.44 Special vs .45 ACP for home defense

brundlseth · May 27, 2016

I used to keep a 629 Classic loaded with .44 Magnum Hydra-Shoks ready for home defense. It occurred to me that my hearing would be so damaged by firing a .44 magnum indoors that I wouldn't be able to hear them testify at my trial (or anything else ever again for that matter). So I switched to .45 ACP - less noise and a good reputation. But I really feel more confident with my wheel gun so I've been thinking about switching again, this time to .44 Special like Hornady Critical Defense or other similar load. What does the forum recommend regarding .45 ACP vs .44 Special for home defense? Thanks.

Arik · May 27, 2016

I like Gold Dots and HST. I also like 45acp over 44spl because to me its not about what I like best but about what I'm better with. I'm better with a semi auto.

You won't go death from 6 shots of 44 mag......I know! Have shot 44 mag, 357 mag, 50AE, 12G and 7.62x54 in a soundproof in closed room

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eb07 · May 27, 2016

My take:

I want to point out that immediate hearing damage starts at about 140db

.25 ACP 155.0 dB
.32 LONG 152.4 dB
.32 ACP 153.5 dB
.380 157.7 dB
9mm 159.8 dB
.38 S&W 153.5 dB
.38 Spl 156.3 dB
.357 Magnum 164.3 dB
.41 Magnum 163.2 dB
.44 Spl 155.9 dB
.44 Mag 164.0 dB
.45 ACP 157.0 dB
.45 COLT 154.7 dB

Every handgun caliber above can and may cause immediate hearing loss. So worrying about it and choosing a lesser caliber based upon this myth is ridiculous to say the least.

Mack · May 27, 2016

Both are effective SD rounds buy .44 Special is harder to come by and more expensive if you don't handload. Get yourself a 625 and have the best of both worlds with the advantage of full moon clips.

brundlseth · May 27, 2016

Arik: You're right of course. And I'm more confident in my wheel guns because I'm better with them. That's why I'm thinking about giving up the .45s.

brundlseth · May 27, 2016

eb07: That's good information. So maybe I'm just as well off switching back to my .44 Magnum full loads. Thanks

eb07 · May 27, 2016

brundlseth said:
Arik: You're right of course. And I'm more confident in my wheel guns because I'm better with them. That's why I'm thinking about giving up the .45s.

Last post here by me is a whole bunch of info on hand loading for 44 special:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firear...-after-running-fbi-handgun-qualification.html

BearBio · May 27, 2016

Generally, self defense ammo is better in a revolver (more types, better functioning, etc) BUT THAT IS A GENERALIZATION. It will vary from gun to gun and load to load==Hence testing of what you keep/carry is a good idea.

Even if it works better, you also have to consider a greater number of rounds in many autoloaders.

Ballistically, my 45 AR and 44 Spl loads are the same (Same powder, same amount, same weight bullet).

Biggfoot44 · May 27, 2016

There's little meaningful difference between .45acp vs .44spl per se. Its a discussion of revolver vs semi, or between specific pistols you already own.

For a tiebreaker, SD suitable ammo is commenly available virtually everywhere ammo is sold. Suitable .44 is out there, but will require searching, and probably ordering.

Since you have a M629, your options would include midrange .44Mag. The Short Barell Gold Dot .44Mag would be a suitable choice, and is from a large mainstream oem. Most other hot .44spl/ mild aka Tactical .44Mag are from smaller mfg. I'd have no qualms with CorBon , Buffalo Bore or Grizzly. But other than lmited slections of CorBon not goin to see them on local shelves.

Klagz13 · May 27, 2016

I have a Thunder Ranch 325 loaded with Hornady hollow points and two spare moon clips. Works well for me. Added a fiber optic front sight

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Mister X · May 27, 2016

To me, it would be more of an issue of the guns themselves rather than caliber. The difference in noise is likely a non-issue.

When out and about, I often carry a revolver(since can usually leave the scene), but for home defense(will most likely have to make a stand), I really do like to have a reliable high capacity semi-automatic available to me. I do still use a snub revolver at home for things such as investigating a strange noise or just checking the house since those would likely be reactive close-quarter events. If your .45 ACP is a M1911, then you really aren't gaining much capacity(just faster reloads) and I would honestly just probably stick to the wheel gun, especially since you're more comfortable and confidant with it. Something like a Glock 21 however would offer a substantial increase in firepower and would make a good home defense choice IMO or at the very least, be a nice weapon to just have handy for worst case scenarios. The 629 doesn't offer quite the same close-quarter advantages like an enclosed hammer snub does, but it would still likely be better than an auto in those scenarios depending on barrel length(or at least probably make a better impact weapon), so I would say both guns have their place.

Old cop · May 27, 2016

You're over thinking this, IMHO. Get a weapon that you can make accurate hits with under combat conditions, choose a modern hollow point, practice often and hope you never have to use it.

FloridaFlier · May 27, 2016

45 ACP vs 44 Special!!!

I love this discussion already.

Wait, wait!! I want to make popcorn!

Old TexMex · May 27, 2016

.44 Spl. In a revolver. With a heavy hollowpoint.

And a backup autoloader in .45, like maybe a G21. (You know, in case it gets real outta hand.)

keith44spl · May 27, 2016

If I'm going with a wheel gun....

It's gonna be a .44 Special, W-W 210 gr. Silver Tip HPs.

In a self loader, .45 ACP, it'll be W-W Ranger 230 gr. HP.

I do believe in.....

.

brundlseth · May 28, 2016

Old cop said:
You're over thinking this, IMHO. Get a weapon that you can make accurate hits with under combat conditions, choose a modern hollow point, practice often and hope you never have to use it.

You're right old cop and thanks. First things first. I guess it's like the best carry gun question: it's not about caliber or type, the best carry gun is one you'll actually carry.

petepeterson · May 28, 2016

Why not just load your 629 with .44 Specials?

Collo Rosso · May 28, 2016

Arik said:
You won't go death from 6 shots of 44 mag.....

Well...maybe not, but it would hurt like hell.

brundlseth · May 28, 2016

petepeterson said:
Why not just load your 629 with .44 Specials?

Thanks pete - actually, that's the plan. Sorry I didn't make that clear.

shocker · May 28, 2016

brundlseth said:
eb07: That's good information. So maybe I'm just as well off switching back to my .44 Magnum full loads. Thanks

The db scale is a log scale. 10 db = 10 times louder.

44 sp will be much kinder to the ears than a 44 mag.

.44 Special vs .45 ACP for home defense

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