Marlin 45 carbine
Member
maybe so for leo and security pistols but not for ccw (snubbies), home defense and woods carry.
Is the 357 fading away?
- Thread starter Slamfire
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easyg
Member
As much as I love revolvers and the .357 magnum, the sad truth is "YES, the .357 magnum is fading away".
Snubbie revolvers will always be around, but even with those it seems that most folks prefer shooting .38 special rather than .357 magnum.
Snubbie revolvers will always be around, but even with those it seems that most folks prefer shooting .38 special rather than .357 magnum.
BHP FAN
Member
''Is the .357 magnum is fading away''?
No.
No.
A good .357 is one of the more versatile hand guns. 200 grain .357 rounds for the woods, .38 or .38 +p for the woman or plinking, and a good ole .357 defense round for hd/sd. Most gun stores around here carry a large variety of .357s.
Let's look at two separate, but related questions- one that you asked, and one that you didn't.
Is the .357 fading away?
Personal opinion? No. The .357 will remain a viable and popular wheelgun caliber for as long as there are wheelguns.
Is the .357 fading?
Personal opinion? Yes. Note that this is a different question, and has a different answer. The .357 will never go away as long as we have revolvers, but will its popularity continue to decline from it's heyday in the middle of the last century? Probably yes. After a while it will reach a point where it maintains its presence, and its presence will probably be substantial. There was, however, a point where it seemed like everyone who packed a pistol packed either a .357 or a .38- usually both (not simultaneously, but as in one to practice with, one to carry for defensive use). Certainly we're not at that level of popularity anymore, and revolver use continues to decline. The .357 goes with it. But I don't think either the revo or it's flagship round will disappear, and they remain a viable defensive combination.
Mike
Is the .357 fading away?
Personal opinion? No. The .357 will remain a viable and popular wheelgun caliber for as long as there are wheelguns.
Is the .357 fading?
Personal opinion? Yes. Note that this is a different question, and has a different answer. The .357 will never go away as long as we have revolvers, but will its popularity continue to decline from it's heyday in the middle of the last century? Probably yes. After a while it will reach a point where it maintains its presence, and its presence will probably be substantial. There was, however, a point where it seemed like everyone who packed a pistol packed either a .357 or a .38- usually both (not simultaneously, but as in one to practice with, one to carry for defensive use). Certainly we're not at that level of popularity anymore, and revolver use continues to decline. The .357 goes with it. But I don't think either the revo or it's flagship round will disappear, and they remain a viable defensive combination.
Mike
BHP FAN
Member
.357 / .38 is the most popular round in the fastest growing shooting sport in the world...Cowboy Action Shooting.
easyg
Member
I don't know about this statement^^^
I can only think of three major firearms companies that still offer .357 revolvers: S&W, Taurus, and Ruger.
What about HK, Sig, Glock, Springfield Armory, FN, CZ, Kimber, Beretta, Kahr, etc...
Gryffydd
Member
You forgot Beretta, Rossi, Charter, Colt, Comanche, Puma/Legacy.
Everyone who makes revolvers makes one. If revolvers don't fade away the .357 won't. If they do, it will.
easyg
Member
I didn't know that Beretta currently makes a .357 magnum revolver, do they?
And I don't think that Colt is currently making revolvers, are they?
And unless I'm mistaken, Taurus owns Charter.
Are Comanche and Puma/Legacy "major firearms companies"?
I've never even heard of them.
And I certainly wouldn't call Rossi a "major firearms company".
Gryffydd
Member
How about you spend 2 minutes finding out for yourself?
Who cares? Everybody is owned by somebody. That still means there is enough demand for multiple brands.
Considering you think Beretta and Colt aren't currently making revolvers, that doesn't surprise me.
Yeah, sounds like you're a good judge of that subject
easyg
Member
Geez, so much for civil discussion....
Hey, I'm not against the revolver or the .357 magnum.
But I can face the truth....and the truth is that MOST of the major firearms makers are simply not offering revolvers.
And the .357 magnum, while not gone and forgotten, is slowly fading away.
Gryffydd
Member
Sorry, I did go overboard.
Doing a quick google search before posting is usually a good idea though
I do agree that revolvers are (sadly) declining in popularity.
easyg
Member
No hard feelings.
Fact is, the .357 IS fading away. Whether we like it or not, it's just not as popular as it once was.
Not only because of the popularity of bottom feeders, but also the shootability (is that really a word?) of the .38+p in lightweight CCW revos.
Not only because of the popularity of bottom feeders, but also the shootability (is that really a word?
) of the .38+p in lightweight CCW revos.I own a Beretta 357, and a Smith, and a Ruger.
I think that the saying Glock or Kimber does not produce a 357 magnum is a given as they don't produce revolvers, and the 357 magnum is a rimmed cartridge.
357s will always have a niche because they offer flexibility of using 38 spcl as well. Many see this as a good value point. I know I do.
I think that the saying Glock or Kimber does not produce a 357 magnum is a given as they don't produce revolvers, and the 357 magnum is a rimmed cartridge.
357s will always have a niche because they offer flexibility of using 38 spcl as well. Many see this as a good value point. I know I do.
Long live .357s. I have one (Ruger Security Six) I've had since the 80's and have fired several hundred rounds through it. Love the gun and always will. Also have a couple 9mms but continue to feed the Ruger, although usually with .38 specials now days.
LSWC1
Member
.357 is still my favorite after all these years !!
Samilitant
Member
You guys are nuts. I'm 29, that should put me in the "next generation", and after owning several semi-autos(15-round clips of 9mm, etc.), most of which needed fixing and tuning and attention to cleanliness to feed and function properly, I decided a wheel-gun was to be my weapon of choice. 5-rounds in and 5 on the side should cover almost any situation I could get in. Guess what caliber I chose... 357 magnum. Yea, I may shoot 38's more often at the range, but the stopping power beats a LOT of other rounds. The cowboy part is always fun too.
christcorp
Member
There is no other gun as versatile or practical than the 357 magnum revolver. And to think that it is obsolete or of little use is pure ignorance and denial. The 357 magnum revolver has the capability to shoot ammunition as weak as a 380 auto. It also has the capability of ramming a 200 grain bullet for taking down a deer. There is no other weapon that can equal as many calibers as the 357 magnum. Matter of fact, it's EASIER to say what calibers/ammo the 357 CAN'T equal. The 357 magnum CAN'T EQUAL the following standard handgun calibers:
1. The weakness of a 32acp, 25acp, or 22LR
2. The power of a 41 of 44 magnum. (However; with some BuffaloBore, the 357 can come close to the 41 magnum.
Obviously, I'm not comparing it to other NON-SELF DEFENSE calibers like the 460 or 500. But against traditional handgun calibers, the 357 magnum is the best all around caliber there is. For the 100 pound 4'10 20 year old female; the 70 year old grandmother; the 25 year old football jock; etc... There is a load and capability in the 357 magnum for everyone.
The only people who ever say anything negative against the 357 magnum, is usually those that have a prejudice against revolvers. They don't like revolvers. Usually because they believe in "The more Bullets you have the safer you are" theory. Most who are savvy in such matters realize that such a position is true ONLY if it includes: "The more Bullets you have the safer you are; if you aren't trained and can't hit what you're aiming at".
No, the capabilities of the 357 magnum is not an opinion. It's a fact. There isn't one other caliber with as diverse of capability. As long as people realize that the revolver can handle calibers that a traditional semi-auto can't; and that a revolver in many cases is a better choice than a semi-auto; then the 357 magnum will always be there.
1. The weakness of a 32acp, 25acp, or 22LR
2. The power of a 41 of 44 magnum. (However; with some BuffaloBore, the 357 can come close to the 41 magnum.
Obviously, I'm not comparing it to other NON-SELF DEFENSE calibers like the 460 or 500. But against traditional handgun calibers, the 357 magnum is the best all around caliber there is. For the 100 pound 4'10 20 year old female; the 70 year old grandmother; the 25 year old football jock; etc... There is a load and capability in the 357 magnum for everyone.
The only people who ever say anything negative against the 357 magnum, is usually those that have a prejudice against revolvers. They don't like revolvers. Usually because they believe in "The more Bullets you have the safer you are" theory. Most who are savvy in such matters realize that such a position is true ONLY if it includes: "The more Bullets you have the safer you are; if you aren't trained and can't hit what you're aiming at".
No, the capabilities of the 357 magnum is not an opinion. It's a fact. There isn't one other caliber with as diverse of capability. As long as people realize that the revolver can handle calibers that a traditional semi-auto can't; and that a revolver in many cases is a better choice than a semi-auto; then the 357 magnum will always be there.
I really don't think .357 mag is going away in my lifetime and I am only 36 years old. Its too popular, too good at what it does, and revolvers are favored by a significant portion of the shooting community. Are there other platforms and cartridges that do what the .357 mag do, sure, but that doesn't detract too much from the positive aspects of the round.
When my father was looking for his first handgun because "obama got elected" I told him to get a quality 4" barreled .357 magnum revolver like a Smith and Wesson or a Ruger. He did, he loves it. Frankly, for a one gun only kind of handgun, the .357mag revolver makes a lot of sense.
I like all my .357 mag shooters. Lets see, TC contender, sp101, gp100, 686+, Marlin 1894 and I have some on the future "to buy" list too. Next to .45 colt, the .357 mag is my favorite cartridge to reload for too. I just don't see it going anywhere.
When my father was looking for his first handgun because "obama got elected" I told him to get a quality 4" barreled .357 magnum revolver like a Smith and Wesson or a Ruger. He did, he loves it. Frankly, for a one gun only kind of handgun, the .357mag revolver makes a lot of sense.
I like all my .357 mag shooters. Lets see, TC contender, sp101, gp100, 686+, Marlin 1894 and I have some on the future "to buy" list too. Next to .45 colt, the .357 mag is my favorite cartridge to reload for too. I just don't see it going anywhere.
texas bulldog
Member
i'd have to agree with coronach above.
.357 isn't going to disappear any time soon, or likely ever. it's probably my favorite caliber, with .45 right behind it. it will always be valued for its versatility, and as long as there are revolvers around, there will be .357 magnum ammo.
however, it would be wrong to say that it hasn't waned in popularity over the past few decades. there are more semi-autos than ever, and their sales will likely continue to outpace revolvers. and it's also true that most people with .357 SD revolvers actually use .38 +P rather than true .357 ammo. so the magnum's market share will continue to decline relative to overall ammo sales. and since it's highly unlikely that it will ever be the primary LE caliber for the entire nation again, it really isn't possible to get where it once was.
that said, it will continue to be relatively popular. if 10mm or .41 magnum isn't going away (and it isn't), then you can be damn sure we won't see the end of .357 in our lifetimes. and barring a complete political disaster where all guns and ammo "fade away", neither will our kids or grandkids. i sure know that mine will have a few .357 revolvers (and lever actions) passed down from yours truly...
.357 isn't going to disappear any time soon, or likely ever. it's probably my favorite caliber, with .45 right behind it. it will always be valued for its versatility, and as long as there are revolvers around, there will be .357 magnum ammo.
however, it would be wrong to say that it hasn't waned in popularity over the past few decades. there are more semi-autos than ever, and their sales will likely continue to outpace revolvers. and it's also true that most people with .357 SD revolvers actually use .38 +P rather than true .357 ammo. so the magnum's market share will continue to decline relative to overall ammo sales. and since it's highly unlikely that it will ever be the primary LE caliber for the entire nation again, it really isn't possible to get where it once was.
that said, it will continue to be relatively popular. if 10mm or .41 magnum isn't going away (and it isn't), then you can be damn sure we won't see the end of .357 in our lifetimes. and barring a complete political disaster where all guns and ammo "fade away", neither will our kids or grandkids. i sure know that mine will have a few .357 revolvers (and lever actions) passed down from yours truly...
jjohnson
Member
Maybe. It wasn't a good question.
I think part of the problem is the question itself.
How do you want to measure "fade?"
I own .357s and 9mms (as well as .40s, .45s, and so on).
I don't plan on selling any of them. I shoot them both often, but since I spend more time at the range than any other shooting venues, I tend to shoot what's friendly for "volume shooting." That means .38 Special and 9mm more often than not.
If your idea of measuring "fade" is in terms of new handgun sales, that's one way of looking at it.
.... or ..... do you mean in gross ammunition sales? Gross number of "self defense" loads sold? Or in gross reloading component (bullets in this case) sales? Reloading die sales? Total firearm ownership? Use by Law Enforcement agencies? Total produced for export? Total contracted for military sales?
You get the point. You could even ask about "pickup brass found at the range," and the revolvers would always look like less because they don't eject brass hither and yon.
I think part of the problem is the question itself.
How do you want to measure "fade?"
I own .357s and 9mms (as well as .40s, .45s, and so on).
I don't plan on selling any of them. I shoot them both often, but since I spend more time at the range than any other shooting venues, I tend to shoot what's friendly for "volume shooting." That means .38 Special and 9mm more often than not.
If your idea of measuring "fade" is in terms of new handgun sales, that's one way of looking at it.
.... or ..... do you mean in gross ammunition sales? Gross number of "self defense" loads sold? Or in gross reloading component (bullets in this case) sales? Reloading die sales? Total firearm ownership? Use by Law Enforcement agencies? Total produced for export? Total contracted for military sales?
You get the point. You could even ask about "pickup brass found at the range," and the revolvers would always look like less because they don't eject brass hither and yon.
darkknight
Member
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I love the .357 mag but theres multiple issues causeing to a decrease in popularity. I think cost is a major issue. Wheel guns are not cheap when compared to a a glock. Plus ammo cost is an issue. .357 ammo was going for 18 dollars a box for a while, while 9mm could be had at 10 dollars a box. yes reloading is cheaper but most people dont, so it nullifies that argument. Cost is a major problem.
I have a .357 colt python and love it but will not buy another. I might buy a a .44 mag in the future but thats the limits of my wheel gun wants. .357 won go anywhere soon but its past its prime as well.
I have a .357 colt python and love it but will not buy another. I might buy a a .44 mag in the future but thats the limits of my wheel gun wants. .357 won go anywhere soon but its past its prime as well.
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