.357 v .44

[Patrick]

Just watched a comparison of the 2, kinda confirmed what I thought.

.357 went thru 18 sheets of drywall. .44 mag went thru 20.

I've been a big fan of the .357 for a very long time, not so much of the .44. I'm going to stay a fan of the little guy.

[Chrisj CMA]

My CCW .357 magnum is  4” 686. It’s a bit big to carry but it’s weight means low recoil  and fast follow up shots. Now, for the .44 magnum. They make small guns in .44Magnum but they are punishing to shoot. The full size ones that keep recoil down to tolerable are significantly bigger than a 686.

Size and pound for pound and performance it’s tough to beat the .357 for personal protection. For hunting I’d take the .44 mag over the .357mag. Except I have the 50 so I don’t need a .44

[Patrick]

I bought a Super RedHawk thinking I might hunt with it, get to hunt with a gun again. But I stuck with the bow instead.
I didn't even like that big Ruger [long barrel]. Too heavy, too loud, didn't like the recoil.I'm a wuss. I think I pulled that trigger 3 times and sold it.
I guess I'm just a .357 guy. Practice with .38 and use .357 when needed. I think its enough.

But, I know you like the big bores.

[Psychotic Bovine]

Always been a fan of the .357.  I even have a 1911 style pistol chambered in it.  Coonan .357 magnum.  Not .357 sig. 

[Patrick]

Always been a fan of the .357.  I even have a 1911 style pistol chambered in it.  Coonan .357 magnum.  Not .357 sig. 

I guess I'm so old fashioned [ ignorant] that I didn't know what the sig was until I just looked it up.

[Chrisj CMA]

Always been a fan of the .357.  I even have a 1911 style pistol chambered in it.  Coonan .357 magnum.  Not .357 sig.  

Me too and I love my marlin lever in .357 magnum. Perfect for small to medium varmints like pigs and personal protection

[Jess from VA]

357 ammo is cheaper and guns are lighter than 44s.

38 Special is much cheaper than 44 Special.

357 will solve all your human problems.

44 is better for bear problems.

I long for the days when I traded .38 Spl brass for good quality .38 Spl reload wadcutter target fodder for $2.50 (per bag of 50).  

And also for the days when my eyesight let me put 12 of 12 in a ten ring with iron sights at 50 feet.  

I remain highly competent in minute of bad guy though.

Autos may be king today, but how could you not love a 2.5" Model 19 (K frame)?


Or a 2.5" Performance Center 686 Plus (7-shooter L frame)?


This is the most popular self defense pistol in the US, and it works, but man is it ugly. Glock 19.
 

[Robert]

Chiefs Special 357 in stainless makes a great knock around or even the airweight Model 360, 357/38. Gives a good kick but small, light weight and carries easily. Cant use to many 357 through the Airweight since it will shoot loose eventually. But 38 wade cutters all day with it is no problem. The Chief SS is no problem with 357, and the low velocity makes it easy to shoot. Either one on an ankle or pocket makes it really a great backup. With the low power 357 makes it ideal for a purse also.

The 44 sounds like nothing else, its more of a boom that sends reverbs all over with the full power loads.




The 357 high power can do almost anything the 44 can with a longer barrel on the 357. The 44 just because of its weigh has a bit more kinetic energy when it hits. The 44 I find was easier to shoot since the gun itself was heavier and recoil with the longer barrel was less.

Most autos are great but for an easy lightweight carry that is powerful enough to get it done its hard to beat the airweight.

[suthrncop]

There are so many good calibers out there now I like both of these but I have to say right now my fav is 10mm

[Psychotic Bovine]

My car gun is a Ruger LCR in .357 mag.  Recoil is stout, to put it mildly.  Especially with 158 gr loads.
But, I do like the bigger calibers. I have a Desert Eagle Mark VII, S and W model 29, and a Ruger Vaquero all in the mighty .44 mag.  I even have a revolver chambered in .45-70 gov't whenever I feel like relocating the bones in my hands.

[suthrncop]

I also have the 45-70,  BFR

[Patrick]

I guess somewhat related, i finally did it. I sold my guns.

The only long gun I kept was the 1100 for targets.
I kept a couple .22's, Two  .357 Ruger 6-shooters and the 3 forms of 1911's.

[Robert]

There are so many good calibers out there now I like both of these but I have to say right now my fav is 10mm

Have always liked the 10 the problem is the frames for them are a bit big and heavy. The other problem is the power on a hot load is off the chart. But great to shoot, easily controllable, accurate.   

[Crackerborn]

Had a .44 that was fun at the range. Way too big for CCW and used once while fishing in bear country as a noise maker. A .357 could have done the same job although the larger round would have been preferred if the bear had been more curious. If I were making that same trip today I would want the .454 Casull. During the recent civil unrest to my east the Henry chambered in .357 joined the two wheel guns also in .357 as night stand guns. Also out of the safe at that time was the old faithful 12 pump loaded with #4 upland bird shot (high brass, 3 inch).

[Chrisj CMA]

Had a .44 that was fun at the range. Way too big for CCW and used once while fishing in bear country as a noise maker. A .357 could have done the same job although the larger round would have been preferred if the bear had been more curious. If I were making that same trip today I would want the .454 Casull. During the recent civil unrest to my east the Henry chambered in .357 joined the two wheel guns also in .357 as night stand guns. Also out of the safe at that time was the old faithful 12 pump loaded with #4 upland bird shot (high brass, 3 inch).

You and me are of the same mind. .357 lever gun, .357 revolver. 12 ga with 3” buck and for me the S&W 500 would be close by as well. I pity the fools.

[cookiedough]

what is everyone's opinion on comparing a 9mm to a .40 or .45 in terms of recoil and knock down power.  Pretty sure ammo is cheaper in a 9mm as well?

[Jess from VA]

The development of superior 9mm defensive JHP (expanding) ammo over the last decade or so has made the 9mm the caliber of choice of most law enforcement in America.  

Many state and federal agencies that carried .45acp or .40 S&W have transitioned back to 9mm.

Less recoil than the others, and more in the mags (and easier to qualify for the department by non gun guys and gals as well, which most have to do several times a year).

As a Federal security contractor, my wife went from the Sig P220 (.45), to the Glock 22 (.40), and 2 years ago to the Glock 17 (9mm).  The bit smaller Glock 19 is the most used defensive pistol in the USA (police and civilian), with standard 15rd mags.  

And, 9mm is cheaper than the others, whether target fodder ball ammo, or defensive JHP (jacketed hollow points).

[Chrisj CMA]

what is everyone's opinion on comparing a 9mm to a .40 or .45 in terms of recoil and knock down power.  Pretty sure ammo is cheaper in a 9mm as well?

9mm has way less knock down power than A .357,.44 or 45. Some of the newer ammo is high performance and rather effective but shot placement is everything

[Jess from VA]

If you can't hit anything, it doesn't matter what caliber you have.

If I could only have 7-8 round mags, I would take a .45 acp, but if my 9mm took 15-21 rounds, I'd take the 9mm, with top JHP ammo and be well served.  

I was never a fan of the 10mm light.... .40 S&W, even though it throws more weight than the 9mm.

I remain a big .45acp 1911 fan (and have revolvers that shoot it too with moon clips for speed loaders).  But if the SHTF, I'll take my full size 9mm Sig 320 (the newest military sidearm) with 21 rd mags full of top JHP.  And BTW, the feel of the 320 is remarkably similar to the 1911, but lighter.  They look very different, but they feel very similar in the grip angle and hand. (and the TFO Tritium & fiber optic front sights are great).  My only complaint is that the factory knurling in the polymer grip should be a bit more aggressive (and grippy).



And of course, if you want compact or ultra compact carry pistols, 9mm is king.

[Robert]

There is a small difference in stopping power of the 9mm, 45 and the 40, but the 357 can be much more powerful.

[Jess from VA]

Stopping power is great, but the more important question is what firearm (and it's caliber) can you consistently shoot accurately.

I started out on 6" bbl revolvers, and to this day I'm a better shot with them than any autos (except maybe a .22 target auto, which is not a great defense firearm).  But I'm good enough with autos to use and carry them.  And bad guys will rarely sit still like a standard target at the range.

I recommend you defend your home with the firearm you are most accurate with (generally full size, heavier, and longer barrels).  When you start talking carry, you start talking compromise (and smaller). 

[Chrisj CMA]

Stopping power is great, but the more important question is what firearm (and it's caliber) can you consistently shoot accurately.

I started out on 6" bbl revolvers, and to this day I'm a better shot with them than any autos (except maybe a .22 target auto, which is not a great defense firearm).  But I'm good enough with autos to use and carry them.  And bad guys will rarely sit still like a standard target at the range.

I recommend you defend your home with the firearm you are most accurate with (generally full size, heavier, and longer barrels).  When you start talking carry, you start talking compromise (and smaller).  

I don’t like to compromise. Still the full size 4” 686 everyday

[Jess from VA]

I understand entirely.

But I tell you, that rig causes a good deal of discomfort when you run an extra 20lb belly like mine.   

Or maybe 25lb.   

[Chrisj CMA]

I understand entirely.

But I tell you, that rig causes a good deal of discomfort when you run an extra 20lb belly like mine.   

Or maybe 25lb.   

Lol Jess. It’s not that comfortable without the extra weight.  Comfort is overrated

[Jess from VA]

I've always found it humorous that the bigger the guy (belly, not tall), the harder it is to pack IWB carry.

Comfort is one thing, pain is another.

My daily is a Kahr P380 with laser (IMHO, the best 380 there is, with match barrel).

It goes in my front pocket, and my only problem is not looking like I'm walking around with a boner.



Now if I travel anywhere out of the norm, it gets upgraded.  And there might be all steel wheel gun in the truck.

[Robert]

Looks like Biden weighs in on the 357, 44, 9mm issue and says.

Biden Bizarrely Claims 9mm Ammo Blows Body Parts Apart

So there you have it the 9mm is the most powerful  

https://youtu.be/JVfx4jjx1Dg

[Chrisj CMA]

Looks like Biden weighs in on the 357, 44, 9mm issue and says.

Biden Bizarrely Claims 9mm Ammo Blows Body Parts Apart

So there you have it the 9mm is the most powerful  

https://youtu.be/JVfx4jjx1Dg

Just get a shotgun

[h13man]

My BF is quite gun enthusiast as he always "horse trading" for the next new model/variant of all guns thus I get to play with a variety of weapons over the past 48 yrs. That being said a .357 Python is the sweetest  revolver I ever shot thus its my "lottery dream" gun.  I had a 6" 586 until Glock was able to catch up and sell to the general public. Had the Glock for about 5 yrs. and traded for a Colt series 80 .45 which is about the best of all my weapons to date though my S&W MP .45 shoots as well but still doesn't have that classic Colt .45 feel but definitely a little more concealable.

[Jess from VA]

I once carried this Urberti replica First Model Colt's Dragoon .44 (black powder cap and ball) (4 lbs+).  



To a Halloween party in the District of Columbia as part of my riverboat gambler costume.  The longtail waistcoat didn't cover it very well in the big tie down holster.  Even though it was unloaded, it was probably illegal.  I thought about just sticking on 6 percussion caps to make noise, but didn't want to push my luck.

I worked hard driving in and out not to get pulled over.     Great outfit to go to jail in though (Hey give me back my hat!).

[Wizzard]

I have a 357 Ruger blackhawk and its a great revolver but my favorite to shoot is my desert eagle 44 automag.

[..]

Looks like Biden weighs in on the 357, 44, 9mm issue and says.

Biden Bizarrely Claims 9mm Ammo Blows Body Parts Apart

So there you have it the 9mm is the most powerful  

https://youtu.be/JVfx4jjx1Dg

Just get a shotgun

https://dailycaller.com/2021/04/08/joe-biden-jen-psaki-the-white-house/

[Chrisj CMA]

Looks like Biden weighs in on the 357, 44, 9mm issue and says.

Biden Bizarrely Claims 9mm Ammo Blows Body Parts Apart

So there you have it the 9mm is the most powerful  

https://youtu.be/JVfx4jjx1Dg

Just get a shotgun

https://dailycaller.com/2021/04/08/joe-biden-jen-psaki-the-white-house/

I don’t think old Joe would like my new shotgun

[Serk]

Looks like Biden weighs in on the 357, 44, 9mm issue and says.

Biden Bizarrely Claims 9mm Ammo Blows Body Parts Apart

So there you have it the 9mm is the most powerful  

https://youtu.be/JVfx4jjx1Dg

Just get a shotgun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-mztxHgYQo