357mag Pocket Carry Gun
- Thread starter iwjev
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'Pending on what you think of as short barrel.
Looked for a good Model 65 until one found me.
K frame, 3" barrel, fixed sights. I find the groove rear right very useable.
I'm not a big guy, so any revolver larger than an NAA is too large for my pockets. This is a small revolver, big enough to be useful, with a full ejector stroke.
Looked for a good Model 65 until one found me.
K frame, 3" barrel, fixed sights. I find the groove rear right very useable.
I'm not a big guy, so any revolver larger than an NAA is too large for my pockets. This is a small revolver, big enough to be useful, with a full ejector stroke.
ChristopherG
Member
I don't mean to be flip, but is there more than one? I mean, there's the S&W 340, which is under two inches of barrel and 12.5 oz.
Then there's the Ruger SP101 which, I'm sure, is a great gun, and lots of people seem to love them; but it weighs exactly twice as much as the 340. I know there are a few people who carry them in a pocket, but I also know there are a lot who've tried it and found them too heavy.
Then there's something by Taurus, I expect. Yeah.
Be aware that your question is going to get a lot of people responding that the Scandium 340 is too light for a 357. That's fine for them; I happen to think it's a fantastic little gun, and pocket carry mine just about every day. And yes, I shoot it. And yes, it hurt the first few times, and then I learned how to shoot it, and do so fairly regularly without undue discomfort. It's not a fun gun to shoot 2 or 3 boxes out of; don't make it your only gun. But what it does, it does incomparably well--put 5x357 in your pocket.
Many times you'll hear 'I wouldn't want to shoot anything more than .38 +P out of a little gun like that!' Okay, then do a quick search to find out how many threads there are fretting about the inadequate performance of 38+P ammo in snubnosed guns. The 340 solves that problem cold. It has its quirks, yes, and you should be aware of them going in. But, bottom line, the 340 is the only answer to your question.
Then there's the Ruger SP101 which, I'm sure, is a great gun, and lots of people seem to love them; but it weighs exactly twice as much as the 340. I know there are a few people who carry them in a pocket, but I also know there are a lot who've tried it and found them too heavy.
Then there's something by Taurus, I expect. Yeah.
Be aware that your question is going to get a lot of people responding that the Scandium 340 is too light for a 357. That's fine for them; I happen to think it's a fantastic little gun, and pocket carry mine just about every day. And yes, I shoot it. And yes, it hurt the first few times, and then I learned how to shoot it, and do so fairly regularly without undue discomfort. It's not a fun gun to shoot 2 or 3 boxes out of; don't make it your only gun. But what it does, it does incomparably well--put 5x357 in your pocket.
Many times you'll hear 'I wouldn't want to shoot anything more than .38 +P out of a little gun like that!' Okay, then do a quick search to find out how many threads there are fretting about the inadequate performance of 38+P ammo in snubnosed guns. The 340 solves that problem cold. It has its quirks, yes, and you should be aware of them going in. But, bottom line, the 340 is the only answer to your question.
denfoote
Member
The only one I currently have: Taurus M605. 
It beats Slick and Willie all to hadies and back!!!
It beats Slick and Willie all to hadies and back!!!
Preacherman
Member
Well, you did specify "light weight short barrel" revolver... and I have to say that I don't own any of that breed at all. I simply can't control the revolver well enough and fast enough in a stress situation to ensure rapid, accurate hits where I want them.
In a lightweight revolver, I've gone to either the S&W 442/642 J frame or the Colt Cobra D frame. Both are in the 16-18oz. range, and I can control them well using +P ammo. Sure, it's not nearly as hot as .357 Magnum, but controllability is there for me.
In a .357 Magnum snubby, I use only the Ruger SP101. I've shot the S&W Model 60, and it's not bad, but I can still control the Ruger better. I treat the .357 snubbies as basically a now-and-again gun: usually I carry the .38 Special as a backup to a full-size handgun. My carry .357's are usually S&W K or L frames.
In a lightweight revolver, I've gone to either the S&W 442/642 J frame or the Colt Cobra D frame. Both are in the 16-18oz. range, and I can control them well using +P ammo. Sure, it's not nearly as hot as .357 Magnum, but controllability is there for me.
In a .357 Magnum snubby, I use only the Ruger SP101. I've shot the S&W Model 60, and it's not bad, but I can still control the Ruger better. I treat the .357 snubbies as basically a now-and-again gun: usually I carry the .38 Special as a backup to a full-size handgun. My carry .357's are usually S&W K or L frames.
snubby
Member
Another vote for the S&W 340. I carry Proload's 125 gr. "tactical lite" 357 mag rounds, which are controllable (albeit stout) in the gun. The full power loadings are significantly more difficult to control/shoot well IMO. Whatever you carry, ensure it's got a good crimp, since bullet pull can occur with many loadings.
Taurus 651 in Stainless. It may be a little heavier than an Airlite or a titanium, but we are talking about firing .357. And I shoot alot of .357, upwards of three hundred rounds a week out of the little 5-shot wonder. So that little extra weigth is well worth it to me.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Quote:
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In a .357 Magnum snubby, I use only the Ruger SP101. I've shot the S&W Model 60, and it's not bad, but I can still control the Ruger better.
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I bought my oldest daughter an SP 101 -- and fell in love with it. One day, I'll have to get me one.
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In a .357 Magnum snubby, I use only the Ruger SP101. I've shot the S&W Model 60, and it's not bad, but I can still control the Ruger better.
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I bought my oldest daughter an SP 101 -- and fell in love with it. One day, I'll have to get me one.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Greeting's All-
If I were in the market for a new .357 magnum snubby,
and had a unlimited expense account I would most likely
look very hard at the two new Smith's; models 360PD
and 386PD. Prices are kind'a steep right now, so that
would shoo me away for the time being! 
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
If I were in the market for a new .357 magnum snubby,
and had a unlimited expense account I would most likely
look very hard at the two new Smith's; models 360PD
and 386PD. Prices are kind'a steep right now, so that
would shoo me away for the time being!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Marshall
Member
I like my Model 60 S&W. It could be stand to be a few ounces lighter for pocket carry but, those few ounces are nice to have when blasting .357 rounds. The Pachmayr's I added are nice, I would recommend them.
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