J frame 357 versus 38+p

If I had a dollar for every time I read "I have an aluminum frame 357 Mag J-frame but I only shoot 38 special +P in it cause 357 Mag hurts too much" I could buy a 340PD and curse it.

Best advice is go rent or borrow a 340 or similar airweight 357 J-frame and shoot a box of some full power 357 mag through it. By the end of the box you will know if 357 Mag from an aluminum J-frame is for you.

Personal I found the recoil of a 340 PD abusive and the modest increase in terminal effects did not offset the bad shoot-ability. I bought the 442 and saved a bunch of money for reloading supplies.

I'd agree. You should shoot one first. Watch Paul harrel shoot some meat targets with 38 and 357 and you'll see the terminal differences. That said, if you can't shoot it then it doesn't make a difference.

I used to really enjoy shooting full power 500mag from a 3" X-frame. Or 50AE from a steel Desert Eagle. Even 44mag from a 4" M29 with Magna grips. My buddies 460 is really fun too.

But, I want absolutely nothing to do with a 357mag alloy J-frame. They're downright painful.

The biggest advantage is getting better sights. I wouldn’t shoot 357 out of one...

I don't think a .357 out of a 1-7/8" barrel is a "bear gun". A .357 out of such a short barrel still has a leg up on a .38 special, but it isn't nearly as drastic as the recoil and muzzle flash would have you believe.

bassjam said:

I don't think a .357 out of a 1-7/8" barrel is a "bear gun". A .357 out of such a short barrel still has a leg up on a .38 special, but it isn't nearly as drastic as the recoil and muzzle flash would have you believe.

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Better than a pointy-stick...

mcb said:

Better than a pointy-stick...

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So's a .22.

mcb said:

Better than a pointy-stick...

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Yea, but you can probably get a follow-up poke faster and more accurately with the stick. (lol)

Dave

I have a Smith model 360 and 357’s really don’t seem all that bad to me until you get into things like Underwood Ammo or if you fire a lot in one session.

II'd be dumb enough to attempt a cylinder from a 340PD IF someone wanted to lend it to me...but I wouldn't buy one.

Here's what I know, I used to own a 637, it weighs in at 14.3oz. With some +P 38 special loads, it can sting the palm a bit. I cannot imagine 357 power in a 11.8oz 340PD.

Here's what I am pretty sure I saw...if I remember correctly, it was the Military Arms channel that was testing short barrel revolver 357 vs 9mm and the 9mm was surprisingly similar but easier to control.

IMO buy the M442 for carry most times and switch over to a full size revolver when in bear/cat country.

I carry a M442 daily and I think it's a very good carry revolver.

For me, .357 is for a K frame and above. J frame revolvers that can shoot .357 are good in theory for if you HAD to, but they generally excel at being a touch heavier when you talk the difference between something like a 642 and 640 so that shooting .38+p is more comfortable.

.357 can pack a wallop when loaded up. Lots of blinding flash and report with impressive ballistics. That kind of power, for me, handles better out of a heavier gun. Even still, it's not my go to for probable low light situations like bump in the night work. It's bright!

So, for me, small j frame size guns are .38s. I shoot .38s in .38s (obviously) and .357s in larger .357s. That said,. 38+p is no slouch. It's not a bear gun, but I dont think even .357 would be my first (or even third) bear gun choice no matter the barrel length. What it is is a good all 'rounder that can do in a pinch.

The .38 would be enough for a cat, if you get a bead on it before you know it's on you. Big cats around the states are cautious for a reason. They aren't armored with thick fur, fat, or muscle. They are large and strong, but poking holes in them isn't difficult.

Good luck

The only time I ever shot 357 from an Airweight, I was wearing. PAST glove. I wouldn’t do it without the glove unless I had no other choice.

Why not bring a rifle with you if you are serious about potential of running into bears and/or cats? Sounds like you are trying to make one gun, do the function of two that are very different and designed for very different purposes.

Grab a 442 for a daily driver and a used GP100 or speed/service six for belt carry in the woods. The larger gun makes a much better range companion too.

gotboostvr said:

Grab a 442 for a daily driver and a used GP100 or speed/service six for belt carry in the woods. The larger gun makes a much better range companion too.

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Solid advice. I once owned a SP101 and I really wan't a fan of 357 magnum rounds in it. For 38 spcl it's rather large...but not large enough to be fun. A GP100 is fun with 357, something I'd never say about a J-frame.

Go shoot .357 out of a J-Frame. See how quickly and accurately you can manage follow up shots.

You'll probably find it pretty painful and difficult out of such a small, lightweight revolver.

WisBorn said:

I'm thinking about buying a M&P 340 but having a hard time with the cost compared to 442.

Is the more powerful round worth the price? I would carry the 357 in areas with bears and cats and 38s as my primary carry.

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Yes, the M&P 340s are pricey. But the tritium front sight is very appealing for a self-defense snubby. And having 357 Magnum power when you need it is wonderful. Is it worth the price difference? Only you can say, but a j-frame in 357 will cost more than a j-frame in 38 no matter which model you look at. If you want/need 357 power, you'll pay extra for it no matter which model you buy.

I have a 340PD and it is delightful to carry at 11.8 oz. Even mild 38 special ammo is painful to shoot in that gun. But I still carry it loaded with full power 357 Magnum rounds. That's why I bought it - a light gun with the option for full power 357. Recoil be damned - I won't care if I truly need to use it to save my life.

If you need the full power of the 357 in a small, light package to carry, the M&P 340 will provide that.

I have an SP-101 and at 25oz with my full power 357 loads its...impressive. If I was going to go for want you are wanting to do this would be my choice.

https://www.ruger.com/products/gp100/specSheets/1752.html

But for right at the same weight I would just as soon carry my 4" GP-100. In the woods you really don't need a hideout gun.

But +1 on the 442. I love my no lock version.

Shooting magnum loads out of my 23 oz 60-15 is enough for me (and only a few at a time). I have no interest whatsoever in shooting them out of a much lighter gun.

Thomas Mayberry said:

Shooting magnum loads out of my 23 oz 60-15 is enough for me (and only a few at a time). I have no interest whatsoever in shooting them out of a much lighter gun.

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A M60 with .357 Mag is an excercise in Masochism.

A 340 PD with .357 Mag has to be shot to be believed. It makes a .454 Casull seem like a cap gun.

94045 said:

A M60 with .357 Mag is an excercise in Masochism.

A 340 PD with .357 Mag has to be shot to be believed. It makes a .454 Casull seem like a cap gun.

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Looking at the HP-to-weight ratio, yeah...I looked up the M60 and it is 21.4oz...I imagine it is a handful. The Sp101 is 26oz and full magnum loads in it can suck.

It's nowhere near the whallop of a 357, but my 19oz Charter Bulldog is also no slouch with hotter 44 spcl rounds.

mcb said:

If I had a dollar for every time I read "I have an aluminum frame 357 Mag J-frame but I only shoot 38 special +P in it cause 357 Mag hurts too much" I could buy a 340PD and curse it.

Best advice is go rent or borrow a 340 or similar airweight 357 J-frame and shoot a box of some full power 357 mag through it. By the end of the box you will know if 357 Mag from an aluminum J-frame is for you.

Personal I found the recoil of a 340 PD abusive and the modest increase in terminal effects did not offset the bad shoot-ability. I bought the 442 and saved a bunch of money for reloading supplies.

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I don't think too many folks could get through a full box of 357.........

Here's one aspect of my 340 ownership.

I have ZERO desire to abuse myself with .357 in it anymore..... EVER!

And, here's another aspect of my 340 ownership.

I have ZERO concerns with shooting ANY properly weighted .38s (over 120gr. only!) regardless of how many *P*s are attached to the moniker or where they may fall; before or after.

Todd.