A gun question for those that know better...

[texace]

I'm directing this question at Lazs, but anyone is welcome to chime in if they want to.

My brother is considering purchasing a handgun. At current, he's got several ideas in mind but he's dead set on buying a revolver, more specifically a .357.

At my workplace, we've got numerous .357s for sale from many different manufacturers. He wants the weapon for self-defense, and will be getting a CCP with it. Though I do have a vast knowledge of weapons, I don't know a lot. I can only help him so much.

He's looking for a S&W .357 with a four inch barrel, as it's easier to handle and conceal. He's fired a weapon before, but never owned one. I will also be shooting with him once he gets it.

I'm basically asking for the advice of what would be best for him. Price isn't a huge deal, as my workplace has a pretty extensive layaway plan for firearms.

He's 5' 11" and well built, if it helps any.

I appreciate the assistance!

[Maverick]

I recommend a model 66 in 2 and 3/4" barrel. It is far more concealable than thne 4" version and witrh Pachmeyer grips very comfortable to shoot. Once you practice with it the accuracy is just about up there with the 4" as well. You can use 38's in it for cheaper practice than .357's. If you start handloading it will get even cheaper and you can duplicate the factory load to practice with then put in the store bought rounds to carry. FWIW I have the 4" version as well but enjoy shooting the smaller one more. I used the 4" in combat competition and both actions slicked  from dry firing so they are very smooth.

I've had this particular model for about 20 years plus and it's a great gun. There are smaller and lighter magnums out there but they bite pretty harshly when fired. This will encourage a lack of practice and a loss of accuracy for a weapon to be used in extremis when you want ALL the chips on your side.

[rshubert]

you're in Texas, where it is frequently HOT.  That means light clothing, which is not good for concealed carry.

The 4" is just as easy to conceal as the 2", really, and is a little easier to shoot well.  The hogue or Pachmayer grips on  a wheelgun don't help in concealment.  That being said, I think your brother needs something he can hide better.

If he insists on a full power gun, he shold look into one of the Glock autos.  They make a good concealed carry piece.  Also look at the DAO (double action only) autos from smith and wesson, taurus, Kahr, or one of the other reputable makers.

Personally, I carry a beretta .32 auto, for one reason only--it is easy to hide, and I can take it anywhere I can wear clothes.  The first rule of a gunfight is:

Have a gun.

[lasersailor184]

Us telling you a specific gun he would like is like us telling you that he would like Heineken Beer because he's 5'11.


There is no way to tell other then getting out and testing these fire arms out.  Because when the **** really hits the fan, he wants the gun that was most comfortable for him, not one someone on an internet forum recomended.


I won't recomend anything past that EXCEPT to stay away from Glocks.  Or any gun where you can't see the hammer.  There are safeties on the gun, but the biggest one is the hammer not being drawn.  If it's not drawn, it's not going to drop.

Also, for utmost reliability, stick with revolvers.  The revolver has very few moving parts that can break.  A single jam won't gum up the whole works either.


Oh, and the first rule of a gunfight is to have the biggest gun.

[Maverick]

Laser,

I disagree with you about the single failure part. Ever had a primer back out in a revolver? It locks the cylinder and you can't even open the cylinder to dump the ammo!

The original post asked for specific infor regarding .357's so I posted what I did. I also have and carry a Glock. I can clear a jam in it faster than any revolver.

Get a quality weapon. Practice with it, maintain it and feed it quality ammo and it will be there when you need it.

[lasersailor184]

No, with the 4 revolvers I own and the thousands of rounds I put through them, I've never had a primer back out.


But like you said, I never even consider ****ty ammo when the shots count.

[StarOfAfrica2]

Originally posted by texace
My brother is considering purchasing a handgun. At current, he's got several ideas in mind but he's dead set on buying a revolver, more specifically a .357.

At my workplace, we've got numerous .357s for sale from many different manufacturers. He wants the weapon for self-defense, and will be getting a CCP with it. Though I do have a vast knowledge of weapons, I don't know a lot. I can only help him so much.

He's looking for a S&W .357 with a four inch barrel, as it's easier to handle and conceal. He's fired a weapon before, but never owned one. I will also be shooting with him once he gets it.

I'm basically asking for the advice of what would be best for him. Price isn't a huge deal, as my workplace has a pretty extensive layaway plan for firearms.

I appreciate the assistance!

The S&W gun is a proven and dependable design, fits nicely in the hand.  I would recommend he gets the Hogue grips for it, makes it much easier shooting.  I would also recommend he check out the Rossi/Taurus .357.  They come factory with their own rubber grips, which are very comfortable and well designed (I speak from experience, I own one).  I like the safety system on them, and the gun is very well balanced in the hand.  Either way he'll be a happy man.

 

The beautiful thing about these guns is the cheap price and availability of .38 special ammo for target practice.  The .357s are not only a pain to shoot all the time, they can be expensive too.

[Dago]

If he is convinced that he wants to use an outdated handgun with limited capacity, he might as well just get a 22.

Todays autos are so superior to revolvers it isnt funny.   The 357 isnt the greatest round either.

I personally would recommend something along the lines of a Sig P226 in .40 SW.

dago

[Yeager]

Revolvers are nice because they dont jam and they dont leave behind shell casings with your fingerprints all over them

[StarOfAfrica2]

Originally posted by Maverick
Laser,

I disagree with you about the single failure part. Ever had a primer back out in a revolver? It locks the cylinder and you can't even open the cylinder to dump the ammo!

The original post asked for specific infor regarding .357's so I posted what I did. I also have and carry a Glock. I can clear a jam in it faster than any revolver.

Get a quality weapon. Practice with it, maintain it and feed it quality ammo and it will be there when you need it.

The only time I've ever seen primers back out of a cartridge was on handloaded stuff.  And the guy was admittedly drunk when he loaded them.  I've never had a primer back out of a factory load.

[StarOfAfrica2]

Originally posted by Dago
If he is convinced that he wants to use an outdated handgun with limited capacity, he might as well just get a 22.

Todays autos are so superior to revolvers it isnt funny.   The 357 isnt the greatest round either.

I personally would recommend something along the lines of a Sig P226 in .40 SW.

dago

All it takes is one.  lol

[eagl]

Go to a gun range that rents guns and try out a few.  Many ranges will have a wide variety to choose from.  $100 on a day renting everything they have is well spent if it keeps him from dropping $500 or more on something he'll hate later on.  Maybe make a deal with the range for a discount if you want to compare many different guns.

[lasersailor184]

Todays autos are so superior to revolvers it isnt funny. The 357 isnt the greatest round either.

No.  Autos will never be superior to revolvers.  There's just a reliability factor you can't beat.


Even the greatest Semi Auto Rifle the M14 doesn't hold a match to a 1903 or K98 in terms of reliability.

[lazs2]

good advise from everyone here.  Nothing wrong with any of it.

My only addition would be.... what is he gonna do with the gun besides carry it around?  does he plan on using it to plink or target shoot too?

The L frame smith in 2.5" barrel is an VERY accurate gun.   probly a little easier to carry than the 4" but not much... rounded finger grove WOOD grips are more important in my opinion for how it carries..

If he only wants to carry.... get a 340 PD  like mav says... the recoil is like... from hell..  I can barely get 5 rounds out of my wood gripped one without injury but... it weighs 12 oz and you can carry it in the front pocket as easily as a cell phone.

My advise.... get both... get the 66 L frame in stainless with a 2.5 or 4 inch barrel  and also buy the 340 PD.

shoot 125 grain hollowpoints out of both of em.

lazs

[Gunthr]

If he is convinced that he wants to use an outdated handgun with limited capacity, he might as well just get a 22.

Todays autos are so superior to revolvers it isnt funny. The 357 isnt the greatest round either.

I personally would recommend something along the lines of a Sig P226 in .40 SW.

dago

I was just issued the P226 .40 with 12 shot mags and qualified with it today.  Thank God they didn't give us those tupperware guns.  I must say, I'm very impressed.  A smooth, accurate shooter and well made.  I carry it in the Safariland high security paddle holster.   Forget about concealing it though.