[45fanatic]

I have an interest in a new "ccw carry" revolver in 357, I am interested in suggestions regarding practicle barrel length/accuracy - I am not concerned about accuracy beyond 20' ; Phil

[gggman]

My favorite 357 for carry, and my daily carry piece for the last two years. 2" SP101, carried OWB on a Dillon gun belt. My usual cover garment is a sweater vest.
This gun is very accurate, and recoil is quite managable.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/gggman/Guns/Dsc00234.jpg

[dairycreek]

My CCW is a S&W Model 60 with 3" barrel. Very solid, accurate, and reliable weapon.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms

[Dollar An Hour]

SP101, like the guy above recommends. Maybe the 3-1/16" barrel if you prefer it. The Rugers are tough and NO internal lock is nice too. ;)

[Brian Williams]

For 357 I prefer a S&W 13 3", great gun and round.

[Shooter973]

I have a couple of 357's that I sometimes carry. One is a 3 inch GP-100, with a set of lighter Wolff springs in it. It shoots right to the fixed sights with my load. The second is a S&W M-66 2.5 inch with a set of Pach's on it. Both would do what you want, but with the short tubes they are very loud, and put out a pretty good size muzzle flash. Thats not necessarily a bad thing, scares the crap out of just about anyone around. :)

[Dr.Rob]

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11149&d=1078014713

Colt Magnum Carry, Galco Speed Scabbard, HKS DS Speedloaders, Uncle Mike's Carrier, .357 158 gr Federal sjhps

[pezo]

I say the sp101 as well . I like and have the 2 1/4" DAO myself. especially if using .357 mag for defense rather than .38's.

[Burt Blade]

Ruger Security Six with a 4" barrel.

[TOADMAN]

S&W 640 or S&W 60....

[Kamicosmos]

Another SP101 carrier here.

mine is a 2 1/4 DAO. I carry it both IWB and OWB.

[Skipper]

Another strong vote for the SP 101,but most definately with the 3 1/16" barrel. That barrel totally changes the handling dynamics of this sweet shooter.
SKIP

[denfoote]

Taurus M605.

With the exception of a screw that came loose in the begining, it has been flawlewss!!!

http://usera.imagecave.com/denfoote/Togetheragain.jpg

[Ala Dan]

Hello All-

Well, I just acquired a like new Smith & Wesson model 66-4, with a 2.5"
barrel. So, if I were to carry a magnum snubby this would be the one~!:D

[Standing Wolf]

My carry .357 magnums include a pre-agreement model 60 with a 2.125-inch barrel and a couple four-inch Pythons. If I had a holster for it, I'd probably carry my six-inch Python now and then.

Depending on how you carry, barrel length can be critically important or incidental.

[bpisler]

You can't go wrong with a 3" S&W
13 or 65.If you want ajustable
sight the 2.5" 66 gets the nod.

If rugers are your deal a nice
speed six with a 2¾" barrel is
your ticket.A security six with
the same barrel would be fine.

I carry a 3" 65-3 daily and it
feels with a extension on my
hand with the hogues on it.

[357wheelgunner]

I carry either a 4" K-frame S&W (6 shot frame .357, model 65, 66 or 19) or a little J-frame (2" barrel, 5 shot .357 model 60). The J goes in my pocket nicely, is powerful, more accurate than I am at short range, and feels right in the hand. The K-frames fit nicely inside my waistband in a leather IWB holster, and I know I can hit quickly and reliably with them out to 25 yards.

I had a Ruger SP101 but it seemed too big and bulky, the Smith is much more elegant and better suited to pocket carry. The Ruger smelled funny too....

[Skipper]

Lawd,Lawd, I thoughts Ide dun heared it all !The Ruger SMELLED FUNNY!!!
Just for the record,I just went and smelled my SP 101 and it smelled exactly like my Colts and S&W's. (they all smell just like Breakfree)
Anyway,back to the serious side, I really haven't read a bad choice suggested here. Put a good man behind any one of them and he'll be hard to handle.

SKIP

[lyricsdad]

I just picked up a S&W model 60 .357 2 1/4 inch barrel. its the ladysmith model. love it.. i cant wait to fire it. Too bad its been raining all day!

[juneau803]

My two carry guns are the:

Colt Magnum Carry
S&W 66 no dash 2.5"

The Colt is easier to conceal but the Smith is super accurate.

[TimboKhan]

My main carry gun is a Taurus 855 (I think. Taurus has so many model numbers I frequently get confused as to what my gun actually is!) with a 2 inch barrel. I carry it IWB either without a holster or in a Uncle Mike's sidekick, which is fantastic for this style of carry and only costs about 15 dollars. Alot of guys don't like Taurus pistols, sometimes unfairly, but I have been exceedingly happy with all three of mine. Perhaps a decade ago thier quality wasn't always up to snuff, but it is now, at least in my experience.

My carry .357 magnums include a pre-agreement model 60 with a 2.125-inch barrel and a couple four-inch Pythons. If I had a holster for it, I'd probably carry my six-inch Python now and then

I am no fan of Colt, almost solely because I think they are the worst managed gun manufacturer in buisness today, but by god, I would give my eyeteeth for a 6 inch Python! The Python just might be the finest .357 revo ever made, IMHO. On a completly off-topic rant, why can't Colt get thier act together? For gods sake, they are friggin' COLT!!!! Yes, they sold us out, but so did S&W, and they have rebounded from that pretty well. Dammit Colt, start making Pythons again!

[Marshall]

The all steel Model 60 in 2 1/8 or 3".


http://members.cox.net/ousoonerone1/Model%2060%20polished%20small%203.jpg

[lyricsdad]

hey marshall, suggest a good pocket holster or iwb holster for that bad boy? I have a model 60, 2 1/4 barrel..

[loose cannon]

my first revolver was a ruger sec6 357 i pretty much shot it loose but it served me well.

if i was to buy 1 for carry id go with a sp101 3" i shot a friends with 125gr jhp
fullhouse and while it barked good the bite was tolerable,im sure it wouldve been even more comfy with hogues monogrip but he wouldnt part with it.

try b4 you buy if possible recoil affects people differently.

[MR.G]

I have a S&W model 649 Bodyguard in.357 with boot grips that I sometimes carry in my front pocket. Nice shooting gun. Use a Mika's or a Triple K holster.

[Marshall]

hey marshall, suggest a good pocket holster or iwb holster for that bad boy? I have a model 60, 2 1/4 barrel..
I went all out and got a $12.00 suede one by Hunter. I got it for a 3" barrel, it fits better, the gun is lower in the holster, I like it better that way. As you can see I carry it quite a bit in this holster. You can get very fancy and spend a lot of $ and get holsters much nicer. This works very well for me though. If you have a Sports Authority, formerly Oshamns, they carry them.

The OWB is a Gould & Goodrich, very nice product. This M60 357 is one of my favorite guns. :)

http://members.cox.net/ousoonerone1/J-Frame%20Holster%20bt%20Hunter%202%20.jpg\

http://members.cox.net/ousoonerone1/J-Frame%20Holster%20bt%20Hunter.jpg

http://members.cox.net/ousoonerone1/J%20Frame%20Gould%20and%20Goodrich.jpg

[JCM298]

My always gun is the "beast", my 340SC, with Crimson Trace rubber grips and a Big Dot front sight.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c354/JCM298A/GunInventory0001.jpg

John

[lawboy]

S&W model 19-3, 2.5-inch, nickel in Don Hume IWB.

[S_O_Laban]

Another vote for the 3" Smith K-frames (M13 or M65)... I own a pair of M65s with the 3" barrels. I use them for CCW year round, in a variety of holsters.

[Sawdust]

No 686's? :confused:

Why not? Frame too large?

Anyone care to edumacate me by comparing and contrasting? Especially with the SP101 as it seems to be popular.

Thanks,

Sawdust

[sgt127]

No 686's? :confused:

Why not? Frame too large?

Anyone care to edumacate me by comparing and contrasting? Especially with the SP101 as it seems to be popular.

Thanks,

Sawdust

SP101=Small but heavy
686=Big and heavy.

686 is a fine handgun, but, considerably chunkier than an SP101. A K frame 3" 65 is about the limit for me to carry comfortably and concealed...

[DHart]

My vote for small: 640-1... doesn't get any better than this for size, weight, convenience, reliability, comfort...

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/640_LF2677.jpg

If you can step up a tad in size, the 65, 13, and GP-100 (all with 3" barrels and fixed sights) reign supreme

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/M13_L0805.jpg

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/SW65a1274.jpg

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/KGPF331_L.jpg

[only1asterisk]

Like many here I like the 3" barrel. I find it the extra bit of barrel makes a big difference in how the gun handles. Unless this gun is going to live in your pocket, there is little practical difference in concealment.


Why no 686? They are harder to find with 3" barrels!

The 686/GP100/Python can be carried, but to conceal them is slightly less comfortable than the smaller frame guns. I tend to carry the larger guns and worry less and less about concealment.

David

[Stevel]

There is a lot to be said for the 3" SP101. It carries well both in and out of the waistband and is pleasant to shoot. I wore my 2 3/4" Speed Six the other day after wearing an SP or Bersa 380 for a couple months and noticed the weight of the Speed Six. Though if the 6th round is important the Speed Six or Smith K frame would be the way to go.

[Manedwolf]

Lawd,Lawd, I thoughts Ide dun heared it all !The Ruger SMELLED FUNNY!!!
Just for the record,I just went and smelled my SP 101 and it smelled exactly like my Colts and S&W's. (they all smell just like Breakfree)
Anyway,back to the serious side, I really haven't read a bad choice suggested here. Put a good man behind any one of them and he'll be hard to handle.

SKIP

Now I'm picturing a poster combining "war on drugs" junk with "anti-gun" slogans...

..."DON'T SNORT GUNS!" :D

But I guess that's safer with a .357. Sniff at a .22 and you might accidentally inhale a round...

[Martini13]

S&W model 13-4 3" in an Alessi OWB:evil:

[Boss Spearman]

My vote goes to the Taurus 617 ported. 7 rounds of .357 in a 2 inch snubnose, and the porting makes it as pleasant to shoot those rounds as a 4 inch model.

It's become my most easily concealed and commonly used ccw.

[Nail Shooter]

S&W model 60 is a good gun. You can even pocket carry it w/ the 2" bbl version--the short boot grips help here. K frames are nice OWB w/ cover garment.

NS

[Greek]

I bought my wife a S&W 640 and put some Badger Grips on it.:)

[Estela216]

How about this? I'm selling this one if you are interested. It was shot little and never carried.

Smith and Wesson Model 19 w/ 2.5" barrel
.357 magnum
Novak front sight
Polished hammer and trigger
Rounded trigger and trigger job
Comes with bantam grip and grip shown.
Perfect black Matte finish

Let me know. estela_usa@sbcglobal.net

Follow this link

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=124512

[Marshall]

Kev, how much?

[Estela216]

PM sent

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

2.25" SP101 for daily carry. In the right holster it rides & hides nicely. I just switched back to a Hogue monogrip (again) because it prints much less than the factory grip (on me.)

[S&W620]

The best gun is the one that feels best to YOU. However, you will not go wrong with Smith&Wesson or Ruger. Good luck making your choice!

[chaim]

1st choice: 3" K-frame (M13 or M65 most likely, though there are some 3" M19s out there)

2nd choice: 2.5" K-frame (M19 or M66)

3rd choice: Taurus 617 (7 shots in a package barely bigger than a S&W J-frame)

4th choice: Taurus 605 or S&W 60 (a J-frame sized gun in .357mag is not very comfortable to shoot, but very concealable).

5th choice: Ruger SP101, it is more comfortable to shoot than the Taurus 605 or S&W 60 due to more weight but it is heavier making it not as good for carry without the comfort of a K-frame.

[BRASSM]

S$W 13 with a 4" barrel, with 158gr JHPs.:cool:

[Marshall]

S$W 13 with a 4" barrel, with 158gr JHPs.:cool:

Like this? :D $100.00 bought me this gun, it's 99%. The picture stuggles to make 40%.


http://members.cox.net/ousoonerone1/My%20Model%2013.jpg

[Euclidean]

I can relate to this subject very well.

My dream revolver is an L frame Smith and Wesson with a 3" barrel in .44 Special.

This revolver actually does exist. It's a discontinued model called the 696. If you want people at the gun stores to laugh at you and tell you it does not exist, start looking for one.

Some come up for auction or on websites every so often. Hope you've got about $900.

So I settled on a .357 Magnum. The very best I can imagine for personal carry would be a prelock 686 with the 3" barrel.

You might as well look for a gun friendly politician in Kalifornia.

However my journey ended with the Ruger GP100 with the 3" barrel. I am quite pleased with it despite not having it very long. It is IMHO THE perfect size for a revolver for personal carry in that caliber.

I'm still a S&W lover but it's a heck of a lot easier to get a hold of the Ruger than it is the Smiths I was looking for, plus I can now say I have a Ruger revolver. I will warn you, this Ruger makes me want another Ruger in .44 magnum.

If I could ever get my mitts on a 3" barreled Smith in either .357 Magnum, .44 special, or .44 Magnum, I might trade in but the guns I was looking for might as well not exist for all my luck finding them.