THINK .38 SPECIAL (NOT .357)

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UncleEd

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It seems to me that a lot of buyers shun
revolvers that aren't magnum, particularly
speaking of S&W's K frames.

This is good as then .38 Specials only are
usually a bit to quite a bit cheaper than
the "magnums." Good for me at least.

I learned a long time ago I don't like the
noise, recoil of a magnum K-frame
Smith. Oh, I've fired my share but still
don't think I'm as proficient with them as
I care to be.

Truth is, most people who insist on getting
a .357 for defense will rarely if ever shoot
the magnums.

I know that the .357 has a reputation as a
manstopper but I still rely on the .38 Special
specially designed defense loads.

Even in the heydays of revolvers when federal
agents carried .357s, their duty ammo was usually
not magnums but "hot" .38s. Same for most police.

So, if in the market for a K-frame revolver, save
yourself some money and get just a .38. And
with the money saved, buy more ammo to
practice.
 
I don't disagree with you about the 38spl revolvers. But in general, I shoot the caliber (357) that the revolver is chambered for or not at all with the exception of a Ruger GP-100. But, if buying now, I would go strictly 38spl or 22LR. I'm not a recoil junkee or at least don't care much for much recoil now.
 
I agree OP.

I am a 357 Magnum hater.

If I had a quarter for every-time I have read on a gun forum that, "I have a 357 Mag J-frame that I only shoot 38 Special +P in." I could buy one of those mean little 340 PD's and throw it in a river.

My CCW revolver is a S&W 442 and my woods carry revolver is a S&W Model 10 heavy barrel. That old Model 10 currently is getting carried more than all my other handguns combined (revolver and semi-auto) If I need more omph than 38 Special I step up to a revolver who's caliber starts with a 4. I hunted deer for several years with a S&W 610 and now am using a M29.

I do own two 357 Mag revolvers. My Ruger Blackhawk convertible has more 9mm through it than 357 Mag, but mostly gathers dust in the back of the gun cabinet. My S&W 627 is my gamer-gun and gets fed a steady diet of hot loaded 38 Short Colt. It has had less than a box of 357 Mag fired in it since I bought it.

The worst thing I ever did to my ears was shoot my 357 Mag revolver without hearing protection. I am not saying it's a good idea but I can shoot my 38 Special revolver without ear-pro and not be left with my ears ringing the rest of the day after the experience. I can even shoot my 10mm Revolver without ear-pro and its more pleasant than shooting a 357 Mag without ear-pro.

IMHO the 357 Mag is a Jack-of-all-Trades and thus Master-of-None. For anything I would use a revolver for I have a better choice than 357 Mag.

YMMV, and yes I have my asbestos underwear on for the flaming I am likely going to get for the above post. :D
 
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I wish companies would make more full size, higher round 38 special revolvers. I have a tuned 627 pro that I I run through it are 38 special...I would much rather it be 38 special only with an actual 38 special length cylinder. I have a 67-1 that is a great pistol, but the 627 fitting my hand better and offering 2 extra rounds is preferred when ringing steel.

Personally...I'm not a huge fan of 357 magnum...but that's a different story for a different day...
 
Typetwelve said:
I wish companies would make more full size, higher round 38 special revolvers. I have a tuned 627 pro that I I run through it are 38 special...I would much rather it be 38 special only with an actual 38 special length cylinder. I have a 67-1 that is a great pistol, but the 627 fitting my hand better and offering 2 extra rounds is preferred when ringing steel.

Personally...I'm not a huge fan of 357 magnum...but that's a different story for a different day...
Click to expand...
I don't think any of S&W current frames are 38 Special length. I believe they are all 357 Magnum length. I would love to see a K-frame sized for 9mm length.
 
mcb said:
I am a 357 Magnum hater.
Click to expand...

I have tried, and failed to get into 357 twice now...and I won't do that again.

When I want usable magnum power, I go with 44 magnum. I have a revolver in that and a Henry in it as well...and they're awesome. My brother recently bought a Henry in 357 magnum and I was happy to sell him all the ammo I had for it. When we take out Henry's out...well, I'll say that my 44 is what I consider to be the better option.
 
mcb said:
I don't think any of S&W current frames are 38 Special length. I believe they are all 357 Magnum length. I would love to see a K-frame sized for 9mm length.
Click to expand...

Yeah...a proper 9mm cylinder not having a massive jump to the forcing cone. They're odd looking, but a revolver like the Nighthawk sky marshal actually has a proper length cyl for 9mm. Sadly, they are stupid expensive and I believe are now discontinued.
 
All of my revolvers, except one, are 357. However, I rarely shoot full charged magnums except in just one revolver - a 1984 vintage RH. It's massive frame makes 357s feel not much more than 38s...

Bayou52
 
For self defence, a Ruger sp101 with a Hogue grip with Gold Dot magnums is a controllable and I'm sure effective combination. They are not a true magnums but they are far from a 38 Special too. With the steel frame, large grip and medium load, it's what I call the perfect 357 Magnum combination. So basically I do not agree or disagree with the OP!:D
 
I like to shoot .357 in any gun that I can. The noise is unpleasant but otherwise I like it a lot. The biggest difference for me is at extended range where it’s much easier to get hits with a .357. I blame it on the ammunition being more consistent at the higher pressure, and being faster it is also flatter trajectory also making for easier hits. I have zero issues shooting 38spl either, and I currently have the same number of 357 guns as I do 38spl. Up close I like the 38 as it is not as obnoxious... and at close range just for fun I also like 38sw but you seldom see any serious discussion of 38sw being used as anything other than a range toy.
 
Location, location, location.

If you put a modern .38 Special round in the right place it will do its job. If you put several modern .38 Special rounds in the right places, then that is even better.

I think that one of the reasons for the .357 magnum was the fact that ammo for the .38 Special was lacking when the magnum came on the scene. The .357 gave additional velocity that made the rounds of the day work better. However, with developments in bullet design, the .38 Special is much better now than it has ever been.
 
"You can make remarks about the ancestry of my dog. Have your doubts about the gas mileage toted up by my family sedan. Spread the story, if you wish, that my backyard barbecues could be best digested by a brood of Arkansas razorbacks. But if you cast aspersions on my .357 Magnum sixgun, get somebody to hold your coat. We'll continue the discussion in the alley." Skeeter.
 
I didn't fully appreciate the K-Frame .38 Special until I got a Model 10 a couple of years ago. I am a fan now.


If you don't truly need .357 Magnum power, you could definitely do a lot worse. I especially recommend it for new/occasional shooters, but it works for most anyone.
 
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UncleEd said:
It seems to me that a lot of buyers shun
revolvers that aren't magnum, particularly
speaking of S&W's K frames.

This is good as then .38 Specials only are
usually a bit to quite a bit cheaper than
the "magnums." Good for me at least.

I learned a long time ago I don't like the
noise, recoil of a magnum K-frame
Smith. Oh, I've fired my share but still
don't think I'm as proficient with them as
I care to be.

Truth is, most people who insist on getting
a .357 for defense will rarely if ever shoot
the magnums.

I know that the .357 has a reputation as a
manstopper but I still rely on the .38 Special
specially designed defense loads.

Even in the heydays of revolvers when federal
agents carried .357s, their duty ammo was usually
not magnums but "hot" .38s. Same for most police.

So, if in the market for a K-frame revolver, save
yourself some money and get just a .38. And
with the money saved, buy more ammo to
practice.
Click to expand...

My gf has a security 6 and prefers magnums for her SD loads. As for saving money I reload plenty of hot 357s which don't cost much more than the 38s. :)

Even if I preferred 38s, I would most likely shell out a little extra for the added versatility.
 
mcb said:
LOL, you username would appear to be willing to take you up on that alleyway discussion. :D
Click to expand...

Ha! I really am a huge fan of the .38 Special. As a general purpose cartridge I think it is pretty hard to beat. But I also really like the .357 Magnum and, at this moment, have more guns chambered for it than for the .38 Special. As "crud rings" are a pet peeve, I almost always download the .357 for lighter loads, as opposed to firing .38s in them.
 
Im with Pat Riot, I load and shoot more .38 Spl. than .357 Mag. even though I’m split about 50/50 with these chamberings.

I currently have 7 .38 Spl. only guns, 4 are snub revolvers (Colt, Ruger Smith, Smith) , one a 4” S&W 64, one a 1920’s- vintage Colt Officers Model Heavy Barrel with King sights and one my Great-Uncles old duty M&P 4”. I’m waiting to pick up a newly-purchased S&W Model 14 6” revolver, I’ll get to pick up that on Monday after my State mandated ten-day wait is over.

As for .357’s, I have six of those; four Smith and two Dan Wessons... and I’m going to pick up a 6” S&W Model 66 that’s in the regulatory penalty box until Monday as well.

158 gr SWC, 148 gr WC, 125 gr TCFP; plated, coated, hard-cast; 180, 140 or 125 gr JHP... Unique, Bullseye, HP-38, Titegroup...the list of fun, accurate and useful powders, bullet sizes and types makes the .358 bore size so useful. :)

I’ve found the .38 4” DA revolver is one of the few “real” guns that I can use to take almost any brand new shooter from setting up their grip for the very first time to their very first trigger press on a cartridge to putting six shots right on target...all with a simple to operate gun that can do triple duty as a target gun, a CCW gun and a HD gun :thumbup:.

Stay safe.
 
I only have 2 revolvers, both 357 and I only shoot 158 gr 357 in them. I like the boom and flash.
They don't see a lot of belt time cause I'm wearing a 1911 most days.
My wife uses a 38 Charter Arms 3 inch for her EDC. She is good with it. It is her dad's old backup weapon and she has had it a long time.
I don't care what anyone else carries as long as you carry and practice.
Stay safe everybody, and God bless
Doc
 
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