Gun maker [Smith and Wesson] banks on Pentagon

International Herald Tribune ^ | 11 April 2006 | Leslie Wayne

[Tijeras_Slim]

I have always liked S&W revolvers but only need one handgun.

It isn't about need.

[TC Rider]

I actually read somewhere that the actual gun that was used in the Dirty Harry movies was a Mdl 57 (.41 magnum)

I've shot a friend's and liked it a lot. I'm partial to .44 specials, but would buy a .41 before a .44 magnum. Call me a wimp.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Nah, it was a real 29.

I had a nickel 57 for a bit, but traded it in on a Skeet gun. Since I don't reload, the .41 Mag has no equivalent "Special" load available off the shelf.

Got a 29-1 that's a tackdriver.

[battlecry]

+1. Would love to see them being built here.

[Phsstpok]

I once got to fire a Model 29 and the .44 AutoMag in quick succession at a range.  My friend owned the Model 29 and another guy at the range had the AutoMag.  He let both myself and my fried fire 3 rounds each.

 

If the image doesn't show up it is located at http://www.gunzone.dk/images/shopbasic/asg/13953-001.jpg 

Compared to the Model 29 it was a dream.  I guess it was the massive slide.  It just didn't give me any problem and I could be back on target in nothing flat.  He showed me the bullet and described the shells as .308 rounds cut where they normally get necked down (which looked like about a quarter inch or so longer than the normal 44 magnum shells), then the powder and a heavier than normal .44 slug are put in.  He said even though he made them himself each round cost him about a buck and this was in about 1980.  I am NOT a gun expert, have never done any reloading and this is a 25+ year old memory, so I may be way off on all of this, but that's how I remember it.  I am definite in my memory that firing the Model 29 hurt and, at least in contrast, firing the AutoMag was loads of fun and didn't hurt.  Of course, for all I know he was using half or quarter loads.  Still a great memory.

I have no idea if I really influenced what Eastwood used in the Dirty Harry movie he made with Sandra Locke, Sudden Impact, but I got a message to him about the .44 AutoMag.  When he went up to San Francisco he used to frequent a deli where I got lunch almost every day.  I never saw him there but it was always mentioned in Herb Caen's column that Clint Eastwood had dropped by this deli while in town.  The guys who ran the deli knew him well so I told them to tell him he was wrong about the Model 29 being "the most powerful handgun in the world" and described the .44 AutoMag.  A few weeks later they told me he'd been in and that they'd passed the message on.  About 3 years later Sudden Impact came out and Dirty Harry had a .44 AutoMag.  I've always wanted to meet him and ask him about that.

[thinkthenpost]

I like the 41 magnum round, just not in that model Smith, just partial to Rugers I guess.

[middie]

Me too, carried one fitted to the inside of my flight boot by a leathersmith in Frankfurt, Germany. When the boots wore out during my initial visit to southeast Asia I was able to locate a fellow in Albuquerque who could copy the German genius' work. It had to fit comfortably but tightly so as to not fall off in the event of an ejection.

[Rakkasan1]

a yes, the old Sigma.
named by frat boy that built it.

[Cruz]

ditto for the 1911, they rule

[45Auto]

Some posts about the .44 Automag in this thread

[Phsstpok]

Yeah. A couple to or by me. I told the same Clint Eastwood story back on that thread, too.... in a post to YOU! What a coincidence! ;^>

[Chinito]

I like Rugers more. I guess it's a Southpaw thing.

Hey ABG, I'm no southpaw but I agree with you. Just bought my first Ruger (New Vaquero .45Colt, 5 1/2 SS) and it is the most funnest shooting gun that I own. I'm retired LEO and have a ton of guns in the strong box, but this Ruger is a hoot to shoot. Loading 7gns Unique pushing a 250gn pill at about 825fps.

[ozzymandus]

Dude, it's Dirty Harry's .44 Mag.

[ozzymandus]

The story I recall was that Clint's 29 was a parts gun made up by the factory. I don't remember the particulars, and can't guess why they would do that in the first place.

[ozzymandus]

I've never shot either one, but the gun mags (if you can believe anything they say) claim the .500 has less recoil than the .460.

[ozzymandus]

I have several 1911s, including a Gold Cup and an Argie clone, and love them all. Never shot the S&W, but I've heard nothing but good about Kimbers.

[Shooter 2.5]

I think you are correct in that "Dirty Harry" used a .41. I had been told that a number of times but I haven't had anyone actually point out the difference with a photo from the movie.

[SFC Chromey]

You may like them, but don't get me started on the 9mm Beretta service pistol. OMG what a piece of garbage. The main issue with them is that dirt gets into them too easily and their magazine springs are garbage.

I spent more time cleaning/caring for the 9mm than any other weapon for 13 months. POS is all I gotta say.

[KoRn]

I never have cared for S&W semi autos.

My fav:

Yes, it's mine! :^)

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

Hey that's my pistol!!!!!