Is .357 Magnum Good for Home Defense? CCW?

[Prosser]

We do have handgun calibers that are as powerful as rifles. They are easier to carry to the door, behind your back, or in a holster, and are easier to have easy access to.

There are tradeoffs. Recoil can be considerable, ammunition expensive.

I might suggest .45 Colt as the perfect medium ground. With the right revolver, Ruger, or Freedom Arms, you can load 260 grain to 300 grain bullets at .357 magnum light bullet velocities.

How about a 225 grain bullet at 1500 fps, using a Barnes X type bullet?
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=8

 

[357 Terms]

People have used the 357 mag for home defense and self defense for 75 years.

It is THE most versatile handgun you can buy.

With the advancement of bullet tech over the years there is little that can survive a well placed shot with a 357, from any platform.

My handloaded XPB's will expand violently in anything they hit, dumping their energy and staying in the target.

Really can't ask for anything more.

 

[XTrooper]

For those concerned about the recoil, noise, and flash of the .357 Magnum, you can relax. If you've ever been combat and/or a gunfight, you know they are non-factors and you'll barely, if at all, notice or remember any of the three.

To answer the OP's question, I think the .357 Magnum is an excellent home defense choice as long as overpenetration isn't a concern (like family members in adjoining rooms). That said, whatever your handgun of choice is, it should be backed up with a shotgun which, in my opinion, is the best close quarters weapon ever made. I have a full-size Beretta Px4 Storm .40 S&W, a S&W 627 8-shot .357 Magnum, and a Mossberg 930 SPX 12 gauge riot gun within reach when I go to bed.

 

[CDR_Glock]

For those concerned about the recoil, noise, and flash of the .357 Magnum, you can relax. If you've ever been combat and/or a gunfight, you know they are non-factors and you'll barely, if at all, notice or remember any of the three.

To answer the OP's question, I think the .357 Magnum is an excellent home defense choice as long as overpenetration isn't a concern (like family members in adjoining rooms). That said, whatever your handgun of choice is, it should be backed up with a shotgun which, in my opinion, is the best close quarters weapon ever made. I have a full-size Beretta Px4 Storm .40 S&W, a S&W 627 8-shot .357 Magnum, and a Mossberg 930 SPX 12 gauge riot gun within reach when I go to bed.

Awesome. I, too, have the same revolver and shotgun. Great combination.


iPad/Tapatalk

 

[XTrooper]

awesome. I, too, have the same revolver and shotgun. Great combination.


Ipad/tapatalk

gmta!

 

[Prosser]

Another way to view the .357 in a close encounter is perhaps the flash and bang contribute to it's effectiveness in close quarters encounters.

Flash bang grenades are used to create a tactical advantage on intrusion.
A .357 at close quarters, out of a relatively short barrel has a huge flash, bang,
and burning powder being sprayed on the target. I have a theory that this skews the effectiveness of the round for SD, in certain data banks. Many LEO carry .357's as backups, and, the combination of an effective round, and a flash bang grenade essentially in the face contributes to the high number of 'one shot stops' attributed to the 125 grain HiVel load, mostly at night, and perhaps mostly from snubbies?

 

[Lee D]

heres a great carry/hd .357...3" S&W 60 Pro series that comes from the factory with a trijicon front sight. i bought it awhile back and it easily is my favorite J-frame. the 24 oz all stainless gun tames the full power .357 loads nicely, and its plenty accurate out to 20 yards...2 1/2" groups with most ammo, and the Hornady CD load easily cuts that in half.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[Waywatcher]

Another way to view the .357 in a close encounter is perhaps the flash and bang contribute to it's effectiveness in close quarters encounters.

Flash bang grenades are used to create a tactical advantage on intrusion.
A .357 at close quarters, out of a relatively short barrel has a huge flash, bang,
and burning powder being sprayed on the target. I have a theory that this skews the effectiveness of the round for SD, in certain data banks. Many LEO carry .357's as backups, and, the combination of an effective round, and a flash bang grenade essentially in the face contributes to the high number of 'one shot stops' attributed to the 125 grain HiVel load, mostly at night, and perhaps mostly from snubbies?

I think this point of view is under represented; and I think there is virtue in an imposing blast and flash.

From my experience shooting in the dark (night shoots at my local out-of-doors club) the flash and blast from your own weapon is not that bad, and I feel it is overblown when viewed as a negative consideration.

 

[XTrooper]

Another way to view the .357 in a close encounter is perhaps the flash and bang contribute to it's effectiveness in close quarters encounters.

Flash bang grenades are used to create a tactical advantage on intrusion.
A .357 at close quarters, out of a relatively short barrel has a huge flash, bang,
and burning powder being sprayed on the target. I have a theory that this skews the effectiveness of the round for SD, in certain data banks. Many LEO carry .357's as backups, and, the combination of an effective round, and a flash bang grenade essentially in the face contributes to the high number of 'one shot stops' attributed to the 125 grain HiVel load, mostly at night, and perhaps mostly from snubbies?

There may be something to your theory, but there is NO comparison between a flash-bang grenade detonating and the muzzle flash/blast of a .357 Magnum.

 

[Prosser]

None the less, a face full of burning powder, due to a short barreled BUG, and the rather large flash that .357 makes in snubs is a consideration, compared to something like a .45ACP, or other caliber that burns the powder in the gun. Not being able to hear, or see will end an attack fairly quickly.

I suspect shotguns might also have a similar effect, along with I know my Mosin Nagant 44.

 

[XTrooper]

None the less, a face full of burning powder, due to a short barreled BUG, and the rather large flash that .357 makes in snubs is a consideration, compared to something like a .45ACP, or other caliber that burns the powder in the gun. Not being able to hear, or see will end an attack fairly quickly.

I suspect shotguns might also have a similar effect, along with I know my Mosin Nagant 44.

If all you needed were a flash and bang to "end an attack fairly quickly," we could carry blanks. I think a 125gr .357 diameter bullet traveling at 1000-1400 fps or a load of 00 buckshot may have a "little" more to do with taking the fight out of an attacker than your unburned powder and flash.

 

[USSR]

This thread is starting to get a bit silly, don't you think? Advocating a cartridge for it's flash blast characteristics? What are we trying to do, shoot somebody or blind them?

Don

 

[XTrooper]

This thread is starting to get a bit silly, don't you think? Advocating a cartridge for it's flash blast characteristics? What are we trying to do, shoot somebody or blind them?

Don

I agree. A tough hombre would be unimpressed and undeterred.

 

[Prosser]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whO1FNPfQDo&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0UcxiseRcw&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnQnRJXRBc0&feature=related

S&M give the 125 grain .357 Magnum one shot stop numbers equal to .308 rifle rounds. Rather then totally discount their data, I am trying to see the data in it's total circumstances. Perhaps the combination of night shootings, at close range, combined with all factors give a psychological, and physical edge to the .357. I don't really see anyone walking through gases coming out of the barrel at speeds high enough and hot enough to etch metal, no matter how "tough an hombre" they are.