Anybody shoot a .357 Magnum snubbie?

[rlmblm21]

My current carry is a .38 (+P capable), but I want an upgrade. I bought a 9mm with 17 rounds, but I am a girl, and carry in my purse. So I'm starting to think a revolver really is more my style. I think I'd like a .357 carry weapon, but someone told me they thought it would be too much for me to handle.

I'm not the most experienced shooter. I do okay, am a decent shot and like to carry. But I don't want to konk myself in the head with the recoil of a gun that is too big for me. I know I can rent one and try it out, but are there any users out there, particularly any ladies, or people with smaller hands, that have experiences they would like to share with me?

 

[Ace_357]

.357 has a kick especially with a snubbie but its tolerable. Try it out first. Sorry wish i can help more but my hands are good size

 

[Legitmw]

If you can handle a small .38, then a small .357 won't be a big deal. A little more kick, but it's not gonna go flying out of your hands.

 

[deller]

I have a 3 inch Model 65 thats Magnaported and its like firing a hot 38 other than the muzzle flash.

 

[Cruisers460]

Two of my wifes favorites are a 4" 357 and a 41 magnum snubbie. When a two inch 357 comes along I'm pretty sure she will love it.

 

[protective measures]

My full-time job is training people in the use of firearms.... w/ a slight majority being ladies.

In most cases the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to loading .357 rounds vs..38+p's..

.357's have tremendous recoil & muzzleblast plus w/ such a short barrel & a lightweight gun. There is not as much velocity gain since the extra powder is burnt outside the barrel resulting in greater muzzleflash & muzzleflip.
Three of my most recent female students shooting a snubnose LCR w/ .38's experienced a bruised palm & sore hands after shooting a few cylinders full out of it while others went as bothered by it.
Shooting full powered .357's is a different story.

Slower followup shots, more tendency to flinch, etc.

A good 38+p hollowpoint load is usually the best compromise between controllability & stopping power in a snubnose small enough to carry.

 

[Spas-12 Owner]

2inch .357 magnum loaded with .38spl +p+ ammo... will be all you need...


I have a J-framed .357 and my wife does om with it. If you are use to shooting a snub 38, then a .357 shouldn't be to different. You will notice a kick, but not like you see on YouTube with ppl hitting their heads... remember they are new shooters not holding a gun correctly.

 

[bjordaninatl]

Ofcourse theres the obvious, bragging rights or stereotypical stigmatisms and initial reactions of a 357 over 38 special. But from a technical/ ballistics standpoint. The bullit diameter is the same, the only difference is the case length (more powder) which has bi-products of deeper penetration, louder and marginally more kick. You may already be aware of all of this, but for example, if you hit someone with a hollow point .38 bullit at impact, its going to leave a bigger hole in the recipient than a 45 ACP FMJ bullit will. So, as long as it is reasonably well placed, they will drop. I dont really see any benefit in going from a 38 to 357 from a technical or lethality standpoint, other than the aforementioned reactions by others, unfortunately with that comes more cost though. More money for another gun, factory ammo is marginally more too (depending on where you buy it)and just FYI, I have been looking for ammo for 357 for a while and its not easy to find, to the point I started reloading. Unless I'm missing something, which is certainly possible, my wife says I wouldnt notice a dumptruck driving through a library. Rent one and try firing it, keep in mind the info on ballistics I mentioned, then make the call. Best of luck to you.

 

[rlmblm21]

You guys are great! You are giving me very valuable info, and confirming some of the things I have heard. My hubby also thought my .38 with +P might feel very close to what I would experience with a .357.

The main reasons I am looking to change are:

a) my .38 has a full hammer and that thing makes me nervous; I'm scared to death that I'm going to get that hammer hung up on something and have an accident. (And yes, I have a gun purse with special compartment and built in holster, but still worried about snagging the hammer when either pulling it out or putting it in).

b) my .38 is about the same as the one the lady used when the fella busted down her front door when she was home with the kids. According to the news, she discharged all 5 rounds, and hit him 4 times, and he still kept coming. So I kinda think I need a little more stopping power.

I picked up a 9mm, but now I'm having second thoughts. I don't like to carry one racked in the chamber, so if I did get in a situation, I'd have to pull it out and rack the slide before I could defend myself. Now I'm starting to think I didn't give the revolver a fair shake. I could pull the trigger on a revolver without having to pull it out of my purse, which gains me precious seconds.

I'm relatively new to thinking about this stuff. I've been carrying for years, but recently I'm starting to think about my options a little more.

I really appreciate all of your comments. Keep 'em coming.

 

[woodstock]

I like a 357 snub, if you can shoot the 38 well this shouldn't be a problem