So If.......
- Thread starter DPris
- Start date
Doc Holliday 1950
New member
I think that my new 686+ 3" in 357 magnum revolver would be quite sufficient with an extra speed loader in my pocket. 7 rounds of 125 gr. 357 in magnum ammo sure beats 10 rounds of 9mm or higher IMHO. Not including a 44 revolver in magnum or such.
ch47gunner
New member
Already 10 rds. here in Cali - so makes no difference.
I switch off between two:
S&W Model 649nd, 5 shot J frame w/speed loader
CZ75 P01 w/TLR-3
I switch off between two:
S&W Model 649nd, 5 shot J frame w/speed loader
CZ75 P01 w/TLR-3
The sad truth is that the ballistics of short (2 and 3 inch) 125 grain .357 mag SD loads offer very little over 9mm +P apart from recoil and noise in a similarly sized gun.
It seems 4"+ is where the .357 starts to shine.
At least to testing from places like luckygunner, ballisticsbyinc and various online testing.
Cosmodragoon
New member
The gap with higher-pressure cartridges naturally widens with barrel length but let's not be too quick to dismiss the difference at short barrel lengths. Yes, it is less efficient. Yes, the wasted energy means more blast. Yes, it does have more recoil. However, it does hit harder. It's just a matter of whether the trade is worth it for the individual user. (It isn't for me but I carry .327 Federal in my snub.)
Here is a video from Paul Harrell that, in addition to other things, looks at snub-nose velocity in the 9mm vs .357 debate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2t_qG9dls
I love BBTI and have contributed to their project. They do a lot to show how velocity changes with barrel length. However, those tests aren't necessarily the same as with real-world guns. For instance, look at the .327 Federal data. Notice that it jumps from 1000-ish fps for 2" to 1300-ish fps for 3". The barrel on the LCR is just under 2" but actually shows chronograph values closer to 1200 fps with various factory ammo. Just saying, like ballistics gel, BBTI offers a valuable resource but it doesn't tell us everything.
Thanks, I'll check it out. I know luckygunners tests also hinged on "it depends on your gun".
I wouldn't mind being wrong and able to justify buying an SP101. But even if true you're still only marginally more powerful, in terms of fps and energy, than softer recoil in 9mm. My point was mostly that short barrel 357s aren't the "one shot stop" power the 125 grain .357 gained its reputation on.
Though that doesn't make me love my magnums any less.
Cosmodragoon
New member
jr24, the main bullet point is that a benefit exists and that it can be a valid benefit for those who want to pay the cost. It isn't worth it for me, and it might not be for you, but I think we should all recognize that it's real for those who come down on the other side of that question.
I like .357 magnum. All of my .357 magnum gets shot from 4-16" barrels on platforms that are easier to control and more fun for me to shoot. Another issue I have with .357 magnum in small guns is that you're usually looking at a five-shooter. Whether it was growing up with the mythos of the six-shooter or the fact that a sixth round is 20% more ammo at that level, I've set six as my minimum for EDC.
I like .357 magnum. All of my .357 magnum gets shot from 4-16" barrels on platforms that are easier to control and more fun for me to shoot. Another issue I have with .357 magnum in small guns is that you're usually looking at a five-shooter. Whether it was growing up with the mythos of the six-shooter or the fact that a sixth round is 20% more ammo at that level, I've set six as my minimum for EDC.
Cosmodragoon
New member
The modern P99 is a superb firearm. It's light and relatively compact for a full-sized handgun but it handles well and is fairly comfortable to shoot with reasonable loads in 9mm. The low-snag profile and controls that operate in-plane with the trigger also help to make it an excellent choice for concealed carry. Speaking of triggers, it compares favorably with many hammer-fired DA/SA guns.
Against unconstitutional and idiotic capacity restrictions, a P99 with ten-round mags still has appeal.
The thing about 10-round mags blocked down from higher caps is getting them apart for cleaning.
Limited experience with the things, I carried other stuff during the AWB & was exempt from it for a good part of its tenure, but those I did have were not as simple to get apart as unblocked full-sized versions.
I think in the scenario under discussion I'd probably just revert to the 1911, a pistol built for 10-rounds, or a revolver.
Denis
Limited experience with the things, I carried other stuff during the AWB & was exempt from it for a good part of its tenure, but those I did have were not as simple to get apart as unblocked full-sized versions.
I think in the scenario under discussion I'd probably just revert to the 1911, a pistol built for 10-rounds, or a revolver.
Denis
I wholeheartedly agree.
The Walther 99 series is one of my favorites of the plastic pistols. Particularly in the original Anti-Stress sear models.
The 99 series was the first plastic pistol I decided to buy, after having attended my first (of 3) S&W armorer classes for the SW99/P99. I ordered a SW9940 (standard size .40) because I could get it for a little less money. That was back during the 13 year period of the "Strategic Alliance" between Walther and S&W, and they were the US importer.
Personally, I don't care for the 99 series chambered in .40 (or .45) as much as I do chambered in 9mm, but I still own that SW9940 and eventually carried a similar one as an issued weapons for several years.
I finally ordered a SW999c (think P99 AS Compact 9mm), just as that model was being edged out in production by the SW990L9C, which was a 9 compact with the QA sear mode, but oddly without the decocking/field-stripping button in the slide, like in the Walther QA model.
That compact 9 has been a superb little 9. I've fired over 15K rounds through it, and it's got a better DA & SA trigger than my favored S&W 3rd gen 3913, 3913TSW or littler CS9. Outstanding little gun. Just barely larger than my G26, and with the same 10rd mag capacity.
The little compact 99 series models deserve more attention that they've ever received. Excellent little guns.
Model12Win
Moderator
I agree! The Walther P99 is far more ergonomic than the Glock 19, and IMHO safer and more shootable (at least for me). Why they aren't more popular is beyond me. Mine serves as a bedside gun and CCW when I can carry a larger pistol:
