.357, .41, or .44 magnum - Page 3

punkndisorderly · 06-11-2008, 06:08 PM

I've owned .44 Mags and 357's. The 357 is great and I don't hesitate to recommend one.

However, the .44 is not as bad as your experience might lead you to believe. With .44 specials it's no slouch in a personal defense role and a real pussycat to shoot. For personal defense, the magnums are a pretty poor choice. Generally they will overpenetrate to the point that the majority of the extra power is wasted anyway and will be real liability. Follow up shots, if needed will be harder and the muzzle blast is likely to be extremely disorienting to you as well as the intruder.

In the right gun, even the 44 Mags aren't bad. I had a short barreled Blackhawk that was just plain punishing with full Magnum loads. I also had a Taurus .44 with a longer, ported barrel and it was a whole different story. I really enjoyed shooting it even with the nastiest factory loads I could find. My buddies 110 pound girlfriend liked it so much I had to tell her to save some ammo for the rest of us on more than one occasion. After a taste of the big boy, she didn't even want to look at the .357. It was my bedside gun for several years stoked with CorBon .44 Specials. For bear defense, I wouldn't even think about something smaller than a .44Mag, but then again there's no bears down here.

The .45 Colt is a good round as well for personal defense, as long as you're using ammo designed for personal defense (and preferably in a double actioned revolver).

WhoUCallinGrany · 06-12-2008, 03:26 PM

I like the way you think, punkndisorderly and I agree with your buddy's girlfriend or wife.There is nothing like holding on to all the power of a 44mag. We got it mainly because of the bear. We like to camp in George Washington National Park and it just so happens to be bear hunting season a lot of the time that we are there. The hunters have them all shook up and they are apt to come into camp. Not to mention that there are a lot of hunters wandering around and may not be as honorable as they should. there is a lot of space for the bullet to travel safely, if it passes on through, if you know what I mean. For home protection we have hollow point, they don't go as far.

rdale501 · 06-16-2008, 01:47 AM

If I remember right, the .41 mag was the brainchild of Elmer Kieth. He wanted the round to be called the 41 police but it was called the 41 mag instead. The time frame was the mid 60's I believe and the police departments were having public image problems, and not wanting to go with anything labled Magnum. I have heard this killed the round, I don't know. I have one and really like it. It is supposed to have 85% of the energy of a 44 mag. with the recoil of a 357. I believe this. I have friends shooting the other two rounds, and they all love to shoot my 41. I pay about 4.00 more than they do for a box of factory ammo. Although I have only shot reloads for the last couple of years. I will suggest anyone try this cal. first before buying somethng else, it is a sweet round. Mine is a mod. 57 S&W.

06-12-2008, 03:26 PM	#42
WhoUCallinGrany Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Newport News, Virginia Posts: 3	44 mag I like the way you think, punkndisorderly and I agree with your buddy's girlfriend or wife.There is nothing like holding on to all the power of a 44mag. We got it mainly because of the bear. We like to camp in George Washington National Park and it just so happens to be bear hunting season a lot of the time that we are there. The hunters have them all shook up and they are apt to come into camp. Not to mention that there are a lot of hunters wandering around and may not be as honorable as they should. there is a lot of space for the bullet to travel safely, if it passes on through, if you know what I mean. For home protection we have hollow point, they don't go as far. Last edited by WhoUCallinGrany; 06-13-2008 at 08:48 AM.

06-11-2008, 06:08 PM	#41
punkndisorderly Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 144	I've owned .44 Mags and 357's. The 357 is great and I don't hesitate to recommend one. However, the .44 is not as bad as your experience might lead you to believe. With .44 specials it's no slouch in a personal defense role and a real pussycat to shoot. For personal defense, the magnums are a pretty poor choice. Generally they will overpenetrate to the point that the majority of the extra power is wasted anyway and will be real liability. Follow up shots, if needed will be harder and the muzzle blast is likely to be extremely disorienting to you as well as the intruder. In the right gun, even the 44 Mags aren't bad. I had a short barreled Blackhawk that was just plain punishing with full Magnum loads. I also had a Taurus .44 with a longer, ported barrel and it was a whole different story. I really enjoyed shooting it even with the nastiest factory loads I could find. My buddies 110 pound girlfriend liked it so much I had to tell her to save some ammo for the rest of us on more than one occasion. After a taste of the big boy, she didn't even want to look at the .357. It was my bedside gun for several years stoked with CorBon .44 Specials. For bear defense, I wouldn't even think about something smaller than a .44Mag, but then again there's no bears down here. The .45 Colt is a good round as well for personal defense, as long as you're using ammo designed for personal defense (and preferably in a double actioned revolver).

06-16-2008, 01:47 AM	#43
rdale501 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 398	If I remember right, the .41 mag was the brainchild of Elmer Kieth. He wanted the round to be called the 41 police but it was called the 41 mag instead. The time frame was the mid 60's I believe and the police departments were having public image problems, and not wanting to go with anything labled Magnum. I have heard this killed the round, I don't know. I have one and really like it. It is supposed to have 85% of the energy of a 44 mag. with the recoil of a 357. I believe this. I have friends shooting the other two rounds, and they all love to shoot my 41. I pay about 4.00 more than they do for a box of factory ammo. Although I have only shot reloads for the last couple of years. I will suggest anyone try this cal. first before buying somethng else, it is a sweet round. Mine is a mod. 57 S&W.