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Old September 28, 2012, 06:30 PM   #51
BigJimP
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You have to show some love for the N frame S&W's in .357 mag ..model 27's and 28's ...are something special ( especially the model 27's ) !!
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Old September 29, 2012, 05:08 AM   #52
Hal
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That's questionable~ components are not available in many countries, nor would be a press and dies. And getting some of these things into a country could prove fatal.

Friend of mine has lived in Mexico for many years, handguns are available, but ammunition is almost nonexistent. Another friend lives in Portugal, getting a handgun there is most difficult, and ammunition is limited. No components are available to him.

The point being that 9mm ammunition can be obtained, legally or illegally from para-military sources.

Bob Wright
What the......

What kind of off the wall crazy nonsense is that all about..
You tell me, I'd be in trouble getting components...then turn around and say finished ammo can be had legally or illegaly.

Then,,cite twp examples of people that - one has almost nonexistant ammo & the other one has a most difficult time?

Tell me again please how that in any way shape or form supports your position that .357 and/or 9mm Luger is universally available...even if illegal sources are used.

However,,,,I'd have to walk the line and "stay legal" for components?

That makes no sense.
I'd simply go to one of the sources you say would provide illegal ammo.
I doubt if caught, the penalty would be any more severe for buying 100 primers than it would be for buying 100 rounds of 9mm.

Last edited by Hal; September 29, 2012 at 05:17 AM.
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Old September 29, 2012, 05:34 AM   #53
kcub
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Man, I truly covet that Freedom Arms in the picture! Congrats on that one.

I like shooting .357. It makes the can jump way up high in the air much more satisfyingly than a .38. It is the perfect caliber for a 4 and 3/4" single action.

I own 6 Colts:
3 Pythons
1 Lawman snub
2 single actions

2 Smiths:
1 Registered magnum
1 27-2

2 Rugers:
1 old model flat top
1 SP101

Still looking for a pre-lock 8 shot Smith.
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Old September 29, 2012, 06:31 AM   #54
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That's questionable~ components are not available in many countries, nor would be a press and dies. And getting some of these things into a country could prove fatal.Friend of mine has lived in Mexico for many years, handguns are available, but ammunition is almost nonexistent. Another friend lives in Portugal, getting a handgun there is most difficult, and ammunition is limited. No components are available to him.The point being that 9mm ammunition can be obtained, legally or illegally from para-military sources.Bob Wright


Hmmm....Well, I note that some folks are having issues with Mr. Wright's post. Sound accurate to me. Most countries aren't like the USA; and it's likely that things will change here (i.e., for the worse) after the next election.--Patrice
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Old September 29, 2012, 07:00 AM   #55
Hal
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Hmmm....Well, I note that some folks are having issues with Mr. Wright's post. Sound accurate to me. Most countries aren't like the USA; and it's likely that things will change here (i.e., for the worse) after the next election.--Patrice
Accurate in what way?

That it's ok to obtain finished ammo illegally, but, it's not ok to obtain components illegally?

That's too ridiculous for words.
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Old September 29, 2012, 08:02 AM   #56
rickyjames
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i have a love/hate relationship with the 357. i do love the power but i hate the noise blast and recoil. i only see one nitch for myself with the 357 and that is a small frame revolver for protection. i also like that you can shoot 38's thru them. i like the size a a little snub nose for carrying, i see no need for a large frame 357. for anything other than a snub nose i prefer 44 mags, any 44 mag. the 44 mag is a better choice all around for me than a large frame 357. i also prefer the blast and recoil of the 44 mag over the 357's.
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Old September 29, 2012, 10:15 AM   #57
223 shooter
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Who loves the 357 mag.
Count me in! Two of my favorites include a Smith Model 27-3 and 686-4.



A Model 66-1.



Also shoot 357 in a Ruger Blackhawk and TC Contender 10".
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Old September 29, 2012, 09:29 PM   #58
ares338
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Who loves the 357 mag.

I do....it's a great caliber. I have a Ruger LCR and my favorite round is a 165 grain SJHP. It's loud and proud!
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Old September 30, 2012, 12:22 AM   #59
ROGER4314
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1911 in .45 acp is my favorite with the S&W Model 19 right behind it. There's nothing slicker that a good Smith & Wesson double action trigger!

Flash
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Old September 30, 2012, 07:00 AM   #60
Jamie B
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Always have to have a couple of .357s around!
Great guns, great caliber.
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Old September 30, 2012, 10:18 AM   #61
FairWarning
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Big fan of .357. It was THE revolver caliber most wanted when I was growing up (.44 Mag being considered a bit excessive!), although by the time I was of legal age to buy it myself, I had ventured into the land of Wundernines. So I finally came around years later and got the .357, then another. Actually, the specific .357 Mag models I have always wanted are the S&W Model 19 or 27 (or both) with beautiful walnut grips, which I am still working on.
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Old September 30, 2012, 01:35 PM   #62
Deja vu
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here is my favorite 357 magnum




Coonan classic 6 inch barrel



My Current 357 magnums

1. Coonan Classic
2. S&W 640-1
3. Bond 357 mag derringer
4. Ruger Vaquero
5. Marlin 1894
6. S&W model 27
7. TC encore
8. S&W 686
9. Ruger Black hawk


Ones I still want:

1. Ruger 77/357
2. Chiappa White rhino (6 inch barrel)
3. S&W 627 (8 shot)
4. Dan Wesson
5. Henery Mares Leg
6. A Coonan Style semiautomatic Carbine in 357 magnum.
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all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

Last edited by Deja vu; September 30, 2012 at 01:48 PM.
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Old October 1, 2012, 07:54 PM   #63
WESHOOT2
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"we shoot 2"

Bought myself a 4" GP100, around 1993.
Wife liked it, kept it.
Bought another. So we shoot 2.


Of course, I had the 5.5" and 7.5" 357 Redhawks, and after 'simplification' I still have the 7.5". Bit hard to conceal (needs the London Fog), but enjoy it greatly for USPSA fun.
Will hit as far as I can see.

Started in 1976 with 4" Security Sixes. Still addicted to 357 Magnum, and with the Redhawk, ANYTHING goes.

IMO it remains our most versatile handgun cartridge (followed by 44 Magnum kept the 5.5").
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Old October 1, 2012, 08:19 PM   #64
arch308
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I am rather fond of the old man. In this day of autos my .357 revolvers will get you noticed at the range with full power loads. They are a blast to shoot and the young guns are usually interested when I let loose while they are shooting their wonder nines.
The .357 also shines in a carbine, very little recoil, very accurate and capable of taking deer size game at reasonable ranges.
But I must admit I am torn between the .357 and the 45 Colt, especially when loaded up to RBH levels.
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Old October 1, 2012, 08:26 PM   #65
GM2
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Loving my Smith & Wesson Model 686- Plus 357 Mag. 6" Barrel Stainless Steel Revolver.
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Old October 1, 2012, 09:54 PM   #66
M4BGRINGO
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Only have 3 S&W's in .357, need a carbine to keep them company, any suggestions?
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Old October 2, 2012, 03:01 AM   #67
iraiam
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I like Ruger revolvers, I own 3 in .357 mag, a Security 6 6", GP100 6", and an LCR, I also like to go to the range and open up with a 158 grain max load, the silence after shooting it makes me smile Like everyone else is saying What the heck was that.

I kind of want a lever action carbine in 357 also.
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Old October 2, 2012, 05:46 AM   #68
NAKing
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Quote:
Quote: grandpajoe

I used to not have any use for a...
That's never stopped me from buying a new gun.
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Old October 2, 2012, 10:11 AM   #69
Seaman
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Have only one 357 revolver, a 3” heavy barrel S&W M13, at first thought it a great handgun for trail or street. Handloading one day I noticed that the 9mm and .357 bullet are similar… a hot 9mm should do what a .357 does … and there are plenty of excellent 9mm handgun manufacturers, (with better capacity) so why does anyone need a .357?

Ah yes, there is history… Patton carried one… but he took on Nazi ground attack aircraft not with a .357 S&W but a .380 Remington.

At the range everyone I see shoots 38 specials out of their 357s (which means more chamber clean-up) … it’s a rare day that I find any .357 shell cast-offs. In fact they gather up the 38 spl cases and offer them up to me… when what I’d prefer is .357s.

The bottom line is not that the .357 is a bad cartridge, no, its that folks who own them don’t shoot’em. They ain’t fun. To make’em tolerable you need a heavy revolver.

Perhaps the best .357 SD handgun is the J-frame or small frame size, but for those who have ever fired a small .357 snubby…. goodnight to that.

And there’s the 40 factor: the 44 spl, the 44 mag, the 45 Colt, and the 45 ACP are simpler to handload (flexible too) and with the exception of the 44 mag, most folks really enjoy shooting them, not only are they fun to shoot they do a good job defending vs 2 or 4 legged predators.

As much as I would like to shoot the .357 S&W M13, it gathers dust, its the 44 spl, the 44 mag, (the 45 Colt), and the 45 ACP that get range time.






PS…oops, forgot to mention the .41 mag.
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Old October 4, 2012, 02:37 PM   #70
kdrf636
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Currently, all I have is a 4" S&W M586 .357 magnum and an M37.38spl. And I'm looking for a lever action .357 rifle and a couple more Smith revolvers in .357. It's versatility and economy being contributing factors.
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Old October 4, 2012, 04:45 PM   #71
rclark
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.357/.38 is 'ok'. It's a fine plinking round. I have a couple Single Actions chambered in .357. My favorite calibers are .45 Colt and .44Spec for anything else.
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Old October 4, 2012, 04:56 PM   #72
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If I could only own one handgun it would be a .357mag revolver.
I currently own two.
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Old October 6, 2012, 07:33 AM   #73
rodfac
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While not my favorite caliber, it is a family perennial with both of my sons and one of our wives carrying it. Here's one of my favorites...a 50th Anniversary Ruger Flat Top with some after market grips and a shortened front sight to allow better use of 125 gr JHP's...I've carried this one quite a bit, in fact so much so that the six or eight shots daily I allow myself while fence running have cut down a pesky 6" dia. black locust tree that's cost me several tractor tires flats. (It's the thorny locust type). The grips are from Ajax...now defunct as I understand it.

That said, the best shooter we've collectively got is a 6" barreled S&W M19 that I've had since '73. It doesn't carry nearly as well as this 4-5/8" barreled Ruger. Best Regards, Rod

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Old October 6, 2012, 07:59 AM   #74
Mike Irwin
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"When I turned 21 the first gun I bought was a S&W #29 (Dirty Harry) revolver… that was before harry ever got one. Mine was called a Highway Patrol model. 4.5 in barrel. That was ’74.

It cost $165 new."


The Highway Patrolman was a Model 28. It came with 4 or 6 in barrels. A very small number came with 5 in. barrels, but they are uncommon and sought after.

I don't think Dirty Harry ever carried a Smith .357 Magnum. And the first Dirty Harry movie was released right before Christmas, 1971.
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Old October 6, 2012, 08:36 AM   #75
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I love my girlfriend, but like the .357 magnum best of all my handgun calibers. From the 5 shot pocket revolver shooting .38+P loads to the 8 shot N frame mid range loads to the 11 shot Desert Eagle shooting the high end loads I find this a very versatile caliber and that does not even cover the carbine use. Great caliber.
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