Which S&W .357 should I buy?

[BigBill]

Get a s&w snubbies with 38 specials. I wonder if you considered shooting 38 colt rounds in the 38 special.?

Trust me Father Time is catching up with me too as it will with every one of us. I am starting to have problems racking slides on autos right now.

 

[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.

 

[les_garten]

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.

I read the number as 11.8 oz for the 340PD, but who's counting!

I carry a 342PD with 38 +P's in it. It weighs 10.7 oz's and is brutal to shoot. But I got it because it is zero effort to carry and I can carry it in my front pocket not even knowing it's there.

I'm not plinkin' with it and it should be as effective as a 357 for all "practical" purposes. I've seen people shoot 357 out of AirLites and it does not look entertaining to me at all.

My philosophy is the gun that you have with you if the best option. If ya ain't carryin', the gun at home won't help you. Lots of times people don't carry a bigger and heavier gun because they start becoming a burden as the size and weight go up.

Hence why folks are suggesting the 340PD, which is an awesome choice for .357 IMO.

When I "wan't" to carry more weight, capacity, size, etc, I go Glock 26 with standard mag, or my favorite is with a G19 mag.

EDC means "everyday", pick something that is not a burden to you. I'm not gonna EDC an 8 round revolver! I live where we wear shorts 12 months of the year, so I'm looking at shorts at the beach kinda stuff. I'm goin' to Home Depot stuff. Goin' to my Doctors office stuff, my Dentist's office, etc, etc. That's what you do everyday, so pick a gun for it. All I have to do with my 342PD or a 340PD, is grab it and drop it in my pocket. Takes ohh, about a quarter second to do.

 

[Duugan]

I was a Colt guy for a long time. Always wanted a Python .357 magnum but couldn't afford one. Finally, a friend gifted me a Python w/6" barrel; however, it was too heavy as my sidearm when deer hunting. I traded it for a 4" barrel, then quit hunting! I still have it and, of course, now, it is worth almost $4,000. I've always had semi-autos, Colts, Walthers, and an S&W Model 39. I still have the Model 39, and love to shoot it. Years ago, I decided to trade-in my Colt Defender .45 for a Kimber CCW Super Carry. While I really like the Kimber, I've found it to be more finnicky than a Colt! Since I enjoy photographing ghost towns here, in New Mexico, I normally carry my S&W Model 29 .44 magnum due to the amount of bears in the proximity of mountain ghost towns. While the .357 magnum, with a 180 grain load will do the job, I prefer the recoil of the .44 magnum to that of my Model 686 .357 mag.

 

[SeamasterSig]

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.

Since you already have a J-frame, a K-frame magnum makes sense to maximize your options and there are a lot of good revolvers to choose from, the most obvious being a model 19 or 66 in 2.5 or 3 inches (although I wouldn't go any shorter than 3" with magnum ammo). If you're recoil sensitive, I'd at least consider stepping up to an L-frame, which is practically the same size as a K-frame. The reason that trade-off might be worth it is because the full barrel lug on the 686 helps tame the recoil.

What is your intended purpose of carry? Self-defense around town, home protection, walking in the woods, working on the farm/ranch? All of the above? Are you planning to carry open or concealed? Assuming concealed carry, what about climate considerations? Do you have the standard four seasons or do you live where it is very warm/cold most of the year? Also, if you don't already have one, budget for a proper gun belt and holster – it's a lot more important than with a J-frame.

Lastly, welcome to the forum!

 

[Dan Christopher]

I haven't owned a 357 in years, but I am thinking about either a 19 Classic or 27 Classic. Leaning more toward the 27 because N frames feel better in my hand. Decisions, decisions!

 

[jtcarm]

Which S&W .357 should I buy?

If you don't want to go on a hunt for out of production guns, there's the Model 19 K comp (3") or the 2 3/4" M-66.

The 2 1/2" and shorter barrels have shorter ejector rods and won't kick empty cases out as far.

Bobbing a hammer doesn't require much skill, but take it to a smith if you're not comfortable or concerned about how it looks.

If you're willing to invest in the right holster, belt, & clothing, a K-frame conceals easily.

 

[one eye joe]

I was a Colt guy for a long time. Always wanted a Python .357 magnum but couldn't afford one. Finally, a friend gifted me a Python w/6" barrel; however, it was too heavy as my sidearm when deer hunting. I traded it for a 4" barrel, then quit hunting! I still have it and, of course, now, it is worth almost $4,000. I've always had semi-autos, Colts, Walthers, and an S&W Model 39. I still have the Model 39, and love to shoot it. Years ago, I decided to trade-in my Colt Defender .45 for a Kimber CCW Super Carry. While I really like the Kimber, I've found it to be more finnicky than a Colt! Since I enjoy photographing ghost towns here, in New Mexico, I normally carry my S&W Model 29 .44 magnum due to the amount of bears in the proximity of mountain ghost towns. While the .357 magnum, with a 180 grain load will do the job, I prefer the recoil of the .44 magnum to that of my Model 686 .357 mag.

THERE IS A DECIDED ADVANTAGE TO USING HEAVY, HARD CAST, SWC, SOLID BULLETS, IN .44 MAGNUM AS PROTECTION AGAINST LARGE ANGRY CARNIVORES. THEY WILL PENETRATE DEEP, AND SMASH HUGE ANIMAL BONES WITH RELATIVE EASE.......

 

[ImDrRich]

I had a Model 60 2+in bbl for years and it carries just like a J-frame should. With .357 Mag for short-barrels such as those PNC makes, it shouldn't be a problem.

Of course, I'll go off center here and say my current favorite wheel gun is the L-Framed Model 686+ in 2 1/2 in bbl.

 

[CH4]

To my mind the 2.5" 19/66 is the quintessential .357 mag carry gun.
For a smaller, hammerless .357 I like my 640-1 Pro.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

Umm. The OP posted this 5-6 months ago.
And the answer is always 19/66. Regardless of the question

 

[S&WOkie]

My newest EDC is a 640-3 in 38/.357.

It was an accidental purchase. I had never owned a J frame or carried a revolver before but I stumbled across a great deal on the 640 and I'm glad I did.

 

[WPWarhawk]

I like my 640.

I bought a police trade in 640, shoots surprisingly well.