Author Topic: Need advice on purchasing a 357 carry gun (Read 2153 times)

jays375 · « **on:** June 26, 2011, 03:38:15 AM »

I am in search of purchasing a 357 for a carry gun.Looking for something with a 2" barrel with adjustable sights.It has been a long time since I looked for one and can't believe the price of new ones.My preference is towards Smith & Wesson or Ruger.The price on those really shocked me.So basically I am looking for info on other makes and models new or used.It doesn't have to be a small framed one either.Any suggestions?

GH1 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 26, 2011, 05:36:53 AM »

Taurus makes a few .357 models. Many people bash the Taurus but I have a model 65 and I'm very happy with it. I think Charter offers a .357 but I'm not certain. If you're interested in used check out Gun Broker, or other on-line auction sites.
GH1

Silvertp · « **Reply #2 on:** June 26, 2011, 08:10:45 AM »

I am also going to recommend a Taurus, my experience with their revolvers has been positive. Check out the Model 617 in .357mag.

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=260&category=Revolver&toggle=tr&breadcrumbseries=CC2

Ive been packing one for the past 6 years, it conceals well and has been flawless in function. It comes as a medium frame stainless .357 with a 7-shot cylinder, 2" bbl, exposed hammer and rubber grips. The only part of your criteria where it falls short is it has fixed sights. Mine hits plenty close to POA for defense work.

I know its not a Smith or a Colt, but it is a less expensive and viable option for concealed carry.

Silvertp

jays375 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2011, 09:13:39 AM »

Really want adjustable sights.Also model numbers of older guns from S&W or other gun makers would help out.Not just interested in a new gun.Started looking around for a S&W model 19.

rockbilly · « **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2011, 09:37:04 AM »

I have two inch guns in both the model 60 and 649 Smiths, both are equip with Crimson Trace grips and make excellent carry guns, only down side..........they are a little on the heavy side.

My wife has a hang up about the .357 so I load them with .38 +p ammo, by doing that she will shoot them.

Brett · « **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2011, 11:29:34 AM »

Jay, Why do you think you need adjustable sites? I think that you will find that adjustable sites will snag on cloths and or dig holes in your flesh if this is going to be a concealed carry gun. Not to mention the fact that with such a short site radius on a two inch barreled adjustable sites are pretty much a mute point. If accuracy is a concern go with a set of crimson trace laser grips. They won't snag on things and will get you on target fast.

Take a look at Charter Arms latest offerings. CA has had their ups and downs over the years (not unlike many gun makers) but have seem to gotten it together again as of late. My wife carries a 2" stainless concealed hammer model that functions flawlessly and is quite accurate at combat distances.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2011, 11:32:25 AM »

I'm pretty sure Charter Arms still makes the .357 model with adjustable sites, maybe not with the short barrel though. I have learned to stay away from Taurus, though some guys have had good luck. I would look around for a clean, used S&W 19 or 66 (stainless) with a 2 1/2 inch barrel. Lots of muzzle blast, like any short barreled .357, but enough weight and grip size to be controllable. I tried one of the small frame (J) S&W .357 revolvers, and to me, it was a matter of diminishing returns when it came to controllability. Most guys use plus P 38's in them, which kind of defeats the purpose. I believe the small frame models are all fixed sights as well.

Larry

jays375 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2011, 11:42:32 AM »

I am hung up on accuracy,that is the need for adjustable sights.Plus I can't hit crap with fixed sights.This gun would probally spend more time in the nightstand or in my truck.The 2" barrel length was just put out there.Definately would go 2 1/2" with out a problem.

williamlayton · « **Reply #8 on:** June 26, 2011, 02:12:21 PM »

Any DA/SA S&W. I prefer the N frames. They are heavy though.
If you can't find one on GB or GA you can always get a Smith to cut the barrel---I have see some cut even with the lug and they are cool looking. Doesn't cost as much as one would think either. Sights can be installed to order.
I much prefer SA/DA to SA only.
Blessings

gstewart44 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 05, 2011, 05:14:35 AM »

Quote from: williamlayton on June 26, 2011, 02:12:21 PM

Any DA/SA S&W. I prefer the N frames. They are heavy though.
If you can't find one on GB or GA you can always get a Smith to cut the barrel---I have see some cut even with the lug and they are cool looking. Doesn't cost as much as one would think either. Sights can be installed to order.
I much prefer SA/DA to SA only.
Blessings

I cut one of my M1917 (Brazilian contract) even with the lug for the ejector rod (about 3") and rounded the grip frame. it is a little wide, being an N frame but the weight was pared down to 30 oz unloaded. Not bad for a 45 wheelgun that uses speedloaders.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** July 05, 2011, 07:04:16 AM »

Model 60 Smith 3 inch barrel..your life could depend on it dont skimp

jays375 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 05, 2011, 04:07:18 PM »

Right now I am giving a Smith & Wesson 686 a look.Alot of people would say it is too big for a carry gun.It will spend alot of time in my truck.I just don't shoot the compact guns as well as a bigger piece.For the cost of used guns,really started looking at new ones.

Dirty Bob · « **Reply #12 on:** July 09, 2011, 05:44:07 AM »

How about a Ruger Security Six?

They're no longer made, but they were made very well. The Security Six had adjustable sights, while the Speed Six and Service Six had fixed (at least all the ones I've seen had fixed). Anyway, the Security Six had a 2-3/4" barrel as one of its options. I believe they also made a 4- and 6-inch Security Six.

It's a good, medium-frame revolver, which means that the hotter .357 loads are a handful. With .38 or .38+P, it's a very controllable gun, and fun to shoot.

You may also luck into a used Dan Wesson with a short barrel, although I have no personal experience with that maker.

The combo of a short barrel and adjustable sights is kinda' unusual in the .357 world. If you can accept a 4-inch barrel, there are lots of choices with adjustable sights (Ruger GP100, S&W Model 28, and many more). A short barrel / fixed sight gun is also easy to find (my favorite is the Ruger SP101).

The gun industry did make short barrel / adjustable sight .357 revolvers, but they're popular and harder to find on the used market. If you're going to have adjustable sights, though, you're not talking pocket carry anymore, IMHO, so you'll need a belt holster of some sort. Once you go with that, a 4-inch barrel is no harder to carry than a 2-inch. In fact, in some inside-the-waistband holsters, the longer barrel sits closer to the body and conceals better.

Finally, that extra inch or two of barrel gives you better velocity, so that .357 Magnum really means something, rather than making a big fireball at the muzzle. The 4-inch guns tend to be a bit easier to control because of the barrel weight, and a lot of us shoot better with a 4-inch barrel (longer sight radius) than with a 2-incher.

If you still want a short barrel and adjustable sights, go for it! Just expect fewer choices and a longer hunt, but you may be more satisfied in the end, when you find that short barreled Smith M-66 or Ruger Security Six.

Good luck!
Dirty Bob

MAX Penetration · « **Reply #13 on:** October 03, 2011, 09:03:57 AM »

Try a Taurus 651 with a crimson laser sight.
NICE CARRY COMBO...

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #14 on:** October 03, 2011, 10:11:16 AM »

I agree S&W or Ruger are best, some Colts are good but I don't likr the cyl release. Heres my 2 cent worth. Delete it if you don't care for it. You do not mention what you are carrying for or when. So I will assume for self defense. A heavy gun tends to stay at home or in the vehicle. Not a good place if you are not with it. A cheap gun is false security. If you pay $1000.00 once in a life time for life insurance you you would think you had made the deal of the century but unlike insurance that pays after your death a gun can prolong your life . As for adjustable sights why on a SD gun ? fool proof is the way to go.

jimster · « **Reply #15 on:** October 03, 2011, 01:56:39 PM »

If you want adjustable sights go for it, they come in real handy for sighting in anything you want to shoot and I never got adjustables stuck on my cloths, just get some good leather to go with it. I saw a Smith a while back at the gun show with a 2" and adjustable sights, they are around. I am eyeballing the model 60 lately myself with a 3" and adjustable sights. I'd keep an eye out for a while and wait it out till you found what your looking for, lots of used guns for sale out there. I have revolvers with both fixed and adjustables, if you get a fixed sight one that shoots to point of aim with the ammo you want to use your lucky. Adjustable sights are nice, you get those sighted in for your favorite load you can shoot a long ways, no Kentucky windage needed. There are gunsmiths around who will put adjustables on any fixed sighted gun too if you find a real good deal on a used fixed sighted one. Take the time to get what you want, you'll feel better if you do. Smith or Ruger with a short barrel and adjustable sights sounds awful nice to me. I'd have a SP101 right now if they came with adjustables.

Jim

shot1 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 03, 2011, 04:40:46 PM »

If you are going to be getting a carry gun get one you will carry AND CARRY IT. It will do you no good sitting in your truck. You really don't gain much over +P 38s with 357 mag in short 2" barrel except LOTS of muzzle blast.

Mikey · « **Reply #17 on:** October 04, 2011, 02:31:25 AM »

I don't understand the need for the 357 in a 2" belly gun. While it is true that a practiced shot with a 2" snubbie can dong a 12" gong at 100m, the 'diturbance in the force' caused by a 357 departing a 2" bbl is phenomenally unsettling, disruptive and painful to the senses, usually means a really poor follow-up 2nd shot and is often seen as a good cause for hearing loss and lesser caliber handguns.

You do not get enough of a increase in power with a 2" 357 over a 2" 38 when using +Ps in the 38, and +P loading in the 38 will often not penetrate any more than 3 one gallon water jugs when shot from close quarters. I hain't tried the 357 from a snubbie on water jugs yet but I think it would be somewhat more 'explosive' at close range than the 38 but still may not even give you the penetration you think you will get; and that could be hazardous to your short term survival if you have to use one.

Interesting though is the ability of 200 gn swc from a 2" snubbie to penetrate through 6 one gallon water jugs and then keep going for a while, whereas the standard 158 gn swc from a 38 snubbie usually penetrates about 5 of those jugs, if not all 6. If you want penetration, it seems you should go with a heavier slug at slower speeds.

A lot of folk are concerned about 'over-penetration' - meaning that the bullet will travel on down the street after going through a bad guy and clock some innocent victim, so they go for the splatter effect with hollow-points and hope they can connect with the vital area of the bad guy and survive.

Geez, if they would just practice a bit they might not have to worry about using such hot loads in a 2" revolver that the concusive effect will deafen you for life.

Also, and something very few think about and I do not know why this isn't thought of more often, is that wadcutter 38s are a pretty effective defensive load and really easy on the shooter. The Europeans believe that only a fool would stand in front of a 38 wadcutter and although we have lots of drugged up and drunked up fools here, one should think about that - wadcutters: easy to shoot, very wide flat nose, carries enough weight (141 - 148 gn) for decent penetration and makes a very square hole. Truth is that when it comes to using a handgun to defend yourself you can forget about a 'round count' until it's over because you will most likely completely empty your pistol. So, do you want 5-6 rounds of ugly flat nose lead that will go straight on and may even leave two holes leakin' or do you want one or two rounds that may not connect, will painfully destroy your hearing and may be disabling for you in the future, and may or may not create the effect you had hoped for............ just a thought.

williamlayton · « **Reply #18 on:** October 04, 2011, 04:48:41 AM »

I am so redundant on Mikey's post.
YUP!
Blessings

MAX Penetration · « **Reply #19 on:** October 04, 2011, 07:00:46 AM »

Really dont think you'll miss with the laser grip. Ray Charles uses one on his ccw.
357 gets in past the bad guys winter clothing.
The 651 is nice and small to carry, and QUICk to produce. Its no prblem to rapid fire all 5 in "the zone".
If you DO miss, watch them run!

Savage · « **Reply #20 on:** October 04, 2011, 03:14:48 PM »

A laser sight can be an asset on a carry gun but no guarantee of hits. Good sight alignment without proper trigger control still equals misses. The laser can give a false feeling of confidence when used on a static range. There has been some good advice given as to caliber and gun size. All you gain in a short barreled .357 is muzzle blast and recoil. For a pocket carry gun, a "J" frame with fixed sights is the obvious choice. If you go with holster carry, then by all means go with a 4" barrel and adjustable sights on a "K" or "L" frame size revolver. If you're set on a .357 snubbie with adjustables, good luck. Be sure you practice with the ammo you plan to carry.
Savage

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #21 on:** October 05, 2011, 03:30:17 AM »

For what its worth I have dispatched deer with both 357 mag and 38 spl . In both cases they were laying on ground so a back of the head shot was the best shot. Nither round went complete thru. the 357m did the most damage and almost exited . The 38 spl. went about 1/2 way thru. The 357m was a winchester 125 gr SJHP. The 38 was a win. 158 gr LSWHP . Both were from 1.8 inch J frame revolvers at about same range 5-6 feet.
When a bullet is shot what happens ? the primer sets off the powder. The burning powder releases gas building pressure.The pressure peaks and the bullet jumps crimp. If you have ever pulled bullets from a factory round you know the crimp is very tight. I find the 357m jacketed round more so than lead 38's. IMHO the 357m with more powder/power and a stronger crimp starts out at a higher velocity. Speed kills its a fact.
As for the disruption being a problem for the shooter with all respect , that's why you pratice TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR EQUIPMENT . The disruption should be of no suprise to the shooter but may have an effect on the one on the receiving end.
For the life of me I don't understand why people expect to defend themselves with a gun that recoils like a powder puff and expect the bad guy to think he was hit with a cannon. It don't work that way.
I tote a 340PD , a 12 oz J frame in 357mag. At bad breath range I want all the power it can pack. And yes it is a handfull and yes it can hurt on both ends ! I HOPE IT DOES .

45-70.gov · « **Reply #22 on:** October 05, 2011, 05:20:13 AM »

i carry the ruger LCR and smith 640

ruger mostly now....its lighter
the better triger on the ruger is a + too

the smith holds up to rust better sweating here in florida tho both are stainless

the CT laser is just a good dry fireing aid....i reale fire ammo with it

i prefer fixed sights....they are more rugged
just learn the sight picture if need be for your chosen load
mine will hit a paper plate at 50 yards most of the time

my step dad got a taurus to save a few $
frame cracked and was replaced.....
got a $100 trigger job.....now its almost as good as a smith

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2011, 09:00:43 AM »

The cyl release button on my 640 rust , i clean and oil it often .

45-70.gov · « **Reply #24 on:** October 05, 2011, 12:33:18 PM »

my 640 goes 1250 fps with rem 125 gr hp....not chrony the ruger LCR

I LIKE THE FULL WAD CUTTER TOO

with a five shooter i don't intend to bouble tap
just a single one shot one kill....low center of mass....miss or overpenetration hits the dirt

as far as the blast....it is GREAT
i love my hand held ''flash/bang'' grenade....i know its coming, they don't

jays375 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 09, 2011, 02:21:45 PM »

If I am going to spend good money on something I want adjustable sights.Like I stated before me and fixed sights don't work.Plus I would like to target shoot with it also.Also I am kinda of a believer bigger is better.Everybody that responded gave very good info.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #26 on:** October 10, 2011, 06:02:29 AM »

Quote from: jays375 on October 09, 2011, 02:21:45 PM

If I am going to spend good money on something I want adjustable sights.Like I stated before me and fixed sights don't work.Plus I would like to target shoot with it also.Also I am kinda of a believer bigger is better.Everybody that responded gave very good info.
[/quote

you sound just like me........25 years ago

so i do know where your coming from
i also used to HATE single action....then saw the error of my way
then i hated DOA,,,, got over that too

got a ruger fix sighted DAO in my pocket right now
shot my 44 super blackhawk yesterday

the model 60 smith is available with adjustable sights....not sure of barrel lengths available