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Posted: 9/27/2005 10:14:29 AM EDT
[#1]
Excedrin Headache #357 is very effective at stopping humans.
What size revolver are you interested in? Concealable .357s are unpleasant to shoot. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 10:16:10 AM EDT
[#2]
I have a Ruger GP-100 Stainless 4" model. I love the thing. Built like a tank. Great looks, comfy grip, I like the sights. Shoots great.
Its my open carry when I go on walks around the neighborhood. Not many things quite as intimidating as a bright shiny revolver. Not mine, but looks just like it minus the dirty grip.  |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 10:16:26 AM EDT
[#3]
357's have been doing just fine for self defense for a long long time. The current thinking amongst the self defense crowd, however, is that they have entirely too much muzzle flash for low-light shooting.
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Posted: 9/27/2005 10:20:25 AM EDT
[#4]
penetration? how far. they will blow a hole clean thru deer sized game at 25-30 yds.
stopping power? anything short of a 12 gauge shotgun or a .308 is going to require more than one "sold hit". but that is no different from any other pistol round. what is close to medium range? you will have a hard time justifying shooting someone past about 15 yds. the place where the .357 shines is when you start reloading and with 38's for target practice. any good 6" or plus .357 will shoot out to 50 yds without much trouble. i have not found that a snub nosed .357 is a whole heck of a lot different than a .38 special. both will do the job if need be but it sounds like you can do the job you want with what you have. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 10:21:20 AM EDT
[#5]
I love my Ruger GP100 in .357 mag. It is stainless with a 4" barrel. Very stout, well made units. I wouldn't buy a Ruger semi-auto pistol or a rifle, but I don't think you can beat their revolvers. My father-in-law carries the 3" and has the 6" also. All, very accurate and dependable, plus you can shoot .38's in them at the range for cheap plinking. YMMV, as i have never shot a human with a .357
roy d....mad at Mr. Ruger still, but I bought my .357 well before he crossed us. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 10:25:52 AM EDT
[#6]
It's a 9mm with more flash, more blast, and more penetration.
and it's STILL just a handgun round. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 10:27:01 AM EDT
[#7]
My 686 in 6" lets me hit bowling pins at 100 yards. I'm happier than a pig in shit
 Go for the Smith and Wesson line, whatever you do, unless Colt starts making Pythons again. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 10:32:45 AM EDT
[#8]
Remember that the 357 was invented as a hunting round and originally came in the Smith and Wesson N frame revolver. The N frame is Smith's largest frame. Full power, full weigh bullet loads are no problem out of that size gun. When pistoleros like Bill Jordan wanted a smaller, lighter 357 for duty the K frame Smith came out. Full house loads with heavy bullets out of a K frame have some recoil. A K frame that is magnaported and used with 125 grain bullets is managable. The 357 is un necessarily powerful for self defense. It is a hunting round. You are better off with a hot loaded 38 Special. Of course you can buy a 357 and shoot 38's out of it and always have the capibility to drop a deer that wanders close to your stand. A very nice 357 that is on the large frame but is still portable is the Smith Model 28 with a 4" barrel. They are out of production (like most good stuff) but still around. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 10:33:10 AM EDT
[#9]
Ruger SP101 2.25in Low Glare Stainless
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Posted: 9/27/2005 10:35:28 AM EDT
[#10]
Do yourself a favor and get a S&W 4" Model 686 and keep it forever.
HH |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 10:41:05 AM EDT
[#11]
Which is why you should use a revolver with a 6" barrel rather than the snubbies. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 10:47:19 AM EDT
[#12]
I want one of these (S&W 627 5 inch). Not only is it a quality gun, but 8 rounds of serious defense, and all my friends will be envious. O fcourse, it is more expensive than othe S&W revolvers (with 6 or 7 rounds) and way more expensive than a comparable Taurus with a 7 round cylinder.
 firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=293545&item=831437&sw_activeTab=1 |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:20:05 AM EDT
[#13]
Ive been looking at a Taurus 66 4 inch for 250. Worth the money? Piece o crap?
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:24:57 AM EDT
[#14]
Some Taurus' are VERY good, and some aren't so good. Look it over carefully and see how tight the cylinder lockup is. Check the trigger pull in both actions. Seems like a pretty doggone good price.
HH |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:25:51 AM EDT
[#15]
Worth the money, yes. Sexy, no. I have Taurus 627 (7 shot 357) and it sits besides my bed. I'd trust my life with it. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:27:19 AM EDT
[#16]
I'm very satisfied with my Ruger GP100. Smith 686 is another good choice. 4" barrel is perfect for me. I generally shoot ZERO reloads in both .357 and .38. The first .38s I shot really surprised me with their accuracy vs .357. I was looking for a big reduction and didn't see much difference. No way would I try one of the new lightweight snubbies in .357. Momma didn't raise no fools.
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:30:04 AM EDT
[#17]
So the .357 is a better man stopper than the 10mm or 40s&w? Does it have more knock down power
? Please enlighten me... Is this the same effect as a shotgun with #4 shot? |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:37:27 AM EDT
[#18]
In most the "One shot stop" test .357 is the best round there is followed by .45
heres a link to one Marshall & Sanow Stopping Power Stats |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:39:35 AM EDT
[#19]
Well, ballistically, the .357 Sig is right on par with the .357 magnum and you get twice as many rounds. I'm not saying that either is better, but something to think about. Just pray you never have to shoot it indoors with no hearing protection. With that said, my next handgun will probably be a .357 magnum revolver. Why? Just because I don't have one yet. MJD
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:41:24 AM EDT
[#20]
We think the same! My 4" 686+ is the pistol I keep in my nightstand with some 158gr Gold Dots. Thats gonna put some hurt on a BG.   Note: The ammo pictured is not what I use now, it was the 125gr Federal JHP  , and the 145gr Win Silvertip. I still keep a few speedloaders full of the silvertips, but my primary SD ammo is the gold dot. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:42:26 AM EDT
[#21]
 Marshall & Sanow are frauds. Utter BS... |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:44:37 AM EDT
[#22]
How much does a SW686 4incher go for , like $600? That one in the pic above is pretty clean.
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:45:20 AM EDT
[#23]
I was wondering how long it would take for somebody to post that. Now that it's gotten good, where's my popcorn??? MJD |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:47:16 AM EDT
[#24]
Care to explain??????????? |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:47:55 AM EDT
[#25]
S&W 686.
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:54:14 AM EDT
[#26]
You can get them for $500 or less if you look. I'm buying that exact gun tomorrow! |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:55:15 AM EDT
[#27]
I just bought an unused ANIB 686+ for $450, so there are definitely good deals out there if you look around. Either that Taurus or a 686 will serve you well, but the 686 is sure pretty to look at, and has a nice pride-of-ownership factor built in. HH |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 12:05:58 PM EDT
[#28]
I carry a little snubby tauruas I think it is a #605 the cylinder only holds 5 rounds but it has a ported barrel and shoots very nice. It is loud as hell though.
It carries really nice in a pager pal holster in summer time. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 12:09:40 PM EDT
[#29]
I was looking for strousberg (sp) test but cant find it probably because I cant spell it 
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Posted: 9/27/2005 12:14:09 PM EDT
[#30]
I have that same gun. Yes, its the 605. You wanna talk about a fireball. Funny as heck when I get people leaning around the divider to see what "hand cannon" I am shooting is only to find me shooting a little tiny revolver. Its fun, it was my truck gun for a while. Now my dad has it for a home protection backup. I named it "Noisy Cricket". 
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Posted: 9/27/2005 12:15:16 PM EDT
[#31]
Nobody can - because it's a fraud along with the M&S bullsh!t. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 12:19:36 PM EDT
[#32]
I'm sorry but I'm sure the mathematics are beyond the ability of you 88's But if others care to review the statistics from their first book, the the stats from their second book, you can see the changes are a mathematical impossiblity. Or you can read it from the experts in the field: Roberts, Gary K.; Wolberg, Eugene J.: "Book Review, Handgun Stopping Power: The Definitive Study." Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners Journal, 24(4); 383-387: 1992. Fackler, Martin L., MD.: "Book Review, Street Stoppers: The Latest Handgun Stopping Power Street Results." Wound Ballistics Review, 3(1); 26-31: 1997. MacPherson, Duncan: "Sanow Strikes (Out) Again." Wound Ballistics Review, 3(1): 32-35; 1997. van Maanen, Maarten: "Discrepancies in the Marshall & Sanow 'Data Base': An Evaluation Over Time." Wound Ballistics Review, 4(2); 9-13: Fall, 1999. Fackler, Martin L., MD.: "Undeniable Evidence." Wound Ballistics Review, 4(2); 14-15: Fall, 1999. MacPherson, Duncan: "The Marshall & Sanow 'Data' - Statistical Analysis Tells the Ugly Story." Wound Ballistics Review, 4(2); 16-21: Fall, 1999. Many of these are also posted here for your convience: www.firearmstactical.com/wound.htm |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 12:21:37 PM EDT
[#33]
I bought my Ruger Security Six in 1984. It is the one handgun I can always count on. I took it shooting last Sunday with my wife and kid who wasn't born until six years after I purchased it. We had a blast. The .357 has a very satifying "kick" to it. Fire one or two rounds and you know instinctively that it will get the job done.
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Posted: 9/27/2005 12:21:49 PM EDT
[#34]
i've been wanting a smith 686 for a long time....it might be my next purchase
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Posted: 9/27/2005 12:35:50 PM EDT
[#35]
I have a couple 686's and don't shoot them much. A pistol or Blackhawk is just easier for me to point.
I don't think that the .357 recoil is bad at all. I think that people think the recoil is bad because the muzzle blast scares the crap out of them. What comes to my mind immediately on touching off a full .357 mag load from a 4" revolver is what it would be like to crack open the gates of hell. In that line, I would recommmend the longest barrel that will suit your purpose. The .357 loses a lot of velocity and gains a lot of muzzle blast from a short barrel. I would recommend going with a larger bore and lower pressure round if you are going to use it for defense, e.g. 45 ACP. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 12:45:57 PM EDT
[#36]
Oh, shit. 
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Posted: 9/27/2005 1:49:54 PM EDT
[#37]
My 1st wheel gun was a S&W 686 4"bbl and that thing was a blast to shoot. I think I paid around $520.00 4 years ago for mine.
Now if I can only get my Dad to give it back to me. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 1:53:11 PM EDT
[#38]
You can open carry in VA??? What other states can you open carry? |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 1:56:09 PM EDT
[#39]
You have not lived until you rip off 5 full house .357 self defence rounds out of a S&W titanium frame snubbie.
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Posted: 9/27/2005 2:56:33 PM EDT
[#40]
I've been with people open carring in PA and AZ, and I've done it in VT. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 3:08:40 PM EDT
[#41]
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50416-2004Jul14.html www.packing.org/ |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 4:30:37 PM EDT
[#42]
For muzzle flash you might look at double tap ammo, I recall McNett mentioning something about little muzzle flash with his ammo when used in a snubby.
For night stand use something like a gp100 or a 686 is my recomendation. I own one of each and if you want to ccw the weapon I recomend the fixed site versions. But for the most versatile gun I think adjustable sites are useful. One thing to also keep in mind is that even in the snubby revolvers with a 2.25 inch barrel you will see a noticable increase in bullet velocity when you step up in power. 38 special is bottom, 38 special +p is next, and 357 mag is on top. While muzzle flash does increase, so does velocity of the same weight bullet so don't listen to everyone who says to just go with 38 special because the others are all noise and nothing else. I believe walmart has 38 special in winchester bulk packs if you don't reload. I recomend reloading since a revolver keeps its brass until you eject it and you don't have to work hard to find some load data to fit your needs. I guess the biggest thing to consider is what you want the gun for. I like 4 inch revovlers but for me to hunt with a 357 mag in ohio I believe I need a 6 inch barrel on the gun so that is something to consider. I don't plan to use my 357 mag on a deer, so I am happy with my 3 inch and 4 inch 357 mag revolvers. Overall the 357 mag has a wide range of capability when you consider slow 38 special for plinking and heavy 357 mag for hunting, and all that is between those two. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 4:43:40 PM EDT
[#43]
I'm a little late getting in here but I bought a Taurus 66 in 1989 and it still shoots like a champ after all that time. It is heavy enough to make the .357s manageable and 38 specials are a breeze. Put some pachmayer grips on it if you are going to go dedicated .357, it will save your hand |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 4:47:43 PM EDT
[#44]
I take it you've never shot a ruger before... ETA: other than your GP100 is what I ment. |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 4:59:35 PM EDT
[#45]
I posted a 357 mag question in SF last week. After much deliberation, I purchased a used Colt mod. 357 (Trooper predecessor?) with a 4" bbl. I have already put several hundred rounds through it. It's , by far, my favorite handgun to shoot already. It beats my classic Smith mod 63 .22 kit gun.
I luv me some Colt mod.357! |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 5:06:04 PM EDT
[#46]
tacman,
Here's a very nice used 686 for a VERY good price. HH smith-wessonforum.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/511103904/m/563107867 |
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Posted: 9/27/2005 5:11:25 PM EDT
[#47]
 SP101  SW Model 27 .357 =
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