.44 Special
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The .44 Special revolver cartridge was initially chambered in a revolver manufactured by the Smith & Wesson firearms company. It was introduced in 1907.
While few firearms today are made to chamber the .44 Special explicitly, the cartridge remains in use because it can be fired in any revolver designed for the .44 Magnum cartridge. This is because the .44 Magnum cartridge is a lengthened .44 Special cartridge. While many shooters prefer .44 Magnum ammunition for hunting, they typically choose the lighter recoil of .44 Special ammunition for self-defense, plinking or target shooting. It is a general purpose revolver round providing a good balance between power and relatively low recoil in a medium to heavy frame revolver.
[edit] Usage in popular culture
This cartridge was used in a Charter Arms Bulldog by David Berkowitz (The Son of Sam serial killer) on his killing spree in the 1970s.
In the film Magnum Force, "Dirty" Harry Callahan admits to using light weight .44 Special rounds as opposed to .44 Magnum rounds for their reduced recoil and muzzle flash.
