.44 Russian that is. Since there's been a few threads showing off some old S&W revolvers, I figured I post one about my S&W 44 Double Action First model revolver:



For those that don't know, the .44 Russian was lengthened to become the .44 Special, which was then lengthened to become the .44 Magnum. 44 Russian was highly regarded for it's accuracy back in the day.

Production on these were from 1881-1913, although it looks like the frame production stopped in the late 1800's and it took till 1913 to sell off the old stock.

The double action guns are not as collectable as the single action guns, they are still a nice piece of history.

Recently there has been increased interest in them in Canada, I believe because they slip through some of their draconian gun laws.

I have one also. Mine is blued. I will probably shoot it as soon as I can load up some blackpowder 44 Russian loads.

Been looking for one I could afford for a while!

Are the concerns I have read about durability of the lock work as serious as people seem to think? If I get one I'm definitely going to want to shoot it.

Bill R

Very cool.

IIRC Canada will allow possession of antique firearms that don't meet the current legal requirements for a handgun if certain conditions are met. First they have to be old enough. Here the US the cutoff date is 1898 and a vague memory has it that Canada uses the same date. Second is that it has to be in a "unavailable" caliber.

The sweet thing about the old 44 Russian S&W revolvers is that perfectly good serviceable ammunition can be made by cutting down a 44 Special case.

Just saw a S&W .44 American in what looked like factory nickel at a Cabelas I happened to pass by. Interesting units.