.357 for Home Defense?

M1Rifle30-06 · May 17, 2012, 02:22 PM

In a S&W 686+ 6", is it too loud or too much recoil to use effectively in a self defense situation? Would the noise and blast make you hesitate more between shots?

I've shot one before and it didnt seem too bad, but I'm sure it's differet when you just woke up in the middle of the night and it's pitch black.

ronto · May 17, 2012, 02:35 PM

A 6" 357 Ruger Security-Six resides in my bedside table top drawer...the flash-bang wlll be more injurious to the intruder than me...I'm not worried about it.

M1Rifle30-06 · May 17, 2012, 02:40 PM

Quote:

A 6" 357 Ruger Security-Six resides in my bedside table top drawer...the flash-bang wlll be more injurious to the intruder than me...I'm not worried about it.

I believe in quick follow up shots. The first shot doesn't always do it, even with .357. So if the flash-bang is a hinderance, I might not get a .357.

Oh and I don't want a .357 just to shoot .38's. I'd just go .45 or 9mm before that.

Brian48 · May 17, 2012, 03:01 PM

When I still had my 686 and was using it as a HD gun, I simply used WWB 110gr JHPs in it. This is a very light .357 load, but still more powerful than anything I could find in .38Spl +P. Very manageable and didn't go off like a flash-bang when shooting it in a close knit corridor.

Noreaster · May 17, 2012, 03:58 PM

Great home defense firearm. You can load it to whatever level you want. There are factory self defense loads for low flash, lighter then full power 1450fps 357mag.... The 6inch pipe is great for point shooting and quick sighted shooting.

zxcvbob · May 17, 2012, 04:05 PM

I use a Security Six for HD, but I keep it loaded with hot .38 Special +P's. (158 grain SWCHP) I shoot .357 Magnums at the range sometimes just for fun.

bikerbill · May 17, 2012, 04:05 PM

I have a 686+ and love it, but my HD gun is a Springfield .45 1911 .. main reason is speed of reloading ... and it came with night sights, which I really appreciate ...

LockedBreech · May 17, 2012, 04:09 PM

This might be silly, but could you load the first 3 shots a light .357 or a .38 +p and the last 3 shots a heavy hitter like Federal 357B? You get three rapid follow ups and a few seconds to adjust to the noise and light, and if that didn't do the trick the last three are heavy-hitters.

Glenn E. Meyer · May 17, 2012, 04:12 PM

Put a pair of muffs by the gun.

zxcvbob · May 17, 2012, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Put a pair of muffs by the gun.

My wife and my dogs have ears too.

M1Rifle30-06 · May 17, 2012, 04:41 PM

Here's a thought, and I may be off my rocker here:

If you could somehow have a threaded barrel on a 686, and put a suppressor on it, wouldn't it, theoretically, cut down on some of the noise? Maybe just enough to bring the decibel level down to a hot .38 Special? Sure, a lot of noise will escape from the cylinder gap, but wouldn't the suppressor take care of a good bit of noise?

jmr40 · May 17, 2012, 05:18 PM

If it is all you have use it. I kept one for that purpose for years and fortunalely never had to use it. Knowing what I do now any 357 mag would be near the bottom of my list for SD purposes.

I know of 2 former LE officers who had to retire early after firing 357 mags indoors. They could no longer pass the hearing part of their physical.

zxcvbob · May 17, 2012, 05:19 PM

It would help. But silencers/suppressors are inexplicably illegal here even with a federal tax stamp.

If I could have a silencer, I'd get one and a threaded barrel for my Hi-Power.

Glenn E. Meyer · May 17, 2012, 05:31 PM

Get a muff set for the wife. Get a dog named Muffy -

Anyway, my idea was to keep you in the fight as that seemed the problem of the OP.

microman · May 17, 2012, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Put a pair of muffs by the gun.

+1 for electronic earmuffs or shoot 38 +p out of it.

Deaf Smith · May 17, 2012, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Would the noise and blast make you hesitate more between shots?

M1Rifle,

Unless it's a top .357 load I doubt in a real situation you will even remember hearing it go off.

I've shot many a deer with everything from .338 and .300 Winchester magnum down to .223 and I don't remember the blast causing me to hesitate at all. In fact in most cases I didn't even remember hearing it go off!

I'd worry more about the blast from a short 5.56 and 12 gauge shotguns inside a house than any .357.

Since your .357 is a 6 inch you don't need the super top magnum loads to reach 'magnum' energy!

Just get something like the .357 DPX load and don't worry. They have flash retardant powers to so no being blinded by the flash at night.

Deaf

BigJimP · May 17, 2012, 07:49 PM

Its a great gun for defense....and don't worry about the noise ( in defense ) ....wear ear protection for training...

Personally I would favor a 4" barrel over a 6" ....but nothing wrong with the 6".

Kreyzhorse · May 17, 2012, 08:16 PM

In a self defense situation, you won't know the difference between a .38 or the .357 nor will the flash and and sound render you helpless.

As another point, if the muzzle blast and light disorient you, it will certainly do the same to your target.

Salmoneye · May 17, 2012, 09:23 PM

Here we go again...

Rather than download a .357, get yourself a .38 S&W and call it good...

Less flash, bang, and over-penetration is not an issue...

Aint I a stinker?

slow944 · May 17, 2012, 09:43 PM

I keep either a Colt Trooper MKIII or a S&W 60-14 on the night stand. Both are loaded with the 357 SD ammo.

TXAZ · May 17, 2012, 09:58 PM

I'm not sure the primary issue in such a situation is whether or not you get the ear plugs in before blasting or avoiding muzzle flash blindness.

In a suburban or urban environment, I would have a concern about over-penetration with a .357, as in to my neighbor's home, into someone walking down the sidewalk, or any other innocent person unfortunately in the line of fire.

You might get the bad guy, but you may also get charged for manslaughter or a civil suit to follow up.

I'm in the 12 Gauge with birdshot for HD. If I didn't need to care who or what might be the backstop, then anything might go.

**Tom Servo** · May 17, 2012, 10:09 PM

Quote:

If you could somehow have a threaded barrel on a 686, and put a suppressor on it, wouldn't it, theoretically, cut down on some of the noise?

Some, but not much. The problem is the amount of gas escaping from the cylinder gap.

I keep my bedside gun loaded with .38 +P's. If six of those don't do the job, my reloads are full-boat Magnums.

gak · May 18, 2012, 05:50 AM

+1 Solution is .38+Ps anyway in an indoors defensive situation. Decent round for and same or similar relationship to .44 Mag vs .44 Special, pick the latter every time for a HD/SD situation anyway, even when Mag available. Always go subsonic unless'n you gotta go "mag" for some reason. Here you don't. In a revolver, if you feel .38 inadequate, move up in caliber, as in .44 (Sp) or .45C/ACP, not (mag)nitude--for the purposes of this discussion. Am not talking zombies or on the trail against mountain lions 'n such. IMO.

Archer 9505 · May 18, 2012, 07:36 AM

In a life or death SD situation the bang of your .357 is probably going to be the least of your concerns. The flash can be mitigated by low flash ammo.
See Auditory Exclusion:

Definition:
Auditory Exclusion involves a loss of hearing that occurs as part of the fight-or-flight stress response during confrontation with danger. It is a sort of filtering out of unimportant external noise so that focus is maintained on the business at hand -- survival.

A few rounds of reasonable SD ammo fired from a 6 inch .357 is probably much less damaging to you, your wife, kids and dog than the alternative of failing to expeditiously stop the threat.

Walklightly · May 18, 2012, 08:21 AM

For HD, I have a Ruger SP101 loaded with Rem 125g SJHP .357s. But that's just me, go ahead make my day if you feel lucky.

May 17, 2012, 02:22 PM	#1
M1Rifle30-06 Senior Member Join Date: May 5, 2012 Posts: 118	.357 for Home Defense? In a S&W 686+ 6", is it too loud or too much recoil to use effectively in a self defense situation? Would the noise and blast make you hesitate more between shots? I've shot one before and it didnt seem too bad, but I'm sure it's differet when you just woke up in the middle of the night and it's pitch black.

May 17, 2012, 03:01 PM	#4
Brian48 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2001 Location: Boston, People's Republic of MA Posts: 1,616	When I still had my 686 and was using it as a HD gun, I simply used WWB 110gr JHPs in it. This is a very light .357 load, but still more powerful than anything I could find in .38Spl +P. Very manageable and didn't go off like a flash-bang when shooting it in a close knit corridor. __________________ Proud to have served.

May 17, 2012, 04:05 PM	#6
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	I use a Security Six for HD, but I keep it loaded with hot .38 Special +P's. (158 grain SWCHP) I shoot .357 Magnums at the range sometimes just for fun. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

May 17, 2012, 04:12 PM	#9
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,061	Put a pair of muffs by the gun. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

May 17, 2012, 05:19 PM	#13
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	It would help. But silencers/suppressors are inexplicably illegal here even with a federal tax stamp. If I could have a silencer, I'd get one and a threaded barrel for my Hi-Power. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

May 17, 2012, 02:35 PM	#2
ronto Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2007 Location: Smack Dab in the Middle of Nowhere. Posts: 505	A 6" 357 Ruger Security-Six resides in my bedside table top drawer...the flash-bang wlll be more injurious to the intruder than me...I'm not worried about it.

May 17, 2012, 03:58 PM	#5
Noreaster Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2011 Location: New England Posts: 1,449	Great home defense firearm. You can load it to whatever level you want. There are factory self defense loads for low flash, lighter then full power 1450fps 357mag.... The 6inch pipe is great for point shooting and quick sighted shooting.

May 17, 2012, 04:05 PM	#7
bikerbill Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: Lago Vista TX Posts: 2,425	I have a 686+ and love it, but my HD gun is a Springfield .45 1911 .. main reason is speed of reloading ... and it came with night sights, which I really appreciate ...

May 17, 2012, 04:09 PM	#8
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Rocky Mountain West Posts: 3,395	This might be silly, but could you load the first 3 shots a light .357 or a .38 +p and the last 3 shots a heavy hitter like Federal 357B? You get three rapid follow ups and a few seconds to adjust to the noise and light, and if that didn't do the trick the last three are heavy-hitters.

May 17, 2012, 04:41 PM	#11
M1Rifle30-06 Senior Member Join Date: May 5, 2012 Posts: 118	Here's a thought, and I may be off my rocker here: If you could somehow have a threaded barrel on a 686, and put a suppressor on it, wouldn't it, theoretically, cut down on some of the noise? Maybe just enough to bring the decibel level down to a hot .38 Special? Sure, a lot of noise will escape from the cylinder gap, but wouldn't the suppressor take care of a good bit of noise?

May 17, 2012, 05:18 PM	#12
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,976	If it is all you have use it. I kept one for that purpose for years and fortunalely never had to use it. Knowing what I do now any 357 mag would be near the bottom of my list for SD purposes. I know of 2 former LE officers who had to retire early after firing 357 mags indoors. They could no longer pass the hearing part of their physical.

May 17, 2012, 05:31 PM	#14
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,061	Get a muff set for the wife. Get a dog named Muffy - Anyway, my idea was to keep you in the fight as that seemed the problem of the OP. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

May 17, 2012, 07:49 PM	#17
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Its a great gun for defense....and don't worry about the noise ( in defense ) ....wear ear protection for training... Personally I would favor a 4" barrel over a 6" ....but nothing wrong with the 6".

May 17, 2012, 08:16 PM	#18
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,464	In a self defense situation, you won't know the difference between a .38 or the .357 nor will the flash and and sound render you helpless. As another point, if the muzzle blast and light disorient you, it will certainly do the same to your target. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson Last edited by Kreyzhorse; May 17, 2012 at 08:35 PM.

May 17, 2012, 09:23 PM	#19
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	Here we go again... Rather than download a .357, get yourself a .38 S&W and call it good... Less flash, bang, and over-penetration is not an issue... Aint I a stinker?

May 17, 2012, 09:43 PM	#20
slow944 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Location: DFW,TX Posts: 406	I keep either a Colt Trooper MKIII or a S&W 60-14 on the night stand. Both are loaded with the 357 SD ammo.

May 17, 2012, 09:58 PM	#21
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	.357 Ear Protection is not the primary issue I'm not sure the primary issue in such a situation is whether or not you get the ear plugs in before blasting or avoiding muzzle flash blindness. In a suburban or urban environment, I would have a concern about over-penetration with a .357, as in to my neighbor's home, into someone walking down the sidewalk, or any other innocent person unfortunately in the line of fire. You might get the bad guy, but you may also get charged for manslaughter or a civil suit to follow up. I'm in the 12 Gauge with birdshot for HD. If I didn't need to care who or what might be the backstop, then anything might go. __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

May 18, 2012, 05:50 AM	#23
gak Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 2,767	+1 Solution is .38+Ps anyway in an indoors defensive situation. Decent round for and same or similar relationship to .44 Mag vs .44 Special, pick the latter every time for a HD/SD situation anyway, even when Mag available. Always go subsonic unless'n you gotta go "mag" for some reason. Here you don't. In a revolver, if you feel .38 inadequate, move up in caliber, as in .44 (Sp) or .45C/ACP, not (mag)nitude--for the purposes of this discussion. Am not talking zombies or on the trail against mountain lions 'n such. IMO.

May 18, 2012, 07:36 AM	#24
Archer 9505 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 213	I don't think it's that big a deal In a life or death SD situation the bang of your .357 is probably going to be the least of your concerns. The flash can be mitigated by low flash ammo. See Auditory Exclusion: Definition: Auditory Exclusion involves a loss of hearing that occurs as part of the fight-or-flight stress response during confrontation with danger. It is a sort of filtering out of unimportant external noise so that focus is maintained on the business at hand -- survival. A few rounds of reasonable SD ammo fired from a 6 inch .357 is probably much less damaging to you, your wife, kids and dog than the alternative of failing to expeditiously stop the threat.

May 18, 2012, 08:21 AM	#25
Walklightly Junior member Join Date: September 28, 2011 Posts: 985	For HD, I have a Ruger SP101 loaded with Rem 125g SJHP .357s. But that's just me, go ahead make my day if you feel lucky.