why I always keep a 357

[rc]

While 9mm and 40 and 45 and all the big bore magnums have their place along with the little pipsqueaks, the 357 magnum chambering with the ability to handle 38 special and heavy long 357 magnum loads is the most versatile caliber for the widest range of uses. That doesn't mean it's the best combat round or the best hunting round or the best plinking round or the best deer cartridge but it will do it all!. rc

[Model12Win]

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday 1950

To all that wrote about a 44 or 45 caliber revolver, you missed my rational and my reason for the post.

The post is about being able to use multiple types of ammo. There is no revolver out there that allows you to shoot multiple caliber ammo than the 357 in magnum revolver.

I'm not talking about Bear hunting or Elefant hunting. That's absurd. However,
a well placed shot generally will stop "almost" everything & most of the Forum would acknowledge this.

You have a point but the big bores will always be superior for the huntsman.

[mavracer]

The post is about being able to use multiple types of ammo. There is no revolver out there that allows you to shoot multiple caliber ammo than the 357 in magnum revolver.

Talk about absurdity lol.
44 magnums can shoot 44 special light loads or heavys, for that matter the can shoot 44 Russian as well.
45 colt is also capable of shooting shorter rounds 45 Schofield and the 45 cowboy special also with moon clips ala the S&W governor and Ruger Redhawk it can shoot 45 acps as well.
And one doesn't have to go after elephants or elefants whatever those are to extoll the virtues of the larger bores the 44 special and 45 colt are capable of handling anything a 357 mag will WITHOUT THE PUNISHMENT OF 35K PSI EARDRUM SPLITTING MUZZLE BLAST.
I'll also add that the 44/45 shot capsules are much more effective on small game.
My 357s aren't going anyplace anytime soon, but they'd go long before the big boys would.

[Doc Holliday 1950]

Nice try. Yes you can shoot different 44 or 45 caliber ammo but NOT DIFFERENT CALIBER ammo. The 357 shoots 38's, 38 specials, 38 specialP+ and 357 magnum ammo.
As to the so called blast, you have the wrong revolver then. The 686 plus S&W
3" or 5" etc. etc. etc. shoots full loaded 357 mag ammo all day with " No great perceived recoil" & muzzle blast doesn';t bother me.
Last. My 1967 Colt Python is still in fantastic shape & I don't think you can call it short lived.
I forgot, ammo for SD for my 357's is quite bit less costly to buy than your 44 or 45 csliber ammo since I do not roll my own. Argue what you like but the 357 magnum is the more versatile Revolver.l

[ThomasT]

Start reloading and the versatility of any handgun round goes up. And to be clear +P is not a seperate round. It is a subload for real original 38 Special rounds the way it was loaded when it first came out. Not the watered down crap they sell now that is no more powerful than the 38 Colt it was meant to replace.

And I agree for larger game a 44 mag or one of the other bigger mag rounds are probably a better choice. But if the animal is that large I just use a rifle. The lowered powered rifle rounds are still more powerful than most of the biggest handgun rounds and much easier to shoot well.

As to the blast I agree the 357 is an ear busting round. But so were the three 41 mags and five 44 mags I have owned and shot. I don't shoot any of them without ear protection.

And for SD I prefer my 357 loads to be loaded down to around the 38/44 load range. Like a 158gr bullet getting around 1100fps. Easily controllable and just a little more than a 38 special (the real 38 special) but not in the same class as a full blown magnum load. If that load won't do it I'm in deep trouble.

[mavracer]

Yes you can shoot different 44 or 45 caliber ammo but NOT DIFFERENT CALIBER ammo.

Further down the rabbit hole of absurdity, 38 special is .357 caliber

[Shadi Khalil]

.357 is my favorite caliber of all time. Not so much for carrying but hands down the most fun for handgun shooting.

[Doc Holliday 1950]

Here's the difference between the 38 sp.& the 357 mag ammo;

Bullet diameter .357 in (9.1 mm) .357 in (9.1 mm)
Neck diameter .379 in (9.6 mm) 0.379 in (9.6mm)
Base diameter .379 in (9.6 mm) 0.379 in (9.6mm)
Designed 1934 1898
Rim diameter .440 in (11.2 mm) 0.44 in (11mm)
Case type Rimmed (R), straight Rimmed, Straight
Case length 1.29 in (33 mm) 1.155 in (29.3mm)
Overall length 1.59 in (40 mm) 1.55 in (39mm)
Maximum pressure 35,000 psi (241 MPa) 17,000 PSI

The Rim diameter is almost the same & the Case & Overall lengths are different. Last, the Max pressure is different. From where I stand, they are not the same.

Finally, you can shoot either from a 357 in magnum revolver. You cannot soot a 357 mag ammo in a 38 special revolver. Thus they are again not the same.

[mavracer]

Jesus Christ are you really this obtuse, I'm well aware of the differences between 38 special and 357 magnum.
However unlike you I also know the facts about the 44 special and 44 magnum
The difference is case length and pressure and you can shoot 44 specials in a 44 magnum but not vice versa.

SOUND FAMILIAR

[Dobe]

They are analogous to a 44 magnum and a .44 Spl.
Caliber has two designations:
The name of the round or cartridge, 38 Spl

The diameter of the bullet, .357.

In the latter case, both are the same "caliber".


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[rodfac]

Profanity aside, Mavracer, I guess it made your point easier to understand for some, but I'd say that if you can tell the sonic difference between a .44 special and a .38 special, or call the blast of a .44 Magnum any less ear shattering than a .357, your hearing needs to be checked....so lighten up, Doc's got some good things to say without being shouted down. And BTW, he's "well aware of the differences between 38 special and 357 magnum" as you so eloquently phrased it. We get that you're a big fan of the 44's, but the personal attack tirade is out of place here....Rod

[mavracer]

Rod
If you can please point out where I compared the blast of magnum to magnum or special to special. No you can't because I specified 44 special and 45 colt vs the 357 magnum.

For the record I'm really just a gun nut and don't have favorites, but what I can't stand is folks that do get so wrapped up in a favorite that they make up facts.

[Targa]

I love the .357. As for firing different rounds, I think Mavracer covered that pretty well, I would also add the .327 to the mix of versatility.

[t45]

I think the argument about which round is more versatile is silly. The 357 , 44mag and 45 Colt are all versatile in their own way. I personally have a 357mag and a 44mag. Nothing wrong with the 45 Colt but don't see the need for it. The 44mag and the 45 can be loaded down or hotrodded to almost equal potential.

[Road_Clam]

It's so interesting how people are comfortable with widely different handguns. Me personally don't have a single favorite , but I do find myself reaching into the safe and bringing my SA 1911 9mm more frequently than some of my other handguns. I'm brand loyal to nothing. My wife who's been shooting handgun now for about 2 years, loves my Glock G22. It's now unofficially "hers" so i'm told. My 19 y/o daughter is new to handguns and she has taken an immediate liking to my Ruger GP100 357. She doesn't really care for semi's she likes the simplicity of a revolver. As for me, love em' all. None of my 8 handguns stay buried in the back of my safe for long periods from "dislike". I agree with many of you with the fact there are certain platforms that everyone needs to own and learn to shoot proficiently, and the 357 mag revolver is one of them.

[otasan]

My first handgun was a S&W M28 6-inch .357 revolver. I had it from 1979-81.

[Dobe]

Originally Posted by otasan

My first handgun was a S&W M28 6-inch .357 revolver. I had it from 1979-81.

Great handguns. I have a few of these now.


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[rclark]

Nothing wrong with the 45 Colt but don't see the need for it.

Personal opinion of course, just like I really don't see the need for the .44Mag and just go with the .45 Colt (and the .44 Special) for my needs. All relative. There will always be the guys that think the .357 walks on water, as do the .429 guys, or the .452 guys.... Personally, I like slow and heavy and a bigger hole in my target. Can't stand the crack of the .357 (full loads) so I load down to 158g SWCs moving 1000 - 1100fps. Works for me, may not for others .

[HighValleyRanch]

One of the reasons many of us like the .38/.357 platform is the smaller and lighter gun size relative to the chosen caliber. I've owned a Smith 629 four inch and Ruger Alaskan .454 and both were too big for comfortable concealed carry.

When they come up with a forty something caliber the size of my 3" LCRX, I will be all over it.
And not I am not interested in anything Charter Arms.

I can't wait until Ruger puts out the 3" LCRX in the .357 caliber. That would be the dream "knock around in the woods gun" in these parts.
The 3" LCRX has become one of my favorite guns and it's riding on my hip in a flap holster as I type. The gun in the holster loaded weight only 24 ounces.

Here's my carry rig. Paddle flap holster, flap is removeable. Pocket speedloader holster with pocket for 6 round speed strip.

[Armybrat]

Well, if I were a bear, getting shot with any of those calibers wouldn't be particularly welcome.

[ThomasT]

Can't stand the crack of the .357 (full loads) so I load down to 158g SWCs moving 1000 - 1100fps. Works for me, may not for others .

Same thing I stated in post #55.

[warnerwh]

My favorite and most fired gun is a 6" Dan Wesson .357. I've acquired a few semi autos but none can compete with the accuracy of either of my .357's which is my priority. Going to the woods here in Oregon a .357 will take care of any problem you may have. I've also loaded very light loads for a couple of young girls who were recoil shy to get them to be comfortable with a center fire handgun. I don't know of any semi autos that are as versatile.

[Sgt127]

The .357 Magnum revolver is an awesome gun. From the compact Ruger SP01 to the N frames.

It will generally do anything you need it to do in the lower 48. It’s always been a good defense round. And, you can load poopy rounds for fun or to train new shooters.

That and it has a rich and honest history. From the original Registered Magnum through today.

It’s saved a lot of lives. I can come up with scenarios where it’s too much gun and, not enough gun. But, as a whole, it’s a good solid choice.

I honestly don’t know how many .357 Magnum revolvers I own. It’s quite a few though. And, if there were only one single gun I was forced to use for the rest of my life, it would likely be a .357.

[Dobe]

My recent acquisition:



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[noelf2]

My favorite and most fired gun is a 6" Dan Wesson .357

I have the same gun, and got it when I was 20 years old. I'll never rid myself of it. Most accurate of all my handguns. So, not only is it a 38 Special / .357 Magnum, I can swap the 6" barrel for a 2.5" barrel and put on a smaller grip in about 4 minutes. Great carry/conceal, and great woods gun. I love a .357 Mag, but, I shoot a LOT more .45 Colt, 9mm Luger, and 9mm Makarov than I do .357 Mag. I reload everything but rimfire.