Large bore for concealed carry?

[bigweatherby]

I really like, but don't have yet, the Smith and Wesson Night guard series, especially the 44 special. I think it would make a great carry gun. I have carried my 3" and 4" 629s once in a while. I really like the looks of the old Charter Arms Bulldog too.

I wish there were other good quality choices in a 44 Special or 45 Colt snubbie that won't break the bank. I may still have to save up and get one of the Night Guards.

[Berserker]

I've got S&W 696 3" L frame .44 spcl. Nice gun. I used to carry it. It is a little big. I am looking into some high performance loads and making that my carry gun in the woods.

[bigweatherby]

That sounds sweet. Got any pictures? I might have to see if they still make that...

[dvmcmr]

The .44 special is a good choice for a revolver for carry if you want that big hole in the end of the barrel.

I used to be a big fan of larger bores like the .444 and the .44 mag, and for some reason I've gone to the opposite end of the spectrum.

I'm heading back though and want to get a 1911 soon, and get another .444 or a 45-70.

The .45 colt in a concealable package woul be great, and I buy one, but what would that be and where can I find it?

[GEO]

I think if I wanted to carry a 44 spl I'd carry a charter arms bulldog. it worked for the son of sam.


GEO :rolleyes:

[Berserker]

I think if I wanted to carry a 44 spl I'd carry a charter arms bulldog. it worked for the son of sam.
The guy who makes the holsters for Simplyrugged, said he carried one in AK. I just don't know anything about the brand. I hate to be brand loyal, but I can be.

GEO :rolleyes:


That sounds sweet. Got any pictures? I might have to see if they still make that...

I'll take one later tonight. I don't think they make it anymore. I got mine used in 2000, has the firing pin on the hammer. So it is little older. I have seen them talked about on the internet so they are out there.

[Berserker]

S&W 696 .44spcl, 3" barrel. I carried it for awhile then bough the SP101. I am torn between easy to carry and easy to shoot. Not the best choice, but I am thinking about some hot loads, for running the dogs in bear and wolf country.

I do like the L frame.

[dvmcmr]

Smith just makes damn fine guns.

[Berserker]

I bought a Ruger, after buying 2 Smiths. The shells wouldn't eject, and just didn't feel the same. I don't handle failure well, and stayed away from Ruger. But have started to look at them, after all the positive things I have heard, such as Redhawk.

[GEO]

berserker--sir...you qouted me and then added something to my quotation that I did not post.

please see below. I don't think you meant to do that. so please take care when replying. thank you.


[QUOTE=Berserker;1148] Originally Posted by GEO

I think if I wanted to carry a 44 spl I'd carry a charter arms bulldog. it worked for the son of sam.
The guy who makes the holsters for Simplyrugged, said he carried one in AK. I just don't know anything about the brand. I hate to be brand loyal, but I can be.

GEO

[Berserker]

Just a mistake.

[GEO]

Just a mistake.

not a problem. thank you.


GEO

[Berserker]

http://www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Bulldog_74420.html
Looks alot like my S&W. I don't know anything about Charter Arms, have heard of them though. Price is decent.

[Berserker]

I had trouble last month finding 44spcl. Usually I get cowboy loads, and never had a problem. Only thing Cabelas had was high performance, more then I wanted to spend to shoot up in the backyard.

Need to find a decent place to buy or get my reloader set up. Bought it and never finished learning how too, 10 years ago.

I kinda like it, just cause its different. Big bullet too.

[bigweatherby]

That Smith is just what I want. Very nice. I think I will keep an eye out for one.

Which Ruger gave you problems? Did you send it to Ruger for service?

[Berserker]

SP101. I just returned it. It was the first time I fired it, so I brought it back to the store. They ran something through the chambers, but it was still tight, so they just gave me another.

They had a range, so I fired 50 158 grains through it, cheapest they had. Damn my hand hurt.

[Berserker]

I like my Smiths, but would like to see one of those Charter Arm bulldogs too.

[bigweatherby]

From what I hear, the older ones are good but the newer ones are not. I have no way to verify that but I can tell you for sure what my opinion is on the newer ones cause I took a good look at one just last year. It looked like crap to me. Very rough. Now of course I did not buy it so I don't know how well it worked. It might shoot and function just fine

[Berserker]

Is this a case of I am keeping my Shovel and not riding one of those new Evos? Technology improves, but companies also try to cut costs.

I read a little on S&W forum, inconcullsive. One guy elluded to misfires on the old ones. Was there a reason they went to the new style? Nannies or a need? I dunno, asking.

[dvmcmr]

From what I've seen of the new charters I'd have to agree, they look pretty rough, but I too have no idea how they function.

For the cost ya can't expect too much I guess.

[GEO]

the bulldog is a one pop and stop...no brass drop machine.


GEO

[Berserker]

S&W 696 .44spcl, 3" barrel. I carried it for awhile then bough the SP101. I am torn between easy to carry and easy to shoot. Not the best choice, but I am thinking about some hot loads, for running the dogs in bear and wolf country.

I do like the L frame.

Fired this gun, forgot how much I like it. Single action it did well, double ok. Lot better then my snubnose. Not sure why.

[bigweatherby]

So you probably don't want to sell it then?

[Berserker]

Probably not. I had not fired it in awhile. Got some ammo in the mail yesterday. I wasn't shooting very far, 7 and 10 yards, but I was happy. Want to get some more practice in. I wasn't sure if I liked 3", but damn it shot nice yesterday. Like meeting an old friend.

I ordered from Sportsmans guide, Cheaper then dirt has .44 too, decent price. Less then 30 for 50. I need to get my reloader set up. I bought it 10 years ago, and never completely learned how to use it. Then packed it away and moved it from house to house.

[bigweatherby]

I bet it was nice to take her out and shoot well with it again!

[Berserker]

Someone years ago told me you have to 4". So after I stopped carrying this gun, I didn't give it alot attention, plus price of ammo went up alot. I only tried 10 paces, but it shot as good as I could.

Got .38s today took out sp101 586. My shooting is getting back to what I expect. Maybe I was rushing, or just rusty, dunno. The 101 grouped at 7 paces, but all to the right. Fixed sites, googling to see if there is anything I can do.

The 586 did real good SA, and ok DA. At that range, I don't think the barrel was a factor. I realize 10 paces isn't much for some. But I have fun.

[bigweatherby]

10 paces is a good, realistic self defense distance. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Grouping to the right might mean you are pressing to hard with the trigger finger, like hooking it around the trigger as you pull. Also, your grip itself could be causing it if you are squeezing to hard with the thumb side.

[Berserker]

Ya that is what I just read. I do wonder if I should get some Hogues. I found this onine, it is for right handed.

[bigweatherby]

Good chart. Playing with the grips might make a difference.

[Berserker]

I need to slow down, and I have. Yesterday, I was walking and looking at every shot, that probably helped. I read, if you don't shoot with in 10 seconds, lower your arm, which something I don't do.

I bought 100 38s today, and for 50 in the mail. So hopefully can get better. Practice.

I got Hogues on my 586, and like them. I got Uncle Mikes on my .44, don't like them as much, but they have grown on me a little. But still might put Hogues, on one of these days.

[bigweatherby]

The Uncle Mikes are probably more tuned for concealment. I have Hogues on my 586 too and they are very comfotable and grippy. Sometimes a concealment oriented grip isn't perfect for the range. I have found that I can get a more handfilling and comfortable grip for my concealment guns by going with wood sometimes. It can be a little bigger but still does not grab clothing and stuff.

[bigweatherby]

For example...

http://www.hoguestore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=22_36_89_90_217

[Berserker]

I've actually never fired a handgun with wood grips. But ya I realize what is on there is better for concealment.

[Berserker]

I get alot of flare and soot on the gun. Is this typical of the .44 special load? It seems to lock up tight, when hammer is back, so I think timing is ok, but I don't know.

I am thinking slow burning and lots of powder, compared to my .38s and .357s.

[Berserker]

Looking at ammo, alot of them say not for Charter Arms, so that turns me off. Granted you could just shoot it with the correct loads. I've never shot more then cowboy, but plan on getting some hot loads for the woods. Though the Charter may handle a few of them, if not a steady diet.

[bigweatherby]

I wonder is you got away from the cowboy loads and ran something more tuned for self defense if the loads would be cleaner.

[Berserker]

That is what I am thinking. But I just wiped it off when done shooting.


I tend to shoot with my trigger finger more on the joint, instead of the pad of my finger, as one source said to do. I am going to try the tip and see if that helps. Instead of changing grips, I would like to see if I can correct the behavior. Then I may change grips.

[bigweatherby]

Yep, hooking the finger around the trigger can cause that. I try to just use the pad and press nice and easy.

[Berserker]

I tired tonight, it feels weird to do that, guess I am changing 24 year habit. Wasn't tight groups, couple bullseyes though. All in the pie pan, maybe a large pan. It was getting dark, so will have to try some more.

[dvmcmr]

10 paces is a good, realistic self defense distance. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Grouping to the right might mean you are pressing to hard with the trigger finger, like hooking it around the trigger as you pull. Also, your grip itself could be causing it if you are squeezing to hard with the thumb side.

Hooking can definitely cause it shooting double action.