.357 No good in snubbies? apparently all handgun rounds the same?

[FishyOne]

Someone posted earlier that a person shot in the hand w/a .45 acp took the arm off. I've heard this before and it is complete nonsense. During my 30 year LEO career I was involved in more than one on-duty shooting w/my issued .38 (+P FBI load) and the experience is not something I wish to repeat. These silly caliber wars will rage on forever but suffice it to say that adequate caliber (anything beyond .32) will get the job done w/proper shot placement. If you carry a .45 and believe hitting someone in the hand will take an arm off you're in trouble. Pick a gun you can handle w/quick follow-up shots w/i 7 yards and practice often.

Thank you for the concise response. The .38 (+P FBI load) is a good one!

 

[elm_creek_smith]

And don't forget, at short range, with a hot .357 magnum load in a snubbie, you also set the bad guy on fire.

I did not! He just smoked a bit.

ECS

 

[jbtool]

I have a S&W 386 it has 7 shots and it weighs 17.5 oz's I feel this is the perfect carry gun for me I have put well over 500 rounds in it with 38 spec. & 357's It will get the job done if needed.. The main thing is you have to shoot alot to know what you Personal protection gun will do

 

[Nevada Ed]

".... to know what you Personal protection gun will do. "

This is a good thing but knowing what YOU can DO with it, is a much more important thing to know.

Making your 1st shot hit center mass is what we try for,with more to follow if needed...........

Pulling a weapon or grabbing it from an area is much different than having it already in your hand and aimed at a target.
Many think that they are good to go if they can hit a standing target just motionless in the distance at the range or place that we shoot at.

When my wife and daugther-inlaw could hit targets and white paper plates at ten feet, I then took them to step #2.............
There were a lot of plates that could be reused at the end of the first outting, just getting two quick shoots on target from a "Gun at rest". It was an eye opener.

 

[mistermills357]

Then allow me to say it, the .357 Mag is one mean stopper: as is the .44 Magnum. At point blank range, either one is going to blow a big hole into a man or dog.
It's just that more holes have been made with the .357 Magnum: and yes, the .44 holes is a lot bigger and stronger.
But, if the attacker is dead or seriously wounded, the object has been met. Hooray for Magnum 6 guns!
There, I have waffeled towards an answer: I should run for town council next. It's in my blood.