ltwguns.com

I am going to pick up a snubby revolver here pretty soon, and have been doing some pricing.

I have noticed that in many cases the .357 version snubby runs 25-50% more than the .38 version.

I dont plan on carrying full power .357 magnums in the revolver (will be using .38 +P, and this weapon will simply be a pocket "anytime" gun for quick runs to the store etc... not my full time carry piece) so I am curious about your opinion... is it worth springing the extra cash for the Magnum revolver, and if so... why?

Or do I save the cash, go for the .38 and buy extra ammo?

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If my answers scare you, cease asking scary questions!

Bear--

You might enjoy checking out the Taurus 905.

It is a J-Frame sized 9mm. It is comes with moon clips.

I saw it on the Taurus web sight.

Another vote for the 9mm revolver. I have an M940 that I love.

357 all the way. Practice with light loads and carry mags. I'd get a stainless J-frame. I am all for the .357 as you have a bigger variety of performance ammo and as with carry ammo you also double your practice ammo options. Although I like 9mm and even 9mm revolvers I am not a fan of the caliber for defensive purposes. And I'm sure that is going to start a new debate but just my .02

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"One thought he was invincible the other thought he could fly" well? "They were both wrong"
SIC VIS PACEM PARABELLEM

I like J-frames, and have several. I have carried .38s, and .357s.

In .357, I want a steel frame, like the 640. I accept the fact that I won't shoot a lighter .357 Scandium enough.

I think the Airweight .38s are "just right" in terms of weight and recoil. They are light enough to carry in the pocket or anywhere else without bother, and gives all the recoil I want.

I used to carry a steel frame .357 640 a lot, but it just seems too heavy after getting accustomed to Airweights.

I voted .38.
It's comfortable in a light gun.
The 9mm snubbies may be ideal and I'd like to find out, but I have never owned one, so can't vote for something I haven't had.

The thing is that you can always shoot the 38special in the 357mag but not vice versa. I have a Ruger SP-101 2" (the little wifey's gun) and my 3". I shoot 38 specials in them all the time for plinking and just to keep the eye hand coordination to par. My wife has shot "light " magnum loads in hers and she is ok with it ......but she prefers the +P 38 specials.

Speaking of which....I can't say enough about the SP-101. The are great little guns that are built like a bank vault and shoot like a target grade gun.

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"In Texas, if you kill someone, were gonna kill ya right back"

Ron White-Blue Collar Comedy Tour

Hello Senor Bear,

Well in trying to give an educated opinion regarding your question of .38spl or .357, I need to know the purpose of the weapon.
A snubbie is NOT going to be used for target.
If it is a backup to a primary weapon for LE use, another series of considerations are needed. If it is just a drop in the pocket to go to the store thing, yet another few thoughts are in play.

For a backup to a primary weapon, a small S&W j-frame or an old Colt Dick Special in .38spl, even without any sights, tape wrapped or rubber grips, seated girl decals or overhead floormats or airhorns and lasers are just fine.

If it is your only shooter you may want a little more flex in your choice.
The right tool for the right job, says I.
If you just want to bang away, a .357 may be fine for it's ability to digest a wider selection of ammo.

The suggestion of the 9mm, is a fine idea, IF it meets the specific needs of your weapons requirement .

Words to live by:
"If someone tells you he is going to kill you,...believe him."

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The mature gentleman sitting quietly in the far corner, sipping Lagavulin and very much enjoying the "Stan Getz's CD.

With all due respect, a .357 in a two inch barrel is a 38 special with a lot more noise and muzzle blast. There is not enough barrel to really make use of all that slow-burning, magnum powder. You might get some added velocity, but not enough to offset the negatives.

Get the 38 or 9mm. You'll shoot more often and get more comfortable. Practicing with 38s and carrying 357s means you'll likely have trouble. Being in the Army I believe you should train like you fight, so that means full power loads during drills, etc. If you train with lower powered ammo, you may be over confident in your abilities with full power loads.

I am sure more knowledgable and experienced people will have differing opinions, but that is my 2 cents.

Lenny

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Show 'em where you live....

Good Morning ALL.

I sigh and wince after rereading the gar-BARGE I wrote in my
alleged answer to Da Bear. Dont hit.
My years are showing in that I did not carefully read what he, Mr.Bear wrote.
In effect I was responding with questions to answers already provided.
My bad.

Still a pretty good answer to the problem is an old S&W Model#49 or Model#60 with the hammer bobbed. If you can find one, an old Colt Cobra (lt.weight) in .38spl.


If someone tells you he is going to kill you,...believe him."

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The mature gentleman sitting quietly in the far corner, sipping Lagavulin and very much enjoying the "Stan Getz's CD.

If it's a choice between the two, go with the .38. I've tried them all in .38, .357, and 9mm, and the 940 was the only one I remotely regret selling (if they had made it in a lightweight I might still have it).

My current favorite J frame is a Kimber RCP in .45. Roughly the same size, bigger bullets, and more of them.

i favor the S&W Airweight Centennial .38spec revolvers (642 and 442) in their pre-lock guise

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Thanks very much,
Robert (13.45)
NRA Benefactor Life member

I must say I have a particular fondness for the Colt Revolver. I have a Python done by Walt Sherman I have owned for 35 years and have had to have the forcing cone recut I have put so many rounds through it. I also have multiple Det Special, two have the installed hammer shroud and all are in the pencil barrel and am very fond of the 135 Gold Dot 38 Special Plus P load. I actually prefer the older gun as the sights and balance seem to be better to me. Just personal preference.

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Be safe and keep the brass flying

Terry Peters

Do your research but you get what you pay for front end or back end
http://www.pt-partners.com
@ptpartners_tx

I used to carry a S&W 640 with Magnum loads. I hated the bloody thing and sold it. It was a "Pre-Lock" and when I sold it to the gunstore I got more than I paid for the thing.

I like the Airweight 38 and find that it's easy to carry and easy to shoot. Like others have said, the 2" barrel is too short to make use of the Magnum advantage.

Your carry gun shouldn't hurt you to shoot it, nor draw blood on you everytime you fire a cylinder full. I'm not recoil sensitive with anything smaller than a 454, but you don't gain anything with a 2" .357 Mag.

In fact you lose a lot. fast follow up shots, ability to get muzzle back on target quickly and night vision. I could've lit a cigar 12' from the end of the barrel if I was dumb enough to stand down range.

Biker