Do I need a .357?

Does Nightcrawler need to get a .357 Magnum at long last?

  • Yes! No revolver collection is complete without a .357.

    Votes: 147 93.6%

  • No! Stick with the big bores that you love! A .357 won't do anything that you 625 can't!

    Votes: 10 6.4%
  • Total voters
    157
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What's nice about the .357 mag is it's versatility. The .357 is my favorite revolver to shoot and I own 3 of them-S&W Mod. 28-2, 4 in., Colt Trooper MKIII, 4 in., and S&W 686-5, in 2 1/2 in. I prefer the heavier frames myself. I tend to favor the Smith L frames the most, but Smith, Colt, Ruger DA are all good in my opinion.
 
A .357 Blackhawk because you can use it on anything when hunting. Rabbit:uhoh: , deer, moose, bear (kodiak :eek: included), and it has the versatility of being able to fire from 115gr Specials to 180gr mags:what: .

And a .357 Magnum is more powerful than a .45 LC.

Though a .45 LC Blackhawk is hella-tight too.:evil:
 
Question. Why should I get a Blackhawk in .357 instead of .45 Colt? .45 Colt, especially in a Blackhawk, is more powerful, and I already have a gun in that caliber.
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I have just the same question. And I've got three .357s with at least two more on my guns I really need list. I love the versitility.

But from what I understand a .45 Colt is at least as versitile (and more powerful??). If I were buying a hunting wheel gun, it'd be the Blackhawk with both .45 Colt & .45 ACP cylinders. Cool stuff indeed.
 
And a .357 Magnum is more powerful than a .45 LC.
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I'm afraid not. Out of a strong gun, like a Ruger Blackhawk or Redhawk, a Thompson/Center, a Colt Ananconda, or a Dan Wesson large frame, .45 Colt can be loaded to match .44 Magnum power levels. Examples of this ammo can be had from Cor-Bon, Buffalo Bore, and several others.

Even out of a pre-endurance-package S&W, .45 Colt packs a whumpf. A 325 grain bullet at 1050 feet per second, as loaded by Cor-Bon, is safe in a model 25 or similar revolver.
 
I long ago settled on .357 as the mainstay of my gun collection for a bunch of reasons such as versatility, power range (38 Special through .357), ammo availability, handy size, etc., etc. I don't think the .357 is the best at many things, but is very good at many things. It may not score first in many categories but scores at least second in enough categories that it wins the overall prize in my book. Works for me. On the other hand, if you like the bigger bores and that is what you have, I don't see any need to go to the .357. Between .45 acp, 45 Colt, and 44 Magnum, I don't see much that the .357 would give you that you don't already have covered.
 
Everybody needs a .357mag!!! :what:

My first handgun was in that caliber and I quickly developed a love for it!!! :evil:

Remember, the magnum minute come twice a day: 3:57AM and 3:57PM!!! :what:

God wants you to have this gun!!
Otherwise, He wouldn't tell you about it twice a day!!! :neener:
 
I voted yes, although I don't have one either. Always wanted a Python, but more for looks than caliber or performance. Now a decent one is out of my price range. I can see the merit of a compact size like the SP101 and will probably acquire one in the next few years. For the most part I prefer larger bores though.
 
You can't go wrong with a GP100. Accurate, powerful, loud, reliable! My blued, 4"bbl, short shroud Ruger is a fine looking, excellent shooting revolver. Found a nice, forward-canted smallish Bianchi to fit it perfectly in a "junk" bin, too. Colts cost way to much but some people HAVE to have one. If you want a .45, Colt single actions can't shoot Cor-Bon. They could (will) blow up a Colt SSA. Pythons are nice but not cheap. .357s can be dangerous to use in an urban area. They can shoot through several walls and still be dangerous.
Once met Peter "Cor-Bon" Pi. Nice guy doing good things with ammunition.
Get what you want, whether you need it or not! My .45 Blackhawk is a blast, too.
 
I don't know that the .357 can do anything your .45's won't do, but I can tell you when I think of a "go to" gun I think of nothing but my GP-100 and I have .41's and .44's to pick from as well. The GP is just a perfect all around gun in my estimation and I've put mine through hell. Now I have to say that I'm not a big game hunter or have any big bears in my area to concern myself with so a two-legged varmint is the worst I'll be needing to deal with and for that the .357 has no equal. I'd say get one and give it a try, you've really got nothing to lose and may get the gun you love more than all the rest.
 
After all, if I like a fat, slow slug in an automatic (.45ACP), why would I go with a small fast slug in a revolver (.357 Magnum)?
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Because you can't get an SP101 sized gun in .45! That's number one. Number two is a .357 is hands down more powerful than the .45ACP even in +P! As pointed out, it carries that power to hunting ranges, too. I get danged close to 800 ft lbs (actual 785) out of my 6.5" Blackhawk pushing a 180 grain Hornady XTP.

But, the real reason to own a .357 revolver is in a SP101 (my favorite snubbie in the caliber) or similar gun. I can carry a SP101 with 3 1/16" barrel all day long comfortably in an IWB holster. I can't say that for a Smith 625.

I've always loved the .357 as an outdoor caliber for its versatility. It's enough gun to hunt Texas sized "small" deer with and can be superbly accurate with wadcutters for small game. I own .45 colt in a Blackhawk and a .45ACP in an auto, but .357 is still my favorite caliber. Okay, if I'm going to bear country or hunting hogs, I'll go to the .45 Colt with hot loads, but wouldn't feel too under-gunned with my Blackhawk in .357 with those 180 grain handloads.

I currently have two .357 revolvers, one DA, one SA, and a really nifty .357 lever carbine. But, that one is for the rifle forum. I like being able to handload several favorite loads to shoot in each, though.
 
I have a short-barrel "Sheriff's Model" Vaquero, and a 50th Year Blackhawk. Next on the short list is a GP-100.

You cannot have too many .357Mag revolvers.
 
At one time I owned more .357s than any other caliber of handgun. Since then I have pretty much standardized on the .45ACP for both semi-autos and revolvers, although I also own a couple of nice revolvers in .44 Special and two .357 Magnums. I am keeping the magnums because I also have a Marlin 1894C in that caliber that I really like.

I much prefer shooting the big-bores over the .357 Magnum, and I especially like S&W N frames. My Ruger GP-100 is a fine gun, as is my S&W 586 -- but I don't shoot either of them very often any more. For anything I would need a .357 Mag for, I would rather use the carbine. That said, the magnum does fill a niche -- which the carbine solidifies.

BTW, I have a 325PD with 4" barrel and I like it just fine -- totally reliable and a good general-purpose carry gun. My Thunder Ranch Model 22 (.45ACP) is currently my favorite revolver, though.
 
Question. Why should I get a Blackhawk in .357 instead of .45 Colt? .45 Colt, especially in a Blackhawk, is more powerful, and I already have a gun in that caliber
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Only if you handload.
 
Go for the GP100 in 3,4 or 6" and don't think twice!I have a 3" and 6"...had a 4" and sold it ....had a 6" sold it and bought another....they are that good! Took a doe at 63 yards with the 6" using Winchester Partition Gold...dropped like a rock . Doe weighed in at around 125 lbs.dressed out...not a real big one for Indiana but it sure tasted good.
 
If you've already had your eyes opened to 45 colt, then don't bother with a 357. There's nothing it can do that 45 cant.

If you can find one cheap and want to buy it, then buy it. But, 357 isn't a necessity. Not by a long shot.
 
I currently own two .357's. A S&W Model 28 6" and a Sp101 3". Both are
great guns to shoot and the Ruger Sp101 is my everyday carry piece.
This caliber is very economical to reload, and is my favorite. I have other
caliber of guns, but to me, the .357 magnum holds a very special place.
My next purchase will be a Ruger Bisley in .357. :)
 
Two Words

Ten millimeter....

Okay, a few more words. 357 mag is an awesome caliber, but I chose a 10mm instead because it can offer a touch more power and is an automatic format handgun. And analogous to the 357, you can shoot 40SW rounds in the revolver models. So my first revolver purchase will likely be the 10mm since I have a 10mm gun already. I don't need more reloading equipment that way.

I like the premise of 15 rounds in an auto (Witness full size) as opposed to only six typical of revolvers. Although, you do go through boxes of ammo more quickly with an auto and more capacity.

In defense of the .357 mag, you can find the ammo anywhere. I only bought a 10mm because I reload. Had I not been a reloader, I'd be the owner of a 357 instead. Or a 454 cassul....now that's some power. Which can also chamber the 45 colt for plinking rounds. I think the versatility of the 357 makes it a good choice, I just made a choice in a different direction. It did come down to the two though, 10mm or .357. I chose the 10mm. I will have a.357 someday, for the same versatility I can get out of the 10mm. But I will own a 10mm revolver first just to keep my reloading more streamlined.

jeepmor
 
I love my .357's. I like everything about them, especially the versitility to shoot .38 special with my grandsons and nephews.

I have a feeling you like your .45's the same way I like my .357's. If you like your guns, and they do what YOU need them to do, and you're comfortable with various loadings and abilities, and have no concrete need for a J frame hidout gun, what's the difference?

I had a S&W .45 ACP Cal WWI revolver cut to 3 inches with full rib, combat sights and moon clips. It carried concealed ALMOST as well as my J frame on my belt. It was a heck of a lot of fun to shoot.

I voted yes in the poll, but after reading what you had to say, maybe you don't NEED a .357, maybe you just want us to talk you into getting one because you WANT it. :)

A note to GODFATHER....your Ruger GP100 and your Blackhawk are two of the most beautiful Ruger's I've seen. What splendid work.
 
Y'know, I may just be looking for an excuse to get a new type of gun. I mean, on one hand, I hate having guns that don't get shot. Like my poor neglected CZ-97, which I haven't fired in about two years. I don't want to have a big collection of shelf-warming handguns.

On the other hand, I'm always wanting to try something different. I think what I'm really looking for is a smaller revolver than my beloved N-Frames. They are a bit much to pack around, especially in my (admittedly preferred) 5" barrel length.

So why the Ruger? I don't know. I kind of admire the Ruger design. It's not pretty, but it works. It's tough. It'd kind of like my FAL in that regard. Not the American pretty-boy favorite (M14), but just plain works. I like the simple field-stripping, too.

Damn. I don't know. Well, maybe I'll find a good deal on a GP100 4". I can always sell it if I don't like it. Problem is, once I invest in a holster for a gun, it's a bit harder to part with. Left handed holsters don't sell as well!

I would've liked to have had a 4" GP100 (maybe a fixed sight model) when I was in Qatar, though. Would've definately preferred it to the Beretta I carried, and if any revolver can handle the Arabian desert, it's probably the Ruger...

Oh...I DO have a J-Frame. I have a 642 .38 Special. Nice little 15oz backup gun. If I were going to get a .357 snubby I'd probably go with the SP101. The added weight would be nice. A snubby can be challenging enough to shoot without it beating on your hand too.
 
Although my favorite revolver caliber is the .45colt in a SA format I think the .357 is the must have staple of any revolver collection. I myself have three (Taurus Model 65, Ruger GP100, and Ruger SP101) and just layed-away a fourth (Ruger Sheriff's model Vaquero).
 
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