357 mag or 44 mag

[Sam .223]

i'm looking for a revolver, i've got the choice narrowed to 357 or 44 mag, it'll be a short barrel, between 2 and 4 inches, which way would you go and why?
thought i'd throw a little more info, its mainly an HD gun with some plinking, i'd probably take it hiking also for those rare lion and bear encounters. iu'm looking at the alaskan for the 44 and a peace keeper replica in 357. i reload so ammo shouldn't be to bad either way.

[golfish]

Do you reload? 357 factory loads are about half the cost of the 44. I don't have a 44 handgun but I do have a 44 lever gun. I'd swap it in an instant for a 357.

[forerl]

I would choose a 357 mag
Because a 44 mag is not fun out of a small frame revolver. You should rent them to compare

[zinfull]

.357 mag as you can also go 38 spl. 44 mag short barrel would be a lot of flame.

[Fishwishin]

Assuming this is a concealment/self/home defense gun, and your sole revolver, I would go .357 in that barrel range. Kinda wondering what the purpose will be though...

[dozer wright]

Check out the Ruger Alaskan great gun Handles recoIL very well . Pick up some Underwood ammo and have fun .

[shansei arsenal]

.357
much more choice versatility on loads. from recoil tame to full house loads the gun eats it the same.

[ghsdca]

.357 in 4". Good sight picture due to longer barrel length vs. 2", 38spl shoots like a *****cat and also is a great HD round in hollowpoint. Shooting .357 out of it is also a heck of a lot of fun. I'm assuming ammo is cheaper than .44 too.

[JAGGUY]

For defensive purposes I think 44. Why?
The 357 is a great cartridge and a lot of fun and recoil isn't bad but the muzzle blast is fierce! Guarantees loss of hearing and some loss of bearing in a stressful situation.
38 spl works OK for defensive but not great.

However 44 special is a wonderful defensive round that's easy to shoot and doesn't hurt to shoot it...

And you still have the capacity to play with the 44 mag which is loads of fun!

[E92335i]

.357 mag for me.

[den888]

.357, cheaper to shoot and reload!

[tileguy]

get both. why limit yourself. they last a lifetime, get both and enjoy.
i have a few of each and enjoy all of them.
dan wesson .44 in 4 inch and 10 inch barrels
S&W model 19 .357 2,4,6 inch
taurus titanuim 357 2 inch
whats the old saying Variety is the spice of life
GET BOTH

[rm1911]

Personally I'd say 357. It's a lot cheaper to reload and overall it's really more versatile. It's a great SD/HD round, about as good as there is. For a 44 you'd be better loading it down to kind of a 44 special +p type load. Kinda like a 45 with more oomph. A full house 44 mag would be way overboard for HD. There's just so much better bullet selection for 357 for SD.

Also, I think 357 is a lot more fun to shoot. Whether you shoot magnums or 38 type loads. But again, it all depends on what you like to shoot. If you don't reload, you'll go broke shooting 44.

[cantdance]

Compromise. Get a 41 Mag. I voted for the 44 because I have 3 model 29s and getting a Model 69 home Friday.

[scotchblade]

.357
much more choice versatility on loads. from recoil tame to full house loads the gun eats it the same.

.44 is just as versatile on loads if reloading. Trail Boss lead to W296/H110 jacketed and so much in between. Plus .44 Special and .44 Russian.

Get 'em both.