Carrying a .44 Magnum... Are you kidding me!?

**Aggressive Perfector** · 10-07-2014, 02:33 AM

After doing some shooting today, my buddy (who has been on the fence about carrying a gun for some time) finally decided a gun was a better weapon than his pig sticker after a simple water jug demonstration. Finally, I broke through to the guy! But his decision making process baffles the hell out of me. After shooting my Glock and Dustin's .44 Magnum S&W , he's hell bent on carrying a .44 Magnum. The reason he cited: the superior power of the cartridge. What I've tried telling him is bigger isn't always better, especially when carrying a gun for defense. I mean the weight of one of these 6 shooters makes for slower target acquisition, the barrel length not only makes drawing a clumsier affair, but also makes the weapon damn hard to conceal, especially in the warmer months! I'm currently working on talking him into a 10mm or .45ACP, something manageable that'll still pack enough punch for the guy to be satisfied. The guy can shoot decently, and isn't an idiot about handling guns, but when it comes to concealed carry he doesn't have a damn clue! Why anyone remotely knowledgeable about guns would consider this is beyond me.

**Richard Simmons** · 10-07-2014, 06:14 AM

Lots of folks including my self carry a S&W N frame for CCW. I carry a 3" 610-2 in 10mm but a 2.5" or 3" in .44 mag would carry the same. He don't have to shoot full house magnums in it. I do carry mine during the fall/winter months where even a light jacket is enough to conceal. As long as he's not looking at an 8"+ barrel he could be just fine.

**Schuetzenman** · 10-07-2014, 06:22 AM

Nope, wouldn't carry a .44 magnum. The short barrels like Richard mentioned will give super muzzle flash and be loud as a howitzer going off! Also 2 to 3" of barrel won't deliver much real speed to the bullet, that's the muzzle flash the size of a basket ball. Most of the powder and speed is lost in pushing the bullet in the short tubes. Yes a Glock 30 in .45 ACP or the 29 in 10 mm should be far better choices for CCW application if he want's big-bore weaponry. In the winter I CCW a model 21 Glock in.45 ACP. In warm weather I use a Glock 19 in 9 mm with 124 gr. Gold Dot ammo.

**alismith** · 10-07-2014, 06:35 AM

As far as carrying goes, a lot depends on the body size of the individual. A small-framed guy won't be able to conceal a large revolver as well as a heavier-built guy. I'm large enough to conceal a SW Mod. 29 with 3 in. barrel, but prefer to carry a Bond Arms .45/.410 as it's thinner and easier to conceal.

**l921428x** · 10-07-2014, 07:27 AM

if you use .410 shells what do you use?

**Krupski** · 10-07-2014, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by Aggressive Perfector

After doing some shooting today, my buddy (who has been on the fence about carrying a gun for some time) finally decided a gun was a better weapon than his pig sticker after a simple water jug demonstration. Finally, I broke through to the guy! But his decision making process baffles the hell out of me. After shooting my Glock and Dustin's .44 Magnum S&W , he's hell bent on carrying a .44 Magnum. The reason he cited: the superior power of the cartridge. What I've tried telling him is bigger isn't always better, especially when carrying a gun for defense. I mean the weight of one of these 6 shooters makes for slower target acquisition, the barrel length not only makes drawing a clumsier affair, but also makes the weapon damn hard to conceal, especially in the warmer months! I'm currently working on talking him into a 10mm or .45ACP, something manageable that'll still pack enough punch for the guy to be satisfied. The guy can shoot decently, and isn't an idiot about handling guns, but when it comes to concealed carry he doesn't have a damn clue! Why anyone remotely knowledgeable about guns would consider this is beyond me.

I wouldn't want a revolver for carry. I know they are probably more reliable than a semi-auto, but having only 5 or 6 shots doesn't thrill me.

My older 1911 (the 1920 pistol) is reliable... it never fails to fire and it never jams up, so I carry that (plus 2 spare mags).

For that matter, all my pistols are reliable, but I prefer the big heavy .45 cal slug.

**Krupski** · 10-07-2014, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Schuetzenman

Nope, wouldn't carry a .44 magnum. The short barrels like Richard mentioned will give super muzzle flash and be loud as a howitzer going off! Also 2 to 3" of barrel won't deliver much real speed to the bullet, that's the muzzle flash the size of a basket ball. Most of the powder and speed is lost in pushing the bullet in the short tubes. Yes a Glock 30 in .45 ACP or the 29 in 10 mm should be far better choices for CCW application if he want's big-bore weaponry. In the winter I CCW a model 21 Glock in.45 ACP. In warm weather I use a Glock 19 in 9 mm with 124 gr. Gold Dot ammo.

For a revolver, it seems to me that a .357 magnum would make the most sense. Practice with .38 and carry .357, right?

**FunkyPertwee** · 10-07-2014, 10:23 AM

Load up with .44 Specials for self defense, and hot magnums for hunting and bear defense.

**FunkyPertwee** · 10-07-2014, 10:25 AM

**FunkyPertwee** · 10-07-2014, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by l921428x

if you use .410 shells what do you use?

A S&W Governor.

Or a Taurus judge if you ain't got no money.

**FunkyPertwee** · 10-07-2014, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Krupski

For a revolver, it seems to me that a .357 magnum would make the most sense. Practice with .38 and carry .357, right?

.357 will also split your ears.

I was surprised to see how much of a majority of members at the S&W revolver forum recommended the .45 ACP Smith 625 for home defense over the .357 models, citing muzzle flash, flip, and blast. As well as citing the effectiveness of modern .45 ACP defensive loads.

**Richard Simmons** · 10-07-2014, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by FunkyPertwee

.357 will also split your ears.

I was surprised to see how much of a majority of members at the S&W revolver forum recommended the .45 ACP Smith 625 for home defense over the .357 models, citing muzzle flash, flip, and blast. As well as citing the effectiveness of modern .45 ACP defensive loads.

I've got a 4" Model 22 and a 3.5" M25-14 and prefer both to my 4" Model 28-2. Partially due to the 45ACP round and partially due to the fact they both take full moon clips so reloads are faster, at least for me. Same with my 610-2 in 10mm. Those full moon clips are just faster for me than a speedloader. Plus when you eject the full moon everything comes out together so there is no worry that an empty case slipped over the ejector star or got hung up against the top of the stock or the cylinder release.

**alismith** · 10-07-2014, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by l921428x

if you use .410 shells what do you use?

For the most part, I, usually, load it with 2-1/2" Winchester, 000 Buck (3 pellets, copper plated).

**Dan Morris** · 10-08-2014, 06:33 AM

Only time I ever carried my .44 was on spring camping trips to hills....shoulder rig. That, was only in a Bear area.
Dan

**tank_monkey** · 10-22-2014, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by Dan Morris

Only time I ever carried my .44 was on spring camping trips to hills....shoulder rig. That, was only in a Bear area.
Dan

I was gonna say that. Good Answer Dan Morris.

When I visited my friends in ALASKA I carried a Model 29 Stainless. I don't even know if that will stop a Kodiak though.

**L1A1Rocker** · 10-23-2014, 09:39 AM

IIRC, Massad did an article (his normal gun fight breakdown article) in American Handgunner years ago about a woman that carried a 44 in her purse. She won the fight.

**weevil** · 10-23-2014, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Aggressive Perfector

After doing some shooting today, my buddy (who has been on the fence about carrying a gun for some time) finally decided a gun was a better weapon than his pig sticker after a simple water jug demonstration. Finally, I broke through to the guy! But his decision making process baffles the hell out of me. After shooting my Glock and Dustin's .44 Magnum S&W , he's hell bent on carrying a .44 Magnum. The reason he cited: the superior power of the cartridge. What I've tried telling him is bigger isn't always better, especially when carrying a gun for defense. I mean the weight of one of these 6 shooters makes for slower target acquisition, the barrel length not only makes drawing a clumsier affair, but also makes the weapon damn hard to conceal, especially in the warmer months! I'm currently working on talking him into a 10mm or .45ACP, something manageable that'll still pack enough punch for the guy to be satisfied. The guy can shoot decently, and isn't an idiot about handling guns, but when it comes to concealed carry he doesn't have a damn clue! Why anyone remotely knowledgeable about guns would consider this is beyond me.

And he'll carry it a time or two....until the new wears off.

Then it'll sit at home or in the glovebox because it's a burden to carry.

But don't waste your time trying to convince him otherwise, let him live and learn.

Experience is the best teacher.

On the bright side you might be able to get a good deal on the .44 when he realizes he needs something more carry friendly.

**Aggressive Perfector** · 10-23-2014, 11:20 AM

Forgot about this thread. Schuetz, thanks for filling in my blanks. Weevil... He's since been talked into Glock's 10mm. Came to his senses. Tank Monkey, If I were worried about grizzlies in Ohio, a .44mag would be the smallest gun I recommend anyone carry. That ain't the case though.

L1A1, glad it worked out. Any gun is better than no gun. I still see .44 mag as an inferior weapon for CCW compared to a smaller semi-auto or double action 6 shooter.

**weevil** · 10-23-2014, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by Aggressive Perfector

Weevil... He's since been talked into Glock's 10mm. Came to his senses.

Good choice!

One of my carry options is a G29-SF.

Bascially a magnum revolver in pistol form. Not .44 mag levels but somewhere between a .357 and low end .41 mag depending on the loads.