Full Size Revolver: .357 or .44?
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Black Knight
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I believe that the 4 inch .357 would be your best choice. You already are used to the 3 inch version, and you currently have the ammo for it. Tactically speaking this is what I would go for and why.
george29
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(Gunstore owner photographed it in his hand)
(In my hand)
Ever consider this .44 magnum? 2.5" bb; and it eats any load you can handle, it is my primary ccw and it sleeps next to cousin Moss (never send a boy to do a mans work) for home defense. Carry fodder is usually a special load and it's recoil is no worse than a .357
I personally don't own anything other than 44's, 22's and 12's
im getting a .44 mag. so i vote .44 mag. i had a s&w .44 mag long ago with 7" barrel(?). it kicked. felt great actually. it did hurt a little bit when i shot it one handed, i wouldn't say painful.
i looked up reloading and from what i gathered it doesn't cost a whole lot more to reload .44mag over a 9mm. i didn't look up the price of brass though.
i looked up reloading and from what i gathered it doesn't cost a whole lot more to reload .44mag over a 9mm. i didn't look up the price of brass though.
Stainz
Member
Since you said you reload, I'll break down the cost differences, using my loads of 3.5gr Titegroup under a 158gr LSWC .38 bullet plinker vs a 240gr LSWC over 5.5gr LSWC in .44 Magnum cases. Assuming the cases are already yours, the primers cost the same, and you have decided on these loads, you would spend an additional half cent or so per round for powder and three cents per round more for the bigger and more massive bullet (I used Meister Bullets direct cost inc s/h). Yeah, it's worth the difference... around four bucks total per fifty reloaded vs five-sixty. I was assuming 'my' reloads - I use 5.5gr/.44 Magnum case under that 240gr LSWC for a 4" mv in the 800's - all day plinker rounds - 4.5gr/.44 Special case for 770 fps, and 3.5 gr/.44 Russian case for just under 700 fps, all from a 4" 629. They are 'fun' - worth the few pennies more - and you can always go 'nuclear' with 'real' .44 Magnums, just clean the chambers well after the shorter cases.
Stainz
Stainz
I voted 357 just generally more accepted home defense caliber.and very versitile. but a 4" redhawk would be cool too,I have a 7 1/2" redhawk and a
4" taurus tracker and love a 44mag .aw what the heck get both
.ps I have shot the speer GD short bbl. load. just a little more than 44 spcl+p, 200 grn at 1100 fps and they double for shot glasses
4" taurus tracker and love a 44mag .aw what the heck get both
.ps I have shot the speer GD short bbl. load. just a little more than 44 spcl+p, 200 grn at 1100 fps and they double for shot glassestinygnat219
Member
The .357 Revolver is so versatile and effective, I consider the .44 Magnum more of a hobby gun and not something to carry.
Cosmoline
Member
You know what the old man would say about that "hobby gun" reference.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
The author of this thread was asking about a full size revolver for Home Defense, not a carry gun. Nothing wrong with a .44, even for carry, but that's not what was asked in this thread.
koja48
member
Since home defense is a consideration, voted .357 (which will still light-up a dark room sufficiently). Easier to control & shoot than the .44.
Confederate
Member
Using a .44mag horse pistol like the Redhawk for a home defense gun is like buying a snow plough for weekend drives! Go with a decent mid-frame .357.
kjeff50cal
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denfoote
Member
There is nothing in the universe that compares to owning a classic N-Frame Smith .357mag!!!
Probably like a whole lot of people on this forum, I've owned just about every caliber S&W N frame around.
For home defense between the two calibers mentioned, I'd prefer a Model 27/627 or 28 in .357 over a Model 29/629.
If I used a 29 or 629 for home defense, it would be loaded down to a mild .44 spl. load to reduce that dreadful penetration of multiple walls that could kill someone I love.
However, my favorite defensive round in a revolver is the .45ACP. I keep many, many, many of the cheap little moonclips stoked with 230 grain Federal Hydrashok for my .45ACP revolvers. I can actually reload my big N frame just as fast as my 1911 autos, and the recoil of a .45ACP is much more pleasant of a firm PUSH vs. the sting of the .357 or hard sting of the .44mag.
Thus, my vote would be for a Model 625 with a 3-4" barrel, since I'm not willing to part with my custom Model 25-2 with it's 6" barrel chopped to 3 1/4." It is my favorite handgun, period!
For hunting? Well, that's another subject altogether.
For home defense between the two calibers mentioned, I'd prefer a Model 27/627 or 28 in .357 over a Model 29/629.
If I used a 29 or 629 for home defense, it would be loaded down to a mild .44 spl. load to reduce that dreadful penetration of multiple walls that could kill someone I love.
However, my favorite defensive round in a revolver is the .45ACP. I keep many, many, many of the cheap little moonclips stoked with 230 grain Federal Hydrashok for my .45ACP revolvers. I can actually reload my big N frame just as fast as my 1911 autos, and the recoil of a .45ACP is much more pleasant of a firm PUSH vs. the sting of the .357 or hard sting of the .44mag.
Thus, my vote would be for a Model 625 with a 3-4" barrel, since I'm not willing to part with my custom Model 25-2 with it's 6" barrel chopped to 3 1/4." It is my favorite handgun, period!
For hunting? Well, that's another subject altogether.
Barr
Member
The .44 is a great caliber with a lot of flexibility. It can be pressed into the home defense role if needed. The .357 is a much better "fighting caliber" against 2 legged critters though. The .44 has very impressive power, but the noise and recoil expecially indoors would be excessive. Also, the .44 would have excessive penetration in an urban environment. In this day and age, a lawyer for an injury lawsuit can wreak havoc with your finances and mental well being if they can bring a suit to court on behalf of a neighbor or passerby that can prove a bullet left the confines of your house etc.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
S&Wfan,
VERY nice revolver.... I wish I started shooting before my 50th birthday. I missed out on all the outstanding revolvers made over the years. I am stuck buying MIM parts and locks if I want a new revolver. I'm glad there is a used market and it's not all dried up just yet. (although, there aren't very many nice revolvers floating around where I live)
VERY nice revolver.... I wish I started shooting before my 50th birthday. I missed out on all the outstanding revolvers made over the years. I am stuck buying MIM parts and locks if I want a new revolver. I'm glad there is a used market and it's not all dried up just yet. (although, there aren't very many nice revolvers floating around where I live)
slow944
Member
I voted for the 44Mag. I have a 6" Python and a 4" S&W M66-2 in 357. I also have a RedHawk 5.5". To me the 357 has a louder "Crack" to it than my 44Mag does. When ever I shoot both at the range people are always asking me about the 357's being loud. But as usual YMMV.
My first handgun was a 4 inch Ruger Security Six which I wore almost all of the blue off before I traded it away.
My second handgun was a 6 inch S&W 629 both of these I shot extensively as I handloaded for both.
Try a .44 magnum out before you buy one its recoil over prolonged firing strings can be stout to say the least, some people find it objectionable others actually enjoy it
The .357 is a good mid range or mid bore cartridge (.36 caliber to .40) it shoots flat and hits fairly hard and is rated quite well with the right bullet weight in stopping power surveys taken from actual street gunfights over the years.
The .44 is more expensiuve to shoot it kicks allot more so if recoil bothers you one can load it with .44 specials or use reduced power handloads.
If deer and two legged varmits are all you are concerned with the .357 will do what needs to be done.
Out here in the West though I personally prefer my .44 for most things old Elmer Keith had it right big hole in big hole out lots of blood out, easier to track.
Evaluate what YOUR needs are and choose accordingly with the .357 you share calibers and now have two defensive pistols.
The .44 is heavier to carry and is more expensive to buy factory ammunition for and more expensive to reload for as well.
I have had a couple Rugers they are built like tanks the Redhawk is solid design built like a heavy sledge hammer. I only wish mine were as accurate as my Smiths.
In double action revolvers I tend to favor the lighter N frame Smith & Wessons.
Out here in the West I prefer the .44 but thats because I do not want to get charged by an angry moose (again) or take a second or even third shot if hunting animals bigger than deer.
YMMV
Best of luck
My second handgun was a 6 inch S&W 629 both of these I shot extensively as I handloaded for both.
Try a .44 magnum out before you buy one its recoil over prolonged firing strings can be stout to say the least, some people find it objectionable others actually enjoy it
The .357 is a good mid range or mid bore cartridge (.36 caliber to .40) it shoots flat and hits fairly hard and is rated quite well with the right bullet weight in stopping power surveys taken from actual street gunfights over the years.
The .44 is more expensiuve to shoot it kicks allot more so if recoil bothers you one can load it with .44 specials or use reduced power handloads.
If deer and two legged varmits are all you are concerned with the .357 will do what needs to be done.
Out here in the West though I personally prefer my .44 for most things old Elmer Keith had it right big hole in big hole out lots of blood out, easier to track.
Evaluate what YOUR needs are and choose accordingly with the .357 you share calibers and now have two defensive pistols.
The .44 is heavier to carry and is more expensive to buy factory ammunition for and more expensive to reload for as well.
I have had a couple Rugers they are built like tanks the Redhawk is solid design built like a heavy sledge hammer. I only wish mine were as accurate as my Smiths.
In double action revolvers I tend to favor the lighter N frame Smith & Wessons.
Out here in the West I prefer the .44 but thats because I do not want to get charged by an angry moose (again) or take a second or even third shot if hunting animals bigger than deer.
YMMV
Best of luck
Stainz
Member
I regret that I don't have a decent copy stand set up for such pix, but here are my two 629-6's - both bought new. Both broke in well, and sport the reduced power Wolff springs as well as the Hogue .500 Magnum grips for some significant recoil absorption. Bot share duties with .44 Russians, Specials, and my somewhat mild Magnums. There is no requirement that a 29/629 .44 Magnum only launch ear-splitting earth-shattering rounds, any more so than a .357 Magnum, for that matter. Yes, my .357M cases are quite wimpy as well. I got my fill of big bangs/super recoils with my .454 Casull SRH years ago.
For HD, you can't beat the Speer #4427 200gr Gold Dot - made to open by 800 fps. In CCI Blazer Al .44 Special cases or new Starline brass from GA Arms ($43.50/100), it beats that from my 2.5" 296 - makes 870+ fps from my 4" 629. It has a decent track record. In the picture below I have depicted a 240gr LSWC in .44 Russian, a 200gr GDHP in .44 Special, a 300gr LSWC in .44 Magnum, which makes 890 fps from a 4" 629, and a Magtech 240gr SJSP in .44 Magnum - 1,180 fps from a 4" 629. The HKS Speedloader has the GA Arms 200gr GDHP's in .44 Special loaded. The 6" 629 has a longer sight radius - the 4" 'points' more quickly. Forgive the poor pix!
Stainz
For HD, you can't beat the Speer #4427 200gr Gold Dot - made to open by 800 fps. In CCI Blazer Al .44 Special cases or new Starline brass from GA Arms ($43.50/100), it beats that from my 2.5" 296 - makes 870+ fps from my 4" 629. It has a decent track record. In the picture below I have depicted a 240gr LSWC in .44 Russian, a 200gr GDHP in .44 Special, a 300gr LSWC in .44 Magnum, which makes 890 fps from a 4" 629, and a Magtech 240gr SJSP in .44 Magnum - 1,180 fps from a 4" 629. The HKS Speedloader has the GA Arms 200gr GDHP's in .44 Special loaded. The 6" 629 has a longer sight radius - the 4" 'points' more quickly. Forgive the poor pix!
Stainz
Get both!
They're both great guns.
When the Redhawk is loaded with a hot .44 Special round like Cor Bon's load, it gives greater than normal power for a .44 special, but still has significantly less recoil and penetration than a .44 magnum.
The GP 100's grips are so fantastic that even the hotest .357 magnum loads (such as Bor Bon's black bear loads) feel mild IMO.
Can't go wrong with either.
The only disadvantage of the Redhawk is ammo price. Both .44 magnum and .44 special are sky high in my area.
They're both great guns.
When the Redhawk is loaded with a hot .44 Special round like Cor Bon's load, it gives greater than normal power for a .44 special, but still has significantly less recoil and penetration than a .44 magnum.
The GP 100's grips are so fantastic that even the hotest .357 magnum loads (such as Bor Bon's black bear loads) feel mild IMO.
Can't go wrong with either.
The only disadvantage of the Redhawk is ammo price. Both .44 magnum and .44 special are sky high in my area.
vanilla_gorilla
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- Jun 10, 2006
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kjeff50cal, is that gun parked? That's a good looking piece. Not a fan of rubber grips, but it's still good looking.
Gaucho Gringo
Member
if you are looking at .357 & Taurus and if you want a SAA clone try a Taurus Gaucho in 357/38. I have one and I love it. Good looking, 4 click hammer, smooth trigger action and accurate. Whatever I point it at, I hit. Also comes in .45 Long Colt. It is my all purpose gun, fun and cheap shooting but also my home SD gun loaded with SWC along with my H&R 12 ga0 shotgun.
TSK1975
Member
I have a S&W Model 66 that I absolutely love to shoot. It's SS with a 4 inch barrel and a Hogue rubber grip. It is an old State Trooper duty gun. I traded a Browning shotgun to get it and a bunch of ammo, kind of a dream gun. It is a pleasure to shoot with just about any ammo available. It's had a trigger job, which is awsome. It's one of the best I have used. I owned a Ruger Blackhawk in 44 Mag for about a year. I liked it, but nothing like the S&W. I never thought the 44 was horrible to shoot, but the 357 is so much easier. I can shoot it all day and not be sore from it. Plus you still get the Magnum ammo versus Special ammo advantage with the 357. The other thing that I really like about the 357 is that it fits my hand. I have smaller hands for a guy and have always had problems with grip size. The grip size of many hand guns have limited what I like and own.
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