Anyone have any experience with one of these? I ran across several today at the gun show and (pardon the pun) almost pulled the trigger on one, but hesitated as I just don't know anything about the caliber. The guy at one of the tables said it offered similar knockdown power to a .44 without the kick and in the package of a .38. He also told me ammo was easy to find, which was another question I had.

This would just be a truck gun and an occasional carry piece. I've been primarily looking at .38s and even .380s. Any comparison to the .38 or .357 or any other relevant info would be appreciated.

I had a Taurus model441 in 44 Special!

It was a great little gun!

Ammo can be found at big sporting goods stores like BPS and Cabelas, and just about any major gun shop! However I wouldnt say it is exactly "easy" to find since you most likely wont find it in a small town hardware store, or your local Wal-Mart! But its not so scarce you have to special order it either!

Personly I would go with a 44 Mag because you can still shoot the 44 Special in it, and the 44 Mag ammo is easier to find! Cost of ammo is about the same also!

Its a good round though!

Which revolvers were you considering? It will make a major difference in application (carry vs hunting vs target). My Smith Mod 624 is a dream to shoot, and being a N-frame, certainly allows any type of loading. Factory ammo is available, but not what I would consider common. It is also loaded to relatively low pressure, in deference to old 44's. But a 240gr slug exiting at 800fps is still potent. There may be some 200gr jacketed ammo out there, but that's about as light as it gets.
I have no clue why a dealer would offer "similar knockdown power to a .44 without the kick and in the package of a .38". Bad advice, in my opinion.
I've run 180's to 240's thru mine, target loads to "almost 44 Mag-Elmer Keith stuff"...it's a keeper.

I believe the two I saw were a Taurus (maybe similar to JCB's) and a Charter Arms. The thing I liked about them was their size was similar to most all .38s I've been looking at, as was their weight, though it might have been just a touch heavier.

It would be used primarily for carry/conceal and maybe some target action from time to time, but nothing major.

I'm looking for 2 of those right now, would prefer the Charter Arms.

The 5-shot 44 Specials are a neat package, but with the reduced size there is always a tradeoff, in this case being some snappy recoil, even with the "mild" factory loads. I have not owned, but shot, the Charter Bulldog, and if mine, it would have been a dedicated carry piece when one simply desires the revolver equivalent to a 45acp.
So I may have to get one some day..

They're a great back up gun when in the mountains where bigger critters prowl. Run a box of Corbons through one and see how your wrist feels.

Mike Venturino committed blasphemy talking bad about the .44 Special in the last edition of Handguns. I've always wanted a medium/small frame 5 shot .44 special to keep in the truck. Smith & Wesson actually came out with one called the Night Guard, if I'm not mistaken. Like others have said, it is virtually equal to a .45 acp in terms of power, and I don't think you'll find anyone who would say that the .45 isn't adequate. I have heard very, very mixed reviews about the Charter Arms, but I've never heard anything bad about the various Smiths or Taurus models. If you are simply looking for a major caliber compact revolver, Taurus still makes a 5 shot .45 colt.

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I have heard very, very mixed reviews about the Charter Arms, but I've never heard anything bad about the various Smiths or Taurus models.

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When they used sleeved barrels they wasn't very accurate. The quality is much better on the newer models.

I believe it was a charter arms bulldog pug that took out John Lennon. .44 special.

Ballistically, it can run very close to .45 ACP.

The Son of Sam killer also used a Charter Bulldog if I'm not mistaken. I know they have come a long way, but I have still read a lot of complaints about their metallurgy, even on the new models. Not saying I wouldn't own one, just recommending that you do your homework...