.44 mag self defense

With all politics, court cases, TV shows and movies aside....if you can handle
a .44 mag and can handle the follow up shots, recoil etc....then by all means
use one. I have a few of them...not used for SD...unless I am in the boonies
with one and something transpires....I feel safer with a .44 Special Blackhawk
on my nightstand...along with my Glock 19. Just know what you are capable of
with handling the mag....especially life threatening situations. Shoot well!
 
I carried a 4" Model 29 for several years as a deputy sheriff. My 'road load' was the 210 grain Silvertip and I have fired it against the 45 ACP 230 grain Hydrashok in identical water-filled jugs, backed by an old catalog.* The difference in penetration was inconsequential.

When I got saddled with bailiff duty, I switched out to the CCI Blazer 44 Special using the 200 grain Gold Dot JHP.

*Found it, complete w/pics.
 
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44 Special out of a Model 24 or 29 works just fine.

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In the winter I could pack my S&W 629-1 if I wanted to.

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In fact, while deer hunting this week (I use that 629-1 as my 'deer rifle' now) I had to go to Wal-Mart for some SD cards. Had the 629-1 under my coat in it's holster. Concealed fine (but then 35 degree weather allows quite a good sized coat!)

Not a person noticed.

So yes you can wear a good N frame, at least in the winter.

Deaf
 
There is an additional point that seems to be missing in this thread, that implies further limitations on the .44 mag for sd. That is, as many have noted, the .44 mag was developed as a hunting round. To make it work in a revolver, the capacity is limited to six or less rounds. It's a reasonable tradeoff for hunting. But it's a bad tradeoff for SD.
For SD I'd like to have as many rounds at hand if at all possible. And I'd like to minimize the chance of over-penetrating when confronting an assailant. And I'd like to maintain my middle-aged level of hearing after such a confrontation.
So why would I consider a .44 mag for SD? Simply put, I wouldn't.
B
 
the capacity is limited to six or less rounds. It's a reasonable tradeoff for hunting. But it's a bad tradeoff for SD.
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5 or 6 shots worked fine for over 100 years.
It wasn't until the "wonder 9" supplanted the .38spl revolver that people found out they needed more rounds to miss with ;).
 
It wasn't until the "wonder 9" supplanted the .38spl revolver that people found out they needed more rounds to miss with .
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They way I was trained with revolvers was " You only have 6, make them count". That and good speedloaders. I can reload my revolvers as fast or faster than most shooters with semi auto's so for the highly trained and proficient I do not see as much of a disadvantage as some may say.
 
Too much of a good thing...

I don't think the main point of most TFLers here the .44magnum's lack of power or inability to stop a threat in a lethal force incident.
I think as most forum members have stated, the muzzle blast, noise level, recoil, marksmanship(follow up shots), size(for many but not all gun owners), weight, and lack of ammunition sources make the .44magnum less than ideal.

Now, I could see merit in carrying a .44spl for defense. Using a big, heavy N frame or Ruger AK snub may be like the .44magnum but the .44spl with a Glaser Silver or MagSafe frangible could do very well.

Clyde
 
I think as most forum members have stated, the muzzle blast, noise level, recoil, marksmanship(follow up shots), size(for many but not all gun owners), weight, and lack of ammunition sources make the .44magnum less than ideal.
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You will get no argument from me on that. As I previously stated and stand by it takes a lot of dedication to master one and to carry one on a regular basis. In the immortal words of Dirty Harry " A man has got to know his limitations.":D

The Magsafes and Glasers do not penetrate enough to be consistent stoppers.:)
 
"How do you guys feel about .44 mag for self defense out of a 4 inch barrel. Particularly the Taurus 444. " [militant]

The 4" 44 Mag revolver is thought by some to be the best all round revolver out there. I have the S&W version, the M29, (in 2.75" and 4") and gotta admit, right or wrong, when its strapped on I fear no evil. Have a Taurus 405 (40 cal - moonclip) revolver so I know Taurus can make a quality product. The Taurus 444 that I saw was a lightweight model, which means its probably best suited to 44 spl. I would prefer a heavier all steel.

Re: Too much gun - My concern is survival, the only criterion is my ability to hit the assailant accurately (and stop the attack). Should I go to trial, I am still alive to defend myself.

Re: Follow-Up shots: If there are multiple attackers follow up shots may be needed.

Re: Over-penetration: In my tests Tokarev and 9mm para both penetrate deeper.

If you can shoot the 44 Magnum revolver accurately, and the M29s are tack-drivers, it is an excellent defensive handgun. If not, get a caliber that works better, a wise man once said:

"A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44 "
 
Frangibles for defense....

I still feel the Glaser Safety Slug(Silver) & Magsafe Defender are ideal for carry/protection.
Over-pentration is a controversial & often misunderstood subject.

With larger calibers or magnum handgun rounds, frangibles might be a good idea.

FWIW; my state does not allow frangible handgun rounds for armed security officers or licensed PIs(private investigators). The state officials say it's because QC can vary & they may be "too much" :rolleyes: .

ClydeFrog
www.MagsafeOnline.com www.ShopCorbon.com www.drtammo.com
 
Recoil and blast are range issues.
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To expand on my earlier point, where might you need to defend yourself with deadly force? Could it be dark? Could it be an enclosed space? Could your possessions, home, or loved ones be in close proximity?

The best test would be to run a serious night drill. The conditions should involve you waking up in a dark environment under hectic conditions with multiple targets. Have a friend set the targets up while you sleep so you don't know where they are. Set some up with pulleys or swings for motion. Try to stay for multiple nights in your test location, maybe during a long weekend, and make sure the drill is a surprise. I don't imagine most of us having access to an abandoned house where we can spend a few nights sleeping and then shoot up the place in the dead of night but that would be ideal.

If you manage to undergo this test, even knowing that it will happen within the testing window, how well do you think you'll do? You can easily train against recoil but how about that flash and bag? If you really wanted an accurate test, you'd do it without hearing protection since it's rarely used in self-defense scenarios. Of course, I can't recommend that due to the very high risk of permanent hearing damage, especially in enclosed spaces. You don't need an elaborate training exorcise to tell you that...
 
Utter nonsense.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7W-5QE3jzw

I am not saying that i am anywhere near Jerry's skill level, however, this illustrates my point.

To expand on my earlier point, where might you need to defend yourself with deadly force? Could it be dark? Could it be an enclosed space? Could your possessions, home, or loved ones be in close proximity?

The best test would be to run a serious night drill. The conditions should involve you waking up in a dark environment under hectic conditions with multiple targets. Have a friend set the targets up while you sleep so you don't know where they are. Set some up with pulleys or swings for motion. Try to stay for multiple nights in your test location, maybe during a long weekend, and make sure the drill is a surprise. I don't imagine most of us having access to an abandoned house where we can spend a few nights sleeping and then shoot up the place in the dead of night but that would be ideal.
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I have participated in night fire for over 30 years as an LEO/Military. I have fired all sorts of guns the dark, I carried magnum revolvers for 15 years on duty and more off duty. I feel that I speak from experience that I am not in the least bit concerned with the effects of muzzle flash in the dark. I do not need a sleep study to confirm a lifetime of training and commitment.

If you manage to undergo this test, even knowing that it will happen within the testing window, how well do you think you'll do? You can easily train against recoil but how about that flash and bag? If you really wanted an accurate test, you'd do it without hearing protection since it's rarely used in self-defense scenarios. Of course, I can't recommend that due to the very high risk of permanent hearing damage, especially in enclosed spaces. You don't need an elaborate training exorcise to tell you that...
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I have fired and been around magnums fired in close confines. I also grew up shooting in an age where hearing protection while shooting was optional. I have fired with HP while hunting. Ever been around a hand grenade? By far the worst damage was guarding Chinook helicopters being loaded with nukes and the turbines running full speed without protection...Thanks Uncle Sam.

In short I will decline your fantasy sleep test, because the FACT remains Blast and recoil are range issues and they will not affect your shooting. The noise probably will affect your permanent hearing, such is life and the price for saving it at times. In an adrenalin fueled self defense situation you will have so much adrenaline coursing through your body you will be capable of amazing feats. There are numerous well documented studies on the effects of life threatening stress that bear these fact out.
 
How do you guys feel about .44 mag for self defense out of a 4 inch barrel. Particularly the Taurus 444.
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Since the OP asked for opinions, here goes.

Your choice is almost ideal for fans of all the Dirty Harry movies who are on a tight budget. As a serious self defense weapon...not so much. Can you defend yourself with that choice...of course. Could you do it better with other, more suitable handguns...yes.

That's not what you were looking for but I hope you will consider it. It's meant to be helpful.

Dave
 
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