357 vs. 45, CCW sidearm

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

charlie echo

Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2010
Messages
170
I've been trying to buy one or two CA-legal 357 revolver(s), 3 inch barrel K-frame, like with six shot cylinder, but not easy to find such.

We'll buy at least one, when we find a clean S&W revolver.

For the second piece, I'm leaning towards a Colt "Commander" 45 ACP in a 4.25" barrel. Would this be about the same discreetness in conceal carry IWB holster as a K-frame 3" 357 revolver?
 
The 1911 will be much slimmer than the K frame. I believe 1911's average around 1.25"-1.5" in width, which will be much, much less than the cylinder of a K frame wheel gun. The one pro of the revolver though is that it will be a bit shorter as far as overall length goes. Depending on your build, it could be a big plus or a big negative. It's up to you.
 
The 1911 will definitely be slimmer than the revolver, but I'd opt for a CCO type 1911 instead of a standard Commander sized gun. The Commander still has a full size grip which I find to be the most problematic part of the gun to conceal. The CCO is a Commander top end on an Officer's sized grip frame. I carry a Wilson Combat CQB Compact that is in this variation with a rounded butt (not anywhere near as extreme as a bob tail), and it's a perfect sized gun for carry.
 
Winkman822 said:
The 1911 will definitely be slimmer than the revolver, but I'd opt for a CCO type 1911 instead of a standard Commander sized gun. The Commander still has a full size grip which I find to be the most problematic part of the gun to conceal. The CCO is a Commander top end on an Officer's sized grip frame. I carry a Wilson Combat CQB Compact that is in this variation with a rounded butt (not anywhere near as extreme as a bob tail), and it's a perfect sized gun for carry.
Click to expand...
In terms of shootability/point-ability, I like my medium sized hand to have the pinky finger wrap in front if the gun. Thus on our J-frame I installed a larger rounded grip. Round grip revolvers hides its cylinder well. I noticed the square grip end of a Sig 220 prints, that would make my mind uncomfortable, since I live among irrational gun haters who'll call the cops.
 
I prefer the revolver, personally. I prefer the caliber and I like revolvers. Been there, done that with 1911s. My current .45ACP is a KP90DC Ruger. Love the gun, but I also love my Taurus 66 3" and the 140 Speer JHPs flying out of that booger at 1400 fps. Wounding is impressive on live hogs, much more so than my .45 and +P 200 grain Speers. The hogs seem to go down faster, too, an admittedly subjective observation, but I've shot a lot of trapped hogs. Either, along with 9x19 is much more impressive than my 9x18 Mak, though. I like to carry the little Radom as it is very accurate and, heck, I reckon if you put that pill in the right place, it's enough for self defense even if I ain't gonna hunt hogs with it, LOL. Can't draw too much inference from shooting hogs. I sure don't wanna get shot by ANY caliber.

Generally, I pocket carry a 9x19, so neither .357 nor .45 gets much use for CCW for ME. YMMV, but it's hot and humid down here and pocket carry is the only way I can carry 24/7.
 
Two very nice choices, the 1911 will be much slimmer. Also two heavy choices, to me weight does come into play. Why not a S&W model 60-15 3 inch barrel 357 J- frame small and lighter than the K- frame. For the 45 acp a Glock- 36, light weight CCO sized gun.

Not trying to talk you out of what you picked, just some options. Both are lighter and smaller, and when it comes to IWB smaller and lighter is good. Good Luck with your search.
 
For the second piece, I'm leaning towards a Colt "Commander" 45 ACP in a 4.25" barrel. Would this be about the same discreetness in conceal carry IWB holster as a K-frame 3" 357 revolver?
Click to expand...

Even a full-size 1911 will conceal better than a 3" revolver. It isn't the barrel length that makes it hard, it is the thickness. Having the cylinder makes a revolver much harder (and more uncomfortable) to carry IWB than an autoloader, and pocket carrying a 3" revolver is highly impractical.

OWB would be easy with either, as long as you have a garment large enough to cover the increased width of the revolver.
 
A big bullet makes a big hole. I carry a Kimber 3" .45 acp, it replaced a .44sp snub nose that was to bulky when I sat on it.
Jim
 
From the Kahr PM45 to the full-sized 1911s, my vote is for .45acp all the way. :) This is partly my preference for autos over revolvers for CCW. The Glock 30 is fantastic, holds 10 rounds, and is basically more concealable/comfortable than the smallest revolvers, which suck shooting .357... Not very controllable.

If revolvers could hold 10-13 rounds and be as thin as autos, I'd buy one. ;)
 
If revolvers could hold 10-13 rounds and be as thin as autos, I'd buy one.
Click to expand...

If I needed 10 -13 rounds to stop a threat, I'd just bend over, stick my head between my legs, and kiss my posterior good by. :rolleyes: But, then, there's always the back up and the speed loaders once one finds cover. TACTICS.

I just like revolvers, sorry. But, never feel too confident against a revolver if the revolver guy knows how to shoot and fight.
 
mes227 said:
I looked at a 6-shot 3-in barrel .357 today at a local gun shop.
Click to expand...
In Nevada? Here we have to check on the CA Drop List, first. My FFL man's on the lookout for us.

I believe in ammunition...that penetrates through the spine from all angles, through forehead or shoulder bone, that can be controlled with accurate and fast follow up shots.

So, six 158 grain 357 HPs and a speed loader's a decent starting point where I feel well enough protected for when a shotgun or rifle isn't handy. 45 ACP 230 HPs are nice, but I am more comfortable with 44 revolvers, had better experiences in timed shoots.
 
Between a 1911 and a wheel gun, I'd go with 8+1 of 230gr .45acp in the 1911. Thinner package with higher capacity and an easier to tote reload.
 
Both fine weapons, and I've carried 'em both.

Through the years of carrying legally concealed my tastes have evolved and I'll bet yours will too over time.

The 3" Model 65 S&W revolver (which I still have) gave way to a custom, 1990s era Colt Combat Elite, a full size 1911 auto.

Both gave way to this pair of LIGHTER handguns a few years ago . . . a then-new Kimber Ultra CDP (aluminum-framed, officer's sized 1911 w/nightsights, etc) AND my first S&W J-frame, a Model 36. Both weigh about 25 oz empty. And, although both these handguns are about the same "size," the J-frame was easier to pocket carry. That's when the Kimber started "hangin' around in the safe a lot. Both are still in my safe tonight, but they've given way yet again to a lighter-weight J-frame, the Model 37 Airweight.

2452682CCW.jpg


Today, my "always" CCW firearm is the humble little S&W Model 37 Airweight (the aluminum framed version of the Model 36, for I've discovered that the only serious handguns that are light enough and small enough to carry concealed ALL the time are the Airweight J-frames!

Yeah, you can get a 637, or similar Airweight in .357 and, if that's what you want, go for it. You can get it in a 3" barrel version too. Concealable AND easy to shoot. Still . . . .357 ammo is very stout to shoot.

Frankly, I've competed in so many handgun matches through the years that I learned if one wants to win . . . they use equipment that is fast to draw, points quickly and recovers under recoil quickly as one swings to the next sight picture with maximum speed and efficiency. That rules out .357 ammo in a small handgun . . . but stoke .38 Special ammo in the same gun and you can shoot faster with utmost accuracy too!


You may have to go through this learning curve too before getting a CCW handgun that is eminently concealable and that also allows fully controllable follow-up shots with ultimate speed and consistency.

Eventually, if you are a competent handgunner, I suspect that one day you'll own a S&W Airweight revolver as your "always" (always on you) CCW handgun . . . stoked with .38 Special for all the right reasons!

Heck, I can even carry my little J frame + pocket holster in the front pockets of my gym shorts while mowing the lawn!!! Trouble comes when you aren't expecting it . . . but I'm "always" ready because I have a handgun that I can "always" conceal.

IMHO, having a .357 or .45ACP handgun SOMEWHERE ELSE ain't gonna help you when trouble comes like a lightning bolt piercing the night air!

Food for thought!

PS: When weather and wardrobe allow I STILL carry that Model 37 in the front pants pocket BUT . . . I'll also strap on either a .45 Auto (high cap, full-size 1911 or the Kimber . . . or the 3" Model 65. In colder weather, I'll strap on my custom, chopped barrel (to 3 1/4") big ol' S&W Model 25-2 . . . an N frame revolver in .45ACP! BUT . . . FOR CONCEALED ALWAYS . . . you can't beat a little J-frame! At least rent a J frame at a range somewhere and see what you think for "always" carry!

24492471.JPG
 
Last edited:
3" barrel .357Magnum revolvers on the CA DOJ approved list for handgun sales:

Ruger GP-100 (CAT# KGPF-331)
Ruger SP-101 (CAT# KSP-331X)
S&W Model 60-14 (SKU# 162430)
S&W Model 60-15 (SKU# 162430)
S&W Model 60-15 Hi-Viz (SKU# 162434)
S&W Model 60-15 Pro (SKU# 178013)
S&W Model 686-6 Plus (SKU# 164300)
S&W M&P-360 (SKU# 163077)

Out of all those the closest to a K-frame would be the Ruger GP-100 and the S&W Model 686-6 Plus (L-frame).
 
If I needed 10 -13 rounds to stop a threat, I'd just bend over, stick my head between my legs, and kiss my posterior good by.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you'd have to be cornered by a group of 6 guys in a work-related situation potentially intent on killing you to appreciate the role of higher capacities. I had a Kel-Tec P32 on me at the time and SURE wish I was better-armed with a much larger capacity.
 
Perhaps you'd have to be cornered by a group of 6 guys in a work-related situation potentially intent on killing you to appreciate the role of higher capacities. I had a Kel-Tec P32 on me at the time and SURE wish I was better-armed with a much larger capacity.
Click to expand...

Work? I haven't had to do much of that in the last 9 years. We're going to move out of this city, too, probably up to the western hill country. I don't even know if I'll need to carry anything at all up there for self defense, probably will, at least a .22. Old habits are hard to break. If I do have to use something, it won't be a street gang, not in a town of 260 people. :rolleyes: I never figured any gang member would want to be one of the first six shot with a .357 magnum, though, regardless. Would you stand there to be next when you saw your buddy's head vaporize?

I do like my 9mm, though, 11 rounds of +P and fits in a pocket. Not hard to stay armed that way. Out in the country, too, firearms come in handy for other reasons.

1zzj2g3.jpg
 
Quiet said:
3" barrel .357Magnum revolvers on the CA DOJ approved list for handgun sales:

Ruger GP-100 (CAT# KGPF-331)
Ruger SP-101 (CAT# KSP-331X)
S&W Model 60-14 (SKU# 162430)
S&W Model 60-15 (SKU# 162430)
S&W Model 60-15 Hi-Viz (SKU# 162434)
S&W Model 60-15 Pro (SKU# 178013)
S&W Model 686-6 Plus (SKU# 164300)
S&W M&P-360 (SKU# 163077)

Out of all those the closest to a K-frame would be the Ruger GP-100 and the S&W Model 686-6 Plus (L-frame).
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'm looking for 3" 6-shot 357 "K" frame, with that S&W trigger. I already have enough guns that I can afford to wait. I saw some versions of 65-5 that was CA Legal.

The most troubling trend i see is the rising cost of ammo. A buddy and a Proarms podcast guest said that rich man, President W. Bush enacted Orders that made imports of ammo more restrictive and costly: Not sure how true that is.

I have noticed that 38 Specials can be bought for 20 cents per round, nearly a 1/3 of 44 ammo, so I'll stock up on 38s for fun and load 158 HP 357s for "social work."

I am assuming Colt's 4.25" .45s are CA Legal.
 
Thanks. I respect S&Wfan's wise observations. I will NEVER sell my J frame 5-shot 38, because I am very fond of shooting it.
 
Hopefully one day you'll be able to get one of these out there. Awesome revolvers.

The only two-legged predator who came at me one night as I was trying to unload my car in a dark motel parking lot wisely decided to look for a soft target . . . and thus avoided discovering what 125 grain .357 Magnum Federal Hydrashoks could do. Wise choice indeed!

244924665-3.jpg
 
charlie echo said:
Thanks. I'm looking for 3" 6-shot 357 "K" frame, with that S&W trigger. I already have enough guns that I can afford to wait. I saw some versions of 65-5 that was CA Legal.
Click to expand...

The 4" barrel S&W Model 65-8 (SKU# 162604) is on the approved list.
The 3" barrel version is not on the approved list.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
  • Locked
favorite 2A rally sidearm
Replies
10
Views
494
Sam1911
S
3
  • Locked
The best CCW gun....
2
Replies
49
Views
3K
kidcoltoutlaw
K
C
  • Locked
new Ruger GP100 or used S&W 66, 65, or 13?
Replies
20
Views
1K
18DAI
1
N
  • Locked
Who likes .45 and .357?
2
Replies
32
Views
1K
cookekdjr
C
Yo Mama
  • Locked
.45 vs .357 buffalo boar for bear defense
2 3 4
Replies
86
Views
14K
ugaarguy
ugaarguy
Back
Top