Anybody like shooting .357 Magnums?
- Thread starter liketoshoot
- Start date
Preacherman
New member
Liketoshoot, if you want recommendations for a .357 revolver, you're going to have to be more specific as to what it'll be used for.
- For CCW purposes, I'd recommend a 2½" or 4" barrel length S&W Model 66, preferably one of the older-production guns, which can be tuned to the nicest combat trigger imaginable by a good gunsmith. If you want to go smaller, there's a plethora of J-frame-size .357's out there, but most are tough to shoot fast and well, due to small grip size and light weight (particularly with full-power ammo.). In this class of weapon, my unhesitating "pick-of-the-litter" recommendation is the Ruger SP101: not the smallest or lightest, but surely the most controllable.
- For CCW if you're a larger body size, or wear clothing that can more easily conceal a larger weapon, the S&W Model 686 or Ruger GP100 (also with 2½" or 4" barrel).
(In both of the above categories, in the 66, 686 or GP100, if you look around carefully, you can sometimes find an example with 3" barrel. IMHO, this is the ideal compromise between concealability and effectiveness - grab 'em if you can!)
- For home defence or range use, try the 6" barrel versions of the 686 or GP100.
Taurus makes some moderately good .357's as well, but I haven't had the same accuracy with them as with the Rugers or S&W's.
Hope this helps.
- For CCW purposes, I'd recommend a 2½" or 4" barrel length S&W Model 66, preferably one of the older-production guns, which can be tuned to the nicest combat trigger imaginable by a good gunsmith. If you want to go smaller, there's a plethora of J-frame-size .357's out there, but most are tough to shoot fast and well, due to small grip size and light weight (particularly with full-power ammo.). In this class of weapon, my unhesitating "pick-of-the-litter" recommendation is the Ruger SP101: not the smallest or lightest, but surely the most controllable.
- For CCW if you're a larger body size, or wear clothing that can more easily conceal a larger weapon, the S&W Model 686 or Ruger GP100 (also with 2½" or 4" barrel).
(In both of the above categories, in the 66, 686 or GP100, if you look around carefully, you can sometimes find an example with 3" barrel. IMHO, this is the ideal compromise between concealability and effectiveness - grab 'em if you can!)
- For home defence or range use, try the 6" barrel versions of the 686 or GP100.
Taurus makes some moderately good .357's as well, but I haven't had the same accuracy with them as with the Rugers or S&W's.
Hope this helps.
Let me see here:
Ruger:
SP101
GP100
Redhawk
Blackhawk
S&W
Model 19 x 2
Model 66
Model 28
Model 27
Model 627 PC
Model 686
Marlin:
1894C
I am probably leaving out at least one, but you might say I am kinda fond of the cartridge. I doubt if any of them have had more than a few .38s fired from them since I owned them. If I want to shoot .38s, I have a few guns in that caliber also.
Ruger:
SP101
GP100
Redhawk
Blackhawk
S&W
Model 19 x 2
Model 66
Model 28
Model 27
Model 627 PC
Model 686
Marlin:
1894C
I am probably leaving out at least one, but you might say I am kinda fond of the cartridge. I doubt if any of them have had more than a few .38s fired from them since I owned them. If I want to shoot .38s, I have a few guns in that caliber also.
I have to second Charleym3 re: noise. Recoil in both my Ruger Security Six 4" and S&W M28 4" is managable, but the noise and muzzleblast factors can quickly become uncomfortable to down right painful when firing indoors. That's why, like many others, I fire more 38 Spl than 357mag at the range.
SgtMaj13
SemperFi
P.S.
Liketoshoot:
Take a look at the S&W M28. In my area they go for about the same price as a comparable M19 and will last longer & be more comfortable to shoot..
SgtMaj13
SemperFi
P.S.
Liketoshoot:
Take a look at the S&W M28. In my area they go for about the same price as a comparable M19 and will last longer & be more comfortable to shoot..
How can one NOT like .357 magnums?
Ok, granted out of a lightweight snubby they hurt. But in a GP 100, Redhawk, Bisley, and S&W 686 its darn fun to shoot, and does NOT hurt at all (at least me). If the gun is heavy enough with good recoil absorbing grips, it shouldn't hurt if you use proper shooting techniques, IMO. The noise and flash is just fun, and I actually like the moderately heavy (but NOT painful) recoil. Not too much recoil (like heavy .44 maggie loads have), but a good .357 maggie is definitely noticeable.
BTW, I can't explain it, but my stainless Blackhawk .357 actually has a lot more felt recoil than it should for its weight (6.5" barrel and heavy). Perhaps its the grip shape doesn't fit my hand as well as the others I mentioned? My GP 100's feel light in recoil compared to the Blackhawk, despite being a smaller frame.
Ok, granted out of a lightweight snubby they hurt. But in a GP 100, Redhawk, Bisley, and S&W 686 its darn fun to shoot, and does NOT hurt at all (at least me). If the gun is heavy enough with good recoil absorbing grips, it shouldn't hurt if you use proper shooting techniques, IMO. The noise and flash is just fun, and I actually like the moderately heavy (but NOT painful) recoil. Not too much recoil (like heavy .44 maggie loads have), but a good .357 maggie is definitely noticeable.
BTW, I can't explain it, but my stainless Blackhawk .357 actually has a lot more felt recoil than it should for its weight (6.5" barrel and heavy). Perhaps its the grip shape doesn't fit my hand as well as the others I mentioned? My GP 100's feel light in recoil compared to the Blackhawk, despite being a smaller frame.
I'm probably in the minority on this but I don't like shooting 38s in 357s. As a result of that attitude I obviously like to/enjoy shooting 357 Magnums. Double action with Federal's 125g Classic in an N-Frame Smith is fun but challenging.
Even the heaviest loads are a delight in a Ruger Blackhawk. Just let it role in the hand and cock the hammer on the way back down out of recoil. That is pure plinking fun!
Even the heaviest loads are a delight in a Ruger Blackhawk. Just let it role in the hand and cock the hammer on the way back down out of recoil. That is pure plinking fun!
It could be that I grip the single action Blackhawk too tight (cause I'm use to double action grips). I don't know. My Blackhawk just tends to sting the hand a lot more than the GP 100 or 686.
Interestingly, the Ruger Bisley (also single action) I've tried seems to recoil less than the Blackhawk.
Ben Shepherd
New member
Cz, look carefully at the grip frames. They are a little different.
As a general rule guys that like boomer loads agree that the bisley grip handles heavy recoil much better.
As a general rule guys that like boomer loads agree that the bisley grip handles heavy recoil much better.
LeadPumper
New member
Give it up boys...We got Magnums!
Love the cartridge, very versatile. Love the platform, very controllable.
Have a couple of Smiths myself: a 6" 586 with custom hardwoods, b-square scope mount and a 1" Ultra-Dot- great for long range plinking with 38 spcl, +P, or Magnum; and a 4" 686-2 with rubber hogues- a real blast master with any load.
And then there's the Winchester 94 Trapper in .357. Great brush rifle, fast and accurate with just enough recoil to let you know it's there. Of course 38's work too, feels more like a .22 though.
Can't say enough about that wonderful stuff!
-LeadPumper
Love the cartridge, very versatile. Love the platform, very controllable.
Have a couple of Smiths myself: a 6" 586 with custom hardwoods, b-square scope mount and a 1" Ultra-Dot- great for long range plinking with 38 spcl, +P, or Magnum; and a 4" 686-2 with rubber hogues- a real blast master with any load.
And then there's the Winchester 94 Trapper in .357. Great brush rifle, fast and accurate with just enough recoil to let you know it's there. Of course 38's work too, feels more like a .22 though.
Can't say enough about that wonderful stuff!
-LeadPumper
"...There is nothing .. that can compare to the noise, recoil, and muzzle flash of a high-pressure .357 mag round..."
Uh, 44 Mag? : )
Love my 357 Mags, especially the 6" GP100. 38/357 is a really versatile round, and I doubt that I'll ever get around to handloading all the variations.
Like others, I shoot .38S indoors, and save the .357M stuff for outdoors.
Uh, 44 Mag? : )
Love my 357 Mags, especially the 6" GP100. 38/357 is a really versatile round, and I doubt that I'll ever get around to handloading all the variations.
Like others, I shoot .38S indoors, and save the .357M stuff for outdoors.
RE: shooting 357magnums, Booby's bad day
Krautgunner
New member
The .357 Mag is the best and most versatile revolver caliber in the world.
It has plenty of punch when needed, yet you can handload it down to a mild recoil level or simply shoot .38 Special ammo out of a .357 revolver.
It is superbly accurate and an outstanding self-defense caliber.
The .44 Mag. has a higher fun-factor, but it lacks the versatility of the good old .357 Mag.
It has plenty of punch when needed, yet you can handload it down to a mild recoil level or simply shoot .38 Special ammo out of a .357 revolver.
It is superbly accurate and an outstanding self-defense caliber.
The .44 Mag. has a higher fun-factor, but it lacks the versatility of the good old .357 Mag.
Prodigalshooter
New member
Yup!
I can't even imagine not having at least one magnum class revolver.
Let's see....
357s
1. Dan Wesson 715
2. Ruger blackhawk (Sold it.)
3. Smith 586 6"
4. Smith 686 2 1/2"
5. Smith 627 5 1/2"
.41 mags
1. Taurus tracker (Sold it.)
2. Ruger blackhawk 4 5/8"
3. Smith 657 7 1/2"
I know I'm forgetting something somewhere, and I didn't even include .44 mag, .45 colt, 45 acp, 357SIG, etc.
Ja, I hate 'em, too.
Let's see....
357s
1. Dan Wesson 715
2. Ruger blackhawk (Sold it.)
3. Smith 586 6"
4. Smith 686 2 1/2"
5. Smith 627 5 1/2"
.41 mags
1. Taurus tracker (Sold it.)
2. Ruger blackhawk 4 5/8"
3. Smith 657 7 1/2"
I know I'm forgetting something somewhere, and I didn't even include .44 mag, .45 colt, 45 acp, 357SIG, etc.
Ja, I hate 'em, too.