.357 for Home Defense?

M

M1Rifle30-06

New member
In a S&W 686+ 6", is it too loud or too much recoil to use effectively in a self defense situation? Would the noise and blast make you hesitate more between shots?

I've shot one before and it didnt seem too bad, but I'm sure it's differet when you just woke up in the middle of the night and it's pitch black.
 
A 6" 357 Ruger Security-Six resides in my bedside table top drawer...the flash-bang wlll be more injurious to the intruder than me...I'm not worried about it.
 
A 6" 357 Ruger Security-Six resides in my bedside table top drawer...the flash-bang wlll be more injurious to the intruder than me...I'm not worried about it.
Click to expand...

I believe in quick follow up shots. The first shot doesn't always do it, even with .357. So if the flash-bang is a hinderance, I might not get a .357.

Oh and I don't want a .357 just to shoot .38's. I'd just go .45 or 9mm before that.
 
When I still had my 686 and was using it as a HD gun, I simply used WWB 110gr JHPs in it. This is a very light .357 load, but still more powerful than anything I could find in .38Spl +P. Very manageable and didn't go off like a flash-bang when shooting it in a close knit corridor.
 
Great home defense firearm. You can load it to whatever level you want. There are factory self defense loads for low flash, lighter then full power 1450fps 357mag.... The 6inch pipe is great for point shooting and quick sighted shooting.
 
I use a Security Six for HD, but I keep it loaded with hot .38 Special +P's. (158 grain SWCHP) I shoot .357 Magnums at the range sometimes just for fun.
 
I have a 686+ and love it, but my HD gun is a Springfield .45 1911 .. main reason is speed of reloading ... and it came with night sights, which I really appreciate ...
 
This might be silly, but could you load the first 3 shots a light .357 or a .38 +p and the last 3 shots a heavy hitter like Federal 357B? You get three rapid follow ups and a few seconds to adjust to the noise and light, and if that didn't do the trick the last three are heavy-hitters.
 
Here's a thought, and I may be off my rocker here:

If you could somehow have a threaded barrel on a 686, and put a suppressor on it, wouldn't it, theoretically, cut down on some of the noise? Maybe just enough to bring the decibel level down to a hot .38 Special? Sure, a lot of noise will escape from the cylinder gap, but wouldn't the suppressor take care of a good bit of noise?
 
If it is all you have use it. I kept one for that purpose for years and fortunalely never had to use it. Knowing what I do now any 357 mag would be near the bottom of my list for SD purposes.

I know of 2 former LE officers who had to retire early after firing 357 mags indoors. They could no longer pass the hearing part of their physical.
 
It would help. But silencers/suppressors are inexplicably illegal here even with a federal tax stamp.
angry.gif
If I could have a silencer, I'd get one and a threaded barrel for my Hi-Power.
 
Would the noise and blast make you hesitate more between shots?
Click to expand...

M1Rifle,

Unless it's a top .357 load I doubt in a real situation you will even remember hearing it go off.

I've shot many a deer with everything from .338 and .300 Winchester magnum down to .223 and I don't remember the blast causing me to hesitate at all. In fact in most cases I didn't even remember hearing it go off!

I'd worry more about the blast from a short 5.56 and 12 gauge shotguns inside a house than any .357.

Since your .357 is a 6 inch you don't need the super top magnum loads to reach 'magnum' energy!

Just get something like the .357 DPX load and don't worry. They have flash retardant powers to so no being blinded by the flash at night.

Deaf
 
Its a great gun for defense....and don't worry about the noise ( in defense ) ....wear ear protection for training...

Personally I would favor a 4" barrel over a 6" ....but nothing wrong with the 6".
 
In a self defense situation, you won't know the difference between a .38 or the .357 nor will the flash and and sound render you helpless.

As another point, if the muzzle blast and light disorient you, it will certainly do the same to your target.
 
Last edited:
Here we go again...

Rather than download a .357, get yourself a .38 S&W and call it good...

Less flash, bang, and over-penetration is not an issue...

Aint I a stinker?

:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top