Recommended defense & target .357?

L

LH2

New member
I'm considering a .357 as well as a couple 9mm semiautos (Sig Pro & CZ 75) for the following:

1. Target shooting, indoor & outdoor range. Just having fun and feeling competent with the gun.

2. Car gun.

3. Home defense.

Will have a CCW permit but doubt I will carry, so I don't think super lightweight Ti or Sc frames make sense for me, sense they're less fun at the range where the gun will be used most.

I don't want a barrel any longer than 4", and I'm thinking maybe snubbie or 3". Even a snubbie can be fun at the range with .38 Spl loads, right?

I guess the ported guns like the Taurus Tracker are pretty mild even with hot .357s? What are the reasons to avoid a ported gun?

Finally, what can you guys recommend? I'm thinking maybe GP100, SP100, S&W 520 4"? But I hear the DA triggers on Rugers needs work and is awful heavy.

Thanks. :)
 
I have a GP-100 6" and a CZ-75. I would say the CZ rivals the GP for accuracy in my hands. The CZ with it's shorter overall length and 16rd mag makes a better defense/car than my 6"GP in my opinion. A four inch GP would be more wieldy in car but would still be down 10 shots to the CZ, that being said I would think 6 shots and the gas pedal would get you to a safe place.

I would never give up either one of these handguns, they have tenured status in my collection. Both are exceptional guns for the price. The GP is more fun to me at the range because I can use very versatile handloads in it and the CZ is what I would want in my hand if the SHTF.

You will be happy and confident with either of those guns, I would bet.
 
Don't discount Ruger trigger pulls till you try one.

They aren't stiff/awful at all! They just take a bit of use to smooth out (a breakin period). When I say use/breakin, I mean a couple hundred rounds or so. Just be sure to add some gun oil in the trigger and hammer assembly upon first disassembly.

If you don't plan on carrying, get a 4" barrel. It is a good all around length for everything from hiking to home defense and target shooting.

Smith & Wesson, Colt and Ruger are top notch choices for revolvers.

As for the Auto pistols you mention, they are both top quality pistols and you will not go wrong with either. I lean torward the CZ75B since I have never fired the Sig-pro. The CZ75B is extremely accurate right out of the box. Although I have never fired the Sig-pro, I have shot the Sig226 and know that they are very accurate also.

Keep the Springfield XD-9 in consideration :) I love mine and now have it as my flagship carry peice. And I'm a die hard 1911 fan, go figure.
 
Oh yeah, didn't see the Ruger trigger comment. The GP's trigger was quite stiff and gritty out of the box. I polished the internals with my dremel and switched to a lower rated spring from Wolff. The trigger pull is very smooth, and much lighter now. Any of the big 3 revolvers are workable and capable of fine shooting in my opinion. I like the Ruger for ease of disassembly, being a tinkerer by nature.
 
Xd-9, Cz...

I do like the way the XD-9 feels - better to me than a Glock. Seems to point more naturally, I guess the 1911 grip angle works eh? ;)

If a few hundred rounds is all it takes to bring the Ruger trigger around, that's not too bad. I have heard alot of guys recommend the lighter Wolf springs as well. I have shot my Dad's Security Six quite a bit and the factory trigger was okay, but not great.

The CZ reminds me of a Browning HP in the way it just feels "right". Very comfortable, period. .357 definitely has the advantage over 9mm as a stopper, but well placed 9mm's would be just fine.

I'm not trying to get a pistol vs revolver debate going. I like them both, just trying to figure out what is best for the above criteria right now. If I get a .357 now, I'll likely get a 9mm or .40sw pistol later, and vice versa.

So does a 3" bbl sacrifice much accuracy to a 4"? Or is it mainly that a 4" will shoot hotter loads more comfortably?
 
The extra inch on the barrel will give you a longer sight radius and consequently a more accurate shot in the average person's hands. It will also increase the fps of the round, but I would think 60-100fps probably won't make or break the lethality of a .357 round.

I would pick the gun based on how it feels in your hand and points.

If possible I would not try to push a concealment gun into the home-defense/target shooting category or vice versa.

I have a S&W 642 or Kel-Tec P32 for carry depending on how I dress. Medium and Large frame handguns can be cumbersome depending on your size and whether or not you want to dress around your gun.
 
If possible I would not try to push a concealment gun into the home-defense/target shooting category or vice versa.
Click to expand...

I agree. May get a true carry gun later, but this will be a gun to get alot of practice with and feel comfortable. Car gun & HD gun.

Really comes down to figuring out if I want a .357 revolver or a 9mm semiauto. :confused:
 
"Really comes down to figuring out if I want a .357 revolver or a 9mm semiauto. "

Buy a used GP100 in 4" and a used CZ for the same $$ as just one new!...Or a used GP100 & a new Witness (CZ clone) My witness is more accurate and reliable than my wifes CZ!
 
A .357 Magnum in the right configuration will do everything one needs done with a handgun. I'd opt for a 3" barreled Medium Frame.
 
Yeah I would agree with Webley on the .357 for a first gun because of the versatility in ammuntion. I have had three .357s yet never fired a magnum cartridge :eek: I just play around with different .38 loads.

A 3" barrel gun might be harder to find than a 4" barrel length. And carrying my revolver I find that it's not the barrel length that is problematic, it is the diameter of the cylinder that makes it harder to conceal inside my waistband.

Keep gathering information and the answer will become clear.
 
A .357 Magnum in the right configuration will do everything one needs done with a handgun. I'd opt for a 3" barreled Medium Frame.
Click to expand...

In addition to the GP100, should I look at the SP100 3"? Seems like the SP would fill the role of car gun and HD gun just as well.

Compared to the GP Is the SP substantial enough to enjoy some time at the range, even with .357s if I wanted to?

Should I look at a K frame S&W? Can new M19s still be found? That seems like a nice medium frame.
 
Really comes down to figuring out if I want a .357 revolver or a 9mm semiauto.
Click to expand...
Would you be the only one using it for home defense?

.357 Mag or .45 are “Man Stoppers”. I personally would not put the 9mm in that category.
 
Sorry... I thought that was half the question.
Click to expand...

That half of the question is being discussed in another thread over on the semi-auto forum. Didn't mean to be rude, I was kinda stressed out that day.
 
I have owned and carried semi's and revolvers for over 30 years. I still have several of each. I'd recommend a 4" .357 Smith or Ruger revolver as a first gun, wouldn't go to a semi for a while. Even a used Smith K frame will teach you a lot about shooting, and you will have no worries about learning the different "systems" (safeties, takedown,etc - quirks) peculiar to different types of auto pistols. Find a good used revolver, learn to shoot and maintain it well, and enjoy it. You may keep it for life.

Mark

I carry a 9mm TDA Smith auto and 2 Keltecs (9mm and .32 ACP), with a Ruger .357 revolver for "at home", and another Ruger .357 and a Smith .22 Masterpiece for hunting.I love them all.
 
could have bought any gun, but.....

I own two KGP-141's and three EAA Witnesses.

I consider a 4" GP100 to be the most cost- AND performance-effective handgun available.

Although I currently have (excuse me a moment; gotta count) sixteen handguns, including custom guns, my 'one gun' would be the GP100.

Ammo availability, durability, reliability, accuracy, terminal performance, ergonomics, cost, ease of disassembly/cleaning/repair, manual of arms, just everything.

Although I admittedly prefer my 7.5" 357 Redhawk...... :D
 
For what your looking for I think a Ruger would be best

Somthing stanless in a 4 inch barrel with adjustable sights in 357.
Ruger like a gp-100 would be a very good choice. The price is not that high and there build like a tank.
I agree with EIGHTYDUECE concening Rugers triggers. Some can be a little creepy when there new, its part of the process of manufacture being investment casting. BUt they can work themselves out quickly with firing and just get better over time. But there cheeper than a Smith for that reasion of manufacture.
I personaly would take a ruger over a Smith mod 19 any day of the week.
But for what your looking for stay with the 4 inch barrel with adjustable sights.
 
I recommend a S&W Model 19 or 66. The S&W trigger will be better out of the box than the Ruger ever will be.
 
all three of my ruger DA's have great triggers. I have dry fired them and after a few rounds they do smooth out. I recommend ruger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top