Which S&W .357 should I buy?

[Bullseye 2620]

For EDC, my opinion is that you cannot do better than a Model 66 with a 2-1/2 inch barrel. I prefer the 66 No Dash or a 66-1.

Dr. Mordo and others (Old Bear) have a preference for the Model 19 with the same short barrel, and I cannot dispute them on their choices. For me, though, I find that the stainless finish just works better in part because I just don't have to worry about shooting the snot out of it at the range. Once it gets home, a little Flitz cleans it all up to as new, and a light coat of Renwax finishes the job.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

640-1 Pro. All you need and nothin' you don't.

 

[Duugan]

I believe it has a lot to do with the size of your hands. I have large hands (my wife calls them "paws"), so I carry a Model 686 .357 magnum 3" barrel. Most of the time, it's loaded with 7 rounds of .38 + P. There is very little recoil with the .38 Special loads; however, the bite = the bark when you fire it with .357 magnum, especially the faster loads such as 127 grain instead of the more common 158 grain bullet.

 

[LJBrennan007]

I don't want to be the party pooper again as I have posted this before, but the carry gun characteristics you desire are exactly what you'll find in the Kimber K6S revolver. Smaller than a K-frame, slightly larger than a J-frame, 6 shots not 5, no hammer to bother bobbing, and a double action trigger that is unbelievable. I got mine when they only came in 2" barrel but now they offer it with a 3" barrel too. Do yourself a favor and shoot one before you decide on another Smith. I love my J's, K's, and N's, but my daily companion now is my Kimber!

 

[Barrie]

I would have a N Frame 357 with a short barrel. I have the 5" barrel myself in this model. The model 627-8-round cylinders and its beautiful. Sorry no pics of it.

 

[bobmutch]

Hi,

I have the 642 but I am looking for a S&W .357 revolver to carry. If the handgun doesn't already have a bobbed hammer I will need to find a skilled gunsmith to take care of this. I prefer the frame not to be larger than "K" and the barrel to be under 4 inches. New/old/used it doesn't matter to me, I just don't know what to look for. Any recommendation/suggestions are appreciated.

Thank you,

Mary

The answer is very simple S&W 340PD. Weighs 13 ounces and is 357 or 38.

 

[bobmutch]

The answer is very simple the S&W 340PD. It's a 357 and will also shot 38's

 

[davidb2910]

I have been carrying a 3"mdl 13 for several years, with a bobbed hammer and T grip. I think the perfect gun would be a 65 set up the same way but haven't been able to find one at a good price.

 

[JohnRippert]

Another vote for a 640. These are both .357 640-1's.

 

[kimbergal]

Everyone has their dream EDC gun. How are you going to carry it? Do you now shoot .357s? I sold my first .357, a Ruger, because I could not hit the target on my second shot. Now I know, that I can put .38 or .38+P and I am able to control the gun. I can also load shot shell in the first chamber when I am fishing or mushroom hunting.
I have a Lady Smith(2") for pocket carry. I prefer an exposed hammer. I also have a 686+ with 4" barrel. I would only carry the 686+ in an outside the belt holster. I like stainless guns(easy to care for) or all blued steel(most beautiful) to help tame recoil.
Little .357 guns take a lot of practice to master.
Go to a shop and pick up and handle your final picks. Try to shoot the gun you decide on so you know for sure how you will like it.
(Off-topic) As to my screen name, I like Kimber's .45s, not so much their new revolvers. I mostly carry an ultra size, but a 5" .45 is not hard to carry on body. I fell in love with the 1911 platform the first time a friend let me shoot his.
I grew up shooting wheelguns and would not be without them.
Good luck, stay safe.
Mary

 

[BigBill]

Any 357 mag barrel shorter than 4" is hard to control. I'm talking about the snubbies with the magnum loads. I mainly perfer 6" barrels.

 

[cpt-t]

When I got my CC Permit 10 or 12 + years ago, I decided on carrying a S&W 640-1 357/38SPL. With a Crimson Trace Laser Grips & Sight. And I carry it in a Kidex OSW holster or in a Desants in the pocket holster. I shot it a lot and I got much better with it than I ever thought I would be capable of . So I have the utmost confidence in my ability with my S&W 640-1. At a much greater distance than I thought was really possible. IMHO the S&W 640-1 for me is one of the best choices I could ever have made. Even tho it is not a very popular CC model handgun with other people. And I just don`t understand that, but to each his own. My S&W 640-1 with the CT Laser sight saved my butt late one night while getting gas at a out out the way Convenience Store while traveling cross country. Again IMHO You would be had press to choose a better CC Handgun.
ken

 

[Neumann]

I don't have a problem carrying a 2.5" or 3" 686 with a spur hammer. Furthermore, I practice with standard .357 Magnum loads. With a 32 oz revolver, the recoil is stout but manageable. I wouldn't care to shoot a J frame enough to get good at it.

I use a Sparks VM2 IWB holster. The cylinder sits on my hip bone, taking most of the weight off the belt. I put my thumb over the hammer, when drawing, to prevent snags, and when re-holstering to make sure the trigger isn't hanging up on something.

A J frame with a shrouded hammer might be appropriate for pocket carry, but IMO not the best choice for belt carry. A m60 with a steel frame is a good compromise. At 23 oz, +P might be okay, but .357 would hurt.

 

[TomkinsSP]

M 6 4 0

 

[tomrkba]

Screw that. Go big or go home! Get a 327 TRR8 and carry it IWB with two spare moonclips.

 

[Doc TH]

Another vote for the 640!

 

[amazingflapjack]

Not a holer-unless it was an early one.

 

[WheelGunMagic]

640 Pro is my EDC gun. Being used to L-frames, it took a bit of practice to become proficient with it, but it has worked out well for me.

 

[les_garten]

HI MARY, WELCOME TO THE FORUM. IMHO THE M686 IS THE FINEST .357 MAGNUM REVOLVER IN CURRENT PRODUCTION. I EDC A 2 1/2" M686+. THEY ARE NOT SCARCE, AND CAN BE READILY FOUND USED, ON GUN BROKER, OR OTHER SITES, INCLUDING THIS FORUM......

MINE IS A NO-DASH THAT I PURCHASED ON GUNBROKER. BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT A GUN WITH AN INTERNAL LOCK, I CHOSE TO GO WITH AN OLDER USED ONE. (LOOK FOR ONE UP TO A -4 VERSION. THE -4 IS THOUGHT TO BE THE FINEST ITERATION OF THE M686, BY MANY) THE NO DASH 686, AND THE 686-1 ARE SUBJECT TO A FACTORY RECALL, AROUND A FIRING PIN ISSUE. SINCE MY GUN HAD NOT BEEN MODIFIED, AS PER THE RECALL, (MODIFIED GUNS ARE STAMPED WITH A LETTER M, UNDER THE CRANE) AND I INTENDED TO CARRY IT, I SENT IT TO THE FACTORY, WITH FREE SHIPPING BOTH WAYS, IF YOU CALL AND REQUEST A SHIPPING LABEL......

WHILE MY GUN WAS THERE, I REQUESTED THAT THEY FIT IT WITH A 7 ROUND CYLINDER. UPON ITS RETURN, I SHIPPED IT TO DENNY REICHARD @ SAND BURR GUN RANCH, FOR HIS "DELUXE ACTION JOB", WHICH IS 100% RELIABLE WITH ANY FACTORY AMMO, AND RENDERS THE GUN, SLICKER THAN SNOTS......

I SOLD MY ORIGINAL 6 ROUND CYLINDER, AND MY WOODEN COMBAT STOCKS ON THIS FORUM. I REPLACED THE STOCKS WITH A SET OF WELL USED MAGNAS, THAT I PURCHASED ON THIS FORUM. A FELLOW VIETNAM VET BROTHER REFINISHED THE STOCKS FOR ME, AS A FAVOR, AND I ADDED A TYLER-T GRIP ADAPTER....

I LIKE THE WAY THE PROJECT TURNED OUT, AND I DIDN'T BREAK THE BANK DOING IT. IF YOU CHOOSE TO FOLLOW A SIMILAR ROUTE, DENNY REICHARD COULD BOB YOUR HAMMER, AND YOU WOULD BE EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH THE QUALITY OF HIS WORK. HE IS MASSAD AYOOB'S GUNSMITH OF CHOICE, FOR ALL OF HIS S&W REVOLVERS.......

He has standard action job and a deluxe job, which do you recommend and what is the difference?

 

[shouldazagged]

The answer is very simple S&W 340PD. Weighs 13 ounces and is 357 or 38.

I can no longer shoot .357 Magnum due to arthritic hands; but when I could, there's no way I would have considered using it in a thirteen ounce gun. I think most shooters would find that damned uncomfortable if not actually painful, and slow to recover for a second shot.

To those of you who prefer .357 in a gnatweight snubby, more power to you (pun intended), and may you remain arthritis-free. For self defense in a snub revolver I'm quite happy with .38 Special +P.