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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,443 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,443 Likes: 2 |
For me, my S&W Models 66 w/ a 2.5-inch barrel and Model 65 w/ a 3-inch barrel have worked for a long time.
Tried a Ruger SP-101 with a 3-inch barrel for a few years, just wasn't for me.
Like the way the new Colt King Cobra w/ 3-inch barrel handles, if I didn't have this base covered it would be on my shopping list.
YMMV
StarchedCover
Semper Fi
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,830 Likes: 13
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,830 Likes: 13 |
I just love a good S&W revolver in .38 Special or .357 magnum. I really love a three inch barrel. My Model 60 in .38 SP, DAO, Model 60 in .357, and Model 65 DAO all get a lot of CCW time. I load my own.
Sam......
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,858 Likes: 10
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,858 Likes: 10 |
The 3” model 60 is hard to beat. Adjustable sights and is accurate enough for them to be put to good use. Low to mid range 357 loads are just fine.
NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,132
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,132 |
The 3” model 60 is hard to beat. Adjustable sights and is accurate enough for them to be put to good use. Low to mid range 357 loads are just fine. That's interesting. Many say the K frame is too small for .357's. The model 60 I owned developed end shake after only 10 rounds. The loads were hot 125gn but still.....
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 759
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 759 |
Find yourself a good used Security Six with the 2.75 inch barrel. Great revolver and come up pretty frequently on GunBroker.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 132,048 Likes: 65
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 132,048 Likes: 65 |
Find yourself a good used Security Six with the 2.75 inch barrel. Great revolver and come up pretty frequently on GunBroker. They have one there now that's pretty rough looking for a reasonable price. The Ruger Speed Six was my first handgun, purchased in 1980 when I first got my carry permit. Still have it.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,040
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,040 |
After selling my 4" 686 earlier this year, I'm left with a pile of .357 and .38 Spl ammo. Soooo.....I need a revolver. This will be for short-range defense only (7 yards or less), concealed carry (OWB) on days I don't want to carry my HK USPc. I want a 2.5" barrel and an exposed hammer, fixed sights, new or used, budget ~$1000. I like the S&W 360 PD except for the fiber optic front sight, that belongs on turkey shotguns IMO. The Colt King Cobra 2" looks nice, and it should for $999!!! I'm open to older models, too, especially the S&W's. Gonehuntin, I don’t have a Colt King Cobra, but I do have a Colt Magnum Carry, which is basically the same gun. If you don’t like the fiber optic front site you can get one with a brass bead front site. If I didn’t have my Magnum Carry, I would get a 2” King Cobra. They are great 6 shot all steel small frame revolvers. Good luck and let us know what you wind up getting.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,478 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,478 Likes: 3 |
The 3” model 60 is hard to beat. Adjustable sights and is accurate enough for them to be put to good use. Low to mid range 357 loads are just fine. Agreed, enthusiastically. My 3" J frame is among my favorite guns. It ain't a lot o' fun to shoot but wow. Mine shoots 2 inch 50 yard groups with the old full-snot Federal 125 grain JHP load. A couple years ago I swapped out the rubber grip for a compact laminated grip .. I think for one of the ladysmith line, maybe .. so it doesn't imprint on clothing. It seems to be less bothersome so far as recoil as well which is a bit surprising. It also has a pretty darn good trigger pull. That's interesting. Many say the K frame is too small for .357's. The model 60 I owned developed end shake after only 10 rounds. The loads were hot 125gn but still..... For some reason that hasn't been a problem with the J frame for me. I do have some Blackhawk / Contender level loads I do carefully keep very separate from the J frame. They are brutal even in a heavy gun and probably fairly excessive. The were book loads when I worked up to them the first time and they have resolved some problems I otherwise wasn't able to fix, so I use them, but not in the 5 shot S&W.
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,452 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,452 Likes: 1 |
You can buy a Taurus 357 revolver with a 2" barrel for 309 bucks on Gunbroker. You can buy 2 of the Taurus revolvers for less than the Smith and Wesson. Great little gun with very good quality. I love mine!
A 380 in my pocket is better than a 45 in my truck!
Violence may not be the best option... but it's still an option.
"Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet." General James Mad Dog Mattis
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,130 Likes: 16
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,130 Likes: 16 |
Gonehuntin: I recommend the Smith & Wesson Model 60 in 38 Special with perky self defense type ammunition. Been there, done that (small frame 357 Magnums!). Best of luck with whichever you choose. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,239 Likes: 19
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,239 Likes: 19 |
How do propose he shoot up his pile of 357 ammo he mentions in the OP if he buys a 38 special?
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,704 Likes: 7
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,704 Likes: 7 |
There ya go, being all logical again.
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad." ---------------------------------------------- "Jimmy, some of it's magic, Some of it's tragic, But I had a good life all the way." (Jimmy Buffett)
SotG
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,974 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,974 Likes: 2 |
I have a 2.5 inch M19, it's got enough weight that 357's aren't terrible and it's not to heavy to carry OWB. I fitted it with a set of target stocks that fill my hand and are more comfortable than the factory ones. I carry it with 38 +P loads most of the time.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 132,048 Likes: 65
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 132,048 Likes: 65 |
I have a 2.5 inch M19, it's got enough weight that 357's aren't terrible and it's not to heavy to carry OWB. I fitted it with a set of target stocks that fill my hand and are more comfortable than the factory ones. I carry it with 38 +P loads most of the time. Pictures or it never happened.
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 22
New Member
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New Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 22 |
I have a S&W M340. I carry it a lot and shoot it little. Firing full strength cor bons it hurts and is almost uncontrollable. Speer 357 135 grain short barrel is nice shooting and what this gun stays loaded with.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 13,787 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 13,787 Likes: 6 |
Got an email from Bud's today and this was the first item: S&W M60 3"
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,837 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,837 Likes: 3 |
If I wanted a small.357 again, I’d get another SP-101, only this time 3” I think.
Mathew 22: 37-39
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,172 Likes: 14
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,172 Likes: 14 |
Smallest recommendation for .357 Mag. is the Ruger SP-101 w/ the 4.2" Bbl. GR
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3,105 Likes: 7
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3,105 Likes: 7 |
Got an email from Bud's today and this was the first item: S&W M60 3" That’s the one that came to mind for me. I’ve owned a couple and liked them. The plus P 38 ammo was as much as I cared to shoot in mine.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 132,048 Likes: 65
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 132,048 Likes: 65 |
Smallest recommendation for .357 Mag. is the Ruger SP-101 w/ the 4.2" Bbl. GR Assuming he gets a good one (quality control appears to have gone down hill on Ruger double action revolvers of late), that would be just about ideal for what he's looking for. Just a bit heavier in construction than a Model 60 to absorb a bit more recoil, and then that longer barrel to do the same.
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