12.0 Ounces Vs. 25 Ounces???
- Thread starter cslinger
- Start date
cslinger:
Skip the titanium. Skip the scandium. Save your money and get a 15oz aluminum 642. I've got a 4" Model 66, 37 oz. I can shoot 158gr +P all day long. With my 3" Model 60, 24 oz., 158gr +P is fine, but more noticeable than the 66 for sure. With my 15 oz 642, 158gr +P HURTS. Full power .357s in something that weighs the same? Thank you, but no thanks.
I suspect a lot of folks who buy the scandium guns shoot 1 or 2 rounds of .357 and then load it with .38 Spcl. Cut to the chase and can get the 642 for a couple hundred bucks less than the scandium .357. Put the extra money towards ammo.
M1911
Skip the titanium. Skip the scandium. Save your money and get a 15oz aluminum 642. I've got a 4" Model 66, 37 oz. I can shoot 158gr +P all day long. With my 3" Model 60, 24 oz., 158gr +P is fine, but more noticeable than the 66 for sure. With my 15 oz 642, 158gr +P HURTS. Full power .357s in something that weighs the same? Thank you, but no thanks.
I suspect a lot of folks who buy the scandium guns shoot 1 or 2 rounds of .357 and then load it with .38 Spcl. Cut to the chase and can get the 642 for a couple hundred bucks less than the scandium .357. Put the extra money towards ammo.
M1911
Last edited:
Sam,
Yeah she likes it....so do I.
I just went to the gun store with her. We checked out the S&W 66 and the Ruger GP100 series. She initially wanted a model 65 Lady Smith 3”. The gun store didn’t have one and said it would cost around $580
After trying out some revolvers, she chose a Ruger GP100, stainless, 3 inch, fixed sights, with a “half lug” barrel. It’s beefier than the K frame, but that will only help the recoil. Plus, I have not been very happy with Smith and Wesson lately. All of the new S&W revolvers in California have a hole drilled in the side, right above the cylinder latch. The hole is for a built in trigger lock :barf:
To make matters worse, gun stores can’t sell any of the old Smith and Wesson guns because of the Republic of Kalifornia. For example: If the new Smith model 66 is a “66-8”. The older 66-7,6,5,4,3,2,1’s are not on the gun safety list! The only way to get a gun that is not on the list is through private party transfer :barf:
I am going to put my model 19 (& my 6” model 29) in the safe, since it is almost impossible to replace in Kalifornia!
Yeah she likes it....so do I.
I just went to the gun store with her. We checked out the S&W 66 and the Ruger GP100 series. She initially wanted a model 65 Lady Smith 3”. The gun store didn’t have one and said it would cost around $580
After trying out some revolvers, she chose a Ruger GP100, stainless, 3 inch, fixed sights, with a “half lug” barrel. It’s beefier than the K frame, but that will only help the recoil. Plus, I have not been very happy with Smith and Wesson lately. All of the new S&W revolvers in California have a hole drilled in the side, right above the cylinder latch. The hole is for a built in trigger lock :barf:
To make matters worse, gun stores can’t sell any of the old Smith and Wesson guns because of the Republic of Kalifornia. For example: If the new Smith model 66 is a “66-8”. The older 66-7,6,5,4,3,2,1’s are not on the gun safety list! The only way to get a gun that is not on the list is through private party transfer :barf:
I am going to put my model 19 (& my 6” model 29) in the safe, since it is almost impossible to replace in Kalifornia!
dairycreek
New member
I recently purchased a S&W TiScan 386.
It is a seven shot 357 and weighs in at 18 oz, or so, empty. I have shot it with 38 special, +P's, and .357 ammo all in the 125 grain range. As has been stated here recoil for the special and plus P ammunition is quite manageable. While the recoil was indeed noticeable for the .357 ammo it did not "tear my hand off", or "feel like my hand had been hit with a ball bat", or anything else quite so horrible. Accuracy? I can get five rounds inside three inches at 25 yards with the .357 and just a little better with the 38 special and plus P ammo. The gun might do even better but I can't. My bottom line is that I haven't experienced any of the recoil "horror stories" with my 386. FWIW. Good shooting
It is a seven shot 357 and weighs in at 18 oz, or so, empty. I have shot it with 38 special, +P's, and .357 ammo all in the 125 grain range. As has been stated here recoil for the special and plus P ammunition is quite manageable. While the recoil was indeed noticeable for the .357 ammo it did not "tear my hand off", or "feel like my hand had been hit with a ball bat", or anything else quite so horrible. Accuracy? I can get five rounds inside three inches at 25 yards with the .357 and just a little better with the 38 special and plus P ammo. The gun might do even better but I can't. My bottom line is that I haven't experienced any of the recoil "horror stories" with my 386. FWIW. Good shooting
Eric Larsen
New member
I am totally offended...I carry an SP101 daily in my front pocket and I am no Kangaroo 
With the OEM grip its a bit noticeable..but try a Butler Creek grip on it and its as good as my old J frame for hidin.....
Shoot well
With the OEM grip its a bit noticeable..but try a Butler Creek grip on it and its as good as my old J frame for hidin.....Shoot well
If you want it for pocket carry get the S&W 642. It will be much more versatile than the SP101 or stainless S&W models like the 60 or 640. I personally find that my S&W 37 Airweight doesn't conceal well in most of my pants but that's why it is usually in a IWB holster. However, there are a lot of people who do carry light weight .38 snubs on a regular basis in their pants pockets.
retiredsquid
New member
I am thinking my next handgun purchases will be a S&W Model 331 and a Model 317. For pocket carry I believe they both would be ideal.
Rich
Rich
My fairly limited experience might be of some use. I've used the 15-oz 442 .38 for several years. I've shot hundreds of 158gr +P .38 special rounds in it, mostly fast one-handed. I do NOT find the recoil or muzzle rise to be a problem at all - and I think with practice most men will have the same experience.
Right now I can put the 5 shots into a 6" circle at 7 yards in about 5 seconds, one-handed. I know this is not great. I can shoot about 150 rounds per session. Your hand gets tired from pulling the trigger as much as from recoil.
I'm going to upgrade to the 12-oz 340PD and shoot the lighter medium-velocity .357s in it, and expect to handle it well. I believe the switch to .357 from the .38 is worth the effort to get the added power.
But not all hands are the same, and you can damage your hand or wrist shooting too many strong loads. Maybe felt recoil is a clue to what a person should not be shooting.
I like the black guns for CW because I think they are less likely to be accidentally seen. I like the Smith lightweight hammerless guns because they come out of a pocket so fast. With lots of practice, maybe the 5 shots would be enough, especially with the .357.
adk
Right now I can put the 5 shots into a 6" circle at 7 yards in about 5 seconds, one-handed. I know this is not great. I can shoot about 150 rounds per session. Your hand gets tired from pulling the trigger as much as from recoil.
I'm going to upgrade to the 12-oz 340PD and shoot the lighter medium-velocity .357s in it, and expect to handle it well. I believe the switch to .357 from the .38 is worth the effort to get the added power.
But not all hands are the same, and you can damage your hand or wrist shooting too many strong loads. Maybe felt recoil is a clue to what a person should not be shooting.
I like the black guns for CW because I think they are less likely to be accidentally seen. I like the Smith lightweight hammerless guns because they come out of a pocket so fast. With lots of practice, maybe the 5 shots would be enough, especially with the .357.
adk