How many shooters have you seen that can shoot a 357 double action, rapid fire with real 357 defense loads accurately enough to be using one as a self defense carry gun? I just read an article re the 357 Mag with photos of newer snub nose models. From what I've seen most shooters including me have trouble with rapid fire accuracy with real 357 loads using 4 or 6 " barrel guns.
There was a time when that was all I did, and did it just fine. I'm talking back in the 1980s, when I carried a Model 65 S&W with a three inch bull barrel and round butt frame. Back then I was on a kick about only carrying and only shooting Magnums in it, and I had no problem with it. Sure, It starts to get painful after fifty or so rounds, but that was about all I shot on a range trip anyway at that time. No trouble at all keeping them in the kill zone out to fifteen yards.
It all depends on the gun, of course, as an alloy J-Frame in .357 Magnum is just about impossible to shoot well, due to the inevitable flinching you will develop from the pain.
I don't know, but back in the day that's what we carried. 50 round qualification course, pass/fail. It's what you get used to. Your bread and butter was at the 3,5 and 10 yard.
I weighed four different Smith .357s once. The grips weren't identical, so give or take. A four inch 586 was only about and ounce lighter than a four inch Model 28. A six inch 586 was an ounce heavier than a similar Highway Patrolman.
I weighed four different Smith .357s once. The grips weren't identical, so give or take. A four inch 586 was only about and ounce lighter than a four inch Model 28. A six inch 586 was an ounce heavier than a similar Highway Patrolman.
It is where the weight is that makes the difference in balance. A heavier barrel/lugged for recovery works for me when shooting faster.
N-frames are just enough bigger to cause my hands some issues. I can shoot an L-frame pretty well (or could, before arthritis got my paws). I started out, like a lot of us, with a M28, and loved it, but I never shot it as well as I can its little brothers.. They are just too big for my mitts. I tried other N-frames, too, a .45ACP (25-2) and a .44 Spl (M24-3 4"), but I just shoot better with a K or L frame.
A 4" K-frame with full house 125 gr. Magnum loads is an attention getter for me. I can shoot it pretty well but I really have to stay focused and also limit my practice sessions to no more than 100 rounds. Remington used to make a mid-range 125 gr. load that ran at 1,250 fps instead of the full house 1,450 fps velocity. I really liked that load or the 145 gr. Winchester Silvertip hollow points. Those two didn't have that obnoxious muzzle blast of the full velocity loads.
A 4" K-frame with full house 125 gr. Magnum loads is an attention getter for me. I can shoot it pretty well but I really have to stay focused and also limit my practice sessions to no more than 100 rounds. Remington used to make a mid-range 125 gr. load that ran at 1,250 fps instead of the full house 1,450 fps velocity. I really liked that load or the 145 gr. Winchester Silvertip hollow points. Those two didn't have that obnoxious muzzle blast of the full velocity loads.
I believe Remington still makes a mid-range .357 Golden Saber. Might want to check.
I have a pile of them. That is what I use when I carry the Model 60 3" lugged barrel.
Not crazy recoil. Pretty good recovery and low (lower) flash powder is used in them.
43shooter: I used to practice "a lot" shooting my Model 66 4" Smith & Wesson with factory 357 Magnum loads, rapid fire. Let me put it this way - you don't want me shooting at you (in a self defense" situation!) with my 357 Magnum, EVER! Yeah there's recoil to a 357 Magnum but my aimed second shot and aimed subsequent shots are going to be coming at you about every 4/10ths of a second - all the while you are suffering from the effects of my first shot which landed center mass in your upper body! Under stress tests (sirens in ear, low light, strobe lights in face etc etc) my first shot will be hitting its intended target 95%+ of the time. Subsequent rapid fire shots will hit my target 80%+ of the time. I carried my 357 Magnum revolver professionally and personally for 20+ years - until the Glock Model 22 was invented. With good grips, a proper hold and practice a 357 Magnum revolver is a VERY efficient "self defense" weapon! Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
I like my old six shot L-frame,. but my performance center 5" N-frame is not any heavier and holds eight shots.I believe recent N-frames and L-frames have the same grip size. At least my fairly small hands can't tell the difference. Any S&W that fits my hand and has enough weight for the load used has been a joy to me.
I like my old six shot L-frame,. but my performance center 5" N-frame is not any heavier and holds eight shots. Any S&W that fits my hand and has enough weight for the load used has been a joy to me.
The 686 Plus does it for me.
The 5 and 7 shot S&W cylinders have the stop notch between the chambers, not at the chambers. A little stronger I think. Might be over thinking it though.
But the full lugged barrel balances better for me in 3 and 4" class.
I can do aimed 'rapid fire' with a K frame Smith, but it's not like a machine gun. Night time hog shooting requires quick shots. I have been using Winchester Silver Tips.
A 4" K-frame with full house 125 gr. Magnum loads is an attention getter for me. I can shoot it pretty well but I really have to stay focused and also limit my practice sessions to no more than 100 rounds. Remington used to make a mid-range 125 gr. load that ran at 1,250 fps instead of the full house 1,450 fps velocity. I really liked that load or the 145 gr. Winchester Silvertip hollow points. Those two didn't have that obnoxious muzzle blast of the full velocity loads.
You might watch those lite bullets in a k frame. If my memory serves me correctly that has been known to cause forcing cone problems. I'm talking full house loads. You need to stay with 140 plus grain bullets. Hasbeen