I’m considering trying to get one of these, if possible in CA.

Does anyone have any other ideas on CC revolvers in 357/38? I may use it in bear country too.

My daughter is carrying my 2.5" Model 19 .357 in a Milt Sparks right now, loaded with 170 hard cast Keith loads. She is working as a cowboy/wrangler for an outfitter/guide outfit in Idaho back country. Actually the first two chambers are snake shot followed by 170 Keiths hard cast loads. I think it is a fairly good setup.

I’m also considering a ruger in a similar setup.

I saw a snub nose Model 29 for sale once. No thank you........

I would prefer a 4". But with loads like Mac's 170's or some of the 180 gr. wide flat points I would think you would get enough penetration to do the work. Shot placement is King, penetration is Queen and all else is gravy.

Nothing wrong with the old model Security Six in that same barrel length. Built like a tank and mine is just as accurate as any of my S&W models.

I’m betting the new model S& W 66 in that barrel length is not on the “CA Approved List”.

2.25” 66-8 or a 2.5-3” 686 plus.

Herrett’s stocks?

Hey, JB, I already spoke for those grips! Butt out Mister!

Sure. I don’t know about getting one in CA but I do know it’d make a great dual purpose pistol. I carry a 2” M15 in town and when bow hunting, fishing, mushroom picking, or whatever else.

I would get a S&W M65. The butt of the gun is the hard part to hide. A M66 has a 2.5" barrel and another 1.5" isn't that much more but gives a better sight radius and better ballistics.

Mack, hearing that your sweet little girl is working out there as an outfitter's wrangler sure makes me feel old! LOL Glad that you set her up with a solid pistola!

the Kimber 357 in 3 or 4 inch are worth a look too......

I think a 2 1/2" 357 could do the job ballistically with the right ammo, but I'd look at three other things.

First, I'd make sure that concealed carry is legal where you plan to take it. Given how things are going in California, that could be up in the air sooner rather than later.

Second, ammunition. California requires lead-free ammo for hunting statewide. All-copper bullets need speed to do their best work, and a 2 1/2" barrel might not provide that. Also, it might be legal to use lead ammunition to stop a bear attack if you're camping, hiking, backpacking, etc., but it might not be legal to even possess lead ammunition (for whatever reason) while hunting, and hashing it out in court will be expensive.

Third, make sure that the gun itself is legal where you plan to take it. For example, the Washington regs state:

I can see how a 2 1/2" 357 might be OK under the line about personal protection. But the regs also state:

To me, that says that a hunter using archery tackle or a muzzleloader cannot use a modern firearm to dispatch wounded game, which makes sense. But I also read it to say that you can only use a handgun to dispatch wounded game if it meets the definition in the first quote, which means a 4" barrel.

I prefer to avoid long philosophical discussions with law enforcement officers who I've just met, so I wouldn't carry anything less than a 4" 357 around here, and most of the time I choose a 4" Model 29-2 or a 5 1/2" New Model Blackhawk in 45 Colt. But things may be different where you hunt.


Okie John

Good luck prying them away…. They look like the Detective model.

My son just picked up a nice 4” 66-1 marked S’Port P.D., LA. Tight as a drum, no flame cutting, timed right, some holster wear but otherwise a good buy at $400.

$400 is a steal in today's market.

If it's in any kind of reasonable condition, that is a steal, indeed. In nice condition, it's a felony.

Class A no doubt. He’s got a good eye for old S&W’s, inherited from his old man

Herrett's is still in business, I just ordered three sets of D-45 stocks for my 1911s a couple of weeks ago (already got them, too). They are kind of old-fashioned in their business practices, but you can call them and ask about any grips you might be interested in. 208-733-1498.

Nice folks to do business with.

Really nice setup. As mentioned above I will load my own copper bullets,, I have two loads, a 160 gr solid, and a 140 gr Lehigh penetrator.

I've got a snubby 66 in really nice shape.

John Thanks for these comments.

I'm good with cutting edge and Lehigh copper handloaded ammo. Also, the CA regs only specify centerfire handguns for deer, bear and pig. The regs specify 4" handguns for elk and bighorns. I wont be using this revolver to hunt with, only for close in protection. If I was to hunt, I'd get a 41 mag.

And I'm envious!

Mine is a 19 and a somewhat recent purchase.

Very nice gun and quarry.

What kind of loads do you take when going to town and what loads when outdoors? I always wondered about the adjustable sights on a 2"-revolver. At what distance did you sight it in?

Modell 66 looks like a good seven-shot .357/.38 revolver. They also have another model which is multi-caliber .357/.38 and 9mm Luger. My mid-frame is on track for being the best revolver I have ever owned. One odd thing I noticed when I bought it was the plate screws were timed w/o use of Locktite, ok. I would say the best but I only have about 500 rounds through it. If it holds up I will be able to confirm my previous statement. You can view all offerings at the Taurus website.

A real sweet package…..if you shoot “lighter” loaded 44 magnums! “Fire breathing” loads aren’t required for the majority of uses with that type of carry gun! JMO memtb

The Ruger LCRx 3", 357 Mag, doesn't have the heft or classic good looks of the S&W revolvers. If you can get past that, it's a nice lightweight 357 with 3" barrel for decent ballistics. It's not a looker, but a decent tool to carry a lot, and shoot a little.

One of my carry guns is a 3 inch M60 stainless. I only carry it on hikes into the back country, etc. I load 110 Barnes HP's at about 1000-1100 fps. for it. They are designed to open from a 2 inch at 900 fps.
I've run into six bear while doing this. All of them ran at the sight of me, including a sow with a cub. Another was at 15 ft. Not much of a threat.
Mackay's daughter works where there are much more serious bear threats. Kalifornia bears are all black bears.
Been carrying guns in rough places all of my life. Never needed one to deal with an animal. People are a different matter. E

Those 2&1/2" barrel makes a .357 into a 38 SP velocity wise. I have one and they sure get snappy with full magnum loads. Mostly I carry a Ruger Security Six with a 4" barrel.In Colorado a .357 is not legal for big game.

One downside is cylinder capacity. Let us say fella wants to go where there are: rattlers, copperheads, cottonmouths,.... After first two chambers loaded with birdshot only leaves you three for angry bruin guarding pile of meat!😱🤕