Defensive Handgun .357mag vs. .44 Special

[salish]

I would appreciate peoples thoughts on this. I've been using a .38 Special snubnose as a bedside gun for home defense, but I'm thinking about switching to a more powerful option. I have a S&W Model 65 3" .357 Magnum, and I use Federal 125gr Hydrashock JHP's in it, the proverbial one-shot-stopper. But I also have a S&W .44 Special Hand Ejector - an older revolver from the 1930's but in perfect condition. I have a lot of "Keith style" rounds my dad loaded with the 250gr cast lead bullet. Chrono tests last year show these loads developing 900-1000fps, with 925fps being the average. It's a good round, but I doubt it expands much.

How would you guys rate these two calibers/revolvers against one another as a home defense gun? 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.

Thank you.

[boneaddict]

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

[salish]

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

Regular .38 Specials in my Model 65 Smith? My snubby isn't rated for +P.

[fishngamereaper]

Stick with the 38.
Stopping power without over penetration.
Miss your target in your house where's the bullet going to stop. Sheetrock walls don't do much in stopping high power rounds.

You could use the 357 with 38 rounds as well.

[Tenkara]

Hydra shock +p in my s&w 642. Don't feel like I need anything bigger.

[salish]

Hydra shock +p in my s&w 642. Don't feel like I need anything bigger.

My S&W snubnose is an older model not rated for +P.

[CP]

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. 

[storyteller]

Take  a look at Glaser safety slug, designed to penetrate and  not  go thru the  wall, worth  reading,  used by sky marshalls  and  close neighbors

[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?

[salish]

Stick with the 38.
Stopping power without over penetration.
Miss your target in your house where's the bullet going to stop. Sheetrock walls don't do much in stopping high power rounds.

You could use the 357 with 38 rounds as well.

Good point, but we have an old home with old style lath and plaster. I don't see a 125gr HP going through our walls.

[CP]

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. 

[boneaddict]

control for round 2

[salish]

Take  a look at Glaser safety slug, designed to penetrate and  not  go thru the  wall, worth  reading,  used by sky marshalls  and  close neighbors

Are they still making these? I have a few in .38 Special (and some in .45 ACP and .44 Magnum) that my father bought 35 years ago. I used to pack these in my S&W Airweight Bodyguard, but I've read so many unflattering posts in forums about these I stopped carrying them.

[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.

[salish]

control for round 2

Good point, thanks.