357 vs. 44 mag.

4" Model 19, .357 Mag.

Simply the best combination of power, ergonomics, portability, concealability, and utility ever put into a single package.
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Agreed, but I'll go with its younger sibling, the Model 66.
 
Agreed, but I'll go with its younger sibling, the Model 66.
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Same here. It's a wonderful firearm.

I love the 44 magnum and want one really bad but the 357 magnum is just more practical for me. A nice hot 357 can handle anything I need it to in my area and in a package like the model 66 its easy to carry. So I decided to get a 357 magnum first and save up for a 44.
 
During the last ammo crisis I remember seeing lots of aluminum Blazer 38 special +P that shoots just fine out of a .357 when not much else was available.

When no other revolver ammo is available 38 special will still be around for snubs as viable backup guns.
 
I'd take the 44 and wouldn't think twice....

Cowboy load 44 specials are great for plinking

SD 44 specials are arguably one of the best SD rounds out there

"Bear Load" 44 Magnums are plenty powerful for everything I'd encounter in the Northeast woods.

I cc some form of a 44 everyday without issue and I'm not a big guy.
 
Both! I own:
Ruger GP100 357 Mag 6 inch
Super Redhawk 44Mag 9.5 inch
Super Redhawk 454 Casull 7.5 inch

Each gun serves a distinct purpose and I use them all.

357 Mag = Backup weapon for deer sized game out to 50 yards
44 Mag = Backup for Elk sized game out to 100 yards
454 Casull = Blow big holes in stuff like engine blocks:)

All shoot their little sister cartridges 38 Special, 44 Special and 45 Colt respectively.

The 44 Mag is the most fun to shoot as I can group 10 inches with open sights at 100 yards without much effort and I claim not to be a great shooter with handguns.
 
For CCW the 357 because of its relative size. For all else the 44 magnum because you can load it down to be gentle as a 44 special or up to some real power based on your need.
 
johnwilliamson062 said:
357 doies everything, but almost nothing well.
There are some 357 mags that conceal well, but they are generally small light and terrible to shoot full 357 mags out of.
You can hunt deer with them and squirrels, but there are better choices for both.
357 maximum does better with dee by extending range a little.

Not many people conceal a 44 mag revolver, but if that isn't in the plans it is all around better.
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Eh not true. I conceal carry a k frame snub and feed it nothing but full house 158 grain .357 loads. Its one of my favorite range guns and have no problems hitting hanging targets 50-60 yards out.

Now if you want to talk painful, that's a story for my s&w500 4" with certain loads.

"Question? Let's say that the purchaser is like me and "DOES NOT HAND LOAD"?<br />
I am fairly confident that there are a lot of us who don't do this.<br />
<br />
Does this change your opinion? Also, I know that the 357 mag can take 38's, 38 specials, 38 specialP+'s and numerous 357 loads of different weights.<br />
<br />
I am too old and really don't have the need nor urge to learn hand loading.<br />
Also not a Sunday shooter. I like shooting and make no mistakes about this.<br />
<br />
My question is fairly straight forward.<br />
I don't know anything about the 44 mag. that's why I asked my question about the two. I'm trying to learn.<br />
Doc"

Yea I think doc has a good point. I don't own 44 so I can't answee, but id imagine ammo cost is higher. I typically get full house 158 grain 357 for about 30 cents a round off of freedom munitions. Without even shopping for sales I see 38 spcl at those prices too.
 
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Of the two I'd probably choose the .357 just because I have a .357 but no 44 Magnum. In my collection if I want or need more power I can step up to the .41 Magnum or 454 Casull.

Now generally speaking the 44 Mag is probably the better all around choice, but for 99% of what people use a handgun for the .357 Mag is plenty.
 
.44 magnum (S&W 329PD) is my first choice, though I shoot Buffalo Bore 185 grain Heavy .44 Specials in it. These are at a hot .357 magnum energy, but already the size of a .357 expanded to .429". I find the .44 magnum to be every bit as versitile as the .357 magum with some options not available to the .357, such as 200+ grain bullets.
 
Owning a .44Mag and having shot it I don't think I'd like to downsize to .357, but that is just me. I like and would miss what is my favourite calibre.

With that said, I would say that Ruger45LC makes a very good point:

Now generally speaking the 44 Mag is probably the better all around choice, but for 99% of what people use a handgun for the .357 Mag is plenty.
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If you, the OP, are considering both because they are both common magnums, then I think the quote above is very relevant. Particularly when costs are factored in.

If you are also looking for big smiles, big booms and the whole "shock and awe" effect, despite having little practical value for most people, then the .44 is the better option IMO. There is an associated financial cost, and only you can decide if the "wow-factor" of the .44 is worth the extra cash.
 
I don't own a .357 magnum. For carry, .38 special does what I want from an Airweight or Airlight. For hunting, the .44 magnum fills the bill. That said, the .357 is a fine, versatile cartridge.
 
For plain bopping around in the woods, a good .357 is hard to beat. And here in Texas it will do fine.

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Yes a GP100 3 incher, my 'Canadian', will do for most everything, especially with Buffalo Bore 140gr DPX at 1400 fps (yes from a 3 inch barrel.)

But for serious critters in those woods a .44 is the answer.

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Or maybe a .454 Toklat, but then I haven't photo'ed mine yet!

Deaf
 
Question? Let's say that the purchaser is like me and "DOES NOT HAND LOAD"?
I am fairly confident that there are a lot of us who don't do this.
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In that case, unless you have deep pockets, stick with the .357. Then shoot .38 Special and .357Mag as both cartridges are 'commonly' found in stores. The .44Special ammo is not 'commonly found' in stores, so your stuck with shooting expensive obnoxious .44Mag when you don't want/need too. That would be my choice. I love my .45 Colt, but I think I would be shooting more .38s if I didn't reload.
 
For pure versatility and day-to-day practicality, .357, hands-down.

.44 magnum is expensive, but I wouldn't be without my 3" 629 Combat Limited Edition, nor my Winchester 94. I confess there's a cool factor there.

The last thing I'll give up is my 6'' Model 57, though. Logistics/ expense notwithstanding, I am one of the few who still thinks .41 magnum was a reasonable, practical compromise.
 
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