Increasing velocity with that round significantly increases penetration according to web data with 4.25" barrel vs. 2.5"
Hornady got this with a 2.5" heavy clothing:
9.75" 2" 3" 0.5" 164 gr 99%
0.7
Y/T channel
Hornady Critical Defense44 Special15.5
4.25" S&W690.42916511.500.703
12.000.675https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aszzuAXBhs&t=270s
I still like the Underwood 200 gr round from 3" GP100 as ultimate for now. (guessing from a 5" it would be a supersonic ear drum shredder and the bullet would fragment- since it was on the hairy edge with 3" GP100).
(be interested in seeing a .44 Special Federal HST some day).
So Tokarev - thanks again for the welcome and helping to interest smart new shooters in the great .44 Special!