Defensive Handgun .357mag vs. .44 Special

[Igor]

My current choice for self-defense is a S&W 342PD .38 Special.  I certainly don't have any mis-givings about the short barrel (2 1/4"), and at 10.8 oz it is the perfect choice for concealed carry.  I also have two snubby .357s, but with 125 gr JHPs, I feel that the .38 Special is totally adequate.  If I had to choose between .357 mag and .44 Special, I would go for the .44 Special.

[CP]

You should also consider round count, more is better.

My first choice for home defense is a 12 gauge (low round count, but it has other advantages).    Backup would be a Glock 20. 

[fly-by]

I'm also a 1911 guy and the model I am most endeared with is the Colt Lightweight Commander, in 45acp. But I just don't feel comfortable having my handgun in "cocked & locked" mode by my bed.

Not sure why the 1911 would be less safe than a revolver.  Seems like the best choice of the three.

[salish]

I'm also a 1911 guy and the model I am most endeared with is the Colt Lightweight Commander, in 45acp. But I just don't feel comfortable having my handgun in "cocked & locked" mode by my bed.

Not sure why the 1911 would be less safe than a revolver.  Seems like the best choice of the three.

I know, I know, but for some weird reason it has always made me feel uncomfortable. And I've been shooting handguns all my life, including the 1911. In fact, I qualified for my police department's pistol team with a 1911 in the late 1970's, so my apprehensions really don't make sense.

[b23]

bigger isnt always better.   .38 is a great in-house gun.  .357 would be my next choice.

[Fidelk]

I’m thinking that barrel length is a bigger consideration than caliber.  A snub nose would be my last choice for home defense.  3” would be better but 6” would be even better yet.

Thanks, but why would a 6" tube be better than 3"? Velocity?

No, sight radius, longer is easier to control and actually hit your target.

Thanks. I'm with you on this, but for different conditions. I do have a K38 and a Model 19 with 6" barrels, but I would want a shorter barrel for ease of use and a little easier to wield. At close quarters in a darkened house at night with a flashlight in one hand I think a longer barrel would be a potential deficit.

I have a Model 19 with a 4" barrel....Perfection......Also a Glock 17 and a Sig P220 all loaded and ready. Can't hit an intruder with those, once I'm empty, I'm going back to bed. You might have noticed that all three of those do not have a manual safety to disengage.......making them POSSIBLY a better choice than a 1911.

[Farmer72]

I’m thinking that barrel length is a bigger consideration than caliber.  A snub nose would be my last choice for home defense.  3” would be better but 6” would be even better yet.

Thanks, but why would a 6" tube be better than 3"? Velocity?

No, sight radius, longer is easier to control and actually hit your target.

Thanks. I'm with you on this, but for different conditions. I do have a K38 and a Model 19 with 6" barrels, but I would want a shorter barrel for ease of use and a little easier to wield. At close quarters in a darkened house at night with a flashlight in one hand I think a longer barrel would be a potential deficit.

I have a Model 19 with a 4" barrel....Perfection......Also a Glock 17 and a Sig P220 all loaded and ready. Can't hit an intruder with those, once I'm empty, I'm going back to bed. You might have noticed that all three of those do not have a manual safety to disengage.......making them POSSIBLY a better choice than a 1911.

I am a big proponate of no manual safety for a defense firearm. One less thing to have to think about and remember to take off. With that I have one of my Glocks as a nightstand pistol.

With the 3 you mentioned I thing I would go the S&W 65 route and use 38+p. The extra weight would be nicer for possible follow up shots than the light 38. As for the 44 special I just think there are less options for defensive ammo.

Just my 

[salish]

I’m thinking that barrel length is a bigger consideration than caliber.  A snub nose would be my last choice for home defense.  3” would be better but 6” would be even better yet.

Thanks, but why would a 6" tube be better than 3"? Velocity?

Thank you.

No, sight radius, longer is easier to control and actually hit your target.

Thanks. I'm with you on this, but for different conditions. I do have a K38 and a Model 19 with 6" barrels, but I would want a shorter barrel for ease of use and a little easier to wield. At close quarters in a darkened house at night with a flashlight in one hand I think a longer barrel would be a potential deficit.

I have a Model 19 with a 4" barrel....Perfection......Also a Glock 17 and a Sig P220 all loaded and ready. Can't hit an intruder with those, once I'm empty, I'm going back to bed. You might have noticed that all three of those do not have a manual safety to disengage.......making them POSSIBLY a better choice than a 1911.

[salish]

I’m thinking that barrel length is a bigger consideration than caliber.  A snub nose would be my last choice for home defense.  3” would be better but 6” would be even better yet.

Thanks, but why would a 6" tube be better than 3"? Velocity?

No, sight radius, longer is easier to control and actually hit your target.

Thanks. I'm with you on this, but for different conditions. I do have a K38 and a Model 19 with 6" barrels, but I would want a shorter barrel for ease of use and a little easier to wield. At close quarters in a darkened house at night with a flashlight in one hand I think a longer barrel would be a potential deficit.

I have a Model 19 with a 4" barrel....Perfection......Also a Glock 17 and a Sig P220 all loaded and ready. Can't hit an intruder with those, once I'm empty, I'm going back to bed. You might have noticed that all three of those do not have a manual safety to disengage.......making them POSSIBLY a better choice than a 1911.

I am a big proponate of no manual safety for a defense firearm. One less thing to have to think about and remember to take off. With that I have one of my Glocks as a nightstand pistol.

With the 3 you mentioned I thing I would go the S&W 65 route and use 38+p. The extra weight would be nicer for possible follow up shots than the light 38. As for the 44 special I just think there are less options for defensive ammo.

Just my 

Thanks Farmer72.

[boneaddict]

Do you want to know what gun my Dad slept with "under his pillow"  and is likely one of the best home defense......  Ruger single six 22 mag.   

I can guarantee you if you are lucky enough to still hear it, its loud enough to make you go in reverse.  Likely the little hole between your eyes will all be said and done.   Every shot placed within a dime,  simple, no fuss, lots of ammo


bare in mind, he owned many of the cool calibers as well.

[salish]

Do you want to know what gun my Dad slept with "under his pillow"  and is likely one of the best home defense......  Ruger single six 22 mag.   

I can guarantee you if you are lucky enough to still hear it, its loud enough to make you go in reverse.  Likely the little hole between your eyes will all be said and done.   Every shot placed within a dime,  simple, no fuss, lots of ammo


bare in mind, he owned many of the cool calibers as well.

Well stated. I have a Colt SAA with a spare .22 Mag cylinder. Nice handling little revolver. My father was a veteran homicide detective and he often said people should not turn up their noses on the little .22

[Fidelk]

The only problem with a .22 LR or .22 Mag is that they are rimfire rounds with primer in the rim. I would trust a centerfire pistol with an actual primer for reliability. Which I got from hearing a discussion of .22 LR vs. .25 ACP......the .25 ACP was preferred for the primer reason.

[salish]

The only problem with a .22 LR or .22 Mag is that they are rimfire rounds with primer in the rim. I would trust a centerfire pistol with an actual primer for reliability. Which I got from hearing a discussion of .22 LR vs. .25 ACP......the .25 ACP was preferred for the primer reason.

True, duds occur much more often in rimfire cartridges.

[boneaddict]

I dont think I have ever had a dud 22mag round.   Lots of LR duds though.   I always figured it was the age of or how I have treated them.   Interesting thought

[salish]

I dont think I have ever had a dud 22mag round.   Lots of LR duds though.   I always figured it was the age of or how I have treated them.   Interesting thought

Same here, but I've used my .22 mag cylinder very sparingly. I get more LR duds with the cheaper shells, but even the more costly have their share. I've used some pretty high end target stuff in my rifles and never experienced a dud.