Since I bought a 44 special I really don't care for the 38 or 357 much now. If I had the 44 mag I still would seldom ever shoot it with 44 mags. The 44 special IMO is the cats meow in handguns. The caliber is up to the job with a good punch yet it doesn't have the noise or recoil of the 44 mag. I am not in bear country so I don't need a 44 mag. A 44 special revolver can be bought for much less money than 44 mag. No mine isn't a S&W but a Charter Bull Dog that has yet to show any flaws in it.

44 special revolver is my main carry after many years carrying 38/357. I agree with the above that after shooting the 44 special you will have a fondness for it.

Bottom line is if you plan on shooting 44 mag as well as 44 special then by all means get the 44 magnum. I shot one 44 mag and no I didn't enjoy the loud boom or the recoil.

I have maybe four 38 special revolvers and five 357 revolvers yet I have shot many boxes of 38 special in all the guns buy maybe only a box or so of 357 magnums. The 357 is much like a 44 magnum in loudness and recoil. For a self defense gun the loudness and recoil doesn't fit the need for me. I wouldn't ever want to shoot a 357 or 44 magnum without hearing protection on. The 44 special isn't as loud as a 9mm.