So what's with .357 and .38 special +P?

[Gunsmoker]

So is it a myth that a .357 fired in low light conditions will temporarily blind the shooter and anyone near the gun?

I've also heard that the loud noise will bounce on the walls indoors and be extremely louder than a normal handgun. True?

The gun I have is a 4" Ruger GP100. The gun takes .357, so is there a point to shoot .38 special +P for defense?

 

[campbell]

If you're worried about flash, some loads are "sparkier" than others. There's loads around like Doubletap that are low muzzleflash. Indoors, the noise is going to be awful, especially in a small space like a hallway. .38 won't be pleasant, just less bad.

Update: I should clarify that noise part. .38 special is indeed bad indoors, but IIRC .357 mags average approx 164 dB, and .38's are usually about 10 decibels less than .357. On a logarithmic scale that's pretty significant. Your hearing is important. Definitely something to consider.

Aside from those reasons, you might find you shoot +p .38 better. Definitely more manageable, quicker follow ups, etc. Doubletap's .38 gets 1175 fps with a 125 grain Gold Dot out of that 4'' GP100. Nothing to sneeze at.

 

[pinkymingeo]

The .357 bullet is supersonic, so very loud. So are the other high velocity rounds. The magnum powders used to get the bullet going that fast tend to make a big flash, though everything flashes some. Just another good reason to load your own. 158gr at 950-1000fps is plenty for self-defense, a lot quieter, and easier to shoot. Faster powders won't flash as much. Plus, practice will be a lot cheaper.

 

[Rexster]

Premium self-defense ammo, and military ammo, is loaded with flash-retardant powders. Magnum ammo is loud, period. One well-regarded police shooting instructor, posting as "nyeti" on another forum, has written that he believes the muzzle blast of the .357 is part of why it has such a reputation as a stopper. In effect, the .357 is what he calls a hand-held flash-bang, referring to the flash-bang grenades used by entry teams to disorient and stun anyone inside a room before the team makes dynamic entry.

 

[Rexster]

Perhaps I should add that I do use .357 revolvers as carry guns on my own time, and back-up guns while at the police job. I have shot qual and training courses in low light. Your .357 will not blind you.

 

[Rustynuts]

Unless DoubleTap makes special low flash, the stuff I shot through my SP-101 snubby was the hottest, flashiest, 357 load I've ever tried. Great fun at the range!

It was so loud, the range officer asked what it was (because I was under a sprinkler head). They've had 44/50's pop off the sprinklers due to the repercussion.

 

[baz]

+P is a good load for someone who wants the most effective "low recoil" round they can get out of a 357. I.e. the reason many people shoot 38's in 357's, especially snubbies, is the overbearing recoil of the latter. (Another reason is cost.) If you are okay with the recoil of shooting 357, and the cost, then do it, and skip the +P. The 357 is still quite a bit more powerful than a +P, if that matters to you.

 

[BigHawken54]

I agree, with the right ammo the 357 will not blind you. I am a full-time law enforcement officer (plain clothes) and my daily carry guns are a 3" Model 60 357 and a M&P 340. I shoot Remington 125 grain Golden Sabers. The recoil, flash, and noise are easily manageable.