So far I'm very pleased with my Kel-Tec P-11 (owned for years)....pocketable most of the time. 12+1 capacity, +P capable, it eats everything, accurate enough out to 10 yards.
I been wondering about getting a snubnose 357 as well for the same purpose so I would love to hear opinions and thoughts about it.
To be clear, I do not find these small handguns really appealing (not particularly nice to look at it, almost useless as range toys) other than the extreme concealment feature so I'm asking for an opinion entirely on objective pros/cons points.
Some of my own thoughts on the subject:
- Price: Snubnose revolvers tend to be more pricey than small semi-auto 9mm or, better said, there are more choices with small semi-autos starting at prices significantly lower with well proven models (Kel-Tec for example).
- Magazine capacity: Pretty much no context, many small semi-autos win here ....sure if you need more than 5 shots you better run still....
- Ammo cost: For plinking/practice ammo. the 9mm has the edge
- Concealment: In my experience it is a wash.
- Reliability: On paper the revolver has the advantage, my P-11 has been flawless....so far....however there are still more chances of malfunctioning at the wrong time with a semi-auto...
- Power: On paper the 357 is a more powerful round but what is the real world power advantage of a 357 round coming out of a sub 2" barrel vs. a 9mm +P out of a 3" pipe?? Does it really matter at the very close range handguns like that are used in SD situations anyway?? Can a small revolver like that, especially with aluminium or polymer frame, eat full power 357 rounds or you have to use the watered down loads?? I would love to hear from someone that has done some tests or had experience with both.
Am I missing something?? There is really any practical reason to consider a small 357 revolver to replace or complement my P-11 for pocket duty?? They aren't cheap....
I been wondering about getting a snubnose 357 as well for the same purpose so I would love to hear opinions and thoughts about it.
To be clear, I do not find these small handguns really appealing (not particularly nice to look at it, almost useless as range toys) other than the extreme concealment feature so I'm asking for an opinion entirely on objective pros/cons points.
Some of my own thoughts on the subject:
- Price: Snubnose revolvers tend to be more pricey than small semi-auto 9mm or, better said, there are more choices with small semi-autos starting at prices significantly lower with well proven models (Kel-Tec for example).
- Magazine capacity: Pretty much no context, many small semi-autos win here ....sure if you need more than 5 shots you better run still....
- Ammo cost: For plinking/practice ammo. the 9mm has the edge
- Concealment: In my experience it is a wash.
- Reliability: On paper the revolver has the advantage, my P-11 has been flawless....so far....however there are still more chances of malfunctioning at the wrong time with a semi-auto...
- Power: On paper the 357 is a more powerful round but what is the real world power advantage of a 357 round coming out of a sub 2" barrel vs. a 9mm +P out of a 3" pipe?? Does it really matter at the very close range handguns like that are used in SD situations anyway?? Can a small revolver like that, especially with aluminium or polymer frame, eat full power 357 rounds or you have to use the watered down loads?? I would love to hear from someone that has done some tests or had experience with both.
Am I missing something?? There is really any practical reason to consider a small 357 revolver to replace or complement my P-11 for pocket duty?? They aren't cheap....
