S&W Lou Horton Special .44 Special: Shooting and Review

The Lou Horton Special .44 Special

• 🎯 Introduced as a "Lou Horton Special", this S&W revolver is a unique firearm commissioned by Lou Horton in the 80s.
• 💡 Approximately 5,000 units were produced with a 3-inch barrel and round butt, making it a collectible item.
• ✨ The gun features custom grips, possibly combat magnum grips, which are noted as hard to find and expensive.

Shooting Experience and Performance

• 💥 The video features shooting the .44 Special with a 3-inch barrel, initially with some doubt about its reach and handling.
• ✅ The shooter was pleasantly surprised by its accuracy and enjoyable shooting experience, despite initial reservations about the short barrel on a larger frame.
• 🎯 Sights were found to be spot-on, requiring no adjustment for accurate shooting at various targets.

Historical Context and Design

• 📅 Commissioned around 1983-84, this model predates the common use of pin barrels in Smith & Wesson firearms.
• 🛠️ It retains classic Smith & Wesson features like the hammer-mounted firing pin and old-style cylinder latch.
• 🧐 Compared to a longer-barreled Model 24 target model, the 3-inch round-butt version offers a distinct feel and handling.

Collectibility and Usage

• 💰 While collectible, the shooter emphasizes the importance of firing and enjoying such firearms rather than keeping them as "safe queens."
• 🔫 The .44 Special is highlighted as a wonderful round and the firearm is considered suitable for defense.
• 🗣️ Viewers are encouraged to share their own information and experiences with this particular model.