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

Let's not forget the Colt Shooting Master. I'll also give a nod to the S&W Highway Patrolman, the second 357 I bought back when they were $250 all day long.

Yep, I picked up a nice clean one of those at a gun show way back when, too. Wish I never sold it. So dumb.

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now, there is a sexy post

My father in-law came up for Thanksgiving and said he had a gift for me. It was his blued, Python he bought in the mid-70s in a leather, Colt holster. He thinks he paid $175 for it and only put a few rounds through it. To say I was happy would be an understatement. He’s in his 80s and just wanted me to have it. I’m a .357 fan but this was over the top!

Damn! Nice.

Wow! Congratulations.

O yes! Bought for 270 Euros, sold for 440 Euro a few years later. I think I should no longer hesitate to contact the buyer if he still has the gun....

Congrats to your father in-law! And to the wonderful gift.
I'd like to see a picture.

I did just the opposite for my dad’s 70th birthday, year before last. I paid a lot more than $175 for a 6” blued model. Shot a bit but still in good shape. Dad always wanted one but never ponied up the dough. I’ll never forget his reaction when he opened that gift and found the Python inside.

Nice. That's about what mine looked like. A real sweetie to shoot. The hottest Magnum loads felt, recoil-wise, like shooting a K-Frame .38.

How many handguns does Germany allow you to own at one time?

Have 3 .357’s , was the first centerfire pistol I had,really like the .357

How so? A 3" model 60 makes a lot of sense when roaming around the hills. Made even more sense back when it was new.

I like the .357 and a lot of guns it comes in.

Anything from powderpuff 38's to fire breathing 357's on loads. Light to heavy bullets. Easy to make rat/snake shot loads. Wide range of ammo and loads for it off the shelf and unlimited reloading options....of course this can be limited by availability like anything else....

Guns range from long barreled 8 shot revolvers down to 5 round snubbies. Blued, stainless, scandium....heavy to light. 8"+ to 1 7/8" barrels. Guns available with moon clips...can carry speed loaders, speed strips, or just loose rounds in a pocket. Can stretch distances when shooting or shoot from inside a pocket. Single action, double action, DAO, hammer'd, hammerless, bobbed, covered.

Whole lot of functionality in 357's and every one is a 38. I will say, my general rule is if I'm wanting to shoot mainly 357's I like a 4" or longer barrel....but that's just my preference.

I've posted in this thread once, but when I read JBM's post I just had to say I'm on board word for word with what he typed.

357's are very versatile. Not saying that cause I have them, I have them cause I believe it.

Yep, the 3” adjustable sights Mod 60 is a design greater than the sum of it’s parts. Mine served for everything from teaching the Ex and son to shoot, lots of plinking, with .38 plusP for concealed carry, the at-hand home defense gun and for woods carry with hot .357 loads.

I will say, as you stated, there’s a lot more options now than there was 25+ years ago when I bought it.

I've got a three in inch J-Frame revolver with adjustable sight, a scandium frame, and a titanium cylinder, but it's in .38 Special. Pre-key-hole.

I've shot a scandium J frame 38, and it was more than unpleasant. I'd much rather shoot my 3" 60as with 158gr GD than that. For me, the scandium J is past the point of diminishing returns.

Yeah, it's a bit rough with +P.

When I was looking for a light weight J-frame, I didn't need to read too many reviews of the Scandium frame .357 Magnum 340/360 S&W's to see that guys shooting magnums regarded it as a 2" barreled flame thrower or "Like a bomb going off in your hand" is how one guy described it. .38 +P is all that my 12 ounce 337PD will handle and that is even high end enough to hang on to. If I did want to shoot it more often, I'd look for larger grips.

"WHAT?"

"Oh, the .357 Mag. Good cartridge."

Glad I have become a lip reader. Damage done, I guess.