Do I need a .357?

[Nightcrawler]

I've got five handguns now, including three revolvers. The S&W 25-5, my first revolver, is prettymuch in retirement now. After the acquisition of my 625, I decided to let the old .45 Colt sixgun go out to pasture. I'm very fond of the .45ACP revolvers, and have a couple .45 Automatics to go with it.

BUT...

I don't, and have never had, a .357 Magnum revolver. About a year ago I had convinced myself that I was going to buy one. I ended up buying the 625 instead, and have been happy with it. I've been thinking a 325PD snubby might be the next one.

After all, if I like a fat, slow slug in an automatic (.45ACP), why would I go with a small fast slug in a revolver (.357 Magnum)?

EDIT: I rented a .357 today, put a hundred rounds through it. Read posts below to find my impressions of it.

And yet...I'm probably overthinking that last one. On occasion, I still desire a .357 Magnum. Specifically? A Ruger GP-100. I just see it as a gun I can just abuse and abuse and will never hurt. I can also share ammo with my 642 .38 snubby for easy plinking.

But...does not compute! .451" automatic and .357" revolver? What kind of craziness is that?

So, what do you think THR? .357 or not? If so, why, if not, why not?

 

[WT]

A 6" Python, in Royal Blue. Or a Smith Model 13. Both have lots of class.

 

[elric]

The poll needs another option - not needing A .357, but SEVERAL .357s.

A snubby for carry,
A Python for show,
A GP100 for a "beater",
etc.

Can't have enough .357s!

 

[Nightcrawler]

A Python? Nice guns, but more target guns than working guns, I'm given to understand.

A Model 13? Nah. I've got zero interest in the K-Frames. I want an actual .357, not a thirty-eight drilled out with longer chambers that'll shoot itself rattly.

 

[xring44]

Yes, you definately NEED a .357, every American male needs at least one 357
I think I have 4 now, excelent accuracy, extended range, we shoot to 100 yards with the .357s, a great selection of bullets from 125grain to 180grain that I am aware of. I do not shoot lead, all jacketed bullets in full power loads. Personal preferance of mine. I also love the big slow .45 ACPs, I have three now, two revolvers and one 1911, great fun guns, cheap to operate and great home defence weapons but lacking in useable range, 50 to 100 yards.
I doubt that you would ever regret buying a .357, I certainly haven't! Good luck.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Yes, that is one thing I haven't really thought about. The .357 is a superior long range cartridge, even out of a short 4" barrel, than the .45ACP.

I just have got to get over this thing where each gun in my collection fills a neat little niche. I like guns too much to get married to one design like that.

I just don't want to end up with guns that I never shoot, like my poor CZ-97. I love the thing, and have recently bought a holster for it, but I still have thoughts of selling it. (Selling the left handed High Noon holster might be more challenging.)

Hey, I've got a brilliant idea. I'll go up to Impact Guns and rent a .357. It might help me decide if I want one more if I actually shoot one, and now I live in a place where I can do that!

 

[xring44]

No one can identify the weapons YOU need, only you can do that, we don't know what type shooting you like, I dearly love the .357 magnums, other than the very light weight snubbies, I find the very easy to shoot accurately, mild recoil and teriffic terminal performance, I shoot one favorite S&W 686 for silhoutte's, one sight setting for 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards useing 158 grain bullets, lazor flat trajectory compared to the .45 ACP! I have in excess of 8000 rounds through this 686 with no noticeable loss of accuracy! ( No failures with the "dreaded lock" either )

 

[Iggy]

Get a S&W N or L frame with a 6" bbl. You can reach out and touch things at most any reasonable distance.. Shoot hot or mild loads and your grand kids will do the same thing with it someday.

 

[ravencon]

Hmm... I doubt that I "need" most of the guns I have. I "wanted" them. I sometimes rationalize why I want something but I know I'm just kidding myself.

I don't know if you need a .357 magnum, but it sounds like you want one. So, get one (or more) and enjoy!

 

[Ala Dan]

IMHO, I believe that every handgun collection should contain at
least one handgun chambered in .357 magnum. I have two, a Smith &
Wesson 6" model 686-5, and a Smith & Wesson 2.5" model 66-4. Both
are great guns, and I would not consider departing with either of 'em.

 

[Tiny in Ohio]

I know I am new, but I "thought" every red blooded male had a .357 magnum!!!! Every collections needs at least one to be shot, and if one is so inclined they could also get one for the BBQ parties. Mine is an SP101, and I will soon be getting a GP100 as a companion. Best of luck in your choice, there are many fine ones available.

 

[Jacobus Rex]

If I could only own one full size handgun, it would be a .357 revolver. Every gun collection needs one.

 

[fast97rs]

A Python? Nice guns, but more target guns than working guns, I'm given to understand.

A Model 13? Nah. I've got zero interest in the K-Frames. I want an actual .357, not a thirty-eight drilled out with longer chambers that'll shoot itself rattly.

Well..... my Smith and Wesson model 13-2 (4" barrel) had 16k+ rounds go through it from me..... triple that coming from my dad, before he handed it down to me.... and about a few thousand from the officer he bought it from when he was in his 20's....

When I got it, it had all of its original parts... i just changed the grips, and took it to shoot IDPA and as a backup gun against boar/gators.... not a single spec of rust.... NO RATTLING OR NOISE AT ALL and still super accurate!

Was perfect till the day it was stolen from me.... I had to evac. during Katrina (Miami, FL.) and it stayed in my nightstand, because I unfortunatly forgot to put it back in the safe before I left (heck... i didn't even have a chance to get any cloths!).... I could have killed myself for loosing that revolver....

STILL LOOKING FOR ITS REPLACEMENT!

You NEED a .357 Mag. Model 13's and 65's are awesome, accurate, well built, and economical revolvers...... when you can find them!


Just my $.02,


Jorgy

 

[Checkman]

I own eight .357 magnums. 2.25", 4", 5" and 6" models. Rugers and Smith and Wessons. Everyone should have at least one. GP100 or the 686 are excellent starters.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Well, I did it!

I rented a .357 up at Impact in Ogden today. It was a 6" Highway Patrolman with Pachmayr grips.

I was...well, a little underwhelmed, actually. I've fired (and owned) similarly configured N-Frames in .45 Colt and .41 Magnum, and prefer either to the .357.

I wasn't shooting anything especially hot; American Eagle 158 grain JSP. It was very loud, and had snappy (though not unpleasant) recoil. Much snappier than the pleasant push of .45 Colt.

I put a hundred rounds through it. It didn't beat me up, but it seemed more flash and bang that I ought to be dealing with for a 158 grain bullet at a mere 1,200 feet per second.

So....I dunno. I've got my semi-retired .45 Colt 25-5 if I ever need a woods gun. (Even through an old gun like that you can run Cor-Bon's 325 grain load. It was designed for the 25-5 revolvers.) And my 625 is more pleasant to shoot (especially in long strings).

Tell ya what. If I come across a really good deal on a nice .357, I'll snap it up, but I won't go out of my way and order one new. Fair enough?

(Besides...I really really want that 325PD...and a .45 Blackhawk convertible...)

 

[Freddymac]

I second the python

If you can find one at a good price go with a python. I have a SS 6" that I've used to take 2 good size bucks. It has also wone more than a few bets for me over the years. It has tagged along with me on every hunting and hiking trip that I'v been on since I bought it. Its reliable and dead on always. I've never regreted buying that snake. To those who say that pythons are paper punching target queens I say: "me thinks not!". Shoot one and you'll understand, hunt with one and you will believe.

just my thoughts.

Fred

 

[Nightcrawler]

You know, I would like to get my hands on a nice 6" blued Python. I've never shot one, but I've handled them, and they are about as nice as anything I've ever used.

But one of my Holy Grails remains a 6" Ananconda in .45 Colt.

 

[Shooter973]

Need a 357???

Yes, you and every other shooter worth his salt needs a 357. !!! And a 12 gauge pump and a lever action 30-30 rifle.
It's just the code of the WEST, to have these guns. Any other guns are just add-ons because you happen to like them. This is the battery that should be given to everyone that Graduates High School.

 

[fast97rs]

Yes, you and every other shooter worth his salt needs a 357. !!! And a 12 gauge pump and a lever action 30-30 rifle.
It's just the code of the WEST, to have these guns. Any other guns are just add-ons because you happen to like them. This is the battery that should be given to everyone that Graduates High School.

I agree....


Jorgy

 

[Ben Shepherd]

I'm pushing well into double digits with my 357's.

Oh yeah- Don't forget to go out and get a matching levergun to go with it!!!

 

[orionengnr]

yup, 357s are fun

but pick up that 325 too

You may contract Scandium Deficit Disorder...symptoms include a desire for every Scandium revolver ever made. I have the classic case, and as a result I have acquired several SC/Ti revos (including the 11 ounce 5-shot j-frame 357 Model 340PD, the ultimate CCW) and now I want a Scandium S&W 45ACP. Just waiting for Smith to make an Officer's size Scandium 1911...

 

[ChristopherG]

I'd definitely think about a .357 in lieu of the planned 325pd. If you're not going to pocket carry your snub, then the lightweight technology (which does have its disadvantages) is more or less wasted on a belt gun. If you are going to pocket carry, you can fit .357's into a much friendlier sized gun for the purpose.

Assuming pocket carry is not expected to be an important part of the plan, and you want a gun for concealed carry, a steel j or k frame has been the answer for many, many people, for good reasons.

Forget a complete collection; in a carry revolver, .357 is just a lot handier and every bit as capable as a .45--so why not enjoy a compact package that's also a classic?

 

[Godfather]

.357s are hella-tight.

Get a Ruger Blackhawk for hunting

a Ruger GP-100 for a rifle hunting backup gun

a Colt Python for a car gun

a Ruger SP 101 for a carry gun

and a goldy *Deagle* fo' yo' bling, bruthu.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Ruger Blackhawk?

Question. Why should I get a Blackhawk in .357 instead of .45 Colt? .45 Colt, especially in a Blackhawk, is more powerful, and I already have a gun in that caliber.

Does the .357 have an advantage over the .45 Colt in this type of gun?

 

[Just_a_dude_with_a_gun]

A GP100 is a fine revolver. As an alternative, It may not be as pretty, but A used Security-Six would fit the bill at under $250. Mine is 25+ years old, but I love it.