Magnum comparison: .357 vs .44 ?

charles.emond said:
maybe you should check with your local handgun club too, some will allow at MAX 357 mag
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That is a good point too, I haven't thought of that... I wouldn't want to put a hole in the range wall, now would I? :D

By the way, going back to my previous question... If I am not a member of a club yet due to a lack of free time in the next 2 months or so but wish to acquire a handgun with my newly issued (1st) RPAL, can I do it?

I already know which club I wanna join over here in Montreal (CTVSP) and don't really need a club ATT yet (since I'm not yet a member there), but only need an ATT to get the guns from the seller and to my house in order to lock them in the safe for the time being... Any thoughts if they'll allow it? :confused:
 
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I'm sorry you need a club registration to get a restricted.
it's been debated before, but in quebec i'm 98% sure you need to be member of a club
 
pdubois64 said:
I did it the other way around. Bought a .44 mag first (S&W 629 Classic) and plan to buy a 686 next. It is too painfull to shoot more than 2 dozen rounds of .44 Mag in an outing so the cost isn't that bad:D
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That only lasts for the first few times out. Once you work your way into it, you end up putting a hundred to two hundred rounds or so down the pipe each time you go to the range. I cycle through about 1500 rounds and reload with 22.5gr of H110 or W296 and magnum primers with 240gr bullets regularly. I have gone up to 24.5gr of powder but never noticed any real difference. I am sure that there is a velocity change but it is minor as I am using a S&W629 Classic which has a 5" barrel. Now, with a longer barrel there might be a very noticeable change as the charge increases. Umm-umm, gotta love the .44Mag.

A S&W686 is nice but personally I prefer the S&W627 since the frame size is the same as the S&W629. The 627 was my first revolver and it has at least 6000 rounds of .357Mag and maybe 500 rounds of .38SP through it. It is still my favourite.
 
I went with a 44 mag SAA as my first wheel gun with ammo that was readibly available. I had a Webley 455 before that but I wanted something that I could atleast get ammo for. But wouldn't you know it I haven't shot it any more than I did the Webley LOL, Mainly for the reason that I am waiting for Christmas to get here and hopefully the reloading set I asked for. Once that is in place I will be shooting it way more. I absolutly love the recoil of the thing. I have shot all six rounds from a low on the hip stance and it is such a rush...:cool:
44 special is out ragous for price as well. So if I was to do it again I would probably go with the 357 just for the price of the 38 ammo. It is also alot harder to find a second 44 mag for a CASS rig. But atleast I can get a lever gun in 44 so that will help...
 
762mm said:
By the way, going back to my previous question... If I am not a member of a club yet due to a lack of free time in the next 2 months or so but wish to acquire a handgun with my newly issued (1st) RPAL, can I do it?

I already know which club I wanna join over here in Montreal (CTVSP) and don't really need a club ATT yet (since I'm not yet a member there), but only need an ATT to get the guns from the seller and to my house in order to lock them in the safe for the time being... Any thoughts if they'll allow it? :confused:
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I can tell by experience, you need to be member of a club to have a restricted firearm tranfer to you. The first transfer could take up to 1 full month to complete. The SQ will call you and ask you to fill an ATT form and send it to them with a proof of membership to a gun club.

Recently, i buy a S&W .357, and the process was complete within a week (this is my 2nd restricted).
 
Personally, I would skip the .22 and go directly to a .357mag revolver. You can shoot .38S&W out of it, and that's a good round to learn with.

Then, a few months down the road, you can pick up a .44 and either sell off the .357 or keep them both. :)
 
Thanks again guys.. mucho appreciated! I do plan on getting both at some point, but since I'm not a millionaire, I can't (heck, if I was, I'd move somewhere down south where there are NO CFC or other ball breakers and where law obedient citizens can own whatever they please!)

The reason I want a .22 revolver too is because I love the simplicity and fun of a .22 LR and revolvers... it's the ultimate post-apocalyptic type firearm. The most reliable self-reloading system (revolver) and in the most available caliber world-wide - and real accurate on top of that. It's more than just a plinker - it's a survival guarantee, hahaha! ;)

FAQMAT said:
I can tell by experience, you need to be member of a club to have a restricted firearm tranfer to you. The first transfer could take up to 1 full month to complete. The SQ will call you and ask you to fill an ATT form and send it to them with a proof of membership to a gun club.

Recently, i buy a S&W .357, and the process was complete within a week (this is my 2nd restricted).
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Man, this sucks... so you mean that besides all the BS wait for the course, the license, the background checks, etc there's still more bureaucratic waiting crap to go through?

Realistically speaking, what the hell is the point of all this... considering that a street gun takes 2 minutes to acquire these days? (literally - not that I own one though). They're really targeting the wrong people here... Just as I thought I was finally seeing the light, more CFC nonsense emerges!

CPC, where are you and your promises? Please return the favor and take care of your voters! We so desperately need you! Lol... :runaway:
 
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Wow, you guys in Quebec sure get it right in the bum from your CFO. I'll echo the consensus and recommend a .357, GP100 or 686 if it were my choice.
 
ill add my two cents. if you're only going for magnums, well probably .357 as its still pretty manageable. however, i have a 44 special myself and really enjoy that, and i've known folks who really like the 45 colt. big lead at moderate velocity can be fun too:)

though i've never owned or seen one, i've heard that colt diamonbacks are really nice in .38 special, would love to find one myself.

there are some options if you decide to bypass the magnums.

if you do go magnum however, and especially in .357 i've been told that stainless is the preferred finish as the forcing cone area apparenty is susceptible to erosion, particularly with the hot 125 grain loads.

if you are going .357, i would probably go with a smith 627 or even better a 686. heard the python is pretty awesome too. is sure does look cool! :D

handled a gp 100 and thought the trigger was terrible!
 
You'll hear all sorts of Sage advice.

Here's my personal .357 vs. 44 story and thoughts:

I bought a 686 at the recommendation of a good friend who happens to work at the local range/store. This was my first double-action wheel-gun after owning a batch of semi-auto's and a single action WG. I thought being able to shoot 38's and 357's would be a pretty cool versatility (is that a word?), and don't get me wrong, it's a very accurate tack-driver BUT...it bored me to tears pretty quick. Yes, .44 loads are more expensive...they're also more fun to shoot. .454 Cas /45 LC and 460 are all a real hoot too. I guess we're all different when it comes to the "fun-factor". Perhaps you should rent one at the local range and see what makes your thing go PING. It's always sooooooo subjective, but think about the reason you want one. Is it for banging off 100 rounds every two weeks? Or will you shoot it once a month? If you live at the range, get a 686...if you get there once in awhile, go bigger (29 or 629)!

I also second the "skip the .22" sentiment... 38's will do the same for you, unless you are really needing to work hard at your accuracy and control. In that case, get a 9mm semi-auto (G17) and leave the WG's for the bigger calibers. If you get the .22, it'll start to be a dust collector sooner rather than later...they serve a very limited purpose unless the budget is really tight.

PS> I personally have had more luck with my Smith's than Rugers. In fact I don't own any Rugers anymore except a darned old 10/22 that I can't seem to part with even though it has collected dust for years, replaced in its usefulness by much ###ier beasts... Good luck with your decision.

Gdog
 
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If you handload there is little reason not to get a big bore, if thats what interests you. Just load to your comfort level.

A good starting load would be a 240-250 gr cast bullet ahead of 5 grs of Bullseye or 6 grs of Unique in .44 Spl brass. You could start loading with 2400, 4227, or some other reasonably slow powder, and you could probably start as low as 10 grs with a heavy bullet in .44 magnum brass, resulting in mild blast and recoil. Hodgdon is warning against using very reduced loads of H-110, so I'd avoid it and Winchester 296 until you are ready to shoot heavy loads on a regular basis. 2400 is very obliging in reduced loadings , and I have used it extensively in both handgun and rifle loads.

Using a reasonably heavy bullet backed by slow burning powder means that you can work out a formula to increase the recoil factor of your gun without running into pressure problems or having to switch powders part way through. If you increased the load by 1 gr of powder every outing you would quickly increase your recoil tolerance. If your want gilt edged accuracy, you will do better with light loads of fast powder in a .44 Special case. Keep good records with the load data and your scores and before long . . .

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Cool pic Boomer, I don't know what this recoil problem is. My first handgun was a 3" 629. If you don't handload shoot 44 specials and if you do work your way up. 44s are way more fun. Don't get me wrong the 686 I had was a very nice gun, very accurate and also fun to shoot. Just a bigger smile when the 44 goes off. A nice S&W Classic in 44 then later a little brother 686.
 
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