I am looking at getting my wife a Smith model 60 with a 3" barrel. She saw one in Bass Pro Shop and really liked it. I am looking for advice on 357 carry loads for self defense; something light enough to be manageable in a J-frame, but still an actual magnum load, not a 38+p. Any suggestions?
3" s&w model 60 question
- Thread starter freyasman
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Well, I don't consider any .357 really "manageable" in a J frame. If used in an SD situation, there will be no earplugs or muffs and there may be need for fast, accurate followup shots. I carried a 3" square butt Model 36 for years and never felt helpless or undergunned. (Yes, I know some folks believe a 2" barrel .500 Magnum is too tame to be effective; I am not one of them.)
Jim
Jim
David E
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The general rule of thumb is to use the "best" ammo you can control. If that's a .38 fired from a J frame, then fine.
I'd rather have my wife using .38's she can control instead of magnums she cannot.
The softest kicking .357 load I've found is the Winchester White Box 110 JHP. But what it lacks in actual kick, it makes up for in blast and flash.
I'd rather have my wife using .38's she can control instead of magnums she cannot.
The softest kicking .357 load I've found is the Winchester White Box 110 JHP. But what it lacks in actual kick, it makes up for in blast and flash.
oldfool
Member
yeah, what they said
38+P is more than "flashy" enough out of 3 inches
but that's why they make so many different 38/357 loads, different stokes for different folks.. get that model 60, you both will love it
38+P is more than "flashy" enough out of 3 inches
but that's why they make so many different 38/357 loads, different stokes for different folks.. get that model 60, you both will love it
jglcolosprgs
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I wouldn't dump full power 357 loads on any new shooter, female or male. I always start out with 38 target loads and work up to the spot that the shooter is comfortable with the load and can handle the recoil. Especially in a J frame.
I constantly see husbands, boyfriends and experienced shooters ruin new shooters with magnum loads.
Nyclad 38 specials, Gold Dot short barrel 38 specials.
If YOU have to have 357s, Gold Dot Short Barrel 357.
I constantly see husbands, boyfriends and experienced shooters ruin new shooters with magnum loads.
Nyclad 38 specials, Gold Dot short barrel 38 specials.
If YOU have to have 357s, Gold Dot Short Barrel 357.
gamestalker
member
A magnum, is a magnum, unfortunatley. If your wanting something that is a reliable and high performing S.D. round that is going to be more managable, considering it's for your Wife, I would look at some of the 38 special +p S.D. stuff. There are tons of seriously high performance factory S.D. rounds available for the 38 special. I've tried Gold Dots for both short barreled and standard barreled, Federal Hydra Shock, and my favorite, the Golden Saber. I don't know if you reload, so I suggested some of the factory ones I've shot through a chronograph. The Golden Saber were around 1125 fps with the others in the upper 1000 fps. range., that's from a 2 1/2" barrel.
Now if you reload, you could load some 38 +p+ that will get you into the 1300 fps range quite easily, while still feeling much more managable than even the lesser of the .357 mag. rounds. It kind of contradicts what I know about felt recoil, but they are far more comfortable to shoot. If going the reloading route you can custom build your S.D. rounds according to your personal preference. Might be something to think about?
Now if you reload, you could load some 38 +p+ that will get you into the 1300 fps range quite easily, while still feeling much more managable than even the lesser of the .357 mag. rounds. It kind of contradicts what I know about felt recoil, but they are far more comfortable to shoot. If going the reloading route you can custom build your S.D. rounds according to your personal preference. Might be something to think about?
She can handle 357s just fine, out of my 4" 586, and if she wanted a 38sp she'd buy one. I'm not trying to pick her gun, I just want to help with load selection. I know the WWB 110gr has a lot of blast and flash, but speaking from experience, that is a bigger problem for the person being shot at, than the shooter.(Especially in close quarters!) I'm leaning toward 125gr JHPs, I just wanted to avoid the weapon shaking apart after a few thousand rounds. Any advice?
Paladin38-40
Member
Consensus valadation
I can not improve on the advice given by other posters above. Shooting a 3" S&W model 60 vs. S&W 586 with magnum loads are not even remotely related.
Some people learn from the experience and mistakes of others.
Some people learn from their own experience and mistakes.
Some people continue to live in denial.
I can not improve on the advice given by other posters above. Shooting a 3" S&W model 60 vs. S&W 586 with magnum loads are not even remotely related.
Some people learn from the experience and mistakes of others.
Some people learn from their own experience and mistakes.
Some people continue to live in denial.
oneounceload
member
And after she becomes gun shy about the 60 with 357 loads, what then ? The anticipatory flinch will now be ingrained so even dropping down to 38 won"t work. Start with target loads and proceed up in terms of power until her comfort level is reached - no matter how low or high it is
After S&W came out with their Scandium line, someone reported that in his area the used gun cases were full of Scandium J frames, each with a box of 47 rounds. One shot to try the gun, one shot to see if it was really that bad, and one shot to convince the shooter to buy something else. While that Model 60 may not be Scandium, it can be as bad for an inexperienced shooter.
Jim
Jim
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