44 vs. 357 mag

T

tavruger

Inactive
In buying my first pistol I have narrowed it down to Ruger GP100 6 inch or Ruger Redhawk. Which would be the better choice? Primary use is home defense and the other is blowing things up at the range. I live in the country so the 44 wouldn't be a problem for home def ( no neighbors) I have read a lot threads so far, so I figure if anyone could help, it could be the people in this forum. Thanks for all responses :confused:
 
My two cents, get the .357 now, and maybe later the .44. That's not a knock on the .44, but the .357 is a round that should be in practically all collections. It's too versatile and shootable to ignore. Plus, again in my opinion, if this is your first handgun, you'll find the .357 a better choice for now, and, if it is a consideration for you, it's cheaper to shoot.
DAL
 
Either round will shoot through your interior wall and doors without a problem. The 44 might do better shooting through major appliances, and automobiles. In my opinion, I'd get the 357 in the GP100. You should be able to put rounds into your target faster, since (unless you have monsterously powerful hands and wrists) the 357 is easier to recover from, and the GP is double action.

Also, I'd buy about a dozen speedloaders and preposition them around strategic points of your house, like your nightstand, a kitchen drawer, etc.

Keep in mind that both rounds are going to be deafening inside your house, with no ear protection. It is possible that the concussion on your ears may (partially) incapacitate you.
 
Certainly start with the .357.

Shooting a handgun well is hard; shooting a revolver well (in fast double action) is really hard; and the only way to learn to do it is to (get good advice, and read good books, and) SHOOT A LOT. Many, many, many rounds. Unless you're independently wealthy, the difference in the cost of ammunition between .38 and anything in .44 will add up to more than the price of a second revolver before you've gained the competency to really 'need' a .44.

This even holds true if you reload (which you should; handguns need to be shot a LOT); .357 components are considerably cheaper (esp. bullets).
 
The .357 Magnum is a superb all round handgun. The .44 Magnum is a more specialized revolver , primarily useful for habdgun shooting. Get the .357.
 
I'd recommend starting with a .22 long rifle revolver, which makes it much easier to develop safe, accurate shooting habits. If you're going to start out with a magnum, make it a .357 and shoot a mix of light, medium, and heavy loads.
 
You can always shoot 44 specials in the redhawk or lite 44 mag for home defence and shoot the hot stuff when you want to blow stuff up.Everyone should have a 357 mag, I would get the 1 you like best.
 
Get the .44...

and buy a cheap/used reloading outfit, and don't look back. A box of Blazer .44 Special 200 grain Gold Dots will fill your home defense needs nicely, and the sky's the limit with a the Redhawk .44 magnum and a reloader.

I will say this- if you remotely considering carrying it, there are much better guns than either of your stated choices.
 
Standing Wolf:
I'd recommend starting with a .22 long rifle revolver........
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Great recommendation but .... If you dont think you'll be able to afford a second pistol in the future, go with the .357.
Start off using .38 specials, you wont have to worry about heavy recoil while you're learning to shoot.
 
I'll have to chime in with the .357Mag GP100 recommendation.

Start off with .38Spls, NO RECOIL on a 6" GP100 with 38's.

Unless you plan on huntin' with it, a .44 is not as versatile as a .357.
 
Go with the GP100. Much more versatile, handels hot or heavy loads easily and with light .38 specials it's a great plinker.
 
In buying my first pistol I have narrowed it down to Ruger GP100 6 inch or Ruger Redhawk. Which would be the better choice?
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Neither. Start with a .22 unless you want to learn some BAD shooting habits. Forget the macho - start small.


As for self defense - a hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44
 
Gp-100

Sure, the .22 would probably be a better gun to start off with, but between the Redhawk and the GP-100, the GP-100 is the hands-down favorite. I have two of them in the 4" size and they're fun to shoot.

The .38 ammo allows you to shoot them a little less expensively than the .357 and the .357 gives you enough bang to suit anybody. They're good looking pistols and you can't buy a better made revolver. They'll eat just about anything you feed them.

Go with the GP-100. ;)
 
357 or 44?

Primary use is home defense and the other is blowing things up at the range
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Both choices you made are excellent. But, just responding to the quote, I would opt for the 357! A great HD choice but the real reason is cost pure and simple. Along with the 357 one can also "blow things up" with 38 spcl and 38 spcl +P ammo as well. This kind of ammo can be found for very reasonable prices if you hunt around a bit. Cost and versatility make the GP 100 my choice. Good shooting;)
 
I concur with others, get the .357 first; and later
add the .44 magnum. .38 Special practice ammo
is a heck of a lot cheaper than .44 Special ammo.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Oh well, it's late and totally agree with the majority. The .357 will be easier to handle-as far as grip size and recoil, especially with .38 spl for practice. Also, if your out on a walkabout, much easier to carry on the belt, or in a pack. Although you mentioned primary uses being home defense and range shooting, since it might be the 'one' for a while, might as well get something better suited to use as a field gun, plinker, and HD etc. .44 as some have noted is a bit specialized. Also to learn with, or teach others a mixed .357/.38 is better...often the blast or frame size on a .44 will cause kids/new to firearms or wives/novias etc...to quit or get quite a flinch problem going.
After you get some practice and get used to it/or will be inclined to keep loaded and secure somewhere...might consider buying some magsafes or the like, and load the 1st few chambers with those, and the remaining with usual HP's. A good compromise if there might be a concern about overpenetration.
After you get proficient in handling and etc... Might make up some clearly marked inert loads and practice charging with the speedloader and dumping the 'empties', especially until you can do so without looking. Chances are, will never need to use it for serious, or need to reload it, but still a good thing to be able to do well.
 
First off get the 357, but I like the S&W 686 better. The Ruger will out last both of us with good loads.


Keep in mind that both rounds are going to be deafening inside your house, with no ear protection. It is possible that the concussion on your ears may (partially) incapacitate you.
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Keep in mind that the noise will be loud but will not incapacitate you, just make you deafer. Many of the Soldiers in Irag are not using hearing protection, probably will be much deafer as a result but they are not incapacitated by the noise.

I have shot 357 & 45 inside without hearing protection and while loud did not cause me to fly across the room, spin around from the blast, or lay wiggling on the floor frothing at the mouth. :D If you get a chance to shoot inside or under cover try pulling one of your ear plugs partially out and see what a fulltiltandboogie mag sounds like, that way you are prepared if you ever need to pop one inside or outside in a SD situation.

Again get the 357 and some fulltiltandboogie loads and have fun.
 
I'd suggest starting with the GP-100 and as many rounds of el-cheapo .38 Special plinking ammo as you can afford. It will not recoil enough with mild .38's to cause any bad habits.
 
I don't like either choice for a FIRST handgun.

However, given the two choices I have two answers.

A. If you gonna reload, cost difference negligable. Both cartridges are extremely flexible; from super light to major blasters. I carry .44 often and .357 often. Also plink with them. And target work.

B. If you not gonna reload. Cost a biggie. .38 special plinkin ammo often really cheap.

Be safe, pay attention and have fun.

Sam..."Nah, we gots lots of gas."
 
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