Defensive Handgun .357mag vs. .44 Special

[b23]

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.

Must be a dad thing because my dad has the same gun as well as a few others but if you were to ask him which one is his favorite, he would quickly tell you without hesitation, his Ruger single six convertible.  I've shot his plenty and they are about the loudest damn thing I've ever shot.  You want to have very good ear protection in place when you shoot 22mags in them.

[buckfvr]

PMR 30 (.22 mag) on one side of the bed 9mm on the other.

[Fidelk]

Overall, I think a Glock 18 with 33 round mags is the best option.

[Ridgeratt]

Overall, I think a Glock 18 with 33 round mags is the best option.

You need 33 rounds? Thats impressive! Dang once again I'm under gunned.

[Fidelk]

Overall, I think a Glock 18 with 33 round mags is the best option.

You need 33 rounds? Thats impressive! Dang once again I'm under gunned.

Don't forget......some bozo has just woked you up. They need a harsh message.

[Ridgeratt]

So you have been awakened and your just shooting? What if it was your kid coming in slightly confused? You are shootin with your eyes closed or just laying down a random burst.

[GWP]

Which one do you shoot the best? Not aim and shoot off of a rest, but instinctive?

[metlhead]

If you are online asking questions, I suppose your .38 has been doing a great job. Keep at it.

[jdb]

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 

what he said

[jrebel]

Ruger LCR 357 loaded with 38 rounds......my everyday carry.  Ten extra rounds in speed strips on my belt. 

As for the house.....same pistol, but I'm grabbing the double barrel coach gun for the win.   

[pianoman9701]

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.

14 in my Springfield XD 45. Keep in mind that most home invasions are with two or more invaders. If they carry semis, you're under-gunned with a wheel gun. Practice and get a flashlight on it, a really bright one.

[Fidelk]

So you have been awakened and your just shooting? What if it was your kid coming in slightly confused? You are shootin with your eyes closed or just laying down a random burst.

Well first I have to wake up enough to find the gun, then I have to find my glasses........so suppression fire is essential during the early phase of the home invasion. Just being practical and going with real world scenarios here. 

[slavenoid]

If your preparing to win a gunfight 38 snub noise is a poor choice.

[salish]

THANKS everyone. I value your opinions and appreciate your advice.

[Cougartail]

There was a home invasion in Yakima a few years back. One shot from a shotgun ended it. The homeowner blew grey matter out one guys head and the other 2 ran.

They were found in a Walmart bathroom cleaning up. Both crying and one emptying his bowels.

People who make hits win gunfights. People who have forewarning make hits in home envasions..

I sleep like a baby with my 38 snubnose revolver