Help me pick out a snubbie .357 for CCW
- Thread starter dashadow
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friscolatchi
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Where I live you NEVER want to have an "accidential exposure". My suggestion is that you select a HG that you can pocket carry. IWB, OWB, OC is an option but IMO the mainstay should be to have a gun that is capable of being carried in the pocket. It doesn't have to be comfortable. My vote for 357 is M&P340 with CT. It'll cost you about a grand but you will never need another CCW. The options for carry are tremendous. I have put over 1000 rounds, albeit mostly 38, through mine since my purchase in March April. Once you get CT dialed in, or with the high viz, it's deadly accurate at 7 to 10 yards.
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wnycollector
Member
If you plan on carrying IWB/OWB a 3" barreled 6 shot K frame, 2.75" Ruger Six or 3" SP101 work great as nice range guns as well as superb CCW's.
I carried a 3" Taurus 605 for a couple of years. Very good CCW for weight, size and power. Good grips make this an excellent shooter.
I am sporting a Ruger LCR now. Much lighter, a bit smaller and a bit less punch, but very comfortable. Great ergonomics.
Guns and more
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There's always someone who recommends "Glock" for everything.
"What should I use for African Rhino's?" ..."Glock 19."
Must be the Glock salesmen!
They just want to balance out some of us who recommend a Glock for nothing.
Well, not nothing. But nobody ever asks for the gun that feels most unnatural when pointing at a target, and is most likely to be unintentionally discharged by a cop.
Well, not nothing. But nobody ever asks for the gun that feels most unnatural when pointing at a target, and is most likely to be unintentionally discharged by a cop.
S&W K frame snubbies
For a .357 snubby I prefer the S&W K frame guns with 2.5 inch barrel length. These seem to have the right combination of good trigger, compact size for concealment and enough weight to handle magnum recoil. I have the stainless 66 and the blued 19 in this size, and both are great carry guns.
For a .357 snubby I prefer the S&W K frame guns with 2.5 inch barrel length. These seem to have the right combination of good trigger, compact size for concealment and enough weight to handle magnum recoil. I have the stainless 66 and the blued 19 in this size, and both are great carry guns.
for those of you who dont seem to read the whole 1st post where did he say it had to be a revolver??? Why tell someone to pay 8-900 on most revolvers that are any good of type or be like some people and have to carry two when you could have one. Glock 33 has a standered 9 rounds with an option of up to 17 if needed
and no I dont sell glocks I just am one of those people who likes things that I can always count on working when I need it.
and no I dont sell glocks I just am one of those people who likes things that I can always count on working when I need it.
smktr8 said:
The poster titled his first post as:
'Help me pick out a snubbie .357 for CCW'
So most of us assumed he wanted a revolver. And most revolvers don't cost $800-$900. I bought the two S&W K frames I recommended for under $500 each.
Your recommended Glock will probably work every time you need it, but I think a quality revolver is equally reliable.
The poster titled his first post as:
'Help me pick out a snubbie .357 for CCW'
So most of us assumed he wanted a revolver. And most revolvers don't cost $800-$900. I bought the two S&W K frames I recommended for under $500 each.
Your recommended Glock will probably work every time you need it, but I think a quality revolver is equally reliable.
I think a revolver is smoother but when you speak about 357 I think a semi auto handles the recoil better and could hold more shells as for the price most I seen where I am from for the price is high the glock is for about 450 to 550. and where I live snubbie and just a compcat handgun. I guess its just where I live the terminology is different just like today I found out in the south I guess a Toboggan is some type of a hat and in the north it is a sled. Go figure.
Either/Or
I use either my 3" SP 101 (5-shot, .357 magnum, loaded with Winchester Silver Tips or BB +P .38), or my 2" Taurus 617 (7-shot, .357 magnum, similarly stoked). Recoil/flash, etc. in neither bothers me. Neither has yet "failed" me in any way.
I use either my 3" SP 101 (5-shot, .357 magnum, loaded with Winchester Silver Tips or BB +P .38), or my 2" Taurus 617 (7-shot, .357 magnum, similarly stoked). Recoil/flash, etc. in neither bothers me. Neither has yet "failed" me in any way.
jad0110
Member
Not necessarily, it depends on the fitment of the grip to the hand. Wood grips on a .357 Magnum revolver (no finger grooves) fit my hand perfectly, so the recoil, though heavy, isn't too bad. On the other hand, the Glock grip is so awkward to my hand that a .40 cal Glock is not very pleasant to shoot, to speak nothing of the Sig versions.
And more rounds is certainly a plus, but I can't hit the broad side of a barn with a Glock, as good a guns as they may be. Therefore, I and many others in this thread trade the extra rounds for a gun that to us is more pointable with greater practical accuracy.
Of course, YMMV.
Thanks for the great info!
To me, and this is just my opinion, the perfect CCW would have to be a revolver.
No jams, no FTE's, no bs. My recent experience with my M&P .45 I bought confirms how I feel about semi autos as it jammed after only about 200 rounds through it. I like target shooting the .45, but would feel very antsy about depending on it in a life or death situation. Call me paranoid, but even one jam at the wrong time means bad things can happen. I am not willing to compromise the safety of myself or my family by depending on a piece of equipment that may or may not be 100% reliable.
Since my CCW for the last few years has been a Model 442 .38 spl carried IWB, I am almost positive I am going to buy the M&P 340. Just seems to me that the M&P J frame is similar to my 442, but with a little more stopping power.
Thanks for all the help.
To me, and this is just my opinion, the perfect CCW would have to be a revolver.
No jams, no FTE's, no bs. My recent experience with my M&P .45 I bought confirms how I feel about semi autos as it jammed after only about 200 rounds through it. I like target shooting the .45, but would feel very antsy about depending on it in a life or death situation. Call me paranoid, but even one jam at the wrong time means bad things can happen. I am not willing to compromise the safety of myself or my family by depending on a piece of equipment that may or may not be 100% reliable.
Since my CCW for the last few years has been a Model 442 .38 spl carried IWB, I am almost positive I am going to buy the M&P 340. Just seems to me that the M&P J frame is similar to my 442, but with a little more stopping power.
Thanks for all the help.
Sp-101 in 2.25" version. I own and carry one on a daily basis. In my opinion it is a doable pocket gun (I typically carry it in my pocket loaded with 138 Grain Speer Gold dots.) Now, I haven't done much holster carry but the little I have done it works out great. The weight of the revolver offsets the nasty self defense rounds.
.38 special is like a kitten in this revolver, very easy to shoot.
regular .357 pushes a little more with one heck of a boom but its comfortable.
self defense .357 loads can smart a little if you don't hold on tight but its not like you couldn't go shoot 250 rounds and be sore the next day.
.38 special is like a kitten in this revolver, very easy to shoot.
regular .357 pushes a little more with one heck of a boom but its comfortable.
self defense .357 loads can smart a little if you don't hold on tight but its not like you couldn't go shoot 250 rounds and be sore the next day.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
dashadow,
If you're looking for a very light revolver then your choice of the S&W Aitlite is a good one IMO. If you are willing to carry a little extra weight a S&W all steel J frame is a good choice too. I own a M640 in .357 Magnum and the little extra weight really tames the muzzle flip and allows you to get back on target quickly. Both are good choices depending upon what you want to carry weight wise.
If you're looking for a very light revolver then your choice of the S&W Aitlite is a good one IMO. If you are willing to carry a little extra weight a S&W all steel J frame is a good choice too. I own a M640 in .357 Magnum and the little extra weight really tames the muzzle flip and allows you to get back on target quickly. Both are good choices depending upon what you want to carry weight wise.
DAdams
Member
friscolatchi
Member
+1 on the M&P 340. You can always undersize. Buy it - don't let a hundred or so dollars get in the way. You can add the CT's later.
earlthegoat2
Member
K frame smith for 357s
J frame smith or Colt Detecitve Special for 38s.
Probably not what you want to hear but that is my take.
J frame smith or Colt Detecitve Special for 38s.
Probably not what you want to hear but that is my take.
wuchak
Member
SP101 with spurless hammer and 2 1/4" barrel.
-It has a full length extractor, enough weight to tame magnum loads,
-The stock grips are about as good as it gets unless you go for Crimson Trace (which I recommend). I tried the Hogue's but the tacky rubber caught on clothes and made it print and the extra length was just enough to make concealment harder. You can buy your choice of wooden inserts for about $20 if you want to dress it up. I have large hands and I can just get my pinky on the factory grips.
-It field strips as easy as a semi-auto for cleaning. Once you do it few times you can break it down in about 15 seconds. Taking the screw out of the grip is the most time consuming part.
-It's very easy to make the trigger super smooth with just some 2200 grit sandpaper. Swap springs (about $15 shipped for a Wolff assorted set) and you'll be in heaven. Iowegan over at rugerforums.net wrote an IBOK that he has made available for free that takes you step by step through where to polish to put a super nice trigger on an SP101 (or any other Ruger DA)
-I carry mine OWB in a Galco Fletch and I don't even notice it being there.
-Order a Mika pocket holster and the SP101 makes a very nice pocket revolver. It's a little heavy but you won't notice it after 5 minutes. I do wear a good belt with it when pocket carrying though. Although I do put it in the front (not side) pockets of my cotton cargo shorts with no problem when going out for a short hike.
I have the 2 1/4" spurless SP101 w/night sights and the S&W M&P 340 w/night sights and CT grips. The M&P is more comfortable to carry due to the weight but the SP101 is much more comfortable to shoot and is 1/2 the cost of the 340. The 340 is lighter but it's not really any easier to conceal than the SP101 despite it's slightly smaller dimensions. If I cannot conceal the SP101 than I cannot conceal the 340 and it's time to break out the P-3AT.
Another option if you can find one is the old Ruger Speed Six with 2 1/4" barrel. It's just a bit bigger than the SP101 but has 6 rounds instead of 5.
The 3" barreled SP101 is also a great choice but pocket carry is not an option with it. If you don't want to pocket carry then I'd go for the 3" barrel.
If you get an SP101 go for the spurless hammer model. Then watch Brownell's and Midway USA. A couple of times a year they manage to get some SP101 spurred hammers in for about $20. They sell out fast though because they are not a part that is available from Ruger although they are drop in replacements. If you can get the extra hammer you can have the option of switching for woods carry when a spurred hammer might be desirable. Swapping hammers is a 30 second job.
-It has a full length extractor, enough weight to tame magnum loads,
-The stock grips are about as good as it gets unless you go for Crimson Trace (which I recommend). I tried the Hogue's but the tacky rubber caught on clothes and made it print and the extra length was just enough to make concealment harder. You can buy your choice of wooden inserts for about $20 if you want to dress it up. I have large hands and I can just get my pinky on the factory grips.
-It field strips as easy as a semi-auto for cleaning. Once you do it few times you can break it down in about 15 seconds. Taking the screw out of the grip is the most time consuming part.
-It's very easy to make the trigger super smooth with just some 2200 grit sandpaper. Swap springs (about $15 shipped for a Wolff assorted set) and you'll be in heaven. Iowegan over at rugerforums.net wrote an IBOK that he has made available for free that takes you step by step through where to polish to put a super nice trigger on an SP101 (or any other Ruger DA)
-I carry mine OWB in a Galco Fletch and I don't even notice it being there.
-Order a Mika pocket holster and the SP101 makes a very nice pocket revolver. It's a little heavy but you won't notice it after 5 minutes. I do wear a good belt with it when pocket carrying though. Although I do put it in the front (not side) pockets of my cotton cargo shorts with no problem when going out for a short hike.
I have the 2 1/4" spurless SP101 w/night sights and the S&W M&P 340 w/night sights and CT grips. The M&P is more comfortable to carry due to the weight but the SP101 is much more comfortable to shoot and is 1/2 the cost of the 340. The 340 is lighter but it's not really any easier to conceal than the SP101 despite it's slightly smaller dimensions. If I cannot conceal the SP101 than I cannot conceal the 340 and it's time to break out the P-3AT.
Another option if you can find one is the old Ruger Speed Six with 2 1/4" barrel. It's just a bit bigger than the SP101 but has 6 rounds instead of 5.
The 3" barreled SP101 is also a great choice but pocket carry is not an option with it. If you don't want to pocket carry then I'd go for the 3" barrel.
If you get an SP101 go for the spurless hammer model. Then watch Brownell's and Midway USA. A couple of times a year they manage to get some SP101 spurred hammers in for about $20. They sell out fast though because they are not a part that is available from Ruger although they are drop in replacements. If you can get the extra hammer you can have the option of switching for woods carry when a spurred hammer might be desirable. Swapping hammers is a 30 second job.
Cocked & Locked
Member
how strong is your hip?
ArchAngelCD
Member.
JWF III
Member
Also the fact that it was posted in the "Revolver" sub-forum kind of leads us to believe he's wanting a revolver.
Wyman
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