357 magnum snub nose

[Bullet Bob]

"...once in awhile carry and a lot of just shooting"

In that case, I would go with the K frame 66. I've owned a few J frames, including a couple of 4" barreled .22's, and I just don't enjoy shooting them very much. Too small for large hands, and the coil mainspring is just not as enjoyable as the larger frames, for me.

Mzuri, those are Herrett Detective stocks.

 

[Spokes]

640 Pro Series would be my choice also...

 

[BB57]

I've conceal carried the:
3" Model 13;
2.125" Model 60;
3" Model 60;
2 1/2" Model 66;
2 1/2" Model 686+; and
3" Model 686+.

And I carried them in this order.

I found moving from a 3" Model 13 to a smaller and theoretically more concealable 2.125" Model 60 didn't accomplish anything. Yes, it's a bit smaller and lighter, but it loses a lot of ballistic efficiency in the short barrel, it's limited to 5 rounds and worse, full power loads that drop free from a K or L frame cylinder tend to stick in a J-Magnum frame cylinder, making reloading slower and less reliable. The J frame is also harder to shoot well due to recoil with full power loads. I don't care how good you are with a Model 60, you'll shoot a 2 1/2" to 3" K frame snub .357 better.

In terms of concealability I have no issues concealing a 3" 686+ in an IWB holster. Weight wise, with a good holster and properly made belt it'll be comfortable to carry all day long.

There just isn't any upside to carrying a Model 60 for most shooters - if you really plan on maybe having to use it someday.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Different barrel, different gun, different POWDER

Both S&W K-frame snubnose revolvers.

The type of powder is immaterial. It was whichever one gave the highest velocity.

A 1/2" difference in bbl. length is immaterial.

38 Spcl.(+P) -vs- 357 Mag, that's what you were comparing & said wouldn't matter. It does.

Your statement, "the tiny bit of extra velocity is not gonna matter", was incorrect & I tried to show you. It's not a tiny bit.

If it didn't we'd all be using a 22LR for SD.

If you think hitting someone with the same bullet at at 882 fps vs 1258 fps will make a difference...

Of course it does.

No one is criticizing what you use. Everybody can, & does, use what they want.

.

 

[old tanker]

Heavier weight (158 gr) loads are more manageable than 125 gr in my experience...

.357 mag 158 grain lead semi-wadcutters in a police turn in 640-1 are the answer for me.

 

[Rule3]

Both S&W K-frame snubnose revolvers.

The type of powder is immaterial. It was whichever one gave the highest velocity.

A 1/2" difference in bbl. length is immaterial.

38 Spcl.(+P) -vs- 357 Mag, that's what you were comparing & said wouldn't matter. It does.

Your statement, "the tiny bit of extra velocity is not gonna matter", was incorrect & I tried to show you. It's not a tiny bit.

If it didn't we'd all be using a 22LR for SD.




Of course it does.

No one is criticizing what you use. Everybody can, & does, use what they want.

.

How does it matter? If you shoot a person with a 38+P do you think the 357 is gonna kill the person better?


You compared two different loads, which does make a difference. If you want to show some marginal difference then you need to compare data using the same powder same length barrel
Numbers by themselves mean nothing. If you want to compare then at least you FBI protocol gel test, shoot a milk jug or wet newspaper.
Besides reloads are not wise to use for SD, so the OP is limited to factory ammo. Compare all those.
A hole is a hole, watch the video by Federal that proves it, hitting a critical area is all that matters.

But there you have a ballistic debate.


Federal video
Why Ballistics Gel Works and Caliber Arguments are Dumb



YouTube

 

[Kid44]

How does it matter? If you shoot a person with a 38+P do you think the 357 is gonna kill the person better?


You compared two different loads, which does make a difference. If you want to show some marginal difference then you need to compare data using the same powder same length barrel
Numbers by themselves mean nothing. If you want to compare then at least you FBI protocol gel test, shoot a milk jug or wet newspaper.
Besides reloads are not wise to use for SD, so the OP is limited to factory ammo. Compare all those.
A hole is a hole, watch the video by Federal that proves it, hitting a critical area is all that matters.

But there you have a ballistic debate.


Federal video
Why Ballistics Gel Works and Caliber Arguments are Dumb



YouTube

Yes, using reloads for self defense can land you in deeper goo than you may already be in, barring a favorable outcome from the DA. Best to stick with factory ammo for self defense carry.