45 acp vs 44 special - New range pics added

[Casehardn]

Looking for my next woods carry.
Considering 45 acp or 44 special.

Interested from those who own one or both, in reason(s) why one might be better than the other.

I currently have a few 357 revolvers but I came across a recent thread on how a 357 is actually 4 times the decibel level of a 44spl.
Something about a certain increase multiplied by each point higher in decibel range. anyhow, an interesting article that got me thinking of a new caliber woods/home carry.
article: Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page - 2nd Amendment Supporters

Thanks.

 

[Shooting4life]

I like 45acp just because of how cheap the ammo is. I reload and youcan find brass sold by the pound, good luck finding once fired 44special brass. If you reload you can get each to around the same performance level, maybe. Little more power in the 44special but if you use ar brass than you can get similar loads. Don't forget that moonshine are just cool. I have a 625-4 5inch and a 624 lew Horton 3 inch. Love both but the 625 is just about the perfect revolver in my eyes.

 

[David Sinko]

I have a lot of experience with .45 ACP in a revolver and just a little with .44 Special. I prefer .45 ACP because the ammo is far more common. A 625 will also shoot .45 Super, or if you're a handloader .45 ACP can be loaded to .45 Super levels and shot safely out of the 625. I also like the idea of moonclips for fast reloads. When push comes to shove, the .44 Special will be superior with top end loads, but you definitely pay for it with the recoil. In the end it just might come down to whether you prefer the rimmed or rimless cartridge.

Dave Sinko

 

[specops65]

If you look at the chart every pistol caliber is over 150 db which is dangerous. So if your objective is to lessen noise or hearing damage none are any good including .22lr (134db). Hearing protection (EarPro Products provided by SureFire) like these or a suppressor would work better. I have a SAA with dual cylinders (45 Colt and 45 ACP) as well as several 44s. Can't tell much difference between them depending on the job requirement. Packing around 40+ oz. pistol for hours can take the fun out of woods bumming. Have you tried Whisper loads in your 357?

 

[Duke426]

Either caliber will serve you well in most any social (or anti-social) situation.

If you don't handload, factory ammunition is in much greater abundance for the 45acp and at roughly half the price per box of 50 compared to the .44 Special. This has been my experience in my area(central PA). YMMV

 

[Dave T]

I have several guns in each caliber and I would have to say the 45 ACP has a slight advantage for me personally. I carried one model or other of 1911 for all but the first 9 months of my LE career so I have an affinity for the cartridge from all those years. I also love the super fast reload offered by the use of full-moon clips in a revolver. My primary reason for ever (always) having a handgun with me is defense against 2 legged vermin. The 45 ACP shines for that purpose out of both a semi auto or a revolver.

If I was really hiking in the woods and mountains I would probably opt for the 44 Special. It has a bit more flexibility in bullet weight, giving superior penetration. That might be an advantage in dealing with 4 legged vermin - and would still be quite effective against their 2 legged cousins. A 250g hard cast flat point (SWC or even better one of LBT's) at 900 fps will down most things that snarl or spit and that's a level of performance that I feel would strain a 45 ACP cartridge and gun.

As always, YMMV!
Dave

 

[Marksman]

I have owned several .44 Special revolvers and in my more than forty year association with that fine old round have come to regard it very highly. Buffalo Bore makes a stout load for the .44 Special which features a flat nose bullet with large meplat and it would be my choice for a woods walking round. Otherwise I like the classic Skeeter Skelton load of 7.5gr. Unique with a 240-250gr. SWC, I have shot countless thousands of this load with complete satisfaction.

 

[moxie]

You haven't said what you might intend to hunt or protect yourself against in the woods. But, as noted above, both calibers can be loaded to about the same levels when you use the S&W 625 as a platform for the .45 and the 629 for the .44. If you're concerned about noise, ear protection is a must. But, if you're not wedded to a revolver, a .45ACP automatic is inherently quieter than a revolver, for the shooter. The table in your link is, I'm fairly sure, measuring the sound at some point from the muzzle. The shooter is behind the muzzle so the sound level is different. And there is a big difference between autos and revolvers from where the shooter's ears are located. The revolver issues gases not only from the muzzle but from the sides as well (gap between the chamber and the forcing cone), making a .22LR revolver louder than a .45ACP auto...to the shooter. Try it.

 

[thomasinaz]

Of the two calibers mentioned I'd choose the ACP round. I think they're both relatively the same, power wise. Both have been around for a very long time, but the ACP has much more versatility in factory loads. There are more variations of ACP ammo around than the 44, especially for defensive use. Also you can use 45 Auto Rim ammo, with some heavy loads available from some of the smaller commercial makers. I like them both, but if I have to choose one it would be the ACP.

 

[LT4]

I doubt a reload matters in the woods.The bear(insert animal of choice)is either dead or eating you by then.
I love the .44 special and have 4 revolvers in that caliber.
One option is carrying a lightweight .44mag and packing .44special loads in the flavor of your choice.

 

[Waldo]

I think you should get them both. I have and like both. I would start looking for pre-lock S&Ws and buy which ever I found a good deal on first. I hand load .45 ACP and .45 Auto Rim and .44 Special. I use the Auto Rim in the revolver because I don't like fooling with the moon clips at the range. However if I was walking around with the .45 ACP revolver and thought I might need a fast reload I would use the moon clips. Buy a 1,000 rounds of brass for whichever caliber you get and you will be set for a long time.

 

[Casehardn]

Thanks to all who have replied so far.

To answer a few question from the above replies:
1. I would mainly want something for woods protection against 2-legged predators coyotes and perhaps even black bear. Although from what I've read about bears, they're usually gone before you see them.

2. Not too worried about weight, I own lighter guns for C.C.
This would be open woods carry on private property.

3. I don't currently reload, but I may sometime in the future.

I recently saw a 625 45acp with 5inch barrel for $565.00 with (MIM/lock), have not seen anything in 44 other than big 6" barreled magnums. The 5 inch would be as long as I'd want to go. Anyone own a newer 625?
Is Accuracy up to snuff with the new revolvers?

Most of my experience is with the older guns.

 

[Stinger4me]

Earlier this month an archer was bit by a sow bear who considered him a threat. She climbed the tree and went after the archer. Bit him in the leg and there was some mention of the archer being at a barbecue earlier in the day. He may have had the odor of chicken on him clothing. I think a .45 in the head would have changed her mind about biting him. There is a matter of feral pigs as well.

 

[RedBerens]

Definitely the .44 Special. I carry either a model 29 Mountain Gun or the new 629 PC. Buffalo Bore's 255gr LSWC at 1,000 fps is more than enough to stop anything in my state.

As far as accuracy goes, this load in both guns is extremely accurate. I have complete confidence in both guns and load.

 

[feralmerril]

45 acp, 44 special and even the .45 colt are all pretty close in power. For me it would come more down to the available guns they can be had in. Lets say you like the mountain style lighter tapered barrel of the 24-3 as opposed to the straight heavier barrel of the 25-5. I know in theory there are mountain guns in most of the calibers stated and also the classics. I would just find the configeration I want first, and they read what the caliber is on the barrel. The truth is whatever the caliber is, .45 acp, 45 colt or .44 special, they will all do the job similarly.

 

[Snapping Twig]

In factory form, they are all close, but when you reload, that dynamic changes.

Acp is the least expensive for factory and if you're not a reloader, it's worth considering.

If you reload, a heavier cast bullet @ 900fps is a magic thing.

Consider a 230g acp round at 850fps and a 265g .44 at 900fps. Which one do you think will penetrate better?

A .45colt can move the 265g bullet one to two hundred fps faster yet.

I'd go with the .44spl no hesitation whatsoever.

That said, I can think of no other caliber I'd rather use inside an urban area than the 45acp in a 1911.

 

[BUFF]

Are you hunting with a rifle? If you are, the pistol's caliber is pretty irrelevant. Plus, it will be already in your hands. Pick the handgun you like toting more and take it.

 

[1911bphil]

I know this is Smith & Wesson's forum, but for me the ideal revolver is a Ruger Blackhawk. Mine has dual cylinders 45C and 45ACP, a 4 5/8" barrel.I feel safe in the woods no matter what/who I encounter. This is just my humble opinion.

 

[one eye joe]

IMHO, the Mountain Gun in .44 Mag is the best choice for woods walkin'. Easy to tote, a wide variety of ammo choices between .44 Spl. and .44 Mag. With proper ammo and good shot placement, the .44Mag will drop anything in the woods of North America.

 

[5906fan]

you're likely better off with the .44 considering buffalo's 240gr offering
the .45acp can be handloaded (for revolvers) with speer's 255 gr slug pushing 1000fps in Super cases.
the fast reload with moonclips is likely a moot pont for a woods gun.