Concealed carry revolver.

[shockwave]

Go to your LGS and handle a Ruger SP101. You'll see. It's too heavy for EDC.

Then again, try a S&W 686 in any barrel length shooting .357. You'll find it's a lot of cartridge and not fun to shoot. A snubbie-length .357 means you're basically going to get one shot. After that, all bets are off.

Try a .38 special snubbie. I selected the S&W 638. It's rated for +P ammo, and firing Corbon DPX JHP, you're sending rounds downrange comparable to .357. It's light enough for daily carry. Fit rosewood or cocobolo grips, you're set.

Still, just this setup, your hand will be bleeding past 5 shots.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

If it has to be .357 mag and you don't want the gun to feel like it's gonna split "wide open" (which I suspect means the recoil is shocking to you) then you'll need a heavier revolver like this:



My Dan Wesson 15-2VH with 2 1/2" barrel and shroud. These are showy target grips but with rubber Hogue grips it is smaller (a bit) and very controllable even with full house .357. You can get "detective" style grips for concealment but they make the gun harder to control with magnum rounds. I think you might find used ones under $500 like this one for $475 on GunBroker:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=440672067

I also have a Ruger LCR in .38 special and I'd think this would be just the ticket instead of .357 but that's only an opinion and you have obviously already exploited and rejected that. Snubbie .357's with full on .357 magnum loads are gonna kick and have significant muzzle flash and everything that goes with shooting magnum rounds in a short barrel.

VooDoo

 

[JoelSteinbach]

A Smith Airweight in 357 is well over the $500. limit, a 38+p like the 442, would be a great choice, With some of the modern ammo available like Hornady critical defense, it would make a great every day carry weapon.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The S&W .357 Magnum is not an Airweight, it's an Airlite. When I said Airweight in my post I was also talking about a .38 Special, not a .357 Magnum. If I was suggesting a .357 Magnum J frame I would have said Airlite.

 

[RealGun]

shockwave: Go to your LGS and handle a Ruger SP101. You'll see. It's too heavy for EDC.

Sorry to parse your post, but I would argue that the SP101 is too heavy for a "pocket gun". Many don't carry that way, are fully dressed, have their pants up where they belong, wear a good gun belt, and barely feel the the SP101 in its holster.

 

[weisse52]

Used Smith 686
Smith 19/66
Ruger SP101....

And nothing else in that price range.