Posted: 6/10/2004 6:47:57 PM EDT
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Hey Guys... I am considering a revolver as a "nightstand" home def gun. I am considering the following cals.... .38 .357 Magnum .41 Special .44 Magnum Can yall give me some input as to practice ammo prices/availability... and your opinion as to defensive effectiveness of these cals? Thanks so much. |
First let me say this, the .41 Special is a custom gun/ctg. so you couldn't get ammo from the local Wal-Mart, you'd have to make it by cutting down .41 Mag cases and handloading. Handloads and generally not good to use for self-defence for a number of reasons that we won't get into here. The 44Mag can use 44 special ammo for home defence but still, the guns tend to be big and heavy, not really what you'd want around the house. Next we come to the .357 Mag(which you can use 38spl ammo in if you want to.) which is a very good choice for a home defence gun. The 125gr, 357Mag has one of the best records for one shot stops but be aware that in a short barrel you'll get alot of muzzle flash and blast, not good for home defence. Personally, I'd get a good .357Mag revolver and load it up with 38 spl.+P's, that's a 38spl load that's loaded, by the factory, to a higher then normal pressure. That would be just the ticket for home defence. Hope this has been some help. 
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Okay... the .41 is out... appreciate that info... was just on the Taurus website looking at the .41 special too... that is certainly good info to have ... thanks. |
Depends on the ammo being used. In most cases I'd say "yes" but in some states you can't have Hollow points so there I'd go with the 45ACP. Also, I didn't know that Taurus made a revolver in .41 Special, I know they've got one in .41 Mag though. Are you sure it wasn't a .41 Mag that you were looking at? |
yup... youre right... my mistake... .41 mag. |
Have to admit I am a major S&W fan but when talking .357 I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Colt Python. I know it is a way more expensive but one fine shooting handgun. Personaly for home defense, my preferance is a .45. I switch between my Kimber ProII and SA 1911A1 depending on the time of year due to carry issues. I use to be a big shotgun fan so like the idea of giving a big chuh chunk sound if needed or real quiet if needed. That being said I pack a .38 snub quite often which has saved my butt more than once, more times with snakes and snake shot than the two legged snakes but saving ones butt is what a gun is all about. Hollow points are my round of preferance for home defense. Last thing I want is my round to keep traveling God forbid I did shoot a badguy in my house. Tj |
I must agree with you there. The Colt Python is SWEET! Probably the nicest action you can get on a revolver. The trigger pull is as smooth as melted butter. I was speaking more in terms of reasonable pricing, though ,and still buying quality. Thought about trading or selling my S&W M19 for a Python but I can't see paying more than double the price for a Python. I love my S&W M19!!!... 
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I found this, www.neiassociates.org/caliber.htm, when I was looking to get my first handgun, a S&W 686 Plus 4"barrel. I know that the numbers can be taken with a grain of salt, but what impressed me was that there was a lot more instances of use of the .357 mag, and that it did very well. |