The amazing 357 magnum

[Arizonagunrunner]

Today it seems the majority of folks that carry ccw, carry auto. I for one am old school. I carry a SS Ruger Speed Six in 357. I keep her loaded with 125 Federal JHP's.
Are there any wheel gunners that pack the 357 for primary ccw? I do on ocassion rotate out and carry my KAHR CW 45. But the primary is the 357 with a boot gun in 38 special. I am not knocking the autos or a certain caliber. Just courious as to who still packs the 357 and enjoys it as much as I do.
I believe it is the most versatile caliber you can get in a handgun. (plink, hunt, defense, target) I have several that range from ccw to duty size.

 

[hunterwinco]

I carry a ruger LCR in 357....just because my 27-2 5inch looks kinda funny in my front pocket!!

 

[Water-Man]

Must not be versatile enough since you carry a back-up too.

Anyway, I like the .357 as well.

 

[Manny]

A Ruger KLCR .357 is rapidly becoming my "all the time gun" as it's so easy to have it handy at all times. Mine wears a CT grip and gets loaded with .38 Special
+p ammo, Remington 125gr Golden Sabers as .357 is a bit stout in a 17oz gun. I have great confidence in it and find it no burden at all to tote around, even in gym shorts. I plan to try some heavier bullet loads for woods carry, probably akin to the old .38/44 loads, which is why I got it in .357 rather than .38.

 

[Deaf Smith]

S&W 340SC is my summer gun. Night sights and excellent boot grips.

Glock 26 the winter gun. Hinnie night sights, NY-1/3.5 lb trigger, and Bowie Tactical Concepts grip reduction.

Both have there place.

Deaf

 

[Sergei Mosin]

My .357 LCR (with .357 Golden Sabers) has become my most-carried gun. My poor old 1911 doesn't get carried nearly as often as it used to.

 

[TrueTexan]

Make mine the S&W 686 plus with a 3 inch barrel with 357 Speer gold dots

 

[357 Terms]

2.25 in sp 101. DAO. CT grips.

Loaded with 125grn Barnes XPB's

 

[JVaughn]

I often carry a Smith model 65 as primary, alternating between that and a 1911.

 

[vujade]

I just picked up a Ruger sp101. I'm just looking for a holster and I'll be carrying it for days when an LCP 380 just isn't enough. =)

 

[OptimusPrime]

Despite my love for the Glock, my wife has asked me to focus more on the C in CCW. So the 357 snubbie has been riding along all summer and I'm growing to really like it more and more. Great round, I agree.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I alternate between a 3" Ruger SP101 in .357 and an XDs in .45 acp

 

[Arizonagunrunner]

Go Speed Six

 

[tubeshooter]

I'm a big fan.

For me, as a non-reloader outside of dangerous game country, it is very versatile. It does everything I need done. I have to travel quite a distance to find myself under-gunned with that caliber.

It is joined at the hip with .38 special; you almost can't talk about .357 without a nod to the compatibility.

I'll be honest, I do consider it loud and obnoxious. Probably it's biggest downside IMO. My best friend actually likes this about it, and I don't. But I recognize that's the price of doing business when you need the horsepower for this weight of bullet.

It does nicely out of a rifle, too. No, it's not a true rifle round, but it gets among the best of gains out of most standard pistol-caliber rifle offerings. I like it! And .38, too (again - joined at the hip).


The round has earned it's keep over the years. Sometimes I think about the .44 Special, and I see how someone could get bored with .357 over time, but to be honest I don't need anything else and could get by with just that. Probably will. You never hear any arguments about it being enough for general garden-variety SD, that's for sure...

 

[robowo]

I used to carry an LCR in .357 and liked it but found the muzzle rise was excessive with stout rounds. I then bought a Ruger GP100 with 4" barrel. I can put additional rounds on target much quicker and in tighter groups. I made a high ride OWB holster that I now carry the GP100 in the 4 o'clock position. I'd more comfortable carrying a revolver that I am very proficient with.

 

[Cosmoline]

Speed Six or a short bbl Sec. Six have been my main carry pieces for years. I've recently fallen in love with a Redhawk .357 as well. The round is very versatile and potent. Plus even in the time of mass shortage, I've always been able to find cartridges, bullets and brass. Powder is another matter but that's not the .357's fault.

 

[sig228]

I just picked up a Ruger sp101. I'm just looking for a holster and I'll be carrying it for days when an LCP 380 just isn't enough. =)

Very nice looking gun. Who makes the grips?

 

[vujade]

They are called Badger Boot Grips. They come in different colors.

 

[Haywood]

I carry a SP101 IWB and a LCR357 in my pocket every day all day.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I will never get rid of my Ruger Security Six. I have lots of autos that I use for CCW, but the Ruger is simple, rugged, accurate, and more powerful than most of my autos. It is amazing, and from a performance perspective, a work of art. You really can't compare it to the autos, as that would be apples to oranges. But, you can have a fondness for both types of fruit. My only complain against the .357 is that it is harder on the ears than something like the .45 Colt when shooting indoors or from a car.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Go Speed Six

Nice! I have been keeping my eyes peeled for one just like that but no luck yet.

 

[brbdwyr]

I carry this ol' DW in a Safariland K frame holster. Love the gun, love the .357/.38, need a better holster. Was worried that this lil' thing would be snappy, but with a firm grip it's quite manageable.

 

[wnycollector]

I'm still a fan of the 357. Sitting on my nightstand is a 4" S&W M28 357, I carry a S&W M13, when I hike and canoe and my wifes CCW is a snubbie Ruger Security Six.

 

[Chrispy65]

I have a s&w .357 mag that I love ... its clean, accurate, and reliable ... what more can you ask for ?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I carry a SP most days.