The amazing 357 magnum

[Torian]

Here is my woods gun. SW PC 627 (8 shot) with a set of custom CNC'd Ahrends grips. Can't say enough nice things about Ahrends either...great company and worth the wait.

My two loads for the woods:

Bullet: 180gr. Wide Flat Nose Gas Check Hardcast

Velocity: 1300fps / 4" Ruger GP-100 muzzle
1420fps / 6"bbl S&W 686

Muzzle Energy: 676 ft. lbs.
557ft lbs at 50yds from a 4" bbl.

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_27&products_id=336

Caliber: 357 Magnum
Bullet Weight: 158 Grains
Bullet Style: Speer Bonded Jacketed Hollow Point
Case Type: Brass

Ballistics Information:

Muzzle Velocity: 1475 fps
Muzzle Energy: 763 ft. lbs

http://www.underwoodammo.com/357magnum158grainjacketedhollowpointboxof50.aspx

 

[TennJed]

TennJed,

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

Otherwise, don't bother.

Oh my comparison was fine, you saying that someone only carries a backup because the primary is not versatile enough is (no offense) absurd.

(Again no offense) but either post comments that are not absurd, otherwise, don't bother.

 

[Hondo 60]

I carry an Sp101.

 

[jad0110]

I do carry .357 revolvers, though for controllability reasons I load them with 158 grain .38 LSWCHP +Ps.


S&W Model 19-2. I carry this gun more than any other. It's well worn, but like trucks that is how I prefer my carry guns. I don't worry about the finish a bit.

 

[sgtstryker]

.357 carry

I carry my Model 66 during the cooler months, a jacket helps in hiding it. It's a Police trade in and the action is real smooth.

 

[MCgunner]

3" Taurus 66. I really prefer the 140 grain Speer bullet over 17 grains 2400. It shoots 1.5" at 25 yards and makes 600 ft lbs from the 3" barrel, easier on the forcing cone, too. I really like the 3' gun, hides well, but has a little more sight radius and looses a lot less speed than a 2" gun. In a 2" gun, I'd as soon be carrying .38s, or better yet, my 9mm with +Ps. I pocket my .38 a lot, though and it rides BU to my .357 on trips to the city. I carry .38 +P in speed strips to fit both guns.

 

[Dave T]

MCgunner, I'd be interested to hear who made that belt slide?

After carrying one model or other of Colt 1911 for all but the first 9 months of my LEO career and for 15 years after retiring, I've gotten to where the arthritis in my thumb knuckle will not let me shoot the 1911. The corner of the frame by the thumb and grip safeties bashes that enlarged joint and becomes extremely painful before I can get in a decent practice session.

I can however shoot revolvers. Just got this custom 681 back from my gunsmith. It's a 3", RB that been converted into a DAO and has a Novak Mega Dot front sight. It will no doubt become one of my prime CCW guns.



For now it will ride in a Remora IWB holster, which works better than I expected. Revolver carriers who want something bigger than a J-frame are limited in the concealed carry holsters available. The search for the perfect one goes on.

Dave

 

[RealGun]

jad0110 - I do carry .357 revolvers, though for controllability reasons I load them with 158 grain .38 LSWCHP +Ps.<>

Whatever works for you, but I think what that accomplishes is the ultimate taming of a .38 Special, short of a lighter load. I believe you have a larger, heavier frame than is normally offered in a .38 Special. Thus, I would not be inclined to call it a .357 magnum.

 

[7mmb]

 

[italianbreadman]

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. =)

I have that exact weapon, down to the Badger Boot grips, except mine are in rosewood. It's a beautiful, concealable, rugged, and manageable weapon in .357. It was my first gun when I still thought I'd only have... one gun.

I'm sure everyone here will get a hearty laugh out of that. One gun... yeah right. My wallet wishes I still had that view.

I don't carry it very often, as I've found a few different semi-autos to ride more easily for me in more situations. I'm actually very weakly considering selling or trading the SP101 2.25 inch and picking up the LCR in .357 for the light weight and sweet, sweet DAO trigger on that plastic wonder. It doesn't quite have the soul of the SP101, but it seems incredibly practical.

 

[Torgy]

Over the years I've heard and read several comments from respected authorities that the .357 Mag is the gold standard in terms of personal defense ballistics when it comes to maximizing hydrastatic shock (energy dump) without over-penetration or exiting the target. With the modern bullet design, it's only made it that much better.

Sadly, I'm a pathetic wimp who doesn't enjoy shooting the caliber in my snubbie so I opt for the .38 +P. I know, I'm a fat pathetic loser....

 

[MCgunner]

MCgunner, I'd be interested to hear who made that belt slide?

A little slow getting back to this thread, sorry. That's a Don Hume JIT slide, inexpensive, well made, and comfortable.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

My duty sidearm is a 4 inch S&W Model 686-4 loaded with Federal 158 grain HydraShok .357 Magnum carried in a black basketweave Gall's-marked G&G high-ride thumbbreak. (I'm the only revolver carrier in my agency.) My primary off-duty carry is a 3 inch S&W Model 13-3 loaded with Speer 135 grain Gold Dot "Short Barrel" .357 Magnum carried in an old black basketweave Bucheimer "Concealer" or a plain black Don Hume JIT. My wife's carry gun is a 4 inch S&W Model 681 loaded with Remington 125 grain SJHP .38 Special +P.

I'll update with pictures when I can get to them, but, yes, we carry .357 Magnums.

ECS

 

[TimboKhan]

I have experimented a little bit, but I have always come back to my Taurus 605. I shoot it well, have the utmost confidence in the caliber, and it carries well. A lot of folks don't like Taurus, but my particular gun has been a real gem.

Sent from my BNTV600 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Legionnaire]

Love the .357, especially as a reloader. I only load .357 cases, but everything from mild .38 special pressure target loads up through full-house magnum loads. I especially like the intermediate pressures loadings stronger than .38 special but lighter than full magnums. Here are two of my favorites ... Ruger SP101 and GP100.

 

[Deer_Freak]

I have an SP101 and an old Charter Mag Pug. Both can be pocket carried though most of the time I carry one of them OWB. My wife bought the SP101 for herself because she had problems with the slide on semi automatics. After a few years she learned to focus her energy. Now she carries a semi auto or a derringer in a flashbang holster.

 

[Drail]

Dave T., that is just about the most practical gun a person can carry (easily too). Don't ever sell that gun. You have what is probably the best feeling revolver action that is possible and it's set up for carry use. I carry a 696 that looks just like your gun. Fast, reliable and accurate.

 

[Black Knight]

On the job I carry a Beretta pistol but off duty I carry what I want. Usually it is a 357 Magnum revolver. I started with one and have loved them ever since. I may carry 38 Special +P in them but the revolver is my choice most of the time. My wife doesn't carry but she has my 2 1/2" S&W 66-2 as her gun. She hasn't been able to handle magnum loads yet so for safety sake we load with the same 38 Spec+P load.

 

[FM12]

I sometimes carry my 4" 686 in a fobus holster covered by a shirttail untucked and a speed strip or two. Swap between it and a 12 shot/magazine Sig 229 in 40 S&W with a spare mag. Like the Sig due to higher capacity.

 

[Arizonagunrunner]

This is my second favoritist gun after my Ruger Speed Six.
Rossi 720 in 44 Special. I had the bobbed hammer replaced with a spur. It is AWESOME!!!!!
Two great ccw weapons in my humble opinion.

 

[muggia59]

I do love the 357. I carry p938, G19, cz75c, but I keep coming back to my 3" sp101. The gp100 is on the nightstand, the Blackhawk and the rossi lever action are just for fun. Who am I kidding.....they are all fun. Those are some beautiful revolvers gentlemen. Thanks for posting.