The amazing 357 magnum

[Clippers]

Depending on what I'm wearing, I carry a SP101 Snubnose in 357, or a LCP. I sure feel better equipped with the 357 for any situation, trail or SD.

 

[mnrivrat]

My primary handgun used through many years was a S&W Model 19 (K-Frame .357 magnum)

I would not hesitate to use one for carry today but have gone to two other revolvers for my carry and rotate depending on the circumstance. The one is a total Titanium 12 oz gun in 32 H&R magnum, the other is a K-frame size gun with 3 inch barrel in 44 Special Caliber (Rossi Model 720).
I have become attached to the 44 Spl cartridge but will not argue its position in respect to the 357 magnum. They are both very good at what they do.

I own a couple of semi auto guns in 45 acp but I do not typicaly carry them. Just a matter of personal choice rather than some belief that they are a significant advantage over a revolver.

A 357 magnum revolver is a very good choice for self defense carry. ( I've used them for Black bear hunting as well)

 

[leadcounsel]

Great gun, great caliber. Love wheelguns. Really do.

However, semi-autos are simply 'better' for typical SD use. Higher capacity, effectively as reliable, easier/faster reloads for the average person, slimmer, faster followup shots for the average shooter, etc.

.357 is a wonderful caliber though... and I have carried a SP101 from time to time... but doubling my capacity in the same size gun in a semi-auto is just too temping.

 

[gamestalker]

Hello there,
I used to live in Flagstaff back in the 80's and 90's, and I really miss it a lot.

Anyway, I have been a hard core wheel gunner for as long as I can remember too. I own lots of AL's, but my daily carry is usually one of two snubs, S&W 66-5 or a 66-2 depending on how I feel on that particular day. I think my primary reasoning for this is that I know my revolver is always going to fire without a problem. I don't have to consider clearing a jam or malfunction, as AL's are known to experience. And even though I've not had a cycling issue in years with my AL's with my reloads, I still prefer the reliability factor of a wheel gun on my hip. So yes, I am old school also, and since I constantly practice with full tilt magnum loads, I feel confident that 6 rounds and some speed loaders will take care of what ever threat I might encounter.

Keep carrying what you are most comfortable with, practice with, and just ignore those who say we are behind times and need to get current with modern AL's.

 

[Iggy]

Model 19 and Model 640-1
One of these two gets the nod every day.
47 years, so far, so good.

 

[TennJed]

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

Anyway, I like the .357 as well.

Would you say the same about people that carry a spare mag? People can carry a backup for reasons other than versatility

 

[PabloJ]

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.

I had both G29 and 2&3/4" 'Speed Six' and w/o a doubt the Glock is far better CCW weapon. For me the 10x25 pistol cartridge eliminated revolver cartridge choices to .45 caliber or larger and for handgun hunting I would want nothing less then .45LC (in stout Ruger with stout loads) or .44 magnum. The huge 'Howdah-style X-frame stuff' is also next to useless. If one is willing to carry that much bulk it should be poweful lever-actioned carabine.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

S&w 19-2 .357

One of my favorites right here...



...sporting some bones.

 

[627PCFan]

627 almost every day for the last 3 years. 158 Gold dots for me with a reload of 125gn XTPs on my belt.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

627 almost every day for the last 3 years. 158 Gold dots for me with a reload of 125gn XTPs on my belt.

That works too.

 

[19-3Ben]

Speed Six for me as well, but mine's blued. The wife's Speed Six is stainless though.

 

[Godsgunman]

I rotate my carry between a 3" M65 .357 and my XD SC9. Lately its been more the XD in the hot summer months but I love the .357 round. There's truly no contest when you compare the power behind the .357. I know if you look at the charts on paper that a 3" barrel for the .357 isn't supposed to be to much greater on the power scale than the 9mm, but tell that to the pumpkins and water jugs I've used when testing loads I've made up in .357. The carnage left by the .357 easily trumps that of the 9mm, completely obliterates the water jugs. Nothing more fun than working up a good .357 load .

 

[Bikewer]

I carried a .357 (S&W M19) for the first 15 years of my police career, and had a 2" (Colt Lawman) 357 for some of those years.

The 2" was just a wee bulky for waistband carry, and it certainly put on a show if you fired it at night.
Still, I loved the round... .357 revolvers are amazingly versatile....Especially if you reload.

 

[PJSprog]

My 6" S&W 686 is still my favorite firearm, and is my go-to home defense weapon with 125gr JHPs. As my state has finally decided to pass a concealed carry law recently, I've been looking at 5-shot revolvers for an every day carry gun.
.357 is a great caliber. Revolver is a great design. In my opinion, if I need more, I either a) shouldn't have gotten myself into that situation, or b) should have brought a rifle.

 

[floydster]

My carry rotation consists of a Speed Six .357, CZ PCR 9mm and a EMP 9mm.

The Speed Six is still a favorite

 

[bearman49709]

2 1/2" S&W 66ND IWB.

 

[Schwing]

While I don't carry a .357 day to day, it is not because I don't think it is a great option. I work in a job that requires me to check my gun several times a day to enter courtrooms and a jail. I have never found that perfect .357 carry gun that works weight and size wise for my situation. The LCR .357 comes close but, for some reason, where I own and like the .38 LCR, the .357 just doesn't feel right in my hands. I am currently waiting for a Chiappa Rhino to come in to my dealer so I can actually hold one and see if I like it. If I do, it will probably be my next carry gun.

When I get home though, I keep both a 92fs and a GP100 as my go to guns for defending my castle.

Overall, .357 is my favorite caliber for fun shooting too. It is cheap and easy to reload and shooting ice targets or even metal targets is somehow very satisfying. Since I am getting older and have started having serious back problems, it is REALLY nice to not have to crawl around looking for brass too.

 

[06]

It is my hunting partner and sometimes my extra carry.

 

[jolly roger]

Nightstand gun is still a S&W Model 65 3 inch. No worries

 

[TRX]

I continue to lust for a Coonan .357 1911...

 

[Water-Man]

TennJed,

If you're going to make a comparison, make it apples to apples.

Otherwise, don't bother.

 

[lobo9er]

I think what TennJed is saying that some may carry two because for some two is one. Which always makes me wonder whats 3 or 4...

 

[L-Frame]

3" GP-100's.

 

[RealGun]

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

Let's not confuse versatile caliber with versatile gun.

 

[340PD]

I have a half dozen .357's in all frame sizes and load all my ammo for them in .357 cases. I sold all my 38 special firearms years ago. My favorite is a 3" 586L comp.