.357 Magnum Auto vs. Wheelgun

[natedog]

What would you say is a better platform for the .357 Magnum- the autoloader, like the Desert Eagle or (I think) Les Baer Grizzly? Or the revolver- such as something from S&W or Taurus? My opinion is that the autoloaders advantages are nullifed by using a cartridge with such a long OAL and a cartridge that is rimmed. The Desert Eagle is too frickin huge to be practical, while a S&W revolver, like the 686, is of medium size and is easier to handle.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I think it would depend a great deal on what you're planning to do with the firearm. If you're planning to carry a .357 magnum, the auto-loaders are too bulky and heavy for the vast majority of us. If you're planning to hunt with the .357 magnum, it might be worth your while to look into the Contender single shot pistol, for which you can cook up some truly hot hand loads. I knew a fellow once with a Desert Eagle in .357 magnum who could bang out some amazingly tight groups.

Personally, I think of it as a revolver cartridge, and have developed loads over the years for an assortment of guns, of which the best of the lot is a six-inch Python.

 

[PATH]

I am partial to the old N-frame .357's by S&W. I think you'll find them quite nice.

 

[DMK]

Didn't Dan Coonan make a .357 based on the 1911 platform?

That would make a nice sidearm if it's reliable.

Of course, then again there's always .38 Super...

 

[Jim March]

357Mag autos are a bad idea.

See, when you buy ammo made for an autoloader, it all comes within a fairly narrow spectrum of horsepower levels. That's because too hot will batter the gun, too mellow and it'll jam.

357Mag ammo varies all over the map in power levels - peak energy from 350ft/lbs to hunting-grade monsters up above 700ft/lbs.

Tune the auto's slide spring for heavies, and that's all you can run.

And that's not even getting into 38Spl.

Basically, you're throwing away the caliber's flexibility.

 

[Hal]

What Jim March said.

And then some.

You also throw away the platform flexability. Pretty much what works in a J frame Smith pocket revolver will work in a 8 3/8" N frame (within reason).

 

[The Tourist]

DMK,

I owned a Coonan for a brief period in 1985 or 1986.

I was disappointed for one reason only, it would not function with cast bullet reloads. I believe the bullet was too heavy and the powder charge for linotype was too light to cycle the action.

Now, with a magazine full of something like Federal 125 Grain .357, and they were HOT, trust me, you could empty that pistol like it was on full auto.

I was thinking of sending it Tussey for throating or a reliability package, or just writing to Wolff and seeing if slightly lighter recoil springs were available. However, another pistol caught my eye (a Detonics stainless .45 ACP, I believe) and I sold it to a non-reloader who just loved the pistol.

I never miss it.

 

[Soap]

The Grizzly .357 was made by L.A.R. Manufacturing not Les Baer BTW.

 

[Sean Smith]

With 10mm Auto out there, there is really no reason for a .357 Magnum autoloader. It just isn't worth the trouble... you can get the same power levels with a fatter bullet without a huge grip.

 

[schromf]

I admit to eyeballing a Coonan once or twice, but it just isn't worth the trouble on any 357 auto's. The cartridge wasn't designed for auto pistols and everything is a work around to to get the pistol to feed reliably. If there weren't other cartridges out there it would be a different story. But there are several good rounds ( 38 Super, 10mm etc ) that will closely match the performance without all the headaches. I really think these pistols were a solution to a non problem.

 

[Jim March]

The point about the 10mm is a good one.

 

[WonderNine]

Don't forget 9X23!

Didn't Dan Coonan make a .357 based on the 1911 platform?

Yea, I saw about three of them at the last gunshow. They seem to be turning up everywhere nowadays.