Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This video takes a practical look at a question that often comes up when comparing a 357 Magnum revolver with a 44 Magnum revolver for wilderness protection.
A common argument in favour of the 357 Magnum is that its lighter recoil should allow faster follow-up shots. That sounds reasonable, but how much difference does it actually make when the guns are being fired under pressure?
To explore that question, I went back through video footage of my Canadian Proof Of Proficiency testing with two revolvers I’m authorized to carry for wilderness use: a Ruger Security Six with a 2-3/4-inch barrel in 357 Magnum, and a Smith & Wesson Model 629 with a 4-1/4-inch barrel in 44 Magnum.
The footage lets us compare the two guns side by side at 5, 10 and 15 metres, from both standing and kneeling positions. Altogether, the comparisons include 12 separate shooting sequences and 72 shots fired using full-power ammunition.
The results may surprise you.
This is not intended to be a scientific test, and shooting speed is only one factor to consider when choosing a handgun for protection in remote country. But the comparison does provide some real-world evidence that may help shed light on the question of whether the 357 Magnum really offers a meaningful speed advantage over the 44 Magnum.
And right at the end, there’s an interesting rapid-fire exception that may give the 357 Magnum some additional credit.
If you enjoy the video, please click Like. It helps YouTube recognize that the video is worth recommending to other viewers.
And if you haven’t already subscribed to The Way To Native Chronicles, I’d really appreciate your support.
You can also support the channel in several other ways:
Buy Me a Coffee:
buymeacoffee.com/thewaytonative
Buy Me a Coffee extras/store:
buymeacoffee.com/thewaytonative/extras
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Thanks very much for watching and supporting the channel.
God bless.
00:00 - The question to be tested
03:21 - Test comparisons conducted
07:13 - Concluding remarks
This video takes a practical look at a question that often comes up when comparing a 357 Magnum revolver with a 44 Magnum revolver for wilderness protection.
A common argument in favour of the 357 Magnum is that its lighter recoil should allow faster follow-up shots. That sounds reasonable, but how much difference does it actually make when the guns are being fired under pressure?
To explore that question, I went back through video footage of my Canadian Proof Of Proficiency testing with two revolvers I’m authorized to carry for wilderness use: a Ruger Security Six with a 2-3/4-inch barrel in 357 Magnum, and a Smith & Wesson Model 629 with a 4-1/4-inch barrel in 44 Magnum.
The footage lets us compare the two guns side by side at 5, 10 and 15 metres, from both standing and kneeling positions. Altogether, the comparisons include 12 separate shooting sequences and 72 shots fired using full-power ammunition.
The results may surprise you.
This is not intended to be a scientific test, and shooting speed is only one factor to consider when choosing a handgun for protection in remote country. But the comparison does provide some real-world evidence that may help shed light on the question of whether the 357 Magnum really offers a meaningful speed advantage over the 44 Magnum.
And right at the end, there’s an interesting rapid-fire exception that may give the 357 Magnum some additional credit.
If you enjoy the video, please click Like. It helps YouTube recognize that the video is worth recommending to other viewers.
And if you haven’t already subscribed to The Way To Native Chronicles, I’d really appreciate your support.
You can also support the channel in several other ways:
Buy Me a Coffee:
buymeacoffee.com/thewaytonative
Buy Me a Coffee extras/store:
buymeacoffee.com/thewaytonative/extras
The Way To Native Chronicles Shopify store:
the-way-to-native-chronicles-2.myshopify.com
Thanks very much for watching and supporting the channel.
God bless.
00:00 - The question to be tested
03:21 - Test comparisons conducted
07:13 - Concluding remarks
