why I always keep a 357

Doc Holliday 1950 · December 19, 2017, 11:36 PM

In my 50+ years of carring a revolver, I have always depended on the 357 in magnum wheels. Semi's can misfire but wheels almost never misfire.
My new gun that I'll never trade nor sell is the S&W 686 3" 347 in magnum
7 shot wheel.
As far as I am concerned, the 357 magnum ammo is always the go to gun.
My Glocks are fine, but my 36 oz. 7 shot 357 mag revolver is my ultimate
gun. don't care if its used as a range toy or a self defense gun

arquebus357 · December 19, 2017, 11:51 PM

Yes...there are times when being able to shoot THROUGH things someone is using for cover can be to your advantage. If you are not able to employ a long gun a powerful handgun is the next best thing.

Love .357's

Charlie98 · December 20, 2017, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Semi's can misfire but wheels almost never misfire.

That's a redundant statement. Any pistol can misfire, revolver or semiauto, the trick is to find out which pistol does... and either fix it or get rid of it.

Having said that, one of the most accurate pistols I've ever owned was a 4" 686, a retired Westerville, OH police issue pistol I bought for just over $200.

I am completely out of the .357 business, and only have 1 .38SPC, for sentimental reasons.

DaleA · December 20, 2017, 04:48 AM

I'm more comfortable with a little longer barrel, like 4 inch, but I agree a midsize .357 magnum wheel gun is a VERY versatile performer. And for sure, revolvers can have their very own problems, as we have discussed and discussed and discussed...

Model12Win · December 20, 2017, 05:20 AM

A great stopping caliber. It's a small fry compared to the big .44s and .45s, but gained a wicked little reputation on the street regardless.

tallball · December 20, 2017, 05:35 AM

Elaborated below

CajunBass · December 20, 2017, 05:57 AM

When I was a young fellow, gunwriters like Bill Jordan, and Skeeter Skelton convinced me that a 4", medium frame, Smith & Wesson was about the best "all around" handgun you could buy.

I haven't seen anything to change that opinion, even though I seldom shoot 357 ammo. 38's have always worked just fine for punching holes in paper and that's all I ever use them for. That and I've got a bucket full of 38 brass.

I've got a Model 19, a 66, and a S&W "Highway Patrolman" (Pre 28) with a Dan Wesson Model 15 on layaway.

mk70ss · December 20, 2017, 06:43 AM

Besides the 12 gauge shotgun in our bedroom. Both my wife and I, rely on .357 revolvers as our go guns. Hers is the Kimber K6s, mine is the S&W 686 Plus.

HighValleyRanch · December 20, 2017, 11:43 AM

what I love about the 38/357 revolver is the flexibility of loads. In one cylinder you can have bear loads, sd loads and snake all at the same time.

What I don't like about the .357 is the noise in the event you have to use it without hearing protection. Possibility of permanent hearing loss.

I just got a box of the new Federal HST Micro .38 +P and these will be my new carry load after seeing results of some penetration results in gel on youtube. The bullets mushroomed back perfectly. Controllable load and effective. They are loaded like wadcutters, but effective like hollowpoints. Can't wait to get to the range with the chrono to see how they come out.

Bob Wright · December 20, 2017, 12:57 PM

I used to carry a .357 but of late preferred something a mite larger.

(It's a .45 Colt)

Bob Wright

Sevens · December 20, 2017, 02:09 PM

Similarly:

I will always keep a .357. And 10 more .357's. And a handful of .45's, a couple .40's, a truckload of 9mm's, one .32 Wadcutter is probably enough, a dozen .22's, a .460 Mag, a cache of 10mm's, many .38's and assorted other goodies.

.380's-- don't need any of those.

Snub357 · December 20, 2017, 02:13 PM

Everyone should own at least one .357 magnum revolver.

And a 44 magnum.

And a 45 Colt.

ThomasT · December 20, 2017, 03:51 PM

I feel the same way about 357 guns. I have five 4" barreled 357s and a 6" GP-100. When the 357 came out it was touted to be a belt carried carbine for rural police work. That was with a 6" barrel and maybe longer. But the idea was to have the power of a carbine rifle that was handy and portable. And with the original loads it was close.

The now gone Robert T Shimek (sp?) wrote in one of his excellent articles that a 6" 357 could be used for some competitions, hunting and as a house gun since being able to conceal it was not a concern.

I will admit that a 4" 357 is about as handy as it gets. My bud went to Colorado for a couple of weeks last winter and went to his place to feed the cows and run the fences since he has a bull that can seem to escape from about any pen or field he is put in.

So I wore my 4" GP-100 and rode his 4 wheeler all over the property checking fences. I never noticed the weight of the gun on my belt but it felt good to be there.

rodfac · December 20, 2017, 06:07 PM

Great post Doc and a thought provoker too. Seems like when I've been on an auto kick for awhile...like now working up loads for a new to me, 9mm Hi Power, it's refreshing to pick up an old friend...a S&W K frame and re-acquaint my self with just how accurate a revolver is....I do at least as well with the DA function of my Smiths as I do with the good SA triggers on my 1911's and a pair of Hi Powers. And...the SA trigger pulls on any Smith I've ever owned beat the very best of my gunsmith tuned 1911's.

And there's always the pleasure of dumping your spent brass into the hand vs. picking a magazine's worth of auto brass out of the weeds on my outdoor range. Hell, I don't even have to tumble them (no sand nor debris to contend with, eh?).

Power, reliability, a manual of arms that's simplicity itself...what's not to like. But seem's like sometimes we're a vanishing breed; those of us who consider ourselves, 'revolver men'. And I'll admit to taking a perverse pleasure to dumping a cylinder full into a single ragged hole from the 10 yd line while a handful of bottom feeder shooters look on.

So thanks for reminding me of the sheer utility, dare I say, "beauty", of a good six-gun... Rod

ThomasT · December 20, 2017, 06:15 PM

Quote:

But seem's like sometimes we're a vanishing breed; those of us who consider ourselves, 'revolver men'.

When double action revolvers became common the single action guys probably thought the same thing. Well single actions are still here and still have a place and double action revolvers will be around way into the future as far as I can tell. What is old will be new again.

Hammerhead · December 20, 2017, 07:40 PM

I roll my own and have found the Speer Gold Dot 135 SB over 7.5 grains of Unique to be very shootable and easy on the ears like a .38.

stuckinthe60s · December 20, 2017, 07:51 PM

when I was in the SEAL teams, the divers always carried the 686 stainless with 357. good enough for them, good enough for me.
I use a hi standard mk2 3". works fine, wife likes it, I like it....why chase fads? im sticking with what works.

Model12Win · December 20, 2017, 07:57 PM

I firmly believe a man so armed with a .357 magnum revolver and speedloaders who can reload with swiftity is a man well armed!

The "King of the Street" for sure!!

jetinteriorguy · December 20, 2017, 07:59 PM

I've been loading and shooting my .41 mag since the early eighties and just love the caliber. But 4 years ago I finally broke down and bought my first .357, and now I hardly shoot the .41's other than my lever action. I love the much lighter recoil and the versatility with .38 sp. and the fact that between the revolver and rifle it can do anything I would ever really need a gun for out to 100 yds.

tallball · December 20, 2017, 08:46 PM

Tomorrow at the range I will be shooting six handguns:

Browning Buck Mark 22lr auto
S&W K22 Masterpiece 22lr revolver
Star BM 9mm auto
Taurus (Old Model) 66 357 revolver
Ruger P90DC 45acp auto
Ruger Blackhawk 45acp "convertible"

The autos are good ones and I shoot them just fine. But the revolvers are where my heart is. The K22 has the best trigger I have ever shot on anything. The Taurus is tied for second (with my friend's S&W 66). It has a 6" barrel and nice big sights. It's stupidly accurate, enough to make me look good. When I shoot a 50 round box of ammo through it at 15 yards, I will have a couple of fliers and will be able to cover the rest of the holes with the palm of my hand.

I have a lot of handguns, but a 4" 357 is next to my bed when I sleep. On one unfortunate evening it came in very handy. I like to shoot autos for fun, but I count on revolvers (especially 357's) for serious business.

Jbotto · December 21, 2017, 11:57 AM

In 2012, when all my similar aged friends and I were turning 21, we were all shopping for handguns. Lots ended up with plastic 9mm's and I was the oddity with a wood gripped 3" SP101. Wore it daily for 3 years and shot it only as a DA, I left the hammer alone. I have since traded it for a 4" GP100 so I can keep a really handy .357 but no longer carry it daily. I'd much rather have a striker fired gun on me for personal defense, but I will never be without a .357mag in my "collection." One of my favorite cartridges to shoot, and favorite to reload. When that SP101 was traded, it had over 2000 rounds through it, and very few of them were .38's.

SIGSHR · December 21, 2017, 03:10 PM

IMHO a 4'-6" 357 is as close to an all round revolver as we'll ever get. WCs for target practice, 357s for SD or hunting for the truly skilled.

reddog81 · December 21, 2017, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sevens

Similarly:

I will always keep a .357. And 10 more .357's. And a handful of .45's, a couple .40's, a truckload of 9mm's, one .32 Wadcutter is probably enough, a dozen .22's, a .460 Mag, a cache of 10mm's, many .38's and assorted other goodies.

.380's-- don't need any of those.

This sums up my feelings. Other than the .460(which I don't have yet...), I can check all the other boxes even the lack of a .380.

Armybrat · December 21, 2017, 04:41 PM

Only have four .357 wheel guns left. They'll do me just fine. (gifted my Ruger Service Six and S&W Model 13 to my sons years ago)

BigJimP · December 21, 2017, 07:21 PM

I will always rely on my 1911's as a primary carry gun ( for last several years its been a Wilson Combat, 5", im 9mm ).....

.....but I have kept a model 686-1 in a 6" ...with .357 mag in it, and lately with Hornaday 158gr XTP 's in it.., ...and a speed loader in my nitestand..../...i think its a great option if I am ever woken out of a sound sleep...

December 19, 2017, 11:36 PM	#1
Doc Holliday 1950 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2014 Location: Bout as south as it gets Posts: 1,238	why I always keep a 357 In my 50+ years of carring a revolver, I have always depended on the 357 in magnum wheels. Semi's can misfire but wheels almost never misfire. My new gun that I'll never trade nor sell is the S&W 686 3" 347 in magnum 7 shot wheel. As far as I am concerned, the 357 magnum ammo is always the go to gun. My Glocks are fine, but my 36 oz. 7 shot 357 mag revolver is my ultimate gun. don't care if its used as a range toy or a self defense gun __________________ Shoot well and be Accurate, Doc

December 20, 2017, 05:35 AM	#6
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	Elaborated below Last edited by tallball; December 20, 2017 at 08:47 PM.

December 20, 2017, 05:57 AM	#7
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	When I was a young fellow, gunwriters like Bill Jordan, and Skeeter Skelton convinced me that a 4", medium frame, Smith & Wesson was about the best "all around" handgun you could buy. I haven't seen anything to change that opinion, even though I seldom shoot 357 ammo. 38's have always worked just fine for punching holes in paper and that's all I ever use them for. That and I've got a bucket full of 38 brass. I've got a Model 19, a 66, and a S&W "Highway Patrolman" (Pre 28) with a Dan Wesson Model 15 on layaway. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

December 20, 2017, 06:43 AM	#8
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	Besides the 12 gauge shotgun in our bedroom. Both my wife and I, rely on .357 revolvers as our go guns. Hers is the Kimber K6s, mine is the S&W 686 Plus. __________________ Say when.....

December 20, 2017, 12:57 PM	#10
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	I used to carry a .357 but of late preferred something a mite larger. (It's a .45 Colt) Bob Wright __________________ Time spent at the reloading bench is an investment in contentment.

December 19, 2017, 11:51 PM	#2
arquebus357 Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2016 Location: Atlanta, Georgia area Posts: 455	Yes...there are times when being able to shoot THROUGH things someone is using for cover can be to your advantage. If you are not able to employ a long gun a powerful handgun is the next best thing. Love .357's

December 20, 2017, 04:48 AM	#4
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,313	I'm more comfortable with a little longer barrel, like 4 inch, but I agree a midsize .357 magnum wheel gun is a VERY versatile performer. And for sure, revolvers can have their very own problems, as we have discussed and discussed and discussed...

December 20, 2017, 05:20 AM	#5
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	A great stopping caliber. It's a small fry compared to the big .44s and .45s, but gained a wicked little reputation on the street regardless.

December 20, 2017, 02:09 PM	#11
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Similarly: I will always keep a .357. And 10 more .357's. And a handful of .45's, a couple .40's, a truckload of 9mm's, one .32 Wadcutter is probably enough, a dozen .22's, a .460 Mag, a cache of 10mm's, many .38's and assorted other goodies. .380's-- don't need any of those. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

December 20, 2017, 02:13 PM	#12
Snub357 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2002 Posts: 484	Everyone should own at least one .357 magnum revolver. And a 44 magnum. And a 45 Colt. __________________ [Insert prattle here]

December 20, 2017, 03:51 PM	#13
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	I feel the same way about 357 guns. I have five 4" barreled 357s and a 6" GP-100. When the 357 came out it was touted to be a belt carried carbine for rural police work. That was with a 6" barrel and maybe longer. But the idea was to have the power of a carbine rifle that was handy and portable. And with the original loads it was close. The now gone Robert T Shimek (sp?) wrote in one of his excellent articles that a 6" 357 could be used for some competitions, hunting and as a house gun since being able to conceal it was not a concern. I will admit that a 4" 357 is about as handy as it gets. My bud went to Colorado for a couple of weeks last winter and went to his place to feed the cows and run the fences since he has a bull that can seem to escape from about any pen or field he is put in. So I wore my 4" GP-100 and rode his 4 wheeler all over the property checking fences. I never noticed the weight of the gun on my belt but it felt good to be there.

December 20, 2017, 06:07 PM	#14
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	Great post Doc and a thought provoker too. Seems like when I've been on an auto kick for awhile...like now working up loads for a new to me, 9mm Hi Power, it's refreshing to pick up an old friend...a S&W K frame and re-acquaint my self with just how accurate a revolver is....I do at least as well with the DA function of my Smiths as I do with the good SA triggers on my 1911's and a pair of Hi Powers. And...the SA trigger pulls on any Smith I've ever owned beat the very best of my gunsmith tuned 1911's. And there's always the pleasure of dumping your spent brass into the hand vs. picking a magazine's worth of auto brass out of the weeds on my outdoor range. Hell, I don't even have to tumble them (no sand nor debris to contend with, eh?). Power, reliability, a manual of arms that's simplicity itself...what's not to like. But seem's like sometimes we're a vanishing breed; those of us who consider ourselves, 'revolver men'. And I'll admit to taking a perverse pleasure to dumping a cylinder full into a single ragged hole from the 10 yd line while a handful of bottom feeder shooters look on. So thanks for reminding me of the sheer utility, dare I say, "beauty", of a good six-gun... Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

December 20, 2017, 07:40 PM	#16
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	I roll my own and have found the Speer Gold Dot 135 SB over 7.5 grains of Unique to be very shootable and easy on the ears like a .38.

December 20, 2017, 07:51 PM	#17
stuckinthe60s Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2017 Location: Va., Ct., Mo.. Posts: 877	when I was in the SEAL teams, the divers always carried the 686 stainless with 357. good enough for them, good enough for me. I use a hi standard mk2 3". works fine, wife likes it, I like it....why chase fads? im sticking with what works. __________________ Retired Military Aviation Former Member Navy Shooting Team Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner

December 20, 2017, 07:57 PM	#18
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	I firmly believe a man so armed with a .357 magnum revolver and speedloaders who can reload with swiftity is a man well armed! The "King of the Street" for sure!!

December 20, 2017, 07:59 PM	#19
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,176	I've been loading and shooting my .41 mag since the early eighties and just love the caliber. But 4 years ago I finally broke down and bought my first .357, and now I hardly shoot the .41's other than my lever action. I love the much lighter recoil and the versatility with .38 sp. and the fact that between the revolver and rifle it can do anything I would ever really need a gun for out to 100 yds.

December 20, 2017, 08:46 PM	#20
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	Tomorrow at the range I will be shooting six handguns: Browning Buck Mark 22lr auto S&W K22 Masterpiece 22lr revolver Star BM 9mm auto Taurus (Old Model) 66 357 revolver Ruger P90DC 45acp auto Ruger Blackhawk 45acp "convertible" The autos are good ones and I shoot them just fine. But the revolvers are where my heart is. The K22 has the best trigger I have ever shot on anything. The Taurus is tied for second (with my friend's S&W 66). It has a 6" barrel and nice big sights. It's stupidly accurate, enough to make me look good. When I shoot a 50 round box of ammo through it at 15 yards, I will have a couple of fliers and will be able to cover the rest of the holes with the palm of my hand. I have a lot of handguns, but a 4" 357 is next to my bed when I sleep. On one unfortunate evening it came in very handy. I like to shoot autos for fun, but I count on revolvers (especially 357's) for serious business.

December 21, 2017, 11:57 AM	#21
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 437	In 2012, when all my similar aged friends and I were turning 21, we were all shopping for handguns. Lots ended up with plastic 9mm's and I was the oddity with a wood gripped 3" SP101. Wore it daily for 3 years and shot it only as a DA, I left the hammer alone. I have since traded it for a 4" GP100 so I can keep a really handy .357 but no longer carry it daily. I'd much rather have a striker fired gun on me for personal defense, but I will never be without a .357mag in my "collection." One of my favorite cartridges to shoot, and favorite to reload. When that SP101 was traded, it had over 2000 rounds through it, and very few of them were .38's.

December 21, 2017, 03:10 PM	#22
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	IMHO a 4'-6" 357 is as close to an all round revolver as we'll ever get. WCs for target practice, 357s for SD or hunting for the truly skilled.

December 21, 2017, 04:41 PM	#24
Armybrat Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 976	Only have four .357 wheel guns left. They'll do me just fine. (gifted my Ruger Service Six and S&W Model 13 to my sons years ago) Last edited by Armybrat; December 21, 2017 at 04:47 PM.

December 21, 2017, 07:21 PM	#25
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I will always rely on my 1911's as a primary carry gun ( for last several years its been a Wilson Combat, 5", im 9mm )..... .....but I have kept a model 686-1 in a 6" ...with .357 mag in it, and lately with Hornaday 158gr XTP 's in it.., ...and a speed loader in my nitestand..../...i think its a great option if I am ever woken out of a sound sleep...