How about the .44 special?

me | 2/19/02 | Detailer

[DETAILER]

Hi everyone- just a short request for info from fellow Freepers. I just got the opportunity to purchase a Charter Arms .44 special bulldog- from a friend that has owned it for years and not shot it in years, who now finds himself in a little cash crunch. I can get it cheap! I've never shot the .44 special and wanted to hear any opinions about it out there. It's a short barrel, I know it won't be accurate much more than room distance, but that's exactly what I want it for. What do you all think?

[DETAILER]

Thanks for you comments

[DETAILER]

Well, I don't know why this came up in breaking news- I didn't mean for it to - sorry 'bout that!

[Clemenza]

Word of warning: Do not post requests like this in breaking news.

I have never fired a .44 so I couldn't personally give good advice on the matter. I have always been wary about buying used firearms without testing them out, however.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Weren't you looking for one of these?

[Chapita]

Keep bullets in it or trade it for a crow bar! Ha!

[cav68]

Purchase ear protection along with eye protection as with all short barrels, powder is the concern to the shooter. My sister has one Smith and Wesson and it is a dream to shoot. I happen to own a Model 29 S&W with 8 3/8" barrel which I treasure. For home protection I still say shotgun unless you want to shoot through walls. Have a nice day sounds like a great deal

[VoiceOfBruck]

I know it won't be accurate much more than room distance, but that's exactly what I want it for.

Whoever's bugging you in your room will probably be gone by the time you buy it.

[DETAILER]

Yeah - I've got a twelve guage- up on a rack on the wall- I could put this pistol within reach without getting out of the bed.

[TOMH1]

The .44 Special, as loaded today, is a weak sister. And, it is designed to be shot in 5 to 6 inch barrel guns. It is kept downloaded in deference to all the old 44 special revolvers out there.

There probably are specialty loads out there, CorBon?, who hot load it.

In either case you, hand-wrist-ears, will definately know when it goes off in a short barreled light gun.

[Brewer]

It's an ok weapon. It doesn't have as much recoil as the 44 mag. I wouldn't consider it a target gun, but it would work for self defense. I prefer a 45 ACP or the 45 Long Colt, but I would get one if it is really cheap.

[w_over_w]

It's a great piece, however, it's blast will scare the crap out of both you and any intruder. I kid you not. I was firing mine at the gun range and others were stopping to ask if I was using a .44. Gotta agree with cav68 . . . I use a Browning BPS 12gage pump for home protection.

[sparkomatic]

Personally, I would jump at the chance to buy any firearm when the following rules apply:

1. price is right
2. the gun functions
3. it's going to be unregistered
4. it's clean, not used in a crime

[tdadams]

You seem to indicate you want this for home defense. If that's the case, this is the wrong gun... for several reasons. First of all, a .44 Magnum is a mighty powerful gun. It has enough velocity to go clear through your house and the neighbors house if you should miss. Which brings me to point two: the liklihood that you would miss your target with this gun is high. Think about it; short barrel, probably shooting in the dark (if God forbid you're shooting at an intruder), at a relatively small and moving target.

I think for home defense you'd be much better off with a shotgun with a medium length barrel. A Mossberg 500 in 20 or 12 guage is ideal. Just the sound of racking a round in the chamber is unmistakable to any intruder. It's likely you'll never have to fire a shot and the only mess you'll have to clean up is from where your visitor wet himself as he was diving for the window.

[Marobe]

Haven't owned a Charter Arms 44 but did carry their 38 snub nose as a backup piece...very nice weapon. A 44 would be fine for in close as 90% of confrontations will be within 20- 30 feet. Grab it !

[Billthedrill]

Buy it. The Charter Arms Bulldog was out of production for years and is now back - older ones were often carried as backups by deer hunters for finishing shots - they're light and powerful. As someone already pointed out, muzzle blast from a short-barrelled revolver in this caliber is prodigious. It's an excellent (but slightly bulky) carry piece - if a .44 special isn't enough cartridge for the social situation you're in you probably need a long gun anyhow.

A couple of things to check to ensure that it's a good piece - grab the cylinder and try to rotate it with the hammer down. Excessive play will mean that the firearm needs a visit to Mr. Smith. Examine the barrel for pits and shadows which will indicate a corrosion problem. Take a look at the back end of the barrel - the "forcing cone" - for signs of lead deposits which will indicate misalignment of the cylinder and barrel upon firing. If these all check out (and I suspect they might) and you don't want to buy the piece...email me!

[Sender]

I have wanted one of these for years. It's a great self-defense caliber, compact and reliable with not too much recoil. I saw a couple at a gun show recently for $250-300. I want to find one cheap too!

[C-Note]

It's a 44 special not 44 magnum, big difference. I would buy it, 44 special is easy to shoot and it's a good self-defense round. C

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Price wasn't mentioned, but if its $300 or less and 90 percent good condition, I'd buy it. It would be nice if it were unregistered (never been re-sold through a gun store).
In the house ? Use a shotgun. My favorite is the A-5 Browning.

[Axelsrd]

I am thinking of buying a .40 cal. Any one have any thoughts on the .40???