357 vs 44 mag

"Reality" would dictate that the use of a properly loaded .44 Magnum precludes the need for frivolous things like double taps.
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In reality, a double tap or even emptying the whole mag/cylinder into a threat is not frivolous unless one knows the threat is gone......period. It does not matter the caliber. Assuming that any hit with a .44 mag is going to immediately and completely incapacitate a legitimate threat is not reality. I'd much rather waste another round in COM of a BG than risk him having even the remotest of chances of harming me or mine. The Dirty Harry's of the world may think differently tho.........
 
huh...???
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Is the definition of a double-tap not two quick successive shots at once? If you miss the first, you've missed the second. If not, then your technique is not very good. If you're taking the time to reacquire your sight picture after a miss, it's not a "double-tap". Is that how we're training now, shoot twice in case we miss??????? :confused:


Assuming that any hit with a .44 mag is going to immediately and completely incapacitate a legitimate threat is not reality.
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I prefer not to ass-u-me anything, one way or another. I would no sooner assume I needed a second shot any more than I would assume I wouldn't. I would rather react to the REALITY of the situation than assume I needed more than I didn't. Particularly in this day and age when people are more worried about active shooters and gangs than muggings. I'll let those who bandy about with 20-shot 9mm's and two spare mags play games involving "double taps".

Lots of posturing coming from those who've never drawn blood with the .44 magnum, or anything else for that matter.


The Dirty Harry's of the world may think differently tho.........
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Is that how you debate, slinging insults at those you disagree with?
 
I prefer not to ass-u-me anything, one way or another.

Lots of posturing coming from those who've never drawn blood with the .44 magnum, or anything else for that matter.
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Hmmm, seems like some assumption going on here, eh? ;)

I have drawn blood with a .44 mag. Done it with .357's too. I found I had more success with the later while shooting quickly on the moving stuff.
 
Doc,

I prefer the GP100, but I really prefer the 3 inch fix sighted GP100. The 4.2 inch ones are just to heavy.

This one in particular.

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Ruger G.P. 100 in .357 Magnum. Less weight to carry than the .44 Magnum frame. Many more options of assorted ammo, less muzzle blast and recoil, as well.

As great as the .44 magnum round is, it was never developed to be a personal self-defense round, it was developed to be used as a hunting round for medium to large game. If I reloaded and could work up some stout .44 special loads, I would be willing to reconsider my decision.
 
Good grief!

Why not just go to the .454 or .480 or the .500?

Such manly men.
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Uncle Ed, Bless you. Finally a voice of reason and sanity.

Sounds like we have a testosterone battle going on.
 
I heard once that if you wait long enough things come full circle. We seem to be about half way around this one...

I grew up listening to generations of experts, real experts, not Internet armchair experts, all saying the same thing, the .44 Mag was TOO powerful to be the best self defense gun.

They ALL felt the recoil of the .44Mag meant follow up shots would be slower, and that was a bad thing.

One thing I note as being conspicuous by its absence from this thread is the horde of one shot stop fanatics that used to be everywhere, proudly claiming the .357 Mag 125gr JHP as the absolute king of one shot stops, and therefore the BEST defense round POSSIBLE!!!

After all, their data was taken from actual shootings!!! or so they always told us...:rolleyes:

Where are all those guys now???

If you are convinced you will only need one shot, then use a single shot pistol!

If you won't use a single shot pistol, then shut up about one shot being all you need, .44MAG or whatever!

If you recognize that more than a single shot might be necessary, then you must also recognize that the speed & accuracy with which you can deliver that second, or third etc., shot might be critical as well.

And NO .44 Mag will let you shoot as fast, accurately as a .357 in a suitable weight class. I'm talking about full house loads here. If you download the .44Mag or use .44Special, its a whole different beast, and much better suited for self defense than full house .44Mag loads.

The .357 has proven to be enough gun for the past 80 years. The fact that a ,44Mag always works better in a video game doesn't change a thing in the real world.
 
If you won't use a single shot pistol, then shut up about one shot being all you need, .44MAG or whatever!
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Never proclaimed that. Only questioned the notion that a double tap is necessary. Regardless of our choice of caliber, we should all strive to make the first shot count.


And NO .44 Mag will let you shoot as fast, accurately as a .357 in a suitable weight class.
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Nobody said it would but there's not a huge difference between the .357 in a lightweight model 19 and a 4" N frame.


The fact that a ,44Mag always works better in a video game doesn't change a thing in the real world.
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Who said anything about video games? I'm 50yrs old, my opinion comes from decades of killing stuff with these cartridges, not video games. :confused::rolleyes:
 
Reality aside, COPS use .357, only Dirty Harry used the .44 Magnum, and that is how potential jurors will be told to see you, as a Dirty Harry wannabe, who was looking to shoot someone...

or maybe not, you choose what you think most likely.

Reality included, have you SHOT either of those guns?? handled them? Know ANYTHING about them beyond what you have read?

If you haven't I strongly suggest you get some hands on personal experience, BEFORE you choose either for a gun to defend your life.

The most powerful magnum isn't worth spit unless YOU can use it well.
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The first post to make any sense!

The first thing he should be looking at is not the power of the gun or it's ability to do massive damage but rather if he can shoot either of them well?

Who cares if the 44Mag can inflict serious damage if you missed with the first shot and struggle to get back on target for the second one. It may be a great woods caliber choice but even then you had better be able to get back on target quickly. Bear are fast!:D

By the way I love shooting my 44Mag but would never use it as a carry gun.
 
I prefer the 125 357 full power load but have shot game animals with assorted 44 magnums and the light bullet full power 44's at over 1500 fps land like a bomb. I would think a solid hit from a 180 44 mag would pretty darn effective. More so than 2 hits from 9mm hp.
 
I have a 4" security six s s .Made in 1976 .
Now I have 2 sp101's 2 1/8 ,& 4.2 .
With a sp101 22. lr 4.2 as a trainer .
Looking to find a 3" to fill the void.
44 Mag too much for this old man ;)
 
Dirty Harry carried a 44 magnum, but shot 44 special out of it.

Tough call. I would lean towards a gp100. But that opinion may change daily.
 
357 is underrated. The full sized ones have plenty of steel in the cylinder and barrel for recoil control and the hottest nastiest loads you can find.
 
I will assume the Redhawk you are interested in is the 4.2" 5026 model. I carry a S&W 329 PD .44 magnum, 4" barrel, light weight N-Frame revolver at times. I shoot Buffalo Bore Heavy .44 Specials with it, which I like better that full house .357 magnums, as they begin at .429", and do not need to expand to that diameter.
 
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