Why no 2” .357s

[target tech]

Does anyone know of any reason that Smith & Wesson never made a 2" model 65. My 2" 64 is my favorite K frame carry gun, and I have a couple 3 inchers to choose from.

 

[Riposte1]

Not sure - I have a 2.25" 640 but I don't think they make anything J-frame in actual 2" other than the 940 (a 9mm version).

Of course S&W made model 19s and 66s in 2.5" - not a whole lot of differnce there.

I do think Colt made a 2" version of the Marshal in .357.

Riposte

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Quien sabe?? Who knows? But I wouldn't have one, anyway. .38 Special is for 2" guns as far as I am concerned. As always, YMMV.

 

[old bear]

I think it had to do with the ejector rod linght (sp)

 

[Truckman]

I think it had to do with the ejector rod linght (sp)

Yes, a 2 1/2" barrel is the shortest you can get on a .357 K frame and still have a full length extractor rod to quickly eject empty cases... ...Ben

 

[Tom Garrett]

This is the closest I've ever seen. It IS a pain to eject spent cases. Great gun otherwise.

 

[s&wchad]

It's because of the front locking lug. You typically need a 3" barrel to have a full length ejector rod. S&W got around that on some PC guns by using a ball detent on the yoke, instead of a latch the engages the front of the ejector rod.

The 627PC has a 2-5/8" barrel and a full length rod. The 327PC has a 2" barrel and a short ejector rod. Both of those are 8-shot N frames.

 

[Engine49guy]

I just went to the safe to confirm my suspicions ,

A) the 2" model 15 and M&P snub have shorter ejector rods than the 2.5" Model 19 .
B) the 2 5" model 19 does not have a full length ejector rod but it is longer than the 2" Model 15. The 3" and longer K frames do have a full length rod.
C) you could swap a model 15 barrel onto a model 19. But you would have to shorten the forcing cone because the combat magnum cylinder is longer at the front.
D) my suspicion is that the factory deemed a longer ejector rod was necessary to eject the 357 longer cases through its longer cylinder.

 

[flash60601]

Plus - - -trying to get worthwhile 357 velocities and energy out of short barres is chasing unicorns and fairies.

 

[imashooter2]

They didn't much care about ejector rod length on the 360. I expect they didn't think all that many mags would get shot from them.

 

[STCM(SW)]

My M640-1 .357 magnum won't even eject 38 Spl shells.......

 

[stansdds]

My M640-1 .357 magnum won't even eject 38 Spl shells.......

What? My 640-1 has no problem with ejection of 38 Special or +P. On mine, the ejector rod is almost long enough to make 38 Special cases completely clear the chambers.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Old Bear, It's spelled "length," in case you were asking. But at this stage of the game, who cares?
Some of those guns pictured above would probably break my hand shooting .357s out of. Up close & GTH off me it would really ruin somebody's day. All those pictures are some nice guns.

 

[Truckman]

Plus - - -trying to get worthwhile 357 velocities and energy out of short barres is chasing unicorns and fairies.

That brings to mind the genius who came up with this one... ...Ben