Best J frame 357
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Hmmm... "best" is a very subjective thing. It depends on the purpose you have in mind I would suppose. I have a 640-1 and like it quite a bit. It is my daily carry piece although I keep it loaded with .38 +P Gold Dots. If I were to do it again, (and I just might 
) I'd probably pick a 649 instead. I have a 638 and really like the choice to fire it in SA mode when I want, so I'll probably pick up the all steel version 649 to more of less replace the 640 at some point.
I have no desire to fire .357 in any of the light weight models so I personally think the two above to be "best" for ME.
If you're just looking for a range toy J frame in .357, I'd probably pick a mod 60 with 3" barrel due to the better sights and the added weight. But, personally, the J frame is best suited for carry and if looking for a range toy I'd pick a K frame or larger.
) I'd probably pick a 649 instead. I have a 638 and really like the choice to fire it in SA mode when I want, so I'll probably pick up the all steel version 649 to more of less replace the 640 at some point.I have no desire to fire .357 in any of the light weight models so I personally think the two above to be "best" for ME.
If you're just looking for a range toy J frame in .357, I'd probably pick a mod 60 with 3" barrel due to the better sights and the added weight. But, personally, the J frame is best suited for carry and if looking for a range toy I'd pick a K frame or larger.
MikeChandler
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IMHO the 649-3 without a question.
The shroud (humpback) adds mass to the gun, and keeps the hammer from snagging - but you can still shoot it single action if you like. The -3 and the -5 are both 357 (beefier top strap and barrel) however the -3 has no ILS.
I have a 649-5, and it's my EDC. Before I got this sweet little gun I was only armed some of the time. Now it's all of the time, usually in my pants pocket with a Galco pocket holster, but I also have a Galco V-hawk IWB holster, and I can forget it's there all day long.
It's a beastly j-frame, I can shoot lots of 357s 158gr in it without pain, using that wood grip shown. It's a surprisingly accurate gun - again I think the weight really helps.
I usually carry it in pocket with a Hogue bantam grip, since it's smaller (and I've practiced with that too). If I take it where there's going to be crowds, like a movie theatre, I load it with the 38spl p+. In the V-Hawk I usually put the RW grip on it, as it still carries well and it's controllable with the hottest loads.
It's one of the best gun purchases I ever made. Yeah, I wish I had the -3, but I don't mess with the ILS, and it's never messed with me.
The shroud (humpback) adds mass to the gun, and keeps the hammer from snagging - but you can still shoot it single action if you like. The -3 and the -5 are both 357 (beefier top strap and barrel) however the -3 has no ILS.
I have a 649-5, and it's my EDC. Before I got this sweet little gun I was only armed some of the time. Now it's all of the time, usually in my pants pocket with a Galco pocket holster, but I also have a Galco V-hawk IWB holster, and I can forget it's there all day long.
It's a beastly j-frame, I can shoot lots of 357s 158gr in it without pain, using that wood grip shown. It's a surprisingly accurate gun - again I think the weight really helps.
I usually carry it in pocket with a Hogue bantam grip, since it's smaller (and I've practiced with that too). If I take it where there's going to be crowds, like a movie theatre, I load it with the 38spl p+. In the V-Hawk I usually put the RW grip on it, as it still carries well and it's controllable with the hottest loads.
It's one of the best gun purchases I ever made. Yeah, I wish I had the -3, but I don't mess with the ILS, and it's never messed with me.
zip777
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649. That's my vote. Accurate. Dual caliber. Concealable. Just ditch the stock grips and be happy. It and my new 15 sport are my 2 favorite firearms. Here's my baby...View attachment 91997
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MikeChandler
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Woo-hoo! The venerable 649 "bodyguard" is now 3 for 3!
Zip777, I am digging that grip - it's an open backstrap? Who makes it?
Zip777, I am digging that grip - it's an open backstrap? Who makes it?
ogilvyspecial
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I'm also partial to the 649-3.......
Someone say 649-3 ? I like the ability to fire single action.
I'm currently carrying a new 60-15 in a Lobo pancake holster. At the range today testing loads at 50 ft. I had some wad cutters make one hole (5 rounds). Seems quite accurate for the 3" barrel and it is a real pleasure to shoot.
Stu
Stu
ogilvyspecial
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I got this one a few weeks ago but haven't shot it yet.
Don't know, at this point, when, or if, I'll even bother to shoot it.
I only bought it because the asking price was one I couldn't refuse.
Don't know, at this point, when, or if, I'll even bother to shoot it.
I only bought it because the asking price was one I couldn't refuse.
Best .357 J frame
I vote the 3" 60. I just found one last week at Cabelas in the Gun Library. It was a mint, no lock version for $399. I had no intention of buying a gun that day but i just could not leave it there.
I have put a few hundred rounds thru it but only one cylinder of Winchester .357 110 grainers, and it was stout but not too bad. I would not hesitate to carry it as a little trail gun if i was in territory where it was ok to carry something a little lighter hitting than my Glock 29.
I vote the 3" 60. I just found one last week at Cabelas in the Gun Library. It was a mint, no lock version for $399. I had no intention of buying a gun that day but i just could not leave it there.
I have put a few hundred rounds thru it but only one cylinder of Winchester .357 110 grainers, and it was stout but not too bad. I would not hesitate to carry it as a little trail gun if i was in territory where it was ok to carry something a little lighter hitting than my Glock 29.
slabside2
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One more vote for the 649-3
CAJUNLAWYER
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I vote for the snub nose SP101. I've said it before and I'll say it again-the .357 has no business being chambered in a J frame. Smith came out with the L frame because the K frame was getting battered by .357 and eventually they did away with K frame .357's Y'all think a J frame .357 is gonna be more durable????.
Don't get me wrong- I love te J frame but in .38
Don't get me wrong- I love te J frame but in .38
MikeChandler
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LOL - spillover from the other thread!
An sp101 weighs exactly THREE OUNCES MORE than a 649-3 or -5, and the 649 is only 6 ounces less than the scandium 1911 S&W makes.
Do you really think that THREE OUNCES makes that big of a difference? I guess I'll be renting an SP101 tomorrow, and find out for myself.
I believe the reason for the L frame 357 was that shooting a steady diet of 125gr .357 was too much for the K - but nobody here is recommending a J frame as a range gun, and I doubt anybody is trying to shoot 125gr screamers from a j-frame anyway, as that would be ridiculous. The lesson there is not all 357 ammo is created equal...
zip777
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Thanks Mike. Yes my grips have an open backstrap. Hogue checkered Kingswood. They are by far the most comfortable grips on any pistol I've owned or shot. I have shot many many .357 rounds with those grips. Ten times more comfortable than the stock 649 grips I used for ONE afternoon. They just allow your hand to mould into the firearm. Very ergonomic! The only minor drawback is they should be removed for cleaning after a heavy day at the range because they are a little pricey. Moving forward any smith revolver I buy will get hogue grips! Well worth the investment IMO.
....and Cajun how many thousands of rounds are you going to put thru a CCW firearm?? I agree the sp101 is beefier and a fine firearm but unless you bob the hammer it's got serious drawbacks as a CCW. Open carry and non carry maybe you are right but personally I'd never carry a CCW with an exposed hammer. Too many potential draw issues. That's why I opted for the 649. Plus you can practice primarily with .38 and go to .357 when carrying. That's what I do.
....and Cajun how many thousands of rounds are you going to put thru a CCW firearm?? I agree the sp101 is beefier and a fine firearm but unless you bob the hammer it's got serious drawbacks as a CCW. Open carry and non carry maybe you are right but personally I'd never carry a CCW with an exposed hammer. Too many potential draw issues. That's why I opted for the 649. Plus you can practice primarily with .38 and go to .357 when carrying. That's what I do.
zip777
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For the record Mike with those hogue grips I have shot 125 grain federal .357 C357B ammo with no issues. Yes they are hot and no I don't range shoot with them but I have no concerns about having to dump 5 rounds of it into a BG in a self defense situation....none.
Black_Sheep
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Don't overlook the Model 60...
MikeChandler
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And there it is ~Thank you sir!
zip777
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http://thefiringline.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-455649.html
Some interesting reading. Although the consensus is its a nasty unpleasant round it only seemed to impact the older k frames due to design. One policeman said he shot thousands of rounds PER YEAR thru his before he saw damage. I shoot maybe 50 per year to calibrate what if would feel like if forced to use it....usually at the very end of my shooting. No way it's going to harm my pistol. CCW is effectively a 6 to 15 foot shooting distance. No "control concerns". I want the nastiest round possible IF every forced to use it. I pray I'm not because he'd need an entire new midsection.
Some interesting reading. Although the consensus is its a nasty unpleasant round it only seemed to impact the older k frames due to design. One policeman said he shot thousands of rounds PER YEAR thru his before he saw damage. I shoot maybe 50 per year to calibrate what if would feel like if forced to use it....usually at the very end of my shooting. No way it's going to harm my pistol. CCW is effectively a 6 to 15 foot shooting distance. No "control concerns". I want the nastiest round possible IF every forced to use it. I pray I'm not because he'd need an entire new midsection.
jeffrey
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I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the (relatively) new model 640 Pro. It takes both moon clips and loose rounds and has usable sights -- wholly apart from the fact that they are night sights. I don't much like any .357 magnums in it other than the lightest loads, but the gun is somewhat heavier than my old 640 no-dash which does tame recoil some.
I still sometimes carry my old model 49 no-dash, but as I don't see that I would have much of an opportunity to cock and fire the gun single action in a self-defence situation, I don't see that as an advantage over the hidden hammer of the 640.
There is one significant advantage, however, to the 49 (and its progeny) and the 60 over the 640: the ability to thumb the hammer while reholstering the gun.
I still sometimes carry my old model 49 no-dash, but as I don't see that I would have much of an opportunity to cock and fire the gun single action in a self-defence situation, I don't see that as an advantage over the hidden hammer of the 640.
There is one significant advantage, however, to the 49 (and its progeny) and the 60 over the 640: the ability to thumb the hammer while reholstering the gun.
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