SW 357 vs 44 vs 460...
- Thread starter xarlok
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atomchaser
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Significant difference in recoil and muzzle blast depending on the particular model. For a first purchase, I would go with the 357. You can shoot 38 specials in it without breaking the bank and build up your skills. The 460 is not much of a plinking gun at a $1+ per shot. Some indoor ranges won't allow them. The 44 is in between, but not ideal for a first gun unless you are buying it for hunting.
What Atomchaser said.
The .357 is so versatile, from light .38s that kick like a .22 up to monster .357 loads that can liquify a midwestern (150lb+) deer's lungs at 30+ yards, there's plenty to play with. Once you get good with it you can figure out what you want in a big bore gun based upon what you did or didn't like shooting .357 rounds.
My 2 cents.
gp911
The .357 is so versatile, from light .38s that kick like a .22 up to monster .357 loads that can liquify a midwestern (150lb+) deer's lungs at 30+ yards, there's plenty to play with. Once you get good with it you can figure out what you want in a big bore gun based upon what you did or didn't like shooting .357 rounds.
My 2 cents.
gp911
Cosmoline
Member
Recoil with the big bores varies in both nature and extent depending on the platform. Single action revolvers tend to roll up in the hand more and in my experience have less brutal felt recoil than double actions of the same weight.
10xforever
Member
I vote for the 357 mag. It is easier to shoot and less expensive to buy ammo or reload. If you are hunting i would go for the 44 mag, but the 357 does a good job as long as your not looking for bear. Optical sights if hunting deer. It can be downloaded for target use with light loads in 38 spl or 357 mag cases. I use 357 mag cases with wadcutter bullets in 148 Gr. with excellent results in my 686 Powerport 6".
EddieCoyle
Member
If you can find a S&W 696, buy it. It's a 5-shot, L-frame, .44 Special. It is one of the lightest shooting revolvers I own.
SoCalShooter
Member
Go with the .357 significantantly cheaper in ammo and a really great first gun.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
There is nothing like a 4" .357 Magnum Revolver, especially for a first gun. I bought a S&W Model 619 for my first gun and I'm happy I did.
That gun is very versatile since it can be used at the range for paper, in the field with a heavy round for protection and at home for SD. There is a lot of factory ammo available in .357 Magnum and you can fire .38 Special ammo through it too. It's an all around good choice IMO.
You have many current choices available to you in a 4" .357 Magnum. S&W has the M686, M686+, M619 and M620. Taurus has several nice models in their current catalogue. Ruger has their GP100 and there are many very good used .357 Magnum's on the market too.
Of course there are other Magnums to choose from 1.875" all the way up to over 8" models but IMO, the 4" model is probably the best for your first gun.
Good luck on choosing, have fun and be safe...
That gun is very versatile since it can be used at the range for paper, in the field with a heavy round for protection and at home for SD. There is a lot of factory ammo available in .357 Magnum and you can fire .38 Special ammo through it too. It's an all around good choice IMO.
You have many current choices available to you in a 4" .357 Magnum. S&W has the M686, M686+, M619 and M620. Taurus has several nice models in their current catalogue. Ruger has their GP100 and there are many very good used .357 Magnum's on the market too.
Of course there are other Magnums to choose from 1.875" all the way up to over 8" models but IMO, the 4" model is probably the best for your first gun.
Good luck on choosing, have fun and be safe...
dairycreek
Member
IMHO both 44 magnum and 460's are "purpose" guns in that they are best purchased and used for a real purpose such as hunting, self defense from large, dangerous animals, ets. For a first gun the 357 makes a lot more sense as it can be fired with either 357 or 38 special ammo and both are somewhat more reasonably priced than 44/460. For a first gun? 357 without a doubt.
BADUNAME13
Member
A .22.
The savings in ammo and good training will MORE than pay for itself.
The savings in ammo and good training will MORE than pay for itself.
Archer1945
Member
Depending on what you are going to use it for there is very little difference in recoil in the 357 or the 44, depending on how it is loaded and the weight of the gun. If you reload either can be reloaded from "mild to wild" and even with commercial ammo you can get almost the same range.
The 460 is definitely a special purpose gun and for someone who is an experienced handgun shooter. Even with the standard hunting length barrel it is a hand-cannon. It is strictly a hunting round or as a back-up weapon if you are going to be in BIG BEAR country and are willing to either carry a very long barrelled hand-gun or are able to handle the recoil of the short barrel versions which have been designed for such use.
Btw, my first handgun was a 4" Model 19 S&W. In a heavier gun, say an S&W L/N frame or the Ruger or Dan Wesson it would have been an fairly easy to shoot round, even in the heavier loads, in the K-frame Smith, however, the .357 definitely lets you know you have some power in your hands.
The 460 is definitely a special purpose gun and for someone who is an experienced handgun shooter. Even with the standard hunting length barrel it is a hand-cannon. It is strictly a hunting round or as a back-up weapon if you are going to be in BIG BEAR country and are willing to either carry a very long barrelled hand-gun or are able to handle the recoil of the short barrel versions which have been designed for such use.
Btw, my first handgun was a 4" Model 19 S&W. In a heavier gun, say an S&W L/N frame or the Ruger or Dan Wesson it would have been an fairly easy to shoot round, even in the heavier loads, in the K-frame Smith, however, the .357 definitely lets you know you have some power in your hands.
the 357 will be the lightest for recoil, you can also fire .38 special in it
the 44 will be in the middle as far as recoil, you can fire 44 special in it which will be milder and comfortable to shoot
the 460 will have the most recoil, but you can also fire .454 casul and mild 45 colt rounds in it.
the 44 will be in the middle as far as recoil, you can fire 44 special in it which will be milder and comfortable to shoot
the 460 will have the most recoil, but you can also fire .454 casul and mild 45 colt rounds in it.
DWARREN123
Member
Difference in amount and type of recoil. The 357 mag has, to me, a sharper recoil curve.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I don't want to put the badmouth on any gun, but the .44 Magnum, the .460 and .500 and other guns in that class are really special purpose guns. Very few people need to go with more power than a full-size, full charge .357.
Thanks for all of the replies! I had a chance to shoot the 44 today and realized:
- I was more comfortable with a 357.
- Shooting 100 - 150 rounds on a regular basis will get costly.
- It could be too big a gun (to target shoot) for a first gun purchase.
Gun shops aren't shy about their pricing of ammo. I paid $27.99/50 for S&B 240grain. I can see why so many people turn to online...
- I was more comfortable with a 357.
- Shooting 100 - 150 rounds on a regular basis will get costly.
- It could be too big a gun (to target shoot) for a first gun purchase.
Gun shops aren't shy about their pricing of ammo. I paid $27.99/50 for S&B 240grain. I can see why so many people turn to online...
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