I have never seen the point in these ultra-light snubbies in 357 let alone 38+p. They are small and light and great for carry but if you can never feel like you control the gun they lose their whole reason to be IMO. Everybody seems to agree that they are no fun to shoot (quotes like "hitting your hand with a 2x4", etc. don't inspire me to want one). I love snubbies but I like mine with a little more heft. You can get something like a SP-101, even K or L frame S&W snubbie at 25 ounces plus that you can shoot all day and really get good at. That to me is the point of the gun and the goal - not just being able to hide it easily.
Does anyone like shooting .357 in the M&P360?
- Thread starter mjblucci
- Start date
Another consideration is the relative cost between the regular Airweights rated for +P and the Ti/Sc guns chambered in Magnum (or the M&P's with their PVD treated stainless cylinders and Sc frames).
The MSRP for the 442/642 is about $450 ... the M&P 340/60 is about $870 ... and the 340/360PD is about $1020 ... and the 60/640's running between-ish.
You can buy a couple of holsters and a fair amount of ammunition for the difference between an Airweight and an Airlite.
More range/practice time, too.
Personally, I wouldn't carry one if I couldn't shoot it safely, controllably, accurately & rapidly. Maybe someday I'll reach that point. Dunno. (Aging and some physical conditions, injuries & ailments make shooting harder recoiling handguns increasingly difficult, if not impossible, right? Especially for some folks who were "Magnum enthusiasts" as younger shooters.
I'm pushing 60 as it is.)
I know one large (1200+) LE agency that was exploring issuing 5-shot J's to its officers as secondary/BUG guns. Last I heard, after some range testing & evaluation it was felt that standard pressure 148gr wadcutters might be a preferable load (being considered against +P loads) due to the much improved shooting/scoring demonstrated by some folks involved in the evaluation. Dunno what became of the program, though, as I got distracted by other issues since the last time I spoke with someone who was involved.
I don't know what LAPD is authorizing/issuing to its folks who bought the .38 Spl Only M&P 340 variation, but I'd not be surprised if it's probably one of the newer +P loads. NYPD uses the Speer 135gr +P GDHP. (Although I've read that their duty/authorized ammunition contract is scheduled to be up for bid this year, and Winchester was reported as being interested. Anybody hear anything further?)
I think folks ought to shoot what they can shoot best in the little J's, taking into consideration they might have to do so under the stressful and difficult conditions involved in an unexpected shooting situation.
I do.
I can do well with Magnum loads ... but I can do even better, recovery-wise, using +P loads. The difference between going from standard pressure up to +P isn't as noticeably different, for me, like it is going from +P up to Magnum. That matters to me.
The MSRP for the 442/642 is about $450 ... the M&P 340/60 is about $870 ... and the 340/360PD is about $1020 ... and the 60/640's running between-ish.
You can buy a couple of holsters and a fair amount of ammunition for the difference between an Airweight and an Airlite.
More range/practice time, too.Personally, I wouldn't carry one if I couldn't shoot it safely, controllably, accurately & rapidly. Maybe someday I'll reach that point. Dunno. (Aging and some physical conditions, injuries & ailments make shooting harder recoiling handguns increasingly difficult, if not impossible, right? Especially for some folks who were "Magnum enthusiasts" as younger shooters.
I'm pushing 60 as it is.)I know one large (1200+) LE agency that was exploring issuing 5-shot J's to its officers as secondary/BUG guns. Last I heard, after some range testing & evaluation it was felt that standard pressure 148gr wadcutters might be a preferable load (being considered against +P loads) due to the much improved shooting/scoring demonstrated by some folks involved in the evaluation. Dunno what became of the program, though, as I got distracted by other issues since the last time I spoke with someone who was involved.
I don't know what LAPD is authorizing/issuing to its folks who bought the .38 Spl Only M&P 340 variation, but I'd not be surprised if it's probably one of the newer +P loads. NYPD uses the Speer 135gr +P GDHP. (Although I've read that their duty/authorized ammunition contract is scheduled to be up for bid this year, and Winchester was reported as being interested. Anybody hear anything further?)
I think folks ought to shoot what they can shoot best in the little J's, taking into consideration they might have to do so under the stressful and difficult conditions involved in an unexpected shooting situation.
I do.
I can do well with Magnum loads ... but I can do even better, recovery-wise, using +P loads. The difference between going from standard pressure up to +P isn't as noticeably different, for me, like it is going from +P up to Magnum. That matters to me.
If you do not see any value in a light weight .357 magnum pocket revolver, ignore them. No need to bash them, or folks that buy one. Personally I view the light weight pocket revolver to be a benefit when at 'Grab the belt buckle' distances are involved. I see no need for the little revolver to be accurate for bullseye shooting. I also think 980 fps with a 158 grain bullet is preferable to a 135 grain bullet at 850 fps.
It comes down to different strokes for different folks. If the light weight .357 magnum revolver does not float your boat, then don't buy one. I do find it a handfull to shoot and not as pleasant as a N Frame 627.
It comes down to different strokes for different folks. If the light weight .357 magnum revolver does not float your boat, then don't buy one. I do find it a handfull to shoot and not as pleasant as a N Frame 627.
seeker_two
New member
Hook686: I've heard of people carrying "4+1" like that, but most carry the .357 round first. Their logic is that the Mag load is the initial "get-offa-me" shot and the 4 .38's are the controllable followup shots. The noise & flash of the Mag round is also useful as a "call for help"....according to them....
....thinking about it, the practice almost makes sense....
....thinking about it, the practice almost makes sense....