.38-44 Antique handgun? reloading?

Smokepole

Smokepole

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I've recently been offered a S&W in .38-44. Is this calibre OK for antique status in Canada? Does anyone here shoot one? How is it for reloading? Can I use .38spl brass? Anything else I should know about it?
 
There is an excellent article on reloading the 38-44 in the new edition of Handloader. I also don't believe it can have antique status. It was made for law enforcement as most officers were unhappy with the performance of the 38 spl
 
dan belisle said:
As the 38-44 didn't come around until after 1900, I guess I don't see how it could be an antique. Just to clarify, a 38-44 is an N frame S&W, chambered in 38 Special, and used with high pressure 38 loads (basically low end 357 magnum speeds). - dan
Click to expand...

Whooooaaa!!! :50cal:

Calm down kiddies!

.38-44 S&W is a real cartridge designation from the 19th century, unlike the high pressure .38 Special on the .44 frame commonly known as .38-44 during the late 1920s and '30s.

.32-44 and .38-44 S&W have a cases which fully enclose the bullet ala 7.62 Nagant.

They were generally chambered in the S&W New Model 3 Target revolvers of the late 19th century.

As has been established, ALL S&W large frame top break revolvers are considered antiques except those chambered in .44-40 and .38-40....

For interests sake, .32-44 is similar to, but different than .32 Revolving Rifle...
 
Smokepole said:
I've recently been offered a S&W in .38-44. Is this calibre OK for antique status in Canada? Does anyone here shoot one? How is it for reloading? Can I use .38spl brass? Anything else I should know about it?
Click to expand...

I'll talk to my friend again, he was explaining to me the details of reloading this cartridge.

The cylinder chambers are bored case diameter all the way thru by the way, as the bullet was intended to ride the brass case all the way to the barrel.

Do NOT under any circumstances shoot .38 Special out of this gun. Though IIRC the cartridge is a different diameter.
 
Indeed it is a 38-44S&W. Model 3 target. I don't see the 38-44 on the NO list, so I guess it would qualify as an antique.
Fully cased bullet, huh? thats interesting... I wonder what kind of performance one could expect from it?
 
"Pistol and Revolver Cartriges" White & Munhall

38-44 S&W
bt .358"
head dia .384"
rim dia .437"
cl/oal 1.462-1.473"

Obsolete c1920
 
I does not matter if the cartridge is old or new if it is not on the list and the receiver is made be for 1898 it can claim antique status a friend of mine has a martini pistol and it is a pistol not a altered rifle that was made before 1898 and is in 303 Brit. It has been deregistered 303 Brit is not on the hand gun no go list . but if it was a rifle it would need to be registered because the bore diameter must be greater than 8.3mm. around .338 that means you can take an antique rem. rolling block and put a new barrel new stocks re-blue chamber in 50 Alaskan and its still considered antique.
 
Lee Enfield said:
Whooooaaa!!! :50cal:

Calm down kiddies!

.38-44 S&W is a real cartridge designation from the 19th century, unlike the high pressure .38 Special on the .44 frame commonly known as .38-44 during the late 1920s and '30s.

.32-44 and .38-44 S&W have a cases which fully enclose the bullet ala 7.62 Nagant.

They were generally chambered in the S&W New Model 3 Target revolvers of the late 19th century.

As has been established, ALL S&W large frame top break revolvers are considered antiques except those chambered in .44-40 and .38-40....

For interests sake, .32-44 is similar to, but different than .32 Revolving Rifle...
Click to expand...


I stand corrected, and learn something new every day. - dan
 
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