Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns what's your opinion on 357mag?

Throughout the years on this forum I've been watching post on 357mag revolvers. Seen opinions from 357mag is too much blast and noise for it's performance, etc. I've mainly been using mine to shoot 38spec as an alternative to the 22lr shortages past and present for plinking.

I also keep this revolver around to introduce new shooters. They're less intimidated by a revolver than semiautomatic pistol. Load up those mouse-fart 148 wadcutters and it has very little recoil and noise. If double action feels to heavy, they can cock the hammer for single action.


However, I'm wondering if 357mag revolver is worth keeping? That' perhaps getting a 22lr handgun would be a better alternative both for cheap plinking and introducing new shooters. I have 9mm pistol for self-defense so I got that covered. New shooters looking for self-defense seem to skip over the revolver and go for some plastic striker-fired variety or whatnot. What reasons are there to keep 357mag revolver?

It’s not a terrible cartridge but for me it’s generally worthless. I have a handful of 357s but rarely shoot full tilt loads out of them. For plinking and small revolver self defense the 38 sp is a better choice. It has workedon deer and black bear for me but I prefer the 44 sp on up. If you buy a S&W 340, you’ll quickly learn why the 357 sucks in a small gun. That being said, having a 340 gives you the additional option of shooting 38s. Btw you can handload 125s and 158s out of a 357 at warp speed.

They are awesomely powerful and versatile.

For me, the .357 is middle of the road.

For target and critters it does a fair bit

But Id rather have a .22 lr and a .44 mag.

What most want a 357 for is what you get with 327. 327 has more to offer for plinking loads. If you go to heavier loads for more power I'd as soon use a .44. I feel like the higher velocity recoil of 357 much less pleasant than. 44 mag.

Much of this is comes down to personal perception and revolver weight. For the stated purpose I would use 22lr. 22lr will pay for itself in ammo cost savings.

The only reason I can think of to have a 357 is it doesn't cost anything to keep after you buy it.

Well it is too much for the GenX and GenZ man-boys who are struggling with the mighty 9mm.

I would rather have 10mm/.40 S&W revolver. The .40 ammo is less expensive then .38/.357. S&W makes L-framed gun in this caliber. Based on comments I think we can skip Ruger. Unless one truly loves great Ruger customer service.

This,
Its a very versatile round, and in a 357 revolver you can easily shoot light 38's for fun, heavy duty or +p 38's for carry, or multitude of 357 rounds for carry, and makes a great deer and pig round if you know how to shoot.

Not a 7 day pillboxer here, but I carried one on the SD.

I think every handgunner should have a 22LR, 357, 44, 454, 475, 500JRH & Linebaugh. And for good measure a 32 and 41 mag.

^^^^^^This^^^^^^

Who makes that holster roundoak?

The .357 Magnum was the first revolver to exceed the power of the Walker Colt.

S&W did make relatively small run of excellent .357 revolvers (-5 or -7 era if I remember correctly). These were stainless magnum J-frame with 5 inch barrels, fully adjustable rear sight, five shot cylinder and combat S&W grips (about half inch longer than standard boot grip). These would make wonderful trail guns.

You wouldn't want to touch off too many full power Magnum loads in them, though. Not fun.

I have several and shoot them regularly . I think they are very versatile and will serve for most anything the average person will normally shoot . I prefer the .44 Special but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the .357 Magnum .

I am not the right person to ask that question. LOL

I think the 357 is a great all around cartridge. It's kinda like the f150 of cartridges, too small for heavy work, but big enough it can handle some real chores. If you live east of the Rockies 357 or 10mm is as big as you'd ever need to go in a handgun. Out west, the smallest thing I carry in the woods is 10mm with a 44mag for some areas. I sold one of my 2.5" Smith 686 years ago because I never shot it and needed the dough. It's one of my most regretted gun sales and I will replace it when I find one. I like the simplicity of revolver and the ability to shoot 38's out of it. 357 is great for whitetail, midwest black bear, 2 legged vermin (the 125gr HP was the gold standard for stopping power), and ammo is universally available. The only drawback is revolvers are LOUD when shot without ear protection. That's not just 357, 22mag is just as bad. Would also make a great cabin gun. You'd never had to worry about magazine springs going bad.

Agree. The .327 is a great round. Lots of options for ammo. Funny that all of my .357 revolvers are loaded with .38 spc. But my .357 carbines are loaded with .357. Great hunting round here. I’m going to get me a .327 lever action and have fun with it too.

Aside from the already mentioned versatility. It can be had in smaller guns that fit the hand well, and carry without strain.

For those with cosmopolitan appreciation. Many of the finest quality revolvers ever made were chambered for it.