The Search for a .44 Magnum was not a long one...

Tinker Pearce · Oct 22, 2017

I gave up on .44 Magnums a good few years back. I wasn't hunting and since I didn't reload feeding them was just too bloody expensive. Since I've taken up reloading and am hunting again I figured that my next firearms purchase ought to be a .44 Magnum. I figured given my budget limitations it might take a while to find a good, affordable gun. I wanted a 4-5/8" barrel but wasn't picky; I could always shorten whatever I found to suit.

First time in a gun store after deciding that I wanted to buy one I found it. I wandered into Pintos with nothing in particular in mind and spotted a US Arms Abilene .44 Magnum with a ported 8" bull-barrel. It's in very good condition, super-tight tolerances and an excellent trigger. These guns were known for this and had a reputation for durability and accuracy; they were quite popular with silhouette shooters. It was affordable too- the only downside was that the grip is super-fat, but that's an easy fix for me.

I talked it over with Linda, sold a gun I'd lost interest in and put the Abilene on layaway. I hope to get it out next week; might be I can take it on a hunt before the season ends. I'd wanted a short-barreled gun but I'm not sure; this one hangs out at the end of my arm pretty nice. I plan to shoot it some before I make any decisions.

Fast Eddie · Oct 22, 2017

Nice find!

I just bought a "like new" Winchester 30-30 after looking for almost 2 years to find a nice one in my price range.

There is something sweet about buying a gun that you have been patiently waiting to find. But even better when you can pick it up sooner.

Congratulations on your sweet purchase, I hope you get some meat in the freezer with it soon.

KKG · Oct 22, 2017

Linda used to spot/score for me back when I was shooting NRA Hunter Pistol Silhouette. I was using a Smith and Wesson Model 16-4, 8-3/8" Barrel, loaded with .32 S&W Long Target Wadcutters, for the 40 & 50 meter Chickens and Pigs. Of course, the Gun was really quiet which meant that if I missed she would have to tap me on the Shoulder just to make sure I had even fired! She's One very nice lady.

PS: I did use the .32 H&R Magnum loads for the Turkey(75 meters) and Ram(100 meters) and I do miss the other fine Lady who Directed the matches in those days. She's now doing the same thing at the NRA Whittington Center.

Tinker Pearce · Oct 24, 2017

After shooting the Abilene this evening I am thinking the 7-1/2" ported barrel isn't going to get cut, but I am still on the fence about the grips. This gun came with the wood-topped cardboard box and all the original paperwork-

Scamp was very interested in the box.

Since I am not set up to reload this cartridge yet I bought a box of Sellier & Bellot 240gr. JSPs- the price of which reinforced my decision to reload! $32.95+ Tax. Ouch. These loads should exit my 7-1/2" barrel at around 1150 fps for 723ft/lb. of energy- more than adequate for the local Blacktails. So... the gun.

The photos do not do the finish justice. A friend who works at Champion Arms range looked the gun over and exclaimed, 'It looks like it's made of black glass!" The finish on the barrel and steel grip-frame and trigger guard is a deep black, the frame is plum colored. The cylinder has zero end-play and less side-play in the lock than almost any revolver I've handled. The cylinder gap is .002". The trigger is unexpectedly heavy- I'm guessing 5.5 pounds- but breaks very clean. The bore and chambers are pristine. This isn't a full review so lets talk about how it shoots.

Unsupported at ten yards with a 6-O'clock hold the first three went into the same hole, low. I adjusted the sights on subsequent shots until the final shot hit the bottom of the bullseye. According to S&Bs website POI at 10 yards should be 1/2" low for a 25 yard zero, so I put up a new target at 25 yards. Aside from a single flyer I shot a 2-5/8" group clustered around my POA, standing unsupported. Not tragically bad, and hopefully I'll improve with practice.

I really, really like this gun. The quality and fit and finish is every bit as good as the USFA and Seville revolvers I've owned in the past. At $375 this was an absolute steal.

Now the Bad news- the S&B ammo was unreliable. In only 40 shots I had a half-dozen failures to ignite. Nice, deep primer strikes- they should have gone off. I've had excellent luck with this brand in the past, and I am very disappointed that they are not working well in this gun. This is an issue since I plan to hunt with this gun later this week. That means I need to buy another box of ammo and make another range trip, and the schedule between now and the trip is tight. Still, I won't risk lining up a shot and hearing a click instead of a boom.

Very happy with this purchase and looking forward to trying it in the field.

DenimChicken · Oct 25, 2017

Congrats on the new 6 gun. The finish looks very nice.

I'm surprised about the S&B ammo, I've shot it in many calibers including .44 mag and never had an issue.

Andy54Hawken · Oct 25, 2017

Count me in as surprised with S&B ammo not working as well.
As for the revolver it is a nice looking one...glad you found it.
Stag grips might be a nice touch , if you are wanting a different look....
Andy

Tinker Pearce · Oct 25, 2017

Agreed about the ammo- I've always had excellent luck with S&B before. I suppose anyone can have an off-day, and while the hits look good I can't be 100% sure it's the ammo until I've tested other brands.

Yeah, stag would look excellent!

Certaindeaf · Oct 25, 2017

Are those safe with all 6 loaded? Yea, you really should reload for that.. with either cast or bought lead SWC's as is proper.

KKG · Oct 25, 2017

Tinker Pearce said:
Yeah, stag would look excellent!

Certainly couldn't hurt! I'd like to suggest Patrick Grashorn as a source. I've got several of his Stags.
[email protected]

I'm not sure if he has the Frame to do your gun or not but I do know he does a fine job.

Argonaut · Oct 25, 2017

Interesting gun. There is an extensive thread on the firing line about them with an extensive conversation including the builder/designers grandson. It mentions that the company was sued for patent infringement by Ruger over the transfer bar design. That would indicate safety carrying a live round under the hammer should be OK. It did mention that the revolvers are built to such high tolerances that they didn't like "high" primers. Maby that is the S&B ammo issue. I have been firing it for years without an issue. There was also a conversation about the superb accuracy. The post is something like 10 years old and they said some parts were getting difficult to find then. I am a short barrel pistol guy but that long one will have a great sight radius helping the accuracy. Looks like a fun gun and I am a huge 44 Mag fan. I am loading Trail Boss for moderate (44 special level) loads in my 629 using magnum brass saving heavy loads for "social" work.