.357 carry?

There is nothing wrong with the .357. The top caliber choices in that poll are auto pistol cartridges. Many people will buy a .357, then find that it recoils too much for them, so they carry 38's. I have a Smith 640-2 and I practice with and carry 110gr or 125gr JHP Magnums. I do not feel under protected.
 
357 Mag ballistics from a snubbie are available in gun rags, the net and so on..you just have to look around a bit. Ive been quite curious about this for years, since I acquired my first SP in college.
We did a little "backyard" testing a couple of years ago...had 5 snubby guns..2 with porting and 3 without..all were 357 Mags.
We did some chrono work with 125 gr 357's and 38+P's and tried to get an idea of the effects of porting in regards to muzzle flash increase.
The 'average" 357 125gr JHP was around 1100-1200 FPS with some higher than that. 400 FPE is around the most youll see from a snubbie with full house loads.
The 38+P had anywhere from 180-220 FPE from the same guns.
Both calibers were similar in other data...ES and accuracy etc. This just comfirms we were using consistantly loaded ammo and didnt get a "misfit" factory load...for accurate data.
Porting as a side note, did not increase muzzle flash in either caliber enough to really see a difference.
Hope this helps...Shoot well
 
I like auto's too but I just love revolvers especialy .357's. I use 158 grain federals and the recoil is a little high but I can still shoot accurately. I am thinking about getting the gun ported for quicker follow up shots. I just am somewhat surprised that not too many other guy's like to carry revolvers. I shoot my SP 101 much more accurately than my glock 26. I also find that it is more comfortable to carry and prints alot less. I can barely feel the gun in my waistband. I guess it comes down to personal preference but I certainly don't feel under gunned when I have my .357.
 
I always favour my Speed Six with .357 loads. In my case it is just a litle too big to carry properly concealed in warmer weather. Hence my choice of the .38 Special.

Living in a very low crime area I feel quite adequately armed with a .38 ''J'' frame. There is no need to buy a 5 shot .357. If I lived in a rougher area a Ruger SP-101 would already be in my collection.
 
Why would an attacker from a LOW crime RATE area be easier to stop than one from a high crime rate area. ?

Could be the same guy with a bus ticket.

Sam
 
Living in a very low crime area I feel quite adequately armed with a .38 ''J'' frame. There is no need to buy a 5 shot .357. If I lived in a rougher area a Ruger SP-101 would already be in my collection.
Click to expand...

I went over this on another post. I understand what he is saying.

I'm going to have fun this time....:)

The attacker from the high crime rate area would not survive in the low crime rate area for very long. Individuals in the low crime rate area are much better prepared and willing to "neturalize" their attacker. Individuals like Scarborough.:D That's why the area has a low crime rate.

Do you ever notice that there are no buses in the low crime rate areas?:rolleyes:
 
Thanks guys, I really did anticipate that question. No logical answer to my rational that I can give you. Not a lot of multiple assailant situations. 5 rounds and one ogre I figure give me the edge. Besides, when you're primary defensive weapon is a knife or walking stick a .38 snub is REAL firepower.

By the way due to the nature of my work I do every now and then place folks on the bus and send them to you:D
 
Well, considering the fans of the .357SIG have been hanging their hats on how well their caliber compares to the .357 Magnum, I'd say the old wheelgun round still has some life left in it:D

One of my first wheelguns was a Ruger Security Six. One of a few such Rugers ... At present the only one I have left is one of the heavy barreled 4" Service Six models. The grip frame was rounded, and it was worked over by Mag Na Port. Nice gun.

I have an SP-101 in .357, too. Quadra Ported by the same folks. I can fire 5 Remington 125gr SJHP Magnums accurately as fast as I can cycle the trigger. Fun little flame thrower now that it's tamed ...

I'd say the .357 is still popular and still effective in the personal defense area ... and the hunting area.

It's just that my little 642-1 is much lighter, and I practice a lot with my favorite +P load.

And ...

My 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP pistols are about as light, or lighter, and carry more rounds of acceptably potent and decent performing ammunition.

It's not that I don't trust .357 anymore. I've just become spoiled by having other options regarding lighter weight, convenience, comfort and capacity. I definitely Do Not feel underarmed those increasingly fewer (is that an oxymoron??) times I carry one of my .357's. And the newest Scandium/Ti revolvers are becoming very attractive in all their configurations ... Who knows? I might go with the L-framed enclosed hammer model someday ...:cool:
 
Sam is thinking right along the same line as I am. The bad guys drive cars too. They go where they want ...do what they want...'till they come upon a victim with teeth! Thats why I carry a little heavier caliber now. I live and work in areas that are just too busy, (crime active), to ignore the possibility of being "chosen".
Mark.
 
I’ve carried a S&W 340PD Airlite .357 off duty for a few years now. I feel confident in its stopping power.
Its great for ccw and long term carry, I’ve worn it for as long as 24 straight hours once in dress clothes.
And on occasion I’ll carry a speed loader if I feel the need, but usually I just toss it in the trunk with my diddy bag went I go out.
Never had the need for a reload yet and the good Lord willing I won’t.
 
Any pistol caliber is second best to almost any rifle or shotgun for defensive purposes.(there are a few exeptions)

Therefore, as long as you can control it, the more, the better. My personal minimum is 357 mag.
 
I carry a .357 Magnum snubby, but I load it with .38+P or .38+P+.

Not as loud, easier to control. Never had to fire it without hearing protection, but if I did I would not want to be setting off five rounds of .357 Magnum.

Also have a Kimber Compact CDP .45 ACP.

Bought it specifically for CCW (and about five other guns before that). Great gun, but I still have to dress a certain way to carry it. I never do.
 
For me, it comes down to this. I like to shoot, but not as much as I would like. As a general rule, light autos are easier to shoot than light revolvers. Here is the problem. I have NEVER had an auto in my hand that didn't jam sometime. All be it, some were 99% reliable - but revolvers have always been 100% reliable for me - regardless of the make, model or caliber. Call me paranoid, but when things get dicey, I don't want the 1% jam probability in my mind.

I'm old enough to recall when .357 was considered the ultimate handgun cartrige for personel defence. I've yet to see anything in the last 20 years that beats it by any reasonable margin - regardless of barrel length, porting or what not. Sure it kicks and roars and spits flame. But the same can be said of any major caliber when used in a small package. Just practice some, and you won't be surprised when you pull the trigger.

I'm not interested in being able to put 10 rounds into a 6" diameter target at 25 yards. I NEED something that will put 5 rounds into the same target at 7 yards or less - every time I try it - with a reasonable expectation that it will perform down range. I'm able to do that with an SP 101 .357. So I'm a happy man.
 
See thats exactly how I feel, I have NEVER had a revolver not go bang when I pulled the trigger. I carry my SP101 everyday at around the 1 oclock position in a IWB holster made by Desantis. It is completly comfortable(more so than my Glock 26) and will hide under a loose T-shirt with no "cover" shirt. I can drive my car and sit down W/O moving the gun. I too won't stake my life on a gun that may or may not jam when I need it most. I also beleve that shot placement has more to do with all this "stopping power" stuff than caliber. I think that five shots of .357 should be enough to shop an attacker if you hit them in the chest or head. I mean how do you think you would react to catching even one .357 hollow point in those areas.
 
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