S&W 21-4 .44 special

[Poconnor]

I recently won this S&W model 21-4 .44special off gunbroker. The action is very smooth and the cylinder locks up very tight. I know from searching the internet several owners of this model reported poor accuracy. I hope mine shoots well because it feels great in my hand. I plan on plugging the frame lock and getting a set of VZ grips. If I find a few loads it likes I will try to get a replacement front sight. I think a serrated ramp resembling an old model 10 skinny barrel would look appropriate. Any suggestions on factory . 44 special loads? I will have to try some of skeeter Skelton’s handloads soon. [ATTACH=CONFIG]40875

[Jeep]

I recently won this S&W model 21-4 .44special off gunbroker. The action is very smooth and the cylinder locks up very tight. I know from searching the internet several owners of this model reported poor accuracy. I hope mine shoots well because it feels great in my hand. I plan on plugging the frame lock and getting a set of VZ grips. If I find a few loads it likes I will try to get a replacement front sight. I think a serrated ramp resembling an old model 10 skinny barrel would look appropriate. Any suggestions on factory . 44 special loads? I will have to try some of skeeter Skelton’s handloads soon.

Congratulations. I can't help you on .44 Special loads, but I'm very glad you started another .44 Special thread. One of the great--and now neglected--rounds.

[entropy]

Give the Blazer 200gr GoldDots a try. They seem to work well in a lot of specials.

If not, 255gr Keith and 7.5gr Unique.:D

[03RN]

Beautiful gun. Hurry up on that plug.

http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt44spec.htm

https://rimrockbullets.com/xcart/-44-260-gr-keith-swc-fb-per-500.html

I think that would be my bullet of choice

[revchuck38]

I got one of those when they first came out. Mine has the Thunder Ranch bling on the right side and now wears Spegel round-to-square conversion stocks. I haven't noticed it being inaccurate. :) The stock front sight gives POA/POI with 200-grain ammo. When I carry it I load it with 200-grain Gold Dots; note that the Blazer version chronographed 100 fps faster than the GD in my gun but was very flashy. Practice ammo is 200-grain LFPs at ~850 fps. When I run out of those LFPs I'm going to switch to 240 LSWCs and use whatever factory 240-grain cowboy LFPs work.

[jamautry]

My Thunder Ranch Model 21 is very accurate with a host of loads.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[Dagga Boy]

Timely.....just picked up a Pre War .44 shooter as well. It’s a no lock....;-).

[Stumpnav]

I had one of these for a few years when they first came out. I love the 44 Sp, but never really got in a groove with the 21-4. I think it boiled down to the fact I like a little heavier barrel. I would still have it, but I found a 44 Sp that worked a little better for me. The 21-4 was very accurate and a hoot to shoot.
The hand load I ran in it most was: 240 cast lead bullet over 4.5 grains of W231/HP38. It have me around 770 fps, it was very accurate and pleasant to shoot.

[03RN]

Timely.....just picked up a Pre War .44 shooter as well. It’s a no lock....;-).

Wow, that is beautiful.

[Seven_Sicks_Two]

Timely.....just picked up a Pre War .44 shooter as well. It’s a no lock....;-).

I've got a 4" of similar vintage (although in a bit rougher shape cosmetically). Any recommendations on factory ammo for it? I've seen a fair amount of "cowboy loads" available, but I'm unsure about feeding it a diet of stouter stuff.

[Dave T]

Timely.....just picked up a Pre War .44 shooter as well. It’s a no lock....;-).

"44 shooter". Yea, well your shooter grade DB would be my "pride of the collection" grade. (smile)

Dave

[Dagga Boy]

"44 shooter". Yea, well your shooter grade DB would be my "pride of the collection" grade. (smile)

Dave

It was somebody’s incomplete project. It was remarked .44 Magnum, but it has the original cylinder and was never completed as a conversion (thankfully). The long action on this one is amazingly good.

[BigT]

A 4" 44 Special N frame does something to me I can't explain.