Poll: J-frame in 38+P or 357mag?

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Trying to decide between a J-frame in either 38+P or 357mag, am interested in your opinions.

[Matthew 25]

Compared to my 27 oz sp101 they both sound light. For me the weight is no big deal because I use a Bianchi Lightning belt holster that rides very high. If you're not always wearing jeans I suppose weight plays a bigger role. That being said I do have a 15oz Smith as well, it gets carried 5-10% of the time.

[Baron von Trollwhack]

Look at the foot-pounds of energy the various loads you might use will generate. Some get pretty snappy in recoil. That means a barely visible front sight if aiming at certain distances. Energy is nice but orher factors are impotrant.

BvT

[StrawHat]

I have owned and carried a S&W M36. For me, the 38 Special was a sufficient enough round that I did not consider anything larger. Of course, when I bought the J frames, the only cartridges available were 22, 32 and 38. The 357 was not offered for a couple of decades until after I got mine. If I were to do it again, I would likely stay with the 38 Special. I don't see much ballistic advantage going to the Magnum round with the 2" barrel. I had both the 2" and 3" versions and still have the 3" version. When I feel the need to carry a small bore, it is the one I grab.

[Bret4207]

I can't think of a nicer pocket gun than my Smith Bodyguard, the M-38 IIRC. It's perfect. While the 357 has a lot more juice than my 5.0 Unique behind a 150-160 boolit, I don't think it's going to make much difference for my use. Other may feel differently, more power to them. If I need a 357 I grad the M-19 or 28.

[PacMan]

I vote for the .357 if for no other reason you can fire both .38 and .357. Would hate to be in a situation needing ammo and the only thing handy was .357.

Dwight

[subsonic]

If you are not going to pocket-carry it, get the heavier one. 23oz is fine on a belt, but too heavy for a pocket (unless you're wearing a parka). I don't think you'll be shooting a lot of .357 anyway, but it is nice to know you can if you want to. I voted for the 38+P because for me half of the reason to own one of these is because you can shove it in a pocket when running out the door and not have to strap on a holster and belt. YMMV. I have heard of people pocket-carrying much larger and heavier revolvers, but I don't think it makes sense after trying it. Shove a brick in your pocket and tell me if it's obvious or comfortable.

[bhn22]

I have a 649 S&W. I purposely bought it after shooting a friends Scandium J frame, which I found to be extremely uncomfortable to shoot, even with 38 SPL +P. I carry +P specials in mine, full power .357 is too rambunctious in it too. The stainless steel adds some comforting weight, and I know I won't have the frame stretching issues that plagued some of the lightweights. It is heavier, but carries well in a pocket holster in the cargo shorts with deep pockets that are my standard summer uniform.

[imashooter2]

15 ounces is a boat anchor. I love my 360. Carries easy and .38 +P is very controllable. I don't shoot a lot of mags out of it though...

http://home.comcast.net/~imashooter2/pictures/11-4-360.jpg

[SethD]

I would(and do) go with a all steel 38 special for a pocket gun. I have never personally been bothered by carrying a few extra ounces but I do not much care for shooting guns in the 15 ounce or less range. Don't like the way they balance and feel in my hand either.

[9.3X62AL]

I'll bow out of this poll, and say that the SMALLEST 357 Magnum I have any interest in firing is my Model 19 x 2.5". With Pachmayr Compacs I might be able to run a J-frame 2" 38 Special capably, but I generally don't shoot small-frame revolvers very well.

[BD]

I wore out a M37, and am now carrying a 442 which I'll wear out as well if I live another 10 years.
If it's in your pocket every day, weight is everything. If you can't put at least 100 rounds a month through it, how can you really count on it, (and your ability with it?) I just don't see it happening with a 15 oz .357 If I'm too far away to kill it with a .38, I'm gonna run. Whether I run towards, or away, I'll decide when the time comes.
BD

[Artful]

SP101 is as small as I'll go in 357 - I have some smaller 5 shot 38's but most of the really small 38/357 seem to wear much more quickly when used with 357.

[MtGun44]

I have the scandium aluminum alloy version with the titanium cyl, S&W 340, IIRC.

Definitely snappy recoil with full power heavy boolit/bullet loads. I have settled on the
same load as Bret - 5.0 Unique, in my case it is under a Lyman 358429 HP cast soft. Works
well, but not a plinker by any means.

I shoot full power loads from my S&W 329 .44 mag (scandium aluminum & titanium 26 oz)
but would decline an offer to shoot a full power .357 Mag from the ultra light J-frame
version.

Bill

[9.3X62AL]

The SP-101 ran well for me, and shot well with 357s (125 grain JHP). The J-frames DID NOT, this with our agency's 158 JHP load. I don't think loading was the difference. Tell ya what--the J-frame light-metal 357s might well be short-lived, but will last a whole lot longer than I will with that recoil impulse. Fuggetaboutit.

Given that the I- and J-frames were initially the platform designed around the 32 S&W Long, that they can contain the 357 Magnum is a tribute to their engineering. Still, I'll pass.

[Walt]

I have a M&P 340 scandium .357. IMO it is too much of a good thing with full house loads for practice or plinking. Feels like you have a hand full of bees when she goes off. I do like it for pocket carry because of its light weight and tritium big dot front sight.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Well thank you all for helping me decide. I ended up ordering an all stainless steel S&W 649 (shrouded hammer) in 357mag. My thoughts are you can always down load a 357 to be tolerable for practice, and if the gun really does prove to be too heavy or have excessive recoil I can sell/trade it for a Ruger LCP or some other mouse gun.

[FISH4BUGS]

I had a 640 for years and shot the daylights out of it. 357's at 158 gr are a handful. My favorite 357 load was 18.something of 296 with a 125 gr bullet. It could start forest fires with the muzzle flash. It cleared out the lane either side of me at the indoor range. Fun to shoot but useless for anything.
I carried 38+p+p+p in it.....good enough to stop anything. Shot placement is everything.

[Jack Stanley]

I've had occasion to fire .357 ammo from a two and a half inch model 19 without ear protection . While if my life depended on it I would do it again but I think if that were the case I could do as well with a thirty-eight . Even a "K" frame stands right up when you touch off full power stuff I can only imagine what a lighter package would do . I got a chance to fire a three inch Chief with regular service thirty-eight ammo and it wasn't to bad at all . The plus ammo shouldn't be to bad in that .

Jack

[rintinglen]

If I am carrying on a belt. I can carry a bigger gun. Otherwise, I want small and light. A Little 38 versus a larger .357? I'll take the 38 in a pocket--in fact, I did. I have a model 38 and a 342.

[firefly1957]

.357 if the bullet missed I still set them on fire! I probably would not use 357 in it but would like the option .

[jameslovesjammie]

I have only shot a few J-frames, but with a standard load (not +p) my thumb usually ends up with a gouge, skin scraped off, and a little bit of bleeding. I know of a few guys who shoot big bore handguns that don't like shooting J frame .357's with full power 125 grain loads because they can be hard to control.