Ruger Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

.357 magnum vs. .44 special for defense

90K views 53 replies 46 participants last post by  Waveform 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Just wondering, which of these is better and more foolproof for self-defense? I love revolvers and have one of each, but the Charter .44 special is my favorite. It shoots better and is lighter and feels better in my hand. I can shoot it way more accurately and I like the round better.

I have a .357 magnum and it's fun to shoot too but I'm debating selling it for another .44 special or a .45acp

Is the .357 more reliable man-stopper or the .44? I'd trust the .357, but I also feel like it's so much faster that it could just go right through whereas the .44 is slower and makes larger holes. Hopefully never need to know this for real, but which is a better weapon? From just me firing both, I prefer the .44 spl.
 
#6 ·
If I was going to have a big bore revolver it would either be a .44 Special or .45acp probably more the .45acp cheaper to shoot. My favorite revolver caliber is .357/.38 Special. With a preference to .38 Special I enjoy shooting revolvers but not to beat my hands up. The .44 Special may not be as powerful as the .357 Mag. but it's bullet placement that counts. My favorite big bore to me is in three guns my Ruger GP100, Ruger Vaquero Bisley, or S&W Model 66 all .357's
 
#7 ·
I agree with emay. If you're comfortable and can accurately shoot a specific firearm...then that should be unit of choice. I personally like the .357 loaded with .38 ammo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: White Squirrel
#8 ·
The .357 Magnum, with 125gr JHP bullets, is a supreme defense round. There are some decent .44 Special hollow point defense loads, but it is doubtful any of them will expand when shot from a CA Bulldog. I use .38 +P lead hollow points in my .357.
 
#9 ·
The 357 with 125 gr. HP is a very good self defense round except for one big problem. Just fire one of those hot rounds indoors in a self defense scenario and you will get a sharp stabbing pain in your ears from the muzzle blast. Also if fired at night the muzzle flash will be a problem.
The 44 special with a 240 gr. bullet at 800-900 FPS is also a very good defense round and it does not have the muzzle blast that will ring your ears like the magnum round will. Your best bet is use the weapon that you shoot the best with as shot placement is very important in a defense scenario. I have carried both 357 and 45 acp and 41 mag. as my duty weapon while 30 years in law enforcement and was a LEO firearms instructor.
I am not a big fan of the 9mm, but will be the first to tell you if you can shoot with more accuracy with a 9mm, then with a bigger caliber, that 9mm is the weapon you need to carry for self defense.
 
#12 ·
I agree with the undisputed truth about the stopping power of a 125 gr. in a .357, however the 44 special is a great round and also one of my favorites. Don't worry about using it for self defense, it will do its job without the painful crack mentioned before. My only current .44 special is a Ruger BH, but I am constantly on the lookout for a 3" double action revolver in .44 special. I would hang on to a handgun that you shoot well and enjoy, or you will regret it. I know from experience. Keep the Bulldog.
 
#13 ·
I think 357 using 158 grain wadcutters or target load would hard to beat , I never buy defensive rounds aside from buck shot only carry what I practice with if you feel like you need more stopping power buy a bigger caliber, but the 357 has quite a legacy for power and accuracy as others have mentioned.
And ammo is easier to get.
 
#14 ·
I like and carry the .357, but if and may it never happen to you or anyone else we know, when the chips are down, what you feel most comfortable with and can hit what your aiming at, and not think about anything but draw and fire is the way to go, matters not what caliber or bullet weight we debate, can in a split second you hit what your aiming at? Everyone's comments are spot on, Confidence's is the only thing that matters.
 
#16 ·
You are waaayyyy over thinking this, both rounds will do the job! Personally I like to have the "right tool for the right job" and if you have a 44spl, why have a gun that is limited to only that round? Sell them all and get a 44mag/44spl and be done with it! Then you are good to go for any situation you could run into anywhere indoors, outdoors self defense against 2 legged or 4 legged critters!!
I load mine with 44spl for around town and in the home, and 44mag when I'm in the field....that said, I own a bunch of different caliber wheel guns...oh, and everyone of the guns pictured get carried...my Ruger Alaskan was my EDC for years, now I carry a S&W Talo Alaskan Backpacker in 44mag...just because it's lighter, but you do know the secret to carrying a heavy weapon on your belt is a good belt and holster right?
Here are a few of my carry guns!
 
#49 ·
You are waaayyyy over thinking this, both rounds will do the job! Personally I like to have the "right tool for the right job" and if you have a 44spl, why have a gun that is limited to only that round? Sell them all and get a 44mag/44spl and be done with it! Then you are good to go for any situation you could run into anywhere indoors, outdoors self defense against 2 legged or 4 legged critters!!
I load mine with 44spl for around town and in the home, and 44mag when I'm in the field....that said, I own a bunch of different caliber wheel guns...oh, and everyone of the guns pictured get carried...my Ruger Alaskan was my EDC for years, now I carry a S&W Talo Alaskan Backpacker in 44mag...just because it's lighter, but you do know the secret to carrying a heavy weapon on your belt is a good belt and holster right?
Here are a few of my carry guns!
Agreed. It’s like you want a Vette but you buy the Camaro, then you regret it! Buy the Vette!!
 
#19 ·
Love both cartridges and either will do all you ask. My only issue with the 44 Special is ammo availability if you need to buy ammo, locally. Can walk into any place that sells ammo and buy 357 or 38s, but not always 44 Special and often what you do find is the target stuff, not the SD stuff. Might be worth a little peace of mind to check what is available in 44 on a local level.
 
#20 ·
Add me to the chorus that says carry what you can shoot well and are comfortable with.

My personal preference is the .357 mag, but what works for me may not work for you.
 
#21 ·
Can you shoot follow up shots quickly and accurately with 357 Magnum? Personally, I cannot even though I have shot it a bunch out of a full-sized revolver.

If you can shoot .44 Special more accurately that is what I would go with, although the limited ammunition availability would make me more likely to choose a revolver chambered in .45 ACP.
 
#23 ·
I normally carry my 357 revolvers with 38+P. It's easier to control and won't over penetrate. I also like the 44 Spl and sometimes conceal my Alaskan Redhawk loaded with those rounds. I feel they are all capable of stopping a threat, even the 38 Spl. Modern SD ammunition has been designed to expand and mushroom out to impressive size.
 
#26 ·
Just wondering, which of these is better more foolproof for self defense? I love revolvers and have one of each, but the Charter .44 special is my favorite. It shoots better and is lighter and feels better in my hand. I can shoot it way more accurately and I like the round better.

I have a .357 magnum and it's fun to shoot too but I'm debating selling it for another .44 special or a .45acp

Is the .357 more reliable manstopper or the .44? I'd trust the .357, but I also feel like it's so much faster that it could just go right through whereas the .44 is slower and makes larger holes. Hopefully never need to know this for real, but which is a better weapon? From just me firing both, I prefer the .44 spl.
In the case of hollow points higher velocity may mean less penetration. While a slow moving heavy bullet will keep on going. Both poke holes, both have been successful for SD. I have carried both, as well as many other calibers. I have faith in every caliber I own for SD.

Carry what you are comfortable with, and shoot the best, all of them will stop a threat with proper bullet placement.
 
#27 ·
Don't fall for the "stopping power" fallacy unless you are certain you can penetrate the CNS. FBI data shows 80% of people shot, survive. This includes those being shot by a 12 gauge. Select the largest round you feel most comfortable, can shoot the most accurately with the fastest followup shots on target. Then practice, practice, practice.
 
#28 · (Edited)
I like way less noise, a bigger hole (no need to expand), and a heavier bullet for penetration. .44 Special in the Bulldog meets that criteria for me. Accuracy of course trumps all. As I reload, I have no worry about lack of ammo.
 
#29 ·
Personally, I don't buy into the "manstopper" line of thinking. While I have never, and hope I never have to, shot a man I have shot enough other animals to see that a mortal shot does not always drop the animal in its tracks. I've shot deer with different calibers from ranges from several feet out to around 125 yards. I've seen at .270 pass through a deer leaving a massive wound channel that destroyed both lungs and the heart. With animals that were relaxed and didn't know I was there I have seen run them up to 50 yards and I've seen them drop immediately with these same wounds. I've seen them run, I've seen them fall, and I've seen them stand there apparently wonder what that big BANG was all about. I had a hunting buddy get charged by a rutting buck that took several 7.62x39mm rounds before he brushed past my friend and expired. But typically, deer are not armed and are not trying to harm me so a single well placed shot that does not drop the animal but ensures death in 10-15 seconds is acceptable. The only shot that will can be guaranteed to stop and animal immediately is a direct hit to the central nervous system, ie the brain or spine.

I make these points because, IMO, for a defensive load the ability to shoot accurately, with quick accurate follow up shots is more important than the caliber stamping on the barrel. It doesn't matter how much you miss with a big magnum, a miss is a miss. However, if you can hit the attacker multiple times with a lighter cartridge you may be more likely to survive the encounter. Also in my opinion, magnum calibers bring with them the concern of extreme over penetration. If you do have to fire upon an attacker a bullet that may pass through completely and still carry a lethal force for a considerable distance may be more of a hazard then an advantage.

Anyway, just my thoughts.
 
#30 ·
...IMO, for a defensive load the ability to shoot accurately, with quick accurate follow up shots is more important than the caliber stamping on the barrel. It doesn't matter how much you miss with a big magnum, a miss is a miss. However, if you can hit the attacker multiple times with a lighter cartridge you may be more likely to survive the encounter...

...Also in my opinion, magnum calibers bring with them the concern of extreme over penetration...
On the first: 'shootability' of a handgun for defense is important, but the specific cartridge make-up is extremely important, too. A .22LR semi-auto target pistol allows one to shoot with extreme accuracy. But if you only get one chance at a shot, it should be of a more substantial round. There is a narrow range of cartridge make-ups that are the best for defense. On the fringes (low and high) are loadings in .25 ACP and .44 Magnum. In the 'core', are loadings in the typical law enforcement and civilian defense calibers.
By cartridge make-up, I mean a particular loading in a specific cartridge, such as "a 124 gr bonded jacketed hollow point bullet in a 9mm Parabellum/Luger". You can't just say '9mm is good for defense', because a 9mm 115gr FMJ loading is not the best choice. On the other end, a particular 9mm +P loading may be an excellent round, but not so much if you can't shoot it well in your gun. If you carry or use a handgun for home defense, you should select the best defensive hollow point loading available, not low-buck FMJ/LRN plinking ammo.

And on the second: you're generalizing there. In a .357 Magnum, a 125gr JHP performs MUCH differently on a person than a 158gr JSP. The .44 Magnum can be an effective and 'reasonable' defense round, if the proper loading is used. Yes, a max velocity 240gr hardcast SWC is NOT ideal for home defense. But something like the Speer Gold Dot 210gr JHP is an excellent choice.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top