There are some considerations here folks.
First off, the .44 magnum can digest .44 Special self defense rounds. Some that are pretty hot, others mild, put out by Corbon and other ammo makers.
Second, if outdoors it can make sense to carry the .44 magnum for two legged or four legged varmints or predators.
Remington puts out two loads that are medium velocity, but moving faster than .44 Special loads.
The caveats are as follows.
There are techniques to master recoil as taught by Mas Ayoob that will help immeasureably.
One of the gunwriters whose been there and done that. He's a body builder named Leroy Thompson likes the .44 magnum, but has written articles on the big .44 stating that there are many handicaps to shooting them. As big and as built as Thompson is, he has some troubles shooting the .44 magnum. Doing this when things are calm are one thing. Under extreme duress of a defensive situation is another.
Thompson has carried the .44 magnum when on assignments. He's a world class firearms instructor and bodyguard instructor. He goes with something other than the full power loads when using the .44 magnum as the primary firearm. Most of the time anyway. There's always a few exceptions to general guidelines.
Most of the time now he carries a pistol or longarm and pistol if need be.
I agree there are circumstances where a .44 magnum is fine. If the person can control it, has shot under real world duress, and handles it well. Or the person is built to carry it as a CCW.
Those are the exceptions.
For most part I will stick with my .357 magnum and do all right and have a decent level of protection. That's what's nice about the magnum revolvers. Simplicity, easy manual of arms,versatility, and one can custom fit the ammo to the situation at hand.
Good old Dirty Harry's quote ( I doubt he was the first to say it ;D ), " A man has to know his limitations", is all too true.
Remington puts out two loads that are mdium velocity, but moving faster than .44 Special loads. These are 210gr JHP.at 1000 fps.and the 240 gr JHP. at 1180 fps. are nothing to sneeze at.