CountGlockula
Member
I voted .357....44 magnums are a beast!
Should I go .357 or .44?
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PointOneSeven
Member
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Bah, .44 magnum all the way. I bought one for dedicated plinking. It's a hoot, do it!
Koos Custodiet
Member
You don't say what else you've shot, how long you've been shooting, etc. The 357 has a bit too much of a kick for some beginners. The 44 is worse. All other things being equal of course.
I'd start on 38s and move to 357 ammo in the GP100. If you find you can handle it, then get the 44.
(I have two 357s, a Taurus for SD and an Astra I use for silhouette shooting (quite a bit more accurate than the Taurus and a bit longer barrel, look for the 15m and 10m contest thread for pics). I'm seriously contemplating getting a Super Blackhawk (44) there's a near mint blue one available for the price of 30 flats of beer and a s/s one for a so-far unspecified price. H*ll I might just get both then fight with the Central Firearm Registry (who renewed my licences 21 months after the paperwork went in and gave me new licences for my silhouette T/Cs etc 16 months after the paperwork went in)).
I'd start on 38s and move to 357 ammo in the GP100. If you find you can handle it, then get the 44.
(I have two 357s, a Taurus for SD and an Astra I use for silhouette shooting (quite a bit more accurate than the Taurus and a bit longer barrel, look for the 15m and 10m contest thread for pics). I'm seriously contemplating getting a Super Blackhawk (44) there's a near mint blue one available for the price of 30 flats of beer and a s/s one for a so-far unspecified price. H*ll I might just get both then fight with the Central Firearm Registry (who renewed my licences 21 months after the paperwork went in and gave me new licences for my silhouette T/Cs etc 16 months after the paperwork went in)).
SoonerSP101
Member
with that criteria, 4" GP100 .357
slow944
Member
Dude get the .44Mag. Shoot 200gr. bullets out of it and if you get the 4-5"bbl. it will be just as good a HD gun as the 357. I'm sorry I traded off my Redhawk 5.5"bbl it was one sweeeeet shooting gun. But that's life> I just traded for a Super Redhawk 454 Casull with 8"bbl. Can't wait to get that badboy to the range.
john1911
Member
Redhawk!
RustyHammer
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.. $ ..
hamourkiller
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I voted for the .357 so you can tell your better half that you need a biger bore later! Then you will have both .357 and .44!
Life is good!
Life is good!
tinygnat219
Member
..,
Choose the .357.
ANY .44 SPL, Magnum, or Russ, ammo is going to be hideously expensive. 38SPL rounds are some of the cheapest ammo available right now.
A .357 will do anything a .44 can do, only less messy. You will be able to shoot the .357 about 10X as much as a 44.
My .02 that's all. BTW, get a real screen name please.
Choose the .357.
ANY .44 SPL, Magnum, or Russ, ammo is going to be hideously expensive. 38SPL rounds are some of the cheapest ammo available right now.
A .357 will do anything a .44 can do, only less messy. You will be able to shoot the .357 about 10X as much as a 44.
My .02 that's all. BTW, get a real screen name please.
Have you shot ether of these calibers? Doing so would tell you a lot.
That aside, you say its for shooting at the range and HD? Then I would have to vote for the .357 hands down. Less kick shoot .38s for less money, better for HD. A .44 mag kicks way too much to make a good HD gun, .44 specials are nice to shoot and a good HD load but both types of ammo are quite expensive over 20 bucks for 50. (I need to start loading my own so I can shoot more)
If it means any thing I own a .44 the 629 4 inch. However this is my camping gun so I felt a .44 mag was a good choice for that environment.
Good luck and don’t buy until you have shot the caliber you decide on.
That aside, you say its for shooting at the range and HD? Then I would have to vote for the .357 hands down. Less kick shoot .38s for less money, better for HD. A .44 mag kicks way too much to make a good HD gun, .44 specials are nice to shoot and a good HD load but both types of ammo are quite expensive over 20 bucks for 50. (I need to start loading my own so I can shoot more)
If it means any thing I own a .44 the 629 4 inch. However this is my camping gun so I felt a .44 mag was a good choice for that environment.
Good luck and don’t buy until you have shot the caliber you decide on.
I have both the 4" GP-100 and the 4" Redhawk (yes I am a lucky man). I would say to start with the GP-100 and if you find after mastering the .357 at all levels that you need (or want) more power, then you add a .44 to the mix.
Both are great guns and neither would be a mistake but if you're just starting then a .357 is the best choice.
Both are great guns and neither would be a mistake but if you're just starting then a .357 is the best choice.
Stainz
Member
..:
I'd go for curtain #3... and try a compromise... a big-bore bullet with nearly a small-bore bullet's cost and availability. Get a S&W 625 - look at the ~$40 higher MSRP 625MG for a better front sight and wood stock. Then you'll have a .45 ACP launcher in a revolver. A bit more recoil than a 1911 - as there isn't an action to use up some of the recoil energy. Still, not as brisk as a typical .357M, much less a .44M. And, you can load whatever bullets in the .45 ACP and .45 Auto Rim cases you want - no feed problems! Of course, .45 ACP ammo is less than .357M - and universally available.
If that doesn't 'float your boat', just get the .357M...
Stainz
I'd go for curtain #3... and try a compromise... a big-bore bullet with nearly a small-bore bullet's cost and availability. Get a S&W 625 - look at the ~$40 higher MSRP 625MG for a better front sight and wood stock. Then you'll have a .45 ACP launcher in a revolver. A bit more recoil than a 1911 - as there isn't an action to use up some of the recoil energy. Still, not as brisk as a typical .357M, much less a .44M. And, you can load whatever bullets in the .45 ACP and .45 Auto Rim cases you want - no feed problems! Of course, .45 ACP ammo is less than .357M - and universally available.
If that doesn't 'float your boat', just get the .357M...
Stainz
Vern Humphrey
Member
The .44 Magnum is a lot of gun for a novice. And low-powered "mid-range" loads aren't all that plentiful or cheap. On the other hand, the .357 is much more manageable, and .38 Special ammo is available everywhere.
If you have to have a big-bore revolver at this stage, I'd be tempted to advise a .45 Colt. "Mid-range" or "cowboy action" ammo is readily available, regular loads, ditto. And a handloader can load a .45 Colt to edge out a .44 Magnum with heavy bullets.
If you have to have a big-bore revolver at this stage, I'd be tempted to advise a .45 Colt. "Mid-range" or "cowboy action" ammo is readily available, regular loads, ditto. And a handloader can load a .45 Colt to edge out a .44 Magnum with heavy bullets.
Fumbler
Member
40 replies and the author only posted twice.
I'm still curious why he wouldn't shoot 357s out of a 357 if he got one.
I'm still curious why he wouldn't shoot 357s out of a 357 if he got one.
Stainz
Member
Not presuming to know the mind of 'old double dots', let me offer my rationale for buying .357M's while fully intent on them never seeing their full ability. It's the sparse nature of the currently available new .38 caliber revolvers. Want a decent .38 plinker from S&W? One example exists, at least with the prerequisite adjustable sights and 4", or greater, barrel: the 67. Go to .357M and your options are many. I was able to get a fine 6" 66, 5" h-l 686+, and PC627 V-Comp over the last 4+ years. They love my .38's - and wimpy .357M's (Mild by .38-44 standards!).
Of course, if the interest were to fade, said .357M has more potential customers, too.
Stainz
.. .. .. .. Where are you??
Of course, if the interest were to fade, said .357M has more potential customers, too.
Stainz
.. .. .. .. Where are you??
Fumbler
Member
I can understand wanting only a 38 Special, but look at his other choice, the 44 Mag.
Just curious why he said he'd only shoot 38s.
Just curious why he said he'd only shoot 38s.
Snagglepuss
Member
If the purchase is for pure fun go with the .44. You will always go back and buy the .357 later. Gotta have both.
The Annoyed Man
Member
.44, without question. Even with a .357, it is possible to imagine a scenario where you don't have enough gun. But with a .44 mag, it gets a lot harder to imagine such a scenario. And you can always load down or shoot .44 specials out of it if you don't want magnum zip. Plus, the .44 Special is an outstanding home defense cartridge.
...only get an S&W. Much prettier gun.
...only get an S&W. Much prettier gun.
boalex207
Member
.357 :d
tasco 74
Member
a young guy was in a gun shop a while back when i happened to be in there ... he was talking about .500 magnum this and .460 that .. i simply said "a .357 magnum will stop anything in north america..." he shot a look at the guy behind the counter and he just shook his head an said " yep he's right".. same thing with the .44 magnum they are fun to shoot once again but i'd never give up my .357 magnum for one..
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