.357 snubbie or 9mm?

[Godsgunman]

Alright everybody, I'm in the market for another handgun and I'm debating between another 9mm or my first snubbie revolver. As far as the revolver goes I definitely want a .357 so I can also shoot .38 when I'm plinking around. Here's what my decision weighs on, obviously a 9mm semiauto will have the advantage of capacity .357 has the advantage of power, but out of a 2" barrel does it still have the advantage? I want it concealed so I'm looking at the 2" snubbie's. Also what kind of accuracy can you expect from a snubbie in general? Thanks all!

 

[brnmuenchow]

Generally in a snubbie the accuracy is going to be limited to close ranges, not much beyond 20 yds. and in some cases that may even be a stretch. Obviously the recoil on a .357 Mag. will be much higher than a .9X19mm or a .38 Spl. dedicated revolver/pistol. The .357 Mag. Snubbie frame will be heavier than that of a .38 Spl. frame some of the weights can range for .357 Mag.- .44 Mag. (24-28 oz.) vs. a Taurus M85 "ultralite" (.38 Spl.+P) that I own that only weighs 17 oz. Obviously a little shopping around will be in order because I am no expert when it comes to snubbies even though I do shoot them and carry them. I went with a .38 Spl.+P Snubbie as a backup CHL pistol simply because of the low weight, it fits in my pocket with a "Blackhawk!" pocket holster and barely feels like it's there.
Good luck, and remember to shop around.

 

[XD 45acp]

357 snub due to lighter weight.

 

[MedWheeler]

Kinda depends on what you already have, and for what you intend to use the new one.. Do you already own a nine? Is this going to be a carry gun? Magnum ammo ain't gonna be fun in a snub, so I'm guessing this isn't going to be a general plinking piece but a carry piece instead. If so, what are you currently carrying? Do you already own any other revolvers?
I'm a little old-school. I carry a 9mm semi-auto, but I do like revolvers, and do sometimes carry one of my snub .38s when I feel a little nostalgic.

 

[mavracer]

Yes the 357 still holds a power advantage especiially with heavy bullets. I've got some 180gr loads that clock 1100 fps from my SP101. But you pay for it recoil is brutal. As to accuracy snubs are mechanically as accurate as any longer barreled revolver but they are also probably the hardest gun to master accuracy.
My suggestion is if you need a carry gun get a 9. If you just want another toy that can be carried a 357 snub is a good choice. Also unless you are going to pocket carry look at the 2 1/2 to 3 inch guns. My 2" SP has pretty much been relegated to a woods carry only proposition by my 2 3/4" speed six, one more round and the added weight and sight radius make it much easier to shoot at speed.

 

[M-Cameron]

i carry both, a 2.25 SP101, and a p64 makarov( i know, not a 9x19 but its irrelevant for this discussion)


if given the option, i would choose the revolver every time...

1) no safeties to deal with, if im in a situation where i need my pistol, i want to be able to draw and shoot, i dont want to futz around with a safety if i can avoid it.

2) power, a .357 mag has much more power than the 9mm

3) durability, in a maintained revolver, there is almost nothing to go wrong....where as with a semiauto there is always the possibility of feeding jams and stovepipes...

4) versatility, i can shoot .38s and .357s

5) there is a certain intimidation factor, all things being equal, im going to take a more intimidating looking gun. there is really nothing more noticeable than a chrome snub nose revolver with a loud barking fireball.



in terms of accuracy, in a SD situation, at SD ranges <50feet, there is not noticeable difference in accuracy....

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Wow! Apples and Oranges!

Ummm, ok 357 has the power advantage, but performance is not great out of a short little bbl, but still more than a 9mm out of the same length bbl.

A small 9mm is probably thinner and easier to conceal.

38's out of a snub are not real fun, but work with the right ammo. I carry mine with Corbon's 110 gr +p since they were designed for a J frame.

Really man, I think it comes down to do you want another 9mm or a revolver?

Answer that first. Either gun will be effective for defense. Look closely at the balistics of a 357 out of a snub. Follow up shots are a bummer in that platform.

All that being said, I pocket carry a 15 oz J frame in 38+P in summer, and IWB carry a 3" bbl SP101 in 357 in fall winter and spring. It carries like a dream. Personally, if you're going to IWB carry, I'd give the 3" SP101 a serious look. They pretty up real nice too with mother's mag polish and some different grips.

I just don't like small semiautos. I handle a full size semi better.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The problem with the .357 in snubbies is that, as the man said, "Modern snubnosed revolvers, built with exotic materials, have transformed .357 recoil from merely unpleasant to downright painful."

People with .357 snubbies usually either shoot .38 Special in them, or they don't shoot them at all.

So realisticaly your choice is between a .38 Special snubbie and a 9mm.

 

[Certaindeaf]

If the 9mm revolver ever actually gains a toe-hold, people/manufacturers will probably start hot loading heavy slugs for it, like 158's to 180 grain SWC's etc.

 

[Godsgunman]

Thanks for all the input so far. I do currently carry a 9mm s&w 6904 which is a great gun, just sometimes a little on the large side. I normally carry it IWB. So I am looking at a smaller poly 9 but have seen the snub .357s that seem almost pocketable, hence my inquiery about them. Target shooting wise, from what I've read, most people will use the .38 sp but for carry purposes I would probably want the .357 loads. As far as .357 loads what would you suggest for power yet "easier, faster" follow up shots?

 

[M-Cameron]

As far as .357 loads what would you suggest for power yet "easier, faster" follow up shots?

i like the Winchester PDX 110 grain, the recoil is pretty tame and you can get several shots on target with relative ease.

 

[R.W.Dale]

There's always the option of getting a 9mm snubby and forgoing adding another caliber

In a snubby revolver 9mm slots in very nicely about 3/4 of the way between 38 and 357 towards the magnum side with only a fraction of the obnoxious blast and recoil.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Remember also that .357 out of a 2" bbl is louder than hell. I carry that in the woods, but if people are my concern, I usually stick to 38's. Same for in my home too. I have no desire to crack off a 357 inside without hearing protection.

Of course better deaf than dead.

 

[mavracer]

As far as .357 loads what would you suggest for power yet "easier, faster" follow up shots?

Not IMHO. I'm not convinced that the mid-powered 357 (Golden Sabers or short bbl Golddots) offer any thing over the time tested 38+P 158gr LSWCHP FBI load for a balance of power and control. I do wish somebody would maybe push a 158gr LSWCHP to 1000 fps, I know buffalo bore does but my gun doesn't like their load.
The Golden Sabers and the 357 SBGD are both good loads though.

 

[Godsgunman]

What do you guys know about the Dan Wesson .357s? I've come across one that seems a very good price and it has a 2" and 4" barrel. The grip looks kinda large though are they hard to conceal?
I know I'm asking alot of different questions but thats why I joined, to learn some things, right? (rhetorical)

 

[mavracer]

The Dans were some pretty good guns, very well deesigned and well made. They don't have a grip frame just a post so there is endless possibilities for what size grips will fit.
BTW the other DW on there is mine (the one with the scope) if you end up buying that one and are interested PM me and I'll see if I can find the contact info for the guy that made my grips.

 

[jmr40]

A 125 gr 357 from a 2" barrel will give you somewhere between 950 fps to 1050 fps. A 9mm +p from a comparably sized 9mm will give you 1200-1250 fps. The 357 has the advantage of heavier bullets, which I would use in a 357 snubbie but from barrels that short, with common SD bullets the 9mm wins in bullet speed, energy, and ammo capacity.

You can look it up here if you don't believe me. My chronograph says the same.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/calibers.html

A 10 round Glock 26 is an inch shorter and almost 1/2 lb lighter than a 5 shot Ruger SP-101. and shoots 124/125 gr bullets as much as 200 fps faster. A 15 shot Glock 19 is almost exactly the same length and still 6 oz lighter than the SP-101

This is the accuracy I get from my G-19 at 50'. The G-26 won't do quite as good in my hands, but is pretty close.

http://s1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/jmr40/?action=view&current=001.jpg

 

[TreeDoc]

I currently have both guns and after alot of research, I'm going with the G26. Using defensive loads, I find the 9mm quite good compared to a 357 out of a snubnose. I also don't believe much in 1 shot stops, unless you connect with the brain or spine. I'm more accurate with the 9 and recovery to back on target is very quick. I'm going to be shooting center mass and keep shooting until the threat stops. I like snubs, I've always liked the 357, but I choose the 9 for personal carry and feel quite well armed.

 

[R.W.Dale]

A 125 gr 357 from a 2" barrel will give you somewhere between 950 fps to 1050 fps. A 9mm +p from a comparably sized 9mm will give you 1200-1250 fps. The 357 has the advantage of heavier bullets, which I would use in a 357 snubbie but from barrels that short, with common SD bullets the 9mm wins in bullet speed, energy, and ammo capacity.

You can look it up here if you don't believe me. My chronograph says the same.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/calibers.html

A 10 round Glock 26 is an inch shorter and almost 1/2 lb lighter than a 5 shot Ruger SP-101. and shoots 124/125 gr bullets as much as 200 fps faster. A 15 shot Glock 19 is almost exactly the same length and still 6 oz lighter than the SP-101

This is the accuracy I get from my G-19 at 50'. The G-26 won't do quite as good in my hands, but is pretty close.

http://s1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/jmr40/?action=view&current=001.jpg

Remember a 2" single shot barrel as used by BBTI does not translate to a 2" revolver barrel.

A revolver including the cylinder would = a 1/2 inch barrel as per bbti"s tests. To get an idea of the actual numbers you need to be comparing 4" barrels

Now from my 2" Taurus 905 9mm does indeed approach 357 numbers with 124g gold dots +p going 1160fps

 

[NG VI]

You can go a little smaller than the 6904, pick up one of the Kahrs or PF/LC9s, or you could go with something like a Glock 26 that will shoot as well as the 6904 or better and be a little shorter on the grip end, make it a little easier to thoroughly cover up.

I don't think the .357 is a great caliber for the guns small enough to give you any carrying advantage over the Smith you already have, they buck, they hurt, and your options for mid-range loads aren't all that broad. Most of the bullets that have seen a lot of design work to optimize them for carry guns haven't really been carried over to .357, and there is a kind of a lack of good mid-range options as well.

I'd like to see more 135 grain 9mm offerings, and I'd like to see more purpose-built moderate .357 loads. It would be nice to see something like a 150-158 grain .357 HST load too. That would be outstanding, and wouldn't need to be loaded hot to really deliver.

 

[BYJO4]

I have one snub noze 357 which I only shoot twice a year and then only 25 rounds because of recoil. It does make an excellent carry/self defense gun and that is why I have it. If you already have a carry gun, I suggest you buy a 4" or 6" 357 for range use. They are fun shoot and very accurate.

 

[threefortyduster]

.357 for me, although I have lately started taking a liking to the compact 9mm semis (lc9, pf9, 709) since they generally weigh about 6 ounces less than my Taurus 605SS2 snubbie. The recoil isn't comfortable with .357 loads, but it's not insane (exception: Hornady LeverEvolution). With .38s, it does calm down some, but not too much, its still a bit of a handful.

As for accuracy, no problem there at any self-defense distances, and for fun last weekend I took a shot at a half-gallon milk jug filled with water. First shot I missed about 1" to the left, second shot put it in the jug, so it's not THAT big of an issue.

 

[LeontheProfessional]

Gotta give a plus 1 for the sp101 3". I only started carrying mine about a month ago, but I carry it everyday in an IWB. I tried carrying a pf9 for a while but it just didn't feel right, not enough power. In 357 Mag it doesnt really matter what rounds you carry they will do the job. Get some 158gr soft tips and you will have all the power you need. I know a lot of guys are sold on the 125gr jhp but I really dont see the need from a 357. I have tested standard 158s into a block of clay and was amazed at the results over 45acp, JMHO

 

[Deaf Smith]

Alright everybody, I'm in the market for another handgun and I'm debating between another 9mm or my first snubbie revolver. As far as the revolver goes I definitely want a .357 so I can also shoot .38 when I'm plinking around. Here's what my decision weighs on, obviously a 9mm semiauto will have the advantage of capacity .357 has the advantage of power, but out of a 2" barrel does it still have the advantage? I want it concealed so I'm looking at the 2" snubbie's. Also what kind of accuracy can you expect from a snubbie in general? Thanks all!

You already have 9mms? So get that subby!

And get CLASSIC! Skip those rubber pistols made today.

And yes.. they can shoot well.. VERY WELL. 100 yards well if you practice and have good ammo (and a good eye!)

Deaf

 

[weblance]

I just bought a Taurus 905. Its a 9MM REVOLVER. If you are unfamiliar with the concept, it uses 9x19 autoloader ammunition. Its a 5 shot, 2" snubnose, and I absolutely love this thing. It has power between 38sp and 357 magnum, ammo is cheap, $10/50, and its a REVOLVER. Its one of the few, currently available 9mm revolvers. S&W, and Ruger used to make 9mm revolvers, but have stopped making them. It uses full moon clips for extraction, but the clips arent absolutely needed. I fired 100 rounds today, and the empties litterally fall out. I have one chamber that sometimes doesnt just drop out, but a simple tap on the grip, and the last empty falls out. Use the clips, push the ejector, and they all drop instantly. I dont understand why 9mm revolvers arent popular. Ammo is everywhere, and cheap. The power level is impressive. Revolvers are very reliable. The best of both worlds.

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=338&category=Pistol