the SMALLEST 357 wheelgun????

[cpileri]

The smallest 357 Mag revolver I have been able to (easily) come across is the $&W Model 340 at a legth of 6&3/8 inches
which is the same or similar to other small j frames and its cousins like the
Model 360, and
the taurus 605B at L/W/H: 6.5"/1.378"/4.77, etc.

I am looking for an even smaller one! Something that specifically in height and length, makes the Glock 26 (at Ht: 4.17", length 6.29", width 1.18") look positively gigantic! esp. in Length and height, as you cant do much about width once you get down to a 5-shot cylinder.

Thanks!
C-

[RyanM]

Don't think it's really possible, especially in a caliber like .357. Only thing I can think of in that caliber that's smaller than a J-frame, is one of them two shot derringers. If you had to go that way, I'd suggest an American Derringer Company DA-38. It's a 2-shot double action derringer with manual hammer block safety.

http://www.amderringer.com/das.html

Pretty small. But a 3.3" barrel from breech face to muzzle is about the same length as a 1 7/8" snubby, just without the cylinder gap.

There's also the Downsizer, which is smaller than a deck of cards (except in thickness), but you only get one shot.

http://www.downsizer.com/

[Giolli Joker]

Sooner or later this one will reach the market:
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=28110&d=1125169530

[AJ Dual]

Okay, I'll bite.

Other than an unused prop from "Blade Runner"… WHAT IN HELL IS THAT???

Is that a prototype for a real gun, or a prop gun made by Japanese Anime fans? It looks like it's got a, ur… ahhh... This is an oxymoron, but a "square cylinder"? Four shots? Fires from the bottom like a Mateba?

Anyway, I thought the smallest production .357 snubbie was the Ruger SP101 with the smallest barrel. 2 1/8" IIRC.

I had one, I liked it a lot. I sold it because I was an idiot, stuck between 21 when I was legal to buy handguns, but before maturity set in. (sigh) Believe it or not, I put the money twoards the down payment on my first new car, however, it was a lease.:banghead:

I'd like to have another SP101 someday.

[Giolli Joker]

It's the Rhino, the photo shows one of the first prototypes, it's Italian and its designer (Emilio Ghisoni) also designed the Mateba Autorevolver (yep, it shoots from the bottom, in line with the shooter hand); it should go into production this spring.
The cylinder is exagonal and holds 6 rounds, but thanks to its shape is very thin... I've handled it and I liked it a lot, its double action is the smoothest I've ever tried.
http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/2500/2532.htm
http://www.a-ztech.it/rhino.htm

[perpster]

I think it's called a Rhino. Don't know anything else about it though.

[corsica]

The advantage of Rhino, I have not the last photo with the bracket of the cylinder that is in the frame, are:

- for the first time the line of shooting is under the line of the hand
- no muzzle jump
- exagonal cylinder 6 shots in the place of 5, with the same thickness of a round cylinder
- no reaction with a .357 shot

and overall we have won the bet of the ergonomy because a man with a tall of 1,90 m(+/- 6,5 feet) and 130 kg(+/- 290lbs) has arrived to have the trigger in the right position, with a compact S & W the finger was out of the frame, and can shot even if the hand is more similar to a T-bone than a normal hand.:)

Ciao
Maurizio

[mrmeval]

Has Downsizer shipped any guns? Are they still in business?
http://www.subguns.com/boards/inquiryarchive.cgi?noframes;read=13883

[1 old 0311]

Looks good...........As long as it is more reliable than a Fiat:neener: :neener:


Kevin

[madmike]

Which brings to discussion: we're told men who seek large guns are compensating.

What do we deduce about men who pick small guns? (Seeing as I pack an 11+1 Grendel .380 that's less than 5" overall.)

[TX1911fan]

I have the S&W 340PD. It's small and very light, 12 oz, which makes shooting .357 very unpleasant.

[Dollar An Hour]

I think the 340 is it.

The SP101 is a little bulkier & heavier, but *alot* more shootable and it lacks the lock so many despise.

Since the short barrel of a snub really neuters the .357 mag, I'd rather have 10+1 9mm +P in a G26.

[cpileri]

Great stuff so far, thanks.

[AJ Dual]

Wow.

Those Rhino pistols look very interesting. I've been interested in the Mateba, but the extra expense for the self-cocking action did not seem worth it to me.

I've got a soft spot for the lines of revolvers that fire from the bottom cylinder. And the "future-primitive" Anime inspired looks don't hurt either.

[rtl]

I personally don't prefer anything smaller than an SP101 in .357 for carry, but once owned a both an American Derringer and a Bond Arms derringer, both in .357. The Bond was a bit heavier, but seemed to have a more secure cross bolt safety. Had to remove the trigger guard as recoil would pop my trigger finger out of joint more often than not. They are fun (if you don't mind burning the hair off your fingers) and more accurate and shootable than you'd think, but for the size/weight I'd recommend a revolver over a derringer for carry.

The single shot Downsizer WSP was also my second thought, if you can find one. Wouldn't pay to special order one though, I too have heard of others that never received theirs. If I ever see one in .45acp I'm all over it.

The Rhino does look interesting, look forward to seeing one someday.

Ever handled the mini Taurus in 9mm? Not .357 of course, but the only revolver I know of readily available that may be smaller than the typical J-frame. These were discontinued, but only recently so and can still be found.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=905ICH/SH&category=Revolver

[kjeff50cal]

Not a Revolver but it is in .357 Mag....... And doubleaction (only;) ).

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=37810&stc=1&d=1143766537

[kirkcdl]

Corsica or Giolli Joker,are these going to be imported into the U.S.?Please keep us all over here up to date.I want one,or two,or more...:D

[doublebarrel]

Sooner or later this one will reach the market:
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=28110&d=1125169530

I like the trigger guard. No need to put on a Hogue grip to fill in the area behind the trigger guard so it won't bang on my knuckle...

[Giolli Joker]

Corsica or Giolli Joker,are these going to be imported into the U.S.?Please keep us all over here up to date.I want one,or two,or more...
I'm almost sure they'll be imported. I can't say when.

[corsica]

we are interested to someone that want to be the importer in USA

before we must solve 3 problems:
1- safety test about the explosion
2- safety test about the fall
3- importer that can be final manufacturer

1 - we will sacrificate a pair of rhino to make sure that nothing dangerous can happen when you accidentally use an overloaded ammunition and this will be done in a short time
2 - no problem because the hammer is false, the real one is in the interior and has no risk to fire for a fall
3 - it seem that for a USA law the revolver with 2 " barrel cannot be imported already finished but must be assemblied in USA directly - we will discuss of this when we will find the importer
bye
maurizio

[mrmeval]

Cool, I'd get a Mateba if I could afford it and they were readily available.
I'd hope the Rhino is within what a good S&W would run.

[RyanM]

Are Mateba autorevolvers ever going to be made and imported again? Seems like Mateba SRL is out of business. Their website is gone. And last time I saw it up, autorevolvers were no longer listed.

[Giolli Joker]

I own a Mateba Autorevolver (.454)... you're right, the company's out of businness, I've heard nothing about a new production...:(

[Vern Humphrey]

Call me an old fuddy-duddy if you like, but I ain't shooting no gun that weighs less than the bullet.:neener:

[HighVelocity]

The 340pd is small enough. If you like pain just get a hammer and whack your hand with it. It'll be cheaper. :neener:

[Manedwolf]

I'd watched someone try a .357 derringer at the range. After only a couple of shots, they cussed, put it away, packed up and left, rubbing their shooting wrist.

I think that said it all. :)

[madmike]

A one pound .380 hurts after a while. I hate to think what a derringer .357 or .45LC or .410 feels like.

[cpileri]

45LC or even 410ga in an American Derringer Model 1 is not that big a deal.
What's important is that it has that nice, rounded shape to the grip. You let it roll up in your hand with recoil- no fast follow-up shots here!

But if it was shaped like a glock or something, then yes, it would hurt more.

C-

[stoky]

:what: How much are you going to practice with something making a 3' fireball in your face?

[horge]

A one pound .380 hurts after a while. I hate to think what a derringer .357 or .45LC or .410 feels like.

:)
The guy receiving the shot might have a bit more to complain about, hehe.
But seriously, I'm really fascinated by the Rhino.

[madmike]

I still remember the guy coming by my table selling a Lone Eagle.

"Wow, that's a bore. What caliber? .308?"

"No, .444 Marlin."

:what:

And Sunset Weapons System had a no-$#!+ .50 BMG PISTOL with a 10" barrel.
:what: :what: :what:

I bet you only fire THAT thing once.

[stoky]

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but speaking of stupid gun show tricks:
A Contender with a sign if front of it:
375 H&H Are You Man Enough?
well, no, as a matter of fact

[Rotorflyr]

As far as "small" 5 shot wheel guns go the best of em' have been mentioned already, so I won't restate what's already been said.

What I am going to comment on is the single/two shot etc....derringers, Anyone who takes one to the range and puts more then just a couple of rounds thru it deserves to have a sore wrist! :D
In my mind the main reason to carry/use a derringer is so when your main weapon :barf: on ya and a bg is choking the isth out of you, you can stick it up under their chin and remove the top/back of their skull!

As for that Rhino, I think it's pretty cool looking and wouldn't mind having both a 3" and a 6" (both in stainless) in the safe! :D


edit to add* The 2.5" looks pretty cool as well, but something about the 2" doesn't look right!

[madmike]

Yes, but will there be one in .44 magnum or .45 Long Colt?

It is a RHINO, after all.

[Zundfolge]

Not exactly a wheel gun, but if you want a tiny .357 mag you can still find the occasional COP357 out there (speaking of a prop from Bladerunner).

http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Single-Shot-Pistols/COP_357.htm