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

 

[Hawg Rider]

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

Wow, that is one crazy SB shotgun! Back in college I made a 9" bbl. 16-ga "pistol" out of an old Crescent Arms double barrel (most of the 28" barrel was rusted out). It was actually pretty accurate and had manageable 2-hand recoil. I don't think I'd want to shoot this shorty!

 

[LTSCSO81]

S&W J-frame .357 magnums are available with a 2.125 inch barrel.

 

[RKmesa]

I have to ask - is that extra 0.5" really that important? The 2.5" Combat Magnums are great guns...









... and as noted above, if you want 8 shots, the 2.5" all steel 627s are also great guns...





All that said, the looks of those 2" M&Ps are also very cool and they too are great guns...









... so I see why a 2" 357 M&P could be a very fun gun.

 

[bananaman]

I am not sure how much would to shoot one! Bob

 

[Truckman]

I don't think I'd want to shoot this shorty!

With no barrel to let pressure build up behind the load, I'll estimate about a 180° spread and a range of maybe ten feet if the wind is favorable...Watch Killing Them Softly to see the intimidation factor at work with a similar gun......Ben

 

[jimmyj]

IIRC (?) I had a S&W "J" frame 5 shot 2" barrel recently. It followed one one my sons home.

 

[BarryinIN]

I've sometimes thought about a 2" 65. They made 2" 64s, so why not?

For those leery of shooting .357 in a 2" gun, don't. Shoot .38 Spl.
Yes, that begs the question why not get a .38 Spl Model 64 to begin with. Fair enough, but I'll answer with you never know when you might want to (or have to) use .357 ammo.

 

[Doug M.]

A 2" .357 is pretty much an answer to a question no one with sense would ask. Ballistically, not nearly long enough to get .357 performance, and as a practical matter loud and obnoxious out of all proportion to what one gets out of it.

I do agree with Barry about the ability use other ammo; my only .38 is a K38. Otherwise I stick with Magnum chambered revolvers except for my 296 even if I rarely if ever shoot Magnums out of them as one cannot make an appointment for an emergency.

 

[cougar015]

As Rkmesa stated above the all steel 2.5" PC 627 8 shot is a great gun and not bad to shoot although they need a nice set of S&W Hogue rubber grips to help tame it.

 

[Jay Dee]

I have a 2" barrel for my Dan Wesson 15-2. For the uninitiated, the Dan Wesson revolver allows the shooter to easily change barrels. I've tried the 2 inch barrel a couple times. It really handicaps the .357 Magnum cartridge which was intended for longer barrels. My wife loves this gun with the 4 inch heavy shroud. I prefer the 8 inch barrel.

 

[CKPOMEH]

I have to ask - is that extra 0.5" really that important? The 2.5" Combat Magnums are great guns...









... and as noted above, if you want 8 shots, the 2.5" all steel 627s are also great guns...





All that said, the looks of those 2" M&Ps are also very cool and they too are great guns...









... so I see why a 2" 357 M&P could be a very fun gun.

Those are all very cool guns, and exemplary collector's pieces all around! Looks and quality of any of those are not under question and could be matched only by very few other options.

From practical EDC perspective, the full length extractor rod is a big deal, and the velocity of a 3" 357 is enough to expand all hollow point bullet vs. 2" 357 that may not get to that velocity for majority of the ammo (ballistics by the inch as a source for the velocities).

So, for EDC carry, a 3" 66 or 65, or even a modern compensated 19 may be the most practical choice (size of gun vs. capabilities). I have dozens of collectible S&W revolvers, but my EDC 357 is a Kimber K6S as the smallest 6 shot 3 inch frame that I could find and felt comfortable with. 3" K frame would also be an option but mine are all collectibles, so I would rather carry the Kimber...

Just offering a more practical POV while admiring the specimen you shared above!

 

[ARgon]

My 625-10, 45acp is a 2 inch

 

[roundels]

I have to ask - is that extra 0.5" really that important? The 2.5" Combat Magnums are great guns...









... and as noted above, if you want 8 shots, the 2.5" all steel 627s are also great guns...





All that said, the looks of those 2" M&Ps are also very cool and they too are great guns...









... so I see why a 2" 357 M&P could be a very fun gun.

This is some serious gun porn!