Best CCW in .357 ?
I'm getting my CCW soon and the handguns I have are a little too big. Any suggestions on a .38 or .357....Thanks guys..bull
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S&W Model 19 or 66 2 1/2"--or a concealed hammer model like the 340. A lot depends on your budget and what feels comfortable in your hand. Firing off .357's in a snubby are not a picnic so practice practice practice. Ruger SP101, Colt Pythons, and various other models can be had in a .357 snubby. 0 -
Smith & Wesson 640. 0 -
bull300wsm.....I think you will find that gun weight will become an issue with your CCW, particularly if you carry a lot. I found out pretty quick that lugging around a Smith 66 got to be much like carrying a boat anchor around and pretty soon went to something much lighter that shoots .38+P, like one of the newer titamium jobs. Mine happens to be a Taurus but the Smith's work fine also. The key thing, as you know, is for whatever you carry get good with it. I like my ported Taurus and, although it is five shot, that does nicely for me. After having it on for most of the day (or evening) I don't even know that it is there. With a couple of speedloaders it does the job nicely. Good shooting! 0 -
Thats what I'm carrying now bull-and you can get them in .357--both taurus and S&W make models that are lightweight. The drawback to a snub .357 is recoil, but you can of course shoot .38's in them. I have a six shot, ported snubby .357 that I may carry soon but I need to get a good holster for it.0 -
"Best" is subjective, but I'll give the nod to the Smith 640, which is stainless steel and hammerless. Hammered Smith model 60 could work too.
Next would be Ruger's SP101, hammered or hammerless. Again, this is an all-steel gun.
In my opinion recoil on alloy-frame small snubnose .357s is absolutely brutal, and if you're going to carry .38+Ps you might as well save yourself a few bucks and buy a gun in .38 (rather than .357).
If you want to go to belt/holster carry, then the Smith model 66 with 2.5" bbl would be good, or the blued steel model 19 in the same configuration. But as mentioned, at that point you are carrying what is actually a pretty large and heavy gun.
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FWIW, I agree 100% with Chris below. Airweight (alloy framed) .38+P J-frame snubnose is hard to beat for concealed carry, and that's what I personally favor.0 -
i will also say the sp 101 ruger... 0 -
If your heart is not set on a 357, I would recommend the S&W model 642 or 638, five shot 38 Special, much easier to carry than the all steel model 640. I have been carrying a 642 for about 8 years and it is so light and comfortable, its always with me...my 640, especially in the summer, tends to stay home or in the car. With the right ammo in a 38 Special, such as Glaser Safety Slugs or Magsafe, you will not be undergunned. 0 -
I'm with the 38+P crowd. The Smith Airweights are my choice. While carrying a heavier gun like a 66 in a good holster doesn't bother me I like the versatility of the airweight 38 because I can even put it in a pocket without it being a bother. That option is very nice in the summer when wearing shorts and a t-shirt. If you go with a heavier gun it's the holster and belt that make all the difference to me. 0 -
I am surprised that no one mentioned the disadvantages of the loudness and blinding muzzle flash at night from a short barreled .357. 0
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