.357 Magnum for home defence?
- Thread starter Geek-With-A-Gun
- Start date
Again this is only opinion but the GP100 4 inch is a fine revolver for home defense. I prefer it over a short barrel. I agree with some posters that a full house 125 gr 357 might have to much blast and recoil for indoors. Remember its about bullet placement. The lighter recoil 357 rounds such as Remingtons Golden Saber 125gr HP points are a excellent home defense round. Also, consider Buffalo Bores LSWCHP 38 special HP. This is the famous "FBI" load. Its a 158gr round and will shoot POA even in a 357. I know because I have used it in my GP100 4 inch Stainless Steel. I don't feel underarmed with the FBI load in a home defense situation. And the GP100 is a strong revolver and will have little recoil using this round. Again its about bullet placement. I keep two speed loaders beside me. I feel in most situations if you can't bring your attacker down in three or four shots you probably won't survive. It you are faced with say four attackers coming at you then it might take more than twelve rounds to bring all attackers down. You probably would not get the chance because you would have to reload. But this is rare.
Thank my take,
roaddog28
Thank my take,
roaddog28
When i first started CCing, One of the first guns i CC was a Ruger GP100 4" I had no problems with the gun myself, I am a rather tall individual but i dont think that CCing a 4" Gp100 would be to hard to do for any size person... So as a home defence handgun the Gp100 would be an amazing choice. I Traded my 4" for a 6" and moved to different CC handgun for defence myself... I love my 1911...
sourdough44
New member
Is a Labrador a good family dog??
Pappy John
New member
A .357 indoors, fired say, in an enclosed hallway, would be like a flash/bang grenade going off. Everyone in the area would be momentarily stunned, shooter included.
I'd prefer something bigger and slower (sub-sonic) for my home defense gun, like a .44 special or .45 acp.
YMMV
I'd prefer something bigger and slower (sub-sonic) for my home defense gun, like a .44 special or .45 acp.
YMMV
vanilla_gorilla
New member
For those who keep repeating this ".357 magnum is too loud for indoors" crap...google auditory exclusion. It is VERY well documented, and is not a new phenomenon.
Then quit spouting BS.
Then quit spouting BS.
Geek-With-A-Gun
New member
Personally, I think that the mere sight of a .357 mag is likely to make a BG **** in his pants and run.
You may be correct to some extent to the effect of muzzle blast on stunning the shooter; however, hearing damage is another matter. It would most likely be an case by case basis, with each individual having a different degree of effect depending upon the state of mind at the time, the amount of personal experience/practice in that sort of situation to desensitize the shooter and so forth.
Hearing damage from shooting without hearing protection is not BS.
So we are talking about two different things. Auditory exclusion is a mental perception, not a physical shield.
This shows an electron microscope image of healthy cochlear cilia.
This shows an electron microscope image of cochlear cilia with some damage.
This shows an electron microscope image of extensively damaged cochlear cilia.
This damage can occur with each exposure to sound energy exceeding the physical ability of the cilia to withstand breakage. Therefore, it is cumulative. Once they are broken they are forever gone.
They do not repair. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is directly related to damaged/lost cilia.
KingEdward
New member
Yes, a Ruger GP 100 is a good choice.
I believe that a Smith and Wesson 686P is a slightly better choice.
I have the 686P (7 shot) in a 3" barrel and it is a great revolver
with a nice trigger and I like having the extra round.
I believe that a Smith and Wesson 686P is a slightly better choice.
I have the 686P (7 shot) in a 3" barrel and it is a great revolver
with a nice trigger and I like having the extra round.
Any handgun fired indoors will be loud enough to hurt. Even a .22. Firing any of the standard defensive cartridges (.38 Spl., 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, etc.) indoors or, in manny cases outdoors, will be enough to cause permanent damage in many situations.
When you fire a gun defensively, you are trying to stay alive. If you have to do so, you stand the strong chance of trading some hearing for your life.
When you fire a gun defensively, you are trying to stay alive. If you have to do so, you stand the strong chance of trading some hearing for your life.
I love the .357 round and keep a Taurus 617 (7 rds in a steel snubbie) with me while I'm home during the day. I also have a Smith 686+, IMHO one of the finest revolvers going and easily a match for any Ruger made. I love shooting it and it's extremely accurate. I like shooting .357s at the range, tho if either was my nightstand gun, it would probably carry Hornady Critical Defense .38s. My nightstand gun is a 1911, with eight rounds and a reload right next to it.
IMHO .357 magnum ammunition is best avoided in home defense situations or in any defensive situation where you will be indoors and shooting without benefit of ear protection. Even for those who don't have my sensitivity to loud noise, the blast of a full-bore .357 load would likely disorient and might disable for a significant period, meaning that you either don't get the second and subsequent shots off or miss when you do. In addition. .357 magnum ammunition is far more likely to penetrate outer walls and hit unintended targets than a less powerful load.
The Ruger GP-100 would make a good home defense weapon, but load it with .38 +P ammunition for home defense.
Another alternative with superior force projection and less chance of overpenetration would be a good shotgun loaded with #2 shot for apartments, or 00 buck for a house. I'm told that 00 can penetrate interior or apartment walls, and was advised to downsize to #2 or #4 shot at home. The blast from a shotgun is also considerable and would likely leave your ears ringing if you shoot inside a dwelling, but if you are willing to risk that, better do it with a shotgun and get the added force projection. ;-)
The Ruger GP-100 would make a good home defense weapon, but load it with .38 +P ammunition for home defense.
Another alternative with superior force projection and less chance of overpenetration would be a good shotgun loaded with #2 shot for apartments, or 00 buck for a house. I'm told that 00 can penetrate interior or apartment walls, and was advised to downsize to #2 or #4 shot at home. The blast from a shotgun is also considerable and would likely leave your ears ringing if you shoot inside a dwelling, but if you are willing to risk that, better do it with a shotgun and get the added force projection. ;-)
Pappy John
New member
Hey, v.g., why don't you walk into your bathroom, crank off a .357, then come back and tell me how that "auditory exclusion" worked out for ya.
Talk loud so you can hear yourself.
Talk loud so you can hear yourself.
.357s are the loudest handguns and they'll definitely mess up the ears. I had a guy shooting one in the both next to us at the range and, even with all of our ear protection, it was downright uncomfortable.
I think he thought it amusing, since he ignored all of the empty stations and set himself up next to us, the only other people there. He barely kept his shots on paper. My then girlfriend said a few choice words and chased him away. She was cool that way.
So, if no one hears a tree falling, it makes no noise? How one percieves a noise has nothing to do with whether or not that noise is loud enough to do physical harm to one's hearing.
I think he thought it amusing, since he ignored all of the empty stations and set himself up next to us, the only other people there. He barely kept his shots on paper. My then girlfriend said a few choice words and chased him away. She was cool that way.
So, if no one hears a tree falling, it makes no noise? How one percieves a noise has nothing to do with whether or not that noise is loud enough to do physical harm to one's hearing.
Last edited:
Some actual data:
http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_gunfirenoise.shtml
The peak sound energy is usually measures about 12 inches from the muzzel, off to the side (of course). A .357 magnum produces a peak sound level capable of causing instant and permanent deafness. However, the peak sound pulse is short lived, and the effect depends a lot on where you are relative to the sound, how rapidly the pressure wave can dissipate (eg. outside versus in a confined space) and so on, so it is pretty much impossible to predict what would happen in any particular situation.
Personally, I use .38spl+p loads in my .357 revolvers for home defense, mostly just because I find them much more controllable, especially for followup shots (I have a 4" Ruger GP100, 4" Police Service Six, and a recently acquired 3" S&W 65-3 that get deployed in the HD role at times).
http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_gunfirenoise.shtml
The peak sound energy is usually measures about 12 inches from the muzzel, off to the side (of course). A .357 magnum produces a peak sound level capable of causing instant and permanent deafness. However, the peak sound pulse is short lived, and the effect depends a lot on where you are relative to the sound, how rapidly the pressure wave can dissipate (eg. outside versus in a confined space) and so on, so it is pretty much impossible to predict what would happen in any particular situation.
Personally, I use .38spl+p loads in my .357 revolvers for home defense, mostly just because I find them much more controllable, especially for followup shots (I have a 4" Ruger GP100, 4" Police Service Six, and a recently acquired 3" S&W 65-3 that get deployed in the HD role at times).
vanilla_gorilla
New member
I suspected a rational conversation involving accounts from those who are experienced in such things would be unlikely.
Once again, I find myself correct.
I have a 3" SP101 in 357 and love it. I wanted a compact revolver that could serve time at home, truck or woods. I do CC it some. I like the SP as it is versatile. I only carry magnums in the woods opting for 38 +P (or moderate 357's - I handload) for home/carry. The 357 out of the 3" tube is LOUD. I made the mistake of shooting it once without protection. I am usually very good about carrying plugs or muffs. The GP is a great gun. But, bigger and heavier and not really a cc weapon if you eventually go that route. I suggest shooting like sized guns at a range. The GP should be easier to shoot well. Either would serve great in the home though I'd prefer a shotgun.
Geek-With-A-Gun
New member
Thanks for all of the comments and advice. I understand that firing a .357 indoors without hearing protection will damage the ears, but my sincere hope is that I will never have to experience that in a HD setting. I do know however that I will sacrifice some hearing rather than sacrifice the life of my wife or myself. That being said, I will go with the .38 special rounds for HD.