Full Benefit of .357 Mag from Snubbie?

H

Higgins

New member
Will I get the full benefit of the .357 Magnum cartridge from a snub nose revolver? Or will the short barrel length result in a loss of velocity and resulting loss of effectiveness of the .357 mag cartridge?

I'm thinking of getting a .357 Mag snubbie for home/carry defense purposes.

While we're at it, any suggestions for what .357 Mag snubbie to get?
 
The .357 maggie will continue to see an increase in velocity and power with greater barrel lengths up to 20-plus inches. So, anything less than that will be reduced in terms of the energy delivered. The minimum barrel length I personally would look at to realize the potential of this cartridge is 4", especially for home defense.
 
Does that mean, then, that coming from a snubbie there is not much difference between a .38 special and .357 mag cartridge, because the advantage of the .357 mag's hotter load is "knee-capped" by the short barrel, which prevents the cartridge from achieving the high velocity that gives it such punch?

If so, then why bother even making a snubbie in .357 mag? What advantages do exist from such a marriage?

Would really like to know whether to bother getting .357 mag or just go with .38 special.

Thanks for any input.
 
There is still a substantial difference in power between the .38 and .357 in a snub nose pistol. Most of your power figures are based on a 4" barrel revolver. Im sure someone here has the average loss of performance for a round say out of a 2" barrel instead of a 4". Im thinking somewhere in the ballpark of 40 fps or so.

The .357 snubnose was designed for concealment reasons. Its very easy to keep a snubbie concealed in many different ways. Either way, you wont be underpowered by getting a 2" barrel revolver for personal protection. I would rather have the .357 for that role. Besides, if you dont want to carry .357 then by all means load up your favorite .38 rounds in it instead.
 
I would say you are a lot more likely to lose a 150 to 200 fps going from a four-inch to a two-inch barrel--you'd probably lose more velocity proportionally with the lighter (125-grain) bullets than with the heavier (158-grain) bullets.

I think the major drawback to the .357 in traditional "pocket guns" is the significant increase in muzzle blast/muzzle flash/muzzle flip which will have a detrimental effect on accuracy and speed of follow-up shots (again, more pronounced with the lighter/faster 125-grain loadings). If you've only shot them outdoors with hearing protection, you have absolutely no idea what you're in for if you have to use it in an enclosed space without hearing protection. I personally don't think the trade-off for the extra velocity is worth it, but it's your choice.

In terms of a handgun, I don't really think you can beat the Ruger SP101 in the traditional "pocket-sized" weapons. I carry mine in an Alessi Talon behind the strongside hip, and it works well for me--very "carryable." If you want to go a little bigger the the three-inch GP100 is hard to beat (but not near as easy to carry concealed)--I usually carry it when concealment is not a concern.
 
GET THE 357

You can fire both 38 and 357; you can launch a 125g JHP at a still-effective speed; you can enjoy saying '357 Magnum'.

Best compromise is a 2.75/3" 357 snub. Actual velocity testing required.
The SP101 makes a (heavy) good gun.
 
You might try this formula to find out if a snubby is effective for you:
[1]Get the published information for your favorate load.
[2]Subtract 100 feet per second from the velocity they publish, because it was not fired from a gun.
[3]If they tell the barrel length of their "equipment", subtract 33 feet per second of velocity for each inch less than their figure.
[4]I no figure is given, figure from a 6 inch barrel and deduct 33 FPS for each inch barrel you don't have.
MADISON
 
In 5 snubbies tested with a chrono and a plethora of ammo...barrels 1 7/8 to 2 1/2" and ammo was 125-130 gr.

The average .38+P load had 200-220 FPE....the 357 had
400+ FPE......literally compares like a .380 vs a hot 9mm load.

Ive heard of 357 loads getting as high as 500+ FPE from a snubbie with newer hotter defensive loads...faster than 1350-1400 FPS...sounds good to me. Velocities from a 4" to a 2"
barrel can drop as much as 200-300 FPS..ammo and gun dependant for either caliber.

Different guns and ammo will give different results.....some vary more than others.

Recoil and follow up shot time is increased accordingly....just depends on how much you practice with your gun.

Personally, I will take 357 loads....they go BOOM! :D

Shoot well
 
I just purchased a Taurus 650 CIA, and it's like I'm in love, just can't quit fondling the thing. Right now it's stoked with 150gr Starfire ammo, because that's what was on the cheap shelf and I've been too busy to find my perfect load. This weekend I'm going to try some 125gr Gold Dots, and if it doesn't like those I might move along to Cor-bons. Muzzle flash and recoil is more brutal than a .38, but I see it as being like anything else. It can be overcome by practice. And walking thru a deserted parking garage at night (had another mugging this weekend at work, if it keeps up the security guards are going to have to actually get out of their chairs) 5 rounds of .357 sure is comforting.
 
When you shorten a barrel from optimum length you lose performance.
.357 mag is lessened
So is .38 special.

The difference tween the two is still there, just at different levels.

Sam
 
Took the words right out of my mouth Sam. It seems like a lot of people are only concerned with the loss of speed and ennergy of the .357 out of a snubby but given the performance of a .38 what is the effect on it from a snubby? Personally I'll keep shooting .357 out of my SP101.
 
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