Why no 2” .357s

[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