357 or 44...which one?

[petepeterson]

Or, since we prep for every contingency on this forum, escaped velociraptors from Jurassic Park would coordinate their attack.

Ex grizzly bear either would be fine. Maybe I would pick the 44 since an effective load could be had at lower pressures and if you shot the gun your ears might not ring for 3 days afterwards.

You are correct, sir. I'm slipping. I'm now re-thinking my EDC, and will start a new thread.

 

[Blackgun1]

Or, since we prep for every contingency on this forum, escaped velociraptors from Jurassic Park would coordinate their attack.

Ex grizzly bear either would be fine. Maybe I would pick the 44 since an effective load could be had at lower pressures and if you shot the gun your ears might not ring for 3 days afterwards.

Good point!







...forgot about velociraptors!

 

[bigwheelzip]

A three inch .357 is my woods walking gun, but you can't go wrong with either choice. Not being a reloader, I lean toward .357 for ammo cost and availability.

I saw a pistol the other day that I thought would be good if I lived in a restrictive state. The trigger assembly is the part with the serial number. This allows switching between four different frame sizes and four different calibers, all with only one serial number. There may be others but this one was the Sig P320.

P320

 

[Blackgun1]

A three inch .357 is my woods walking gun, but you can't go wrong with either choice. Not being a reloader, I lean toward .357 for ammo cost and availability.

I saw a pistol the other day that I thought would be good if I lived in a restrictive state. The trigger assembly is the part with the serial number. This allows switching between four different frame sizes and four different calibers, all with only one serial number. There may be others but this one was the Sig P320.

P320

Thanks! I like the P320 option for two legged, but not on the DOJ California Safe Handgun list This state sucks!

I have the 9 and 45 in the other guns...just want to use one of my guns for animal defense.

 

[bigwheelzip]

the DOJ California Safe Handgun list

OMG... A Safe Handgun List!! Very funny.
Let me guess, it makes too much smoke for the CARB to pass it without a catalytic converter.

 

[epj]

For animal defense, I'd go to the .44. But, I'd want at least a 4" barrel.

 

[Blackgun1]

Exactly...so ridiculous!

 

[shawn mccarver]

You have to list your CCW guns in California, and you are limited to three? I wonder where the criminals have to list their three carry guns?

I feel safer already.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Well, in the Show Me State we don't have to make that decision, and we also don't have to worry much about bear. If I was faced with that decision, I'd list the 629 for the extra power. Since I don't have to make that goofy decision, I usually just open the safe and take out whatever catches my fancy that particular day.

 

[Blackgun1]

Well, in the Show Me State we don't have to make that decision, and we also don't have to worry much about bear. If I was faced with that decision, I'd list the 629 for the extra power. Since I don't have to make that goofy decision, I usually just open the safe and take out whatever catches my fancy that particular day.

Yeah...since the holsters are the same...I could just take my pick

 

[jlrhiner]

Yeah...since the holsters are the same...I could just take my pick

You don't have a bag full of holsters laying around? Rookie.

 

[jlrhiner]

Oh, sorry, .44 without a doubt.

 

[Blackgun1]

You don't have a bag full of holsters laying around? Rookie.

I do actually! I am American after all!

 

[Mister X]

I myself would go with the .357 magnum. Even when hiking/camping, animal attacks are extremely rare and people are still going to be your most probable threat. An exception might be if you were hiking/camping in some really remote area inhabited by Grizzly Bear, but the .357 mag is adequate for pretty much anything short of Brown Bear.

 

[Blackgun1]

Good points! If I travel to Grizzly bear country, I could use me 44 if not listed because of my Utah CCW. Hmmmm.....

 

[Hapworth]

I like .357 versatility and ubiquity.

In your state, the serious four-legged predator risks to humans are mountain lion, black bear, and to a lesser extent boar.

Of that bunch I'd trust the right .357 load to handle things, though you're on the line with boar.

Either the .357 or .44 could be made to work; neither will be reaching its full potential in a shortbarrel. Which one do you shoot better with the various kinds of defense/hunting loads you'll be using?

 

[Blackgun1]

Thanks! I think I shoot them equally well, but I do have a lot of 357/38 practice ammo so I'd shoot the 357 more often for practice.

 

[Hapworth]

Thanks! I think I shoot them equally well, but I do have a lot of 357/38 practice ammo so I'd shoot the 357 more often for practice.

If they carry identically and shoot equally well for you, I'd go .357. More and less expensive ammo choices compared to .44 Special/Magnum, and more rounds in the cylinder.

For human self-defense, any of the quality loads in .357 or .38, to include Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel, CorBon DPX, Buffalo Bore and Remington Golden Saber.

For strictly woods use, I'd go Buffalo Bore Heavy .357 Outdoorsman in 180 grain Hard Cast.

 

[Blackgun1]

I was just looking at some 180 gr cast rounds! I'll check them out!

 

[BC38]

Go with the 3" 44 magnum. Shoots anything from light specials to fire-breathing magnums.
Though I'd be kind of tempted to replace one of the other two with the 357. Hard to say which one though.
Dang, but your laws down there do make for some tough questions...