.357 or .38, I Want A Revolver

"Keep in mind, that with a 3-4" barrel, you won't be able to shoot tight groups. You might be able to hit a man-sized target at 40-50 yards, but they are generally suited to close range"

Definitely not true, over here in Europe we shoot 25m (ca. 27 yards). I am a total newbie, have never shot handguns before. Guess what: With the 4" barrel I shoot groups with ca. 6 inch height and 14 inch width in quick shooting da, with my M14 6" I shoot single action groups of 2 to 3 inch height and 6 inch width.

The S&Ws are some of the most accurate revolvers and handguns ever built. So accuracy depends on the shooter, not so on the gun.

If you go back from 6" to 4" the sighting line goes down from 8" to 6" and your groups will be 1/3 bigger, that's all.

I think 3" in the minimum one should choose, especially with the K-frame as it isn't *that* small. 2" barrels is something for J-frame BUGs, those guns doesn't even have flat mainsprings so they're a compromise already.

3" is perhaps the best .38 special barrel length, 4" for .357 and 5" for .44 magnum, I like 6" for target shooting of course..
 
Handle -- shoot if you can -- Smith L Frames (581, 586, 681, 686) and Ruger GP-100s. Decide which you prefer and buy it new or top-quality used. IMHO, avoid Tarsus (you can check TFL’s archives (under “search” above) and you find a long litany of complaints re inconsistent Tarsus quality and their non-existent customer service). Both S&W L Frames and Ruger GP100s are exceptionally versatile -- good for target and plinking, personal and home defense, light/mid game hunting -- and they fire the great variety of .38 Special and .357 magnum rounds. MANY experienced experts believe that one of these (or both) is THE “must own” revolver. I also recommend either a four or a five inch barrel, as the most useful, multipurpose lengths.
 
carbinecaleb

Hello,
bought the wood at a wholesale hardwood place that sells hardwoods for cabinet makers.

But if you are looking for fancy grade walnuts, both french, claro, and myrtle woods, there is a company called Calico Hardwoods, right here in No. Calif. that sells cutoffs from their fancy grade shotgun stocks.
the pistol blanks run from 40.00 up to 90.00

You should be able to find them on the internet.
Didn't find a website, but on GunIndex found their contact info:

Calico Hardwoods, Inc. Supplier of gunstock blanks. 3580 Westwind Blvd. Santa Rosa, CA 95403, Phone: (707) 546-4065, Fax: (707) 546-4027.
 
flame cutting

why would the .357 max have more of an issue with flame cutting than say a .460 or .500 S&W? something to do with case diameter?
 
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