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Posted: 2/8/2006 7:20:57 PM EDT
[#1]
Get the .357 Mag. Reason, if you EVER want to shoot 357, you can. If you get a 38, you can't. But a 357 will shoot 38 all day long.... just make sure to clean the cylinders before loading 357....sometimes it gets dirty and you can't put it in.
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Posted: 2/8/2006 7:24:04 PM EDT
[#2]
Get a 38.
They are usually lighter than the 357mag version. For simple pocket carry every ounce counts. Trust me on this... I have couple 38 and 357 mag snubbies. |
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Posted: 2/8/2006 7:26:00 PM EDT
[#3]
+1 Improved resale (IMO) as well |
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Posted: 2/8/2006 7:44:08 PM EDT
[#4]
I don't know....I'm not usually a trusting person......but since I found this on the internet it must be true, but then again maybe go with the .357 as others have said. |
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Posted: 2/8/2006 8:15:02 PM EDT
[#5]
.38
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Posted: 2/8/2006 8:23:16 PM EDT
[#6]
+1. For your application the weight of the magnum is plenty of reason. The price difference is a bonus. |
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Posted: 2/8/2006 8:23:20 PM EDT
[#7]
the 357 is built stronger for the more powerful loads, so the gun will be stronger, even if you never shoot 357's thru it, it will still last longer and that's a better investment imo
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Posted: 2/8/2006 9:46:14 PM EDT
[#8]
+2 its BOTH, in ONE package! |
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Posted: 2/8/2006 10:23:25 PM EDT
[#9]
Its like getting two guns for the 25% more you pay.
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Posted: 2/9/2006 5:30:53 AM EDT
[#10]
If you are okay with using .38+P (which is what I use), then you can get the coolest snub there is...
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Posted: 2/9/2006 5:55:35 AM EDT
[#11]
Get the S&W 340PD and have it over with. You can fire .38/.357 and its 3 ounces lighter than the 642.
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Posted: 2/9/2006 7:41:25 AM EDT
[#12]
Yeah, and for only $750.00.  You can buy two 642s and a few boxes of practice ammo for that price.IMO, the 340PD is too light. Have you ever fired .357 in one of those little bastards? It is punishing to say the least. |
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Posted: 2/9/2006 8:03:22 AM EDT
[#13]
Get the .38. If you want to shoot a .357, get a .357. If you don't, then get the .38 and be happy that you have saved some money. And, as some have pointed out, for your purposes you can get a nice lightweight .38 far cheaper than you can get a nice lightweight .357. so you get weight saving plus the money savings.
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Posted: 2/9/2006 8:08:31 AM EDT
[#14]
My wife had a S&W 442 in .38. Quite manageable. She wanted a .357 so we went with a S&W 640. Also quite manageable and a .357.
We still have the 442 and it will still be used when appropriate. |
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Posted: 2/9/2006 1:50:20 PM EDT
[#15]
If you are not going to shoot 357 in it get the 38. For pocket carry I recommend the 642. I've owned several 357 snubbies and they are no fun when shooting magnums. I also like the weight I save going with the 38.
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Posted: 2/9/2006 2:19:16 PM EDT
[#16]
I voted for the .357 but the .38sp is definetely sufficient. The +P .38's are damn fine self protection rounds. I agree with most here that if you want a small snub nose revolver the .357 is harsh.
Especially if you buy a light weight(Aluminum alloy, Titanium) gun. The .38sp will do just fine with the right ammo for personal protection. The .357's should be bought if you want a larger frame "All Steel" gun with 4, 6 or 8in. barrel. |
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Posted: 2/9/2006 2:27:14 PM EDT
[#17]
I debated this same topic for close to a year before making a decision.
I chose the Ruger SP101 and have not regretted the purchase. ETA: 38/357 Caliber 
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Posted: 2/9/2006 2:47:09 PM EDT
[#18]
I do very much like the airweight S&W .38 snubby (642-1) . This is the standard aluminum airweight,not the fancy and very expensive alloys (scandium and titanium)
In a lightweight snubby most folks don't want much more than the .38+p. It's all I want to shoot,If I need the power of a .357 I will step up to a mid-sized like the S&W 686 with a 2 1/2 barrel and full lug . Different class of gun,weighs at least twice what the airweight does and you really need that weight to help control the .357 . I think it is conterproductive to have a snubby pocket gun that isn't a lightweight |
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Posted: 2/10/2006 9:47:40 AM EDT
[#19]
They should be closer to $600, thats what I got mine for. The 642 should be around $300. Is it worth $300 to be able to shoot .357 and.38 and to save 3 ounces? I don't know. I went with the 340 to be safe. I didn't like letting those 3 extra bills go, but its done and over now.  Its not a target revolver, I can hit fine inside of 10 yards with .357s, but not for 50 rounds. I've recently been thinking of going to .38s for faster follow up shots though. |
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Posted: 2/10/2006 10:44:01 AM EDT
[#20]
.357
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Posted: 2/11/2006 4:49:39 AM EDT
[#21]
Get the .357. You'll have more versatility if you ever do want to step up to the magnum rounds. Try some of the Winchester 110 grain in .357, the recoil is a lot less than the typical 125 grain rounds and I'm guessing will be more effective than .38 Special rounds.
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Posted: 2/11/2006 5:05:20 AM EDT
[#22]
Hear, Hear!! 
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Posted: 2/11/2006 9:34:50 PM EDT
[#23]
Ive always liked the SP101... maybe I need to put some stuff up for trade... |
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Posted: 2/11/2006 9:42:56 PM EDT
[#24]
Good arguments for both points of view...
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Posted: 3/24/2006 8:00:09 PM EDT
[#25]
If you are getting a steel frame then get a .357. If you want a lightweight then get .38.
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Posted: 3/25/2006 2:07:08 AM EDT
[#26]
For me, I went with the lightest .38 I could find that at the time that wasn't S&W (during their terrible Clinton-sellout period) and ended up with a Taurus Titanium .38 I know Taurus doesn't have the most wonderfull reputation, but I don't have any complaints about mine.
The SP101 is a very nice weapon, but its a heavy piece. If you really want a gun you can slip into a pocket holster and into your back pocket, jacket pocket, etc. Go with the lightest .38 you can find. IMHO the SP101 is heavy enough to deserve belt holster. |
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Posted: 3/25/2006 5:09:52 PM EDT
[#27]
Get a PM9 Kahr or the new single stack Keltec pocket 9mm instead. More power than the .38, flatter in your pocket, 7 rds instead of 5, much more controlable in rapidfire than the 357 snubby. Load the pocket 9 with Corbon's 100 gr PowRBall or 90 gr plus P jhp's, for 350-400 ft lbs of energy, and reliable expansion of the jhp. The .38 snub is well known for its lack of power, lack of ability to expand a jhp reliably in flesh, lack of rapidfire control, and so on. Those who say differently have never put it on target, against a timer. With the 158 gr, plus P lhp ammo, .35 second splits are about right for a steel-framed .38 snub, on the chest, at 5 yds, as vs .20 second for repeat hits with a good 9mm autoloader. I see no reason whatsoever to give each of my enemies twice as long in which to kill/maim me or my loved ones.
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Posted: 3/25/2006 9:20:55 PM EDT
[#28]
Another vote for anything other than a snub .38. Mrs gorilla has had one as a bedside gun for quite a while now, but I'm looking for something else. My own tests, even with the superb Gold Dots in +P loading showed that in water, it failed to show ANY expansion and therefore penetrated far more than .45, .40. 9mm expanding bullets.
I'd go for a Kahr MK9 or MK40. My P40 is nearly the same size and my .38 Taurus, holds 2 more rounds of a much more potent round and is much flatter to boot. |
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Posted: 3/26/2006 1:21:09 AM EDT
[#29]
The .38 is fine as long as you shoot quality +p, or trusty handloads for self protection. I would never trust factory ammo for jack. I shot my Rossi M68 2" with the remington metal case 130 grainers, and they would not penetrate a honda civic door at five feet. The hydra-shox on the other hand are nice and destructive.
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Posted: 3/26/2006 5:43:06 AM EDT
[#30]
Bear_B: Personally for me, it is a personal decision, its a trade-off of weight versus the amount of money to be spent. For if I were carrying(I don't,real hard to get CCW in Los Angeles), I would get a 38psl mainly because of the wieght and money issue. An aluminnum frame/steel cylinder S&W 442, can be had in the low-$500s(including tax & DROS) out the door.
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Posted: 3/26/2006 6:22:14 AM EDT
[#31]
You get my vote. 
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Posted: 3/26/2006 11:23:46 AM EDT
[#32]
+3 |
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Posted: 3/26/2006 11:52:48 AM EDT
[#33]
.357 Scandium 340PD
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Posted: 3/26/2006 12:41:08 PM EDT
[#34]
I own a .357 currently, (with a 4" barrel though) and I find myself shooting .38 out of it almost all the time.
I used to own a .38 snubby, if I was going to get another snubby, I would just get a .38. Especially if you aren't planning on shooting .357 rounds out of it anyway. The .357 in a snub nose revolver is a real bad flinch habit in the making. |
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Posted: 3/26/2006 1:08:00 PM EDT
[#35]
Or you could just put up with the extra 3 ounces, get a 442/642, and pocket the extra $400 that you would have spent on the 340PD. .357 magnum is fucking crazy out of a 10oz pocket gun anyway. .38spl is more than enough for self-defense purposes IMO. |
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Posted: 3/26/2006 9:14:58 PM EDT
[#36]
You cannot compare the .38 special to the .357 Mag!!! It' s much like compareing the .40 S&W to the 10 Mil!!! Just not even on the same playing field!
Anything the .38 special or +P can do the .357 Mag can do much better!! Again compare a .22LRF and a 22 WMG! Bob
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Posted: 3/27/2006 4:14:08 AM EDT
[#37]
........."I can`t decide".....if you go with 357....DO NOT fire high velocity rounds through it...very uncomfortable and uncontrollable.....definitely look for a colt...they make a lightweight and 6 rounds not five....but you may also like the s/w j frames...most concielable in my stash...can`t get away from them.....convienient?....hell yeah!.......................
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