why I always keep a 357 - Page 4

amd6547 · January 11, 2018, 05:00 PM

My 3" GP100 has become my defacto home defense gun, loaded with critical defense 125gn.

geologist · January 11, 2018, 05:07 PM

And the versatility of the .357 magnum revolver can be complemented by a carbine in the same caliber.

223 shooter · January 13, 2018, 11:31 AM

My first handgun was a Smith 686 back in 1987 and since then have owned more 357s than any other handgun. The accuracy and ability to fire a wide range of loads still draws me to it after all these years.

In regards to self defense I no longer use it. The muzzle blast of the vaunted 125s borders on the absurd. I use a 9mm or 45 auto these days.

As mentioned by geologist the 357 is a great carbine round and I have 357s in lever actions by Marlin and Henry.

jhansman · January 15, 2018, 08:53 PM

Fans of the show "Justified" may recall an episode in which a fellow LEO (played by Eric Roberts) is taking practice at an indoor range when Tim Olyphant's character Raylan comes in and asks Roberts, "Is that a GP100?" They chat a bit, with Roberts finishing with a smile and "A .357 will never let you down." I suspect he was right.

rodfac · January 16, 2018, 08:57 AM

Quote:

And the versatility of the .357 magnum revolver can be complemented by a carbine in the same caliber.

A very good point. Marlin's short bbl'd carbine, the 1894, is about as handy to carry and use as an M1 Carbine...but the Marlin will throw a 158 gr Hornady XTP at just under 1700 fps according to my chronograph, and will group them under 2" @ 100 yds too. It's a real killer on KY white tails.

That same load, through my S&W 4" M19, shows 1250 fps on the chrono screen and will place them into <2" at 25 yds over iron sights. It's a hellofa combination, carbine and revolver, and about as useful for most anything you'd care to shoot in the lower 48.

Best Regards, Rod

Hammerhead · January 18, 2018, 03:01 PM

Love the carbines. Had a couple 357 lever guns but only hung on to my NEF Handi rifle 357/30-30/.410. Super accurate and compact. The 22" barrel is really nice and quiet with my typical 'magnum-lite' loads, a nice change from rifle calibers.

IIRC I paid $135 for the gun and $65 each for the 2 extra barrels back in the 90's. If I had any brains at the time I would have gotten a 22 Hornet and 20 gauge barrels as well. Too late now.

IrishFritz · January 19, 2018, 08:06 AM

I've owned various S&W 19's and 66's over the years and currently carry a vintage 66-1 2 3/4" with a load of Berry's 148grain hollow based wadcutter loaded backwards over 6.5 of Unique for just a hair over 1000fps at the muzzle. I've always favored lead bullet loads in vintage K frames over the barrel splitting at the forcing cone issue attributed to the impulse pressure of the 125 grain hollow point loads that were common police issue back in the day. I'm currently in lust for a vintage 19 6" barrel with a factory McCall bead, W/O rear sight, target hammer and trigger. So I'll haunt the gun shows and auctions until I find one- shoot, I've owned 3 19's like that and never had the sense to keep one. Cheers

SauerGrapes · January 21, 2018, 07:58 PM

I bought my first revolver in 1980 on a whim. A model 28. Too large for my small mitts, I sold it.
Eight years ago I got back in the wheel business. I knew a couple would have to be .357. I keep the mod 60-15 3'' stoked with wad cutters for my wife. Love that gun. Goes with me on long walks with the dog.

BIGR · January 22, 2018, 09:20 PM

Model 686 Smith, 4 inch barrel was one of my favorites, Still have it along with A Smith 649.

I never will be without one.

mk70ss · January 22, 2018, 09:25 PM

My carry gun is a Wiley Clapp .357 SP101, My nightstand gun is a S&W 686 Plus .357

FleetMarine57 · January 23, 2018, 02:29 PM

Does anyone know where I can get my hands on used Colt .357 Magnum?

hagar · January 24, 2018, 02:15 PM

I sold my last 357 magnum in 1994, and just lucked into a Colt Trooper III for a bargain price. Made in 1970, but it is mint, almost no wear or rings around the cylinder.

Now I have to start reloading 357 again..

deserted · January 28, 2018, 01:34 AM

And then the.327FM, which revolvers will chamber and fire six different cartridges, and hand loads within each. Near .357 oomph, even more versatility (in my mind anyway), and on a smaller frame. When it was introduced in the Blackhawk I thought, if I want to carry a Blackhawk-sized pistol, I have a Blackhawk in .357. When the Single Seven came out, I experienced a massive exacerbation of Igottahaveitus (a latent, dormant tendency) and wound upwith, so far, three .327s in only a couple years (the Siingle Six in .32 H&R magnum was the gateway gun and caliber...beware). I guess that's what I like the most over the .357, is chambering lots of power in .22 frames.
I used to carry two revolvers when deer/elk hunting, a .357 or .44 magnum, and a .22 for grouse and bunnies. Now it's just the .327 and different ammo selections to match the game.
But I'll always have a Blackhawk in .357, with a Rossi M92 to match. I have well over 6k bullets in .357-.358 to load up, for when I want to kick up a little more dirt.

HighValleyRanch · January 28, 2018, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Now it's just the .327 and different ammo selections to match the game.

You hunt with the .327 and what ammo do you use for ELK or Bear?

cole k · January 28, 2018, 02:24 PM

Quote:
Now it's just the .327 and different ammo selections to match the game.

I would like to know this also. For elk and bear, I have my doubts about.

HighValleyRanch · January 28, 2018, 05:19 PM

well, he did say Elk and Deer, but I figure anything that will bring down an elk should suffice for at least black bear.

Slamfire · January 28, 2018, 06:07 PM

Quote:

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.

+1 I like the way you think.

Heavy Metal 1 · January 31, 2018, 12:54 AM

I find that I can shoot my full house loads double action as fast as my semi autos and more accurately too. I am at a loss as to why that is. When I was shopping for my first handgun the LGS clerk asked me what my intended use was and I replied self defense. He recommended a 357 revolver because of the reliability of the weapon platform and the power. I was looking at a 6" barrel. He convinced me to get the 4". He had me hold the 6" revolver firmly and he was able to twist it out of my hand. I then held the 4" and he wasn't able to twist it out of my hand. So the 4" seems better for SD.

My local range has a rule that forbids the use of the 357 at the indoor range because it would beat up the backstop. The same for the outdoor falling plate range.

In The Ten Ring · January 31, 2018, 01:09 AM

About 2000 I feel in love with a Smith and Wesson 66 in a pawn shop. I didn't buy it but I looked at it often. 18 years later, two weeks ago, I won the auction on a Smith and Wesson 66-1 in 4 inch.

Hopefully it's in as good of shape as advertised! I am looking forward to shooting it, my first .357 Mag. revolver!

MR.G · February 3, 2018, 07:13 PM

First time that I shot a .357 was around 1970, and have owned at least one ever since. Carry a .357 today. Like to fire a .357 with Federal 357B or some good old full house ammo at an indoor range and watch the reaction of the S/A shooters on the line. Actually had a guy next to me complain to the range master once that my gun was too loud and hurting his ears. R.O. told him that I was shooting a .357 and it was supposed to be loud.

rclark · February 4, 2018, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Actually had a guy next to me complain to the range master once that my gun was too loud and hurting his ears. R.O. told him that I was shooting a .357 and it was supposed to be loud.

And that right there is why I shoot sub-sonic. When I need more punch, just go up in caliber.

rodfac · February 4, 2018, 10:58 PM

Quote:

And that right there is why I shoot sub-sonic. When I need more punch, just go up in caliber.

Damned good advice this...Rod

Hal · February 7, 2018, 09:19 AM

Quote:

You hunt with the .327 and what ammo do you use for ELK or Bear?

Lots of Inuit use a .22 magnum for everything - including polar bear. I suppose a .327 would work also for them, but, the ammo is probably more than they want to spend and bulkier to carry.

January 11, 2018, 05:00 PM	#76
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2,313	My 3" GP100 has become my defacto home defense gun, loaded with critical defense 125gn. __________________ The past is gone...the future may never happen. Be Here Now.

January 15, 2018, 08:53 PM	#79
jhansman Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 680	Fans of the show "Justified" may recall an episode in which a fellow LEO (played by Eric Roberts) is taking practice at an indoor range when Tim Olyphant's character Raylan comes in and asks Roberts, "Is that a GP100?" They chat a bit, with Roberts finishing with a smile and "A .357 will never let you down." I suspect he was right. __________________ Blessed is the man who has nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

January 18, 2018, 03:01 PM	#81
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	Love the carbines. Had a couple 357 lever guns but only hung on to my NEF Handi rifle 357/30-30/.410. Super accurate and compact. The 22" barrel is really nice and quiet with my typical 'magnum-lite' loads, a nice change from rifle calibers. IIRC I paid $135 for the gun and $65 each for the 2 extra barrels back in the 90's. If I had any brains at the time I would have gotten a 22 Hornet and 20 gauge barrels as well. Too late now. Last edited by Hammerhead; January 18, 2018 at 03:09 PM.

January 21, 2018, 07:58 PM	#83
SauerGrapes Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2009 Location: S.E.PA. Posts: 920	I bought my first revolver in 1980 on a whim. A model 28. Too large for my small mitts, I sold it. Eight years ago I got back in the wheel business. I knew a couple would have to be .357. I keep the mod 60-15 3'' stoked with wad cutters for my wife. Love that gun. Goes with me on long walks with the dog. __________________ NRA member, DCF&S member, PAFOA member, USPSA member, NSCA member R.I.P.____Murphy

January 22, 2018, 09:25 PM	#85
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	My carry gun is a Wiley Clapp .357 SP101, My nightstand gun is a S&W 686 Plus .357 __________________ Say when.....

January 11, 2018, 05:07 PM	#77
geologist Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2005 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 247	And the versatility of the .357 magnum revolver can be complemented by a carbine in the same caliber.

January 13, 2018, 11:31 AM	#78
223 shooter Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2008 Posts: 557	My first handgun was a Smith 686 back in 1987 and since then have owned more 357s than any other handgun. The accuracy and ability to fire a wide range of loads still draws me to it after all these years. In regards to self defense I no longer use it. The muzzle blast of the vaunted 125s borders on the absurd. I use a 9mm or 45 auto these days. As mentioned by geologist the 357 is a great carbine round and I have 357s in lever actions by Marlin and Henry.

January 19, 2018, 08:06 AM	#82
IrishFritz Junior Member Join Date: December 30, 2017 Posts: 2	I've owned various S&W 19's and 66's over the years and currently carry a vintage 66-1 2 3/4" with a load of Berry's 148grain hollow based wadcutter loaded backwards over 6.5 of Unique for just a hair over 1000fps at the muzzle. I've always favored lead bullet loads in vintage K frames over the barrel splitting at the forcing cone issue attributed to the impulse pressure of the 125 grain hollow point loads that were common police issue back in the day. I'm currently in lust for a vintage 19 6" barrel with a factory McCall bead, W/O rear sight, target hammer and trigger. So I'll haunt the gun shows and auctions until I find one- shoot, I've owned 3 19's like that and never had the sense to keep one. Cheers

January 22, 2018, 09:20 PM	#84
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,385	Model 686 Smith, 4 inch barrel was one of my favorites, Still have it along with A Smith 649. I never will be without one.

January 23, 2018, 02:29 PM	#86
FleetMarine57 Junior Member Join Date: January 22, 2018 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1	In search of a used Colt Python .357 Magnum Does anyone know where I can get my hands on used Colt .357 Magnum?

January 24, 2018, 02:15 PM	#87
hagar Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2000 Location: Colombia, SC Posts: 745	I sold my last 357 magnum in 1994, and just lucked into a Colt Trooper III for a bargain price. Made in 1970, but it is mint, almost no wear or rings around the cylinder. Now I have to start reloading 357 again.. __________________ I don't have time for busy people

January 28, 2018, 01:34 AM	#88
deserted Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2015 Posts: 103	And then the.327FM, which revolvers will chamber and fire six different cartridges, and hand loads within each. Near .357 oomph, even more versatility (in my mind anyway), and on a smaller frame. When it was introduced in the Blackhawk I thought, if I want to carry a Blackhawk-sized pistol, I have a Blackhawk in .357. When the Single Seven came out, I experienced a massive exacerbation of Igottahaveitus (a latent, dormant tendency) and wound upwith, so far, three .327s in only a couple years (the Siingle Six in .32 H&R magnum was the gateway gun and caliber...beware). I guess that's what I like the most over the .357, is chambering lots of power in .22 frames. I used to carry two revolvers when deer/elk hunting, a .357 or .44 magnum, and a .22 for grouse and bunnies. Now it's just the .327 and different ammo selections to match the game. But I'll always have a Blackhawk in .357, with a Rossi M92 to match. I have well over 6k bullets in .357-.358 to load up, for when I want to kick up a little more dirt.

January 28, 2018, 02:24 PM	#90
cole k Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: east of the Big Muddy Posts: 248	Quote: Now it's just the .327 and different ammo selections to match the game. I would like to know this also. For elk and bear, I have my doubts about.

January 28, 2018, 05:19 PM	#91
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	well, he did say Elk and Deer, but I figure anything that will bring down an elk should suffice for at least black bear. __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

January 31, 2018, 12:54 AM	#93
Heavy Metal 1 Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2012 Posts: 247	I find that I can shoot my full house loads double action as fast as my semi autos and more accurately too. I am at a loss as to why that is. When I was shopping for my first handgun the LGS clerk asked me what my intended use was and I replied self defense. He recommended a 357 revolver because of the reliability of the weapon platform and the power. I was looking at a 6" barrel. He convinced me to get the 4". He had me hold the 6" revolver firmly and he was able to twist it out of my hand. I then held the 4" and he wasn't able to twist it out of my hand. So the 4" seems better for SD. My local range has a rule that forbids the use of the 357 at the indoor range because it would beat up the backstop. The same for the outdoor falling plate range. __________________ The blood runs free, the rain turns red, give me the wine, you keep the bread.

January 31, 2018, 01:09 AM	#94
In The Ten Ring Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2018 Posts: 380	About 2000 I feel in love with a Smith and Wesson 66 in a pawn shop. I didn't buy it but I looked at it often. 18 years later, two weeks ago, I won the auction on a Smith and Wesson 66-1 in 4 inch. Hopefully it's in as good of shape as advertised! I am looking forward to shooting it, my first .357 Mag. revolver!

February 3, 2018, 07:13 PM	#95
MR.G Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2001 Posts: 641	First time that I shot a .357 was around 1970, and have owned at least one ever since. Carry a .357 today. Like to fire a .357 with Federal 357B or some good old full house ammo at an indoor range and watch the reaction of the S/A shooters on the line. Actually had a guy next to me complain to the range master once that my gun was too loud and hurting his ears. R.O. told him that I was shooting a .357 and it was supposed to be loud.