Anybody shoot a .357 Magnum snubbie?

[gth813x]

scratch that, do they make one in 50 bmg?

 

[famguy770]

The .357 will surely have more recoil and throw quite a flame. You are one up on my wife. I pushed a "J" frame on her for it's ease of carry but she couldn't get comfortable with the grip. My suggestion would be to rent/borrow one and give it a try at the range. If you are comfortable with +p .38 loads you should be fine. Just remember...you don't have to "like" shooting any handgun. You only need to be "able" to if you need to. I hope this helps

 

[Spas-12 Owner]

I ran this same drill from the low ready with a Ruger LCR and +P loads. I had one string go over the 5 second limit by .02 seconds. I also tried to crank up the speed on the second to last string and had one flyer outside of my 5" circle. I still had a 5" group but it had moved to the right.

Five shots in five seconds at five yards is an excellent litmus test of one's skill with a defensive firearm. If you can't do it with a .357 then the .38 might be a better choice. If you can't do it with a .38 then maybe a .32 or .22 might be a better choice. Keep in mind that we're legally responsible for every bullet that exits the muzzle. Defensive shootings rarely occur within the criteria most of us set for ourselves at the range, punching holes in paper at a comfortable distance at a comfortable pace. The only way to gauge our ability is to get out of our respective comfort zones.

I'm looking forward to feedback from anyone that tries this challenge with a .357.

I will do a 5x5 challenge next time am at the range... will use of a Crimson trace grips count as cheating?

 

[Wheeler]

I will do a 5x5 challenge next time am at the range... will use of a Crimson trace grips count as cheating?

It's Headhunter's drill, so I'd say he gets to decide that criteria. In my opinion, no. I don't think it's cheating at all. If you have the stuff, video your test and share the results and your thoughts with us. I feel confident I could do this with a full framed .357 but not a J frame sized pistol.

 

[rlmblm21]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to discuss this. I'm learning a lot, and thinking more about all of your comments. I have a range date too, to try out the LCR with an ODT member; excited to try it out. And my husband suggested the Ruger SP101, so that's one I'd like to try later.

I own both, 357 snub and a 38 spec snub shooting a good 38 +p deffense round is similar to shooting a 357 mag. If your comfortable shooting the 38 +p rounds a 357 isnt much more recoil but a lot louder noise with a bunch of muzzle flash. Stay with the 38 the advantages are not that significantly greater for a 357. Check velocitys in reloading books not much difference.

There is one thing you said that has me concerned. Accidently snaging the hammer causing a accidental discharge. Correctly me if I am wrong but all revolvers in the last several years have a hammer block built into them to prevent discharge from dropping or snagging the hammer. They can only be fired if the trigger is pulled or held back. If you just snag the hammer half way and it fails on its own the revolver should not fire unless your pulling the trigger as well. The next range trip you take try this out, pull the hammer half way without touching the trigger and let it drop on a round the round should not fire nor will there be a impression from tne firing pin.
Try at the range only with it pointed at your target just in case!!

I'm only thinking about the .357 b/c I really want a revolver with a concealed hammer, so I'm thinking I want the .357 so I have the option of using either .357 or .38 +P. Part of my fear in snagging the hammer is a misfire, but I"m also just afraid that I might become flustered if I snag the hammer. I realize I probably won't have an accidental misfire simply from snagging; but I am afraid that the snagging may bring on a follow up bonehead move on my part.

I have come to realize that I need a lot (and I mean a lot) more practice no matter what I finally choose.

 

[Wheeler]

The only advantage I see carrying a .357 snubbie is the longer ejection stroke. Using a proper reloading method will make that a non issue.

 

[JWC]

I'm only thinking about the .357 b/c I really want a revolver with a concealed hammer, so I'm thinking I want the .357 so I have the option of using either .357 or .38 +P. Part of my fear in snagging the hammer is a misfire, but I"m also just afraid that I might become flustered if I snag the hammer. I realize I probably won't have an accidental misfire simply from snagging; but I am afraid that the snagging may bring on a follow up bonehead move on my part.

Instead of buying an "airweight" or "lightweight" revolver, I have another option for you to consider. You might want to look into the S&W Model 49. It is NOT an "airweight" and it is heavier than some of the revolvers you mentioned, S&W 442, 642, Ruger LCR and others, but it will shoot .38 and +P rounds with less recoil than the others. There is a M649 that will shoot .357 rounds, but to me, it is just too heavy for pocket carry. I carry a M49 most every day. It rides in a Blackhawk #3 in my pocket. Simple to conceal and will not snag on the pocket or purse or backpack, whatever. Here is a pic of mine, but I have since put Crimson Trace Grips on mine, I just don't have a pic with them on.


[Broken External Image]:

 

[JWC]

There is a S&W M638 for sale on our site right now. Similar to the M649, but it is an "airweight" gun. Still shoots .38s and +Ps.

 

[Badger]

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.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^He's correct^^^^^^^^^^^^ minimal differnce in velocity and ft lbs of enery between +P AND +P+ but a noticeable difference in recoil and weapon control.......How do I know....... 25 years as NRA/LE Firearms Instructor.... if you shoot a lot and only shoot magnum rounds, over time it may stress the metals in the frame and other parts...at least that's what we discovered back in the day when we carried K frame S&W's ....hence we went to +P+ rounds for duty carry. I would not recommend +P+ rounds for J frame firearms however for the same reason as firing nothing but magnums in a .357..Have actually seen cylinder damage , frame swelling etc. Firearms are precision instruments for the most part and if you trusting your life to it...don't push the envelope or you may NOT live to regret it.
Now all the comic book commando's can come on here and tell you how crazy I am and how I don't know what I'm talking about..its up to you to choose who and what to believe.

 

[mikey357]

It's Headhunter's drill, so I'd say he gets to decide that criteria. In my opinion, no. I don't think it's cheating at all. If you have the stuff, video your test and share the results and your thoughts with us. I feel confident I could do this with a full framed .357 but not a J frame sized pistol.

I'm gonna' TRY this with a coupla' K-Frame .357 Snubbies and a coupla' L-Frame Snubs...I plan to use some .357 Ammo, some .38 Plus-P's and some "Standard Pressure" .38's...Prolly' be Weds. or Thurs. before I have a chance to, but I WILL report back... ....mikey357