Is the 357 fading away?
- Thread starter Slamfire
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jaydubya
Member
More to the point, I see few REVOLVERS in use at my range. Just me and another geezer, and we both also fire autoloaders.
Cordially, Jack
Cordially, Jack
Wildfire
Member
No.
Hey There:
I don't think the .357 are ever going away. Most are used for hunting. Among other things and just aren't brought out much.
maybe the high ammo cost altely is part of it for those how don't reload.
Hey There:
I don't think the .357 are ever going away. Most are used for hunting. Among other things and just aren't brought out much.
maybe the high ammo cost altely is part of it for those how don't reload.
papajohn
Member
Compared to the mid-80's, yes, they're a lot less evident. That's to be expected, as the tide turns more and more to autoloaders. Me, I'm loading more 357 than I have in several years, but I'm shooting most of it out of a Marlin rifle!
PJ
PJ
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I think the younger generation has been brainwashed to think if it isn't made out of plastic, and hold half a box of ammo in one mag, it really isn't a worthy gun for any self-respecting "operator" to use.
Too bad!
So many now don't know what they are missing when it comes to superior accuracy and long range in a handgun.
rcmodel
Too bad!
So many now don't know what they are missing when it comes to superior accuracy and long range in a handgun.
rcmodel
_N4Z_
Member
357mag are the only handguns I own.
Cost of ammo has cramped my style, but reloading will keep them going to the range. Atleast the range I use.
I have noticed there is not much left over brass at the range, in that caliber anyway.
Cost of ammo has cramped my style, but reloading will keep them going to the range. Atleast the range I use.
I have noticed there is not much left over brass at the range, in that caliber anyway.
jhco
Member
Nope
Treo
member
I've noticed lately that revolvers in general are kinda gettin' scarce. I think the .357 went into a semi decline when cops switched to nines.
W.E.G.
Member
Yeah, the .357 is obsolete. Completely useless.
No idea why anybody would want one.
That's the fact JACK!
(...snaps up another unloved Security Six )
No idea why anybody would want one.
That's the fact JACK!
(...snaps up another unloved Security Six
)LeonCarr
Member
As far as self defense cartridges go, in documented gunfights the .357 is still the king.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
I agree that the younger generation in law enforcement wants nothing ot do with revolvers. When my department hired a new chief he opened up the choice of caliber for duty use from 9mm only. I couldnt decide what I was going to buy (ended up w/ a Glock 35 converted to .357sig) so I carried my 586 for about a year or so. I can tell you it was like living in bizzaro land, the young guys all thought I had some antique on my hip. I had one guy pull me aside and express his concern for my safety w/ "only 6 rounds" available. It was interesting to say the least. BTW I usually shoot in the 90% range in dept qualifications, and I am a faster reload then the majority of my fellow autoloading officers.
It appears revolvers are now somewhat of a boutique item for target shooters and hunters. Its a shame S&W has come out w/ some beautiful modern revolvers (the 8 shot n frame .357 is one of my favorites) but the price, and lack of available duty gear makes them only a wish for me. In the end I do shoot much better w/ an autoloader then a revolver, but I still think they are a viable option.
PS the feds no longer allow revolvers, so the tone has been set for law enforcment
It appears revolvers are now somewhat of a boutique item for target shooters and hunters. Its a shame S&W has come out w/ some beautiful modern revolvers (the 8 shot n frame .357 is one of my favorites) but the price, and lack of available duty gear makes them only a wish for me. In the end I do shoot much better w/ an autoloader then a revolver, but I still think they are a viable option.
PS the feds no longer allow revolvers, so the tone has been set for law enforcment
Geronimo45
Member
Maybe. May have something to do with all the CCW laws that have been passed in the past two decades. Little guns are so popular that even Ruger's going for the CC market with the LCP.
Little revolvers come chambered in .357 or .38. A tiny, lightweight gun in .357 seems like a swell idea. Then you fire it.
After wiping the blood from your ears (hearing protection is for sissies, you thought), bandaging the sore on your hand, and drying the tears in your eyes, you decide that .38 Special is a superior cartridge.
The .38 Special is also cheaper... and with increased ammo prices, cheaper is more meaningful than it used to be.
P.S.
May have something to do with "revolvers are a teriffic gun for women/gun owners who never shoot/idiots." It might be seen as a newbie's gun. True Warriors (TM) carry semis.
Little revolvers come chambered in .357 or .38. A tiny, lightweight gun in .357 seems like a swell idea. Then you fire it.
After wiping the blood from your ears (hearing protection is for sissies, you thought), bandaging the sore on your hand, and drying the tears in your eyes, you decide that .38 Special is a superior cartridge.
The .38 Special is also cheaper... and with increased ammo prices, cheaper is more meaningful than it used to be.
P.S.
May have something to do with "revolvers are a teriffic gun for women/gun owners who never shoot/idiots." It might be seen as a newbie's gun. True Warriors (TM) carry semis.
Cosmoline
Member
A few months back some newbies with tuppernines asked me if I was shooting a "cowboy gun."
It was my Detective Special.
I should have said "yippee ka'yay" but I had no snappy comeback. Telling them it was only made in the 1950's probably wouldn't have helped much. To them that's the far distant past.
It was my Detective Special.
I should have said "yippee ka'yay" but I had no snappy comeback. Telling them it was only made in the 1950's probably wouldn't have helped much. To them that's the far distant past.
txoilman
Member
death announcement is premature
No way is the mighty .357 going away. If all you bullet-oligist review the launching speed of the .357 158 grain and compare it to the now-mighty .40 160 grain you will see what I mean. The .357 whacks the hot forty like its a bad dog. I know someone will bring up the double tap and buffalo bore lines. But how many gun shops keep a full line of those expensive as all get out ammo in stock.
For me, you really don't want to be standing on the wrong end of that puny .357, when loaded with either the 158 or 145 ST loadings that I prefer. Just maybe six rounds with six holes in and six holes out from my K frame snubbie may be enough to convince mr/ms bad person to go somewhere else.
Yeah its a big bang flash, but it still works, just like in 1935 young'uns.
No way is the mighty .357 going away. If all you bullet-oligist review the launching speed of the .357 158 grain and compare it to the now-mighty .40 160 grain you will see what I mean. The .357 whacks the hot forty like its a bad dog. I know someone will bring up the double tap and buffalo bore lines. But how many gun shops keep a full line of those expensive as all get out ammo in stock.
For me, you really don't want to be standing on the wrong end of that puny .357, when loaded with either the 158 or 145 ST loadings that I prefer. Just maybe six rounds with six holes in and six holes out from my K frame snubbie may be enough to convince mr/ms bad person to go somewhere else.
Yeah its a big bang flash, but it still works, just like in 1935 young'uns.
Fat Boy
Member
"I think the younger generation has been brainwashed to think if it isn't made out of plastic, and hold half a box of ammo in one mag, it really isn't a worthy gun for any self-respecting "operator" to use"
+1
+1
sm
member
<crosses fingers>
Well you old fart! The young bunch is correct!
I am 53 years old and have seen the light, and I am suggesting everyone get rid of wheelguns period, not just .357, the whole lot of the darn things, from .22 rimfire on up -especially the blued , and for sure the older ones!
Send the darn things to me and I'll get them out of your hair!
<un-crosses fingers>
*lightening bolts!*
PennsyPlinker
Member
Well I like autoloaders, and I like .357 magnum. I've got one wheelie in .357 mag, but the perfect solution is my new (to me) Desert Eagle in .357 magnum! 
It ain't cheap to shoot, but it sure is fun.
It ain't cheap to shoot, but it sure is fun.yakkingallover
Member
Well I am the dreaded younger generation and my carry is a S&W M&P 340 in .357. Also on Monday I am sending out a moneyorder and FFL for what I consider my Holy Grail a S&W 19-2. Blued,4inch barrel and 6 shots of pinned and recessed glory. So please go easy on the younger generation some of us have better things to do than watch American idol...
I think a lot of people have .357's.
The .357 is not an exciting gun any more. It just works well. So they stay in nightstands while toy-a-holics shoot their .500 S&Ws and the first-gun-shooters shoot their plastic 9mm's. 9mm is a lot cheaper these days, too, even than .38 Special range loads. I've grabbed a 9mm more often myself, and .22's more often than that, lately, when heading rangeward.
The .357 is not an exciting gun any more. It just works well. So they stay in nightstands while toy-a-holics shoot their .500 S&Ws and the first-gun-shooters shoot their plastic 9mm's. 9mm is a lot cheaper these days, too, even than .38 Special range loads. I've grabbed a 9mm more often myself, and .22's more often than that, lately, when heading rangeward.
mordechaianiliewicz
Member
Yes and no. I don't think it'll die anytime soon. But, it will have to share the stage with all the autoloading rounds.
give
Member
man i hope not,i happen to love .357's,actueally looking to get a small frame at the moment,like a wheel gun for the simple fact that there is hardly ever any jamming,i know a lot of people love auto's,and they are great guns,but i feel safer with less moving parts that can cause you a bad time,just my opinion
kmrcstintn
Member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2006
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(heavy sarcasm & bias contained)
only to people that think that autoloaders are the only type of hand held firearms in existence
if someone is dumb enough to wander into the woods with a .40 S&W autoloader loaded with 165gr hollowpoints (that are meant as antipersonnel rounds for nasty perpetrators) and use them to defend themselves against bears...well...
I wouldn't do it; give me a 'wimpy' ole magnum six shooter loaded with hard cast lead flatheads weighing 180gr to 200gr any day!!!
BTW: I have bought 3 times more bottom feeders than wheelguns since I trade & sell them quicker & faster since I have less use for them; finally got smart and eliminated them completely...all wheelies all the time
only to people that think that autoloaders are the only type of hand held firearms in existence
if someone is dumb enough to wander into the woods with a .40 S&W autoloader loaded with 165gr hollowpoints (that are meant as antipersonnel rounds for nasty perpetrators) and use them to defend themselves against bears...well...
I wouldn't do it; give me a 'wimpy' ole magnum six shooter loaded with hard cast lead flatheads weighing 180gr to 200gr any day!!!
BTW: I have bought 3 times more bottom feeders than wheelguns since I trade & sell them quicker & faster since I have less use for them; finally got smart and eliminated them completely...all wheelies all the time
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