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With the resurrection of the zombie thread there does appear to be some interest in this topic but as was pointed out there are some pretty compelling reasons not to carry one.
First and foremost is that today there are relatively few people who can really run one effectively compared to one of the more common service pistols, especially if we are talking about a 44 magnum.
Bullet selection with a magnum revolver is critical. The vast majority of factory ammo for the 44 and 41 magnum and to some extent the 357 magnum is designed for hunting large game. The critical difference I see is that in hunting you want deep penetration with minimal damage to the meat (surrounding tissues) and self defense you need adequate penetration and damage to surrounding tissues is a bonus as it adds to bleeding and subsequent compliance thru either pain compliance or hypovolemic shock.
The other critical factor is that we want to limit over penetration. I believe that there has been too much concern for over penetration in defensive handgun use.
With magnum revolvers in the SD role I prefer light for caliber bullets generally. With the 357 mag I was never a fan of 110 and 125 grain bullets. I then leaned something when discussing LE shootings with a colleague. We stumbled onto the fact that bullet construction was another critical element that we had been over looking. The Border Patrol for a year or so issued 110 grain Remington JHP's. The one shooting I saw with that load was up close, frontal with no cover, when fired from a 2 1/2" S&W model 19 the 2 bullets struck COM and disintegrated killing the BG immediately. LA Police office Stacy Lim was shot thru the chest with a 110 grain Winchester, the bullet I believe nicked her heart yet she was able to kill her assailant and survive the wound. The thicker jacket on the Winchester retarded expansion and I believe it is what saved Stacy.
I preferred the 145 grain STHP for use in 357 magnums.
In the 41 magnum I have no preference as I have very little experience with it. With the 44 magnum I prefer the Remington 180 grain JHP or the 44 special 200 grain Gold Dot loaded to magnum velocities. Here is an expanded 180 grain JHP fired from my model 69 in an extremely unscientific exercise, it is laying on a quarter and weighs 110 grains.
![IMG_20161201_075205943.jpg]()
Magnum revolvers are big and heavy, when compared to the polymer wonders of today, limited ammo capacity is also seen as a negative by some. With whatever carry gun you use, reloading is a critical skill. I use speedloaders with revolvers, after carrying a revolver for decades speed strips are a step above dump pouches and a step below belt mounted loops, and several steps below speedloaders in speed of action.
We often hear people talk about noise, flash and recoil. Those are mostly range issues, but if you are not accustomed to it, they could have negative repercussions for anyone using them. Magnum revolvers are not for everyone, I have been using them for decades and have tens of thousands of rounds of magnums fired so it is second nature to me.
If the guns do not fit you, you will not be able to use them to the full advantage. The way my hands are made N frame Smiths do not work for me. I want the grip area to fit centered in the notch at the back of my hand and the trigger in the "power notch" on my index finger for a double action revolver. An N frame is just 1/10" too long for me. I can shoot them, but prefer the model 69 Smith.
Is the ammo capacity an issue for SD? I don't think so as long as you carry proper reloads and know how to do it. Especially with the 44 magnum properly loaded I think that the power level transcends the capacity. With the 357 magnum I think that with 4" and short barrels it is challenged by the 10mm, 40 S&W (with faster 155's), 357 Sig and 9mm +P+. The 357 magnum is rarely a bad choice.
If you do your part to master the revolver, reduce or eliminate misses it is a perfectly viable choice, but it is not for everyone and it requires dedication and commitment.
First and foremost is that today there are relatively few people who can really run one effectively compared to one of the more common service pistols, especially if we are talking about a 44 magnum.
Bullet selection with a magnum revolver is critical. The vast majority of factory ammo for the 44 and 41 magnum and to some extent the 357 magnum is designed for hunting large game. The critical difference I see is that in hunting you want deep penetration with minimal damage to the meat (surrounding tissues) and self defense you need adequate penetration and damage to surrounding tissues is a bonus as it adds to bleeding and subsequent compliance thru either pain compliance or hypovolemic shock.
The other critical factor is that we want to limit over penetration. I believe that there has been too much concern for over penetration in defensive handgun use.
Taken from the
Taken in context, overpenetration can be mitigated with tactics and placement, underpenetration cannot.
With magnum revolvers in the SD role I prefer light for caliber bullets generally. With the 357 mag I was never a fan of 110 and 125 grain bullets. I then leaned something when discussing LE shootings with a colleague. We stumbled onto the fact that bullet construction was another critical element that we had been over looking. The Border Patrol for a year or so issued 110 grain Remington JHP's. The one shooting I saw with that load was up close, frontal with no cover, when fired from a 2 1/2" S&W model 19 the 2 bullets struck COM and disintegrated killing the BG immediately. LA Police office Stacy Lim was shot thru the chest with a 110 grain Winchester, the bullet I believe nicked her heart yet she was able to kill her assailant and survive the wound. The thicker jacket on the Winchester retarded expansion and I believe it is what saved Stacy.
I preferred the 145 grain STHP for use in 357 magnums.
In the 41 magnum I have no preference as I have very little experience with it. With the 44 magnum I prefer the Remington 180 grain JHP or the 44 special 200 grain Gold Dot loaded to magnum velocities. Here is an expanded 180 grain JHP fired from my model 69 in an extremely unscientific exercise, it is laying on a quarter and weighs 110 grains.
Magnum revolvers are big and heavy, when compared to the polymer wonders of today, limited ammo capacity is also seen as a negative by some. With whatever carry gun you use, reloading is a critical skill. I use speedloaders with revolvers, after carrying a revolver for decades speed strips are a step above dump pouches and a step below belt mounted loops, and several steps below speedloaders in speed of action.
We often hear people talk about noise, flash and recoil. Those are mostly range issues, but if you are not accustomed to it, they could have negative repercussions for anyone using them. Magnum revolvers are not for everyone, I have been using them for decades and have tens of thousands of rounds of magnums fired so it is second nature to me.
If the guns do not fit you, you will not be able to use them to the full advantage. The way my hands are made N frame Smiths do not work for me. I want the grip area to fit centered in the notch at the back of my hand and the trigger in the "power notch" on my index finger for a double action revolver. An N frame is just 1/10" too long for me. I can shoot them, but prefer the model 69 Smith.
Is the ammo capacity an issue for SD? I don't think so as long as you carry proper reloads and know how to do it. Especially with the 44 magnum properly loaded I think that the power level transcends the capacity. With the 357 magnum I think that with 4" and short barrels it is challenged by the 10mm, 40 S&W (with faster 155's), 357 Sig and 9mm +P+. The 357 magnum is rarely a bad choice.
If you do your part to master the revolver, reduce or eliminate misses it is a perfectly viable choice, but it is not for everyone and it requires dedication and commitment.
