Most of the time I carry a Glock 30 SF (.45 ACP). But in the summer I live in shorts and a T Shirt. So I carry a J Frame .38 Special and sometimes even J frame .32 S&W Long. I like both these guns and they conceal easily in a pocket holster. But I feel pretty underpowered compared to the .45.

Lately I've been thinking about getting a .357 J Frame and carrying that. I know it would be a handful to shoot but I could practice mostly with .38 Special and just shoot a few .357's out of it to get used to it.

Does any of you carry one of these? Any comments appreciated.

What is your favorite model J Frame .357? (Personally I would not want a double action only.)

Thanks

Steve

My favorite is the 60-10 3" with adjustable sight... I use it when back packing, canoeing and fishing rather than the Commander I usually carry.

A friend carries a 2 1/8"" 649 in .357 and loves it...

Bob

my favorite j frame revolver is also the smith & wesson model 60 .357magnum revolver with the 3 inch barrel in my humble opinion this particular revolver has the right mix of barrel length and caliber power plus because it is a .357 magnum revolver you can also load its chambers with .38 special ammunition hope this helps

I often carry a 640 .357, lately mostly in an IWB holster (Galco Scout --- nice discreet rig) hides easily even under a tee-shirt. Not pleasant to shoot, but EZ to carry.

340PD. DAO doesn't hang up in your pocket and the right DAO's don't get full of pocket lint.

When I'm not packing my 45 or 44 I some times carry a 38 snub nose and feel very safe. You have to figure that if you are going to shoot some one with a snub nose you are going to be pretty darn close to begin with. I would rather use a 38 Special load with the right bullet than a 357 magnum. Way to much noise and flash for me with a 357 Magnum. It would cause me to much damage just to shoot the darn thing once let alone trying to get off another shot if need be. I have shot a 357 Magnum in a confined area and it felt like some one jammed an ice pick in my ears. A 38 Special bullet will do the job just fine with good shot placement and the right bullet. It's a defensive weapon, a last resort. So don't worry about a 38 not being enough gun IMO.

As with any gun, shot placement is unquestionably more important than caliber.

My friend's brother was shot just once with a .22. While he survived, he was incapacitated for several months. Had the bullet hit his heart (it was about 2inches away) he would've bled to death.

I'm not advocating all of us start carrying .22s, a .32, .38, or .357 will all kill with the right shot placement.

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John 3:17
<><

Carry the big gun and just dress around it. The J is a great back up and I would carry it as well.

If you can conceal it and handle it, carry it.

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- The Federalist #46 -

I have been very fortunate to accumulate a pretty good collection of fine weapons through the years. My personal preferences for defensive handguns run toward larger calibers and heavier pistols, but I still keep my old S&W Model 37 Airweight Chief Special around. I will never feel unarmed with a good J-frame revolver, and they are very handy during hot weather when we don't want to wear excessive clothing.

As has been pointed out, shot placement is key to ending the fight. My old Model 37 has never been fired with anything other than standard velocity .38 Special ammunition, but it will do its part every time that I do my part.

Not a bad choice for daily carry, in my opinion.

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Life of the party until 8:00PM

You say you prefer to not have a DAO revolver, so in .357 that leaves the various M60s and the M337 in .357 Magnum. I have a M640-1 and a M340PD that I really like. Both are DAO .357s, and I shoot them very well. I like the snag free draw. Whatever you get, practice a lot, your life may depend on it.

I have a 640-1 that I carry sometimes. It is not pleasant to shoot with magnum ammo but since it is a .357, I load it with 125gr Gold Dot JHP's. The .357 J Frame can be handled effectively with enough practice and the right grips. For a close up defensive weapon, I prefer the DAO model since the SA mode is of no use in such a situation. I usually carry something in a bigger caliber with more ammo in it but the magnum J Frame can be handy. I guess I tote my Glock 27 the most these days.

My main carry is an M&P340 with +P rounds. I can shoot the magnums alright but the follow up shot takes longer to get lined up. Also, after about 20 to 25 rounds I can't take anymore. But I feel plenty safe carrying it, as it's not a "left it" gun like some others might be. It's not feasible for me to carry IWB or OWB very often. This one I can carry pocket style everyday with no issues.

Well, I know that you don't really want a DOA revolver, but that's what I carry, so I can talk about those...

I carry either a Scandium 340, or a 640 for pocket carry (when I can't dress around my Bobtail Commander). While both are centennial type (concealed hammer), I do not plan on any single action shots for self defense, as that is what these guns were made for.

As for practice, I shoot 130 RNL 38 special. I will end the session with 10 357 magnum Golden Sabres. The 38 special is fine to shoot, but the 357 is not comfortable, and in the Scandium gun, it is downright painful.

While I agree that shot placement is a key factor in stopping an attack, I will not bet my life on making head shots every time. The 357 round has proven itself over and over again in the law enforcement arena, so I trust it as well.

Find something that you can shoot well, and one that you are willing to practice with (and even take some defensive shooting tactics classes with) and you should be okay with whatever you choose.

In the end, it is all a personal choice, your life and that of you loved one's will depend on it should anything ever occur that requires you to fire in your defense.

Best of luck in your search.

ps...if you were closer to my area I would gladly let you try out either of mine...it might even help avoid a costly mistake. (that offer stands for anyone thinking about moving up to the magnum J frames).

I'm curious if you want the SA capability for defense shooting or something else, like potting a critter. I use a model 60 3" as a kit gun but it works fine for defense too. For actually shooting .357s, I'd recommend all steel, and at least 3" barrel. You might try Golden Saber or Gold Dot Short Barrel ammo to reduce the pain and numbness in your hand.

We have an M&P 340, it's lightweight and easy to carry. Like you, I do prefer the punch of the .357 as compared my first J-frame 642. As you mentioned it can be a little rough with the hot loads, but it falls into the "carry a lot and shoot a little category" for me. I mainly practice with 38 special rounds, but I do always shoot some 357's.

Gamer

With the right grips and .357 ammo, the steel J frames become much friendlier. A very clean trigger can be had with the DAO J frames; after shooting a couple 640-1's (loaded with less than full power .357's) - I am very happy with the accuracy. Even the standard Airweight 642 has a kick to it with +P 38's. And I really prefer the wonderful J frame as a second pistol.

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July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909

340PD is my daily.....Easy to maintain here in a saltwater environment

Thanks to all for all the good advice. I have much to consider.

Yesterday after reading your comments I fired about 15 .38 + P's through my 638-3. That was actually the first time I'd shot any +P's at all. Recoil was powerful but not unmanageable from this alloy revolver.

So now I'm still wondering if I had an all steel J Frame .357, could I handle the recoil, understanding I'd shoot .357's only occasionally. Guess the only way to find out is to try and see.

Thanks again -
Good weekend to all.

Steve

I carry a 640-1,it's trigger is fantastic.I carry Speer SB 135gr HP 38spl in her and they shoot point of aim at 30 feet.The 357 load I use is the Hornaday 125gr Critical Defense load.
I carry right side IWB with a Fist #6 with extreme forward cant.

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Anchors

J-frames are nasty enough to shoot with .38 +P.

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VIVERE MILITARE EST

I'm with you, guess we are just big pussycats.

I have a Model 60 3 inch. Five rounds of .357 ended my desire to ever do it again, a model 66 no problem.

But I do know some people have no problems blasting .357's out of J frame lightweights, and are rather proficient at it.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

I prefer a larger gun but when concealabilty is a problematic issue,I carry a small frame snub 357 with full loads and think nothing of it.

However,I'm aware that some people are more recoil sensitive.If it really bothers you that much,you'll need to compromise.Either carry a bigger/heavier piece or reduce the power level of the ammo.There's no free lunch.

I wouldn't say that it's recoil sensitivity. I don't mind recoil that much. I DO mind having the front of the trigger guard jammed into the 2nd joint of my trigger finger on every round. Maybe my hands are too big?

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VIVERE MILITARE EST

For years I carried an S&W J frame 38 because I thought it to be a decent compromise when needing to carry something small.I never even considered standard loads but that strays from the thread too much.

Shooting the J frame well was always problematic for me because of my hand size which I discover is your issue as well.I managed but it was never comfortable.

I've tried to avoid creating a thread drift but it's unavoidable if I'm to respond adequately.Your question focuses on the S&W J frame which limits the possibilities.The issue was solved completely for me by going to the Ruger SP101 357 mag.It's one heck of a little gun and I shoot it much better than the S&W J frame.

Something you might want to consider.

I don't know why .357s are popular in a snub nose. With the 2 inch barrel, your .357 will end up being a .38 +p with a hard kick. The barrel just isn't long enough to make the .357 a true .357.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

Hot .357s will outrun .38+P by no small margin everytime given equal barrel lengths. While many .38+P loads are iffy expanders from a snub, especially through heavy clothing, .357s aren't.

As far as recoil and muzzle blast go, yes .357s are pretty rough from a snub. I run full house 125 gr. Remington SJHPs in my Ruger SP-101 and Taurus 605. It took hundreds of rounds to master those guns with that ammo.

Absolutely! I like my 649 with CT Laser grips in a Lobo Gun Leather Enhanced Pancake for concealed carry. While I normally choose to carry JHP 38+P's which it handles well you can load the right 357's and turn it into a pocket canon. Being stainless the 649 holds up well to heat and moisture. The shrouded hammer leaves nothing to snag and regardless of what you load it is a lot of fun to shoot, which leads to shooting often and well. YMMV (o;

I agree here. It's one thing to carry a larger caliber when backpacking/camping outdoors; but a main CCW might be fired from a confined space (small room, car, etc) and a 357 is going to be incredibly loud. also, a 38 special is much easier to get follow up shots with as well.
I've read quite a few posts of guys saying "well, I'm going to practice with 38 and just carry my .357 loads".
You should PRACTICE with what you are going to carry so you develop good muscle memory and can use the weapon like second nature should the need arise.
It's all about being confident in what you can shoot the most accurately. If you can shoot a 357 accurately when the need arises then that's great.
But better to find out now, than later.

J-frame 638, speer sb golddot, oversize pachmayr grip, galco speed paddle, speed strip, good to go.

My 60-10 was my favorite revolver ....until my wife decided she wanted it. I am looking for another for myself but so far no luck finding one.

If you don`t have one yet, you should get one. Thers a nice choice of guns are out there.

Its all most people need

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"Non sibi, sed patriae"

My favorite gun is a 640-1 .357 (centennial). I carry it either in a Galco Summer Comfort (inside waistband) or a Simply Rugged Pancake Holster (outside waistband). I carry Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 Magnums. It has a full grip that allows you to get all your fingers on there, and it is a perfect weight. I have a lighter .38 +P (642 Centennial) that I pocket carry. I have bigger guns also, but my favorite all around carry gun is the 640-1. Good luck, B

I used to think that a short .357 was as close as you could get to the all- around handgun.

Then I fired one round of full house .357 out of a 2.5 inch 686. Without ear protection. I did it with out muffs because as a field gun I knew that sooner or later I would shoot it in the field without 'em.

Once was enough. I almost dropped the sixgun, the pain was so intense.

I no longer own any .357s. My short 45s don't hurt me at all.


Cat

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Think for yourself.

I have a 340PD which carry with .38 or .38+p. I would say that .357 is largely wasted in such a short barrel - not enough burn time to accelerate the projectile to full velocity. You'[ll find that much of the powder is wasted in a fireball coming out of the barrel. So, a good performance .38 does the job. The reason I advocate a .357 model is I have other .357 revolvers which I take in the car with me when traveling and want to be able to use the same ammunition should it become necessary, the previous issue notwithstanding. For example, suppose my main revolver fails or is lost; I only have a cylinder (5) full of .38 but, say, 20 more rounds of .357. In that case, so what about the fireball, I need to have something to shoot. (We're assuming being attacked in a non-escape scenario for this example)

Not argueing about the wasted powder, but have you looked at the Speer short barrel ammo?
They show that it is shot from a 2" barrel on their ballistics table. There is a little difference between .38+P and .357

I carry a 340sc daily.



The short barrel ammo is at the bottom of the page.
Speer Ammo - Ballistics Tables