Looking for a .357 for concealed carry

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Those S&W 327's are N frames. They are HUGE in comparison to an SP101 or even a K frame.
 
I have a Ruger SP101. Wonderful in that category. A Ruger LCR in .357 would be WONDERFUL to carry, but a 'blast' to shoot!
 
I agree for sure on the SP101. I have CT laser grips for mine. Good for carry IWB, not pocket. I got some Badger grips for it for range and carry too. Very nice grips, and comfortable in the hand.
 
I love my Sp101 and I carry it in a Crossbreed Supertuck which is really comfortable. I have the stock grips on it now. I've found the stock grips to be too rubbery and they tend to perform a high intensity exfoliation on the web of my shooting hand.

I'm wanting to try the Pachmayr Compact grips. Has anyone experienced those?
 
I just got back from shooting my 3" Taurus 66 (a K frame sized gun). I love that thing. I had an SP101 and it does carry a bit better because of the round butt profile of the Hogue I had on it, but the Taurus shoots so much easier, more heft, but not that much more. It just handles the recoil a lot better and is a real tack driver. A K frame is a trade off, though, as the extra weight and size isn't good for carry, just for shooting. A K frame round butt would be nice, though, if the extra cylinder diameter and ounces didn't bother you.

I won't argue with the consensus, though. The SP101 is a heckuva good PDW in .357. What bit of muzzle climb it has more than a K frame sized gun ain't that much considering the thinner 5 shot cylinder and better round butt profile and it's a bit lighter on the hip.
 
Do the Pachmayr Compacts increase trigger reach?
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A little bit over a skinny Smith OEM type grip as they cover the backstrap of the revolver. What's good about 'em is they fill in the gap behind the trigger guard which keeps you from getting bit by that trigger guard. Not the only grip that does that, but they do a good job and I like the way they feel. I've had 'em on a couple of J frames in the past and have 'em on my .22 caliber Rossi 511, which is a kit gun type J frame sized revolver.
 
The Ruger LCR 357 is getting some rave reviews. Consensus is that the excellent Tamer grip combined with the flex of the polymer grip frame makes it a soft shooter.

I have experience with the LCR .38, and compared to my 15 ounce S&W, the 13.5 oz LCR .38 just plain shoots nicer.

The LCR's have a patented camming trigger mechanism that takes the usual 10-12 lb j-frame trigger down to a slick 8 lb pull. My friend's LCR felt better on its first range day than my broken-in 442 from the mid 90's.

There are modes of carry that you can pull off with the 17 oz LCR 357 that might not work as well with the heavier SP.
 
Yeah, I've thought a lot about getting a LCR. I still think I'd prefer to carry my little Kel Tec 9mm, though, with +P. Not enough more umph from a 2" barrel to justify the flash/bang of .357 IMHO. I get 410 ft lbs out of the 9, not bad, if not magnum level, and it just disappears in a pocket with 11 rounds on tap and the best speed loader ever created. :D Up that barrel length an inch and you start to distance the 9 pretty well, but 2" ain't enough IMHO. I sold my 2.3" SP101, but was really for another reason which is complicated. I'd have kept it if I'd had my druthers even if I prefer my 9 for carry. They're great little guns. I'm sure the LCR is a great carry if one wants a pocketable .357, though. I'd prefer it MUCH over a 12 ounce Smith 340. I shot one of those things, ONCE. It'd be a .38 if I carried it.
 
The main asset of the .357 is high velocity and the main detractions are noise, muzzel blast and night vision distroying flash. For those reasons I would avoid anything with a barrel shorter than 4 inches. I don't have to conceal mine so they both have 6 inch barrels.
 
Jabr0ney said:
I currently own a smith 442 and I'm looking to step up to a .357. I want something that's concealable and but also heavy enough to comfortably handle .357 loads. After research I've come up with the sp101. Is this the best choice?
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When I finally move to GIANTville I will get K-framed S&W or ole' Ruger Security, Speed or Service Six.
 
For carry while backpacking or general outdoor carry, I love my Taurus Tracker Titanium 357, 4". Very light, ported barrel solid and acurate. Thousands of rounds through it with no problems and light enough to forget you're carrying. Vertical shoulder rig and proper clothing and your good to go about anywhere else.
 
MCgunner said:
Yeah, I've thought a lot about getting a LCR. I still think I'd prefer to carry my little Kel Tec 9mm, though, with +P. Not enough more umph from a 2" barrel to justify the flash/bang of .357 IMHO. I get 410 ft lbs out of the 9, not bad, if not magnum level, and it just disappears in a pocket with 11 rounds on tap and the best speed loader ever created. :D Up that barrel length an inch and you start to distance the 9 pretty well, but 2" ain't enough IMHO. I sold my 2.3" SP101, but was really for another reason which is complicated. I'd have kept it if I'd had my druthers even if I prefer my 9 for carry. They're great little guns. I'm sure the LCR is a great carry if one wants a pocketable .357, though. I'd prefer it MUCH over a 12 ounce Smith 340. I shot one of those things, ONCE. It'd be a .38 if I carried it.
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Just curious

What ammo are you shooting to get that level of foot/pounds?

That seems a bit high out of a shorter barrel 9

But i could be wrong
 
That 410 ft lb ammo from a short bbl nine is the super secret Russian nuclear
stuff that was banned by the non-proliferation treaty. Hope you have a large secret stash-I want some!
 
410 ft pounds out of a little PF9 would seem like being kicked by a mule.
(and..... The mules cousin!)

Thats about 25% higher than i have seen any 9mm perform at 3 inch barrell

Since i also carry a small 9 i would love to see that
 
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