Might switch from 357 to 38 for carry

[local_dirt]

BabaBlueJay,

158 grain 357 magnum ammo out of a 2" bbl. is really not anymore practically effective than the Buffalo Bore HEAVY OUTDOORSMAN 38 Spl. +P loading. Again, I am referring to 158 grain projectiles out of a 2" bbl. Shooting 357 magnums out of a 2" J frame is also going to effect speed of follow up shots, lots of muzzle flash and blast and if you need to shoot single handed - hard to control.

Yes, the P365 had a few issues when it was first released. Sig came out with a revolutionary new design and when a company does that, there are usually a few issues that accompany it. I purposely waited to buy one until Sig ironed out all the kinks - thankfully they were very quick in doing so and not only did they repair and correct all the issues swiftly, they corrected the manufacturing issues so they would not reoccur. Sig's game changing 9mm P365 has personally been responsible for many other companies coming out with their versions of Micro pistols. That in turn has had a prolific effect in what armed citizens carry now days.

Thankfully, the P365's have all been corrected and are now as reliable as any other well made semi auto pistol - it's been that way for 4+ years now. I have 6,000+ rounds through mine with zero failures - except for one bad magazine which Sig replaced I have had 0 issues. I have been utterly happy with mine and could not fathom going back to a 5 shot revolver. Not in today's crime ridden world.

I have never experienced one single problem with my 365XL. Points naturally and shoots to POA. Best subcompact EDC out there, IMHO.

 

[Data]

How did this turn into revolvers vs semiautos when the OP asked about which type of ammo for the revolver he wants to and has been carrying. He asked about ammo and not platforms.

@ Well Armed

Well said!

 

[Data]

@ Well Armed

Well said!

Love this quote as one forum member put it best ...

“A gunfighting aspirant will never be satisfied with a snubnose J-frame.”
-R.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I solved the problem (for me anyways). I will continue to carry 357 magnum silvertips in my 686 and buy a 43c to carry when I do not want to lug around my 686.

 

[WR Moore]

"Carry what you shoot the best, not what a bunch of knuckleheads on the internet say you should."

That statement is spot on.

I can not believe people buy premium "boutique" ammunition (Underwood at $2.20 per bullet?) but they do not attend Professional Training.

Yeah, but with the magic bullet, it doesn't matter where the bullet goes

One box of stuff they'll probably never shoot is cheaper than training.

 

[John Patrick]

Depends a lot on the weight of the revolver.

But mostly BB 38spl +P 158gr LSWCHP, and sometimes Speer GD SB 135gr +P. For a few non +P rated revolvers, BB’s standard pressure 158gr LSWCHPs. When working at the hunting club or any similar situation I might carry 357 magnum ammunition.

 

[AJ]

I rarely carry my M27-2 as a concealed weapon. When I do (in the winter time under a heavy coat) it has .357 Magnums in the chambers. Also usually in a coat pocket there is a J-Frame in .32 Mag or .38 Special.

 

[jeeps]

Back in the 1960-1970 era most L.E. used the 158 SWC-HP P+ load and it was effective in stopping power with out the kick and blast of the 357 mag for repeat shots. Many of the old timers then said it hit like a 45 acp and put them down. This load never lacked power but the Automatics retired the wheel guns.

 

[venomballistics]

You have "six for sure".
There's no guarantee you'll be able to fumble 6 more into the cylinder one the first six are spent.
Faster follow ups and the rest of the high speed low drag doctrine should not necessarily be applied to a defensive revolver. It's advantage is it's ability to put power to a target with greater accuracy than most autos.

 

[WR Moore]

We trained a LOT with full power .357. One of many things we learned was that "six for sure" is more highly likely rather than "sure". Granted, our issue items had more wear than the average private citizen, but revolvers-or the person operating them- do malfunction.

Example: if the trigger can't be pressed to fire the next shot (multiple possible causes), a hearty yank on the hammer spur will likely solve the problem. If not, what's your plan B?

 

[AJ]

but revolvers-or the person operating them- do malfunction.

Example: if the trigger can't be pressed to fire the next shot (multiple possible causes), a hearty yank on the hammer spur will likely solve the problem. If not, what's your plan B?

We taught how to clear malfunctions. In training we let them clear their own malfunctions. If they did not learn then, then when it was for real they would not know how.

 

[WR Moore]

As a whole, we didn't get formal training from the staff instructors on how to clear malfunctions, but we also didn't get alibis during qualification. Those that couldn't learn after the instructor demonstrated the procedure after the fact, spent a lot of time in the "Qualification Enhancement Program".

As on on shift instructor, those I dealt with in the QEP got a thorough grounding in problem solving.

 

[John Patrick]

Would consider giving a kidney in trade for a 315NG...

Right or left kidney?

I’ll shoot you a pm.

John Patrick.

 

[John Patrick]

And to be even more realistic, any well placed shot from almost any gun in any caliber is likely to stop the threat posed from a man.

I chuckle when I read the tactical bros saying "you need at least"... fill in the rest.

The chances are so slim as to laughable of any one one this forum, or on the internet, being attacked by a gang of PCP addicts such that you need 15 rounds plus two 17 round backups.

If someone is intent on doing you harm, a .22 in the belly will have 99% of attackers rethinking their chosen occupations. For the other 1%, carry a bit more gun and practice shot placement.

I have confidence in my chosen carry gun- a 5 shot .38 Special. I have even more confidence in my ability to assess a potentially dangerous situation and get the hell out of there before I ever need to consider pulling a gun.

My advice for anyone that "needs" to carry a seeming overabundance of ammo is, instead of finding the best gun and ammo combination, find a good real estate agent.

My long winded answer to the OP's question is this- Carry what you shoot the best, not what a bunch of knuckleheads on the internet say you should.

I love my revolvers and carry them frequently, but, realistically, a P365 or P365x carries as easily or more easily than a J frame, gives 10 or 12 rounds, respectively, and they’re easier to shoot with standard or +P 9mm than a steel or alloy J frame is with standard or +P 38spl. And also have better sights than fixed sight J frames and the sights are tritium.

 

[Bumpus13]

When I want to carry .38’s I do so in a .38 revolver.
When I want to carry .357’s I do so in a .357 revolver.

Seems pretty straight forward to me.