Should I get a nice stainless snub nose .38, or should i go way bigger for a nice snub .357?? It will be alot easier to conceal the .38, but the .357 sure is a beuty.....
2007-09-12 05:41:00 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
actually havnt fired a 357, heard they pack a punch tho, had a smith n wesson .38 but had 2 get rid of it, n my last peice was a nice glock but gave it up. So i think i'm gonna go with the .357, see how she handels.
2007-09-12 06:03:32 · update #1
A .357 isn't very controllable in a snubby platform,
-unless it has been ported, and even then, muzzle blast is horrendous! Of course, a .357 can handle .38 special rounds interchangably with .357's making it a dual use platform, but .357's perform better from longer barreled guns -at least 4"- in my OPINION, So I'd recomend .38's whether the gun is .38 or .357 if you choose to utilize a snubnose.
Have you considered the Titanium S&W snubnose .38's and .357's?
They weigh next-to-nothing, can be had with a snag-free shrouded hammer, and reek of famous S&W quality.
As far as feeding such a beast, while there are many hollowpoint options avalible, as well as frangible rounds like Glasier Safety slugs, For in-home usage, consider the fact that .38 double-ended wadcutters make a decent self defense round in this caliber, as well as being economical enough to plink with. Yes, I'm suggesting a low-power round for self defense, IN-HOME but listen before you call me nuts....
a).38 wadcutters are unlikely to over-penetrate, making them a good choice for in-home self defense,
b)are low-recoil, making for quick shot-to-shot recovery,
c)are very accurate(being "target wadcutters")
d)due to their flat-nosed design, they transfer energy very efficiently, and rarely exit the body. .357's unless loaded with radical-expansion hollowpoints, often can pass through the body without dumping all of their energy. They can pass through a person, through a wall, and into another innocent person. The .357 is unquestionably superior for a one-shot-stop...but a .38 is still nothing to sneeze at, and allows faster follow-up shots if necessary.
e)A solid hit from a .38 beats a loud miss from a .357 every time. The .38 doesn't encourage accuracy-defeating flinching as badly as the .357 does.
Whatever you choose, the key is to practice with it untill shooting it is second-nature.
2007-09-12 06:12:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I personally would go with the 38 in a snub nose as I don't feel the 357 will out perform the 38 by much in snubby
(this is feelings i have not taken a 357 and a 38 snubby and put them thru a crony to find out)
the 38 has more than enough power at close range
2007-09-12 16:08:00 · answer #2 · answered by crazy_devil_dan 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Go for the .357, like echoing the statements of others you can (and should) use .38 Specials for practice. Since you specify stainless I assume you're not looking at light weight weapons, so concealability shouldn't really be an issue. Smith & Wesson and Taurus both make small frame .357s. The Ruger SP101 is slightly larger, but still a 5 shooter and easy to conceal.
2007-09-12 13:02:58 · answer #3 · answered by John T 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can do both.
Smith & Wesson has chambered their line of J-frame five-shot snubbies in .357 Magnum.
For nearly 10 years, my Always Gun has been an S&W M-640, a five-shot .357 with a 2 1/8" barrel, weighing 25 ounces. I most highly recommend both the M-640 Centennial and M-649 Bodyguard. If you prefer the unshrouded hammer of a Chief's Special, the Model 60 is also chambered in .357 Magnum.
S&W also sells their line of super-flyweight Scandium and Titanium framed snubbies in .357 Magnum, but at under 15 ounces, I would not shoot one with a full power .357 Mag round on a dare.
The Magnum J-Frames are just as easy to conceal as the .38 SPL snubbies.
Taurus has followed S&W's lead by marketing their five-shooters in .357 Magnum also.
Doc
2007-09-12 12:50:12 · answer #4 · answered by Doc Hudson 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would say go with the .357 mag. You get a lot of punch/knockdown power, and it's fairly easy to control/come back to target. Ruger and S&W both make excellent snub-nose models. Both are equally accurate, within reasonable distances for snub-nose/defense. Also with a .357 mag you can fire .38 special rounds for target practice with lighter recoil/cheaper ammunition, the accuracy will differ slightly, but good way to practice. You can do .38's through a .357 all day long. You can do a .357 through a .38 once.
2007-09-12 14:12:20 · answer #5 · answered by hippiewhomper57 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the choices are between the 38 special and 357 magnum get the 357 and you can still shoot 38's in the magnum. I have the Ruger SP101, 2 &1/4 inch barrel in 357 and it is deadly accurate out two 25 yards, free hand groups inside 4 inches POA and POI are identical. This revolver is a little heavy and large for pocket carry, however carries nicely all day in a good pancake holster. Beware of the ultra- light magnum snobnoses, recoil and blast are not for the fainthearted.This sight will help you make an infromed deceision.
http://www.snubnose.info/guns.htm
2007-09-12 13:33:31 · answer #6 · answered by Steel Rain 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
what "way bigger for a nice snub .357" the Ruger SP101 is a very nice 5 shot snub nose. it is 2 1/4 or slightly longer 3 1/16. it is solid and easy to shoot. a little heavy to carry all day every day but not too bad. i carried it around for about 4 years, then switched to a larger single action auto, but never worried about firepower from .357 and was not bothered at the range from to much bullet not enough gun. .357 is the way to go for protection. use .38's for practice if you want lighter and cheaper.
porting a snub nose is not necessary, wieght is more important and if ports are placed on the top of barrel the venting of gases can really be distracting when a second shot maybe very important. you want light gun to carry but if you think you might actually shot the gun get a good steel gun.
2007-09-12 13:03:08 · answer #7 · answered by ron s 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can't go wrong with a new or used Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum Revolver. I 've carried a Smith Model 66,carried, concealed (CWP) for over 15 years with no problems. Also gives you the choice to shoot any 38 special +P+ round that exists,wadcutters for targets.JHP & JSP for self defence.Full power 357 magnums in case someone tries to run you over with a truck...(Hopefully not that) But the point is you are ready for any situation that life can throw at you..Remember thise famous words. In an exchange of gunfire..There is NO second place winner....
2007-09-12 13:27:29 · answer #8 · answered by JD 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would not buy a new .38, but I do have some nice low priced ones that come my way every so often. It's a great caliber, but with a .357 you can down-load to .38 whenever you are teaching novices or you just find some cheap plinking ammo.
If you are buying new, get the .357. You are getting two-for-one that way!
Oh, which brand?
(Doc, I had a Centennial that a friend talked me out of and I'm still kicking myself for letting that sweetheart go!)
2007-09-12 12:52:30 · answer #9 · answered by DJ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Have you fired either a 38 or a 357 in the past? What you are most comfortable with is the logical choice. I personally like a 9mm, but I don't carry it around with me all the time.
2007-09-12 12:53:12 · answer #10 · answered by Dan The Man 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋