Old Dog
Member
I'm partial to the 2.5" Model 66 or the 3" Model 13 myself ...
good carry 357?
- Thread starter george burns
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Lucky Derby
Member
+1
I too, have an airweight bodyguard that I love, but if at all possible, the SP101 comes with me instead.
tomrkba
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The primary limiting factor for concealing a revolver is the size of the grips (assuming a 4" barrel and N-Frame size or smaller). The problem is the overall height of the gun is generally too much with most common grips made today (Hear that Hogue? Make some boot grips!)
I carry an S&W 327 TRR8 with five inch barrel IWB with no issues so long as the stocks do not extend much past the bottom of the frame. My Ruger Alaskan's grips were far too big for appendix carry and GP100 grips were better. My GP100 with 4" barrel in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 needs some boot grips since the rubber grips chafe and are at least 3/4" too long. I am only 5' 6" tall and am thin. Anyone can do this with determination, the correct holster with forward cant, a good gun belt, and a good concealing garment.
I recommend the Ruger GP100 over a current S&W. I have seen too many bad S&W builds at the gun store recently. They had stupid problems such as terrible triggers, bad finish, mill marks/incorrect cuts and canted barrels. THE LOCK stinks too, but that can be mitigated without sending the gun back. Some people are wary of S&W's two piece barrel system, but my 327 has had no trouble. If you choose a new S&W, go over it carefully using the "Revolver Checkout" document.
I carry an S&W 327 TRR8 with five inch barrel IWB with no issues so long as the stocks do not extend much past the bottom of the frame. My Ruger Alaskan's grips were far too big for appendix carry and GP100 grips were better. My GP100 with 4" barrel in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 needs some boot grips since the rubber grips chafe and are at least 3/4" too long. I am only 5' 6" tall and am thin. Anyone can do this with determination, the correct holster with forward cant, a good gun belt, and a good concealing garment.
I recommend the Ruger GP100 over a current S&W. I have seen too many bad S&W builds at the gun store recently. They had stupid problems such as terrible triggers, bad finish, mill marks/incorrect cuts and canted barrels. THE LOCK stinks too, but that can be mitigated without sending the gun back. Some people are wary of S&W's two piece barrel system, but my 327 has had no trouble. If you choose a new S&W, go over it carefully using the "Revolver Checkout" document.
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blue_ridge
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- Nov 8, 2009
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- 222
I have had Ruger LCR's in both 38 and 9mm. The LCR trigger is the best of any I've tried. Far better than any S&W J-frame or Taurus. IMHO, the trigger is the most important factor in any handgun. I can pocket carry my LCR's even with shorts and t-shirt. They fit fine when wearing standard Levi's or Khaki's too. I can slip them in and out of my pocket in 2 seconds. I can shoot them both inside of 2" at 10 yds or under. Can't beat the LCR's for reliability, concealability, convenience and a great trigger all for $450-550. Haven't shot the 357 LCR but they're built on the same frame as the 9mm.
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dawei
Member
Well from a fellow Washingtonian, and Soldier to Marine; your assessment of the Taurus® Mdl 605 is dead, bang, accurate. I thoroughly enjoy mine. I did replace the factory grips with a set of Pachmayr® Compac-Presentation™ grips and they really mitigate the recoil!TfflHndn said:
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Old Dog
Member
I have been known to occasionally carry this one (Model 19-3, 4") in a Kramer Vertical Scabbard (conceals well under a jacket, not great for summer carry) ... My very first handgun as a deputy back in 1979 prior to starting my military career, so I just had to pick another up when I found it ... My favorite .357 of all time.
Red Cent
Member
I'm with the Model 66. Mine has a 2 1/2" barrel, and I would prefer a 3", but either way that is a great gun to carry and a very fine gun to shoot.
You can see the sights, the trigger can be tuned beautifully, and they can be very accurate.
I once had to shoot mine indoors, in the dark, with no ear protection and full house loads. I didn't like that much, but it worked and worked and never failed.
A great balance of size and weight and ergonomics. If you're not intending to shoot it to death with full house loads all the time, that is a real sweetheart.
You can see the sights, the trigger can be tuned beautifully, and they can be very accurate.
I once had to shoot mine indoors, in the dark, with no ear protection and full house loads. I didn't like that much, but it worked and worked and never failed.
A great balance of size and weight and ergonomics. If you're not intending to shoot it to death with full house loads all the time, that is a real sweetheart.
RealGun
Member
A 357 is not a very good carry caliber, because it needs a lot of gun wrapped around that high powered cartridge. If you miniaturize the gun, you have to reduce the power of the ammo. I have nice 357s and just bought another, probably the grail gun of 357s remotely concealable, a P&R nickel 19-4.
In order to make 357 a carry caliber, I make it a reloader's caliber and tune the ammo for the gun. To each his own, but I never shoot 38 in my 357s, but I can load a wide range using 357 cases.
After all that, is it really a ".357 Magnum". I would like to think of the caliber as having the level I, II, III load concept applied to it, similarly as applied to the potentially powerful 45 Colt.
In order to make 357 a carry caliber, I make it a reloader's caliber and tune the ammo for the gun. To each his own, but I never shoot 38 in my 357s, but I can load a wide range using 357 cases.
After all that, is it really a ".357 Magnum". I would like to think of the caliber as having the level I, II, III load concept applied to it, similarly as applied to the potentially powerful 45 Colt.
ImperatorGray
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- Jun 17, 2011
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- 177
Here's another vote for the Ruger SP101 with a 3.06" barrel. Light and small enough to carry with zero problems, heavy enough to hit what's aimed at, robust enough to fire all day long.
I carry one of two autoloaders most of the time, but when I'm walking in viper country, it's the SP101 loaded with scattershot. And, on my weak side, two cylinders' worth of full-house .357 just in case something bigger wants me dead that day.
My only complaint is how heavy the trigger is; I still prefer it to any revolver I've tried in anything like its size class.
I carry one of two autoloaders most of the time, but when I'm walking in viper country, it's the SP101 loaded with scattershot. And, on my weak side, two cylinders' worth of full-house .357 just in case something bigger wants me dead that day.
My only complaint is how heavy the trigger is; I still prefer it to any revolver I've tried in anything like its size class.
bdb benzino
Member
I have a two and a half inch S&W model 66 and 19 also, and they have both been great carry 357 magnums. I also had a Taurus model 605 357 snub and it was a good gun while I had it.
RealGun
Member
re the Ruger SP101 with a 3.06" barrel
I found an action job to offer a great improvement. Cost me $125.
I found an action job to offer a great improvement. Cost me $125.
MIL-DOT
member
Yep,same here. Mine came with a hammer spring so tight I could barely cock it a dozen times with my left hand. After looking into it a little, it was recommended ( right here,in fact) that I order a Wolff replacement spring kit and do the job myself.
After consulting a You-tube video, I dove right in, over the hoots from my brother that I was "screwing up big-time, and gonna be taking a box full of parts to my gunsmith".
Well, 10 minutes later I was done, and the SP101 was fixed up nicely (as in night-and-day difference) . The kits are inexpensive and easily found (MidwayUSA, Brownells,etc.) and the job couldn't possibly be any simpler.
riddleofsteel
Member
My fav .357 snubbie is a Weigand Combat "Tame the Beast" conversion of the Ruger SP101 in .357 magnum. It has a smoothed action, rounded no-snag hammer, DAO, Hybraport, and a Hogue cocobolo grip.
It is heavy enough to soak up full house loads even in DAO fire. Putting all five rounds on a paper plate at any reasonable combat distance is really pretty easy.
Love this weapon...........
It is heavy enough to soak up full house loads even in DAO fire. Putting all five rounds on a paper plate at any reasonable combat distance is really pretty easy.
Love this weapon...........
medic_guns
Member
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- Dec 19, 2003
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- 335
I like to carry this:
ACP
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- Dec 29, 2002
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- 1,334
S&W M65 or M65 Ladysmith with a 3" barrel. There are several on Gunbroker right now.
The LS model comes from the factory with a bead blasted finish, a great trigger job and what I consider to be very pretty but very useless small rosewood grips. My SD revolvers all wear Crimson Trace hard rubber grips.
I use Buffalo Bore's "tactical" short-barrel .357 load, a 158-gr. SWCJHP that gets 1075 fps and about 480 ft. lbs. of energy out of the 3" M65.
The LS model comes from the factory with a bead blasted finish, a great trigger job and what I consider to be very pretty but very useless small rosewood grips. My SD revolvers all wear Crimson Trace hard rubber grips.
I use Buffalo Bore's "tactical" short-barrel .357 load, a 158-gr. SWCJHP that gets 1075 fps and about 480 ft. lbs. of energy out of the 3" M65.
gamestalker
member
I have a couple of S&W model 66's that I just love. They aren't real light, but they aren't excessively heavy either.
And those 66's are have exquisite actions also. So smooth functioning, and clean looking lines. I polished one of them, it now looks like nickel, every time I look at the other one, I almost wish I hadn't though.
GS
And those 66's are have exquisite actions also. So smooth functioning, and clean looking lines. I polished one of them, it now looks like nickel, every time I look at the other one, I almost wish I hadn't though.
GS
edmo01
Member
To the OP...
For my "snubbie 357 option" I picked a S&W 640 Pro Series 5 shot J frame.
It is an all stainless 5 shot chambered in 357 Magnum with a 2 1/8" barrel. The sights from the factory are tritium 3-dots which give a much better sight picture than any other J frame I've ever owned or shot. The cylinder comes machined to accept ammo clipped in 5 shot moon clips for faster reloads. However, you can still load, shoot, and eject single rounds just like any other revolver.
Because it is chambered in 357 you can opt for the milder 38 Special rounds for practice or for carry if you are sensitive to recoil. The all steel construction is heavier than the aluminum framed Airweights which helps to absorb recoil making 357s manageable and 38s a pleasure.
The Pro Series can be hard to find while the basic 640 can be easier to locate. The 640 is the same gun without the sight and moon clip upgrade. The basic 640's front sight blade is removable and aftermarket tritium front blades are available.
Just a couple of options...
Edmo
For my "snubbie 357 option" I picked a S&W 640 Pro Series 5 shot J frame.
It is an all stainless 5 shot chambered in 357 Magnum with a 2 1/8" barrel. The sights from the factory are tritium 3-dots which give a much better sight picture than any other J frame I've ever owned or shot. The cylinder comes machined to accept ammo clipped in 5 shot moon clips for faster reloads. However, you can still load, shoot, and eject single rounds just like any other revolver.
Because it is chambered in 357 you can opt for the milder 38 Special rounds for practice or for carry if you are sensitive to recoil. The all steel construction is heavier than the aluminum framed Airweights which helps to absorb recoil making 357s manageable and 38s a pleasure.
The Pro Series can be hard to find while the basic 640 can be easier to locate. The 640 is the same gun without the sight and moon clip upgrade. The basic 640's front sight blade is removable and aftermarket tritium front blades are available.
Just a couple of options...
Edmo
wheelyfun66
Member
Steel revolvers can be carried with ease......good belt and holster, and finding the sweet spot on your waist!
Many people say that the .357 magnum is "wasted" out of a short barrel, and is too loud and has too much muzzle flash.........I say NO WAY!
The 357 magnum is far superior to .38+P, even from a short barrel.
I'll take a 125gr bullet in 357 mag, from a short barrel, ANY DAY over most other defensive calibers.
Many people say that the .357 magnum is "wasted" out of a short barrel, and is too loud and has too much muzzle flash.........I say NO WAY!
The 357 magnum is far superior to .38+P, even from a short barrel.
I'll take a 125gr bullet in 357 mag, from a short barrel, ANY DAY over most other defensive calibers.
PistolPete45
Member
There are so many good revolvers out there I bought my wife a SP101 and loaded it with 38 specials but she soon moved up to +P Paychmyer just because I like them a bit better and This little 5 shot 357 is great move up to the GP 100 / 6 shot Give them a look before you count those out .
RealGun
Member
That seems subjective, or is there some data on which you're basing that evaluation.
wheelyfun66
Member
Data is available all over the place, and varies according to barrel length, bullet weight, powder type, etc...
In general, the .357 averages around 250-400 feet per second better than the .38+P, even from a short barrel.
The ft lbs of energy generated from a .357 is Significantly more than the .38+P load!
Muzzle flash and generated sound effect different people in different ways.
My argument is simply that a .357 magnum is superior to a .38+P for "stopping power", regardless of barrel length.
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