Whether you’re considering purchasing a 44 Smith & Wesson Special or a 357 Smith & Wesson Magnum – or just want to know the revolver cartridges’ similarities and differences, this article is for you. I’ve pitted the 44 Special vs. 357 Magnum head-to-head in several critical categories to help you decide which one is the better choice for you.
Spoiler alert: one is definitely better than the other.
44 Special vs. 357 Magnum: Cartridge Specs
44 Special
357 Magnum
Parent Case
44 Russian
38 Special
Bullet Diameter
0.429 in
0.357 in
Neck Diameter
0.457 in
0.379 in
Base Diameter
0.457 in
0.379 in
Case Length
1.160 in
1.290 in
Overall Length
1.615 in
1.590 in
Case Capacity
33.5 grains H2O
26.2 grains H2O
Max Pressure (SAAMI)
15,500 psi
35,000 psi
The 44 Special is the larger cartridge in every way: a bigger bullet and a bigger case. However, it has a lower maximum pressure than the 357 Mag. In the section below, we’ll see how these differences affect each cartridge in real-world situations. Is bigger always better? Let’s find out.
44 Special vs. 357 Mag: Pros and Cons
44 Special
357 Magnum
Pros
Cons
Lower recoil
Fewer ammo options
More ammo options
Higher recoil
Nostalgic
Fewer firearm options
More firearm options
Slightly less accurate
undefined
:—:
:—:
:—:
More accurate
More expensive ammo
Less expensive ammo
undefined
:—:
:—:
:—:
Less versatile
More versatile
undefined
:—:
:—:
:—:
Even though the 44 Special is the larger cartridge, it has a lower recoil than the 357 Mag, which is very appealing to many shooters. However, aside from the nostalgia that accompanies the 44 Special, it doesn’t offer many benefits over the 357 Mag.
The 357 Mag is better for hunting and self-defense because it offers less expensive ammo, more variety (firearms and ammo), and packs more of a punch. In most instances, the 357 Mag will be the better choice. Now, let’s find out what those situations are.
Which is why Elmer was instrumental in the development of the 44mag. 41 special is still be custom made alot and is still loved. But 44mag is much better. 357,41,44 all will kill a deer though just the 44mag is going to dona little better job in the bigger or further away game
Man. I dunno. Elmer must have had small hands. Mine are the opposite, and shooting a SAA in .44 Mag just busts my 3rd finger knuckle something fierce. I do have a SuperBlackhawk with Pavhmyr rubber grips that fill in that space between the back of the trigger guard and the front of the grip strap. So it’s a pretty easy gun to shoot. But my Dessert Eagle is the easiest. Now if only I knew how to improve that trigger…
Have you ever shot a #5? I have a 44 Special from Hamilton Bowen with grips from Paul Pershing and I keep it that way out of respect but yes, small hands. Read “Hell I Was There” you will understand about his hand.
Mr. Bowen has supported our fundraising efforts several times in the past. My dad’s wife won it in the card raffle, didn’t like it, traded it to my dad for a she shed, He didn’t like the grip put something different on it, then he sold it to me. Then he found the original Pershing grips after I pestered him about it for a year or 2.
Thank you @albroswift , for the info and pics. I have only vague recollections of the “#5” being mentioned in some discussions back in a favorite gun store of mine. I have never seen one, nor recognized it was a special SAA made just per Elmer’s requirements. I have read Skeeter Skelton’s book (and got a couple recipes from it) but nothing from Elmer, unfortunately.
Those are significantly smaller grips. It explains some of the different aspects of SAA’s and Elmer’s affection for high-powered cartridges. I am not a “collector” although I have a “few” guns. I purchase those things that I like the appearance of and that shoot nicely. I have not been much of a fan of cartridges like the .44 Mag from way back when S&W came out with the Model 29. One of the other guys shooting on the college pistol team with me bought one and brought it out to an outdoor range we went to one Sat. I shot 6 rounds through it and felt the recoil was just not “fun”. I handed it back to him with thanks for letting me shoot it.
Sometimes I wish I knew more about guns. Other times I think at my age such added info would just take up useful space in my 80 y/o brain, which has enough issues managing just the info I DO have.
Mr Bowen ran out of time, didn’t get the final #5 feature which is a locking cylinder pin. This one has a Belt Mtn base pin with a set screw lock, but the original had a lever assembly to lock the base pin.
I agree a full blow 44 mag is not a comfortable load in a Smith Model 29 or a SAA style revolver. I typically shoot reduced power loads, 240 gr around 1100 fps in all my 44’s except my Super Redhawk 9",that beast is easy shooting and accurate with a full case of H-110 packed tight to the base of the bullet.
