.357 Magnum vs. .44 Magnum, pros and cons!
- Thread starter DemonTweaks
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Jimfern
Member
TwoNiner said it best:
Quote:
I'll give you some advice someone once gave me--go with either as you'll eventually have both .357 and .44.
I resemble that remark. Wife can shoot my S&W 629. The Hogue rubber grips really to help with recoil.
Quote:
I'll give you some advice someone once gave me--go with either as you'll eventually have both .357 and .44.
I resemble that remark. Wife can shoot my S&W 629. The Hogue rubber grips really to help with recoil.
DemonTweaks
Member
Thanks for all the input guys and gals!
Seams that I'll start out with a .357 then. Make sense to start 'small' and work up and the fact it takes .38 Specials too, which will make a small, stubbie carry gun later smart too since most of them are that caliber.
Will try out the .44 too before just to be sure though
"Old Krow" thanks for the tip of 'ammoengine'! Very useful and easy to check up things on. Did turn out that .38 Special ain't much cheaper than .357 Magnums though... (Well depending on when you check, it changes up and down there rather often/quick)
Now is the 'issue' with selection. Been eyeballing Taurus 'Raging Bull' line (not available in .357 though) but they seam on the big side for my hand, the trigger reach is rather long in DA. SA is no problem. Maybe there 'Tracker" line fits better? Medium frame?
Input please!
When I was at the range I did try two S&W 686s. One 4" and one 6". The build quality of them definitely where good but the Tauruses I've seen are in my opinion as nice BUT several hundreds less.
Think I'll save that for ammo and get good first!
Seams that I'll start out with a .357 then. Make sense to start 'small' and work up and the fact it takes .38 Specials too, which will make a small, stubbie carry gun later smart too since most of them are that caliber.
Will try out the .44 too before just to be sure though
"Old Krow" thanks for the tip of 'ammoengine'! Very useful and easy to check up things on. Did turn out that .38 Special ain't much cheaper than .357 Magnums though... (Well depending on when you check, it changes up and down there rather often/quick)
Now is the 'issue' with selection. Been eyeballing Taurus 'Raging Bull' line (not available in .357 though) but they seam on the big side for my hand, the trigger reach is rather long in DA. SA is no problem. Maybe there 'Tracker" line fits better? Medium frame?
Input please!
When I was at the range I did try two S&W 686s. One 4" and one 6". The build quality of them definitely where good but the Tauruses I've seen are in my opinion as nice BUT several hundreds less.
Think I'll save that for ammo and get good first!
Try the ruger gp100 and see if you like it. With a Taurus there is a pretty decent chance of getting a bad one. There is not that much difference in price between a new ruger gp100 and a new taurus tracker and quality is considerably more consistent with ruger than with Taurus. The ruger will also hold its value a lot better than the taurus should you ever decide to sell it.Thanks for all the input guys and gals!
Seams that I'll start out with a .357 then. Make sense to start 'small' and work up and the fact it takes .38 Specials too, which will make a small, stubbie carry gun later smart too since most of them are that caliber.
Will try out the .44 too before just to be sure though
"Old Krow" thanks for the tip of 'ammoengine'! Very useful and easy to check up things on. Did turn out that .38 Special ain't much cheaper than .357 Magnums though... (Well depending on when you check, it changes up and down there rather often/quick)
Now is the 'issue' with selection. Been eyeballing Taurus 'Raging Bull' line (not available in .357 though) but they seam on the big side for my hand, the trigger reach is rather long in DA. SA is no problem. Maybe there 'Tracker" line fits better? Medium frame?
Input please!
When I was at the range I did try two S&W 686s. One 4" and one 6". The build quality of them definitely where good but the Tauruses I've seen are in my opinion as nice BUT several hundreds less.
Think I'll save that for ammo and get good first!
lobo9er
Member
Learn from my mystake buy as much gun as you can afford. Rugers are known for quality and affordablility. I wish my first snubby was a Ruger Sp101. Thats all I have to say about that. and have fun now you know what you want! A 357 is good stuff!
and have fun now you know what you want! A 357 is good stuff!Buck Snort
Member
The only thing better than a 45 Colt is a 454 Casull...............and it goes on and on until you get to the 500 S@W!!
earplug
Member
I own both. I have to admit to not shooting the 44 in many moons.
I reload so cost is not a big factor.
The .357/38 special is just fun to shoot.
My S&W 625 in 45 ACP is a very close contender for target use.
I reload so cost is not a big factor.
The .357/38 special is just fun to shoot.
My S&W 625 in 45 ACP is a very close contender for target use.
_N4Z_
Member
I will chime in on this. Go .357 mag, and do give the Rugers (GP100 and SP101) and hard look. I have both, no plans of losing either. Also started reloading - highly recommended. Opens up a whole new world of possibilities. I have found some load combinations that will make you grin silly when shooting them.
Got so taken up with it I now also own a Marlin 1894c, which of course shoots the .357.
I have shot the .44mag, and as others have already stated, it is a much larger animal. I liked it, but I doubt I would shoot one as much as I do the .357. Out of revolvers with full house loads you get quite a wave of impulse down the arm and thru the shoulder. ....This shooter has mild "arthur" in his shoulder so....
Doesn't feel good. One exception I found concerning .44 mag recoil is the DesertEagle. Those things are recoil sponges and alot of fun.
Got so taken up with it I now also own a Marlin 1894c, which of course shoots the .357.
I have shot the .44mag, and as others have already stated, it is a much larger animal. I liked it, but I doubt I would shoot one as much as I do the .357. Out of revolvers with full house loads you get quite a wave of impulse down the arm and thru the shoulder. ....This shooter has mild "arthur" in his shoulder so....
Doesn't feel good. One exception I found concerning .44 mag recoil is the DesertEagle. Those things are recoil sponges and alot of fun.Peter M. Eick
Member
Pro's
357 Magnum, I can bang away with full power 1935 power level (beyond today's book max loads) for a full morning session and not develop flinch or really have problems shooting it. I get bored before I flinch.
Con's
44 Magnum, I flinch after a few hundred rounds.
To me, the 44 Mag is more gun then I can shoot for long periods of time and have fun. This is why I don't own one. I went to the 357 SuperMag for my 44 Mag power level gun.
357 Magnum, I can bang away with full power 1935 power level (beyond today's book max loads) for a full morning session and not develop flinch or really have problems shooting it. I get bored before I flinch.
Con's
44 Magnum, I flinch after a few hundred rounds.
To me, the 44 Mag is more gun then I can shoot for long periods of time and have fun. This is why I don't own one. I went to the 357 SuperMag for my 44 Mag power level gun.
I hunt with my revolvers. The 357 does, at least for me, fall into the why bother category. It is plenty to take a deer at short range, but the 44 does it better. I reload, so cost isnt really an issue with ammo.
If I were looking at just shooting targets, and possibly self defence, then the 357 would be the first choice. ammo is a little less expensive, still plenty of power for the job, and doesnt have as much recoil.
Thats not to say the 44 wont work for SD purposes, just not my first choice. I would try shooting a few pistols in 44, and base your decision from there, if that is possible.
If I were looking at just shooting targets, and possibly self defence, then the 357 would be the first choice. ammo is a little less expensive, still plenty of power for the job, and doesnt have as much recoil.
Thats not to say the 44 wont work for SD purposes, just not my first choice. I would try shooting a few pistols in 44, and base your decision from there, if that is possible.
lobo9er
Member
Agree.
I started with a 357 mag and can't say anything bad about the round. I've had numerous 357 mag revolvers, mostly Smith L frame and Rugers, but with a few others as well.
About a year after I bought a 4" 629 I sold all of my 357's. The 629 is only slightly larger than a L frame Smith or Ruger GP-100 and is slightly lighter which most people don't realize.
I've decided the hot loaded 44 special rounds are a BETTER choice for self defense than 357 loads. I usually shoot the 44 Specials or mid range 44mag loads which actually recoil less, and have much less muzzle blast than full power 357 loads. If full power loads are needed the option is there.
Basically the 44 will do anything the 357 will do, plus a lot more. There are only 2 downsides that I see. If you need a small gun there are some small frame, 5 shot 357's out there. Nothing in 44 in that size, but you've already seen how those handle. If you want a small gun there are better chioces. If you are going to buy a full size L frame Smith or Ruger GP-100 the size of the gun is almost identical to the Smith 44's.
The other consideraton is cost. 44 revolvers cost more, and ammo is more expensive.
I do have another 357 now. Ran across a really nice Smith 28 at a great price a few years back and now have another 357 in the house.
About a year after I bought a 4" 629 I sold all of my 357's. The 629 is only slightly larger than a L frame Smith or Ruger GP-100 and is slightly lighter which most people don't realize.
I've decided the hot loaded 44 special rounds are a BETTER choice for self defense than 357 loads. I usually shoot the 44 Specials or mid range 44mag loads which actually recoil less, and have much less muzzle blast than full power 357 loads. If full power loads are needed the option is there.
Basically the 44 will do anything the 357 will do, plus a lot more. There are only 2 downsides that I see. If you need a small gun there are some small frame, 5 shot 357's out there. Nothing in 44 in that size, but you've already seen how those handle. If you want a small gun there are better chioces. If you are going to buy a full size L frame Smith or Ruger GP-100 the size of the gun is almost identical to the Smith 44's.
The other consideraton is cost. 44 revolvers cost more, and ammo is more expensive.
I do have another 357 now. Ran across a really nice Smith 28 at a great price a few years back and now have another 357 in the house.
pacpiper
Member
and yet another 357/44 bashing.
There's those who like them and those who don't.
They both are strong guns but that's something you already knew.
The beauty of both of these choices are that they both can shoot not only there own respective calibers in whatever load you feel comfortable with but they also shoot 38 special, +P, and 44 special respectively.
Hence making for a completely customizable firearm for your tweaking enjoyment.
Seems to me some good choices.
GL
(and I have both)
There's those who like them and those who don't.
They both are strong guns but that's something you already knew.
The beauty of both of these choices are that they both can shoot not only there own respective calibers in whatever load you feel comfortable with but they also shoot 38 special, +P, and 44 special respectively.
Hence making for a completely customizable firearm for your tweaking enjoyment.
Seems to me some good choices.
GL
(and I have both)
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Magnumite
Member
DemonTweaks, I would go with a Smith or Ruger. One typically gets what they pay for in a gun. You don't want to be frustrated with anything not up to reliability and accuracy tasks...especially in the learning stage. You may consider police trade ins or clean used guns. You'll save hundreds that way. Plus you'll have higher resale value.
We are now on the tail end of low revolver prices since the wheel gun prices are creeping up little by little, so you can take advantage of some good buys. If you have a shooting friend knowledgable with guns, have him check out some of the guns which appeal to you to make sure you don't get taken advantage of.
And when you try a 44 Magnum, stay away from light weights and short barrels in the 2 and 3 inch catagory until you get truly familiar with the round. The short barrel robs considerable velocity from the loads and the light weight will turn you off to the round and could lend to developing bad shooting habits which can be a bear to break. Get a 5 - 6.5" barreled 44 Mag and you'll have a pleasant experience. If its a Redhawk or a S&W full lugged barrel, that much better. The heavier guns really do dampen recoil.
We are now on the tail end of low revolver prices since the wheel gun prices are creeping up little by little, so you can take advantage of some good buys. If you have a shooting friend knowledgable with guns, have him check out some of the guns which appeal to you to make sure you don't get taken advantage of.
And when you try a 44 Magnum, stay away from light weights and short barrels in the 2 and 3 inch catagory until you get truly familiar with the round. The short barrel robs considerable velocity from the loads and the light weight will turn you off to the round and could lend to developing bad shooting habits which can be a bear to break. Get a 5 - 6.5" barreled 44 Mag and you'll have a pleasant experience. If its a Redhawk or a S&W full lugged barrel, that much better. The heavier guns really do dampen recoil.
Cosmoline
Member
This is true on several levels. The .44 Magnum and .357 Magnum are really very different cartridges in different classes. The .44 Mag is a far more potent round and calls for a larger platform to shoot with any level of comfort. The ammo is also much more expensive, so handloading is required for any extensive shooting. The .357 Magnum is tolerable in a revolver of about 25 oz or more, and comfortable above 30 oz. You can get 50 round boxes for under $20 most places and you don't have to handload--though it's a nice round to handload.
BCRider
Member
The bigger the casing the more flexibility you have in loads. A .44Mag gun can shoot stuff that is soft up to arm pounders. Just because it says .44Mag on the barrel doesn't mean every shot needs to be a max load. But to achieve this flexibility demands that you reload your ammo.
I recently got a .44Mag gun of my own and i'm seriously looking forward to loading up everything from cowboy action type softies to full house barn burners that shoot out a massive eyebrow singing fireball along with the hunk o' lead. Along the way I'll likely shoot MOSTLY .44Spl type power loads for fun and accuracy.
A .357 can do the same thing for the lower end. Shooting low power wadcutter accuracy loads up to full power .357Magnum loads. But then it stops. It doesn't have the cojones to step up to the next level and match what the .44 can deliver.
Note that this is all based on using the gun for plinking fun or hunting. What I've suggested has nothing to do with defense shooting. Just range giggles or maybe hunting.
I recently got a .44Mag gun of my own and i'm seriously looking forward to loading up everything from cowboy action type softies to full house barn burners that shoot out a massive eyebrow singing fireball along with the hunk o' lead. Along the way I'll likely shoot MOSTLY .44Spl type power loads for fun and accuracy.
A .357 can do the same thing for the lower end. Shooting low power wadcutter accuracy loads up to full power .357Magnum loads. But then it stops. It doesn't have the cojones to step up to the next level and match what the .44 can deliver.
Note that this is all based on using the gun for plinking fun or hunting. What I've suggested has nothing to do with defense shooting. Just range giggles or maybe hunting.
A 4" 357 magnum is what you need. I personally like full underlugs to decrease muzzle flip and they will keep you on target in rapid fire. It sounds like you want to be in the $400 price range. You should look into used S&W 586's and 686's. Also look into Ruger gp100's. Don't waste your time with Taurus. There's more of a chance of needing to send it back to the factory, which will take forever and be a pain. Once you have some fun with your 357 you will probably want a bigger bang and end up getting a 44 mag in the future. Good luck
NMGonzo
Member
3 inch 357
Vern Humphrey
Member
That pretty well sums it up. For paper-punching, go with light, low cost, .38 Specials. For self-defense, full charge .357s.
Splitear_Leland
Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2011
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I have a S&W 29 in 44 mag, and to be honest with you, it scared the pants off of me the first few times it took it out, and I'm 6'4" and 240. But honestly, once you get used to it, it's a lot of fun to shoot, but unfortunately it's kind of....really expensive to shoot unless you reload.
DemonTweaks
Member
Well I ended up with a 6" SS Ruger GP-100!
Found a used one at a local(ish) dealer and it was a nice gun at the right price. The Ruger was the most recommended and after looking at one I understand why, they are very well made and seams to be super sturdy! Where kind of difficult here (Seattle WA) to locate one but I think it was just Ruger being behind on production.
Ordered up some .38Spl and +P and some Hornady and Magtech .357s. Figure I'll start out 'light' to set up sights (and myself) and go up to full loads.
What ammo brand/loads is good for what though?
Heard of some 'Buffalo loads' that is supposed super powerful when the need for big bang comes on.
And 'Fiocchi' seams to stand out too with high velocity's AND affordable prices...
Found a used one at a local(ish) dealer and it was a nice gun at the right price. The Ruger was the most recommended and after looking at one I understand why, they are very well made and seams to be super sturdy! Where kind of difficult here (Seattle WA) to locate one but I think it was just Ruger being behind on production.
Ordered up some .38Spl and +P and some Hornady and Magtech .357s. Figure I'll start out 'light' to set up sights (and myself) and go up to full loads.
What ammo brand/loads is good for what though?
Heard of some 'Buffalo loads' that is supposed super powerful when the need for big bang comes on.
And 'Fiocchi' seams to stand out too with high velocity's AND affordable prices...
EVIL
Member
Congrats on picking up the GP-100 - you'll be glad ...it's a keeper & built to last! The 6" version should be an excellent paper puncher. I think you made the right call! If you get used to the full house .357 loads and want a challenge down the road you can get a .44 Mag too Se safe and enjoy your time at the range!
Se safe and enjoy your time at the range!- Status
