is .357 mag the best defense round?

[kozanoglu]

Originally Posted By: Mystic
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.


What is the difference between shorter barrel and longer barrel apart from recoil? Does it effect precision?

 

[Mystic]

With a longer barrel there is more bullet velocity. And there is a longer sight radius and typically a person will be able to shoot somewhat more accurately.

 

[Lapham3]

My dad was a Mpls cop and always a hunter/shooter who bought quite a few firearms over the years-a bit of everything it seems. Some of his so called 'off duty' handguns were autos, but I don't think he carried them much. The S+W Mod 36 Chiefs Special .38 seemed to be the one he carried the most-also a S+W 2 1/2" Mod 19 Combat Magnum .357.(Frank Bullit's gun) I think he used +P.38 in both when that round came out. He always had one or the other of a couple of twin brothers , who were the police dept armorers, smooth out the actions and often add target triggers/hammers. He'd also horse around with various grips for a better fit.

 

[Lapham3]

When I was a young fella, I read the Ian Fleming James Bond books. Not long after I was working at the hardware store in the gun dept where the cops generally bought their S+W/Colts. I recall that the .25 Beretta was $35. That said, I think the 'police price' for the S+W Mod 39 my dad bought was $60 something=been a little inflation since 1968!

 

[Smoky14]

A hand gun is a tool you use to fight your way to your long gun. No hand gun would be my first choice in a gun fight. In a revolver, the .357 is the lowest I'd go and in a semi-auto 9mm is the bottom with as many rounds as it can carry.
That being said, more people are killed by .22s than any other round.
Your salvation is your decision.

Smoky

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: Robenstein
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.



Not true with the Ruger LCR. The frame on the 38 and 357 are different materials.

 

[jcwit]

Back to the original question, yes it is, if you hit the aggressor in the right spot.

 

[Reg# 43897]

I like revolvers. So I would recommend one of those to a new shooter. Are you a new shooter? If so, you have a LOT of training ahead of you. A LOT. That may end up causing you to re-assess your initial choice of handgun. Be open to that possibility. I have a 4" Model 19 S&W Combat Magnum. Love that gun. 125gr hollow points of various manufacturers are accurate as heck & are well-proven fight-stoppers. I also have a Model 638 'J'-Frame Bodyguard that a 1 5/8" barrel. Shooting the 'FBI' load out of that (158gr SWCHP in +P) is one holy smack up through the entire arm. It beats me up worse than the a/n .357mag combination. By far. Not what you would refer to as a 'plinker'...! Using the old 'Treasury' load is easier on me. That one is a 110gr JHP in +P+. Both .38 loads shoot fine enough as regards accuracy but, really, it's for a close-in, dirty, gun fight for your life. Eight inches out to 7 yards is fine. Also need a re-load w/ you. Clothing & the situation will dictate whther that's a speed loader (have an HKS one though I used Safariland Comp II's for years), a speed strip or a small dump pouch.

If you're going to have a handgun on you, then your most important weapon will always be your training & mindset. You will do as you have trained - for better or worse. Train well & you will prevail. If you're more interested in esoteric considerations such as calibre, platform, etc., then you really need a re-think. Train, train & train some more. Always train. Keep training for as long as you carry the gun. Should you ever have recorse to use it, not only will said training allow you to prevail, it will be crucial in the legal aftermath. If you haven't thought about that, then forget guns & consider more appropriate-for-you equipment.

It's too blank-ing serious a subject for anything less. Be safe.

John.

 

[2cool]

If you are sure you want a 357 snubbie for carry, I'd advise you to look at a Ruger LCR 357. It has a non-traditional grip angle that seems (by all accounts) to redirect the recoil that allows quicker follow up shots. If you don't reload, I'd suggest either WWB 110 gr. or Hornady Critical Defense 124 gr.
I carry a 40 cal. Ruger SR40C myself, as the LCR wasn't available when I was shopping; but I would probably have bought one because I am convinced a revolver is a sure-er 5 or 6 than any auto pistol. I know that auto's are very reliable, but NOTHING in my opinion, is more reliable than a revolver.
Whatever you decide one, shooting a handgun is hard to do well, and is impossible without practice....lots and lots of practice.
May God give us all a Happy and Healthy 2015!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hatt]

If you want a stubbie revolver I'd get an S&W 642/442 for under $400. No use having <2 inch barrels and a .357. If you can find one the Colt detective specials are nice. Gets you six shots and smaller than S&W K frames.

 

[bubbatime]

Snubby revolvers are some of my favorite guns. In fact my main daily carry gun is a Smith & Wesson 340PD which weighs 11 ounces (scandium alloy), chambered in .357 magnum, and cost $1000 with the included Crimson Trace grips. It is NOT a cheap gun, but it is the lightest j-frame you can buy for pocket carry. And since I hate heavy carry guns, I bought the lightest one on the market, at great expense.

.357 magnum is unnecessary in a snubby. All the powder burns after the bullet leaves the barrel, which creates a huge flash and bang. Most experts and myself recommend only loading these with 38 special for self defense. Speer Gold Dot short barrel 135 +P is a top loading, and is what I load mine with. I have shot .357 magnum through it, and it is not fun.

Here is my carry gear: Spyderco knife, Defense Tech pepper spray, extra ammunition, and three of my carry pistols. I carry the snubby 80% of the time, Ruger LCP .380 about 10% of the time, and Glock 26 9mm about 10% of the time, depending on mood and mode of dress. Holster used is an AHolster kydex pocket holster, my absolute favorite pocket holster. I can have my hands inconspicuously in my pocket on my gun talking to someone and they wont even know I'm armed and ready.

 

[Reg# 43897]

I opted for a Model 638 a looong time ago. It's the +P rated gun. I love it but it is punishing. Shot the DAO 642 (? I think that's the model# ?) in .357 once. That is much less fun than a 4" .44 Magnum Model 629 I also shot. And as you mentioned, no real point in doing so given the nature of slow burning magnum powders & sub-2" bbl's.

But the best gun I have, automatics included, is the old Model 19 4". Will be introducing my wife to shooting some time this winter & that gun w/ 148gr wadcutters will be the tool.

I just love that Scandium gun of yours, though. The sights look awesome.

John.

 

[xxch4osxx]

Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Snubby revolvers are some of my favorite guns. In fact my main daily carry gun is a Smith & Wesson 340PD which weighs 11 ounces (scandium alloy), chambered in .357 magnum, and cost $1000 with the included Crimson Trace grips. It is NOT a cheap gun, but it is the lightest j-frame you can buy for pocket carry. And since I hate heavy carry guns, I bought the lightest one on the market, at great expense.

.357 magnum is unnecessary in a snubby. All the powder burns after the bullet leaves the barrel, which creates a huge flash and bang. Most experts and myself recommend only loading these with 38 special for self defense. Speer Gold Dot short barrel 135 +P is a top loading, and is what I load mine with. I have shot .357 magnum through it, and it is not fun.

Here is my carry gear: Spyderco knife, Defense Tech pepper spray, extra ammunition, and three of my carry pistols. I carry the snubby 80% of the time, Ruger LCP .380 about 10% of the time, and Glock 26 9mm about 10% of the time, depending on mood and mode of dress. Holster used is an AHolster kydex pocket holster, my absolute favorite pocket holster. I can have my hands inconspicuously in my pocket on my gun talking to someone and they wont even know I'm armed and ready.

That is a great looking snubby! Quite pricy but must be light as a feather. I don't know if I could justify $1000 for one or not. I have always liked the snub nosed revolvers but never bought one unfortunately.

 

[Silverado12]

For a carry gun I would get something like a Taurus 380 that you can carry in your pocket. For home defense, shotgun or revolver. I personally keep a 9mm model 1911 in the drawer.

 

[CT8]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
There is no doubt the .357 Mag is a deadly round ... so are many others these days with all the good defensive rounds and the +P loads.

The Ruger LCR 357 Mag is a good carry revolver. You can also shoot .38 Special in regular or +P loads if you want to cut down some recoil vs the .357 Mag.

The Smith & Wesson 9mm or 40 caliber Shield is a good carry semi-auto. Many like the 9mm due to less recoil and one extra round.
The recoil on a LCR with +P loads is quite sharp . I shot a friends today and they are really nice! I have a hand full of J frames [6] in 442.642 and stainless steel models . I have shot a Shield in 40 S@W 180 gn factory FMJ and it is way way more pleasant to shoot that ether the J frame of the Ruger LCR. The Shield is the most impressive in its size semi I have ever shot.

 

[CT8]

Originally Posted By: Reg# 43897
I opted for a Model 638 a looong time ago. It's the +P rated gun. I love it but it is punishing. Shot the DAO 642 (? I think that's the model# ?) in .357 once. That is much less fun than a 4" .44 Magnum Model 629 I also shot. And as you mentioned, no real point in doing so given the nature of slow burning magnum powders & sub-2" bbl's.

But the best gun I have, automatics included, is the old Model 19 4". Will be introducing my wife to shooting some time this winter & that gun w/ 148gr wadcutters will be the tool.

I just love that Scandium gun of yours, though. The sights look awesome.

John.
Nothing sweeter to shoot than a model 10 or 19 with those wad cutters.

 

[CrawfishTails]

Originally Posted By: jcwit
Back to the original question, yes it is, if you hit the aggressor in the right spot.


That means to me that a pistol shotgun, like the 410 Taurus Judge revolver, is best. You don't have to be accurate, and you want short range power.

 

[CrawfishTails]

Originally Posted By: Silverado12
For a carry gun I would get something like a Taurus 380 that you can carry in your pocket. For home defense, shotgun or revolver. I personally keep a 9mm model 1911 in the drawer.

Yep, see my last post. Combo shotgun-revolver does it. Portable too for outside the house.

 

[Recalculating]

These posts remind me of an old time issue faced by S&W Model 10s with the bull barrel assigned TMJ 158 gr. +P+ ammunition. During an ammunition testing forum, these rounds penetrated a meter block of ballistic gel, entered the second and happily rose after half way through and clanked in the bullet catch. Upon picking it out of the catch, it was weighed at nearly 158 gr. It was perfect. Could have been used again.

The next issue after widespread +P+ use. Cracked forcing cones. Guess the technical specialist forgot to read the firearm's spec. Most revolvers had to be melted as not economical to repair. A search engine review of Model 10 cracked forcing cones will give any inquirer the gist.

 

[NateDN10]

Originally Posted By: CrawfishTails
Originally Posted By: jcwit
Back to the original question, yes it is, if you hit the aggressor in the right spot.


That means to me that a pistol shotgun, like the 410 Taurus Judge revolver, is best. You don't have to be accurate, and you want short range power.

410 caliber shotgun shells, especially out of a handgun, are definitely insufficient for personal defense. You only get 3 balls if you use buckshot, and birdshot, as always, is ineffective against humans.

This test result shows that if you have a Taurus Judge, you should use .45LC for personal defense, not shot shells.