Best EDC snubbie in .357?

[ORHunter79]

The SP101 is heavy for its size, if you get one go with the 3 inch model. It has better balance (IMHO).

Yes, the SP101 is at the top of my short list. Thing is, I have a Security Six 2.75" barrel that I love, but to carry everyday is a pain.

That's why I've been looking at smaller framed .357's.

The 360PD is nice, but pricey.

The SP101 is affordable, but seems a little big for EDC.

I'd like some input on the Taurus 605, if anybody has any experience with it.

Lastly, what a great site you all have here. A wealth of information, so thank you.

 

[biohazurd]

IMO the ruger sp101 is the crown jewel of .357 snubs.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I carry a 2.25" SP101 nearly everyday in a cheapo American Pride pancake holster. Many days I wear it 12+ hours. I don't even notice wearing it. As far as the gun goes, it is as accurate as some of my longer barrelled wheelguns. Headshots on a sihouette at 25 yards are pretty easy.

 

[DAdams]

Take a look at the M&P 340 13.3 ounces. Just a tad heavier than the 360/340 PD. Has a Stainless Steel Cylinder and a much better sight set up using the XS dot night sight, day or night its superior to the PD.

 

[Benzene]

Taurus 605 and 617

I own both, and love them both. I'm yet to experience a failure of any kind with either. The 617 has one of the best triggers I've come across to date. And both are more accurate than I can muster.

 

[ORHunter79]

I own both, and love them both. I'm yet to experience a failure of any kind with either. The 617 has one of the best triggers I've come across to date. And both are more accurate than I can muster.

Can you post some pics on here? The Taurus seems interesting but I've heard good and bad on Taurus in general. I take it with a grain of salt of course, as I have a PT145 and have yet to have any issues with it.

 

[ORHunter79]

@ ColtPythonElite and DAdams, thanks for the pics. So many guns, so little money, might have to get both.......

 

[buddyemily]

I own a Taurus 605 and have really enjoyed carrying it. Great shooter.

 

[JFrame]

One thing that it occurred to me to add, as lightweight .357's are at least being considered, is the issue of bullet-jump in the casing.

Because of the sharp recoil of these little fellas, there is progressive bullet-jump out of the casing with each successive round in a cylinder. I was firing some really hot (and old) 158-grain UMC ammo, as well as Golden Sabers, and noticed that jump in both loads. One of the loads (can't recall which at the moment) didn't unseat nearly as much, possibly because of the cannelured heel of the bullet, but they were noticeable on both.

There was never an issue of cylinder binding in either load, but you would definitely want to fire through all the rounds in a cylinder once you start shooting, and not save any of the rounds in a cylinder for a different day. At the very least, make sure you eye-ball any unfired rounds to make sure the bullets are still completely seated.


.

 

[lobo9er]

A friend told me in his scandium (not sure which model) S&W Bullets would unseat themselves. I wanna say it was the lighter stuff. Not sure. But that said he liked it alot.

 

[ORHunter79]

Wow, to be honest, I never ever knew there was such a thing, bullet-jump. I take it it's only an issue with heavy/hot loads in light weight revolvers?

 

[JFrame]

Wow, to be honest, I never ever knew there was such a thing, bullet-jump. I take it it's only an issue with heavy/hot loads in light weight revolvers?

Thus far, I've only heard of this phenomenon in regard to .357's in the scandium and titanium J-frames. It may also occur in other extremely lightweight revolvers, but I've only heard of the issue in regard to those uber-lightweight exotic-metal guns.

I should add that I also fired +P .38's (Winchester PDX1) in my 360PD, and did not witness the bullet unseat phenomenon.

By the way, OR -- this is not meant to spook you away from the exotic-alloy snubs, if that's what interests you...Just wanted you to be aware of what could happen. Ideally, my thought is to use 125-grain rounds, so even if they gradually unseat, there won't be enough bullet to bind the cylinder before all the rounds are fired.


.


.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I don't know about lightest but I have found my S$W 60, in .357, to be not bad at all.

Good trigger, shoots on, and with S&W 'banana' grips (yes the old wood S&W made grips) it's an excellent gun. Just shot 110gr Winchester JHPs, and at 1200 fps or so they are manageable. Shoots good to.

Deaf