[Agent-J]

What's available in this setup? I'd really like something in polished nickel/stainless.

[hoptob]

That's a rather broad queston, Agent. We are talking anything from M27 to M42 and the Colts and the Rugers... Can you be more specific about your ccw requirements?

Mike

[Agent-J]

something that is easy to carry.

[wnycollector]

My fav .357 ccw is a 2.75" SS Ruger Security Six. I picked it up 2 years ago for $275.

[aHFo3]

I enjoy my S&W 19 2.5". A model 66 would fit your SS preference.

[Eagles6]

Ruger SP101 is good. S&W and Taurus makes some good, light alloy ones.

[Hikingman]

Taurus 605 - $245 delivered. Mirror finish, here's a friend's photo...
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/Hikingman/Hobbies/taurus605-1.jpg

[Haywood]

I carry One or Two of these 2" 357s, 617 Taurus shiny stainless 7 shot 357, SP101 Ruger shiny stainless 5 shot 357, 971 Rossi shiny stainless 6 shot 357, 605 Taurus mat stainless 5 shot 357, and all ways in the pocket a 642 S&W 38+P.

[PRM]

I have a S&W Model 60, 2 1/8 inch, stainless steel in .357, that I bought about 11 years ago. Great gun - wife has dibs on it. I also have two Colt Detective Specials (2nd and 3rd generations) that I carry on a regular basis. You can't beat a 2 inch revolver for ease of carry, accuracy and dependability in a small package. I bought the .357 in my Model 60 so it would handle .38 plus P ammo. I personally have never liked the .357 in a 2 inch small frame. More muzzle flip and harder to control for follow-up shots.

Colt - S&W - Ruger - Taurus/Rossi, all make good guns, just depends on what you want and are willing to spend. I would suggest that you go to their web sites or better yet, go to a gun shop and handle a few. The Colts are no longer in production, but can still be found in new condition on Gun Broker and other sites.

[J&J]

SP101 from ruger. I found it uncomfortable to shoot until I replaced the grips with one from Hogue. Others are lighter, but you get used to the weight.
durable and reliable

[Bubba613]

I enjoy my S&W 19 2.5". A model 66 would fit your SS preference.
Daily carry for me, loaded with Win Silver Tips. I carry other guns but always come back to this one.

[Marcus84]

I heard at least 4 inches of barrel needed to get the 357 performance. Any truth to that?

[Oro]

I heard at least 4 inches of barrel needed to get the 357 performance. Any truth to that?

No, it's not true. It might have some application for longer distance hunting shots, but not for SD. Many states have minimum barrel length and calibers for handgun hunting, and this should not be a consideration for thoughtful hunters. Older speer manuals have nice data where they compared actual revolvers (not test barrels) chrono'd velocities down to 2.5" length. The velocity drop was measurable but not huge. The 2.5" were doing on average about 150fps less than the 6.5" S&W 27. So this was like 1400 fps vs. 1250 fps for the best performing powders at SAAMI limits (like 296 or 2400).

I like the 2.5" 19 or 66 for carry - keep one of each on hand. The J frames and small Rugers are just brutal with full .357 loads. The K frame tames them nicely, but it's too large for an ankle gun - but it makes an outstanding IWB or other carry gun.

[goodtime]

I have a Smith-Wesson 640 two incher. It's the centennial design, with the internal hammer, so it's double action only, but for the intended purpose, it's well suited. Also, if you ever want to carry it in a pocket holster, there's nothing to snag. It's offered in stainless steel. Another great choice is the Ruger sp101. It's offered in both spurred and spurrless hammer, also in stainless. Another good thing -- with quality, durable makes like Smith' and Ruger, if you want to save some cake, you can find either one used and still feel that you are getting a solid gun.

[James T Thomas]

Behold the Smith and Wesson model 686+
at .smith-wesson.com

[FranklyTodd]

M&p340ct

[Lovesbeer99]

Since you have access to the internet go to the Ruger, S&W website, but also checkout Charter Arms, and Taurus (just to be fair I hate Taurus and will never buy one again but other people like them).

Then go to Gunbroker.com and select the Revolver options and in the search field type "357" (leave the "." off) and see what comes up. Colt, Dan Wesson, Smith, Ruger, etc, etc, etc, etc.

Shoot safe.

[trekgod3]

Not polished or shiny, but the Nightguard m327 hold EIGHT rounds of .357:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&langId=-1&productId=67969&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15702

[jfh]

If you're intent on shooting .357 rounds, then the S&W 640 would get my vote. Add a Hogue Monogrip--or the Crimson Trace LG-305--and you've got a "semi-pocketable" carry package.

OTOH, if you really want a pocket carry gun, get the M&P340 with the CT 405 grips. And start on a shooting regimen to get your hand conditioned.

For non-pocket carry, consider any of the S&W K/L frame short-barrel revolvers--the most recent example would be the S&W 386 Night Guard--7 shots, 25 oz.

Jim H.

[Thaddeus Jones]

Ruger SP101 is a sweet revolver. Especially with a 3" barrel.

[Travis Bickle]

I heard at least 4 inches of barrel needed to get the 357 performance. Any truth to that?

At least four inches are required to get optimum .357 performance, but shooting .357 from a shorter barrel doesn't turn it into a regular old .38 by any stretch of the imagination. .357 magnum packs a hell of a lot more wallop than .38 special even coming out of the shortest barrels.

[MikePGS]

A .357 coming out of a 2 inch barrel is roughly equivalent to a .38 coming out of a 4 inch barrel. I believe that Magnum's in general perform best with longer barrels.
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/38special.html

[bikerdoc]

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg134/bikerdoc1948/IM000793-1.jpg

sitting on my hip right now
taurus 357 3 inch loaded with 110gr jhp

[fxstchewy]

SP101, built like a tank but great for CCW.

[Elm Creek Smith]

I carry a S&W Model 13 with a 3 inch barrel. The same gun in stainless is a Model 65. It's a good carry piece if you can find one.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/elm_creek_smith/SandWModel13/SWM13_001.jpg

ECS

[MCgunner]

Some good choices:

Ruger SP101 stainless

Smith J frame or Taurus small frame stainless

Stainless 2.5" K frames or Taurus M66 (medium frame) preferably with 3" barrel.

If you're broke and can't afford better, Rossi Stainless M462 is a decent gun, will serve well, just not the most refined trigger available.

I have a Taurus 3" M66 and it carries well, but the smaller grip of the SP101 was better. The SP101 is a heavy gun as are the K frames and M66 Taurus, but that's a good thing when you start squeezing the trigger on hot magnum loads.

I would avoid the scandium 12 ounce stuff and titanium stuff unless .38 special is enough for you and, heck, you can get a Smith 642 a lot cheaper if .38 special is enough.

[357wheelgunner]

4" K-frame carries well inside the waistband

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c138/357wheelgunner/Shooting/beltloops.jpg

[Shadan7]

Mike PGS:
A .357 coming out of a 2 inch barrel is roughly equivalent to a .38 coming out of a 4 inch barrel. I believe that Magnum's in general perform best with longer barrels.
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/38special.html

Thanks for the cite. Remember to allow for the differences between the Thompson and your standard revolver (i.e.: add the cylinder dimension to the barrel length to get an accurate comparison).

That said, I have a 642 in my pocket presently . . .

7

[Black Dime]

Guys those "Ks" are heavy. So is the Security Six. Got some. I don't pack a revolver. S&W M39
I have a Model 10, heavy barrel, 4", that is chambered for .357 Mag. Stamped on the barrel. Special run for the Massachusetts State Police some time ago. A friend has the gun.I will try to get a picture.

[Black Dime]

Better picture.

[dominoe98]

S&W 640-1, a little heavy but I carry it often

[ArchAngelCD]

.357 ccw?
What's available in this setup? I'd really like something in polished nickel/stainless.
S&W M60
S&W M640
S&W M649
2 7/8" Ruger Six-Series
3" Ruger GP-100
S&W M686 or M686+ 2.5" or 3"

Just to name a few..... There are many more!