.357 vs. .44 magnum

[Domino300]

Why not go the middle route and get a 41 Magnum, you'll have to learn to reload,too, which is a plus.

 

[Sam1911]

If we're just voting?

I love my .44. 4" 629. I shoot mostly .44 Spc. loads in it, but enjoy the 300 gr/1,250fps snorters too.

I'm sure I'll end up with a .357 someday, but I just can't ever answer the eternal question of "WHY?" The .44 does all I want, easily, mild to moderately wild.

Worries that it will hurt you, ruin your hearing, or that it is somehow untameable are pretty silly. It's a revolver. You can run any load you want in it that falls somewhere between "sticking a bullet in the barrel" and "MAX load data."

For a long time mine was my 7 year old daughter's favorite handgun!

...

Now as to porting? ... naah, just don't like it. And, considering all said above regarding loads, there's really no need at all.

 

[Haxby]

big revolver

That means 44, not 357.

 

[jlucke69]

I own several of both. My first handgun was a GP100 and I still have it and shoot it. That being said, I prefer the 44 for most everything, just feels right after awhile. I do not hunt (other than prairie dogs), and carry a single-six when I am in the woods, so I do not get concerned about using either caliber for protection. I will say that if you are going to get family involved in shooting, the 357 is a better choice because of load selection. My 6yr old handles the 38 special well and can manage the 357, the 44 tends to want to knock him sideways and I will not let him shoot it by himself. Wife enjoys both, but prefers the 357.

 

[Cosmoline]

big revolver
That means 44, not 357.

There are plenty of big .357 revolvers.

 

[Pilot]

.45 Colt is supposed to be able to shoot as fast/hard or harder, at a lower psi rating. No, the chambering cannot take as high of a pressure as a .44 mag, but the case is larger in diameter, so the pressure doesn't get as high for the same PERFORMANCE. Key difference.

I reload so I went the .45 Colt route to scratch my revolver itch. I had a couple of .357 magnums, and shot mostly .38 Spl through it at the range or loaded warm +p rounds. Once in a while I would load full .357 mag loads just for grins.

You can shoot .44 Spl loads through a .44 mag, so no worries there, but consider the .45Colt, it is just as versatile, maybe more so, but you have to reload.

 

[Haxby]

There are plenty of big .357 revolvers.

It ain't just the weight of the gun, IMO.
It's the size of the cartridge, and the hole in the barrel.