WOT: 357 purchase, anyone have an opinion? Options

[TROJANMAN]

i figure if someone could talk about getting a tube up his arse(sorry JP, hope the tests are neg.), then guns should be as safe a topic for discussion. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

looking to purchase a 357 mag. i want something for home protection (i've pissed off a few people in my lifetime) as well something to plink around with, and i can carry it as a sidearm when hunting birds in the mountains (lions and bears, OH MY). i was thinking this was also a suitable caliber that it wouldn't knock my wife on her ass when she shoots it, but offers suitable stopping power against local wildlife (and lions and bears as well). plus i've heard some people can even hunt with this caliber, matched with the right load. any opinions ???????
I think i've narrowed it down to the ruger gp-100 and the S&W 686. thanks in advance......... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

just read the carjack thread.... one more reason.

This post has been edited by glstrojan: Jun 14 2004, 04:35 PM

[Mueller]

you want this one (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

.500 S&W

ummm, what kind of birds do you have that a .357 is needed???

[TROJANMAN]

ummm, what kind of birds do you have that a .357 is needed???

it's not for the birds. it's for the lions, coyotes, and bears i've seen on those hunts. they scare the crap out of me. (not the coyotes so much, but that's only one of the reasons.)

and that s&w 500 is an ungodly monster. i'm not sure what that could be used for.

[vortrex]

a .357 is pretty powerful. I have a 6" taurus revolver. I prefer to shoot my glock 9mm. the .357 is fun for blowing stuff up and seeing what damage can be done, but I'd say overkill for most everything else. if you want home protection get a shotgun.

[Jake Raby]

I'm also an avid gun collector....

I really like a 357..

[scotty]

what about a .41 mag? Anything less than a .50 is probably just going to piss the bear off.

[PatW]

What caliber is it that shoots a .38 special and a .44 mag? I had a long talk with the NRA (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) pistol instructor about this type of revolver. Saying this is what he would recomend for the home. I just can't remember what Caliber. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Why a pistol for hunting?. Get a Varmit Rifle. IMHO.

Pat

[Mueller]

.357 mag and .38 special(?) are somewhat interchangable depending on the gun.


I misread his post, the pistol he wants is just for additional protection...........not for hunting

the .500 is too pricey still, each round is like $2 each..ouch

[vortrex]

I don't see a gun shooting a .38 and a .44, too big of diff in the diameter. like mueller says, probably a .357. I shoot both out of mine.

my friend got the S&W super light .357 snub nose. that is a real terror. gave it to my brother to try (never used a gun before) after one shot he had a nice cut on this hand from the kick.

[skline]

I never owned a revolver but if I did, it would be the 586 and not the 686. Reason is, the 686 is shiny as the 586 is black or standard bluing. It doesnt refract light and if you are in the dark, the shiny gun will show and you can be seen. Why do you think the cops dont carry nickle plated or chromed firearms. Black is the only way to go. I had kids that were small so I always had 9mm handguns that they could not even chamber a round in let alone fire it. I always had my guns locked in cabinets too with trigger guards but on a revolver, it is too easy to make the gun fire so for safety, I just never bought one. Just my 2 cents.

[Joe Bob]

A 357 will shoot .38 rounds but not vice versa.

For home protection, the 357 is fine...."I" load it with "blue tips" aka Glaser rounds.

Gel filled tips with BBs that will not go thru a wall and smack the poor little ghetto child down the road. The hit with the force of a ton of bricks but will splatter and disipate when they hit drywall. Makes an itty bitty entrance hole and don't pass thru the subject.

ALL the shock will basically destroy the subject's internal organs that are adjacent to the entry.......not cheap rounds but then again, ya ain't gonna use them for target practice.

IF THAT scares ya....the shotgun loaded with rock salt will make the subject wanna be dead....first two rounds...salt, then 00 buck, then deer slugs..... after THAT....throw it heem.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fighting19.gif)

[vortrex]

Gel filled tips with BBs that will not go thru a wall and smack the poor little ghetto child down the road.

yup, my friend and I tested this out in our apt back in college.

[Jake Raby]

Yep, a 38 is just a necked down 357... 38s are pretty worthless...

I have a Swiss army pistol thats 7.62x25 and the hardest hitting bastard in the world, and accurate as hell....

I'm more of a rifle guy myself, and side by side double barrels.....

as for pistols, I only like revolvers and stuff pre 1970, new guns are like new cars.

[jimtab]

I have had a 586 S&W for 15+ years it's the best revolver I've ever owned, I'd pass the "other one" also when you're serious load .357 soft hollow points... who gives a shit where they go as long as they take the bulk of your target with them. But, if it's a midnite fire fight in your house, forget the pistol, a 12 gauge pump with a short barrel is the answer, accuracy is not a limiting factor with a street sweeper. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif)

[vortrex]

I have a Swiss army pistol thats 7.62x25 and the hardest hitting bastard in the world, and accurate as hell....

now that sounds like fun! I have a 7.62x39 rifle and that's pretty powerful.

[J P Stein]

But, if it's a midnite fire fight in your house, forget the pistol, a 12 gauge pump with a short barrel is the answer, accuracy is not a limiting factor with a street sweeper.  :shoot2kill:

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Anybody that sticks adound after hearing a round jacked into the chamber............

[TROJANMAN]

what about a .41 mag? Anything less than a .50 is probably just going to piss the bear off.

i agree, but i also want to be able to teach my wife to shoot it. i already own a shotgun, but it's hard to keep around with a small child. the revolver can be kept out of sight, but within reach of the bed. but nothing like the sound of a pump action shotgun to scare off an intruder.........
i've also heard revolvers are easier to maintain and less movingparts means less things to break, is this right? i am looking for a 6" barrel. althogh a snubnose would be cool, i think the bigger the gun, the less the recoil. this is important if i want to shoot it regularly ( and for the wife).

thanks for the input guys (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

[Jake Raby]

Yep, that 7.62 x 25 is awesome...

[Joe Bob]

Revolvers are good cause you don't have to pick up yer brass on the run...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[vortrex]

revolver is definitely more reliable, but you've got 6 shots and I wouldn't want to be reloading one in a bad situation. speed loaders aren't gonna do it. do not get a short barrel .357, your wife will not want to shoot it.