.357 magnum snubnose

OsOk-308 · May 18, 2011, 01:19 AM

Looking for a snubnose .357 magnum revolver. Not particularly looking for a pocket pistol, just a snub nosed revolver, preferably with the capability to fire .357 magnum rounds. Trying to decide what kind of revolvers are some of the best. I've looked at 2" S&W 686, ruger sp101s, how about dan wesson revolvers? I know there are threads like this, usually they're asking brand A vs B. I'm just looking for the best overall snubnose revolver for car travel. Another question, does the colt trooper have a model with a 2" barrel?

joneb · May 18, 2011, 01:59 AM

I'm really pleased with this; guns.jpg
Its a Ruger Security Six chambered in .357 Mag.

Eagle0711 · May 18, 2011, 02:16 AM

Used to have a S&W model 60 3" barrel. Not bad to shoot with 125 JHP in 357mag. It had adjustable sights and a hammer spur. Easy to carry. Wish that I still had it. It was 5 shot J Frame.

rickyboy · May 18, 2011, 03:52 AM

For a two inch revolver try s&w models 60,640,or649.

Jimmy10mm · May 18, 2011, 07:32 AM

If it is for car carry I would prefer a 4" 686 but that is just me. I've had a 2" 340PD that I sold. Too much punishment for the shooter firing magnum rounds in that one. I've still got a 640 with a 2 1/8" bbl and that has enough weight to dampen the recoil some. Great gun but I wish it was a 3".

CWKahrFan · May 18, 2011, 08:24 AM

Ruger SP101 .357 w/Crimson Trace grip & Spurless Hammer

Andy Taylor · May 18, 2011, 11:49 AM

Since you say you don't want a pocket gun I will not mention J frames and such. You stated 2" but I am including any sub 3" guns as that gives you lot more choices. In fact I believe the only 2" .357s are the J frames.
Ruger SP101 2.25" (mentioned because it is slightly larger than a J but not quite as big as K either), Speed-Six, Security-Six both 2.75"
S&W M19/66 M586/686. 2.5" all
Colt Python 2.5", Magnum Carry 2.25" (I think, could be 2"). (Good luck finding or affording either.) Lawman MKIII

As to the Colt Trooper. The Colt Lawman MKIII would be close to the Trooper MKIII, although it has fixed sights. AFAIK the earlier Trooper .357 and later Trooper MKV were not offered in anything shorter than a 4".

BigJimP · May 18, 2011, 12:21 PM

I like the K frame S&W model 66 ....good solid steel gun / makes sense if you want to carry it / put it in the car with .357 mag's in it.

Attachment 70393

here are a couple of my model 66's in 2 1/2" and a 4" ...both are good gun / easy to carry in a car console...

Nagano21 · May 18, 2011, 12:34 PM

I was in this same predicament a couple months ago... at first I wanted a smaller snubby, j-frame sized one, I already own a .38 j frame, and was nicely convinced it was a waste of time, and too look towards a larger frame. I was DEAD SET in SW only... well I came across a sp101, loved the extra bulk/weight of it the size was perfect... since then it is a match made in heaven... just ordered some custom grips for it too.

Deja vu · May 18, 2011, 02:59 PM

I love my S&W 640. It is a little heavier because of the stainless steel but the stainless really helps with rust and the heavier frame helps with recoil. I have shot 180 grain buffalo bore from mine and the recoil is not unbearable though I prefer 110 - 125 grain ammo.

Jimmy10mm · May 18, 2011, 03:10 PM

One more thought on the matter .... a 686+ holds 7 rounds. They can be had in 4" or in 2 1/2" bbls. There is also the 386 scandium lightweight. I have one of those and it holds 7 rounds. In spite of the lightweight shooting full house rounds isn't bad at all with the Houge rubber grips that it comes with.

S.Fitz · May 18, 2011, 03:23 PM

I love my SP101 .357

I think I may upgrade the front sight and call it good. =)

biohazurd · May 18, 2011, 11:18 PM

IMO the sp101 is the king of modern snubnose .357 like its beefy big brother the gp100, it will take anything you can feed it. Yes the trigger out of the box may not be as smooth as smiths that can be resolved will a wee bit of work.(Though IMO the trigger is fine as it is and will smooth out nicely over time.)

8shot357 · May 19, 2011, 12:26 AM

SP101 3".

ClydeFrog · May 19, 2011, 01:37 AM

I'd agree that for your posted uses, a Ruger SP101 .357 in a 3.16" barrel or maybe a new Ruger LCR wheelgun could work.
I'd get some custom work from www.Geminicustoms.com or maybe Clark Custom Guns in MO. A CT lasergrip would be a great add-on.

I owned a Ruger SP101 .357magnum DA only in the early 1990s. It worked great.

Naby · May 19, 2011, 07:36 AM

Looking at some of the ballistics data I have seen, I would go with a 3" barrel if you want to shoot .357 magnum from it. There just doesn't seem to be a big advantage to shooting .357 magnum rounds versus .38 special +P from anything shorter than a 3" barrel. I'm not saying that you shouldn't use magnum rounds from the really short guns (I have), only that you should look at a slightly longer barrel to allow the magnum rounds to do their thing.

l98ster · May 19, 2011, 07:45 AM

I just picked up a Smith j-frame (model 360) its DA with a scandium frame and steel cylinder. With critical defense 38+p its perfect. 357 mags hit pretty hard from this little guy also. I love it!!

-George

stevieboy · May 19, 2011, 02:30 PM

I believe that my S & W Model 19 2 1/2" is the best all-round handgun I've ever owned.

38superhero · May 19, 2011, 02:58 PM

Ruger GP100 3in....

Deaf Smith · May 19, 2011, 06:17 PM

Any one of mine will do..

Deaf

OsOk-308 · May 19, 2011, 08:32 PM

Are there any positives/negatives to a full underlug barrel? I like that look a lot, and think that I might rather have a gun with that but are there any downsides to that?

Deaf Smith · May 19, 2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

positives/negatives to a full underlug barrel?

The real negative is weight. For CCW an all steel gun weighs enough without adding more to the muzzle end.

But if you used full power magnum loads you might want some more weight, at least once the shooting starts!

Deaf

ZEBRARANGER · May 19, 2011, 08:50 PM

I'm more of a Ruger Revolver fan so I like the SP101 and the 2-3/4" Security Six. Both handle the full load 357 well. Not to mention that I got a great deal on the Security Six last year.

8shot357 · May 20, 2011, 10:14 AM

That's a no brainer, SP101.

WVleo · May 20, 2011, 07:24 PM

Hi, Found this at the LGS a couple of years ago. Colt Lawman MKIII 2" . Nice revolver to shoot, but seldom do I carry it as it far outweighs My PM9. I slapped a set of Pachmyr grips and a Israeli holster for outdoors CCW times....WVleo

May 18, 2011, 01:19 AM	#1
OsOk-308 Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 283	.357 magnum snubnose Looking for a snubnose .357 magnum revolver. Not particularly looking for a pocket pistol, just a snub nosed revolver, preferably with the capability to fire .357 magnum rounds. Trying to decide what kind of revolvers are some of the best. I've looked at 2" S&W 686, ruger sp101s, how about dan wesson revolvers? I know there are threads like this, usually they're asking brand A vs B. I'm just looking for the best overall snubnose revolver for car travel. Another question, does the colt trooper have a model with a 2" barrel?

May 18, 2011, 08:24 AM	#6
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	Ruger SP101 .357 w/Crimson Trace grip & Spurless Hammer __________________ What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet? ... "We're having a BeeBee!"... IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT! "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

May 18, 2011, 12:21 PM	#8
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I like the K frame S&W model 66 ....good solid steel gun / makes sense if you want to carry it / put it in the car with .357 mag's in it. Attachment 70393 here are a couple of my model 66's in 2 1/2" and a 4" ...both are good gun / easy to carry in a car console... Last edited by BigJimP; July 24, 2015 at 06:23 PM.

May 18, 2011, 02:59 PM	#10
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	I love my S&W 640. It is a little heavier because of the stainless steel but the stainless really helps with rust and the heavier frame helps with recoil. I have shot 180 grain buffalo bore from mine and the recoil is not unbearable though I prefer 110 - 125 grain ammo. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. 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...

May 19, 2011, 01:37 AM	#15
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Belt, vehicle or general target use .357magnum snubs.... I'd agree that for your posted uses, a Ruger SP101 .357 in a 3.16" barrel or maybe a new Ruger LCR wheelgun could work. I'd get some custom work from www.Geminicustoms.com or maybe Clark Custom Guns in MO. A CT lasergrip would be a great add-on. I owned a Ruger SP101 .357magnum DA only in the early 1990s. It worked great.

May 18, 2011, 01:59 AM	#2
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I'm really pleased with this; guns.jpg Its a Ruger Security Six chambered in .357 Mag.

May 18, 2011, 02:16 AM	#3
Eagle0711 Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2010 Posts: 782	Used to have a S&W model 60 3" barrel. Not bad to shoot with 125 JHP in 357mag. It had adjustable sights and a hammer spur. Easy to carry. Wish that I still had it. It was 5 shot J Frame.

May 18, 2011, 03:52 AM	#4
rickyboy Junior Member Join Date: October 27, 2010 Location: Coudersport,Pa. Posts: 5	For a two inch revolver try s&w models 60,640,or649.

May 18, 2011, 11:49 AM	#7
Andy Taylor Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2010 Posts: 499	Since you say you don't want a pocket gun I will not mention J frames and such. You stated 2" but I am including any sub 3" guns as that gives you lot more choices. In fact I believe the only 2" .357s are the J frames. Ruger SP101 2.25" (mentioned because it is slightly larger than a J but not quite as big as K either), Speed-Six, Security-Six both 2.75" S&W M19/66 M586/686. 2.5" all Colt Python 2.5", Magnum Carry 2.25" (I think, could be 2"). (Good luck finding or affording either.) Lawman MKIII As to the Colt Trooper. The Colt Lawman MKIII would be close to the Trooper MKIII, although it has fixed sights. AFAIK the earlier Trooper .357 and later Trooper MKV were not offered in anything shorter than a 4".

May 18, 2011, 12:34 PM	#9
Nagano21 Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2005 Location: MA/RI Posts: 203	I was in this same predicament a couple months ago... at first I wanted a smaller snubby, j-frame sized one, I already own a .38 j frame, and was nicely convinced it was a waste of time, and too look towards a larger frame. I was DEAD SET in SW only... well I came across a sp101, loved the extra bulk/weight of it the size was perfect... since then it is a match made in heaven... just ordered some custom grips for it too.

May 18, 2011, 03:23 PM	#12
S.Fitz Junior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 11	I love my SP101 .357 I think I may upgrade the front sight and call it good. =)

May 18, 2011, 11:18 PM	#13
biohazurd Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Posts: 340	IMO the sp101 is the king of modern snubnose .357 like its beefy big brother the gp100, it will take anything you can feed it. Yes the trigger out of the box may not be as smooth as smiths that can be resolved will a wee bit of work.(Though IMO the trigger is fine as it is and will smooth out nicely over time.)

May 19, 2011, 12:26 AM	#14
8shot357 Junior member Join Date: September 7, 2010 Posts: 1,740	SP101 3".

May 19, 2011, 07:36 AM	#16
Naby Member Join Date: January 26, 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 50	Looking at some of the ballistics data I have seen, I would go with a 3" barrel if you want to shoot .357 magnum from it. There just doesn't seem to be a big advantage to shooting .357 magnum rounds versus .38 special +P from anything shorter than a 3" barrel. I'm not saying that you shouldn't use magnum rounds from the really short guns (I have), only that you should look at a slightly longer barrel to allow the magnum rounds to do their thing.

May 19, 2011, 07:45 AM	#17
l98ster Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2010 Location: Hopewell Junction, NY Posts: 454	I just picked up a Smith j-frame (model 360) its DA with a scandium frame and steel cylinder. With critical defense 38+p its perfect. 357 mags hit pretty hard from this little guy also. I love it!! -George

May 19, 2011, 02:30 PM	#18
stevieboy Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2008 Posts: 1,695	I believe that my S & W Model 19 2 1/2" is the best all-round handgun I've ever owned.

May 19, 2011, 02:58 PM	#19
38superhero Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2007 Posts: 561	Ruger GP100 3in....

May 19, 2011, 08:32 PM	#21
OsOk-308 Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 283	Are there any positives/negatives to a full underlug barrel? I like that look a lot, and think that I might rather have a gun with that but are there any downsides to that?

May 19, 2011, 08:50 PM	#23
ZEBRARANGER Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 620	I'm more of a Ruger Revolver fan so I like the SP101 and the 2-3/4" Security Six. Both handle the full load 357 well. Not to mention that I got a great deal on the Security Six last year.

May 20, 2011, 10:14 AM	#24
8shot357 Junior member Join Date: September 7, 2010 Posts: 1,740	That's a no brainer, SP101.