What is the recoil of a .357 Magnum revolver?

Question

I was wondering what the .357 magnum recoil is similar to? I have shot a 9mm, .40, and .45 semi autos. What other cartridge would the .357 magnum be compared to.

Answer 1

To answer this question from a different angle, the .357 is much better for personal protection. Fire it a few times and get used to the recoil, with and without head gear at least once but always with eye gear (people train with ear protection so often, that when they must fire in a time of need, the shot can be startling.) Is is safer, much more dependable, has better stopping power and much more practical. They have a very basic make up with little parts that are unnecessary for the gun to effectively operate and can be counted on if dropped in sand for example. If you fire one time in a life or death situtaion, the sound and the hole left behind them, will make anyone think twice about sticking around to hear and see it again. Now I realize that you will have fewer shots than a semi-auto, but if you need this weapon to defend yourself, you will not be jumping behind cars (or your couch) running and rolling, dropping to prone positions while firing, nor will you be offering cover fire for other people in a fictitious Hollywood gun fight. Most likely you will be 3-6 feet away from a bad guy and will fire 2-3 times only. Semi-auto's are ok firearms, but I have seen them jam and people get up after being shot several times with a 9mm. - they will not get up after a .357. It is also a good idea to get a hammerless firearm, then you can fire with it in a purse, a pocket or wherever in a desperate time of need. Wouldnt recommend it of course, just something to think about. Get a nice and heavy, slow bullet, no need for speed with a +p+ for example if you still lean towards the semi-auto's.

Answer 2

As has been stated already it depends a lot on the platform that you launch the round from. Lightweight pistols or pistols with poor grips and hot loads will not be all that comfortable. On the other hand a heavier pistol with good grips will most likely be quite comfortable.

In a .357 you can start out shooting mild .38 Specials and then move up to .38+P and eventually to .38+P+ and to finally up to .357 Magnum loads. Even in the magnum load there is some difference in recoil between light and heavier loads.

I would equate a medium frame, 4" barrel revolver with nice grips to being just a bit more abrupt than a .40S&W shooting full power 180 grain loads. But felt recoil is a subjective thing. There are formulas you can find that will tell you exactly what the enegery is based on the weight of the gun, the weight of the bullet you are firing and the velocity. But I think felt recoil is what you are interested in.

Good luck

Answer 3

All things equal, that is steel framed full sized revolvers, the .357's recoil is more than a .38 Special and less than a .44 Magnum. Of the calibers you mentioned it is closest to the hotter .40 S&W. The only other caliber you can compare the .357 Magnum to is the .357 Sig, a relatively new auto-loader cartridge. Recoil wise it is comprable to the old .38-40 in a heavy-frame six-shoot.

H

Answer 4

I suppose it is comprable to a .45, but the report and the snap of recoil are both quite a bit more sudden and sharp. The slide movement on the .45 tends to slow and distribute the recoil as it ejects the fired cartridge and chambers the next round.
If you had a locked-breech single shot .45, the recoil would be more comprable, but still "slower". It's nothing to be afraid of at any rate. I've known plenty of women - some small-framed and at least one elderly (a female probation officer who carried a .357 snubnose in her purse)who shot .357 magnums regularly with no problems.
If recoil is that much of an issue, you can always shoot .38 special or .38+p loads instead of full-house .357's in it.

Answer 5

Some have stated that it is like 40SW but really there is no comparison. The magnum revolver recoil is so different than something like the recoil from a 40SW automatic. A SW model 19/66 snub with 158gr magnum shells nails the web of your hand your hand more than any 9/40/45/357 auto ever could.

Answer 6

Well the kick isnt to bad. I have shot all those calibers accept a .40 and the kick is probaly between a 9mm and a .45. Out of hand guns the .357 smith and wesson revolver is my second favorat gun right next to a kimber .45. If you are thinking of purchasing one that is a very good choice and if i were you i would get a smith and wesson. Maby you could go to your local range and rent one so you know what it is like.

Answer 7

What frame size ?, barrel length and wt. (Ventilated heavy rib, etc.) and load, these will all play a big part in recoil.

Well both my Colt Python and S&W 586 recoil about the same with the same load (158gr.) and in comparison too my 3 Glock 40s (155gr.), only a pro could tell the difference.

Take this into account, we all have different shooting techniques so with this in hand my may say the 586 has the most notisable recoil, the next shooter picks the G23 with a heaver recoil.

I hope this information helps.

Answer 8

from what you listed all are about the same.
i have the 9mm .45 and .357 and a .38 spec., shot the 40 and to me they are all the same as far as recoil.
if you want something with a little more kick without getting expensive try the 41mag or a 44mag. if you want to get expensive then there is the .454casull .50ae .470linghbaugh and more out there.

Answer 9

The 357 is an outstanding caliber,
I shoot both Ruger and S&W with 4 to 6 inch barrels.
Recoil is not bad and me and my son will shoot 250 to 300 rounds each just playing at the range,
About the same as 40 S&W

Answer 10

My .357 revolvers have just a pinch more recoil than my 1911's. Really to me they are so close they are pretty much the same.

It's a bit snappier to tme han a 9mm but to me a 9 has little to even talk about.

Just my two cents :)