Should I Concealed Carry a J Frame .357?

[enfield]

J-frames are nasty enough to shoot with .38 +P.

 

[labworm]

J-frames are nasty enough to shoot with .38 +P.

I'm with you, guess we are just big pussycats.

I have a Model 60 3 inch. Five rounds of .357 ended my desire to ever do it again, a model 66 no problem.

But I do know some people have no problems blasting .357's out of J frame lightweights, and are rather proficient at it.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

I prefer a larger gun but when concealabilty is a problematic issue,I carry a small frame snub 357 with full loads and think nothing of it.

However,I'm aware that some people are more recoil sensitive.If it really bothers you that much,you'll need to compromise.Either carry a bigger/heavier piece or reduce the power level of the ammo.There's no free lunch.

 

[enfield]

I wouldn't say that it's recoil sensitivity. I don't mind recoil that much. I DO mind having the front of the trigger guard jammed into the 2nd joint of my trigger finger on every round. Maybe my hands are too big?

 

[canoe on the yukon]

I wouldn't say that it's recoil sensitivity. I don't mind recoil that much. I DO mind having the front of the trigger guard jammed into the 2nd joint of my trigger finger on every round. Maybe my hands are too big?

For years I carried an S&W J frame 38 because I thought it to be a decent compromise when needing to carry something small.I never even considered standard loads but that strays from the thread too much.

Shooting the J frame well was always problematic for me because of my hand size which I discover is your issue as well.I managed but it was never comfortable.

I've tried to avoid creating a thread drift but it's unavoidable if I'm to respond adequately.Your question focuses on the S&W J frame which limits the possibilities.The issue was solved completely for me by going to the Ruger SP101 357 mag.It's one heck of a little gun and I shoot it much better than the S&W J frame.

Something you might want to consider.

 

[Knightrider03m]

I don't know why .357s are popular in a snub nose. With the 2 inch barrel, your .357 will end up being a .38 +p with a hard kick. The barrel just isn't long enough to make the .357 a true .357.

 

[flop-shank]

I'm not saying you're wrong. They're not for everyone.

I don't know why .357s are popular in a snub nose. With the 2 inch barrel, your .357 will end up being a .38 +p with a hard kick. The barrel just isn't long enough to make the .357 a true .357.

Hot .357s will outrun .38+P by no small margin everytime given equal barrel lengths. While many .38+P loads are iffy expanders from a snub, especially through heavy clothing, .357s aren't.

As far as recoil and muzzle blast go, yes .357s are pretty rough from a snub. I run full house 125 gr. Remington SJHPs in my Ruger SP-101 and Taurus 605. It took hundreds of rounds to master those guns with that ammo.

 

[Capt Steve]

Absolutely! I like my 649 with CT Laser grips in a Lobo Gun Leather Enhanced Pancake for concealed carry. While I normally choose to carry JHP 38+P's which it handles well you can load the right 357's and turn it into a pocket canon. Being stainless the 649 holds up well to heat and moisture. The shrouded hammer leaves nothing to snag and regardless of what you load it is a lot of fun to shoot, which leads to shooting often and well. YMMV (o;

 

[Casehardn]

When I'm not packing my 45 or 44 I some times carry a 38 snub nose and feel very safe. You have to figure that if you are going to shoot some one with a snub nose you are going to be pretty darn close to begin with. I would rather use a 38 Special load with the right bullet than a 357 magnum. Way to much noise and flash for me with a 357 Magnum. It would cause me to much damage just to shoot the darn thing once let alone trying to get off another shot if need be. I have shot a 357 Magnum in a confined area and it felt like some one jammed an ice pick in my ears. A 38 Special bullet will do the job just fine with good shot placement and the right bullet. It's a defensive weapon, a last resort. So don't worry about a 38 not being enough gun IMO.

I agree here. It's one thing to carry a larger caliber when backpacking/camping outdoors; but a main CCW might be fired from a confined space (small room, car, etc) and a 357 is going to be incredibly loud. also, a 38 special is much easier to get follow up shots with as well.
I've read quite a few posts of guys saying "well, I'm going to practice with 38 and just carry my .357 loads".
You should PRACTICE with what you are going to carry so you develop good muscle memory and can use the weapon like second nature should the need arise.
It's all about being confident in what you can shoot the most accurately. If you can shoot a 357 accurately when the need arises then that's great.
But better to find out now, than later.

 

[pluspea]

J-frame 638, speer sb golddot, oversize pachmayr grip, galco speed paddle, speed strip, good to go.

 

[highcotton]

My favorite is the 60-10 3" with adjustable sight... I use it when back packing, canoeing and fishing rather than the Commander I usually carry.

A friend carries a 2 1/8"" 649 in .357 and loves it...

Bob

My 60-10 was my favorite revolver ....until my wife decided she wanted it. I am looking for another for myself but so far no luck finding one.

 

[649 Bodyguard]

If you don`t have one yet, you should get one. Thers a nice choice of guns are out there.

 

[CQB60]

Its all most people need

 

[bassoneer]

My favorite gun is a 640-1 .357 (centennial). I carry it either in a Galco Summer Comfort (inside waistband) or a Simply Rugged Pancake Holster (outside waistband). I carry Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 Magnums. It has a full grip that allows you to get all your fingers on there, and it is a perfect weight. I have a lighter .38 +P (642 Centennial) that I pocket carry. I have bigger guns also, but my favorite all around carry gun is the 640-1. Good luck, B

 

[Catshooter]

I used to think that a short .357 was as close as you could get to the all- around handgun.

Then I fired one round of full house .357 out of a 2.5 inch 686. Without ear protection. I did it with out muffs because as a field gun I knew that sooner or later I would shoot it in the field without 'em.

Once was enough. I almost dropped the sixgun, the pain was so intense.

I no longer own any .357s. My short 45s don't hurt me at all.


Cat

 

[rjroberts]

I have a 340PD which carry with .38 or .38+p. I would say that .357 is largely wasted in such a short barrel - not enough burn time to accelerate the projectile to full velocity. You'[ll find that much of the powder is wasted in a fireball coming out of the barrel. So, a good performance .38 does the job. The reason I advocate a .357 model is I have other .357 revolvers which I take in the car with me when traveling and want to be able to use the same ammunition should it become necessary, the previous issue notwithstanding. For example, suppose my main revolver fails or is lost; I only have a cylinder (5) full of .38 but, say, 20 more rounds of .357. In that case, so what about the fireball, I need to have something to shoot. (We're assuming being attacked in a non-escape scenario for this example)

 

[Super Trucker]

I have a 340PD which carry with .38 or .38+p. I would say that .357 is largely wasted in such a short barrel - not enough burn time to accelerate the projectile to full velocity. You'[ll find that much of the powder is wasted in a fireball coming out of the barrel. So, a good performance .38 does the job. The reason I advocate a .357 model is I have other .357 revolvers which I take in the car with me when traveling and want to be able to use the same ammunition should it become necessary, the previous issue notwithstanding. For example, suppose my main revolver fails or is lost; I only have a cylinder (5) full of .38 but, say, 20 more rounds of .357. In that case, so what about the fireball, I need to have something to shoot. (We're assuming being attacked in a non-escape scenario for this example)

Not argueing about the wasted powder, but have you looked at the Speer short barrel ammo?
They show that it is shot from a 2" barrel on their ballistics table. There is a little difference between .38+P and .357

I carry a 340sc daily.



The short barrel ammo is at the bottom of the page.
Speer Ammo - Ballistics Tables