.357 as a EDC?

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I really want something with a shaved hammer if possible

If you wanted you could have a bobbed hammer on a 360 PD which I don't recommend. If you want a bodyguard model just buy it.

Me, I'm all about concealment and ease of draw. And I have no intention of carrying a .357 mag. load in a J frame, .38+P only and 148 gr. wadcutters for practice. I've been carrying a 442 for many years. The extra couple of Oz. over the Air Lite (340) helps me in follow up shots and my arthritic wrists thanks S&W for that option.

I'm a believer in DAO in a self defense gun. It's easier to draw, easier to defend yourself in court and requires more training which is true of J frames anyway.

About that court thing. When still working as a department and academy FA instructor I have had to testify in Grand Jury's, Superior and Federal Court over officer training with firearms. Simple is good and totally stock is even better. Don't mess around with triggers, springs and a bobbed hammer isn't a good idea either. No gun mods on carry weapons. Range toys only. YMMV.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

In California we have a Law that the Bad Guy/Gal is responsible for anything that comes out of a crime.

You shoot bad guy who is committing a robbery and a bullet exits and kills a good guy. The bad guy (if he survives) is charged with Murder for the death of the good guy.

This is true where I worked too. It was the civil suit that would bite you in the butt.

 

[hardluk1]

I hunted with a 357mag some since '76 and with a 4" or longer barrel there very capable . A 357mag does not really come into its own until it has a 4" barrel but some 3" barrel models are decent with some ammo . Personally I rather carry a M&P compact 4" 40sw . You can go to to handgun Hero and compare many handguns .

I carry a 155gr underwood hp ammo that manages a little over 1300fps .

 

[Gman686]

As has already been mentioned, my primary concern with any magnum is over-penetration. If you live in a residential area, you could find yourself in hot water if your bullet strays from your domicile. Then there's the deafening report of a magnum and the blinding muzzle flash from one fired in the dark.

My two carry guns are an S&W E-Series 1911 .45ACP using Double Tap 160-grain lead-free hollow points (the "Mann load") and a 2-1/2" Model 66 loaded with Black Hills 125-grain .38 Special JHP +P loads. I hope never to have to use either for defensive purposes but I consider both rounds effective and somewhat "safe for home." When you're talking about firing a handgun indoors, there probably isn't a completely safe load.

Shotguns are really your best bet as far as over-penetration is concerned but unless you buy one with an ultra-short barrel, they are very unhandy to use indoors.

Ed

Right, but if Im in the woods the .357 will do its job against anything out there.

If Im walking around the streets I have the option to switch to .38spl

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I Have a 640, 649 and a 2 inch 66.
Have shot a fair amount of 357 in the 66.
Lessor amounts in the 640 and 649.
357 Recoil in the J’s is significant.
Enough to delay second shot sight alignment recovery for me.
I usually carry 38 + P in my Js.

 

[Gman686]

Today's Best Choice?

Is this the Model 19?

 

[MetalMan]

My 19-5…

Also have companion 66-4.

 

[tgmr05]

Depends on what you want to do with the snub nose. Out of a 340pd hot magnum loads are punishing to the hand. The same load in a short barrel 627 pc is much more tolerable. Out of a longer barrel 686 or 627 is even more tolerable.

 

[DR505]

This is a good thread with many good points and suggestions. I often carry this Model 13-4:

 

[Retired W4]

My present EDC is a Ruger SP-101 .357 w/2 1/4" barrel. Load is Federal .38spl +P LSWC-HP. (I like it)

I noticed a while ago that many of the LEO's on board here use that type of round in short barrel guns, then it's good enough for me
Remington's version.

 

[Echo40]

The only times I've ever actually seen a .38 Special +P beat a .357 Magnum — even out of a snubby — is in cherry picked examples in which someone picks the absolute hottest Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P pitted against the wimpiest Federal American Eagle .357 Magnum range ammo.

Does a short barrel reduce the power of a .357 Magnum? Of course, but if you're shooting real full-power .357 Magnum ammo out of a snubby then at worst it might perform similarly to a hot 9mm Parabellum load.

 

[djohns6]

Many years ago I was a Reserve Police Officer . The issue weapon was a S&W Mod 686 , and the issue ammo was .38 Spcl +P 125 gr JHP . I asked somebody why the .38 Spcl and they said it was for political reasons . The public wouldn't like the idea of a .357 Magnum .

 

[Doug M.]

That's the way it should be (criminal responsible for collateral damage). Washington, of course, has gone full stupid with its pro-criminal/anti-decent people legislation based on the knowingly fabricated folklore. Where I live and work, we do not subscribe to that garbage. The occasional west side offender who gets caught passing through (or even dumber, comes here to offend) ends up getting a rude shock.

If you are worried about over penetration in home defense, the best answer (after not missing) is an AR with duty ammo. Research has shown that this combination is far less likely to penetrate a typical house wall than duty handgun ammo.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Many years ago I was a Reserve Police Officer . The issue weapon was a S&W Mod 686 , and the issue ammo was .38 Spcl +P 125 gr JHP . I asked somebody why the .38 Spcl and they said it was for political reasons . The public wouldn't like the idea of a .357 Magnum .

That was true fifty years ago and true today. Except the argument is now 9mm vs. 40 cal vs. 45ACP.

We made the transition in1987 from S&W model 10's to Sig 9mm. I was sent to a Sig School with department FA instructors from the east coast to Indiana. We all were stuck with 9mm and we all had recommended P220 .45's.The politicians said NO. Can't fight city hall. They know everything.

 

[bobsguns]

I have the M&P 340. I carry it once in a blue moon, just for giggles. I've run (I think) exactly TWO cylinders through it in the 15 or so years I've owned it. It was NOT pleasant to shoot in any way, shape or form. The only other model that compared to it in recoil was the Scandium model in .44mag with the 4" barrel. Both hurt to shoot them.

OP, my current carry gun is the 19C, a 3" bbl compensated Model 19. With an IWB holster & a baggy shirt, it disappears pretty well.

I also have a Model 19 2-1/2" barrel. I used to carry it, but it has since dropped out due to better options. But it wasn't uncomfortable to shoot at all.

Also in my carry rotation are a 3" Python & 3" King Cobra.

Given the hopped-up drugs junkies seem to be using these days (meth), I sort of wonder if .38spl is even good enough anymore? Even +P?

I also doubt anyone EVER thought after a self-defense shooting, "I wish I'd had a smaller gun or smaller caliber".

My .o2

 

[bobsguns]

If you are worried about over penetration in home defense, the best answer (after not missing) is an AR with duty ammo. Research has shown that this combination is far less likely to penetrate a typical house wall than duty handgun ammo.

Got a cite for that?????

 

[bobsguns]

I know two female Detectives who carried Beretta 92 FS pistols in plain clothes and both won the gunfights they were in.

I own both a blued & stainless Beretta 92FS Compact. I carry the blued model from time to time. Darn good guns!!!!

 

[One Holer]

This may be sacreligeous on a S&W forum, but I've found that .357 Mags out of a 27 oz 3" Ruger SP101 to be fully controllable. That being said, I am selling mine and going the 10mm route. 3 times the amount of firepower out of a gun that is only 4 ozs more.

 

[bobsguns]

This may be sacreligeous on a S&W forum, but I've found that .357 Mags out of a 27 oz 3" Ruger SP101 to be fully controllable.

You left out the Ruger weighs 15lbs or so. So yes, there's going to be minimal recoil.

Yes, I exaggerated the weight a bit. But not by much.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Is this the Model 19?

Yes, Model 19 Carry Comp. From YouTube most reviewers said it manages the .357 Magnum recoil well.