Thinking about getting a pocket carry .357 snub

I've tried four different j-frames from the stainless 357's and the lighter weight 38's. They each have pro's & con's. So I decided if I had only one- which would it be? The answer was none of what I had so I sold them all to people eager to grab them up. And that's fine, their needs where not the same as mine. I replace them all with what I thought was the best choice. I bought a S&W MP360. It's a lighter weight black 357. However, at this writing, I didn't readily see it among the S&W revolvers on their website.
The stainless steel guns were fine for belted holster carry, but too heavy for pocket carry in a light jacket or especially summer shorts. The lighter guns were fine as far as sagging goes, but I desire the greater power of the 357. As far as recoil, for me it's mostly a non issue. I don't shoot my M&P360 and don't expect to unless the situation is absolutely necessary. And if that were the case, I really expect just a couple shots would do the job. It's not likely the bit of recoil sting in the hand would be a problem or even noticed. Of course I've fired other small handguns before, and I know how hard they can kick, so the recoil of my MP360 would come as no surprise. I'm also 100% confident it will be on target at such close ranges where these unfortunate events usually take place.
 
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I like the LCR357. Depending on how you tolerate recoil, you can go from wild 357 loads to the mildest 38. I carry Corbon 357. I've carried this as a pocket back up or a IWB main carry. It makes a good back up for my SP101. When I go light my 442 backs up the LCR357.
 
While you do get more power out of a .357 than a .38, it's not for me out of a light weight snubby. The .357 is great from a full size steel revolver but the recoil and muzzle blast from a light snubby are too much for me. A relatively inexpensive 642/442 or LCR in .38 is what I would consider for a pocket gun.
 
I have the LCR .357 Mag and I've pocket carried it since I got it. Never had a .38 in it, only 158gr Magnums. It has a very nice trigger and much lighter than the SP101. I pocket carried a S&W J frame for years until I got this one. A much better trigger and a Magnum to boot.
 
I want a 357, not just a 38. I like the option of being able to shoot both calibers out of it. The recoil would be the least of my concerns if I had to use it. The intention of this gun is purely a carry piece, not a range toy.

I went and handled both the LCR and the SP101. So far I am leaning towards the SP101, it just feels more solid. There is another LGS that has a better selection that I plan on checking out soon.
 
Whatever you decide to go with just know if you are involved in having to use your gun you will lose it,at least for a while.
 
Another vote for the S&W 640. I have 2 and love them both. I am much more accurate with it than I was with my LCR... though the LCR does have a nice (but long) trigger. My father loved it so much that I gave him the LCR for his birthday a few years back. So if my dad gets to vote he would vote for the LCR.
 
The .357 is great from a full size steel revolver but the recoil and muzzle blast from a light snubby are too much for me. A relatively inexpensive 642/442 or LCR in .38 is what I would consider for a pocket gun.
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Everything else being equal in terms of price, size, weight, and general configuration, there's really no downside to getting a .357 Magnum over a .38 Special. You don't have to shoot Magnum loads but you can if you ever want to (my guess is that most people shoot .38 Special ammunition out of their .357 Magnum revolvers most of the time). The reverse isn't true for .38s.
 
Everything else being equal in terms of price, size, weight, and general configuration,
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I think you'd be hard pressed to find a quality pocket .357 for the same price as a quality .38. 38 special LCRs are cheaper than .357 LCRs. 642s and 442s are also cheaper than their .357 counter parts.
 
One day I shot the same .357 Mags from two different guns. A 39 oz M19 with a 6" barrel and wood Magna? stocks, and a 22.6 oz M60 with a 2 1/8" barrel and Uncle Mikes combat grips (factory original). The shorter and lighter M60 was much more comfortable to shoot. Iow, comfy grips trump bigger gun size when it comes to felt recoil, ime.
 
I think you'd be hard pressed to find a quality pocket .357 for the same price as a quality .38.
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You're probably right, but the price difference isn't so much to my way of thinking as to keep me from opting for the .357 Magnum. I should make it clear that I am in no way opposed to buying a handgun chambered in .38 Special as I have more of them than I do .357s in my current inventory.
 
I'm not recoil-sensitive, but a lightweight 357 is a handful. Shot placement trumps the difference between 38+P and 357.

I have an LCR and a Smith Airweight 642. Both are 38+P - more is not needed for a lightweight pocket gun when you consider follow-up shots or flinch development from firing self defense 357 loads.
 
I am usually impulsive when it comes to buying most things. As far as pistols go, I like to research them before I buy. The problem is that I end up wanting more than just one gun and end up buying nothing because I can't decide what to get.

The last gun I purchased was a Ruger Mark III 22/45 and that was over a year ago. I have been trying to decide what I wanted forever and now I think that I want a 357 revolver but don't know which one or even if that is the best choice for me. Maybe a pocket 9 would be better.

See what I mean about being indecisive?
 
I will put in another vote for the LCR .357. It would seems to meet most of your specs: shrouded hammer, light weight, under $500 (at least around here, just saw one last night at local LGS for $455). The Hogue grip that comes on it does make it a little bulky for pocket carry, but Ruger sells a boot grip on www.shopruger.com for $30 that is a little smaller. Mine has been a jewel.
 
I'll vote SP101. The weight definitely makes it easy to shoot with, especially with .38s. I have the 4.2 inch, but I've shot and liked the 3 inch and the snubby.
 
Ended up getting the Ruger LCR .357 magnum. The trigger on that gun destroyed the trigger on the SP101. Had to have it. Thanks for the advice guys!
 
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