Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Looking at small .357 Mag. revolvers...

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

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.

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.....

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.

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.

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.


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.

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!

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

How do propose he shoot up his pile of 357 ammo he mentions in the OP if he buys a 38 special?

There ya go, being all logical again.

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.

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.

Got an email from Bud's today and this was the first item:


S&W M60 3"

If I wanted a small.357 again, I’d get another SP-101, only this time 3” I think.

Smallest recommendation for .357 Mag. is the Ruger SP-101 w/ the 4.2" Bbl.






GR

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.

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.