I'm in the market for a small .357 snubbie. I have shot a few that friends have but was looking for some more input from people on the forum. Currently I have my eyes on the Ruger Sp-101 3". Seems like a well made gun and fits my hands pretty well. I like the Rugers because they seem to be built like a tank and have a little more heft than most snubbies (I actually prefer this - I'm 6' 5" and have large hands). Just wanted to see if anyone had some practical advice, recommendations, personal experiences, etc. Thanks.
.357 snubbie suggestions
- Thread starter meat
- Start date
My preference is the 2.25" SP 101 in 357. I put Uncle Mike's boot grips on it and changed the springs. It will shoot any load you care to try. It is easier for my eyes to pick up the sights than a Smith. It is a little heavier than some of the others, but that helps it shoot well. I have never encountered a problem with mine and have many, many rounds through it.
bad_dad_brad
New member
I second Bob G. Get the hammer spurless model.
You didn't say how or if you wanted to carry it so I'll offer some choices to think about.
My favorite .357 snub of all time is the S&W model 66 with the 2.5" barrel, this is the stainless version of the model 19. I think this would fit your hands very well, there are lots of options in grips to choose from. I currently have Pachmayr Compacs on mine.
If you want something that is easy to draw out of a pocket or IWB holster with smooth lines either the S&W 640 or hammerless Ruger are my recommendations.
If you want the capacity to shoot DA or SA and still have one of the smaller frame .357's I would go with either the S&W 60 or the Ruger SP101.
Bottomline as far as I am concerned is that when it comes to .357's I would stay with S&W or Ruger. These two companies have everything I need in .357.
Have a safe and happy 4th, Mike
My favorite .357 snub of all time is the S&W model 66 with the 2.5" barrel, this is the stainless version of the model 19. I think this would fit your hands very well, there are lots of options in grips to choose from. I currently have Pachmayr Compacs on mine.
If you want something that is easy to draw out of a pocket or IWB holster with smooth lines either the S&W 640 or hammerless Ruger are my recommendations.
If you want the capacity to shoot DA or SA and still have one of the smaller frame .357's I would go with either the S&W 60 or the Ruger SP101.
Bottomline as far as I am concerned is that when it comes to .357's I would stay with S&W or Ruger. These two companies have everything I need in .357.
Have a safe and happy 4th, Mike
Brian Williams
New member
S&W mod 60 3" barrel and adjustable sights
If you want to do pocket carry I'd say get something lighter than the SP101.
If you don't want pocket carry, I'm with C.R. Sam. Get a 2 1/2" or 3" K-frame. It isn't much heavier or bigger when it comes to concealement or carry but the extra size and weight does help a ton when it comes to control and shooting comfort.
My Taurus 605 (2" small frame .357) is a bear to shoot with magnum rounds. Heck, even with +Ps you really do feel it and you wouldn't want to shoot more than a box. You will even feel .38s and would probably go no more than two boxes. With this gun you have 5 shots.
My S&W 65LS (3" K-frame .357) is comfortable to shoot with most .357 loadings (though I'd stay away from hunting rounds if I didn't have to use them). Shooting the stouter .357s will be noticed but medium strength and milder .357s can be shot for an extended period with relative comfort. Shooting .38+Ps you could probably go all day. You barely notice the recoil when shooting regular .38s. With this gun you get 6 shots.
Both guns are a bit heavy for pocket carry (the Taurus is just small enough to fit but it is very heavy in a pocket). Both conceal easily in an IWB or belt hoster. The K-frame is heavier but with a good belt it wouldn't be a problem.
Especially if you think you will shoot many magnum rounds the K-frame snub is the way to go. If you really want (or need) the smaller snub you may want to consider a .38 instead of a .357 (the .38+P is a very effective defensive round with much faster follow up shots than the .357, and there are effective .38 rounds which allow even faster follow up than the +P). If you think you'll want to use pocket carry consider one of the lightweight aluminum .38s, that way you can best take advantage of the one advantage of the J-frame (and equivelents) over the K-frame- light weight and smaller size for pocket carry (the heavier .357 small snubs are really too heavy for most people to pocket carry).
If you don't want pocket carry, I'm with C.R. Sam. Get a 2 1/2" or 3" K-frame. It isn't much heavier or bigger when it comes to concealement or carry but the extra size and weight does help a ton when it comes to control and shooting comfort.
My Taurus 605 (2" small frame .357) is a bear to shoot with magnum rounds. Heck, even with +Ps you really do feel it and you wouldn't want to shoot more than a box. You will even feel .38s and would probably go no more than two boxes. With this gun you have 5 shots.
My S&W 65LS (3" K-frame .357) is comfortable to shoot with most .357 loadings (though I'd stay away from hunting rounds if I didn't have to use them). Shooting the stouter .357s will be noticed but medium strength and milder .357s can be shot for an extended period with relative comfort. Shooting .38+Ps you could probably go all day. You barely notice the recoil when shooting regular .38s. With this gun you get 6 shots.
Both guns are a bit heavy for pocket carry (the Taurus is just small enough to fit but it is very heavy in a pocket). Both conceal easily in an IWB or belt hoster. The K-frame is heavier but with a good belt it wouldn't be a problem.
Especially if you think you will shoot many magnum rounds the K-frame snub is the way to go. If you really want (or need) the smaller snub you may want to consider a .38 instead of a .357 (the .38+P is a very effective defensive round with much faster follow up shots than the .357, and there are effective .38 rounds which allow even faster follow up than the +P). If you think you'll want to use pocket carry consider one of the lightweight aluminum .38s, that way you can best take advantage of the one advantage of the J-frame (and equivelents) over the K-frame- light weight and smaller size for pocket carry (the heavier .357 small snubs are really too heavy for most people to pocket carry).
Oh, I just noticed that you live here in Maryland. Since we can't carry my advice above isn't as useful (unless, like me you will "carry" at home).
For a range gun a K-frame is much more useful for all the reasons in the above post. If you already have one and don't want a 2 1/2" or 3" K-frame then the SP101 may be your best bet. Assuming you already have another gun for home defense then the follow up shots won't be much of an issue. However, you will find that you will shoot .357s in the small frame gun less than you would in a bigger gun (you will probably even limit your .38 shooting in it). But, the SP101 that I shot seems to handle magnum loads better than any other small snub. It can't only be the weight since it is only 1 ounce heavier than my 605. It is one well designed gun.
If you must have a .357 instead of a .38 and you must have a small frame instead of a medium frame than the SP101 may be the best bet.
For a range gun a K-frame is much more useful for all the reasons in the above post. If you already have one and don't want a 2 1/2" or 3" K-frame then the SP101 may be your best bet. Assuming you already have another gun for home defense then the follow up shots won't be much of an issue. However, you will find that you will shoot .357s in the small frame gun less than you would in a bigger gun (you will probably even limit your .38 shooting in it). But, the SP101 that I shot seems to handle magnum loads better than any other small snub. It can't only be the weight since it is only 1 ounce heavier than my 605. It is one well designed gun.
If you must have a .357 instead of a .38 and you must have a small frame instead of a medium frame than the SP101 may be the best bet.
Handle one. Only buy a gun that you have held and "checked out".
There were some real dog rockets churned out by S&W at the end of the Sgt. Shultz regime. A lot of them are still "out there".
A couple pulls on the trigger and a check of the timing, and you know if you should buy it.
If something does turn up later, S&W's customer service is pretty damned good. They will make it right.
There were some real dog rockets churned out by S&W at the end of the Sgt. Shultz regime. A lot of them are still "out there".
A couple pulls on the trigger and a check of the timing, and you know if you should buy it.
If something does turn up later, S&W's customer service is pretty damned good. They will make it right.
Too many guns.....so little time (and $$$$$$$)Yup, can't wait to get out. I will definately be going to grad school out of state. Hopefully as soon as the fall (though unlikely at this point), most likely next Jan (spring semester) and certainly no later than next year.
If you do that get the Ladysmith model. The Ladysmith S&Ws seem to be higher quality now days than their other guns (certainly the fit and finsh is better). The trigger is also a lot nicer because they use lighter springs in them. I absolutely love my S&W 65LS (in case you weren't sure the LS stands for Ladysmith). It is one fine lady
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Stephen A. Camp
Staff In Memoriam
Hello. For belt carry or shooting, I find the S&W Model 19 to be my first choice. Mine's not an old one, but neither is it new, being purchased in '89. I've had it a few years and the thing has a smooth action with correct timing. I've not shot any current ones so I cannot comment on their quality or lack of.
Best.
Best.
kstoneking
New member
Carry Snubbie
Smith & Wesson Model 66, pre-agreement.
Smith & Wesson Model 66, pre-agreement.