larger .357mag or a .44mag

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

PlayboyPenguin

member
Joined
Feb 5, 2006
Messages
1,717
Location
Portland, OR
This actually a two-step question.

I am about to spend the last of my dispossable cash for firearms that I will have for awhile and I have a decision to make.

I want a gun that would be a good camping/hiking gun. I am having trouble deciding if I should stick to the SA revolvers I have or would a DA/SA revolver be an asset in the woods if something went wrong. If the SA would be fine then I have it covered and will just spend my money on a nice Remington Marine 12 gauge. If DA/SA would be an advantage then the rest of the question is as follows.

I have some revolvers that might fit the bill but are wrong for one reason or another. For example...

.44mag Ruger SBH Hunter / 7 1/2" --- too big/SA only
.44mag Ruger New Model SBH/ 4 5/8" --- SA only
.357mag Ruger Vaquero Sheriff's Model / 3" --- SA only
.357mag Ruger GP100 / 6" --- barrel to unweildy
.357mag Ruger SP101 / 2 1/4" --- Too small a barrel/DA only
.357mag Taurus Model 65 / 4 1/2" --- Good size but like to keep it for HD only

If I decide to get another DA/SA revolver I cannot decide whether to get a medium sized .357mag or go up to a .44mag revolver.

My .357mag choices would be either a Ruger SP101 w/3" barrel, a Ruger GP100 w/3" or 4" barrel, or a S&W S&W Model 620 w/4"
49L.jpg

53L.jpg

164301_large.jpg


If I decide to move up to the .44mag my choices are the Ruger Redhawk w/5.25" barrel or the S&W 629 w/3" or 4" barrel.
287L.jpg

170279_large.jpg


I welcome all input. Please be specific when you say which you think would be best. I want to conider every aspect and who knows what factors I have or haven't considered.
 
IMHO...

Unless I was worried about a particularly huge critter (See the various, partly educational but largely entertaining bear threads), I'd be most worried about two legged threats even in what is supposed to be the wilderness.

When the .357 Magnum was introduced, Smith and Wesson sent someone across the country and they literally killed every critter you can imagine with it as a promotional stunt. I can't imagine that it wouldn't be sufficient protection from rabid beasts for most of us.

Heck, some people in Alaska carry .357 Magnums, and the critters up there can swallow you whole.

If you're really worried about it, get nice stout Ruger and some thermonuclear hot Buffalo Bore loads.

If you don't already have such a gun, a 3-4" barreled L frame sized .357 Magnum is a great gun to have just because. It could be your only handgun if it had to be. If I had no compelling reason to have a .44 Magnum, I'd probably go this way.

OTOH...

The .44 Magnum cartridge can do everything the .357 can do only better, it's even more powerful and even more diverse. Super soft shooting .44 Special loads and incredibly potent magnum loads are both possible. Also, Smith and Wesson N frames are class. IMHO they represent the best S&W has to offer. Only downsides are its a bigger gun to carry and more expensive. If I already had a .357 I was happy with, I'd probably go this route.

In general...

If it's supposed to be an expedient protection gun, I personally would very much want DA/SA, and something I could personally handle in rapid fire.
 
If others are going to be home while you are out in the boonies then why can't one of the DA rugers do HD duties while the Taurus do boonies duty? If no one is going to be home then what's the purpose of a HD gun? Personally I would carry one of the single actions out in the wild with me.
 
Picture porn. I just drooled all over my keyboard. I love having trouble making decisions like this!
 
Can't decide between 44 magnum and .357 magnum? Why not conpromise and get a .41 Magnum? Length wise you seem to want to stay between 3" and 5.25".

Here some .41 Magnums that S&W and Taurus make. I bet that Ruger also has something in a .41 magnum that would fit your needs.

S&W Model 29 Mountain gun. Offered in .41 mag, .44 Mag, .45LC and .45acp
163604_large.jpg



S&W 625 offered in .41 mag, .44 Mag, .45LC, and .45acp
160936_large.jpg


Taurus 425 4" .41 magnum
425SH4C.jpg
 
Actualy I think you have the job requirments covered. But if your looking for another revolver here is my answer to your question:

The Tracker size is that of a L-Frame S&W and it can be had in stainless or blued, .44 mag or .41 mag. Extra power without extra bulk or weight.
 
Last edited:
I really like the 3" bbls on most moderate size revo's. But, my state, and others, require a 4" for hunting. My pick ($$ no object!) was a custom I saw, can't remember the maker, Cornwell or something similar. Ruger GP-100 redone to .44Spl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay safe.
Bob
 
I agree with the tracker in .44...... Heck if you can have a .41 or 44 in the same size package, why go with a .41? Myself, I'm a fan of the GP100. I shot this 168lb deer the other day, and it went about 50 feet before it stopped and dropped. 158gr and it went through it. I hunt in some thick Carolina woods, and there is rarely a time I could shoot more than 30 yards, and there isn't much a .357, 4 or 6 inch, won't take care of at that range.

I'm kind of convinced that a lot of the time the deer only run from the noise of the gun. They are already dead many times when hit. I've seen several go over a hundred yards with their hearts blown out.........and it's strictly on fear and adrenaline.

thebuck4web.jpg
 
Heck if you can have a .41 or 44 in the same size package, why go with a .41?
Click to expand...

Less recoil that allows for quicker follow up shots. I agree that if the pupose of the gun is to hunt then yes the added umph from the .44 mag would be you best bet. But, if you goal is to unload quickly on a wild animal that is getting a little too close for comfort then I think the .41 mag may have its advantages.
 
I would get a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk in SS .44 mag. Accurate and can be loaded as hot or mild as you want.
 
It's nice that you mention a short barrelled .44 special. That's exactly what I'm carrying concealed in that picture. Right behind the Ruger holster is where it resides. With full house maximum saami loads the .357 is still waaaaay more comfortable to shoot than the Bulldog. I had no idea when I went for my CWP that I'd have to fire 50!!!!! rounds!!! My hand hurt like heck for two days afterwards, and it almost flipped out of control and my grip (August in Carolina heat, just a wee bit o' sweaty palms). Just from shear "that hurts like heck", I'd say the .44 Bulldog is a very affordable option for your situation.
 
I can narrow the field pretty easily, I'm for the GP-100 or the Redhawk. I love both rounds a great deal so choosing one would be tough but as an all arounder the GP-100 is a pretty clear winner unless there is dangerous game or you plan to hunt with it.

The .41 is a winner too if you are a reloader, but for the casual shooter on a budget trying to use factory ammo is going to be tough. I reload so have no cost issue shooting my .41 Blackhawk but wouldn't touch it without the reloading gear.
 
Your conditions seem to favor the SP 101 or the S&W 620. First, ammo for these are just about everywhere you go.

No rear sights mean one thing less to reach out and grab onto something in your camping/hiking kit. You won't always be carrying it on your person so you'd want it to come to life quickly and reliably.

I think biggest threat out there is the 2 legged animals, okay maybe a cat. A 3 or 4 inch barrel in .357 would do well I think. You can always pick up a .357 lever action to assist the shorter barrel of the revolver.

Vick
 
If you are considering SA revolvers and are considering Taurus you have missed one: a Taurus Gaucho SA in .357\38sp. I have one that I bought quite by accident and I like it. It is a well balanced SA that is well fitted and works well. It is a keeper and I don't intend giving it up until I die. For the money I paid for it($380.00) I consider it a good buy. It is also in .45 Long Colt for the same price if you want .45 Long Colt.
 
Your 2 suitable SAs are perfectly fine for that role if you are practiced with them. Now, if you really want a DA/SA, then the .357 SP101 would be small for lighter backpacking trips, usefull for CCW too if your in a revo mood.

If you think you will be in an area with really big critters (or really big jerks :scrutiny: )...well just take the .44 blackhawk you already own on that trip.
 
Gaucho Gringo

If you are considering SA revolvers and are considering Taurus you have missed one: a Taurus Gaucho SA in .357\38sp.
Click to expand...
That is a very nice weapon, but I am not considering another SA revolver. I already have a...

.45Colt Ruger Birds Head Vaquero / 3 3/4" (case hardened)
.45Colt EMF/Uberti Hartdord / 5 1/2" (case hardened)
.45Colt EMF/Uberti Hartdord / 5 1/2" (case hardened)
.44mag Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter / 7 1/2" (stainless)
.44mag Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk/ 4 5/8" (stainless)
.357mag Ruger Vaquero Sheriff's Model / 3" (gloss stainless)

As you can see, I loves me a nice SA revolver. :)
 
Looks to me like your 4 5/8" SuperBlackhawk or 3" Vaquero'd fit the bill:nothing wrong with a SA woods gun.I'd say get the shotgun altho I'd choose Mossberg over Remington(not trying to start a "Mossy vs Remmy" war:just stating an opinion*G*).
What kinds/sizes of critters you dealing with? 4-legged or 2-legged?(The latter is obviously a different situation.)
Of what you list my choices in order would be the 4" GP100,the 3" GP101 then the 5" Redhawk.If you're hiking more than camping go with the GP101:I know how much an ounce feels after 5+ miles!
 
Zen21Tao

I did think about a .41mag but can't fine one t o fit the bill. I am wanting someting in stainless, DA/SA, and with a 3" or 4" barrel.

I am not finding the 625 in .41mag and the mountain gun does not come in stainless.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

W
  • Locked
Post your DA S&W's
Replies
0
Views
420
wwace
W
357smallbore
  • Locked
Speed Six or S&W 66
2 3
Replies
64
Views
4K
ms6852
ms6852
P
  • Locked
Joined the Revolver club yesterday!
Replies
13
Views
751
ArchAngelCD
ArchAngelCD
H
  • Locked
First Revolver...recommend 45ACP, .357, .44?
2 3
Replies
59
Views
5K
earplug
E
M
  • Locked
Ruger SP101 4" 5771?
Replies
13
Views
2K
Zaydok Allen
Zaydok Allen
Back
Top