What is so Darn Special about Magnum caliber revolvers?

[mg357]

What is so Darn Special about magnum caliber revolvers?

Prior to the start of the whole Magnum Revolver craze.

There were .22 Caliber revolvers, .32 caliber revolvers and .38 calibers.

The only large revolver calibers that existed prior to the magnums.

were the 45acp and the 45 Colt sometimes called the 45 Long Colt.

But once the whole Magnum craze started back in 1935.

with the "Birth" of the .357 Magnum.

these other calibers that existed long before it did.

don't seem to get as much attention any more and that is.

So please my fellow forum members please explain to me what is so darn special about Magnum Caliber revolvers?

 

[feralmerril]

Sells guns!

 

[diamonback68]

More powerful than non-magnum guns and people just like more power. Gets the job done where other previous wimpier loads just couldn't.

 

[DR505]

The .45 Colt, when hand loaded, gives up nothing to the .44 magnum in the proper firearm. It is my favorite cartridge. See this link for good info on .45 Colt loads: Gunnotes...Smith & Wesson Mod 25-5 By: John Linebaugh

The .45 ACP is the prefect self-defense cartridge for my use. It is also at the top of my list and I have several firearms in this flavor.

The .38 Special, when loaded to proper levels, is a good all-around cartridge and has a great track record. It is very versatile and makes one of the best target cartridges around.

Many buy into the magnum calibers thinking they need the biggest and best. Many try them and then put them into the safe! Most standard loads will do the vast majority of what one needs a handgun for.

All that being said, I own .357, .41, and .44 magnum revolvers because I hand load and they are therefor even more versatile. Additionally, some wonderful firearms are made in magnum cartridges that just aren't in standard cartridges. My first handgun and my first LE gun was a Model 27-3.

Bottom line...I like them all.

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

They are more cool than non-magnums!

 

[LVSteve]

The flames.

 

[G-Mac]

Well, since your handle hear is "mg357", you tell us!

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Fun to shoot in 38 special or 357 mag. I want every model of S&W 357 mag.

 

[Snapping Twig]

44 Russian, 44-40, 44 Spl, just to name a few that were around back in the old days.

Magnums make a revolver accurate and useful out to 100 yards +.

You can hunt with them. Try that with a non magnum.

You can shoot 38's in a 357, same for 44, etc.

Special, why yes... yes they are.

 

[vytoland]

I mainly shoot .38 special rounds out of my S&W revolvers. but every now and then I take my model 28-2 to the range...........I like to see the heads turn when they hear the loud WHUUUMP and see the fire ball come out....

 

[Jack Flash]

Law enforcement and handgun hunters were clamoring for more power in a handgun. The .38/.44 was an attempt to placate those markets.

Someone else can describe the history more precisely, but suffice it to say that it occurred to firearms/cartridge designers that it may be a bad thing indeed if someone fired the .38/.44 in a cheap/weak/old .38 Special. So they elongated the case to make it impossible to chamber in a non-magnum revolver, and the .357 Magnum was born. The .44 Mag followed a similar path. Seems like a logical progression to me.

As others have indicated, the magnums are extremely versatile, especially to a handloader. However, if you prefer non-magnums, there are sure a lot out there, and more are being made every day. So how is there a problem?

 

[mg357]

Jack Flash: No problem sir I just wanted to know what was so darn special about Magnum Caliber revolvers.

 

[gregintenn]

Elmer Keith, and later (and for different reasons) Clint Eastwood gave the magnum a mythical romantic quality that just really seemed to catch on.

Also, some men try to make up for other personal inequalities by owning a bigger gun, louder truck, or faster car.

Furthermore, the magnum caliber chambered revolvers are more versatile because although they can still fire the older, non-magnum rounds, they can also be fed full power rounds.

 

[THEWELSHM]

357 magnum designed to pierce the vests of the Mob, Elmer, and Philip were the men.Along with Smith and Wesson and Winchester.

I only shoot Magnums

thewelshm

 

[Jack Flash]

... Also, some men try to make up for other personal inequalities by owning a bigger gun, louder truck, or faster car...

I'm sure there are some who buy magnums for that reason. None of the husky he-men in our group, of course!

 

[Mike McLellan]

.357 magnum is the first choice of heathens, sinners, and fornicators.

Deut. 32.20

 

[DR505]

Also, some men try to make up for other personal inequalities by owning a bigger gun, louder truck, or faster car.

I'm sure there are some who buy magnums for that reason. None of the husky he-men in our group, of course!

I only have a 6-incher.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

The same reason any product evolves and improves...

Better performance for different needs...

Same reason the average full size pickup with a v-8 engine is making 350-400hp where 30 years ago they were under 200hp..

The same basic reason smokeless powder replaced black powder..

Industries make products people want. They want to stay in business and increase profits. They do so by keeping things changing..hopefully for the better.. The market determines if a new product is a success or a failure.

Evolution, supply, and demand my friend.

 

[MTKTM]

Don't forget to mention the big daddy magnum of them all, the 500 S&W Magnum! If you haven't fired one, you need to!

Seriously, I like them all. Right now I'm having a lot of fun playing with, handloading for, and shooting a Ruger Alaskan in 454 Casull/45 Colt. Great fun. But I'm still, and always will be, a S&W guy. My first gun, given me by my dad in 1965 or 1966 (I can't remember which year it was, but it was a Christmas gift), was a 6.5" 27 which I still have. I shot six deer over the next 8 or 9 years with that gun because I didn't have a hunting rifle, I was an impoverished college student and doing a stint in the Army. I remember sitting in my dorm room or crappy basement apartments and painstakingly handloading 357 ammo with a Lee Loader. It would take about an hour to make 10. Made me somewhat careful about shot placement.

 

[federali]

Many Reasons

I think that gun writers also contributed to the magnum craze. However, the rifle magnum craze started in the 1950s with several popular Winchester calibers. Magnumitis soon spread to handgun calibers, greatly encouraged by the writers of the day, some of whom had excellent reputations and credentials while others were mere ink slingers.

Adding to the craze was the sudden and increasing popularity of handgun hunting. Thus, the rush was on to produce handguns and ammunition capable of taking big game to reasonable ranges.

Lastly, law enforcement was looking for more effective cartridge handgun combinations as there was much dissatisfaction with the .38 SPL round.

But, if you want something, be prepared to give up something. More effective ammunition meant harder recoiling ammunition that was more difficult to hit with.