Defensive Handgun .357mag vs. .44 Special

[HighlandLofts]

I'd go with 357 over either of the other choices you have.
And triple tap if you ever have to use it.
Two in the chest and one in the head.

[Igor]

I do like the .357 mag as a defensive caliber.  I have two snubbies that I find myself carrying on occasion.  The recoil is substantial with standard self-defense ammo, but I recently found a case of Winchester Ranger .38Spl +P+ 110 gr. ammo.  The recoil in the .357s is much more manageable with this ammo.

[salish]

I do like the .357 mag as a defensive caliber.  I have two snubbies that I find myself carrying on occasion.  The recoil is substantial with standard self-defense ammo, but I recently found a case of Winchester Ranger .38Spl +P+ 110 gr. ammo.  The recoil in the .357s is much more manageable with this ammo.

Thank you Igor and Highland.

[follow maggie]

I’d steer clear of the .44 for home defense. It might just be me & my skinny wrists, but managing the recoil of that takes a few seconds. At best I could manage a couple seconds in an emergency, and seconds are precious in a fight.

In my opinion sight radius doesn’t matter because you aren’t aiming at paper on the range. You’re instinctively shooting at a man size target within the confines of the walls of your house. You need to be able to put rounds where you’re looking. Choose whichever gun you do that best with.

[salish]

I’d steer clear of the .44 for home defense. It might just be me & my skinny wrists, but managing the recoil of that takes a few seconds. At best I could manage a couple seconds in an emergency, and seconds are precious in a fight.

In my opinion sight radius doesn’t matter because you aren’t aiming at paper on the range. You’re instinctively shooting at a man size target within the confines of the walls of your house. You need to be able to put rounds where you’re looking. Choose whichever gun you do that best with.

Great advice, thanks.