I was cleaning my AR tonight. And a thought crossed my mind. I haven't heard of or seen a AR upper 357 Magnum. I realise the rimmed cartridge isn't known to be magazine friendly. But someone has to figured out how to make it work. Or is it just a fantasy? I know they make them in 357 sig. Just think it would be a neat range toy. Medium game getter.
357 mag AR upper?
- Thread starter Meeks36
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Yeah kinda figured that was the case. It's a shame. Oh well I'll just buy a lever 357.
greyling22
Member
9mm isn't rimmed, but to your point, I've always wondered why Ruger didn't scale up the 10/22 mag to take 44 or 357mag rounds and put it in the Deerfield platform. Seems like a simple thing to do and it would have made the Deerfield sell like hotcakes. Esp if it was renamed the hogslayer.
AFAIK, that's exactly what they did. The mags on my Deerfield are rotary mags, functionally identical (albeit 4rd only) to the 10/22 mag. The old 1961-1985 Model 44 used a tubular magazine, though.
greyling22
Member
Ah. Ok. I've seen some makeshift adaptations with Desert Eagle mags but a 10rd factory mag would admittedly be tempting.
I think you’d have more fun with a levergun in 357 than an AR in the same caliber. My 1894 is just a joy to shoot.
Obturation
Member
Im sure it can/has been done. Coonan or DE mags and some fancy bolt work and a bunch of time would do it, but im no builder.
mcb
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357 AR-MAX and 350 Legend would nicely fill a similar niche as a 357 Mag AR with a bit more power.
jmorris
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You’re not the first to think about it. Some have even put together rifles that would shoot the 357 magnum round.
Others have solved the magazine issue without any additional work.
http://www.ar15barrels.com/prod/357rm.shtml
http://www.ar15barrels.com/prod/357auto.shtml
Could likely use desert eagle 357 mags with a block, not unlike a regular .223 lower accepts a block to allow use of 9mm mags.
Why doesn’t someone just design a new mag that will work for 357 mag in an AR? Because they don’t think enough people would buy them to make it a worthwhile endeavor.
Others have solved the magazine issue without any additional work.
http://www.ar15barrels.com/prod/357rm.shtml
http://www.ar15barrels.com/prod/357auto.shtml
Could likely use desert eagle 357 mags with a block, not unlike a regular .223 lower accepts a block to allow use of 9mm mags.
Why doesn’t someone just design a new mag that will work for 357 mag in an AR? Because they don’t think enough people would buy them to make it a worthwhile endeavor.
Skylerbone
Member
Shooting .44mag through my single-shot rifle can be a painfully expensive proposition so I cannot imagine hoards of folks lining up to run mag dumps on an AR chambered in it. Most common argument for a 9mm Upper I hear is cost of ammo which makes sense followed by reliable Glock magazines.
Airman Basic
Member
Isn't the new 350 Legend basically a rimless .357?
BlueHeelerFl
Member
I've been having fun with my 1894. I enjoy it more than anyother gun right now
I believe the 350 has more power. Not 100% sure tho. Just thought it would be a fun upper to own. Looking to buy a 6-8in revolver in 357. Would love to have a AR that took same ammo. Already have a PC9 and Glock 19. Just want a hunting combo in 357. Looks like a new lever is in my future. Thank you all for the replys.
Garandimal
member
Think the shooting market is poised for a .357 Mag. Semi-auto Carbine.
The Mini-14 Ranch would be outstanding.
Even if they developed a flush 5-round, or trim 10-round magazine for it.
GR
The Mini-14 Ranch would be outstanding.
Even if they developed a flush 5-round, or trim 10-round magazine for it.
GR
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They could name it a mini 35. I would buy one.
Garandimal
member
The cartridge is so versatile and popular.
Don't foresee a lot of 350 Legend migration.
Once it has run its marketing course into obscurity?
Then will be a good time to bring one out.
GR
mcb
Member
But a Mini-14 converts to 350 Legend so much easier than the rimmed 357 Mag. A Mini-14 requires only a barrel change and a slightly modified magazine. A 357 Mag version requires a new bolt, barrel, and a very difficult magazine design. A 357 Mag is doable but a 350 legend or 357 AR-Max would require significantly less effort.
jmorris
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357 maximum.
Garandimal
member
If I was starting from scratch...?
Maybe.
But I'm not.
First, the 350 Legend is a high pressure rifle cartridge, the .357 Mag is not.
The .357 Mag. will be a lot more pleasant to shoot.
And already have a bolt Carbine and a revolver in .357 Mag, as do a lot of lever-action folks, so proper reloading supplies and equipment are already taken care of.
GR
mcb
Member
Maybe I miss read your post. I was simply saying that taking the Mini-14 design and converting it to 350 Legend would be relatively easy compared to taking the Mini-14 design and converting it to 357 Magnum for the reason I gave in the post.
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GBExpat
Member
Just a fantasy. Apparently, no MFR thinks that there is a large enough market to invest the $$$ necessary to re-engineer the mechanism and tool-up to produce the critter.
If the .357mag were rimless, we would probably be tripping over listings for .357 Uppers.
edwardware
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Erherm. . . it's almost called a 358 Yeti. I'd probably have one, but the barrels, bolts, and bits are wicked expensive for my AR taste.If the .357mag were rimless, we would probably be tripping over listings for .357 Uppers.
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