.357 as a EDC?

[bobsguns]

The 19C is my carry gun this month.

My grips look bigger than the ones in the pic, though.

 

[balin]

While I really like my model 65 and 66. For full time carry I would go with a Kimber K6. I find them quite manageable

 

[shawn mccarver]

Ive wanted a snub nose revolver for years, finally this Christmas Im going to treat myself to one. I love the idea of a exposed hammer (shaved is fine). I know most of you guys would say go J-frame (where I believe the 638) would be what Im looking for. But I have a concern a .38 might be underpowered? Is a snub nose .357 ridiculous as an EDC?

Opinions vary, but in my mind, a .357 J Frame is just too difficult to shoot in terms of fast follow-up shots, etc. A 38 Special with the correct load will do fine, in my opinion. In fairness, I think the Bodyguard Airweight, such as the 638 is fine, but I prefer a DAO in an Airweight pocket revolver, so I would go with the 642 without the lock.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Opinions vary, but in my mind, a .357 J Frame is just too difficult to shoot in terms of fast follow-up shots, etc. A 38 Special with the correct load will do fine, in my opinion. In fairness, I think the Bodyguard Airweight, such as the 638 is fine, but I prefer a DAO in an Airweight pocket revolver, so I would go with the 642 without the lock.

Shawn mentions something here that should be noted. The 442 and 642 are available without that internal lock. That's a major selling point right there to the Smith & Wesson aficionados.

I went the 442 no lock cause I'm a low key kinda guy.

 

[hardluk1]

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

357mag is a fine cartridge on the streets or in the woods BUT You do need enough barrel and bullet type and weight to handle the job . A snubby 357mag is really lacking compared to many other options for daily carry while a 3" may not be enough with 125 to 158gr loads compared to a 6 or 8 inch barrel and 170 to 180gr bullets in the woods .

 

[max503]

This was my very first CC firearm. A Taurus 605. Still got it. Still use it. Wouldn't want to be in front of it. I carry it with 110 grain factory loads.

 

[Holden6v8]

357 options

I EDC a Kimber 2" K6s or a 2.75 McKee Chopper 66-8. Neither is difficult to carry or conceal. I'm 76 5 11 186 so not much different from average. Neither of these is too much to shoot. The smaller one gets Buffalo Bore for snubbies, the Chopper full house Hydra Shok. Not a long-session shooting routine but enough to stay tuned in. I find 6 of 357 pretty re-assuring.

 

[gwpercle]

Carry what you can shoot well and ... have confidence in !

Confidence that you can hit what you aim at is lot more important than people want to talk about .

Remember in a gunfight ... the first shot you take is the most important and Only Hits Count !

Caryy that snub nose 357 Magnum and practice enough to hit what you aim at with that first shot .
Gary

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

^ +100

Confidence goes a long way WTSHTF.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

My 357 mag solution, so light that you have no reason to leave it at home.

 

[Doug M.]

Got a cite for that?????

*
Not that I can find quickly. The FBI ballistics unit did the work at least a decade ago, maybe longer. It might have been discussed in a recent P&S podcast, I think #400, with among other savvy folks, Gary Roberts.

 

[TST]

Got a cite for that?????

Anyone who is interested can search for ‘.223 drywall penetration’; when people say .223 penetrates building materials less that handgun or shotgun rounds, they are talking about lightweight JHPs. This has been hashed out pretty thoroughly.

Here’s one test, but there are a lot more out there:
.223 Drywall Penetration: Results

 

[Dwaine]

Go for the 3" model 65 if you want to save some money.......or even a 4".....or spend more for the 2.5 or 3 inch 66.....

 

[413Maxwedge]

Anyone who is interested can search for ‘.223 drywall penetration’; when people say .223 penetrates building materials less that handgun or shotgun rounds, they are talking about lightweight JHPs. This has been hashed out pretty thoroughly.

Here’s one test, but there are a lot more out there:
.223 Drywall Penetration: Results

AR-15 ballistcs are SO off topic that Im going to appologize to the original poster. Sorry OP.
BUT in that article one of the .223 rounds tested ... the Horniday TAP 55 .223 bullets, cleanly penetrated 3 walls. I don't think broad statements like "AR-15s are safer to shoot in the home than handguns" are accurate, or have anything to do with OP's questions.

OP, a.38 at close range will kill or cripple the mugger. A .22 in the eye or temple will too. For .357 you'd be better off with a heavier steel gun like a 640 (if you're sure you want a J frame). I've put over 1000 rounds of .38 and .38+P through my M&P340 over the past 10 months but only 15 rounds of .357. It hurts. But out of a heavier L frame it's very manageable.

Figure out what your primary use of the gun will be. Walking around in the city pocket carrying? Get something small and lightweight. Walking in the woods worried about bears or cougars? Wear an L-frame on a hip holster (or a K or N frame).

Whatever you decide, practice practice practice. And please get a CCW/LTC if your state requires it.

 

[AveragEd]

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 .

Back in the mid-1970s I spent three years on a local police department. During that time we went from Model 10s to Colt Trooper Mark IIIs. A citizens' group expressed fear of our use of a magnum but they were okay with jacketed soft points instead of hollow points. Whatever it takes, I guess.

Then the department had us qualify and practice with our new revolvers using .38 Special target loads...

Ed

 

[bobsguns]

AR-15 ballistcs are SO off topic that Im going to appologize to the original poster. Sorry OP.
BUT in that article one of the .223 rounds tested ... the Horniday TAP 55 .223 bullets, cleanly penetrated 3 walls.

Thank you for stating the obvious.

I was a machinegunner in the Marine Corps, using 7.62 NATO. I also had my M16A1, which is obviously 5.56.

I've got thousands of rds fired on my own as well as 3 Gun Matches using my AR-15. Shooting through both hard & soft covers.

To write a pistol rd will penetrate further than a 5.56 rd simply defies logic & common sense.

 

[mikeruns]

I have a Speed-Six that does well with magnums but, hefty, and a2-1/8" SP101 .357...yet those .357s' are hefty if that bothers you. I'm not into the light alloy .357s' because of the damn blast/recoil and so I carry a 642 mostly. There are some very deadly man stoppers in .38 +p, and even some swc and wcs' will suffice. You may look at the SP-101 in .327 mag as an option but again, huge blast to deal with yet 6 shots. I carry a Glock 27 at times, don't look past the small autos. Any of the snubs are not really any trouble to carry all day in the all steel wheel gun even for small stature folks-the small steel guns aren't like snubby Redhawks as some would have you believe. Another I have and adore is a 3" heavy bbl model 36 which adds some good velocity and is easy to conceal yet not an anvil...just my take on what I like to tote when I do.....cheers

 

[jcs266]

Even .38 SPL is brutal in a J-frame. I have a 3" 686+, which has enough weight (36 oz) to manage the recoil, a long enough sight radius for accuracy, and frequently riding IWB on my hip.

It's fun in the dark, often producing an 18" shock ring.

Ditto here, I've carried my 3" 686+ (IWB) more than any other revolver in recent years. It's very easy to handle with full power ammo and 686's have always been insanely accurate for me. It carries comfortably in the right holster with a good belt.

 

[Ingramite]

YESTERDAY'S BEST CHOICE

386 Night Guard
Scandium alloy L frame with stainless steel barrel and 7 round cylinder.

The report of the .357 magnum is deafening and the muzzle blast will cut em in two.

It took me years to track it down.

 

[Gman686]

Lots of good info here. Lots of decent options available as well. Decisions decisions.