A .357 snubbie is the LAST thing you want to go out to the range etc and pop off 200 rounds with. Didn't work out too well for me. I run mild .38 hardcast wadcutters. I probably would have been better off sticking with a .38. I have a .45 colt for my woods gun.
is .357 mag the best defense round?
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.40cal?? ...
Originally Posted By: ET16
Please don't hurt anybody.
Ok Mom......
Please don't hurt anybody.
Ok Mom......
Originally Posted By: totegoat
I don't carry because I don't feel threatened out and about. At home, I keep a ready to go .40 just in case. A short barrel .357 while deadly at short range, looses velocity quickly downrange.
I have a SW 586 with the 6" bbl. This will be for CCW only
I don't carry because I don't feel threatened out and about. At home, I keep a ready to go .40 just in case. A short barrel .357 while deadly at short range, looses velocity quickly downrange.
I have a SW 586 with the 6" bbl. This will be for CCW only
I would not want a lightweight .357 but a regular size .357 is a very good gun except for concealment. You can shoot both .38 Special and .357 magnum rounds in it.
It is an excellent gun for self-defense. If I had a .357 I would probably load it with .38 Special P+P self-defense ammo which a full size .357 would handle easily. But it can also be loaded with .357 magnum rounds and the .357 magnum round is a proven self-defense round. Like a 125 grain hollowpoint.
It is an excellent gun for self-defense. If I had a .357 I would probably load it with .38 Special P+P self-defense ammo which a full size .357 would handle easily. But it can also be loaded with .357 magnum rounds and the .357 magnum round is a proven self-defense round. Like a 125 grain hollowpoint.
Not to mention that some 357 guns are built on small frames and cannot take a steady diet of 357 mags without there being issues.
Unless you have a 4 inch barrel, best to stick to 38 special loads in a snubbie.
Unless you have a 4 inch barrel, best to stick to 38 special loads in a snubbie.
Originally Posted By: suspiciousmind
James Bond generally prefers Walther PPK .380
http://jamesbond.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_firearms
James Bond would prefer Kirikkale with a nice walnut grip with mother of pearl inlays.
James Bond generally prefers Walther PPK .380
http://jamesbond.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_firearms
James Bond would prefer Kirikkale with a nice walnut grip with mother of pearl inlays.
The .357 Mag 125 gr. HP earned its top flight reputation as a personal protection round primarily based on its results during law enforcement shootings prior to the mid 80's or so. There was nothing better according to the data available at the time. Times and ammo have changed some, but the round is still among the best. Keep in mind, however, the .375 Mag's great reputation is based primarily on results from 4" barrels. In a shorter barrel the effectiveness of the round is reduced accordingly.
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James Bond's PPK was in 32acp btw. And was was forced to use it and give up his Beretta if you watch the early movies.
I do not remember if he was or not but I know that 0.32 inch is 8.128 mm, not 7.65 which was Bond's PPK.
After reading Wikipedia entry I realized Beretta was about to cost his life when he could not pull it out. Apparently a gun enthusiast called Boothroyd suggested Fleming the PPQ because he thought Bond's Beretta lacked stopping power.
After reading Wikipedia entry I realized Beretta was about to cost his life when he could not pull it out. Apparently a gun enthusiast called Boothroyd suggested Fleming the PPQ because he thought Bond's Beretta lacked stopping power.
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7.65mm Browning (7.65x17mm) is the euro designation for 32acp. 8mm Mauser is 7.92mm. Caliber designations are not always accurate in their names.
Yup, Bond's original Beretta was in .25 ACP, the replacement Walther PPK was in .32 ACP, not .380. Over the years, more than one gun writer has commented on Fleming's choice of ladies' purse guns for his intrepid secret agent!
As Robenstein mentioned above, a great many caliber designations are off a bit, some more than others. Most .32 handgun rounds are much closer to .31, our .44's are usually .43's(.427 or .429), & the old .38-40 WCF was actually a true .40 caliber bullet. Then there's the old choice of whether to designate by bore or groove diameter of the barrel- in most centerfire cartridge barrels, that's approximately 0.007"to 0.01" difference. Some older black powder era barrels may have even more of a difference. The designation of most .30 calibers is a prime example of the bore/groove business- our .30 calibers are usually .308" nominal groove diameter, & the good old British .303 should measure .311 across the grooves.
Then there's the somewhat confusing fact that in our modern times, what we call a 12 gauge shotgun bore is really much closer to a true 14 gauge- but that, as they say, is another story.
As Robenstein mentioned above, a great many caliber designations are off a bit, some more than others. Most .32 handgun rounds are much closer to .31, our .44's are usually .43's(.427 or .429), & the old .38-40 WCF was actually a true .40 caliber bullet. Then there's the old choice of whether to designate by bore or groove diameter of the barrel- in most centerfire cartridge barrels, that's approximately 0.007"to 0.01" difference. Some older black powder era barrels may have even more of a difference. The designation of most .30 calibers is a prime example of the bore/groove business- our .30 calibers are usually .308" nominal groove diameter, & the good old British .303 should measure .311 across the grooves.
Then there's the somewhat confusing fact that in our modern times, what we call a 12 gauge shotgun bore is really much closer to a true 14 gauge- but that, as they say, is another story.
IMO, the most accurate way to signify a caliber is by the barrel's max bore diameter, and not the diameter between the rifling lands. A bullet's max diameter is closer to the barrel's bore diameter than the lands diameter.
And of course, pretty much all of the "38 caliber" rounds - 38 spl, 380 ACP, 38LC - are actually .357-ish.
Originally Posted By: totegoat
A 6" is good. .38 would be a good choice for CCW plus less chance of collateral damage to bystanders.
Now here is a thought. Would you get sufficient penetration and stopping power with .38+P JHP vs. .357 JHP (both 125gr.) Would you have less of a chance of through and through shots to bystanders or any misses going through walls etc.??
I did have a recommendation to get the .357 revolver because it is a stronger pistol and only shoot .38+P due to reduced chance of collateral damage. Any truth to this?
A 6" is good. .38 would be a good choice for CCW plus less chance of collateral damage to bystanders.
Now here is a thought. Would you get sufficient penetration and stopping power with .38+P JHP vs. .357 JHP (both 125gr.) Would you have less of a chance of through and through shots to bystanders or any misses going through walls etc.??
I did have a recommendation to get the .357 revolver because it is a stronger pistol and only shoot .38+P due to reduced chance of collateral damage. Any truth to this?
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The .357 revolver tends to be stoutly built and super-reliable. It's a great choice for a variety of applications.
I personally prefer a bigger, faster, heavier projectile. But that's just me. I wouldn't worry about over penetration, I would only worry about effectiveness.
So, I don't share the collateral damage estimate, and I wouldn't make that recommendation, but shooting the JHP .38 SPL +P from a revolver will be a good performing combination and should meet your self defense requirements. That combo will work well.
I personally prefer a bigger, faster, heavier projectile. But that's just me. I wouldn't worry about over penetration, I would only worry about effectiveness.
So, I don't share the collateral damage estimate, and I wouldn't make that recommendation, but shooting the JHP .38 SPL +P from a revolver will be a good performing combination and should meet your self defense requirements. That combo will work well.
I love a good .357, so I certainly understand the appeal. +P .38's with a good bullet are absolutely deadly too. Nice idea.
Well a small framed snubbie is often going to have the same frame whether chambered in 38 special or 357. The J frame S&W is a perfect example, although it wont live long with a steady diet of 357.
Honestly, I would probably just carry something like the old FBI load in a 38 snubbie. Buffalo Bore makes an approximate load that will give you adequate penetration.
Honestly, I would probably just carry something like the old FBI load in a 38 snubbie. Buffalo Bore makes an approximate load that will give you adequate penetration.
What a lot of people call the FBI load (it was actually developed by the Treasury Department) is famous. But I am sure it was a P+P load so you would have to make sure the .38 could handle it. It would be even more effective in a .38 with a 4 or 6 inch barrel.
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