6 rounds of .44 or 7 rounds of .357/38?

[Hammer059]

Weigh in on a debate my buddy and I were having at work today.

For self-defense, would you rather have 6 rounds of .44 special (from something like a 629) or 7 rounds of .38 special (a 686+).

We're talking the "special" rounds since either of the magnums might be over the top for indoor self defense for multiple reasons.

My friend said he would prefer the extra round of .38. I disagreed.

Not considering the cost of ammo, which would be your choice for self-defense?

Consider your choice carefully. There's a cheeseburger on the line here.

 

[Malamute]

Thats pretty wide open. Where? What are you primarily defending against? Why are only large revolvers the question?


Being a huge revolver fan, especially as a field gun for out in the sticks, and taking the question at most base face value, I choose a glock 19.

 

[Hammer059]

We're talking indoors self defense against humans, as already stated in the OP

 

[VanGoghComplex]

Give me the seven rounds. Then l'll cheat and load .357s for more power as well. =D

 

[Hammer059]

To me, this really would be a tough dilemma.

 

[bannockburn]

I would go with the 6 rounds of .44 Special over 7 rounds of .38 Special. Just my preference primarily because I'm a big fan of the .44 Special cartridge and the .45 Colt too.

 

[BullRunBear]

This is a tough one since I like both cartridges. I went with the extra round of 38 special. At household distances I'm not sure the bigger, heavier 44 slug would make much difference. The revolver for the 38 might be a bit lighter and have a smaller frame which is a consideration in our house since the wife has small hands. And since there could be more than one assailant, the extra round might be desirable.

But I REALLY like 44 specials and can understand the debate.

Jeff

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

i just like bullets that start with a 4 for S/D

 

[Tallball]

I am a revolver guy and have SD guns in both. Either one is fine with me. It's win/win.

 

[TruthTellers]

Well, I've said in the past I'd rather have a .32 snubbie than a .38 because of the extra round and I'll say it here too: I'd rather have seven rounds of .38 than six rounds of .44

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I would rather make one good hit with a .44 than a .38.

 

[UpperAtmosphere]

I'd take seven ka-booms over six.

 

[diyj98]

I'll play. Give me the fewer rounds of 44.

 

[CraigC]

The .44 any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Sure 6 .44s.

Buffalo Bore ammo:


Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo - 158 gr. L.S.W.C.H.P. --G.C.

S&W Mt. Gun, 4 inch- 1162 fps (474 ft. lbs.) <--- now compare that to the .44s below.

Heavy .44 Special Ammo - 255 gr.S.W.C.(Keith-type)G.C.

1. 3.25" S&W Model 396 -1155 fps for 755.3 ft/lb.

Mighty hard to beat!

Each round packs way more power than a .38 Spl. So I'd sure take 6 rounds over 7.

Deaf

 

[Zaydok Allen]

When in doubt, go big bore .44.

 

[Valkman]

Always the .44, mag or spl. I carry .45 so why drop to .38?

 

[bullzeye8]

I picked the .44 special, but if it was magnums I probably would have gone .357 mag since it would be easier to shoot than the .44 mag but still deliver plenty of power and an extra round.

 

[Jeepergeo]

With the 44, most folks will only get one round on target due to recoil and muzzle flash. Granted, it will be a devastating hit if on target. But, the 38 is a lot more managable for most people and if the first round misses, a followup will have a good chance of getting on target. This is assuming a good self defense round in 38.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

There are too many variables to make the above statement absolute.

 

[pintler]

Is 6 44s vs 7 357s the right comparison?

If we're talking L frames, it's 5 rounds of 44 (Model 69) vs. 7 rounds of 357 (686+).

If we're talking N frames, it's 6 rounds of 44 (Model 29) vs. 8 rounds of 357 (Model 627).

 

[35 Whelen]

Why would anyone choose an extra round of a less powerful caliber such as a .38 or 357 vs. a .44 Special...unless they don't have confidence in their abilities with a handgun?? Confusing to me.

35W

 

[rcmodel]

Because if they buy typical off the shelf .44 Special, it is going to be anemic 750FPS cowboy action loads??

Let me handload my own .44 Spl SD loads, and I'll take six of them over seven of any .38 Special ever made.
(In the same size gun.)

Rc

 

[TruthTellers]

Because if they buy typical off the shelf .44 Special, it is going to be anemic 750FPS cowboy action loads??

Let me handload my own .44 Spl SD loads, and I'll take six of them over seven of any .38 Special ever made.
(In the same size gun.)

Rc

Part of it isn't just .44 Special being kind of weak, but being so damn hard to find.

Now, if the choice was between .45 Colt and .357/.38, I'd have a tougher time choosing between the two, but would still probably lean towards the extra round because when it comes down to it, you never know what you're going to face and an extra round of .38 can be the difference between life and death.

And it's not like .38+P is a mousegun. I don't begin using the word "weak" until we start talking below .30 caliber, so I'd feel plenty fine with 7 shots of .38 Special.

 

[Confederate]

Hmmmm...since when was the .44Spc determined to be a better manstopper than the .38Spc or .357?

If one hoped to stop an attacking grizzly in the wild, the .44Mag would be the BEST choice, in my view. But if I had to stop a vicious, determined human being, nothing in a handgun beats a 125gr JHP .357Mag. Even a .44Mag might fail, seeing that the bullet could very well overpenetrate. Not likely in a bear, however. This is why the stopping power of the.357 is so legendary. The power of the.44Spc, however, is not legendary.

Thus, I'd rather have five .357 rounds than six .44Spc rounds!

°°°