Smith Wesson 44 Magnum ammo question/choice

[Mehutch]

I pack a 44 Mag on all by back bush trips, when you carry 50 pound pack for a week in the hills, a 3 pound magnum make little difference. Photo with my Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 Mag.

 

[notsofast]

If you have to have a 44mag get one
Spend some time with an instructor at a range. The .357 will also fire .38 specials, the .44mag will also fire .44spcls.
Shoot your 686 & 44mag and let us know what you think

 

[jcelect]

Home defense!

A home defense gun is a real problem when choosing the right gun/round combo! Actually your first concern should not be stopping the intruder! You should be more concerned with the bullet after it goes though the intruder or if you miss the intruder! The walls of your home will not stop a bullet, unless they are of masonry construction! What's behind the intruder and the wall behind him and possibly 2 or 3 more walls? We read, almost daily, about people being shot inside their home by a drive by shooting! You should be choosing a low velocity fragmenting bullet in all calibers when choosing a home defense round! ALL my home defense guns have a round loaded with shot, #7 1/2 or #6, nothing larger, and placed in a revolver to be the first round fired! This only requires a point and squeeze action! This round will give you a split second or more to collect your senses and take aim! If the intruder is still advancing toward you, put him down with the next 5 rounds(caliber does not matter)!
jcelect

 

[Toppscore]

Correct, any mechanically sound S & W .44 Magnum revolver can fire any factory .44 Magnum/Special load. You will see "boutique" or specialty Magnum ammunition that is best used in small quantities due to the extra stress it puts on the gun. Cool 686. Not easy to have found in CA I bet.

Thank you so much. I purchased the 357/686 in 1987.
Have not shot it yet, still NIB. I going to sell it "as new"
then procure both a SW 44 magnum and a SW 357 magnum
with shorter barrels.
Good to know about the 44 special loads. Cheers

 

[Toppscore]

You are new to guns and your first defense and target shooting one is going to be a 44 Magnum? ummmmm... might not be the best choice for either. Since you are new to firearms, I highly recommend taking a gun safety course and maybe try some different handguns before you buy. The 44 Magnum is a great cartridge for hunting, but it is way more than most people need for target and self-defense uses.

Yes. Lessons and coaching and practice are in the bucket list.
Thanks for the reminder.
My SW 44 magnum goal is to have a gun that'll fire off
any loadable round, but I will settle on 44+p or 44 special.
From my study and reading, they are better for home defense
and recoil concerns.
I have a 357/686 and Ruger Mark II for a bit of background.
I just bought but have not received a Springfield XD9mm.
So, this is a small group of guns for hobby and self-defense.

 

[Toppscore]

The first handgun I ever bought was a 6" 686-6, followed by a Springfield RO 1911, in .45acp, then a 6.5" 29-10. A few years ago, I added a 4" 629-6. I've also accumulated various SW .357's, since then. The only reasons I would carry a .44 magnum, would be to protect myself, in the field, from moose, elk, bear, dogs, and 2-legged vermin, or to finish off a wounded animal, while hunting. For any situation that doesn't involve large, wild animals, .357 or even .38 special are more manageable choices. I have never shot .44 special in either of my .44's, but for HD or SD, that would be the option I would choose. I would also suggest no more than a 4" barrel, if you plan on carrying it. However, I think .44 magnum is overkill for most self protection scenarios.
My bedside gun is a 3" 65, loaded with 125 grain JHP .38 Special +p. I live in a neighborhood, with small lots, and I have a roommate on the other side of the wall. The last thing I want is a bullet travelling through sheetrock and siding, into the house next door, or the next room.

Great response. Thank you.
My goal is to have the 44mag shooting 44special,
a 357/686 shooting a 38 special,
a Ruger MarkII
and a Springfield XD-9mm (already ordered, yet to arrive).
Use is for hobby and self defense.
Good to know the large guns can take the "special" ammo
to help this newbie with recoil and accuracy concerns.
Personally, I like revolvers and'll probably own some
mid 20th century Colt revolvers and S&W revolvers.
Something about a steel blued dark handled six shooter

 

[Toppscore]

If it was me I would keep your 686 and use it instead of buying a 44.

But to answer your question, no. Some companies make "Ruger only" 44 Magnum loads that cannot be shot in a S&W. In addition to being loaded really hot they are often longer than the SAAMI specs and will not fit in a S&W cylinder. Guns like the Ruger Super Redhawk have longer cylinders and are heavier guns better able to handle the hot loads. These loads come from small boutique ammo manufacturers and will be labeled "Ruger only", +P+ or some other warning. Note that there is no SAAMI +P spec for 44 magnum so that label can mean anything the ammo company wants it to. If you stick to major ammo makers like Federal, Remington, Winchester, Fiocchi, etc. anything they make will be fine. And any 44 Magnum load will be more than powerful enough for target shooting and too powerful for home defense.

For both of the purposes you are looking at 44 special would be a better choice. A S&W 44 magnum can shoot all types of 44 Special without any problems. Even the stuff labeled +P.

Once again, for target shooting and home defense the .357 you already have is a better choice than a 44. Unless you are worried about grizzly bears invading your home.

Thanks for the great response. Much appreciated.
I plan to trade/sell the photo'd 357/686.
I plan on procuring a S&W-357/586 magnum 4"
and a S&W-29 44mag 4" for fun, hobby and self defense
and I just purchased a Springfield XD-9mm for home defense as well.
I'll use the "special" rounds instead of magnum for home defense ammo.

 

[Toppscore]

If I read it right, his 686 is new to him and unfired but not for long as he is gonna shoot it here very soon. As for a S&W .44 Mag, if you are shopping older used or pre-owned, then yes, some of the earlier ones certainly bring up debates and discussions as to how STOUT they are. If what you seek is a hardcore durable .44 Mag revolver and durability is the top concern, a big ole Ruger Redhawk may serve you better. It's also worth noting that, officially speaking with regards to accepted industry standards — ".44 Special +P" does not exist. Yes, some outfits (such as Beefalo Bore) may lead you to believe otherwise, but when the truth matters, only SAAMI has the power to create a cartridge out of thin air.

Did I misunderstand? PLMK.
For the 44 mag gun, rounds available are 44 mags and 44 special rounds with +P and +P+ options.
and
for the 357 mag gun, rounds available are 357 mags and 38 special rounds with +P and +P+ options.

 

[Toppscore]

The best home defense and carry gun is one that is comfortable to shoot and carry; well shot from lots of practice, use only premium ammo, and to know when not to shoot. There are hundreds of other condition to firing a gun at paper and flesh. You hesitate, you're dead. Panic shoot and you'll face a jury.

I have lots of handguns, many choices to carry from. I know them well and the ammo very very well. I reload since 19 years old, I kinda know my stuff. My house gun is a Springfield TRP loaded with Winchester Ranger 'T' 230gr. My carry gun is a S&W 686-4 2.5" barrel 357 mag... or my Colt Defender .45 ACP.

I have had to pull my gun on four nasty dudes and one angry black bear. Everyone went home to think it over, including the bear. I didn't have to drop the hammer, but I can.

The choice is yours. Oh yes I carry my S&W 44 mag in the bush, loaded with 310gr. hard cast Federal Hammerheads. ya never know.

Mehutch. Great response and photos.
I own a 357/686 no dash, unused and NIB.
But, I will sell/trade it for a 357/586 as I like steel blued revolvers.
I have decided eventually to buy the S&W-29 44 magnum.
I see you have the 629 stainless steel.
Question: Does SW make a "529" blued version 629
as they do with the 686 blued version being 586?

 

[Toppscore]

+1
I inherited a 44Mag from my grandfather in the late 70's as a teenager when most of what I had shot was 38+p out of a 357mag. A high end 44mag round will jar your insides. It took years to be able to handle 44mag at full power. I am now in my late 50's and I shoot a cylinder once a year of 44mag as that is all my elbow can handle now. I do put about 500 rounds of mouse fart 44 SPL through it per year. Most of my target shooting is with 9mm and 38/357. My carry piece is a 10mm auto. The 44Mag is my backup woods gun when I go deer hunting.

I've been told about 44magnum rounds being bone jarring.
I'll use the 44 "special" rounds and save my elbow.

 

[Toppscore]

My first firearm bought when I was 60 years old was a Ruger Vaquero in 44 special. People told me I should start with a 22 but since I was starting out late in life, I didn't have time for that. I would have loved to have had a Ford GT40 when I was 16 but I had to settle for the 66 Mustang 289 I got when I was 17.

Same here. My first car was an emberglow 1966 Mustang with
the full pony interior. I have had five more 1965/1966 Mustangs since.
But, I should have started out with a 1970 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500, instead.
Looking back . . . . . .

 

[Toppscore]

Toppscore: It is a good thing you found this forum. It is the encyclopedia of all things shooting and Smith & Wesson. The experience and knowledge here is unbelievable.
Almost everyone will advise against a .44 Magnum for new shooters! Me too! However, I bought my first Smith revolver in 1968--A Model 29-2 .44 Magnum. I was on the department pistol teamd and was shooting a lot of .38s prepping for competition. One cylinder of .44 mags through that gun set me back for months!! I had to go to light reloads and work up to heavier loads. It took quite a long time to achieve. I still own that Model 29, but it is semi retired and I have others to take to the range now. I still like to shoot .22s and I still shoot mostly .38 through my .357 revolvers.
Sage advice is to start with .22 LR and master the fundamentals of marksmanship, before moving to centerfire guns, saving the .44 Mag for the top of the mountain.
But, go ahead and buy that .44 Mag if that is what you really want, just realize that it is a beast to shoot and will mess up your shooting techniques. Good advice above to take courses to learn proper techniques and work up to the big boy!!

Hi, Richard.
I intend to have the 357mag/586 and the model 29 44mag
both loaded with "special" rounds to save my body.
Soon to arrive is a new Springfield XD-9mm
and I do own a Ruger Mark-II.
Seems we are on the same page. Thanks again.

 

[Toppscore]

People do pack the 44 mag. The 629 is around 3 pounds, unloaded. Try hiding a brick somewhere on your person and carry it around all day.

A glock 33, for example, is about 1/2 the weight, half or less the bulk and has 3 or 4 more rounds.

Maybe we should create a firepower to weight ratio rating.

But, more power to you, if you decide the 629 is your carry piece. Woe betide man or beast who crosses you ... !

Hi! Mostly I desire a 357/586, a 44/29, a Springfield XD-9mm
and a 12 gauge shotgun for hobby and self defense.
Will shoot the "special" 357 and 44 loads.
I have my eyes on a blued Model-29 44 mag 4" barrel.
Cheers

 

[Toppscore]

If you have to have a 44mag get one
Spend some time with an instructor at a range. The .357 will also fire .38 specials, the .44mag will also fire .44spcls.
Shoot your 686 & 44mag and let us know what you think

Will do. High passion for blued steel guns,
I want to trade/sell my 357/686 for a 357/586.
Same ~ have decided to procure a Model-29 blued
as I believe the 629s only come in stainless steel.
Are there Model-29 S&W type guns that are newer and blued?

 

[Toppscore]

A home defense gun is a real problem when choosing the right gun/round combo! Actually your first concern should not be stopping the intruder! You should be more concerned with the bullet after it goes though the intruder or if you miss the intruder! The walls of your home will not stop a bullet, unless they are of masonry construction! What's behind the intruder and the wall behind him and possibly 2 or 3 more walls? We read, almost daily, about people being shot inside their home by a drive by shooting! You should be choosing a low velocity fragmenting bullet in all calibers when choosing a home defense round! ALL my home defense guns have a round loaded with shot, #7 1/2 or #6, nothing larger, and placed in a revolver to be the first round fired! This only requires a point and squeeze action! This round will give you a split second or more to collect your senses and take aim! If the intruder is still advancing toward you, put him down with the next 5 rounds(caliber does not matter)! jcelect

Fantastic advise. Thank you so much.
Start with a shot/round in chamber one.
Much appreciated.
I do know to go with hollow jacket rounds at home.
Mostly owning the magnum guns allows for using
the "special" rounds for easier shooting management.

 

[Sevens]

Did I misunderstand? PLMK.
For the 44 mag gun, rounds available are 44 mags and 44 special rounds with +P and +P+ options.
and
for the 357 mag gun, rounds available are 357 mags and 38 special rounds with +P and +P+ options.

Let's start with .357 Magnum. When you buy a handgun so chambered, you can absolutely expect with confidence that the gun is designed to safely hold/fit and shoot/use/digest ".357 Magnum" ammo. This can all safely and predictably happen because the gun makers AND the ammo makers have agreed upon an industry standard and those standards are managed by SAAMI.

This is important for all of us, and to our benefit. SAAMI keeps the industry standard.

If some small ammo manufacturer decides to make a product that is NOT recognized by SAAMI, all we know for certain is that it is a product built to no agreed upon industry standard.

The .38 Special is a recognized cartridge.
.38 Special+P is also.
.38 Special+P+ is NOT.
.44 Special is a recognized cartridge
.44 Special+P is NOT.

Guns work extremely well for us and we all benefit from the fact that manufacturers adhere to the agreed upon standards.

I'll admit freely that it irks me a lot when some small boutique ammo maker elects to ignore that standard... just to sell a product.

 

[Dave Lively]

Guns work extremely well for us and we all benefit from the fact that manufacturers adhere to the agreed upon standards.

I'll admit freely that it irks me a lot when some small boutique ammo maker elects to ignore that standard... just to sell a product.

What irks me is when someone buys some stronger than SAAMI spec ammo and then complains when his gun doesn't work well with "full power" ammo.

 

[Toppscore]

Let's start with .357 Magnum. When you buy a handgun so chambered, you can absolutely expect with confidence that the gun is designed to safely hold/fit and shoot/use/digest ".357 Magnum" ammo. This can all safely and predictably happen because the gun makers AND the ammo makers have agreed upon an industry standard and those standards are managed by SAAMI.

This is important for all of us, and to our benefit. SAAMI keeps the industry standard.

If some small ammo manufacturer decides to make a product that is NOT recognized by SAAMI, all we know for certain is that it is a product built to no agreed upon industry standard.

The .38 Special is a recognized cartridge.
.38 Special+P is also.
.38 Special+P+ is NOT.
.44 Special is a recognized cartridge
.44 Special+P is NOT.
Guns work extremely well for us and we all benefit from the fact that manufacturers adhere to the agreed upon standards. I'll admit freely that it irks me a lot when some small boutique ammo maker elects to ignore that standard... just to sell a product.

Thanks. Makes life simple.
44 magnum gun using only 44 magnum and 44 special rounds.
357 magnum gun using only 357 magnum and 38 special rounds.
Cheers and Thank you for the advice.

 

[JDinAZ]

reckon im kinda a basic man and like a general utility round far as 44 mag ammo goes. always run wwb 240g full house thats all. hits plenty hard and isnt over juiced so to say. should never cause a failure far as thats concerned.

 

[Mike_Fontenot]

In my 5" 629 "Classic" .44mag, I shoot 240gr JHP Underwoods exclusively, for all practice shooting and carry. No problems.