S&W .38-44 Heavy Duty
- Thread starter oscarflytyer
- Start date
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
Hmmmm.......it wouldn't look a whole lot different than the 38/200 loads with NEI #169A. That bullet is .810" long, loaded into a case .775" long. Weird, but it works.
I don't recall who I cast them for, but years ago I sent samples of #169A to another member of the Boolits site and at least one of the mouldmakers we all dote upon made up clones of that strange Mk I bullet. The bullet just looks like it wouldn't fly with stability (to me, at least), but it does to 50 yards in the S&W M&P x 5". I did the Greenhill bit with that bullet, and at 625 FPS it is calculated to be barely stable in the S&W's barrel twist rate. Like the honeybee--it isn't supposed to be able to fly, but the bees didn't get that memo.
oscarflytyer
Well-Known Member
So here it is... Grips are the most beautiful factory I have ever seen! Looks like two sets of figured custom Claro Walnut I have. Haven't dropped them to see if stenciled/correct, but... And, this one came with a factory letter as well. My second Smith letter... they are very kool in and of themselves...
This one was shipped on 1 Sept 1939 - the day Hitler invaded Poland. And it does have the original grip (I posted originally that it didn't). Small ding on the sight (looked way worse than it is in the GB pic), and a small blue loss patch on bbl. Grips are perfect. Overall beautiful piece!
This one was shipped on 1 Sept 1939 - the day Hitler invaded Poland. And it does have the original grip (I posted originally that it didn't). Small ding on the sight (looked way worse than it is in the GB pic), and a small blue loss patch on bbl. Grips are perfect. Overall beautiful piece!
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
VERY NICE
richhodg66
Well-Known Member
In our little county courthouse in Abilene, there is a shrine of sorts to the Sheriff and his brother who were killed in gunfight with a crazy guy who burned the house down on them in 1949. Among the things in the display case is one of their pocket watches and the revolver the sheriff carried which I believe is one of these big frame .38s (I obviously haven't handled it). Story about it here; http://dkcohistory.blogspot.com/2011/03/tragedy-in-1949-death-of-davis-brothers.html
I always thought these were the epitome of old school cool.
I always thought these were the epitome of old school cool.
oscarflytyer
Well-Known Member
Pulled this thread up in a search as I am FINALLY getting around to prepping to do some serious loading. And the heavy load for this HD is on the list. An update of note - this gun does not have the original grips on it. Thought it did, but... Instead, it has a set of custom Keith Brown Magnas on it. I had no idea. But adds about ~$400 to the gun. I came out better than I ever expected, AND got a set of KB grips that I had looked at for a long time, and couldn't justify the expense. Bought off GB/not sure the seller even knew the gun had the KB grips...
I was intrigued by the .38/44 some years back.i obtained an old Lyman manual, obtained all the moulds and duplicated all the old loads as well as I could with available powders. Added a few new loads.
The article I wrote appears on Castpics under articles by member/ High Speed .38 Special loads.
Might want to look at it.
I can tell you, the .38 Special has been supressed by the ammunition companies in the name of safety on account of all the old .38 Special guns in circulation. It’s one of our best, easiest loading rounds. /beagle
The article I wrote appears on Castpics under articles by member/ High Speed .38 Special loads.
Might want to look at it.
I can tell you, the .38 Special has been supressed by the ammunition companies in the name of safety on account of all the old .38 Special guns in circulation. It’s one of our best, easiest loading rounds. /beagle
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I am a huge fan of the 38 Special and have likely loaded more 38 Special cartridges than all the other handgun cartridges I reload.
I agree that factory loaded 38 Special (and 38 Special +P) is loaded on the moderate side of the potential pressure. That’s not a bad thing and the cartridge doesn’t need to be pushed to its limit all the time.
The .38-44 Heavy Duty is one of those examples of “why we can’t have good things”. There are just too many idiots out there that will do stupid things if you let them. And, after being stupid those same people will not accept responsibility for their own actions.
The 38-44 Heavy Duty or 38-44 High-Velocity is a great concept. And in the hands of a responsible person with a little bit of knowledge, it can be utilized to great effect.
I agree that factory loaded 38 Special (and 38 Special +P) is loaded on the moderate side of the potential pressure. That’s not a bad thing and the cartridge doesn’t need to be pushed to its limit all the time.
The .38-44 Heavy Duty is one of those examples of “why we can’t have good things”. There are just too many idiots out there that will do stupid things if you let them. And, after being stupid those same people will not accept responsibility for their own actions.
The 38-44 Heavy Duty or 38-44 High-Velocity is a great concept. And in the hands of a responsible person with a little bit of knowledge, it can be utilized to great effect.
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
Full agreement, Jon.
I just re-read this thread. My thoughts......always dangerous, those......today's 357 Magnum loadings are running in the 38/44 performance ballpark. 1935-level 357 Magnums were a lot more cartridge than today's editions are.
It isn't all down-side, though. Those "Idiots" lacking good judgement or senses of responsibility kept Jon, me, and host of others here working for a good number of years. It has always been a growth industry, and it appears that I have lived long enough to see good sense restoring itself and counter-measures to brazen and permissive idiocies being brought to bear. 2024 is the new 1975.
I just re-read this thread. My thoughts......always dangerous, those......today's 357 Magnum loadings are running in the 38/44 performance ballpark. 1935-level 357 Magnums were a lot more cartridge than today's editions are.
It isn't all down-side, though. Those "Idiots" lacking good judgement or senses of responsibility kept Jon, me, and host of others here working for a good number of years. It has always been a growth industry, and it appears that I have lived long enough to see good sense restoring itself and counter-measures to brazen and permissive idiocies being brought to bear. 2024 is the new 1975.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
How true !
StrawHat
Well-Known Member
One of those “idiots” was Phil Sharpe, who convinced S&W the 38 Special Magnum was a good idea!
Personally, I like the 38/44 HD loads better but what do I know?
Kevin
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Speed sells!