Now that we have a lively discussion started over what constitutes single and double action, here is another one to throw at you: black powder reloaders will swear up and down that you MUST load a black powder cartridge to capacity, even compress the powder under the bullet. To quote one enthusiast "you are creating a pipe bomb if you leave an air space in the cartridge...". Here is a request from William "Buffalo Bill" Cody in 1878 to Smith and Wesson, forwarded to UMC: ...Please make us 500 44-100 ctgs. loaded with 5 grains of powder. Put cut paper wad on powder. These are for a special order from W. F. Cody ('Buffalo Bill') who is to use them for stage target shooting." A second order stepped the charge up to 15 grains. " The 500 loaded some time since with 5 grains do not shoot strong enough." The factory load for the 44 Russian cartridge was 23 grains of powder behind a 275 grain bullet. Ira Paine, and "Texas Jack" John B. Omohundro also requested special loads for exhibition shooting.
the original .44 S&W, was renamed ".44 American" to differentiate it from the modified cartridge first manufactured at the request of the Imperial Russian government. That one would be called ".44 Russian". Eventually, the Russian version became the standard and would be called .44 S&W Ctg.
the original .44 S&W, was renamed ".44 American" to differentiate it from the modified cartridge first manufactured at the request of the Imperial Russian government. That one would be called ".44 Russian". Eventually, the Russian version became the standard and would be called .44 S&W Ctg.
