The .44 magnum- legal to use in self defense?

S

seth

New member
Hey guys, I'm new to this forum, so, hi there. :)

I am 20 years old. I've owned many airsoft guns, owned a SW .44 magnum replica that fired 6mm pellets at 450 FPS. Had a SW M66 .357 magnum, snub nose, and an M500 revolver...

I truly love real guns and that's why I handle the replicas as I'm not old enough yet to own a real revolver.

The SW .44 magnum was my most comfortable pistol with oversized wood target grips, and I intend on buying a 6 inch version upon completing my safety class and permit issuance.

Here's where the question begins...

I may be moving to a semi-dangerous/seedy area soon, and I'd like to own 1 gun for target shooting/fun, in this case, the M29. However, if in the event I have to defend my home from a burglar, and I have my .44 magnum nearby.... I don't want to hesitate using it (and therefore having the gun used upon me) because of the penetration power of the bullet.

I know the .44 magnum cuts through large animals with ease. I am concerned that if I ever have to use it someday in my defense, that the bullet would cut through the criminal/burglar, through the wall behind him, and hit someone innocent in the next unit or house...

What are your thoughts regarding this scenario?
 
this non-magnum .44 would flatten as it enters the body, right? Therefore, no worrying about hitting bystanders behind the target?
 
This particular round is labeled "personal defense". It is an expanding hollow point, yes. If you hit the average sized BG in the torso, you should not have to worry about over-penetration.
 
yes, its legal to own and shoot. The .44 mag isn't nearly as powerful as you seem to think it is. Please don't over worry about the current boogyman of self defense; the dreaded specter of 'over penetration'. If you hit your target, then its not such a worry.
The .44 mag might not be the ideal defense weapon for you though. I don't see you with a lot of experience in shooting real guns. It might be better for you to start with a 9MM or a .38 Special, and build your skill level first.
 
.44 Magnum for defense

Speer has just introduced a new Gold Dot Short Barrel round for the .44Magnum, intended for defense. It has reduced power and recoil. Probably be a nice choice too (in addition to .44 Special). I don't know if it's available in stores yet though, but the specs are up on the Speer website.
 
Along with the new Gold Dot 200-gr. there's the Winchester Silvertip 210-gr, and the Federal Hydra-Shok 240-gr.

I prefer the Hydra-Shok, it averages about 1053 out of a 4" barrel.
 
Some points to contemplate..

Seth,

A .44 Magnum revolver is a good self-defense weapon! Depending on where you intend to USE this weapon for self-defense, there are some things you may want to consider.
1. Do you live in a jurisdiction (state, City, Co.) which is unfriendly to gun-owners? i,e. Ca., N.Y., or chicago-land, for example..
2. If you DO shoot a bad guy with a .44 magnum round, there IS a chance that bullet will continue through walls-and into an innocent person. The .44 Magnum is such a high velocity round, it has a reputation for not "dumping" it's kinetic energy in rather shallow human targets. If it encounters bone in a human target though, it'll crush the bone and slow down alot!
3. A hostile prosecutor (remember you must be assume that every bullet you fire in self-defense may well have a LAWYER attatched!) or Judge may well take a dim view of you using a .44 MAGNUM round! These guys don't know about guns-they just know that DIRTY HARRY used a .44 MAGNUM! Might put you in an uncomfortable spot. Of course its' good to be ALIVE to defend yourself in court, heh-heh!
4. The .44 Special cartridge can be fired from any .44 Magnum revolver and make two big holes in a bad guy with less velocity, hence less chance of injuring or killing an innocent person in the next room or block. This is the round i would suggest, unless you know of specific imminent threats headed YOR way which would give you reasonable cause to load up with the mighty .44 magnum.
If I sound like the devil's advocate, I'm honestly trying to help. I had a Colt Anaconda in .44 magnum many years ago and it was a real hoot to shoot! Good luck and keep us informed :)

Larry C.
 
Hey, thanks for advice, Larry :)

I currently live in Hawaii (CCW is ILLEGAL here except for the Chief of Police's daughter who had a stalker....bullsmack politics, don't you think? I wouldn't get a CCW if I had a stalker!)

I am a college student and will probably move to NY or Cali after graduating in 2 years (hopefully).

The reason for the .44 magnum as a "first gun" is because I want "one gun that can do it all." I've always wanted the experience of firing a magnum at a range but also would like it to double as a personal defense weapon in a pinch.

Though the "first gun" debate list includes various Smith and Wesson autos as well, such as the M5906 and M3913 (yes, I know the Sig P226s and Glocks have their credible names, but I have a fetish for Smith and Wessons of both revolver and autoloader designs), I have always liked the revolver just for the sheer simplicity and elegance of design.

Edit: Larry, I may go on to be a Lawyer myself, I wonder how the Prosecution would react when trying to prosecute me for using a .44 magnum on the street thug who tried to stab me with a knife? :D
 
Try out some guns

Seth,

Hope you don't mind taking advice from a "Haolie" :) Visit your local range and try out some handguns; they usually have many different kinds for rent. In all likelihood you'll make a pleasant discovery about your own tastes and preferences in handguns.
As for dealing with a mugger on the street, carrying a big .44 Magnum concealed would be do-able, but a challenge and a real bother after 2 or 3 days of all day carry! Consider a S&W 686 (586 with a blued finish) or Ruger GP-100. They're .357 Magnum revolvers. The .357 round is about the most PROVEN man-stopping round of the 20th Century!
It's also about the LOUDEST round, too. It's recoil is stiff and it's use is not to be taken lightly as it's velocity rivals the .44 Magnum. Better, put .38 Special bullets in your .357 Magnum revolver; they're fun to shoot and easy to practice with. The .38 Special is also a fair defense round, too.
A .357 Magnum revolver would be about the most useful and versatile choice available. Ammo would be less expensive than with a .44 as well. Good luck :)

Larry C.
 
I used to carry a 4" Model 29 Smith. I liked to load CCI Blazer .44mag JHP's as carry ammo because it is a good, reliable round with a Speer bullet, and is cheap enough to practice with the same ammo you carry.

The secret to the .44 Mag, or any large caliber revolver, is practice. Get familiar with the gun, eliminate hesitation, know what to do without having to think it through.

If you feel comfortable shooting this gun, learn it well- it will not let you down.

Mark
 
I'm not a lawyer but...

If a guy tries to attack you with a knife and you're in fear for your life or in danger of great bodily harm, AND that belief was reasonable - you can probably shoot the guy.

If a comes into your house and you are there and you're in fear for your or your family's life AND that belief was reasonable - you can shoot the guy. (just don't shoot the guy as he's running off with your stuff, the bullet in the back makes it easier on the prosecution should they decide to prosecute you).

If you are thinking about becoming a lawyer - here is something you'll eventually appreciate -

Remember - NO SPRING TRAP GUNS - don't set up a gun to shoot a guy when you're not in the house.

And just in my opinion (legal disclaimer here - don't cite me as an authority) observance - if a guy comes and breaks into your house, shoot to kill, not to maim, because he might live to sue you for maiming him.

And BTW - I live in CA, and although CA makes you jump through some hoops to get your gun, and you can't buy anything the un-gun saavy Bill Lockyear says you can't, and you can't buy a 50 caliber, and you'll soon have to get laser stamped ammo that doesn't exist, its a great place to live - we have nice weather here, not to mention a whole lot of good lookin babes, and good surf. :p
 
I'm a college student, but I work part time, and definitely could afford a few boxes a week of .44 magnum and special rounds to feed the gun.

Larry, of course I don't mind advice from a haole, in fact I appreciate it! I'm 1/4 haole myself. Best thing about Hawaii is that everyone is everything, pretty much. :D

I am leaning towards the .357 magnum as well, because you can also use the .38 rounds in it, too. I don't have any experience with the 686 but I've owned an airsoft replica M66 2.5 inch snub nose combat magnum with the Uncle Mike's round butt grips, and while it wasn't the best target piece, it felt very comfortable in the hands and VERY pointable. Would the "real" M66 be a crowd favorite here as far as .357s go? :)

One more thing about the .44. In some states, is it mandatory to fire a warning shot into the air before using your firearm? (if outdoors, naturally) If so, hopefully to avoid a loss in human life that could have been avoided, would the deafening report and muzzle flash of the .44 fired into the air be intimidating enough to scare off some attackers? (In other words, would the intimidation factor of the .44 be a self-defense measure against thugs in itself?)
 
"In some states, is it mandatory to fire a warning shot into the air before using your firearm? "

*boggle*
Gah, no....
 
Seth - there are normally available somewhere (I don't know much about Hawaii) firearms classes. Among the offerings at a real school (rather than some guy who does it on the side) is usually a course along the lines of legal issues with use of deadly force - might not be a bad idea.
 
One more thing about the .44. In some states, is it mandatory to fire a warning shot into the air before using your firearm?
Click to expand...
No. In fact in some states, if you brandish a weapon, and fire a warning shot, you might go down for assault with a deadly weapon. The thinking is that if had the time to shoot a warning shot into the air, then your life wasn't truly in danger, and you had no reason to pull and fire the gun in the first place.
Do not fire a warning shot. If the bad guy decides to continue with his assault even when he sees your gun, then he has decided he wants to be shot.
 
Don't forget - that waisted bullet of a warning shot has to go somewhere - it WILL come down - and what it does when it lands is YOUR responsibility. DON'T fire warning shots!
 
All of the states you mention are pretty gun unfriendly though you probably can get carry licensed in some parts of California and New York State.
There could be a lot of better options for relocation.

Any round you might choose has potential for overpenetration but most of the collateral damage comes from rounds that miss the intended target altogether. Your preference for the model 29 just shows that you have excellent tastes in handguns.

If you are thinking that the east and west coast are more friendly toward people who are not 100 percent anglo-haoli, this is usually not the case. These days,even us rednecks in Texas are a racial/ethnic smorgasboard.
 
Come live in Washington State, brah. Great firearms laws and a lot of
local folks end up here. (I married one of 'em.) There's an
asian/hawaiian/indian grocery chain called Uwajimaya in Seattle and
Bellevue where you'd feel right at home.

To get back on topic, .44 Mags are really nice. I'd like to get a 629
Mountain Gun for hiking, so if I get attacked by a bear I can get it
good and angry by the time it reaches me.

Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta get back to my musubi. Laydahs!
 
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