why I always keep a 357

[Doc Holliday 1950]

My first revolver, in 1970, was a 4" 1967 Colt Python. I had no bloody idea what I bought or had. A fellow LEO sold it to me
just around Christmas time. Since then I've always thought that
the 357 in magnum was it for me. I could use full bore 357 ammo
or 38/38sp+P ammo equally as well. That baby has been retired.
I finally found a revolver very close to that Python in the S&W
686plus 3" 357 in magnum. It, to my surprise, takes the full 357
ammo as easily as the 38sp+P ammo. Shoots true & is very well balanced & I can carry it concealed. I'm no expert, just someone who enjoys the excercise. The only one that I shoot against is myself.
Does anyone out there feel the same???

 

[keith44spl]

I too keep a 357 around.......Carry em and shoot em too!

One is a S&W RM & a model 520.

.

 

[Lostaro]

Hard to beat a .357....plenty of power for anything I might need a handgun for.

I've shot mostly revolvers over the last 15-20yrs and definitely feel confident and well armed with my 686 or GP100

 

[jinx]

My first was a .357 magnum too. I like several calibers but the .357 is my favorite. My go to gun.

 

[haywood]

I always carried and shot 357. My wrists can only take it in heavy guns these days. The best for me now is a 4" ported Taurus Tracker it's easier on me.

 

[Backlighting]

I'd rather have a .44 Magnum.

 

[squidsix]

I feel pretty naked without a handgun. In the woods i feel completely exposed and vulnerable without a 357. Hard to imagine life without them up here in the boonies.

 

[white cloud]

Unless I get disarmed, I will always have a .357 around. Easy to hand load well and enough power to do anything I need doing. It is difficult to imagine a more useful revolver. I will go one further. If I had to have only one rifle it would be my M77/357. Is it a .270? Nope but it kills S.C. deer really well.

 

[kraynky]

My first revolver was a .357, S & W 66-1, a police trade in. Still have it too, and I've run some pretty stout loads through it over the years, although not anymore. I have a GP100 for that. I took my carry permit test with a Ruger SP101 snubby, using full house loads.

My favorite carbine is a 1979 Marlin 1894 in .357, and my next Ruger will be Blackhawk in the same caliber. I seldom run .38 specials through my .357 revolvers, since I got a model 15-3 and snubby model 64.

Yes, I am a fan of the .357, followed closely by the 44 special. I'm not big on 44 magnum handguns, but in a lever gun,....... yeah buddy.

 

[les.b]

Well, I have at least a dozen .357s, and I agree...if I could only have one handgun, it would be a .357. Problem would be to decide which one to keep!! I also have a very slick little copy of the Winchester Model 92 in .357, which would make a great combination, in fact that's what I keep it for here at the cabin. Nice to be able to shoot .38 spls, and I reload for both calibers. I recommend this little carbine, a pre-safety "Puma". The pre-safety's are virtual clones of the Winchester. I believe most parts interchange. If you can find one on the used market, in my opinion, it is better than the newly manufactured ones.

Best Rsgards, Les

 

[bigwheelzip]

My 686's are favorites, but as others have mentioned, a .357 lever gun opens the door to a new level of fun. They are soft shooting, quiet, and increase velocity noticeably. A .38Sp from a rifle moves like a magnum does from a revolver, and magnums from a rifle are FAST!

Unfortunately, the reasonably priced Rossi 92 .357's are unobtainium lately.

 

[rwsmith]

IMHO

The 686 is my favorite revolver. It's mainly for recreation, but it could be convinced to stand in as an HD gun if necessary.
I shoot everything in it from target .38s to full blown .357. The Colts are great, but I like the style of the 686. LOVE THAT GUN.

 

[KEN L]

My EDC, 640-1 Pro Series. Wouldn't leave home without it!

 

[tops]

I have more .357Ms than any other caliber. Around here we don't have humongous bears or dinosaurs so a .357M will kill anything that walks, flies, crawls or slides on its belly. IMHO it's the best pistol cartridge ever made.
I read a lot about Skeeter Skelton and the .44 Spec. but I remember one of his articles where he stated that if he got down to one gun it would be a .357M. Larry

 

[wingriderz]

My wish list is a GP100

 

[white cloud]

I added up what I currently have in the collection. Some sort of .357 wins hands down. I have four .357 snubs alone. The bottom feeder people kind of smile when I show up at the range with a 6" .357. That seems to change after a cylinder full go into a nice tight group.

 

[oldiesradio1560]

Since the 70's I've carried a Colt Trooper Mark III 4", a 686 4", 640-1, 640-3 and my favorite of all time is the one I just traded my 640-3 for 3 weeks ago. A new 640-1 Pro Series. No pain with full .357 loads. .38's feel like I'm shooting .22's. Action is smoother than any of my other revolvers over the years and NO lock !!!!

 

[crazyphil]

I bought my model 19-4 S&W .357 long ago. Must have been at least
40 years ago. Got it new. Added the McGivern gold bead, and the
Jordan Herrett's stocks. Here, Left to Right, it shows off some of it's
favorite holster rigs.

Heiser 713 (made for Colt's OP, but works ok in the Model 19.

Seventrees Combat Speed Scabbard with "dog ear"

Barranti Ranger with "dog ear"

Oliver Ball floral carved with "dog ear"

Thad Rybka's T3P with "dog ear"

 

[GTBL]

.357 is the King. I have several 686's and carry a 640 Pro. I also carry a SIG 938 SAS on occasion. But, when I carry the 640, my balls feel a little bigger that day.

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[Shark Bait]

No doubt that the .357 magnum is an awesome cartridge. And the 686 is one of the best revolvers ever made for it. You picked a winner.