357 magum self defense rounds for model 27-2 . 5 inch barrel

agent00 said:
In order to not damage the model 19 too much I rarely used 357 mag stuff with it.

Just in theory would it be ok to use some classic 125 grain semi jacketed hollow point rounds with .5 inch barrel or would these light rounds be to be fast in a longer barrel gun. Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the 357 mag 125 grain rounds got their fame when used in a .4 inch or shorter barrel six gun? If so would be a 158 grain jhp round a better pick for a longer barreled revolver? Is there certain 158 grain load you would particularly recommend?

Here in Austria lighter 357 mags loads are not common anyway. It seems that in 357 mag the 158 grain loads are way more common.

It would be easier for me to some 158 grain 357 mag jhp rounds.
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First, welcome - I have fond memories of many fine meals in Vienna over the years. You live in a very beautiful, special place populated by some of the nicest people anywhere.

I suspect you would be very happy with the 158 grain loads, particularly those with jacketed bullets. They are very accurate and I now routinely carry these in my hiking and horseback 357 as they could be humanely used in an emergency to put down a seriously injured horse. I was in the New Mexico State Police for many years; we carried the Federal 125 grain JHP from at least 1979 until changing to Winchester Silvertips in 145 grain JHP about 1989 as I recall. We often had to euthanize large animals badly injured in traffic accidents. New officers quickly learned the 125 grain JHP was fine for animals up to sheep size, but largely were unreliable on horses and cows. Most used 12 gauge slugs on large animals; I kept 158 grain JSPs in my patrol car for such sad occasions, as the public seemed less distressed by the use of a pistol than on those few occasions I had to use a shotgun.

Enjoy your superb acquisition!
 
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Agent00,
Can you verify the barrel length? I read your post as that you acquired and S&W model 27-2 with a 5 inch barrel. I later noticed that there was a . in front of the 5. Usually that indicates a half inch. The 27s were offered in a 3.5 inch version and 5 inch version and later a 6.5 inch (plus others) per the big book of S&W.
 
He's from Austria, guys...it's clearly a 5 inch gun. Someone asking about a 1/2 inch barreled .357 is outside the common reality we (well, most of us) live in and enjoy.

I load up 125gr in my .357s, mostly Hornady XTPs. There have been lots of studies on the performance of light vs. heavy bullets on the human body. The aggregate consensus has long been heavy is best until you get into the "magnum" territory (including 10mm) where lighter becomes better due to overpenetration, and if heavy bullets are designed not to overpenetrate, they tend to be unreliable in that respect.
 
The Remington 110gr 357 load is now rated at 1295fps.
In the 70's, a box of 3M 110 jhp in my M19-5, did 1463fps.

However, the new Remington 125gr JHP of today is still listed at 1450fps.

For a "Light" SD load in a 4" .357, the 125gr or heavier bullet that is a
+P 38 special loading, has proven to work on most bad guys, with two well placed bullets, to stop the problem from continuing.

It depends on the size of the "Bloke" that you bump into.
 
hkcavalier said:
He's from Austria, guys...it's clearly a 5 inch gun. Someone asking about a 1/2 inch barreled .357 is outside the common reality we (well, most of us) live in and enjoy.

I load up 125gr in my .357s, mostly Hornady XTPs. There have been lots of studies on the performance of light vs. heavy bullets on the human body. The aggregate consensus has long been heavy is best until you get into the "magnum" territory (including 10mm) where lighter becomes better due to overpenetration, and if heavy bullets are designed not to overpenetrate, they tend to be unreliable in that respect.
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I lived in Germany for 5 years. I saw alot of 3 inch guns, so it's not impossible that he has a 3 1/2 revolver. Based on my reading of the standard catalogue there was also a 6 1/2 gun offered. I'm trying give the best advice possible.
 
cd228 said:
I lived in Germany for 5 years. I saw alot of 3 inch guns, so it's not impossible that he has a 3 1/2 revolver. Based on my reading of the standard catalogue there was also a 6 1/2 gun offered. I'm trying give the best advice possible.
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Some people got hung up on if it was a .5 inch barrel gun, which is a bit absurd. Sure, it could be a 3.5" or 6.5" model, but his follow up posts show it was simply an unnecessary period, and in any case a great SD load for a 5" 27-2 will be A-OK in those other standard barrel lengths.
 
IAM Rand said:
Any ammo that you can shoot well that won't over penetrate. I don't think you will have a complaint from a bad guy for the type of ammo you use.

Just sayin
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Back when I attended FLETC…our lead firearms instructor discussed the subject of over-penetration from a law enforcement perspective. He felt the penetration argument was misguided…as most rounds fired by police miss their intended target. He said over-penetration wasn’t the issue if you miss their intended target target…marksmanship under stress was the more important issue.

The over-penetration argument was for writers selling their arguments by the word.
 
I am pretty sure that typing ".5 inch" was more about European conventions for typing numeral measurements than anything else. The title as I read it made it clear that the topic was a 5" barrel. Good enough.

As for ammo, you probably have lots of choices for your different uses, but I am not up to speed on the Austrian market.

The high power rockets might be better for the range or hog hunting. They are likely to be gratifying to shoot and see, much like fireworks. Whether they are a practical choice for home defense and the like is largely about your training and skills. I have no basis to assess those for you, so you need to be honest with yourself. Most folks have not trained to a level appropriate to the really high level needed. I included myself in that.
 
Nevada Ed said:
I have found that a 140gr JHP from Hornady or any company loadings
were very accurate in my 357 revolvers and easier on the light frames, if used.

Todays 110 JHP, .357 Magnum , has been wattered down and might be another offer,
if you go with a lighter weight bullet.

Many like the 135gr JHP from Speer.

Enjoy the new revolver.
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I like the 135 grain from Speer.
 
SnidelyWhiplash said:
Back when I attended FLETC…our lead firearms instructor discussed the subject of over-penetration from a law enforcement perspective. He felt the penetration argument was misguided…as most rounds fired by police miss their intended target. He said over-penetration wasn’t the issue if you miss their intended target target…marksmanship under stress was the more important issue.

The over-penetration argument was for writers selling their arguments by the word.
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Agreed BUT, if someone is carrying a short barreled revolver, say like the 327 2" barrel, they would tend to be shooting a tad bit closer. Even under stress, if you are within 5 feet I would like to believe even a point shooter would be hitting more than missing.

Not that I would believe that hitting someone at 5 feet from a 2" barrel using just about any ammo would cause an over penetration, you just never know. As much as we know about the human anatomy, you can never accurately predict what a bullet will do once inside the body which is why I see people shooting jello soooooo frustrating. Equally as frustrating is that people are still asking what ammo they should use. I say, use the one that goes bang and doesn't over penetrate. Then practice like HE double toothpicks.

The more confident in your abilities and the more you mentally prepare, the better your handling of a stressful situation and make accurate shots is/are.

Again, just sayin:cool:
 
Thanks a lot for the further information guys.

about the barrel lenght controversy. The gun is not with me yet. the previous owner refered to it as .5 inch model. When testing it at the range I was only focused on how well it handles. I was satisfied and had no time to question the barrel lengh data the former user gave me. I will pick it up on the first of february and then I will check out the real barrel length and keep you guys informed what the real barrel lenght is. It possible that the owner got something wrong or I got something wrong. After all we are not used to the imperial system in Austria.


Thanks a lot for the further ammo advice as well.
 
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Federal 125 grain JHP load 357B, if you can locate some. My understanding is that back when law enforcement used .357 revolvers with full-power .357 Magnum ammunition, this round had an excellent track record.;) A 5 inch 27-2? Excellent revolver!
I am green with envy!
 
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SnidelyWhiplash said:
Back when I attended FLETC…our lead firearms instructor discussed the subject of over-penetration from a law enforcement perspective. He felt the penetration argument was misguided…as most rounds fired by police miss their intended target. He said over-penetration wasn’t the issue if you miss their intended target target…marksmanship under stress was the more important issue.

The over-penetration argument was for writers selling their arguments by the word.
Click to expand...

That right there!
 
Thanks a lot for the further information guys. The 145 grain silver tip rounds sound interesting but I was not able to locate some.

About the 125 grain ammo. With some look I might be able to get some 125 grain federal and 125 grain remington ammo.

The remington ammo would be a bit easier to locate.

This a more accademic question. In case I go with 357 mag I would go for the easier available remington load. I am still curious though.

Is the 357 magnum 125 grain federal classic hi shok the same as famous 357b load?
 
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