Comparison of 2.25" 357 Mag to 4" 9mm using ballisiticsbytheinch.

[Chuck R.]

Now to the semi-auto 9mm vs 357 Magnum snubbie. The S&W 640 below weighs in at 23 ounces, but has a smaller practical form factor than any 4" semi-auto. It is very easy to carry. For me to get close in effective size I would need to drop down to a sub-compact sized gun (GLOCK 26). I'm not sure what the velocity numbers are for BB ammo fired out of the G26's shorter 9mm barrel, but I would think it will be much slower than a similar weight 357 Magnum round out of a snubbie.

Edmo

Honestly not by much, for comparison according to one source:

S&W 640 5 rds of 357Mag
Length 6.6" for a 2.13" barrel
Weight 22.1 empty
Width 1.25”
Height 5.1”

My CCW: HK P2000 LEM 12+1 of 357SIG
Length 6.85" for a 3.66 " barrel
Weight 22oz empty
Width 1.3”
Height 5”

The HK P2K is effectively a compact, so the 640 is close to size to that. So between these two, you shave .25" in length, .05" in width, some weight due to 7 less rounds on board and you have slightly less than 50% capacity. Having fired both, the HKP2000 in 357SIG is easier to control in rapid fire (for me at least) and has similar MV with a 125 grain.

Chuck

 

[HB]

"I have a 3" Jframe 357 Mag and it hasn't had a failure to feed yet."

Have you shot an IDPA or USPSA match with a revolver? It will open your eyes. I carry a snub daily and practice often... but I have no illusions of how outgunned I would be if I was in a gunfight with my evil twin with a glock 17. I'm not worried about ballistics or capacity as I am getting the first couple rounds on target in 2 seconds.

For me, it is much easier/safer to carry (ie, more likely) that I will have a snub with me.

HB

 

[Deaf Smith]

But I love the 2.75-3 inch ones the best.

So do I! Snubs are my favorite six shooters. I'm a fool for a K frame 2 1/2 to 3 inch. Same for Speed Sixes in 2 3/4 inch flavor.
I find I shoot them just as good, if not better, than 4 - 6 inchers. And they carry better.

Deaf

 

[eastbank]

i own and carry both autos and revolvers as my ccw,s, each one fits a different need. weather,location and activity dictate the gun of the day. for holster carry both are ok (buy the best leather you can afford). for pocket carry(coat, pants) a revolver is better for me and as lite as you can handle as a very heavy firearm may get left at home the day you need it( you never know when i that day will come). the worst gun made is better than the best stick in the world.. carry, be safe and care for your loved ones as there are evil people out there, you read and hear about them every day on tv and in the news paper. eastbank.

 

[Confederate]

So do I! Snubs are my favorite six shooters. I'm a fool for a K frame 2 1/2 to 3 inch. Same for Speed Sixes in 2 3/4 inch flavor. I find I shoot them just as good, if not better, than 4 - 6 inchers. And they carry better.

But do you have any 6-inchers or 4-inchers?

Just curious.

 

[Deaf Smith]

But do you have any 6-inchers or 4-inchers?

Just curious.

Confederate,

I have a 4 inch S&W 681 (fixed sighted) .357 L frame and several N frame S&W 4 inchers in .357 Magnum (model 720), .41 Magnum (a 57), and .44 Magnum (629s, several of 'em.) Also several K frame .38 Spl. 4 inchers (Model 10s and 15s), some of which are 5 screw models.)

And soon a S&W 19-3 4 inch .357 in mint condition (it's on lay-away now.)

I have a passel of J, K, L, and Ns in 2, 2 1/2, and 3 inch formats. Yes N frames in 3 inch (.357, .44 spl, and .45 ACP.)

I even sold off my Ruger Service Six 4 inch .357!

I do not have even one six incher of any kind. 5.33 inch is the longest (and it's a Glock!)

Deaf