FA 97 44 Special -- this week anyway...

[revo]

Hey folks. Been saving here for a new FA for some time now. Getting closer each week, man.

However, seems I can't make up my mind as to which one...starting to think I need my head checked...

My thoughts are all over the place. First it was "gotta have a 454, that's what FA does, right?". Then came the 44 Mag vs 454 Casull internal-quagmire. Then set in the "what the heck do I need all that horsepower for" reasoning. Anyway, long story short, now the FA 97 in 44 Special is calling me.

My thoughts are to use the 44 Special mainly for reloading fun -- to dive in and reload the whole gamut of 44 Special and just have fun with a good-ole cartridge. In time, the idea of whitetail hunting with it might crop up, as the good folks over in the Handgun Hunting forum really opened my eyes.

All that said, you folks have any input on bbl length for the FA 97 44 Special? Does the 44 Special "prefer" a longer or shorter bbl? Does such a phenomenon even exist (i.e., a certain cartridge preferring a longer bbl)?

The 7.5" is really nice. Already have a 5.5" FA 97 45 Colt, and love it to pieces. Thinking a 7.5" might be in order here...this week anyway...

[Ken ONeill]

They're like Lay's potato chips. Gotta keep trying another one. Barrel lengths are a personal preference item, but be aware that the 4 1/4" lengths leave less light on each side of the front sight. These days I prefer mine between 5 1/2" and 7 1/2".
Calibers? You can justify any of them, but the .44 Spec. is close in performance to your .45 Colt. I'd prefer stepping up to an 83 in .44 Mag. or .454, but if you want to stay with a 97, don't forget the .32 Mag...or the .22...or the .357.... This makes the decision MUCH easier doesn't it?

[STJ]

The M97 in 44sp is the way to go!  I have the 4.25" bbl but I also have a 7.5" M83 in 454.  If I only had one I would go with the 5.5".  Good balance of packability and sight radius.  Don't worry about the needing the extra barrel length for velocity.  I can get a 300gr LBT up to 1200fps with H110, and I could go more is I wished...but I don't need to.

[Dusty Miller]

Just do whatever you want to do, AS LONG AS, its done with an FA gun!!

[kennisondan]

these struggles we put ourselves through... LOL that is part of the fun -  it not... I am now of the opinion that all of the calibers will do most of what we want, unless it calls for an especiually small or large bullet for special game... for just shooting or for shooting medium game, I have come to realize that they will all do it for me.. and the FA does it quite nicely, too.
I was worried recently about simiilarity in calibers.. like your 45 and 44 spcl, now I have two 45s and a 44, and it was only in my head... I realize I need those .. all of them..
the real quesition is : once you get the 44 special in whatever barrel length you get, are you getting a different barrel length next time, or a different caliber..
cause you know you will need a lighter caliber one day any way, just not now.. so hurry and get that one in and get deciding on what is next.... it is too late for you now...
so 44 spcl now.. next : 32 -22 .. what will it be..
I am thinking it will have to be a 32.. or maybe a 22... check you next week.
dk