Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Looking at small stainless 357's

Theoldpinecricket: I am just ga-ga over my Smith & Wesson Model 66-2 with 2" barrel.
Skip the rest - buy the best.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

A 3" M65?

Does anyone know if the Buffalobore 357 magnum 180 grain hard cast are too long for Colts?

Should work - Cartride OAL 1.55 +-
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Paul

Thanks, I might get a box for the king Cobra (old and new)

Just sold the blued version of that (model 13) a few months ago. Those go for money these days.

I agree. If I wanted another small frame 357, I'd be all over that. Wouldn't shoot the BB 180 grain in it though.

“Alaska Backpacker” 357 using a 200 grain hard-cast, gas-checked LBT 1.620” OAL

https://www.thesixgunjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221106_191339.jpg

These produced 970 fps and worked fine in a 2 ¼” SP101 with noticeable, but not unbearable recoil- way nicer than hot 300’s from a 4” S&W Model 29. It grouped about 2 ¼ “ at 25 yards, and the point-of-impact with the little Ruger was only 3” high at that distance.

The load's velocity didn't impress me much- until I started shooting things with it. It easily bored through a 3 inch seasoned oak limb, digging an inch groove in the trunk behind. It shot through an old mower deck- that .45 hardball only dents. I do believe Alaska Backpacker's 200 grain .357 would shoot through a bear's noggin' and that's about all you can ask of a pocket gun.

I have one of the S&W Model 60s with 3 inch barrel and adj. sights. I love that gun.

An excellently balanced choice. Of course, if the object is max concealability nothing beats this. GDHP 125s work just fine in it at belly gun ranges.

I like my Model 66 2 1/2". Wouldn't care to shoot much less revolver with any magnum load.

Come on, why no love for 🇺🇲 classic Charter Arms Mag Pug Target? I read Mothership service equals that of Ruger.😁

My number one woods gun here is a 3”SP101.

I looked at those and I'd try one but never see them in person. It's difficult enough to find a compact revolver at the present of any type and the ones I do see are asking prices way over MSRP. It might be S&W, Kimber, or Ruger all I need is to find one.

I've got the old s&w models 19, 686, 27, and 13 as well as the Security Six, Service Six and GP100, and Colts. To me I like the more compact revolvers for carry and am on an kick for them.

I know it's not a 357 but the S&W Model 69 2 3/4" is looking better to me all the time.

Agreed. I seen one locally in the flesh. I've an long 44mag history and already have an Ruger Super Redhawk and s&w 29 and 629. I like the prospect of the model 69 but it is an L-frame and larger. The smaller 357's are just an ideal size to pack and 38spl is ideal small game medicine. Who knows? Maybe I'll go for both.

I don't think that small & 357 belong in the same sentence.................I've got a S&w 340 PD (J-Frame) 5 shot w/ a titanium cylinder that is "rated" as a 357. Weighs 12 oz.

I shot a full house 357 load for one cylinder's worth & that gun has never seen anything but fairly light 38's since.

If you want a 357 that's shootable, get an L-frame or some version of a M-19 or M-66.

I had a 2.5 inch round butt 686 once upon a time & it was perfect, but in a fit of mental weakness, I sold it...............great pistol.

In any case, don't leave home w/o yer ear-pro............................just sayin.

MM

I have a S&W mod 66-8, 2.75" great carry revolver and any job.

Had an SP101 2" which I bequeathed to my son. Probably the most rugged, utilitarian .357 snubby around and I never minded shooting hot .357 loads. I carried +P's with it many times as well.

Then came a model 60 2" which I figured was a good upgrade over my 36-9 (+P). After the first range trip and one cylinder of .357, I was done. It was brutal recoil, even with a Hogue grip. The SP101 was more comfortable to shoot .357 than the 60 was with +P, weight making a big difference in felt recoil. Even though the 60 felt good in the hand, I let it go in favor of a new K6S which I don't have yet. The weight of the K6 is very close to the 101 so I'm hoping for similar felt recoil. Just my 02.

Yep,

I have shot some full power .357 loads through aluminum and lighter weight 5 shot J Frame Smith revolvers. I absolutely will not do that again. Absolutely nasty and a very good way to end up with permanent damage to the hands/wrists. I would much rather shoot full power .44 Magnum and .45 Colt loads through an N Frame than to shoot .357s through a J Frame. No Thanks.

There is absolutely a point of diminishing returns. A +P .38 is plenty for that size gun. If I am going to shoot .357s, then it needs to at least be a K Frame.