I carry a M&P 340 with heavy magnums in my pants pocket as a back up to my Glock 21 IWB. I Like heavy hitters. With that said I want a rocket for my coat pocket, hammerless snub. How much would it be to replace the cylinder so I can shoot heavier bullets in the 296? Would this make a nice pocket heavy hitter?

I think the problem with heavy bullets in the 296 has nothing to do with the cylinder, per se, but with the recoil of heavier bullets causing rounds in the cylinder to have their bullets move foward under recoil and sticking out the front of the cylinder and binding up the gun.

If I had a 296 then I would consider getting some of Buffalo Bore's 44 Special ammo. They now make a 44 Special Wadcutter that would be pretty good in the 296, I think. I would want to test it myself, but is sure looks good.

I'm not sure that the cylinder is the only reason for that limit. Since the 200 grain Gold Dot is a decent load, and available cheaper in the Blazer line, I think you will find it satisfactory. I find mine one heck of a lot more pleasant to shoot than anything in a .38 snub except maybe wadcutters, and it is highly likely to be effective. It is my fanny pack gun, with 2 speedloaders. I carry that most for leaving the house in exercise gear and for most dog walking, as a revolver is the best choice for defending my dogs from problems dogs if I have to - contact shots work best with revolvers. (Never had to, but come close, and I don't want to risk my dogs, my wife if she is with us, or other bystanders - hence the desire for contact shots.)

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NHI, 10-8.

Doug

I have been forced to shoot several dogs. I have used the 45 ACP, 44Mag to the 9mm. Your 44 Special will work just fine.

I would recommend you carry some extra ammo, as sometimes after you deal with the attacking dog, you will possibly need to deal with the attacking owner[s] of the attacking dog...

@ Doug M.

When you wear your fanny pack are you ever concerned that the bad guys might know what's in there?

I got a model that is pretty small and discreet, but sure, it is always a possibility that a savvy criminal would pick up on that. I use it mostly in circumstances that otherwise preclude use of other carry methods (my EDC is my BUG, a G33 in a pocket holster, which is really discreet). In PT gear and the like, there are not a lot of better choices. There are 4 things I try to have on me at all times - a gun, a knife, a flashlight (Surefire G2X, of course) and my cell phone (usually connected to earpiece for hands free use). At least it's less obnoxious than what it took to carry my USP 45!

Personal protection is a series of choices and compromises. I avoid being unarmed, but I also avoid stupid places that make me feel like I need to be armed except on duty. I rarely go to bars and the like, avoid all places in which there is dancing (with the sole exception of ballroom dance fans, any place in which there is dancing, regardless of music - country to hip hop, is just a fight wait to break out), avoid malls and other places of like nature, especially this time of year. My wife and I work a lot and we are busy and tired. Our off time is spent relaxing at home with each other and the dogs. I am rather large and do not have a welcoming demeanor, and do not worry about offending people to keep them away from me. (I really do value my neighbor's cat a lot more than most people.)

One cannot get to our doors lawfully - we have 6' fences with locked gates. One of the dogs was believed by rescue to be a RottXDane, which was in error. He is actually part Fila, a rare breed to which the rescue dude had not been exposed. Only the three of us are safe around the dog - he loves us, but has a strong temperament and will not tolerate strangers. He is generally muzzled when off our property (and a local officer asked my wife if she had the muzzle on the right one - thanks, Brian.) It's odd to have a dog which is not public safe; all of our others have been great with other people, especially kids; Bozo is an oddity in our life. He is safe with us, but dangerous if one were not aware of the breed.

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NHI, 10-8.

Zombie thread, but great advice. A major reason for being with my gal is we both turn around that old saw to this:

"A TON of prevention is worth an ounce of cure."

Stay safe, partner.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. The references to .44Spl ammo caught my eye to this thread.