Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
5" barrels are a nice compromise but are exceedingly rare.
It's baaaaack!
- Thread starter beagle
- Start date
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
When I returned to the big-bore game, I went looking for a DA revolver in 44 Special.
At the time I was searching, I found that DA revolvers chambered in 44 Special were priced in the stratosphere, …..if you could find one. SO…..I expanded my search to include 44 Magnum chambering but I still wanted a tapered 4” barrel. The Mountain Gun was the solution.
I am not thrilled about those Houge grips (although they do fit nicely) but I haven’t found the right replacements yet.
At the time I was searching, I found that DA revolvers chambered in 44 Special were priced in the stratosphere, …..if you could find one. SO…..I expanded my search to include 44 Magnum chambering but I still wanted a tapered 4” barrel. The Mountain Gun was the solution.
I am not thrilled about those Houge grips (although they do fit nicely) but I haven’t found the right replacements yet.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I would perfer a S&W in 44 Special but they are not to be had these days unless you want to mortgage a house or two.
I also perfer the older grips.
I have a gp100 in 327mag,,with 5 inch barrell, only 5 inch i ever held,,it just looks right!
waco
Springfield, Oregon
Here is my 5” M29
Attachments
Thumbcocker
Active Member
They are out there.
JonB
Halcyon member
Yeah, when I seen this N frame at a gunshow in Hinckley MN, in a presentation case and looked unfired, I got a little weak in the knees.
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
If I find another one it will come home with me. It will live a soft life of St. Elmer's #429421 run between 900 and 1100 FPS.
waco
Springfield, Oregon
That’s my go to load for my 5” 29. The 429421 with 8.0gr of Unique for 910fps.
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
Yessir--that is 'Skeeter's Load' put up in 44 Magnum-length brass. 9.0 x Herco does about the same things. 90% of my current-day 44 Magnum shooting gets done with these loads.
45 ACP/Auto Rim revolvers send 230-240 grain castings at 850-900 FPS without much strain. This performance envelope is a wonderful balance of terminal effectiveness and user controllability. The 44 Special/N-frame package was saddled with 44 Russian ballistic performance for many years--a 246 lead RN bullet at 700-725 FPS. This feature is one of those quirks of S&W that leaves people scratching their heads--that the company left a lot of performance on the table when the cartridges were fired in the fine Triple-Lock and subsequent N-frame 44 Specials.
Until 1971 and the advent of the mythical Harry Callahan of SFPD the N-frame revolver line did not sell well; the K-frames ruled the earth, especially the Model 19/66. These latter revolvers had a few issues of their own, but since they were largely fired with 38 Special-to-38 Special +P ammo, these issues didn't crop up.
I'll belay my rant sequence now--I feel one coming on. Suffice it to say, the L-frame 357s made me VERY HAPPY, and continue to do so for 40+ years.
Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Gotta agree with Al 100%. The L frame fit a slot, especially for the 357 in police work, perfectly!
I have a couple N frames here. My hand gunning has been severely reduced the past few years, as has all my shooting! I feel the need to pop a few primers coming on, after I spend some time casting and loading!, and the N frames are near the top of the list for some exercise.
I have a couple N frames here. My hand gunning has been severely reduced the past few years, as has all my shooting! I feel the need to pop a few primers coming on, after I spend some time casting and loading!, and the N frames are near the top of the list for some exercise.
That's pretty close to my go-to.... 9.0gr unique thru my 629 classic 5"...
I save 2400 for other cast rifle loads... unique was/is a good overall powder for just about all of my cast pistol needs. For me it's also economical... 800-900 44mag per bottle, 1.5k+ of 9mm, 38, 45 per bottle... it's been a powder I've used for decadesDoesn't anyone use 2400, rather than Unique? Recoil impulse, IMO, is less with little less pressure and tad more velocity!
Winelover
North Central Arkansas
Use to use the recommended load of 22 grains of 2400 lite with a mag primer, back in the day, in my Redhawk. Have since tuned that down.
Winelover
North Central Arkansas
Unique is used mainly in some of my 9mm & 38 Special loads. Probably, the first smokeless powder, purchased when I started reloading, decades ago. Found better accuracy with 2400 in my 44 Specials. I don't load for 45 ACP, only 45 LC............that usually gets 2400 also.