.44 for HD
- Thread starter CZ 75
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WillBrayjr
Moderator
i think recoil is the major issue. other than that i don't think there is any reason why .44mag couldn't be used for home defense. the only .44mags i would use for home defense would be the desert eagle and the taurus raging bull.
Pappy John
New member
When I think of home defence, I picture firing in a dim to dark hallway in the middle of the night. The .44 Mag in this situation suffers from.......
High recoil
Over-penetration
Deafening blast
Blinding flash
Anybody got any more?
I'd use it in a tight spot, but I'd prefer a .44 Special or a .45 ACP indoors.
High recoil
Over-penetration
Deafening blast
Blinding flash
Anybody got any more?
I'd use it in a tight spot, but I'd prefer a .44 Special or a .45 ACP indoors.
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Sir William
New member
I actually think a Marlin, Winchester or Puma/Rossi lever action 44 Magnum carbine would be about perfect. Glaser or Mag*Safe ammunition. A butt shell carrier with some 44 Magnum JHPs would be a good idea. A large 44 Magnum revolver could be a decent HD weapon. Same loads. When a lever action carbine is available, why use a revolver? To fight your way to the long gun!
bullfrog99
New member
There is nothing wrong with the .44 magnum for defense in my opinion. It is all a matter of bullet selection. Would you use 200 grain FMJ loads for defense when you use a .357 magnum? Then why use a 240-300grain bullet designed for big game hunting. If you choose to use a .44 magnum for defense, stick with medium power loads (or warmish .44spl) loads with bullets around 200 grains in weight. I think a 200 grain Gold dot intened for the .44spl at about 1000 fps would make a great defensive load.
Federal loads a 240 gr Hydra Shok @ (published) 1180 fps for the .44mag.
I personally can't tell the difference between a .357mag from a 4" K frame or a .44mag from a 4" N frame as far as muzzle flash and muzzle blast. Penetration or overpenetration is more a factor of bullet selection and bullet weight than caliber.
The .44magnum does have more recoil though, but it isn't intolerable for me. YMMV, and I honestly believe that's the limiting factor. The big .44 may be just a bit over what most people can handle (.357mag).
I personally can't tell the difference between a .357mag from a 4" K frame or a .44mag from a 4" N frame as far as muzzle flash and muzzle blast. Penetration or overpenetration is more a factor of bullet selection and bullet weight than caliber.
The .44magnum does have more recoil though, but it isn't intolerable for me. YMMV, and I honestly believe that's the limiting factor. The big .44 may be just a bit over what most people can handle (.357mag).
Just be sure you have put on your hearing protrection before you let the lead fly...I have read (somewhere!) that even one shot indoors can cause a level of permanent deafness. Having said that, I love the .44 mag....my Redhawk is definitly one of my keepers...I keep mine as the truck gun...
GunsnRovers
New member
.44spl is a great load for HD.
iplaypearldrums
New member
44 mag
I bought a 44mag to add to the collection.The seller dropped the price by $50 and I made $70 selling the Taurus 357. I wish I kept the 357 now
because it was easy to hide w/ a pancake holster. Anyway I'll take the advice of using 44special instead of mag loads,saves the hearing. Cymbals are enough.
I bought a 44mag to add to the collection.The seller dropped the price by $50 and I made $70 selling the Taurus 357. I wish I kept the 357 now
because it was easy to hide w/ a pancake holster. Anyway I'll take the advice of using 44special instead of mag loads,saves the hearing. Cymbals are enough.
I have a Ruger .44 mag that used to be my 1st line HD piece that has been replaced with a 1911. At the time, it was a double duty piece: hunting arm and HD.
Why? Economics, safety and common sense.
1) When you touch off that .44, . . . every window in that room will shatter from the concussion as well as dresser mirrors, etc. leaving you in a room with broken glass all over and in all liklihood, . . . barefooted.
2) You will suffer some permanent hearing damage, . . . directly proportional to the number of rounds you uncork.
3) You will risk everything and anything behind the bg as penetrated, broken, shattered, bloodied, whatever: even if you hit the bg.
Any cartridge from a .38 special up to a .45 ACP, including 9mm, 10mm, and even .40 are better choices for HD than a .44 mag.
The best argument, though, is the aftermath: the bg's attorney, or the local prosecutor looking to make a name, or the bg's widow's attorney will paint you as a neanderthall war monger who just sat night after night on the end of the bed awaiting someone to break in so you could do him in, . . . Dirty Harry style with a S&W 29. It really isn't worth the risk.
Downsize that hand cannon to something more akin to what the LEO's in your area carry and pray you never have to use it.
May God bless,
Dwight
Why? Economics, safety and common sense.
1) When you touch off that .44, . . . every window in that room will shatter from the concussion as well as dresser mirrors, etc. leaving you in a room with broken glass all over and in all liklihood, . . . barefooted.
2) You will suffer some permanent hearing damage, . . . directly proportional to the number of rounds you uncork.
3) You will risk everything and anything behind the bg as penetrated, broken, shattered, bloodied, whatever: even if you hit the bg.
Any cartridge from a .38 special up to a .45 ACP, including 9mm, 10mm, and even .40 are better choices for HD than a .44 mag.
The best argument, though, is the aftermath: the bg's attorney, or the local prosecutor looking to make a name, or the bg's widow's attorney will paint you as a neanderthall war monger who just sat night after night on the end of the bed awaiting someone to break in so you could do him in, . . . Dirty Harry style with a S&W 29. It really isn't worth the risk.
Downsize that hand cannon to something more akin to what the LEO's in your area carry and pray you never have to use it.
May God bless,
Dwight
The .44 what?
.44 Special? It's not. Get a good hollowpoint and sleep tight.
.44 Magnum?
1.)The deafening roar. I'll put that above any discussion of the flash. If you live alone, keep some electronic hearing protection right next to it (has the advantage of amplifying low noises also).
2.)The flash. If you plan of "flashing" them with a flashlight first (good idea to ID target), you'll lose your night vision anyway. The flash of a .357 (and the noise) won't be much better.
BTW, the most talked about HD weapon: the shotgun, will blow your ears just as bad as a magnum.
For a revolver, stick to the "Special" loads, or go with anautoloader in a conventional cartridge, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP.
bearkiller
New member
agree w/pappy
Hey, what about taming the .44 mag recoil. It takes a seasoned handgunner to place accurate shots with this brute. You dont want that when every shot counts. Hunting is different than HD.
That being said, the .44 special load would do well for HD, but do you really want to be waving around the large framed .44 slinging .44 specials when a smaller frame would be more handy?
If you desire a revolver, get a .357 it has more utility. If you desire an autoloader, get a quality semi-auto in 9mm. Save the .44 mag for hunting.
Hey, what about taming the .44 mag recoil. It takes a seasoned handgunner to place accurate shots with this brute. You dont want that when every shot counts. Hunting is different than HD.
That being said, the .44 special load would do well for HD, but do you really want to be waving around the large framed .44 slinging .44 specials when a smaller frame would be more handy?
If you desire a revolver, get a .357 it has more utility. If you desire an autoloader, get a quality semi-auto in 9mm. Save the .44 mag for hunting.
I think the 44SP using 200gr GDHP GoldDot on top of 8gr Unique,CCI mag primers, lee factory crimp, fits the bill just right for a home defence load 
Aim small hit small. RAMbo.
P.S. Here is a 200gr GDHP GoldDot 44SP after the bullet went through a wet log at twenty yards, perfect mushroom, and a picture of the 200gr GDHP before the bullet was shot as well, what a ashtray.
Aim small hit small. RAMbo.P.S. Here is a 200gr GDHP GoldDot 44SP after the bullet went through a wet log at twenty yards, perfect mushroom, and a picture of the 200gr GDHP before the bullet was shot as well, what a ashtray.
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Mannlicher
New member
its not. If anyone tells you otherwise, they are wrong. *wink*
Johnny Guest
Moderator in Memoriam
I like the .44 Special, too - -
If I wanted to use a .44 for home defense, I believe I'd either find some of the old Federal 200 gr lead SWC HP loads, or go with a handload. Most people want to make every .44 load worthy of elk hunting or bear defense. I think I'd use 240- to 250 gr LSWC bullets with a charge of Unique or H. Universal tailored to give around 700 fps. Big hunka lead with sharp edges, loads of sectional density, quite controlable, and not overly penetrative.
As it is, I rely on .38 Spl LSWCHP+P from a four-inch, or a .45 with 230 GDHPs.
Best,
Johnny
If I wanted to use a .44 for home defense, I believe I'd either find some of the old Federal 200 gr lead SWC HP loads, or go with a handload. Most people want to make every .44 load worthy of elk hunting or bear defense. I think I'd use 240- to 250 gr LSWC bullets with a charge of Unique or H. Universal tailored to give around 700 fps. Big hunka lead with sharp edges, loads of sectional density, quite controlable, and not overly penetrative.
As it is, I rely on .38 Spl LSWCHP+P from a four-inch, or a .45 with 230 GDHPs.
Best,
Johnny