.357 vs .44 for home defence?

STEVR

STEVR

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I have heard on multiple occasions that a .357 is the best "One Stop Pop" for your money. My father is a proponent of the .357. He raves about the combination of power and accuracy as well as the ability to crank off devastating rounds from his S&W 686 quicker then his other "Bad-Boy" the .44 Ruger Redhawk. I read a link somewhere, that used a lot of math and physics, which seemed to back what "Dad'io " was talken about. In my mind....and my wife's mind, bigger is better (OK how you use it is important for all you uuuhhh, shall we say, guys blessed with a 9mm at home).

I countered my father's opinion with the above idea that the .44 "Dirty Harry" is a bigger bullet= bigger hole= more ability for dirt nap! He countered my thought with the : "If bigger hole is better for home defense, then .4o Cal is better then .357, and .44 is better then .40 Cal, and .45 is better then .44 and the BEST Home defense must be the .50 Cal S&W elephant gun.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/163501_large.jpg

He felt the the combination of accurately releasing the .357 125 jhp in quick succession made his 686 the best. I'm still wrestling with the idea. What do you guys think about the effectiveness of the .357 vs the .44 for home defense????

sw
 
.357... or a shotgun

I own a s&w 686 and shot a ruger super redhawk. With the .44 if you can be 100% sure that you get him with the first shot then go with it. .357 gives you a better chance of a make up shot in case the first shot missed. But in Canada... I seriously doubt you would have to have a gun for home defence... The easist home defence weapon is still a short barrel (18 or 20") shotgun, you don't even have to aim well.
 
You are forgetting one thing. Something has to STOP that bullet. Either one is going to go through your target. Where does it go next? Through the wall into the kid's room? out the window and into your neighbors house? If a handgun, I would avoid any of the magnum calibers, rather going for a large heavy bullet at standard velocity. A shotgun is quite effective, but you DO have to aim it. No need for double ought buck, a trap or grouse load will do the job nicely. Keep in mind too, that even a shot charge can make it through an interior wall. You don't even need a 12ga. A 20ga or even a .410 will be quite effective and one heck of a lot easier to handle for the wife.
 
I agree with the other on the suggestion of a shotgun, but it is really a moot point as this is Canada and you are not allowed to defend yourself.
 
As for .357 vs .44, of course .44 is more powerful and more effective than .357 as a weapon.

I have a .44 but wouldn’t want to us it if someone would brake into my home, I mean have you ever fired a .44mag (or .357) indoors without hearing protection? :eek: I’d rather reach for a .22 if I had one :p

I’d say 9mm/.40/.45 are far better choices; less noice and easier to make follow up shots.
 
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Dragonblade said:
I agree with the other on the suggestion of a shotgun, but it is really a moot point as this is Canada and you are not allowed to defend yourself.
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Says who?? You just cannot buy the firearm as "defence" as the primary reason. Once you have it, it is perfectly legal to proect your life with it.

JR
 
.357 Magnum ...

IM_Lugger said:
As for .357 vs .44, of course .44 is more powerful and more effective than .357 as a weapon.
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I agree that the .44 is more "powerful" but there it ends... The .357 Magnum still remains at the "top of the heap" as the most effective "one shot stopper". In fact I bet a .38 Special 158 grain all lead hollow point +P round is a better "stopper" than a factory .44 Mag 240 gr JHP. ;) :D
 
No need to defend as such... Rebecca Peters from IANSA will show up with her red cape and subdue the BG.
 
The .357 Magnum still remains at the "top of the heap" as the most effective "one shot stopper".
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In fact I bet a .38 Special 158 grain all lead hollow point +P round is a better "stopper" than a factory .44 Mag 240 gr JHP. ;) :D
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(In case you weren’t joking) how so? :confused:
 
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The .357 has been a tried and true defence round since it's introduction in the '30's. In many cases it can be had in nice small guns, suitable for defence. But by now there should be enough people around who know that shooting a .357 without hearing protection is a horrible experience. The trouble is that a .357 is only a good stopper when loaded to 40,000 psi, so there isn't much you can do about the blast. Over penetration is another demon that follows this thing.

A .44 on the other hand can be down loaded and still be a very effective fight stopper. The .44's problem is that many of the guns chambered for it are quite large. A .45 auto has none of these short comings, and that is one reason why it is the preeminent fighting gun in North America. However autos weren't part of the question so I would suggest a big bore revolver as the solution. A S&W in .44, .45 ACP or .45 Colt with bullets in the 225 gr range at 850 to 900 fps would save the day.
 
Cops used .38s forever...
I personally am no expert, as I am relatively new to the revolver scene but i would assum any gun you are comfortable with would be the answer. I wouldn't feel undergunned with a .357 or 38 special for that matter... i mean, what are we dealing with.. 20ft?
Now I am interested in this thread as I plan to go on a Hnadgun Hunt someday in the US. Unfortunately I have little free time in the fall, so it may have to be a Spring Black Bear hunt, I just bought a S&W in .44 but I wonder if .357 would be better, just in case I have a charging bear and need to fire all 6 rounds.....
 
Just my opinion, but what is up with all these threads regarding a home defense cartridge. :confused:

If your pistols and revolvers are stored legally, there is no time to get ahold of one in time for home defense unless someone calls and tells you he is coming over to kill you in five minutes, and even then, you would still be charged with multiple firearms offences.

Be realistic, gentlemen, we live in Canada.:mad:
 
WildWildWest said:
Just my opinion, but what is up with all these threads regarding a home defense cartridge. :confused:

If your pistols and revolvers are stored legally, there is no time to get ahold of one in time for home defense unless someone calls and tells you he is coming over to kill you in five minutes, and even then, you would still be charged with multiple firearms offences.

Be realistic, gentlemen, we live in Canada.:mad:
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I guess it's just the cowboy in us. Relax.
 
In Canada it's a moot point , use a handgun and you are screwed .
With all the laws and trigger locks you would die of age before you could defend yourself with a handgun .
That said . The zombies are closing in and hell has frozen over :
Handgun defence = semiauto . 7 to ten 45 acp rounds are more comforting than 6 of either 357 or 44 mag .
For me though , I'd start it with a 18" pump 12 gauge shotgun .
PS : oh yeah , I forgot , The zombies are here , forget the magazine limits , the semi's have way more rounds now .
 
In my house, the wife goes for one of the 2 12 guage shotguns, and I reach for my trusted .40 cal handgun, or perhaps the other shotgun. When push comes to screwed, I rather be alive and argue my case after the fact to a jury of my peers.
 
Well, if you have a modern "purpose built" gun safe with a nifty electronic lock, isn't it possible to have the handgun inside without a trigger lock and a loaded magazine next to it? Things go bump in the night, you leap out of bed, punch in the code and do your thing :)
 
Did you guys forget it's better to be judged by twelve than carried by six? There is no law against having a gun out of it's lock up while you are at home, other wise you could not legally maintain your guns, or take them outside. When the goblins come to my house, get past the dog, and finally get around to threatening my family they will meet with some very unpleasant consequences.
 
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