Smaller Frame Utility 357 Magnum

[GrkPranksta69]

Hey guys, I know this may come across as a very newbish question, but I am looking for a 357 in a somewhat smaller frame, J/K/L frame that can fit as a CCW role as well as in an outdoors role as a woods gun. The best match to this is a Model 60 in 357 Magnum and I was wondering if anyone else has some recommendations similar to the 60. PS; is the Model 60 in 357 a strong enough framed weapon to take a box or two of 357 Magnum on a monthly basis?

 

[Kanewpadle]

Hey guys, I know this may come across as a very newbish question, but I am looking for a 357 in a somewhat smaller frame, J/K/L frame that can fit as a CCW role as well as in an outdoors role as a woods gun. The best match to this is a Model 60 in 357 Magnum and I was wondering if anyone else has some recommendations similar to the 60. PS; is the Model 60 in 357 a strong enough framed weapon to take a box or two of 357 Magnum on a monthly basis?

Even though this a Smith forum, I would look at a Ruger Sp101.

 

[chief38]

The smallest gun (IMHO) that really makes sense to me is a 3" M65. Anything smaller than that is hard to control and burns most of the powder advantage out of the barrel on the 357 cartridge. A J frame 357 is a bit too small for the magnum and I would think that just about anybody who has fired a 357 from a J frame now uses +P 38 Specials instead.

The 357 magnum cartridge was simply not meant for small framed guns and truly offers minimal advantage and LOTS of disadvantages in such a small revolver.

Chief38

 

[snubbyfan]

When I think of smaller .357 Magnums, I think of things like a Model 19, 66 or 686 with a 2.5 inch barrel. There's also the 386 and 327 Nightgaurds. A J frame would be a bit of a handful with a steady diet of Magnums. The grips can be changed to something larger and more comfortable but I still think that a K or L frame would be a better choice. Ok, the 327's an N frame but you get the idea.

 

[kennyb]

i like a M66 and 686 in the snub version

 

[Hill_Country]

In snubbies, I own a 638, a 36 and a model 19 w/ 2.5" bbl.

I find the 638 unpleasant to shoot with all but the lightest .38 target loads. The weight and ease of carry makes up for a lot of sins, though.

The M36 is fine with .38 or .38+P. I'd like to find a 649 - an all steel .357 humpback. I suspect it wouldn't be bad with .357's. I often carry the 638, but the 36 goes to the range.

The M19 is what I carried in the woods and is reasonably concealable. At the range with the M19 I can't tell much difference between .38 and .357 rounds.

 

[carpriver]

I carry a M60 in a 3" barrel like others have stated I carry 38+p in it. I also carry a 686 2.5" and 3" loaded with 357 ammo. the M60 with 357 rounds will wear you out, it lite weight. the 686 is heavy and is more enjoyable to shot 357. If I am going into the woods I take my Ruger Blackhawk 44 mag.

 

[GrkPranksta69]

The smallest gun (IMHO) that really makes sense to me is a 3" M65. Anything smaller than that is hard to control and burns most of the powder advantage out of the barrel on the 357 cartridge. A J frame 357 is a bit too small for the magnum and I would think that just about anybody who has fired a 357 from a J frame now uses +P 38 Specials instead.

The 357 magnum cartridge was simply not meant for small framed guns and truly offers minimal advantage and LOTS of disadvantages in such a small revolver.

Chief38

Thanks for the recommendation, the Model 65 is no longer in production though as far as I can tell, so the 686 in a snub would be a good hybrid?

When I think of smaller .357 Magnums, I think of things like a Model 19, 66 or 686 with a 2.5 inch barrel. There's also the 386 and 327 Nightgaurds. A J frame would be a bit of a handful with a steady diet of Magnums. The grips can be changed to something larger and more comfortable but I still think that a K or L frame would be a better choice. Ok, the 327's an N frame but you get the idea.

Is it even possible to carry the N-frame upon your person without the need for a shoulder holster?

In snubbies, I own a 638, a 36 and a model 19 w/ 2.5" bbl.

I find the 638 unpleasant to shoot with all but the lightest .38 target loads. The weight and ease of carry makes up for a lot of sins, though.

The M36 is fine with .38 or .38+P. I'd like to find a 649 - an all steel .357 humpback. I suspect it wouldn't be bad with .357's. I often carry the 638, but the 36 goes to the range.

The M19 is what I carried in the woods and is reasonably concealable. At the range with the M19 I can't tell much difference between .38 and .357 rounds.

The Model 19 seems to be a great all around gun for my purposes.

I carry a M60 in a 3" barrel like others have stated I carry 38+p in it. I also carry a 686 2.5" and 3" loaded with 357 ammo. the M60 with 357 rounds will wear you out, it lite weight. the 686 is heavy and is more enjoyable to shot 357. If I am going into the woods I take my Ruger Blackhawk 44 mag.

Is the M60 shooting 357 a beast to shoot or do you have the 38Special version? A 44 would be too heavy for my purposes of carrying I would think.

 

[Kanewpadle]

For two legged vermin 38 +p is fine. But for 4 legged vermin while camping/hiking nothing less than 357 should be considered.

So something like an SP 101, model 60 or 19 would be ideal. Either could serve double duty with 38 +p or 357 and tame the recoil a bit. But you need it the most, recoil won't be an issue.

 

[snubbyfan]

Is it even possible to carry the N-frame upon your person without the need for a shoulder holster? .

The 7 shot 686+ weighs 34.1 ounces empty and the 8 shot 327 Nightguard weighs 27.6 ounces empty. The 327 is physically larger but with the proper holster and belt I would think it can be carried at least as easy as the 686+.

 

[Badkarma 1]

Ya know Ruger did just release a 4 inch version of their SP-101, with abjustable sights. Might be worth a look! Dale

 

[N55BZ]

Snubbie for concealed carry

I first used a Python with a 2-1/2 in. bbl in a pancake holster. I found it too big and too heavy. I next tried a mod. 19 with a 2-1/2 in. bbl. and a round butt. It is smaller, lighter and generally more comfortable. I swithched the grips to Pachmyr (sp) but they were too sticky. Very comfortable to shoot but made drawing the pistol somewhat difficult. I changed the grips to a set of nylon grips from Brownells, but they were very uncomfortable to shoot. I settled on a pair of wood grips from Brownells. They are smooth and easy to shoot.

My wife uses a Ruger SP-101 with Hogue rubber grips. She likes it very much and it is relatively comfortable to shoot. After about 10 rounds of Federal 125 gr. Classic loads I am ready to switch back to .38 Special. I think that it is about as small and light as I would want in a .357 Mag. I fired a friend's 5 shot S&W .357 lightweight and found it very uncomfortable.

I also carry a Glock mod. 36. it is slightly smaller and lighter than the mod. 19.

You pays your money and you takes your choice.

Kindest regards,

Bill

 

[Kadonny]

Even though this a Smith forum, I would look at a Ruger Sp101.

This is a S&W forum, but the SP101 is the right answer. Either of the shorter barreled guns will work great and not break the bank. Great guns.

 

[GrkPranksta69]

For two legged vermin 38 +p is fine. But for 4 legged vermin while camping/hiking nothing less than 357 should be considered.

So something like an SP 101, model 60 or 19 would be ideal. Either could serve double duty with 38 +p or 357 and tame the recoil a bit. But you need it the most, recoil won't be an issue.

I didn't pay attention to any j frame when I passed by my LGS yesterday so I didn't get to hold any but the SP101 just seemed a bit too "raw" for my likings, the 686 I held thought felt like money.

Ya know Ruger did just release a 4 inch version of their SP-101, with abjustable sights. Might be worth a look! Dale

I passed by my LGS yesterday to see an SP101 and noticed it seems a tad too small. the Ruger Gp100 I held was a great fit with the 3" barrel it had. I compared it to the 686 2-1/2" barrel and they felt pretty even, I did not dry fire the 686 but did the Ruger and it wasn't as bad as I heard.

I first used a Python with a 2-1/2 in. bbl in a pancake holster. I found it too big and too heavy. I next tried a mod. 19 with a 2-1/2 in. bbl. and a round butt. It is smaller, lighter and generally more comfortable. I swithched the grips to Pachmyr (sp) but they were too sticky. Very comfortable to shoot but made drawing the pistol somewhat difficult. I changed the grips to a set of nylon grips from Brownells, but they were very uncomfortable to shoot. I settled on a pair of wood grips from Brownells. They are smooth and easy to shoot.

My wife uses a Ruger SP-101 with Hogue rubber grips. She likes it very much and it is relatively comfortable to shoot. After about 10 rounds of Federal 125 gr. Classic loads I am ready to switch back to .38 Special. I think that it is about as small and light as I would want in a .357 Mag. I fired a friend's 5 shot S&W .357 lightweight and found it very uncomfortable.

I also carry a Glock mod. 36. it is slightly smaller and lighter than the mod. 19.

You pays your money and you takes your choice.

Kindest regards,

Bill

The SP101 I saw seemed plain unfinished, the hammer would scratch the heck out of me and just seemed like a half-way done revolver.

This is a S&W forum, but the SP101 is the right answer. Either of the shorter barreled guns will work great and not break the bank. Great guns.

After seeing the SP101 it seemed a bit small in person as well as seeming a bit not finished.

 

[Kadonny]

I didn't pay attention to any j frame when I passed by my LGS yesterday so I didn't get to hold any but the SP101 just seemed a bit too "raw" for my likings, the 686 I held thought felt like money.




I passed by my LGS yesterday to see an SP101 and noticed it seems a tad too small. the Ruger Gp100 I held was a great fit with the 3" barrel it had. I compared it to the 686 2-1/2" barrel and they felt pretty even, I did not dry fire the 686 but did the Ruger and it wasn't as bad as I heard.



The SP101 I saw seemed plain unfinished, the hammer would scratch the heck out of me and just seemed like a half-way done revolver.



After seeing the SP101 it seemed a bit small in person as well as seeming a bit not finished.

You seem to think for some reason the SP101 is unfinished or incomplete. I'm not sure how you come up with that. Is it raw? I wouldn't say raw, I would say it's not flashy in any terms.

The SP101 is a time proven gun that is 100% reliable, effective, attractive and durable. It's been around for years and years for a reason. If you want a concealable smaller frame .357 to carry that is very reasonable in price, IMO there is no better choice.

 

[GrkPranksta69]

You seem to think for some reason the SP101 is unfinished or incomplete. I'm not sure how you come up with that. Is it raw? I wouldn't say raw, I would say it's not flashy in any terms.

The SP101 is a time proven gun that is 100% reliable, effective, attractive and durable. It's been around for years and years for a reason. If you want a concealable smaller frame .357 to carry that is very reasonable in price, IMO there is no better choice.

I guess it not being flashy is what I meant, I realize that it is reliable,effective, and durable.

 

[all357mag]

God Bless the N Frame! I've been shooting 357 mags my whole life. The smallest frame S&W revolver I'd shoot regularly would be the 586. The big frames are best for a constant diet of 357 mags.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

For two legged vermin 38 +p is fine. But for 4 legged vermin while camping/hiking nothing less than 357 should be considered.

So something like an SP 101, model 60 or 19 would be ideal. Either could serve double duty with 38 +p or 357 and tame the recoil a bit. But you need it the most, recoil won't be an issue.

Agree with you 100% on the 4 legged vermin. Some of the racoons down here can get pretty big

 

[M3Stuart]

I have a 2" 60 and would not recommend it for a lot of .357.

I also have the 2.5" 66 and it's O.K. with .357 - but I'm not sure I would shoot 'boxes' of .357 - not in a single outing anyway. But your mileage may vary.

Now the good ole' 686; there's your .357!

I can't comment on the SP101 but I've heard nothing but good things about them.

Being a S&W fan, if I wanted one for CC, and I wanted something new, and planned to shoot a lot of .357 - I'd opt for a 2.5" or 3" 686.

 

[DRJ]

I carry a SP101 2 1/2" daily and really like it, Quite easy to shoot hot loads. I have no problems carrying the bigger frame revolvers and do quite often but I find 4" barrel lengths to be MY limit. I do carry longer barrels in the woods.
I even carry my Ruger Alaskans when I feel like carrying a big thumper.

Doyle