[leeroy71]

I'm looking to get a CC gun. I'd prefer a revolver. Plus, I already have a 6" Taurus mod. 669 [to big to conceal well] so I like the idea of shared ammo.

Anyone carry the "original magnum";)?
Why and what?

[LNK]

I'm looking to get a CC gun. I'd prefer a revolver. Plus, I already have a 6" Taurus mod. 669 [to big to conceal well] so I like the idea of shared ammo.

Anyone carry the "original magnum";)?
Why and what?
Sometimes I carry my 4" GP-100 in a Theis Holster (Supertuck Clone)at 3:30. For no other reason than because I can. Right now I am carrying a 1911 in the same way under a t-shirt. I also will carry a fullsize MP-9. Whatever suits me. Would consider any of these three to be plenty capable. I am 6' 200# if that helps.

LNK

[newbuckeye]

I have a 2" SP101 that I rotate into sometimes.....

[DM~]

I carry a S&W M-19 4"... I have complete confidence in it getting any job i need done, done!

DM

[Havok7416]

I just posted this somewhere else. I often carry a S&W 640 J-frame. It slips right into a pocket while some of my other carry guns (all autos) require a bit more wardrobe planning.

[SaxonPig]

This is my daily walking around piece. I load my own using a 125 JHP at a clocked 1500 FPS.


http://www.fototime.com/99EB2643272F9D9/standard.jpg


Funny you should say "the original magnum" because I have at times carried this Registered Magnum and that would indeed be the original magnum.


http://www.fototime.com/E1D8FD41A486F94/standard.jpg

[460Kodiak]

Ruger SP101, 3" bbl, hand polished and Badger grips

[Iggy]

I carry a Model 19 2 1/2'" almost all of the time. If fashion demands something a bit more sleek, I carry a Mdl 640-1.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p246/Iggy25/EDC.jpg?t=1289779067

For BBQ's, I carry a Model 27.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p246/Iggy25/NiMDL27.jpg

[ColtPythonElite]

I carry an SP101 nearly anytime I carry a gun in a holster.

[Teachu2]

For several years, my CCW was a S&W Model 66, 2.5" bbl, round butt. Often carried in a Bianchi shoulder rig. Then again, I also carried a Model 28 6" the same way - I'm a XXL-sized guy....

[wally]

I sometimes carry a S&W SC360 Scandium revolver, at 15.8 oz fully loaded with 158gr JHP its much more fun to carry that to shoot :)

On top of a Kel-Tec PF-9:
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=67225&d=1195007081

side by side:
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=67224&d=1195007023

[firesky101]

I carry an LCR with 145gr silvertip .357 in it sometimes. The recoil is not unbearable as most people assume, In my experience anyways.

[MCgunner]

I occasionally carry a 3" Taurus M66 blued. The SP101 is easier IWB to conceal, a little lighter and thinner. I think it's hard to beat a 3" SP101. I don't like 2" in this caliber, defeats the purpose. I'd rather carry a subcompact 9mm than a 2" .357, personally. Easier to shoot, less flash/bang, and very close to the same energy/terminal and exterior ballistics. You can beat 1263 fps with a 115 JHP giving 410 ft lbs with a 2" .357, but only with the heavier bullet weights and not by all that much. The 9mm +P actually equals or BEATS most 125 grain traditional self defense .357 loads from 2" barrels.

[MCgunner]

Wally, I did a similar pic a while back with my M85 Taurus and my P11 Kel Tec arguing a similar point. :D

http://i50.tinypic.com/2rqlm34.jpg

[Elm Creek Smith]

Off duty I carry, most of the time, a 3 inch, round butt, Smith & Wesson Model 13-3, .357 Magnum, currently loaded with Winchester 140 grain Silvertips.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/elm_creek_smith/Gun%20shots/DSC02079-1-1.jpg

I haven't found anything faster and more powerful out of the holster. I used this gun to shoot two perfect 100% qualification scores, beating all the bottom-feeder shooters. The Range Master said, "I'd like to point out that all the revolver shooters qualified at 100%," just before he tried to buy it. I was, in fact, the only revolver shooter.

Dat's why.

ECS

[Vern Humphrey]

I carried a Colt M357 my first tour in Viet Nam. The .357 is a superb round in a full-size revolver, less so in a snubnose. As Charles Petty put it, reducing the weight of snubnose revolvers has "transformed .357 recoil from merely unpleasant to downright brutal."

Now people will say, "In a life-threatening situation you won't notice the recoil." There are two things wrong with that saying:

1. You will definitely notice the recoil in practice -- which will cause you to either develop bad shooting habits, or stop practicing. Neither of those things are good.

2. Whether you notice it or not in a life-threatening situation, recoil will definitly affect your performance.

So when I carry a snubnose revolver, it's a Colt Detective Special, with .38 Special loads.

[sash]

I carry a 3" GP100 most of the time. Sometimes a 4" Model 19.

[loneviking]

4 inch Mod. 19-5 loaded with 158gr Norma hp's or Speer Gold dots. The holster is from simply Rugged.

[bikerdoc]

I carry and practice with a 357.
sp 101
smith 649
taurus 605

various cz 9mm
and 2 45,s


The smith and the ruger get carried less ofteh than the 45,s

Find what you like, practice with it, and carry it and continue the hunt for the next grail.

[bluethunder1962]

I bought one a few months ago and loved it so much just got another one. One is a Rossi ant the new one I just got is a Ruger. S&W makes a 8 shot 357. That would be nice to have.

[wnycollector]

Before my wife absconded it, my normal CCW was a SS 2.75" Ruger Security Six. I carried it IWB in an AKJ Concealco holster. I found it to be a perfect sized carry gun that was very controllable with full house .357 loads.

[TimboKhan]

For years my main carry gun was a Taurus 605. I carry a Glock 26 occasionally now, but have more and more returned to the 605.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[langenc]

Check the S&W 649. As Vern Humphrey noted can be shot w/ some stout 38s if 357 to much recoil. Use the clipdraw.com (IWB carry) and after a while you will have to feel to see if it is still there.

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // I carry a few different .357s but the most comfortable is my Dan Wesson 15-2 w/ the 2 1/2" barrel and slim round butt grips.

Good luck finding what works for you.

[Stainz]

I agree re the recoil. I own a number of .357 Magnum chambered revolvers, simply because the equivalent revolver in .38 Special +P doesn't exist. Knowing the rationale behind the original Magnum's development, I don't foresee a need for it in my own personal civilian defensive applications. The .38 Special +P loads should be sufficient - and be a bit more lacking in over-penetration, a plus. My choice for my pocket carry, a 642, and my home/car (where legal) PC627 UDR (below) carry the same round: Remington R38S12 158gr LHPSWC +P, aka the 'old FBI load'. The PC67 UDR carries eight at a time - either in moonclips or 5starfirearms.com speedloaders.

http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u307/Stainz_2007/033-2.jpg

All of my .38/.357M revolvers, whether locked up in the safe or not, have speedloaders loaded with that same ammo - for emergencies. My other caliber revolvers, from rimfire to the Governor, have speedloaders/moonclips with suitable defensive ammo - at the ready - although the revolvers may be locked away. Sort of 'ready reserves'.

Stainz

[mnhntr]

I carried a 4in 686 and 2 1/2in 686 for yrs. Also had a 65 4in for a while.

[Arizonagunrunner]

One of the best. I carry a Ruger Speed Six. Great weapon. It is a constant carry for my CCW needs. Stoked with 125 sjhp or 158 grainers in sjhp.

[357 Terms]

sp101 almost exclusivly, loaded with 125grn Barnes XPB's

A SS Service Six occasionally.

A 2.5in 686 use to get some action but not anymore

[Cocked & Locked]

Yes...a 357 is what I carry. I've got several but usually holster up this 2.5" S&W 66 or a similar 2.5" 19.

My SP101 has its place as well.

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6486421/402455939.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6486421/402455936.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6263277/402311332.jpg

[shiftyer1]

I finally found the most comfortable gun to carry and thats a snubnose revolver crossdraw, right now in a fobus holster. Mines a .38, I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade to .357 if it's close to the same size and weight.

I'd still use .38's but I like having the option.

[dubya450]

I've got a S&W 360pd I carry once in awhile when it feels like a wheel gun day. I gotta admit I don't practice very often with 357 mags in that 11oz gun, I literally have to readjust my grip after every shot. 38 spl isn't too bad at all. Kind of one of those shoot little carry alot guns.

[Bikewer]

I carried a S&W M19 (4") for the first15 years or so of my police career; till we transitioned to Glocks.
I also had a 2" Colt "Lawman" model I used for an off-duty weapon for a while... The big problem with 2" .357s is the rather ferocious muzzle flash.
The Lawman proved rather bulky; were I still wanting a revolver for such use today I think I'd go for something more compact.

[bearman49709]

I carry a 4" S&W 66 or a 4" ss security six iwb.

[Black Knight]

I have carried a 2 1/2" S&W 66 all the way up to a 6" Colt Python. Currently I carry a 3" S&W 65 off duty. I find that the best holsters for me are the on the belt type preferably the pancake style or paddle holsters. The 6" Python was concealed with a Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster.

[jdh]

Anyone carry the "original magnum"?

A Colt Walker? No. But I do have a 640 S&W I carry in a pocket holster.

[sgt127]

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j277/sgt127/IMG_2072.jpg
90% of the time. This is what I carry.

[Cocked & Locked]

That a 3" 65? High on my want list. :scrutiny:

[Water-Man]

Only for woods carry and then it's a GP-100 4" loaded with Buffalo Bore 180gr. LFN-GC.

[TennJed]

I have a 2" SP101 that I rotate into sometimes.....
same here

[captain awesome]

yep. a 13oz snubby. she bites.

[R.W.Dale]

I alternate between a 5" j frame m60 and a 9mm snub nosed.

I recently aquired a 4" gp100 but I'm still not sure its going to upstage the little "kit gun" on my hip.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/krochus/2012-04-08161420.jpg

[sgt127]

Yessir. 3" 65. I think it just distills "fighting revolver" down to the absolute essentials. Nothing more, certainly nothing less.

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm looking to get a CC gun. I'd prefer a revolver. Plus, I already have a 6" Taurus mod. 669 [to big to conceal well] so I like the idea of shared ammo.

Anyone carry the "original magnum";)?
Why and what?
When not carrying a .38 Special J frame I carry a S&W M640 in .357 Magnum.

In the woods I carry either a M686 or a Ruger Vaquero in .357 Magnum. (or 2 Vaqueros)

[engineer88]

On lazy days it is a S&W 638 for me, but otherwise a 2" SP101 DAO keeps me company when I am in a wheel mood. I keep it stoked with 357 Speer short barrel, just like my 38's with the equivalent loading. Yeah it is only 100fps faster on the 357 version over the 38 but every little bit helps.

[riddleofsteel]

My first carry gun was a nickle plated Colt Python with ivory grips. Since then I have carried a S&W 681, and a Ruger Speed Six. I like the .357 Mag for defense and have never been without at least one in my 35+ years of CCW.

My current .357 Mag is a custom Ruger SP101 worked over by Jack Weigand in the "Tame the Beast" package. It is one of 1000 that Davidson has done some years ago. It features Hybra-port, polished pins, action job, champered chambers for easy loading, satin finish, lightened spring set polished and radius-ed trigger, and a coco bolo Hogue monogrip.

I have been packing it it a Murph's modified pancake holster and using a Galco 2x2x2 belt ammo holder.

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/riddleofsteel/sp101custom.jpg

[azgun]

I carry my dan season with a 2 inch barrel.

[Cosmoline]

Speed six or security six, every day for many years now. I went through a bunch of different semis and revolvers before settling on this type. It's packable, powerful and very much a shooter's choice. I also train a lot with them as they are a pleasure to shoot even with magnum loads.

As far as accuracy, while most targets at the range hover around 10 yards, mine stands out twice as far with the same groups. Real skookum iron, the sixes.

[beatledog7]

My light duty "rural" carry gun is 2.75" Ruger Security Six in stainless. Concealment is not a big issue but I can keep it pretty well under wraps with a belt holster and some sort of shirt or jacket. Have not carried it IWB and would not try to.

[nls1]

Every day.
Smith 640 in an IWB holster with a spare speed strip or two.

Boot grips
Hornady .357 mag critical defense is laser guided in this gun

Dan

[Boomie]

3" S&W 686P or a 4" Chiappa Rhino. I carry both (but not at the same time).

[Rexster]

Yes, I carry a .357 Mag weapon or two daily. As I type this, I am moonlighting in the daylight at a jewelry store. As I am in my police uniform, I must wear the mandated .40 auto "primary" weapon, but there is an SP101 snubby also concealed on my person, and a 4" S&W Model 19 near at hand. When the armored car made its visit, I discreetly toted the Model 19, semi-concealed, to the front of the business, as I would prefer to engage a bad guy with the 19, if it came to that.

Out of uniform, I am free to forego the .40, and my "primary" will usually be either the S&W Model 19, or a 3.06" SP101. Under harsher conditions, I might choose to tote a stainless steel GP100.

Edited to add: It is normal for me to carry more than one handgun. My usual minimum is an SP101.

[raveneap]

SW Model 60 - .357 mag

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/raveneap/DSC05671.jpg

[Cocked & Locked]

I like that

[kutz]

Ruger LCR .357. Light to carry and effetive at SD distances.

[Warp]

4" GP100 in a Milt Sparks Versa Max II

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g105/austin3161324/5866b021.jpg

It conceals fine under a simple untucked T-shirt...standing and walking. Lean forward or bend over...not so much. But it can be done, especially in cooler weather or somewhere you don't mind if it is noticeable from time to time

More often if I carry it, it is openly in an OWB holster.

[DHart]

My wife snagged one of my 640-1 .357 mag. revos and carries it, loaded with Speer 158 gr. Gold Dots, in a belly band. She LOVES it and never leaves home without it.

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/S%20and%20W%20Revos/640_LF2677.jpg

[lowercase]

I carry my Charter Mag Pug from time to time.

However, I don't care for its ported barrel, and my .44 Bulldog (same frame) has no ports and a better trigger, so my Bulldog gets the nod most days.

http://imageshack.us/a/img849/8314/magpug1.jpg

It carries nice and light in a minimal belt slide holster and wearing small wood stocks.

http://imageshack.us/a/img713/3189/charterwoodgripz.jpg

[lowercase]

In addition to the little Mag Pug, I have two 3-inch barreled GP100s and am currently getting an OWB holster made so I can carry one of them.

Here's one of my GPs wearing Uncle Mike's boot grips.

http://imageshack.us/a/img24/1572/gp1002.jpg

[Ric]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a258/D-Ric902/IMG_1135.jpg
Absolutely
7 rounds of Gold Dot and action by Bob Munden.
My EDC

[Fiv3r]

My local gun guy says that Ruger Sp101s are like hen's teeth right now. However, he's got his feelers out for me. If he runs across one, he'll offer it to me first.

I'm looking for a 3" version to bridge the gap between my snub nose .38 LCR and my 6.5" .357 Blackhawk. I'll probably just load it with .38s, but I like having the option to stoke it up hot for woods carry. I just really prefer revolvers, but I can't hit much with a snubnose. I'm a surgeon with my Blackhawk (well comparing it to how well I shoot my other guns:o)

[460Kodiak]

Ruger SP101. Durable, accurate, easy to carry, and handles 357 mag with ease. 3" bbl It's the first handgunI ever bought.

[shinyroks]

S&W 66 4" with Marschal grips. Might as well do it in style...

[JTMcC]

Vern says:
As Charles Petty put it, reducing the weight of snubnose revolvers has "transformed .357 recoil from merely unpleasant to downright brutal."

I say:

I carry regularly a Colt Python, 2 1/2". I also shoot it regularly and it's (in my hands) never had a .38special run thru it.
My Wife/Chic shoots (usually) a S&W 586, no .38 specials thru it either.

I've come to realize that recoil of a full power magnum handgun is increadably user sensitive.
I run full bore .357 thru my 2 1/2" gun on a regular basis, I've never found it "brutal", in fact I've never found any .357 load to be even "unpleasant". I shoot .44 mag and can't say it's unpleasant either. Maybe the bigger handgun rounds would be unpleasant/brutal I don't know but hope to find out : )
One persons sensation of recoil DOES NOT transfer across the spectrum of mankind.
I find handloaded .357 mag, using ancient loading manuals (that exceed current offerings) in a 2 1/2" Colt to be well below what even my kids (girls, 9 and 11) would consider unpleasant or brutal.

So in the end, try it, regardlass of others who find it uncomfortable, you just might love it.

Recoil to one, doesn't equal recoil to all others. As J Cooper said over and over, to anybody who's took a football hit, recoil matters little and snub .357 is all good fun to a lot of people.

J

[adaptandovercome]

Sp101 snub but usually with 38 special

[chunk]

My EDC is a S&W 13-3 nickel 3'' Loaded with 158gr sjsp in a simply rugged pancake holster...I love the rig, 11 hour days , No problem

[weisse52]

As I type this I am carrying a 686 2.5" in a Simply Rugged pancake on a Wilderness Instructor belt. I find that .357 mag in this is far more pleasant to shoot and practice than .38+P in a 642. YMMV.. oh...and I feel very good about the combo...

[Dave T]

Right now my carry gun is also the ugliest revolver I've ever owned. It's a S&W 3" 7-shot 681 from their Custom Shop. It has a two-tone Birdsong finish (green & black) that shows a lot of holster wear on the high spots. The cylinder is unfluted and cut for moon clips.

I'd rather have a fluted cylinder and just a bead blasted stainless appearance but the gun shoots OK and since no one sees it I'll save the money and use it like it is. That green and black looks bad enough that I haven't even taken a picture of it. (smile)

Dave

[Cocked & Locked]

I like .357's...not a problem!

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6263277/384771599.jpg
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6486421/404430741.jpg
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6486421/398335687.jpg
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6486421/383390000.jpg
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6259637/405327710.jpg
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6259637/394843551.jpg
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2169/3082611/6259764/402180620.jpg

[wheelyfun66]

http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t497/spec4towle/036-1_zps51c75d0f.jpg
http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t497/spec4towle/019-1_zpsb7289231.jpg
http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t497/spec4towle/IMG_0669.jpg

[hseII]

I have a 2" SP101 that I rotate into sometimes.....

^^^ I have one that I carry in an El Paso pocket holster in my back pocket.
Loaded with .357 125grn Remington Golden Sabers.
More accurate than it should be being so short

[460Kodiak]

I've come to realize that recoil of a full power magnum handgun is increadably user sensitive.
I run full bore .357 thru my 2 1/2" gun on a regular basis, I've never found it "brutal", in fact I've never found any .357 load to be even "unpleasant".

I agree with you completely that perception of recoil is very dependant on the shooter. I had a Bond Arms derringer and I absolutely hated shooting 3" .410 shot shells out of, and yet I don't bat an eye at shooting full power 325 gr hard casts out of my 460 magnum. It depends on the user, but also the platform.

There is a big difference between shooting a 2.5" python and a 20 some ounce j frame or ultralight 5 shot revolver. A python, even a short one, is going to absorb a hell of a lot more recoil than a pocket size j frame or Ruger lcr. The user may not mind it, but I think these little and super light guns is what Vern was refering to. When you look at those, even a Ruger SP101 that is about the same size will handle the recoil better, because it weighs more and is made of steel, not scandium or polymer.

[Godsgunman]

I carry my 3" Taurus 65 when I feel like going with a revolver. Very nice accurate gun. Not as dolled up as some of the pics on here but she gets the job done, smooth sweet trigger to.

[Stainz]

My smaller 'carry' .357M, a 3" 60 Pro:

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u307/Stainz_2007/IMG_4578.jpg
Holstered in a S&W 3" J-frame holster with my 3" 63 (8x .22LR), which shares time in the holster:
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u307/Stainz_2007/009.jpg
My 'real' holster carry .357M, either one of my 2 5/8" PC627 UDR's in a custom holster:
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u307/Stainz_2007/012.jpg

I'll have to 'out' myself... I'm a .357M 'poser'! Oh, sure - I have reloaded many .357M cases - to barely +P .38 Special levels. The fact is, other than whatever S&W tested them with initially, my .357M revolvers have never fired a 'real' Magnum load, homebrew or commercial. I have yet to buy my 'first' box of real .357 Magnums! My carry load, seen in the top picture above, is the .38 Special +P 158gr LHPSWC (Remington R38S12 shown in speedloader.). I keep several sets moonclipped for the 627's. Sorry...

Stainz

[returningfire]

Yep,
Colt Lawman 1&7/8" snubbie.

[19-3Ben]

I've carried various .357mags. Right now my favorite is the Ruger Speed Six 2.75"bbl.

[The Bushmaster]

Mod 19 nickel plated 2 1/2". 140 grain Hornady XTP.