.38 or .357?
- Thread starter Rjeezie
- Start date
I'll add my vote to the folks recommending the .357 for its flexibility. I have an older S&W model 66 K frame with the 2.5" barrel, and I'm partial to it. At the same time, if I were looking for a .357 today, I'd stick with S&W but would probably opt for the heavier K frame model 686.
You'll be shooting .38's mostly anyway... The .38 is less expensive and it *might* have a little shorter cylinder. The .357 is more versatile. Both will do the job you want.
Just buy whichever one that speaks to you when you handle it or when you see it in the case. I've bought several guns that way when I thought I was shopping for something else.
Just buy whichever one that speaks to you when you handle it or when you see it in the case. I've bought several guns that way when I thought I was shopping for something else.
The only advantages a 38 has over a 357 are they are lighter and you can save a few bucks. It doesn't sound like you want the lightest gun you can get. Do you want to save maybe $40? Maybe not exactky, but probably something like that.
If you want to actually hunt with the gun you probably need a 6" barrel. You mentioned concealing, which rules out anything you can or at least should hunt with. If you want a sidearm for protection while you hunt then a 3" would make a great all around gun.
If you want to actually hunt with the gun you probably need a 6" barrel. You mentioned concealing, which rules out anything you can or at least should hunt with. If you want a sidearm for protection while you hunt then a 3" would make a great all around gun.
Yeah for the hunting, definitely not the primary gun. More like a sidearm/backup during hunting (a necessity when hunting hogs). Don't think I want a 6".... snubby might not be the most realistic choice either... probably something inbetween then it looks like. Unless I pick up a snubby and fall in love with it and decide i want to carry it.
Shadi Khalil
New member
Briang,
I don't hunt or carry it for SD but the .357 is my favorite round to shoot. We can still have fun with our guns, right?
I don't hunt or carry it for SD but the .357 is my favorite round to shoot. We can still have fun with our guns, right?
Absolutely. having fun is just as important as being useful. If you WANT a .357, then the question's moot, isn't it? buy what you want, or buy what you need, and make sure your purchase fits your wants and needs.
I very rarely shoot .357. I just like my .38 pistols better. Even at that, I have .38 +P in my .357 for my nightstand gun. I'd prefer not to use full house .357 loads, but in another neighborhood, that wouldn't be a concern.
I've told this story several times here, and even been accused of making it up. My father was charged and knocked down by a grizzly when in yellowstone. A park ranger went to look at the bear, since it was near a camping area, and killed it with a .357 when it charged him.
That's what it can do, and that's a good reason to pass on the .38. times when you just got to have that extra power, if they ever happen.
If that guy had really believed that it was a grizzly on that sandbar, and thought that it would also attack him, I don't think he would have gone looking for it with something so bloody small. Carrying a .357 as a "just in case" weapon and actually going out looking for trouble with one are two different things. same thing really goes for .38 special and .380, I guess.
What do you want the gun to do; concealed carry, home defense, hunting/trail, or a range gun? At present I carry/use three 357 Magnum revolvers. My hunting/trail/range gun is a L frame 4" barrel S&W 686. The gun weighs 41oz unloaded; and is superb for these three functions. Additionally it serves as a home defense gun. It is not used as a CCW piece however as it is too large and heavy for that role I feel. For my CCW/SD I use two snub nose 357 Magnums..........Rjeezie said:
• In the spring and summer, shorts & T shirt weather; I carry a 5 shot Taurus® Mdl 605SS2 with a 2" barrel that weighs 24.6oz, (27.2oz when loaded w/125gr ammunition.) If I'm wearing shorts/sweats with a draw string I use a Galco® IWB like THIS. If I'm wearing golf shorts, or Dockers® with a belt, I use a DeSantis® Cozy Partner® IWB with a SS Polo® shirt.
• In the Fall and Winter, when I wear a coat or jacket as a covering garment; I carry a 7 shot Taurus® Mdl 617SS2 with a 2¼"barrel. The gun weighs 29.2oz (32.1 when loaded w/158gr ammunition). I carry the gun in a Don Hume® J.I.T. Slide OWB or a Don Hume® H715-M W.C. IWB.
While this "System/Choice" works very well for me, only you can determine if it is a viable option for yourself.
405FileFound
New member
38 or 357? hmmm
Well, in 2006 a box of fifty 38s cost 12 dollars and 357 were 14 to 17 dollars. This wasnt much more than the 9mms which were 10-12 dollars. Times arent the same now and 9s have remained the same cost and 38s are usually 15 and up, and Ive seen 357s for 19 and up.
38s are cheaper if you want to practice - unless money isnt an issue for you. But even the 38+P is cheaper than 357 for comparable performance, of course if you go for the self-defense rounds - the 38 +P that are 20$ for 25 in a box. The 357 self-defense rounds are about a dollar per bullet.
For my home I keep standard 158g since the recoil is manageable and its what I practice with (once every 4 months or so). Just my idea - 38s and 38+P are cheaper, easier to fire quickly, easier to reload (the shorter 38s balance better in speedloaders). Just my observations with my 23 ounce SW 649.
Well, in 2006 a box of fifty 38s cost 12 dollars and 357 were 14 to 17 dollars. This wasnt much more than the 9mms which were 10-12 dollars. Times arent the same now and 9s have remained the same cost and 38s are usually 15 and up, and Ive seen 357s for 19 and up.
38s are cheaper if you want to practice - unless money isnt an issue for you. But even the 38+P is cheaper than 357 for comparable performance, of course if you go for the self-defense rounds - the 38 +P that are 20$ for 25 in a box. The 357 self-defense rounds are about a dollar per bullet.
For my home I keep standard 158g since the recoil is manageable and its what I practice with (once every 4 months or so). Just my idea - 38s and 38+P are cheaper, easier to fire quickly, easier to reload (the shorter 38s balance better in speedloaders). Just my observations with my 23 ounce SW 649.
357 Python
New member
Since you mentioned it will be a back up gun for hunting any 4" barreled high quality revolver should do. Check out the S&W L and N frames. The L frame (686) is the same size as the Colt Python. The N frame (model 27) is quite a bit bigger. Also the Ruger GP100 is fine for this as is the Ruger Blackhawk and New Vaquero. If you plan on concealed carry I would not go any smaller than a used S&W K frame (S&W models 13, 19, 65, 66) or similar sized gun. The small J frames with magnum ammo can be quite interesting to hold on to during recoil. In my opinion (for whatever it is worth) the J frames should be used with 38 Special +P instead of the magnum loads.