[.45 Cal]

I've fired one .357 magnum: a Ruger Vaquero. I like the look of the cowboy guns but I'd like something a bit more compact to pack while camping/hiking. I thought the Vaquero kicked quite a bit, which is fine and what I'd expected. Can I expect the same amount of recoil from all .357s? What are folks carrying out there when they hit the woods?

Thanks,

Cal

[Standing Wolf]

The lighter the gun, the greater the perceived recoil.

[Croyance]

If you do not limit yourself to single action revolvers, there are options that reduce felt recoil.
The Taurus Tracker and S&W 686 Powerport have ported barrels, which redirect some of the gasses to counteract recoil.
S&W 686's are pretty heavy anyways, with that full lug. That reduces felt recoil.

[MountainPeak]

I would say it depends on your experience, the barrel, the weight, the load, your tolerance to recoil, etc, etc.. The question can't really be answered without many factors. I use a G20 10mm for my woods gun. I recently retired a .41 mag, that I carried for YEARS in the woods. I like the 15 rounds of 10mm, in a reliable, light package. I'm pretty old school, but what works, works!!! Giving up my .41mag was not a small deal for me. I still find myself reaching for it before hitting the woods. :)

[Iggy]

What can you expect? About the most versatile handgun around..

There is a size and configuration to meet about every mode of shooting your desire..

Big N frame Smiths and Python/Trooper Colts and similar sized Taurus etc

Good for hunting and heavy duty stuff

Mid size Smiths, Colts, Rugers, Taurus, nice carry, fun shooting, hard to beat

J frame Smiths Det size Colts and Ruger snubbies. Great carry,, more noticable recoil.

You fired a Single action so you have some idea of what they are about. You may find the recoil impulse different in the double actions listed above, but none are nasty until you get into the "light weights"

Of course you can shoot milktoast .38's up through the +P's etc in any of them if you want to learn, practice, or teach someone new..

What can you expect from a ..357??? A whole pack of fun and a deadly serious weapon if the need arises, that's all.

[gazpacho]

Mine put out on the first date . . . :rolleyes:

Sorry, I just couldn't resist. Get a DA revolver, easier to load and shoot. The shorter the barrel, the louder it will get.

[George S.]

How about a Ruger New Model Blackhawk with a 4 5/8" barrel?? http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=306&return=Y Compact enough to carry and still has some of the look of a cowboy revolver. The Blackhawk has a larger gripframe and that will help in managing recoil.

As mentioned, the weight (as well as the barrel length) has an effect on recoil. Bullet weight will also have a different felt recoil. A 125gr .357 will have a somewhat lesser recoil than a 158gr bullet when fired from the same short barrel.

[.45 Cal]

Thanks for everyone's input! I'm interesrted in the .41 magnum, MountainPeak, because the Taurus Tracker is chambered in same. George S., that Ruger might be the whole package.

What does everyone think of the SP101?

[Ichiro]

I own both an SP-101 and a GP-100.

Both of them have fired any and all .357s I put into them with no troubles. However, the SP is lighter and has a shorter barrel. ANY .357 you fire with the SP will give off a bigger ball of fire, and will be much louder, due to the shorter barrel, and felt recoil is greater. 125-grain magnums are a bit uncomfortable in the SP, so I don't shoot them in this gun any longer. I practice with 158-grainers, which are no problem since I filed down the top of the trigger, which was cutting my trigger finger. They still annoy some people at the range, who are shooting smaller rounds.

The GP-100 is about an L-frame size, like the S&W 686. The factory grips are comfortable, although a bit big and squishy. However, they absorb recoil almost miraculously. Light 110-grain magnums feel no different on my hand than 165-grain or 180-grain hunting loads. That's the one big selling point of this gun, in my opinion.

If you're new to magnums, either use a GP-100 or similar-sized gun and you will have no problems. Just get used to the noise and flash, and you'll have a good time. If you start with an SP-101, use 110-grain loads to begin with and get used to them first. Then, try some 158-grain loads. Once you're used to it, it's no big deal. I'm guessing 125s will hurt, though.

~Ichiro

[22-rimfire]

The 4" S&W Model 57 Mountain Gun is hard to beat if you are leaning toward a 41 Mag. I have one and I like it a lot. It does kick more than a 357 though. In 357, I would lean toward a Ruger GP100 in either 3 or 4" barrels.

[.45 Cal]

.22-rimfire,

Thanks. I'm not finding a model 57 on the S&W site. I think the GP suggestion is sound. I really want a cowboy gun, though...:)

[caz223]

A M57 is sadly no longer in current production. (At least, not the M57s with the classic look and feel.)
The 657 is still being made, and is a fine firearm. I still prefer used models from S&W, they still have SOUL. The new ones they make might as well be made from plastic.
I have several 657s, including the 80's lew horton models, a 90's model 3" snubby performance center, and a 2001 model 7 1/2" classic hunter.
They also make the mountain gun in .41, a little lighter because of the tapered barrel. I think that's what they're calling a model 57, but it's a mountain gun.
.41 magnum is my favorite caliber of all time, (10mm is a close second!!) but they are both reloaders' calibers.
The 7 1/2" classic hunter model is what I'd recommend for new shooters if they're willing to reload.
The taurus tracker 415/425 has a nasty bite (Even ported!!), and will turn the web of your shooting hand red in 2 or 3 cylinders' worth of shooting, and after 50 rounds, you'll have rubber marks imbedded in your skin.
After 100 rounds, you'll either be flinching so bad you wouldn't be able to hit anything anyway, or you'll be shooting low power ammo. (If you want to shoot low powered magnums, buy a .357.).
Not a very good first pistol. Hard to learn to shoot that way. A great self defense pistol, though.
I've heard good things about the taurus 416, though. That's the 6 1/2" raging bull frame. It's huge.
Be thankful you can even find .41 mags in current production. It wasn't so easy to find them that way 15-20 years ago.

[bakert]

What to expect from a more compact 357? More recoil, flash and blast but it is one of the most effective rds out there.

[22-rimfire]

The Model 57 41 Mag Mountain Gun was last year's limited production gun. It is my woods carry gun these days. I bought it to shoot. Check out Davidson's web site and you'll see one. They are around, but you will have to look for one now.

http://www.galleryofguns.com/gungallery/PowerSearch/Product.asp?item_num=161300&index=6&max=20&start=20&instock=None&manufact_combo=None&mod_ser_combo=None&category_combo=None&model=None&g_type=None&act_type=None&finish_type=None&calib_combo=41M&sight_class_combo=None&price_range=None&qPromoID=&EZ=&left_handed=&youth=&item_only=0&oldsql=WHERE+%28Caliber+like+%2741M%7C%25%27+or+Caliber+like+%27%25%7C41M%27+or+Caliber+%3D+%2741M%27%29+ORDER+by+manuf%2C+unk2%2C+unk3

I don't think The Model 57 MG is for folks that are new to shooting though. You may not develop the good shooting habits that you need to develop which are best developed with a 22 or lower powered revolver.

I have a 3" Ruger GP100 that I like a lot. It shoots very well, but it does not have adjustable sights. I don't use it for target work. I'd get a 4" barreled gun for range or target work. The Ruger stocks handle the 357 recoil very nicely with the fairly high weight of the gun.

[461]

.41 Mag is a great all arounder and I'm really getting fond of mine but the .357 is still tops for the all around wheelgun in my book. Biggest downside to the .41 is ammo availability, thankfully I reload so it's a non issue with me but for someone who doesn't it's a huge problem.

SP-101 and GP-100 were brought up, great guns both of them and I won't part with either one. The SP is my most used piece as it rides in the truck with me most days. The GP is my favorite though especially since I put the smaller factory grip on it from a fixed site version, fits me perfectly. Can't go wrong either way.

[22-rimfire]

Ruger has the Hunter Single Action in 41 Mag. It is a nice stainless revolver that is drilled for scope mounts. I have not shot one, but I'm sure I'd like it if I did. I just lean toward N-Frame Smiths in the 41 mag. Not sure if they are cataloged currently, but I usually see one just about every time I go to a gun show.

[mndfusion]

I have a Jframe .357 3in brl. S&W and was shocked at how well I shot it double action the first time -- its designed very well for DA or SA.

[Majic]

You said you fired a Vaquero once, but want something more compact. What barrel length Vaquero did you fire? Concealment shouldn't be a concern during camping/hiking so a short barrel is plenty compact for most.
Next you said that the .357 magnum kicked quite a bit and you asked if all .357 kicked like that, but now you say you are interested in a .41 magnum. You do know the .41 kicks substantially more than the .357?
It sounds like you should gain some experience with these handguns and various rounds as you are obiviously new to this game. Try using a .357 magnum revolver loaded with .38 spl cartridges first to learn what you are doing. Then you can load .357 magnum cartridges to further your education on the revolver. Don't buy a big bore magnum revolver (ie the .41 magnum) and not have any idea of what you are getting into. The .41 magnum doesn't have a factory lower recoil cartridge you can use while learning. It's either shoot full power loads or nothing and you don't sound ready for the full power loads.
As a newwbie you have a lot to learn. When you read the various posts please know that not everyone can or won't shoot certain guns and calibers that others shoot. With experience you will learn your limitations. The .41 magnum, though not hard to shoot for the experienced, is not something for a newbie to start out on. I've seen to many people buy too much gun the first time out and end up making an expensive mistake.

[Iggy]

Majic hit it right on the head.

The 41 is a great round, but not for beginners. It is not a fun gun to learn with.

As has been stated, a 357 can go from meek and mild .38 wadcutters to volcanic magnum rounds.

If after testing the capabilities of the .357 in whatever gun you choose, you find you want more power, then go for a .41

There is a considerable difference in recoil and cost of ammunition.

[461]

By all means, the .357 is the place to start and there is a lot of learning to do there to the point that you may never need or want to go bigger. I started with th e.357 and it is still my favorite round and I have the most guns chambered for it in my modest collection. I even have a rifle for it and that makes it a whole new ball game.

Has been said already, but the .41 indeed bucks substantially more than .357.

[.45 Cal]

Thanks all for the excellent information and advice. I'm off to practice and learn more...

Cal

[22-rimfire]

I think you're better off getting a 22 revolver and using it to pack around in the woods. Then step up to a 357/38 and learn to shoot it. The 357 is no pussy cat in the recoil department with full factory loads or heavy handloads. Then you are ready for a 41 or 44 mag.... there is a substantial increase in power and recoil when you step into the 4's from the 3's. That all being said. I really like to shoot both 357's and 41 mags in a heavy revolver. You can buy some lighter hand loads for the 41 mag, but they aren't "factory" loads. If Elmer Keith was alive today, he would probably be working up loads on the 500 S&W. But I would bet that the 41 mag would be his main gun!

[Majic]

+++1 on what 22-Rimfire says. If more shooters learn to shoot on the .22 and gradually move up there would be much better shooters in the world today. For those who think differently we all are entitle to our opinions.

[.45 Cal]

+++1 on what 22-Rimfire says. If more shooters learn to shoot on the .22 and gradually move up there would be much better shooters in the world today. For those who think differently we all are entitle to our opinions.

I agree completely. In fact, I'd fired about a hundred rounds of .22 the day my friend handed me the .357, and the contrast was a bit overwhelming.

I'm happy to report that yesterday I bucked up and hit the range, firing first .38 +P and then .357 rounds through a Smith model 60, then an SP101. Knowing what to expect, the recoil was manageable, even in a smaller frame revolver, and I shot pretty well.

Looking forward to more practice, and thanks again everyone for your advice.

Cal

[pezo]

I'd suggest a Double action revolver (unless your stuck on single action) in .357/.38. You will find that affordable,effective .38 caliber ammo selections are vast. And you always have the .357 option if needed.

[Moonclip]

Depends on the ammo too even if using 357mag and not 38spl. Not all manufactures load to the same levels. For example I find CCI blazer to be milder than Fiocchi and Armscor 357mag.