Best EDC snubbie in .357?

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ORHunter79

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Hello,

I'm looking for the most compact .357 mag with an external hammer for everyday carry. So far the Taurus 605 or 617 and the Ruger SP101 seem interesting.

Please feel free to suggest other revolvers or tell me if the two I've looked at are junk.


Thanks.
 
Know NOTHING about the Taurus but lots about the SP101. It is THE bulldog tough, anvil reliable j-frame sized .357 mag. It is heavy for it's size & doesn't pocket carry very well. But it'll allow you to shoot full-house .357 mag loads without the pain of an Airweight. Accurate too, especially in the 3 1/16" barrel (which I prefer). I ya' wanna see some NICE ones, check out Gemini Customs Arms (Frankfort, Ky). They're a top choice for SP101 tuning.
 
Ok. Thanks. I should've mentioned I'm NOT recoil sensitive. I actually enjoy pain of recoil (I'm jacked up i know).

Anyhow, also found the S&W M&P 360 to toss into the mix. Any thoughts on that one?
 
If you're looking for the lightest .357 you can carry, I don't think it ever got any lighter than the S&W 360PD (my guess is it's the lightest production .357 ever). I managed to snag one used, but in excellent condition, at my LGS earlier in the year. Chances are, any 360PD you find used will be in excellent condition, because the previous owner won't have fired it very much... :D

You indicate that you are not recoil shy, which is a good thing. The 360PD, with full-house magnums, is quite "exhilirating"... :eek:


.
 
If you like recoil, go with the S&W 360PD or Ruger LCR in .357 Mag. Run serious, full-house practice for an afternoon, say, oh...250 rounds or so. You'll have a (pardon the pun) blast! :cool:
 
Ok. Thanks. Seems like the 360PD is the one. "Fun" to shoot and easy to carry. What else can I ask for.

Definition of "fun": big fat goofy smile on my face after each shot.
 
ORHunter79 said:
Ok. Thanks. Seems like the 360PD is the one. "Fun" to shoot and easy to carry. What else can I ask for.
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ORHunter79 said:

Definition of "fun": big fat goofy smile on my face after each shot.
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Ha -- If there was a camera on me at the range, that would be the look on my face (well -- maybe a cross between a smile and a look of stunned wonder) each time I touched off a full factory load .357... :p :eek:


.
 
The SP101 is heavy for its size, if you get one go with the 3 inch model. It has better balance (IMHO).
 
sp101 3inch barrel is a great hiking gun. Even 180 gr. winchester gold partitions shoot nice. That was my choice for camping/hiking and hunting sidearm. For EDC though the 360pd being lighter would be easier to tool around with. Both have their merits.
 
i have a 2.25 in sp101 and have nothing but good things to say about it. i carry it appendix iwb and just recieved an owb high rise for it. the thing carries easily with a gun belt and shoots well with a better trigger than most give it credit for having. i have run around 1500 magnums through it so far with no problems. i like it so much that now i want to get a speed six too.
 
ORHunter79 said:
Ok. Thanks. I should've mentioned I'm NOT recoil sensitive. I actually enjoy pain of recoil (I'm jacked up i know).

Anyhow, also found the S&W M&P 360 to toss into the mix. Any thoughts on that one?
Click to expand...

Yea, the S&W 360 will let you know that you shot a .357 magnum, that's for sure. The one I shot wasn't uncontrollable and I had a good group at 50ft, but I only shot one cylinder full.

Would I shoot it again? -Yes

Would I carry it? -Yes

Why don't I own one? -Because I already have an 11oz J-frame... a S&W342 (38spl)

Check out the S&W360 and Ruger LCR if you are looking for very light guns... or the S&W model 60 or Ruger SP101 if weight isn't as much of a concern.
 
The lack of recoil sensitivity does make for a broader spectrum of choices available to you, and as a result this will allow you to focus on frame strength, weight, and accuracy.

I carry a snubby .357 mag. loaded with H110/296 hand loads and 158 gr. Gold Dots or XTP's. I have several, but usually the 66-5 S&W winds up spending the day with me.
 
I have and have carried a SP101 edc and the weight is perfect for me. I have had NO BLEEPING PROBLEM with edcing my SP101.
 
I mention SP101 weight as a benefit, not a liability. No J-frame sized revolver is inherently easy to shoot well. I'm always amazed when I hear a gun shop employee recommend one for a 1st handgun, especially to a lady. Because of their size & configuration it's takes MORE PRACTICE to gain the same proficiency-level as it does with many other (larger, heavier) handguns. If it's feather-light it's NOT gonna' be comfortable to shoot very often or very much. That means it WON'T get much PRACTICE. So new shooters are being discouraged to become better at a skill that can save their life, all because "it's so small & light!". No, I believe weight is not a bad thing, especially to a novice handgunner.
 
SP101. Might be my favorite revolver, and I have a "few". My 158gr .357 handloads kick about the same as .38 SPL in my mother's Airweight.

One day I asked my buddy if I could shoot his M&P 340PD. "Sure," he says.

Later, when we were out at the range I was helping a new lady shooter and her daughter, and she was shooting my Model 19 smith, experiencing thedifference between .38 SPL and .357 Mag. I had a box of .38 SPL (standard pressure 125gr) and a box of .357 (mildy-hot, not top loads, 158gr).

"Hey, you want to shoot my 340?" he says, after he loaded it up.

After my first shot, I said, "I don't like that at all."

"That was the .38." And his face was like --> :D

The next four trigger pulls, well... let me just say that my .454 Casull might have less recoil.

+1 to Ghost Tracker. Weight is a good thing.
 
Ghost Tracker said:
I mention SP101 weight as a benefit, not a liability. No J-frame sized revolver is inherently easy to shoot well. I'm always amazed when I hear a gun shop employee recommend one for a 1st handgun, especially to a lady. Because of their size & configuration it's takes MORE PRACTICE to gain the same proficiency-level as it does with many other (larger, heavier) handguns. If it's feather-light it's NOT gonna' be comfortable to shoot very often or very much. That means it WON'T get much PRACTICE. So new shooters are being discouraged to become better at a skill that can save their life, all because "it's so small & light!". No, I believe weight is not a bad thing, especially to a novice handgunner.
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I certainly don't disagree, in principle, with anything you've said.

But I believe that, for this particular thread, it should be reiterated that the OP specifically asked for the most compact external-hammer .357 available. Everything being equal, one would certainly have to factor lightness into the equation. The OP also said that he doesn't mind recoil, and actually revels in it.

If anyone could be considered a customer for whom the ultra-lightweight titanium and scandium .357 snubbies are tailor-made, it would be the OP. :)


.
 
for this particular thread, it should be reiterated that the OP specifically asked for the most compact external-hammer .357 available. Everything being equal, one would certainly have to factor lightness into the equation.
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My mistake, I saw "most compact" in the OP, I saw no mention of weight. Yep, I read where he later said he likes recoil... so you're absolutely right & appreciate your reiteration. What about the part in the OP where he says...
feel free to suggest...
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does that not include observations on gun weight vs. practice?

To the OP - Are you an experienced handgunner? 'Cause if you are, you already know everything I've said. I certainly don't want to take any recoil AWAY from ya'. Are you considering this revolver for CCW? 'Cause if you are, practice is surely important. Especially if your answer to the first question isn't "Ohhh Yeah". :D
 
Ghost Tracker -- I would say that your previous advice applies to 99.9% of people in the known universe.
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Ohhh JFrame, now I see (you sneaky devil). You wanna' let ORHunter79 discover the thrills of titanium recoil...on his OWN don't you? :evil: You, Sir, are cruel & heartless. If you're ever in The Bluegrass, the first (small batch) bourbon is on me :D.
 
My personal favorite is the S&W Performance Center 327 snub. Lightweight, 8-shot and even though it's an N-frame, it's easy to conceal.
 
Ghost Tracker said:
To the OP - Are you an experienced handgunner? 'Cause if you are, you already know everything I've said. I certainly don't want to take any recoil AWAY from ya'. Are you considering this revolver for CCW? 'Cause if you are, practice is surely important. Especially if your answer to the first question isn't "Ohhh Yeah". :D
Click to expand...

Ghost Tracker, yes I would consider myself experienced. Though there is always someone more experienced then me. I have about 15 years of experience with all types of firearms from the .22 to the 50 cal.

Yes, it would be a CCW piece. Like I said earlier when I feel the heavy recoil of a rifle, shotgun or a handgun, it makes me very very happy. :D

Though I have to admit, when my adrenalin was pumping I don't recall feeling any recoil in any weapon. I'd carry a 44 mag or a 454 casull if the darn things weren't so heavy.

I figured a 357 is a good compromise between weight and power.
 
Ghost Tracker, yes I would consider myself experienced.
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Cool! Then you know EXACTLY what you're getting into. Sorry if I seemed to treat you any other way. S&W has a Scandium-framed, .44 snubbie that's a beast on BOTH ends. You might consider it as well. It's light with LOTS of power! :D
 
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