reply)

Warhawk — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 00:07:52 +0000

I’m with JT ... there is always room for one more gun.

There is no handgun of any type that shoot better than a Smith & Wesson Revolver. That should make my preference clear.

Don't sell the 624! I think it is the best of the .44s (reply)

Rob Leahy — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 22:57:07 +0000

Get a 3" GP to augment that and you can do anything that needs doing, handgun wise.
My 624s

SELL THE 624??? !!!! (reply)

Mike P — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 21:29:04 +0000

I have to agree with Sixgunner.

Personally - I was in a similar situation and went with the Lipsey 5.5" FT .45. I enjoy it very much. The youngsters enjoy it with the .45ACP cyl also.

Every blessing,
Mike

SELL THE 624??? (reply)

SIXGUNNER — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 20:49:30 +0000

TAKE A COUPLE ASPIRINS AND GOT TO BED UNTIL YOU FEEL BETTER. I HAVE BEEN SHOOTING THE NEW LIPSEY'S SPECIAL HALF-LUG 5" GP .44 SPECIAL THIS WEEK AND IT IS THE MOST ACCURATE .44 SPECIAL IN RECENT MEMORY--STILL WOULD NOT SELL MY 624; OR 24-3,OR FLAT-TOP, OR NEW FRONTIER 0R ............ WHEN IN DOUBT "BUY 'EM BOTH"!!!!

The common “strong” .44 specials (reply)

Ken O'Neill — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 19:29:13 +0000

"Great accuracy and no leading". There is no guarantee that either of those 2 replacements will have either of those attributes. Durability? Flip a coin. I prefer the stainless 6 shot Flat-Top to the blue 5 shot GP, but not for any quantifiable reason other than personal preference.

The common “strong” .44 specials (reply)

Wildcat — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 19:28:19 +0000

I have 2 24-3s (6.5" and a 3" Lew Horton) and a Flattop (5.5"). I carry the Flattop much more but that is just due to barrel length, which is easier packed than the long tube and easier for me to shoot than the shorty. I have a 624 coming in I just bought on Gunbroker yesterday with the 6.5 as well. I really haven't worried about strength with any of them as my daily load is generally the Skeeter load with a cast 250 Keith.

My only reason for suspecting the GP might get a slight nod (reply)

cubrock — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 17:10:12 +0000

in strength is the .44 Special Flat Top is built on the medium sized frame.

You are probably right that the Flat Top is still stronger, but I think any difference between the two is likely angels dancing on the head of a pin. Especially if we are talking 1000 fps loads with a 240ish grain bullet. I doubt any of us would shoot either gun loose in a lifetime with those. Would be fun to try, though.

I would look at ratchet pads, pawls/ratchets, and bolts, (reply)

former hater of plastic — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 16:48:05 +0000

as for determining "strength" in regards to durability in shooting 1000fps 240s, and likewise tendency to develop wobble of cylinder on arbor over time. The DA crane will never be as strong as a fixed pin, no matter improvement to locking. That being said, I would not trade an earlier Smith for anything. The workmanship and materials simply is better than anything from anybody, including Smith.