I'm a big fan of N-frame revolvers, including .44 Magnums. But the intent of this Thread was "for home defense". Although the .44 Magnum round is certainly a manstopper, you need to consider the standard concerns for home defense: family members in the house, design of your house, and its proximity to neighbors. Even the milder .44 Magnum HP rounds have a lot of penetration power...wood, drywall, stucco, etc. If you and the wife live alone on an isolated piece of property, then there's probably no issue with a large caliber handgun (or rifle, for that matter). But if you have other family members in the house and/or neighbors' houses are very close...you need to think about where those rounds could go. And then with a large revolver there's the limited number of rounds (usually 6) and no way to mount a white light. Just sayin'. Personally, I keep a S&W M&P 10mm 2.0 (15 + 1 SIG V crown HPs) with weapon light and red dot in the night stand. There's also a 12 ga. semi-auto shotgun with 00 Buck and weapon light standing by. My wife and I live alone and neighbors' houses are far enough away so I think we're good.
