Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Who prefers a Smith 357/41/44 over an auto for a full size SD gun?

I like a K frame Smith in .357 I carry a Model 65, and a model 19, from time to time. On rare occasions, I'll carry the old Python. I like the Winchester 145 grain Silver Tips.

Tree Mutt, had some leftover handloads with Lil Gun and 158s I found, from when I had a Marlin, they did 2050 in it....

Not sure on speed, but God Bless the blast and recoil in a M65 LS 3" was something! 145 STs as someone mentioned might still be a good overall round, not perhaps as good on stats as a 125, but one might think it could penetrate deeper if needed... I don't know.

Bob, I bought a stash of XTPs for Deer hunting. Not the best for SD, though I would reckon the SJHP 210 and better yet the RP 170 SJHP would be Darned nice for SD work, was Sierra also making a 170 in the past? I know they should hit 1400-1600 in 4-6" bbls.

To clarify, as a few might have been confused on my original post. The topic/question was not for Carry, but simply when or where you might normally use a full sized auto, whether a 1911, or full sized Glock, etc. - ....as no doubt a full sized L or N framed Smith in 4-6", or similar would be big and heavy. I was thinking for keeping in the auto, or house. Open carry - I long ago had a M29 and others, loaded up the belt does start weighing down, though you know you can handle about any chore needed. If going for a walk or just a carry gun for open carry as a sidearm, not primary hunting - I would likely pick a G20 or similar over a 29/629 though I have much respect for the N Frames and what they do with good loads.

Although the recoil and blast in a short 357 was much greater than a 9mm, I shot it about as well, though I was using SA mode. I would venture a 110-125 mid-range load would be much better in shootability and still get work done.

Well, I can tell you personally, the 145gr ST's don't penetrate well at all. I killed 2 deer with them with the classic behind the shoulder and thru-the-ribcage shots. However, one time I was in my tree stand and a deer that another hunter had shot in the hindquarter came over and bedded down under my tree stand. I figured I would do him a favor and dispatch the doe with my 686. My aim was at the top of her back, angling down into the chest. At the shot, she got up and took off. I was astounded! Later that day, hunting on the ground in the same area, along comes a limping doe (yep, same deer) which I put down with a shotgun slug. In dressing the deer out, I found a perfectly mushroomed SilverTip in the heavy fat layer on her back. The bullet had not hit any bone and had been stopped by muscle and fat. I quit using the .357 for deer after that, and now use a .45 Colt which puts down deer with authority from any angle.

Don

I'd rather pack lead than steel.

U1991 - sounds like you needed either a Hardcast 158/160, or perhaps a 180gr. That bullet must be soft, know a fella OTOH who dumped one with a 10mm from a Kimber Bobtail, 175 ST. Stopped short of an exit. I guess it all depends what you shoot/impact. Just how "Fat" was that Doe?!? Lol.

J10 - indeed ammo vs gun....weight. I hear you.

175gr Silvertips are bad juju.

Likely better than the 357 version, so it would seem. I would not want to get hit by one. What 10/10s do you shoot Justin? Had a hankering for some time...Looks like a G20 w/laser above?

625 with moon clips
They don't jam.
They never fail to feed.

Why mess around with the .357, which is a marginal deer cartridge, when the .45 Colt plows right thru them and leaves a much bigger hole.

Don

Man there is a whole lot of stupid on this thread. One would think that 'gunfights' are fought in a vacuum.

There's nothing marginal about the .357mag, only poor bullet choices for the intended target. Don't underestimate what a 180gr. hard cast can do. No flies on a sturdy 170gr+ JSP either.

Exactly..... 357 125 gr hollow points still one of the best man stoppers there is.

Well, if you've ever shot a deer with a .45 caliber 265gr SWCHP traveling at 1050fps, you would know different. Simply no comparison.

Don

I thought SD stood for self defense not deer hunting?

I've got a 357 Ruger 4" security six on my nite stand & it goes with me on long driving trips. My CC is a 38 Ruger LCR, I practice with a 22 LCR.

I have a couple of Autos and a few revolvers. I just like revolvers better. My revolvers are Smiths.

I am quite partial to my S&W M-57 4". I have Herrett's grips on mine, the lead SWC is easy to shoot.

May have posted on this before.. But we have a couple Glocks a 19 and 21.. Also a couple 1911's.. My a pile of Smiths.. I bought the Glocks for those trips that take us though heavily populated cities. Lots of rounds.. But yesterday after a long spell of not shooting.. (2 weeks) I decided to do some prep for fall.. I took my model 28 6", and Smith in .45 ACP the Glocks, and one 1911.. The 1911 has a very heavy trigger.. It is accurate, but the heavy trigger is a definite minus.. The Glocks have lighter triggers, but the two stage pull makes them less accurate for me.. But none the less when shooting at water bottles in 20 oz. size, I maybe scored 60 %.. The Smiths were an entirely different story.. Excellent triggers, super accurate.. I realize, I was cocking the hammer before shooting, but that is natural for the first shot at least..

I have been thinking which is more important, an accurate first shot, or fire power.. I am sure on trips, I will have them all in the outfit, but it is still something to consider.

Wrong question. Some gun guys love to have either/or arguments, it gets kinda silly. You need both, and more practice.

Why would the first round fired in self defense with a double action revolver naturally be single action. It's not carried cocked. At least I hope that's not how you're carrying it.