Buying a New Gun which one .38 or .357

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shy_man

New member
Greetings to all:

I am happy to see TFL back again. I know that these site can enriched a person's knowledge not only about guns but also to many aspects in conducting one's life.

Well, I am planning to replace my 1911 .45 and 9mm as my side arms and I have the passion to own a revolver. I have two choice a .38 or a .357 magnum. I am not so much after the comparison of power among .38 and .357 but I would like to have a revolver that is mild (I mean not for hot load but also enough for self defense).

Previously, I always after the power of .45 because I am active in target shooting by that time, but this time I want to go back to revolver and choose .38

Can any one recomend me a sturdy .38 revolver that is not S&W or colt as these two revolvers command a very high price in Manila, Philippines. Are the Brazil made revolvers durable. I am thinking the Rugger but if possible I want to trimmed my budget into less than 400 dollars. If I buy Brazil made what trade mark you can recommend.

I thank you in advance of your good advices.
 
I would suggest a Ruger GP100, or an SP101 in .357 mag if you want something smaller. Ruger will definitely outlast something like a Taurus, and shooting .38's from them is very easy on the shooter.
 
Rugers have the reputation of being very strong revolvers. But with the mild shooting you intend to do, you can get a .357 Taurus and simply shoot .38's out of it. You decide which has more value for the price you're willing to pay. Good luck!
 
I agree with treeprof - -

- - Once you rule out Colt and S&W, the Ruger revolvers are by far the best of the lot. A lot of knowledgeable shooters say they are the best, even considering the other names.

The GP100 is probably as indestructible as any common revolver. If you handload, it can take some VERY stout loads without shaking to pieces - No small consideration when you are in an area lacking gunsmith services. Some decry the Rugers as being too heavy, but it is part of the price you pay for durability. You also get the versatility of being able to shoot magnum ammunition. The drawbacks of shooting .38 Special cartridges in magnum chambers are highly overstated - - Unless you fire thousands of rounds of warm .38 Spl per year, you'll never see the "chamber errosion" in a magnum chamber.

All the above comments also apply to the Ruger SP101 - - You give up one round, and some control, using the heavy loads, and just a little of the durability. It is still a very strong revolver, and a better proposition for concealed carry.

Of the South American revolvers, I'd choose the Taurus brand. Strong, well made, reasonably priced, and the ones I've shot were accurate.

Good luck to you.
Johnny
 
Thank you treeprof, I will try to look for GP100 or SP101 in .357, it seems that these model are not so available in the market here now. The Gun stores were flooded of Brazil made like the Taurus.

If I am right, many are saying the GP100 is as sturdy as a tank.

Is the Taurus .357 good enough to stand thousand rounds as break-in. Will it change the tightness (I mean after discharging thousand rounds will it not becoming loosed or mis-alignment of parts).

Thanks
 
357 magnum/Johnny Guest:

Your advices are good. So, I should buy .357 platform and I use .38 special and that would also lengthen the life of the barrel or I may say, by using .38 on the .357 it will not cause so much wear and tear on the .357 barrel.

Either Taurus or Rugger would be fine. Johnny, I am pleased to hear about your experienced with the Taurus. Would it be good if I will buy the Taurus .357 2" barrel or the medium frame is better. But my purpose is not to have so much weight as I will make it carry infront of my private parts, that is the best place for concealed carry if yo have a good holster for that side of the body. :)
 
My first preference would be the Ruger in .357 and next the Taurus in .357. You can always shoot .38 through either of them. The bullet is the same size. That way, you have the choice to shoot .357 or .38. If you get a .38 only, you lose some versatility. However, if weight is a problem some of the new materials like Scadmium and Titanium (as far as guns go) would be somthing to consider.Some of these lighter weight metals are only offered in .38. Goi hold a few and see what fits your hand and circumstances best. An extra 6 ounces means alot in terms of a carry gun.
 
So, I should buy .357 platform and I use .38 special and that would also lengthen the life of the barrel or I may say, by using .38 on the .357 it will not cause so much wear and tear on the .357 barrel.​

If you buy a GP100 this really is not a consideration. Many regard the GP100 as basically indestructible.

Even in less robust platforms, like the S&W K frame, it is not the barrel itself that suffers from heavy loads. The forcing cone (the rear-most part of the barrel) may erode or crack in extreme cases, frames can stretch, and other parts may wear, however.

No manufacturer's products are perfect, but Ruger is well ahead of Taurus in every respect except possibly (today) materials innovations. In that area, though, leading edge easily becomes bleeding edge. I would go with Ruger in your circumstances.
 
The sturdiness and heaviness of the Ruger make it much easier to shoot the hotter .357 rounds.

You probably can't beat a .357 for versatility. Ruger is an excellent choice. Unless you want to conceal it, I recommend the GP100 with a 6" barrel. They usually go for around $300 used in the U.S. Another nice thing about Rugers is that a used one will still handle a lot of rounds.
 
I would also go with the SP-101 a .357 is a real stopper and you can always down grade your round to a +P, or special, even wad cutters for practice.
Taurus makes some nice weapons, but they can be a hit and miss. The last Taurus I bought, was the very last Taurus I'll ever buy. Had to send it back to the factory twice.
 
Taurus? Never again for me!

I have, over the years, purchased 6 NIB Taurus revos om 38/357. Each was NIB and three had to be sent back to the factory for work - more than once!!! While it is true that three worked okay and did not need service my 50% batting average with Taurus has touted me off them for good. Good shooting;)
 
I've had three Taurus revolvers (still have, and always will, one of them) and I've never had any trouble with any of them.

I had a Ruger P89 (a 9mm auto, not a revolver) and while reliable, its fit and finish and its accuracy were far from commendable.

From reputation I'd say Ruger revolvers are good (and I might someday own them). From first hand experience as well as contact with many other Taurus owners, I'd say they make good guns that are great values.

As for the .38 v. .357 chambering, it depends on your situation. If you want a small snub go with the .38. The magnums can be harsh even in the steel framed J-frames and they tend to be an ounce or two heavier (and often more money) than their .38 counterparts and if you want a lightweight alloy the magnums can be outright painful to shoot. If you go with a medium framed revolver the .357 gives you more versatility since it will take magnums and .38spl and +P. One potential advantage of the plain Jane .38spl is that the magnums are more in demand and thus usually more expensive so you can get the .38spl for less (sometimes significantly less) money. If you want a medium framed revolver and you can afford the .357 without too much hardship buy the magnum, if the cost savings of the .38 is important to you there is nothing wrong with a .38spl revolver and in good loadings it is an effective self-defense gun.
 
Not sure what the used market is like over there, but if you run across a Dan Wesson, they're usually priced very reasonably.



Location: SoCal
Click to expand...
Vega,
SoCal? Just visiting or are you here for good?
 
Hal - Dan Wesson is not reasonbly priced where shy_man is.

If everything turns out well, I'll be here for good.

vega
 
I carry a Ruger SP101 3" 357. I ground the hammer spur off to get the snagg-free profile of a concealed hammer, but retain the ability to cock the hammer back, for precision shooting. Normally I load it with CCI/Speer Gold Dot 124gr, but I am experimenting with Remington 158gr LHP +P (.38 Special).

If you are a Taxi, Jeepney, or Tricycle driver, I'd recommend the 357. It's ability to shoot through barriers (i.e. cars) may save your life. Otherwise, I'd say that a tiny 38 will suit you fine.
 
Vega:

As I said, I am eyeing .38 special, the .357 is fine also, but if you will give me your.38 spcl for a special price then that will be my first choice now. Will you pls email me his spec of yours. I forgot already but I think that belong to the special edition of the manufacturer.

If ever, my deal I had mentioned will prosper than I will email you how to get the .38 in your place and inform them the same.

Nice shooting with your bunch of arms in uncle sam country. :)
 
Quote:

If you are a Taxi, Jeepney, or Tricycle driver, I'd recommend the 357. It's ability to shoot through barriers (i.e. cars) may save your life. Otherwise, I'd say that a tiny 38 will suit you fine.

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Gazpacho:

Not belong to any of the mentioned profession, so I don't need so much of the power of the .357, but I wish I could get one and still load it with the .38 spcl.

I had .45 pistol but my appetite for the .38 special seems strong that I cannot resist right now, so I wanted to have it one of the not so much revered caliber .38
 
Quote:
Hot damn boy! (pardon the language) It'll be great to have you! I hope it all turns out well.
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Hal,

vega perhaps will mine the US dollar reserve and later come back home for good, to pay his country's indebtedness :)
 
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