Ok, I've got most the classic 357 revolvers. S&w registered magnum, model 27, model 28, model 686, model 19, old Volt Python, Ruger Security Six, Service Six. So I've an good amount of specimens.

Recently I acquired an old used 2.25" Ruger SP101 357 and I'm liking that smaller format an awful lot. It's been used on small game this year throwing 38spl with complete success. I like it enough to desire other little stainless 357magnum and have been looking at the 3"--4" models put there. It's basically down to that S&W 60, the Kimber DASA or another longer barrel SP101.

I may have to pick up two models down the road but I'm looking for an smaller 357 for small critter and full power loads when called upon.

Get the one with adjustable sights...

I would look at used Security Sixes.

Center gun in picture - 3" S&W Model 60 with adjustable sights
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Paul

3 inch Ruger LCRx

The new Colts are pretty nice.

Good idea. I forgot about that one.


I've got the Security Six 2.75" but it's blued. I'm ok with 4", 5", and 6" barrels but I like the smaller cylinder of the sub-"K" frame size.

I like those old Ruger Security Six models with the 2.75” barrel. Built like a tank, adjustable sights, accurat, reliable.

No need to settle for old guns which will not be serviced by Ruger (affectionately known as the Mother Ship) and parts will not be available. Ruger is making nice blued SP 101 with 3" barrel and adjustable sights. It looks real nice for a Ruger product.

I fondled a 3" Colt King Cobra last weekend.
It`s next on the hit list !
Also look at the Kimber K6s.
I have the 4" Target, very nice for the money !

I found this Model 60-15 at a South FL pawnshop. It is a great carry revolver

I use both a 3" LCRx and a 4.2" SP101. If you're planning on shooting full power loads very often I'd highly recommend the 4.2" SP101. A bit more barrel to get more out of the load, longer sight radius, and a bit more weight to handle the recoil.

https://ruger.com/products/sp101/specSheets/5771.html

The 3" LCRx is really nice to carry, has a better trigger, but (to me) it's a really good 38+P revolver.

https://ruger.com/products/lcrx/specSheets/5444.html

The 3" model 60 calls me. Particularly the Pro model with a lighter barrel & tritium front sight.

I like this one:

There it is! Best in breed.

The 4" SP101 is a good choice with that extra 1" of barrel and a little more weight to mitigate recoil without being too heavy.

But based on my experience be very, very careful getting one made anytime in the last 6-8 years. Won't bore anyone with the long version of the story but I went through four SP101’s – two of the 4” models and two of the 3” Lipsey’s models with adjustable sights, and all of them were QC disasters. Sent them all back, Ruger scrapped two as being irreparable and finally gave me my money back on the fourth.

Took a chance and bought another 4” model (my 5th SP101 of recent manufacture) after examining it. Still had to firelap the rough barrel and redo the crown on that before it shot okay but now that I have one whose barrel comes straight out of the frame and shoots well I really like it.

Decently made SP101's are certainly out there and would be a good fit for what you want but I would strongly recommend not buying one sight unseen if it was made anytime after about 2014 or so and the more after the more careful you should be.


OR - just get one of those 3" Model 60's and have fun.

I have a S&W model 66 2.5 inch. I love the thing. It's in my side when out and about the farm, on the tractor, atv, etc. I shoot it as well as my 4" model 19. Killed vermin of all types and sizes. Can't imagine not having it to strap on.

3” model 60 with adjustable sights.

I have 2 model 60's 3" adj. sights. I love em. I am never without one.

Pre-HillaryHole Model 66. Earlier models are Pinned and Recessed.

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.

Mine is a four inch in 327, but my gunsmith put a pretty decent trigger job on it. ALMOST as nice as my S&W 657.

I've owned a couple SP-101s and a S&W model 60. The first SP-101 was before they offered it in .357 so .38 +P. Think it had a 3" barrel. The other was a 2-1/4" .357. The model 60 has a 3" full lug barrel and adjustable sights. I like the SP-101s but the adjustable sights pushes the S&W over the top for me.

Minus Oregon's measure 114 tripping up my shopping plans, I was going to pick up a 4" barreled SP-101 with adjustable sights. I think those are sweet little guns. For "kit gun" use, IMHO it's about perfect. Enough barrel / sight radius for accuracy, light enough not to be intrusive, with a lot of ammo options from light target loads to borderline deer hunting loads. With the S&W model 60 in hand, much as I like the SP-101s, I really can't see another of the short barreled ones. That ground is covered.

The 3" model 60 is pretty respectably accurate. It'll keep the old Federal 125 grain HP factory ammo in a 2" group at 50 yards from a rest. It also hits hard. I was jumped by a cougar here in the yard last August and the cougar didn't survive. I didn't like the recoil with the factor rubber grip. In my hands, it is more pleasant to shoot with the laminated rosewood "boot" grip despite that being smaller and a harder material.

I’ve had a 3” adj sight .357 Model 60 since the year it came out, had the .38 Spl version before that.

One of those designs than is greater than the sum of its parts, just plain works.

I introduced my ex and son to shooting handguns with it and for years loaded with .38 PlusP’s it was our on-hand home defense gun.

With the supplied Uncle Mike’s Combat grips recoil even with hot .357 180gr hunting loads was not a problem, tho heavy recoil did slow repeat shots.

I still have it, though an Airweight with .38+PlusP substitutes for home defense and a Glock 19 with 147 grain Hardcast loads substitute for woods carry.

Be hard to beat, for a small frame 357 mag, IMO.

I love my 3” barreled stainless Model 66. But it’s a chunk to carry compared to those 3” Model 60’s.

Nice snag, Sam !

Tell us more about this…..what load, placement, performance, range??!

The load was Federal's full power .357 125 grain JHP .. the one Marshall and Sanow, Ayoob, etc touted as #1 for one shot stops. Out of production I think? Shot distance was under 20 feet. Angle was maybe 1/8th of a turn away from straight at me. I either broke it's back or broke it's pelvis. After the first shot it got its front legs under it but couldn't get the back legs under it .. tried to drag itself away.

I don't know much more about what happened inside the cat. I shot into it one more time with the .357 then went back to the house for a rifle to finish mopping up. (Got the wrong ammo so it took quite a few shots to make it lay down and stay there.) F&W autopsied it. Said apparently healthy male, 95 pounds, about 5 years old. They didn't tell me anything about the bullet placement or damage.

I bought my wife a 3" sp101 to carry while fishing in island park and an lcrx for jogging and around town stuff. The sp101 it's much more shootable with 180 hard cast or the 158g xtps I usually load for her to carry.

The lcrx is 38 only so it doesn't take the hotter loads anyways but I usually put factory 130g hsts with a reload of 125g golden Saber +ps. It's more for weirdos and pit bulls than woods. I just cast a bunch of 148g soup can wadcutters and powder coated them so I'll load some of those up to about 850 fps and see how they do for her. Hopefully they'll get her practicing more.

Bb

Hope you have ear plugs in when you fire a short barrel 357.

I’d get the Colt King Cobra Carry.

as EdM said, a model 65, three inch barrel. Mine was converted to DAO by the Smith and Wesson custom shop

That's purdy