New S&W

Hi Mak: ran across this while surfing. Chris S
http://www.msgunowners.com/t49022-new-sw-model-69

Here's another link. Chris S
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/377771-s-w-model-69-a.html

Chris,
Thanks for the links, after much searching, it seems at least one of those posts covers similar ground to where I'm coming from. I don't know if any of these items will surface out here, but I sure would like to put one through its paces. Seems just what an aging levergunner needs as a sidearm.

Got me going too but then I had to get back to earning a living.

The good old 44 Special comes in a nice frame, if you can find a USFA or Turnbull worked-over USFA. Load it with 429421 and 16.5 gr 2400. It will do just about anything necessary and packs easily.
I have had a number of 44 Mags, but I only have one left; a Ruger SBH while I have 6 44 Spl's. I find they are just about perfect for an aging AR15 aficionado.

Mike

Mike, what you say above is undoubtedly true.
However, the winds of fate carry us into uncharted territory again and again.
Certainly, the .44 special is just that-special. Double certainly, a USFA/Turnbull in this caliber is all you need, but to get there, the cost of entry is significantly higher than even a new  S&W.

Now, I absolutely love the single action, and rely upon this configuration regularly, but even I have to admit that the double action does have a tactical advantage. Speaking personally, all this is just interesting enough to get me to want to take a look and hold of one, and judge if the idea works in reality.
Just today, I left the hulking .44 magnum behind in favor of a lighter, handier .45, and enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to hike my pants up 14 times a minute, or tighten my belt to the point of asphyxiation. Normally, I can find no sense in bothering with the .44 special out of a magnum frame. If I have to hump that big old lump of steel, then I will take all the power to go with it. But now, maybe, this handier and lighter model makes .44 specials a meaningful option.
I don't know that I'll even be able to afford one, but it has the kind of potential that holds my interest. Now, all this is before I've had the chance to even see one in the rubber and steel, so who knows?

When I feel the need for a double action, I get out the old S&W 1950 Target - in 44 Special. With the above load, I get about 1150 FPS with the 429421. And, it's a bunch lighter than any 44 mag.
Mike

This from a guy (me) who wants a 44 Mag Freedom Arms 97. Quien sabe?
Mike

Well, Mike-
In a similar vein, Brian Pearce, of Handloader  fame, has converted USFA Single Actions to the 44 magnum chambering. He holds pressure to 36,000psi, but writes that it works well.
I'm not sure what the length of the 97 cylinder might be, but I'm pretty certain its limited to 44 special due to dimensional limitations. Interesting idea, tho.

I am perfectly happy with the 44 Spl. My SBH will handle any Mag business I might ever convince myself that I have. If I wanted to go bigger, I would probably go to the FA 83 454. Although, I don't really see that coming. As somebody said, I don't like to go around hiking up my pants every few steps. And, the lighter 44's point so much easier. Once, in Cut Bank, MT, one of my clients wanted to see how hard the 44 Spl could hit. I had my S&W 1950 loaded with 17.5 gr. 2400 with me. I drew down on a nearby power pole about 14" in diameter. When I let fly, the pole though splinters out the back, and we could see the 429421 of linotype skipping across the newly plowed wheat field. He was convinced. That load is impressive at night, too. It throws out a bright orange donut that swirls like a gangster's smoke ring and grows to about 4' before it fades. Not good for concealment, but it lets the opposition know it's time to go home.
Mike

Your post brought a smile to my face, Mike.
2400 does provide an impressive flash. My late friend who was my handloading mentor got a kick out of rolling cans in the twilight, mostly for the light show, I think.

I gave up shooting 22 grains of 2400 over a 240 grain bullet in the 44 magnum because it was starting to pound my hand too much. I have to hand it to Elmer for handling that load for many years. Now I shoot 44 Special mostly and it's more fun. Chris S

PUT THE POWDER UNDER THE BULLET FOR A MORE HARMONIOUS OUTCOME. I GO WITH 10 GRAINS OF UNIQUE WITH 250 OR 300 GR. BULLETS FOR ABOUT 1150 FPS. ABOUT THE HOTTEST I WILL GO IN CLASSIC  .44  AMGNUMS FROM THE '50s. ELMER HAD SPECIALLY CARVED IVORY STOCKS TO FILL IN THE CREASE IN HIS PALM TO HELP HANDLE RECOIL + HE FIRED ONLY A FEW HUNDRED ROUNDS PER YEAR. THE FIRST YEAR HE HAD THE .44 MAGNUM HE SAID HE SHOT 600 ROUNDS THE WHOLE YEAR.

"PUT THE POWDER UNDER THE BULLET FOR A MORE HARMONIOUS OUTCOME"
...what I have been doing wrong all these years...

Yep I did a typo. I sometimes get tongue-tied on this contraption. I was so used to hearing about Elmer using big guns all the time I just took it for granted that he didn't mind the recoil. Mr. Taffin, if it's not impolite may I ask did you ever meet Elmer? Just curious. Chris S

...if it matters which way the primer goes in....

Give a guy a break, "oldtimers" is getting the best of me! Thanks Al I thought you would understand. Chris S

YES  SEVERAL TIMES AND SPENT TIME WITH HIM AT HIS HOME. I WAS PRIVILEGED TO UNLOAD HIS SIXGUNS AFTER HIS PASSING, SERVE ON THE ELMER KEITH MUSEUM BOARD,   AND THEN IN 2006 TO PLACE HIS SIXGUNS AND RIFLES AND LABEL THEM IN THE ELMER KEITH MUSEUM.

Thanks for the prompt answer. I have read many of your stories and books but passed over those details except for the museum part. A great honor to have been able to do that. As a boy in the fifties I too counted his books and articles as truly inspiring and am sorry I never had the chance to meet him. Chris S