4" .38 Special +P or 3" .44 Special

[Snubster]

Curious about what you guys prefer between the two. I'm purposely leaving platform and capacity out of the equation.

Usage would be for CCW and home/car defense (thus the lower pressure rounds).

I'll post the actual firearms I'm thinking of later on.

Please, let's assume factory loadings.

 

[foghornl]

They are of near equal performance, but I like the .44Spl

 

[Bearhands]

I voted 38...... reason..... price and availability of ammo/reloading

OOPS...... i missed the factory ammo thing.... but I'd still choose the 38+ based on price of ammo and probably smaller size and weight for CCW.

 

[Virginian]

44. I like the big hole in the end of the barrel.

 

[ojibweindian]

Ditto the big hole.

 

[mavracer]

I have a midway rangebag that has a pouch on each side one side has a 4" Smith 65 with 38+p SBGD in the other a Taurus 431 with Blazer 200 GD were the SHTF I'd grab one and wouldn't think for a minute "oops thats the wrong one put it back and grab the other"

 

[Cosmoline]

Hard to answer without knowing platforms. Assuming good quality on both counts, the 3" revolver will be much easier to conceal than a 4" revolver. That extra inch makes more difference than you might expect. The .44 Special is also very hard to beat as a defensive round.

 

[rcmodel]

I'd take the .44 Spl. loaded with Speer Gold-Dot's every time.

rcmodel

 

[unspellable]

44 vs 38

To me the real issue is the size of the revolver. Doesn't matter if it's a stash, but if it's a CCW, size matters. As a civilian you really DON'T want to print or flash.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

.38 Special for me

In revolvers of the same general size, a .44 Special is only going to be a five-shot. Ammo, even the basic 246-grain lead roundnose, is much more expensive, and some of the "hot-rod" defensive loads use light bullets at higher velocities and may not shoot to point of aim in a fixed-sight gun.

 

[doc2rn]

I would take a 7 or 8 shot Revolver anyday over a bottom feeder. I just wish they had 9mm SP 101s still.

 

[shooter429]

The .44 Special loaded for a modern .44 magnum

Trounces any .38 +p. More bore, more weight more velocity.

Shooter429

 

[DougDubya]

Both work. Both have the same great history of great performance in self defense. It's very hard to choose based on effectiveness.

 

[Striker]

.38 Spl, given the wide variety of ammo available for it.

 

[Walkalong]

.44 Spl. and Gold Dots here as well.

Nothing wrong with the 4" .38, but since I get to pick, I'm going with my 3" 696.

 

[dbarale]

I voted for the .44spl but if the .38 is a 7 shot my vote goes to the .38...

 

[CSA 357]

44 Spec With Hand Loads

 

[floridaboy]

I have a .38 and a .44 Special, although not with 3 or 4" barrels. At similar velocities the .44 is a MUCH better killer on everything that I've ever used a hand gun on. Get the .44

 

[lanternlad1]

"I would take a 7 or 8 shot Revolver anyday over a bottom feeder. I just wish they had 9mm SP 101s still."

Thats a great gun. Scarcer than hens teeth, but you can find em now and then.

Like here:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93687801

No, thats not me selling it.

As far as the thread goes, I carry a 38.

 

[slow944]

+1 on the 44Spl.

 

[tubeshooter]

Interesting poll...

Even though I am a .38 man through and through, I think I would like the the .44 in this case. That extra inch is certainly doable for CCW, but the 3" makes it easier.

Ditto on the big hole.

Given your application parameters, I think the the .44 is slightly preferable performance-wise although the .38 will certainly do. Pretty close call.


[EDIT: Even though the OP has purposely discounted capacity, I'm going with a self-imposed assumption of 5 in .44 and 6 with a 38. Especially if we are talking CCW duty.]

 

[E357]

.44spl - no question! Sorry one question. Why did S&W stop making the 696? I'll bet if they bring it back it will be over $900.

 

[tblt]

I almost bought a charter arms 44 special but after looking at the spec's of the 44 special I got a 38 snub.Smaller gun will be just as good or better for self defence.

 

[Bezoar]

Hard choice to make. If its a mere comparison of hole diameter then .44 wins. But if you start looking at specific models, 6 shot 38+p versus 5 shot 44 spcl loaded to 44 mag levels then you can start going crazy.
However your going to have to look at SPECIFIC handguns and compare on accuracy and how they feel when carried and shot. And then make a copromise.

 

[Gordon]

I feel they are about equally effective!