357 vs 38 vs 44

[RealGun]

A Security Six is great as long as it doesn't break. No support, scarce parts, few choices in grips. I have owned a Security Six, a Service Six, a S&W 19-4 Nickel, a 686, a GP100 5", and a Match Champion plus a couple small frames. The 19-4 is still here, as is the Match Champion and an SP101, small, medium, and medium large. My gunsmith saw more of the Security Six than I did, but it was a good gun by the time I thinned the herd. The Service Six was scrapped by Ruger and went toward the Match Champion, which immediately went back for cylinder issues like the rest I bought new. The one I wouldn't sell is the pinned and recessed 19. I shoot moderate reloads anyway, real 357 but scaled to the size of the gun. This is another cartridge that has the reloader working a Tier I, II, and III. I don't have a tier III gun like a Smith N-frame or a Redhawk.

 

[Tallball]

"I don't have a tier III gun like a Smith N-frame or a Redhawk."

They do feel sturdy.

Smith And Wesson Model 28

• Tallball
• Mar 15, 2019

 

[george29]

In simplistic terms (very simplistic) a 44 is about 1.5x to 2x more powerful (energy) than a 357 which is about 1.5x (energy) more powerful than a 38. This doesn't include handloads but factory loads only.
Paul Harrell has some good YouTube videos on this. My numbers may be off but you get the idea.

 

[george29]

Just trying to expand my knowledge, not in the market for a wheel gun currently but if I ever was it'd just be to complete my collection rather than for some practical purpose. For defensive purposes I'm a big believer that the order of importance is 1. big enough bullets 2. magazine capacity 3. biggerest bullets

I would say shot placement trumps everything else.

 

[silvermane_1]

Comparable? Yes.



No. 357 magnum is on another level. It is similar to 10mm.

Further comparisons...

44 special is similar to 45 ACP.

44 magnum is comparable too....I don't know, a 20 gauge slug? Lol

^ 44 magnum is comparable to 460 Rowland.

 

[silvermane_1]

Well The Exile if you ever pick a wheelgun, you can't go wrong with a 357 mag.

 

[Fiv3r]

The .357 is a funny animal. I own 3 of them, like them very much, and would probably grab my 5.5" convertible Blawkhawk over any other gun in a situation where I could only have one firearm indefinitely.

.38 special out of the BH feels like .22. Off the shelf .357 micks about like .38, but there is no getting around the report. It's an earsplitter for sure. That's the issue for me, the trade off for such performance is sever hearing damage. It's not what I want to carry for edc self defense. The .38s out of it aren't that loud, but I feel there is a bit of a tradeoff carrying a nearly 3lb gun to shoot .38s out of. I would much rather carry a light snubbie chambered for .38 special.

Still, when it comes to performance a .357 tends to get the job done. For cabin defense, it's what I bring along as my mom and stepdad are not "gun people" and would frown upon me bringing a 20" pump gun

If I reloaded I would be all over the .44 special. I just dont have the time to reload nor the money to buy factory ammo. So out of the calibers mentioned, the .357 it is for me.

 

[The Exile]

I would say shot placement trumps everything else.

A fair position indeed! But most of the time that relies on the shooter doing his job, guns more or less shoot straight these days especially at self-defense ranges

 

[gilgsn]

Hello,

Comparing different calibers, the diameter of the bullet should be taken into account... I like the TKO formula:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_KO_Factor

Now I'm going to pull numbers off my head, so I could be wrong, but from memory:

.38 > 158gr @ 850 = (.357x158x850)/7000 = 6.85
9mm > 125gr @ 1100 = (.357x125x1100)/7000 = 7
357 > 158gr @ 1400 = (.357x158x1400)/7000 = 11.3
.40SW > 200gr @ 950 = (.401x200x950)/7000 = 10.9
10mm > 200gr @ 1300 = (.401x200x1300)/7000 = 14.9
45LC > 280 @875 = (.452x280x875)/7000 = 15.8
44Mag > 240gr @ 1400 = (.429x240x1400) = 20.6

Pretty interesting when you account for bullet diameter...

Gil.

 

[John Joseph]

Comparable for what purpose? HD? CC? Hunting? Targets?
And for whom? When you start with Magnums, recoil can be a real deal breaker for some.
And for how much $$? If you're buying factory loads, Magnums of any flavor are at a premium.

 

[John Joseph]

This is a great way to explain something I've had a hard time trying to get across to a lot of folks, at least as far as pistols go. I live in a safe neighborhood and I don't use a gun for work but there's just something cool to me about a gun that could be used in some kind of duty scenario; something that you would be content to strap onto your belt if you were some kind of old west deputy with modern tech. Eh, but people start looking at you funny when you say that the wrong way, but I guess I can't blame them.

Range toy, eh? Maybe an option for HD?
Get a 4" or 6" .357 and shoot .38s in it.

 

[Roamin_Wade]

I'd go with AK103K's advice. I'd also add that you should get one with a hammer so that you can practice your aiming better. Also, have someone load one 357 Mag round on each loading so that you don't know which shot will be the 357 and which shots will be the 38 Spec.. That will also train you to shoot the much more powerful 357 Mag..

 

[94045]

I don't know much about revolvers, can anyone give me some comparisons for these 3 (i assume the most common loadings) compared to auto loaders? Would 38 be comperable to 9mm or something? Maybe 357 is comparable to 40 cal?

.38 Special + P
Really two different versions of this.
Light - 110 gr @ 1090 fps out of 4".
Heavy - 158 gr @ 1160 fps out of 4"
As you can see pretty big difference.
One would be weaker than 9mm Std Press and the other above 9mm +P+.

Mid-range .357 Mag - .40 S&W or 10mm FBI

Full House .357 Mag - Full House 10mm.

.44 Spl - Roughly .45 ACP

.44 Mag - Full House 10mm + 50%.

 

[Dibbs]

Something also to consider:
How big are you? it's a personal, private matter, we don't need to know. But my point is, if you are small to medium in size, a 357 Mag is a fair amount of
revolver to handle, as previously stated, you can use 38 Specials in it, if you want to tame down the loads.

Now, I'm 6' 2", over 240 pounds, I have a fair amount of shooting experience, and actually prefer the larger 44. Mag. So if you're a bigger guy, and not too sensitive to recoil, a 44 Mag may be ideal.

Also, a note on the newer double action pistols, vs the older single action. The DAs have a higher, tighter grip, and produce far less perceived recoil, than a SA revolver. Until you become a lot more familiar with revolvers, you may want to avoid single action revolvers, in general. In simple terms, generally, the revolvers
with the cylinders which release, and swing out, for reloading, are double action, the revolvers which have stationary cylinders, and a loading gate are single action.

Consider also, that the longer barreled revolvers will generally kick a lot less than the shorter barrels and snub noses. Most ranges which rent guns should be able to rent you a .357 double action, with a five or six inch barrel. Try some .357 & 38 special thru this pistol, and go from there.

 

[The Exile]

Range toy, eh? Maybe an option for HD?
Get a 4" or 6" .357 and shoot .38s in it.

I guess I'm asking in the context of a duty/service weapon as someone who doesn't need a duty/service weapon; this post is mostly just about building up some knowledge on the area. I know roughly how some rifle cartridges like 556, 762x51, 762x39, and 545 all roughly stack up against each other, and ditto with the 9, 40, 45 auto pistol loads; just wanted to know how the common revolver loads add up in a similar way. Consider the cartridges for two legged threats in a theoretical all-other-factors-being-equal situation

 

[The Exile]

Something also to consider:
How big are you?

Mom gave me a lot, including a linebacker's frame.

I'll keep the advice on DA in mind

 

[John Joseph]

With a .357, you can shoot .38spl. .38+p, and 357 mag in the same firearm---an excellent entry to become familiar and better tolerate heavy recoil. With steel frames and mid to longer barrels, they'll not only have a more dampened recoil and muzzle flash/report, but will burn powder more efficiently and tend to be very accurate, making for more gratifying range time.
If you elect to start reloading, you won't risk losing your spent brass in the grass, either.

 

[Tallball]

"The DA's have a higher, tighter grip, and produce far less perceived recoil, than a SA revolver."

Not for me. If you tuck your pinky under the grip and let it "roll up" a bit as it recoils (I was taught that is the proper technique), a SA revolver has less felt recoil than a similar DA revolver in the same caliber.

Everyone is different, as far as hand shape and so forth. However, I suspect this is due to practice and technique more than anything else.

 

[film495]

I'm 6'6" and go about 280. I have for home defense a .38 Special with 4" barrel. Speed and accuracy wins, faster first shot - faster follow up shots. Gun was cheaper to acquire, rounds are cheaper to practice with - if it malfunctions or wears out I'll just get another one or two. What is the argument for having a larger caliber? More expensive and harder to shoot well? Maybe it is a benefit if the attacker is wearing body armor, but does that happen?

 

[94045]

With a .357, you can shoot .38spl. .38+p, and 357 mag in the same firearm---an excellent entry to become familiar and better tolerate heavy recoil. With steel frames and mid to longer barrels, they'll not only have a more dampened recoil and muzzle flash/report, but will burn powder more efficiently and tend to be very accurate, making for more gratifying range time.
If you elect to start reloading, you won't risk losing your spent brass in the grass, either.

You left out .38 Long Colt and .38 Short Colt (Without heeled bullet).