.44 Special
A gentleman's big bore — mild to shoot and accurate, but factory ammo is scarce and priced like the specialty item it has become.
Family
Handgun
Introduced
1907
Origin
Smith & Wesson, USA
History
Smith & Wesson introduced the .44 Special around 1907 with its Triple Lock revolver as a smokeless-powder successor to the .44 Russian. It earned a cult following among handgunners like Elmer Keith, whose heavy experimental loads led directly to the .44 Magnum. Today it lives on as the softer companion chambering in .44 Magnum revolvers and in compact big-bore carry guns.
What it's used for
Iconic platforms
Smith & Wesson Triple Lock and Model 24, Charter Arms Bulldog, Ruger GP100 in .44 Special, and every .44 Magnum revolver.
Common load types
Lead semi-wadcutter, jacketed hollow point, and cowboy-action loads.
Reference only — not loading data, not ballistics advice, and KitID links to no ammunition sellers. Know your local law before you buy anything that goes bang.