.38 OR .357 or .44 REVOLVER?

[AGENT4734]

I have shot a 9mm, .40, and a .45 caliber round.
From what I have experienced the 9mm is very smooth and has little kick, the .40 has noticeable muzzle flip, which is why I prefer the .45 in a larger caliber gun since it shoots more like the 9 except the gun pushes back, rather than flip (ie .40)

Since I haven't had a chance to shot a revolver in different rounds yet, what types of characteristics do these revolver rounds have? Can someone please give me a quick Ammo 101 on the different bullets.

I know different barrel lengths will also affect the out come, so assume we are shooting a 4" barrel revolver.

[87-51]

I'm sure there are more "experienced" revolver shooters out there than me, but I'll give you my 2c worth. Just like autos, recoil has some to do with the size of the gun.

For instance, I was looking for a snub nose a couple of years ago. I had shot .38s and .357s through full sized guns, but not a snubbie. The .38's were very mild and the .357s were controllable. So, I began shopping for a .357 in a snubbie. Through my search I found a .38 in my price range, but told the dealer that I was really wanting a .357. He was adamant that I didn't want a .357. After some discussion I bought the .38. I'm very happy he talked me out of the .357. In that small of a package, even the .38 can be quite unpleasant to shoot.

As for .44, I'm sure the same holds true. I personally haven't fired a .44, but have fired a .41 Mag. That was quite pleasant and fun to shoot, but it was a large frame with a 7" barrel.

Now, one of you old timers please chime in to straighten this young whippersnapper (me) out.

[JD McDorce]

Originally Posted by AGENT4734

Can someone please give me a quick Ammo 101 on the different bullets.

38 Special and 357 Magnum: both utilize a .357" diameter bullet and both cartridges are similar in dimensions with the exception of 357 Magnum having a longer case length and overall length. In typical loadings with the same bullet weight, 357 Magnum has higher muzzle velocity and muzzle energy. In many cases, a revolver chambered for 357 Magnum can also shoot 38 Special (please verify manufacturer's recommendations before trying), with some owners taking advantage of lower cost and less recoil of 38 Special for practice and plinking. There is also a 38 Special +P loading that falls in-between the two in velocity and energy performance (going back 20 years or so, the FBI was using 38 Special +P rounds in their 357 Magnum revolvers).

In the world of .44's, there is the 44 Remington Magnum and the 44 Smith & Wesson Special. Similar to the relationship between 38 Special and 357 Magnum, both 44's share a bullet roughly .430" in diameter and both cartridges are similar in dimensions with the exception of 44 Remington Magnum having a longer case length and overall length.

A little more insight into your desired application may prove helpful. Historically, 38 Special and 357 Magnum tend toward duty and self defense applications (as does 44 Smith & Wesson Special in certain circles) and 44 Remington Magnum tends toward hunting.

[stickman483]

Originally Posted by 87-51

I'm very happy he talked me out of the .357. In that small of a package, even the .38 can be quite unpleasant to shoot.

I'm not old, but what kind of .38 are you shooting that is so uncomfortable? I love shooting 158 grain .357's out of my 2 1/4" barreled Ruger SP101. With the Hogue grips I think it is very pleasant to shoot, and .38's kick less than a 9mm it that gun. (IMO).

As far as choices go, I am a big fan of .357's, because it is a good round and your gun will accomodate .38's for more economical plinking. But that's me.

[Brickboy240]

True.

The size of gthe revolver, coupled with the type of loads you're running through it will make HUGE differences in recoil and how nice or nasty the revolver really is.

As a rule, the small, short barreled 357s are not very pleasant. They're snappy recoil and muzzle blast is not something you'll want to shoot very long at the range. Some of the +P 38Spl loads are almost as unpleasant. I don't care for he short barreled 357 snubbies...no thank you. If you mUST have a short barreled revolver, I actually don't mind the 44Spl load out of a snubby. I used to have a Rossi 2 inch 44Spl revolver - it was fairly accurate and the noise/blast and recoil was not at all like the hot 357 out of a 2 inch snubbie.

From a 4 inch barrel, the 357 is alot more tolerable. I have a S&W Model 19 that is not bad with any 357 loads. My brother has a heavier 686 Smith that is even more pleasing to shoot. Any 4" 357 revolver with light 38Spl loads is a very pleasant shooter for all day at the range. Ditto for a 4" barreled 44Spl or 4" 44 magnum launching any 44Spl loads. Probably, the best all-around revolver is a 4" 357. The Smith & Wesson K-frames and the Ruger GP 100 are hard to beat. My persona preference is the Smith K-frame - accurate and well made. A 6" 357 mag can be very accurate (I had a 6" Blackhawk years ago) but it is heavy and can be unwieldy.

The 44 magnum is unsettling out of a 4" barrel (unless you're into punishment) but becomes more tolerabel out of a 6" barrel. I have shot a 6" Smith Mod. 29 and it wasn't too bad (still, not what I'd want to shoot all day). Dad has a Smith 629 with a 8 3/8" barrel and even with the hottest 44mag loads, it is not a handful and actually a very accurate pistol. This is, however, a hunting arm to be carried in a shoulder holster. The 4" 44 mag revolvers are big and bulky and heavy for CCW guns. I'd stay away from them for this purpose. I usually load my Ruger Vaquero with hot 44 Spl loads as a hunting back-up because full house 44 Mag loads are not alot of fun!

Another mid-sized revolver I would consider is a 4" Smith, Taurus or maybe a Rossi in 44Spl. The 44 Spl is a very pleasant round and actually is very close, ballistically, to the 45ACP. It is not a hard kicker and every 44Spl I have ever shot has been accurate. I currently own my Grandad's 1954 Colt SAA in 44Spl and it is a revolver anyone could shoot all day with no discomfort. Downside? 44Spl ammo is not everywhere and can be pricey. I love the 44Spl but I admit, I don't shoot it all the time. I also shoot 44Spl "cowboy" loads from my Vaquero every now and then - very easy to handle and fun.

A 4" revolver in 45 Colt is another great shooter, but again, the ammo is costly. If you reload, this round makes alot of sense, because you can actually load the 45 Colt to beat the 44 mag in power. A 4" 45 Colt revolver with standard pressure loads is a very pleasant kicker and alot of fun, though.

I think you'd be best served by a 4" 357. Its the most versatile of the bunch and the most pleasant to shoot. UNless you're planning alot of concealed carry with the piece, the 4" barrel is the way to go.

Hope this helps...let us know if you find a revolver in a gunstore and need advice or a "review" from those that have owned several wheelguns.

- Brickboy240

PS: heres a list of the wheelguns I currently own and don't plan on selling or replacing: Smith Mod. 19 4" 357, Colt SAA 5'5" in 44Spl, Smith Model 4" 10 in 38Spl and a Ruger Vaquero 5.5" in 44 Mag

[invssgt]

The great thing about the .44 is that you can do it all, from mild .44 Special loads compare with the .38's- all the way up to 255's at an easy 1000 fps for the Special, or 1400 for the Magnum. 300-325 grain bullets are within reach of the .44, in the right gun. You can always shoot .44 Specials in a magnum.

Of course there's a tradeoff- you'll never get a .44 in a package the size of a Chief's Special, and if you heave the big stuff, the gun bucks & bellers a bit. You can learn to handle it; I have carried & shot a 4" S&W .44 mag for years, and don't find it unpleasant. You just have to decide what you really want, and how big a gun you're willing to put up with. Then commit to mastering it.

[qballwill]

It would be much easier to give you our recomendations if we knew what purpose the gun would serve to you.... I agree with all of the above explainations.... I have a S&W 686 (stainless .357 magnum w/4 in barrel) and a S&W 638 (lightweight 38 with a 1 7/8 inch barrel).... if you are going to get a revolver for concealed carry, I recommend a snub nose 38 that can handle +P rounds. A 357 in that size is not extremely pleasant. If you want the versatility, get a 357 snubby, but you will probably end up carrying 38s in it anyway. For the range and small game hunting, get a 357 with a 4 or 6 inch barrel. you can always shoot 38s out of it at the range and 357s if hunting (or home protection). If you are hunting bigger game or want to show off at the range, get a 44 mag with atleast a 6 inch barrel.

[retired]

I have a S&W Model 66. It has a 2 1/2", shoots 38 or 357 and is a 6 shot. It is also stainless. It is as accurate as my old service revolver; a S&W Model 15, 4" 38.

I have shot both 38 and 357mag out of it and have not found it to be a problem with recoil. I never shot it all day (I don't have that much ammo), but I have put quite a few magnum rounds thru it during a shooting run and it was fine.

[Son of Norway]

An excellent first revolver would be the Ruger GP100 357 Magnum. Not too pricey, will last forever and can handle really hot loads with no problem. If you go with the 44 magnum you might consider getting into reloading as well. Over time you will save big $ on ammo.

[87-51]

I'm not old, but what kind of .38 are you shooting that is so uncomfortable? I love shooting 158 grain .357's out of my 2 1/4" barreled Ruger SP101. With the Hogue grips I think it is very pleasant to shoot, and .38's kick less than a 9mm it that gun. (IMO).

15oz Airweight S&W. It isn't that bad, but I'd much rather shoot a .45 than it. It can get painful on the web of the hand in a short while. Your SP101 has a bit more heft to it, probably making it a bit easier to shoot.