Is the .357 Magnum Snubnose Revolver a Bad Idea?
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- There's no question that the small frame .357 Magnum revolver is an EDC legend. Dependable, compact, and powerful, the snubnose revolver is still a popular choice for concealed carry over a century after the snubby was introduced. But should it be as popular as it is, still? Within the past decade, ultra compact, dependable, high capacity semi-automatic handguns like the @sigsauerinc P365, @GlockIncSmyrna 43X, and @SmithAndWessonInc Shield Plus have skyrocketed in popularity for good reason, but at the same time, advances in metallurgy and ammo technology have also improved the revolver at the same pace, with these pocket rockets pushing out more power in smaller, lighter packages. Today, @JamesReeves tests out the smallest, lightest .357 Magnum ever made, the Smith & Wesson 340PD, and fires it under stress at 20 feet, 30 feet, and 50 feet to see if a gun this small with this much horsepower is still a good idea. Check out the results.
Contents:
0:00 Intro
3:27 THE CHALLENGE
6:00 Painful Shooting Montage
10:30 Conclusions at the Range
10:58 Detailed Results Analysis
13:58 Conclusion(s)
Filmed at @NOLATAC
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"Giving our grandfathers something inexpensive and reliable to shoot their friends with when they cheated at cards." That gave me a good laugh.
Gotta love the pre-soy generation!
@@jaqcp I'd say the generation after were the "lead free" generation.
One of my great-grandfathers liked to play poker. One night his buddy got drunk and angry, pulled a knife and stabbed Great-Grandad in the eye. My ancestor avoided further injury, pulled his pistol and saw to it that his former friend never used a knife again. Said ancestor was a craftsman who even managed to continue his occupation with the new lack of depth perception. We're a pragmatic bunch, my family. ;)
*Screams in* Menace to society
@@CeltKnight Well, shit.
“Yea, it’s easier to shoot 38 out of this gun, it’s also easier to pee sitting down!” 😂
Damn it, James! 🤣
Nice .....your kool saying.... is right on.... I will have to use it
😀😀😀😀😀😀 Just a priceless comment lol
Lmao!!👌
revolvers are a bad idea in general. it's like flying a biplane into combat when everyone's using f-18s. sure, the f-18 is a lot more complicated and prone to system failures, but your biplane stands no chance.
@@cagneybillingsley2165 it's better than nothing but with guns like the p365 and shield plus etc. I agree. If you are going to carry a revolver just shoot 38 +p. Or at least opt for a 3" barrel for 357. More controllable and better ballistics
I’m a 74 y/o grandpa that’s been carrying the 340PD for about three years, but loaded w/+P. During my career I was involved in a 1974 gunfight w/my issued Colt DS and know how important accurate follow up shots are. Another issue w/this gun is the magnum shell casings swell up inside the cylinder making them slow & difficult to dump for a reload (I had to reload under fire in my gunfight). Shooting magnum rounds out of a 340PD feels like catching a 95 MPH fastball barehanded, but that said it’s a great EDC for a senior citizen whose daily orbits are pretty tame. The drill I use w/my 340PD is a paper plate @ three, five & seven yards. I empty the gun as fast as I think I can hit, use a speedstrip to reload (that’s what I carry) and repeat. My goal is to keep all 10 rounds on the plate at all three distances.
Seeing as you are here now I take it that it served you well in the gunfight.
@Twon john Check out Fall 2016 American Handgunner article “Out of Ammo” by Mas Ayoob
I Salute You! You Legend!!!
@@jeffroid_tv people don’t know what a legend is anymore
@Twon john you might be thinking of Miami dads
Something often overlooked is the possibility of a contact shot. Revolvers function with complete reliability under such conditions. Pistols on the other hand become single shots, if they aren’t rendered inoperable when pushed out of battery. Situations such as an animal attack on a child or when your attacker has knocked you on your back and is on top of you. Revolvers still hold a viable role in self defense.
That is exactly my thinking, Dennis. They forget the last time they got jammed, and how often it happens to them. Sure a wheel gun can stop working, but that means your revolver is probably broken, which shouldnt be happening to a well-kept firearm in the first place. What makes this video worse, is the fact that they chose to insult "The Rolling Stones" in the process. They can complain about "boomers' all they like, however, It would seem they're the ones with a bad memory. :)
While contact shots & a 9mm coming out of battery or failure to feed is valid, but that is easy to train for. Learning to fight from your back or when grappling with an attacker is vital. Companies like Shiv Works are doing God's work showing how likely & crucial being able to grapple & create distance to effectively deploy & fire is especially for women. My training in grappling (wrestling, Judo, & bjj) really got me thinking more about how me & my wife conceal carry our firearms & knives as finding yourself entangled with an attacker or even on the ground can really throw a wrench in the works if you only train shooting from a proper stance at a target even a couple feet away. I wish more people would consider this & train accordingly. For me I carry either a compact 9mm and or a 357 magnum snub for personal protection as well as for work in private security & executive protection. In a higher risk scenario & especially when multiple attackers is likely I definitely prefer my 9mm. Encountering a group of 3 or more with a 5 round revolver is less than ideal even with reloads.
@@harvestblades
You present many good and well grounded points. Yes, training is certainly the most valuable facet of self defense as the mind is the most important weapon one can possess. Proper training can help one avoid or mitigate bad situations. However unfortunately, many people do not have any training and for them a revolver may be the best compromise. And that is the crux of it all. Handguns are themselves a compromise. Weapons that are truly effective are no longer acceptable to carry in public so we must individually find the weapon system that best fits our own requirements as you and your wife have done.
Si vis pacem, para bellum.
I actually have carried a 340pd for 6-7 years now. It’s a great carry gun. But, if we’re talking about reliability in a contact shot situation, wheelguns are not infallible either-all it takes is for someone to grab the cylinder (with very little effort) and the gun won’t fire. Still my choice for carry though
@@dantheman348
This is true but at least that type of malfunction has to be deliberately induced by one’s attacker vs being pushed out of battery in the heat of the moment. Your point remains valid as it illustrates that nothing is infallible and that any tool you choose for defense is a compromise.
I carry a steel J frame with a 3” barrel. The model 60. It is exponentially more comfortable to shoot than the airweight snubby and has been successfully deployed against venomous snakes in my yard over two decades. A little bit more weight and slightly longer sight radius makes a big difference.
You said most of what I wanted to say. I like .357 magnum because you can shoot .38 Special also. I would never buy an air weight unless it shoots .38 +P. I have the same model that you do. My 586 L-Comp is larger. That is a winter carry only. If carried at all.
@@RobRoyR8R great minds think alike. I too have the L comp and the K comp of which both do a marvelous job at soaking up that initial snap of a heavy load.
I shot my friend's 357 magnum Model 60, same gun as yours. No thanks. I am happy with my Model 36-3" 38 Special.
@@robertonavarro7713 yeah I hear you. I don’t shoot .357 mags out of my 60 carry piece as a .38 +p has almost the same muzzle velocity and about half the recoil.
Airweights are great. Magnum revolvers with short barrels, crumby sights and lightweight; not so much. I love .357 and .44, but out-of full size steel frame with longer barrels.
When I was a cop in the 80s I became a detective and the department said they needed my 4inch for patrol and made me trade in my 4inch 357 for a 2inch. But I still had to quality on the practice pistol course which went out to 50 yards. My only complaint was how hot the pistol got while shooting 60 rounds of ammo. I still qualified with no problems. My point is accuracy is more a matter of practice than barrel length. Get use to it and you can be good even with a small pistol.
Yep, generally you can stabilize a bullet with a small amount of barrel. Sight radius is another story
My back up is a snub 629
@@jbensonsecurityea That's your back-up piece?? Hate to think what your carry gun is..
My carry is a gen 3 glock 30
Love it, and you are correct. Had a friend who was just deadly proficient with a snubby. That inspired me and my wife both to get better fast with one as well.
"I shot 3 kids, I'm sorry"
"The Court has found you innocent of all charges, Mr. ShortShorts"
And he shows up to court in transparent short shorts.
on the bright side, if you miss, it still doubles as a flashbang.
Lmao miss their head by a few inches within 10 yards I imagine the flame would melt half their face off
One you hold in your 🤚 🤣
Yup
Cauterizes the wound.
My buddy would say, if you missed, "g**d**n that's loud!!!"
I carry the 340PD for what I expect to deal with. Very close engagements, limited time to draw and fire. Rigid Jacket pocket carrying this, zipper down, hand on the gun in the dark. You need it boom it's there
I have had it for over 20 years never had to use but most encounters are quick and within 6 feet
No holster or trigger protection (aside from finger 😂)? Do you leave one empty?
@@Shadow__133 no empty cylinders. That would be insane. It's a 10+ pound trigger. Very heavy. No hammer to snag. Hand stays on the gun the whole time in the scenario described. I used to walk the streets at night in st Louis. Just wanted to be ready to fire without drawing
Because you are smart. These people are talking about 50 feet in case you are going on a rubber boat with Rambo to rescue NAM vets and you only have a choice between a 340 and a full size glock .45
@@MichaelMarini57 This is obvious, but so few seem to get it. Boggles the mind.
J frame Smith in left front pocket since 1970 as a BUG. Currently EDC. It works.
James examining his shots at 50 ft; the camera man focusing on James short-shorts while in the Captain Morgan’s stance: Classic!
Of all my guns, this is the one I always take with me. Yes, it's a pain to practice with, but it it shoots infinitely better than the guns I leave at home.
Video posted 1 hour ago but you're comment is from 4 days ago.
Explain yourself, Witch!!!! 🧹
@@sheldonjplanktonn back to the future, 🤷🏻♂️
@@sheldonjplanktonn It’s Mr. Warlock, sir.
@@cjmvejby - my apologies, your magicalness
@@Legatus2kx - I fucking knew time travel was real. Next you'll try to tell me the earth is actually round
My Ruger SP101, .357, loaded with .38 special makes a great nightstand gun. It's heavy and very accurate with .38 special. All-in-all, a good anti-burglar gun.
I carry my SP101 usually with critical duty rounds. Honestly they’re not as hard recoiling as most target loads.
I carry the Ruger SP101 with .38 special +p. It’s the carry gun I prefer 99% of the time. I never feel out gunned for conceal carry purposes.
Same for me except it is a S&W Mod 66 with 357 200 grain semi wadcutters.
I have a Ruger Security Six 357 loaded with 38 special+ as my nightstand gun, it is an excellent gun.
Interesting. I would want a full size pistol for a nightstand gun because the weight doesn't matter. I want to get a snubnose revolver because I want that light weight for everyday carry.
I have a J frame and I can definitely say that one thing that will make it way more comfortable to shoot is switching out the grip. My favorite has always been Pachmayr. With a slightly larger more rubberized grip the perceived recoil goes down and it feels more controllable to me.
Yup, wood grips with magnums (.357 or .44) is not much fun. The Pachmyer grips make a difference
I guess you’d call me “Pop Pop”.
I started shooting in 1970 and my carry gun was a Colt Officers model backed up by a 38 Chief’s Special.
I graduated to a 357 J frame for back up, but never carried an ultralight model.
Now I carry a 10 mm Glock and a Taurus in 357 magnum with a full 3 finger grip.
The key is consistent practice with both.
I heard horror stories about the terrible recoil of a Colt Government model by WWII veterans. I never found it that bad. After about a year, recoil wasn’t an issue. Neither was control.
At 75 , I have no problems with my 10 mm Glock or the 357 J frame and get decent accuracy at 30 feet. I don’t even notice recoil anymore. Concussion is a different matter.
I compete with other guys for money to simulate stress.
But then again Jim, I don’t wear panties or have limp wristed lady’s hands.
Just practice consistently for 50 years.
I'm a small man at 5 foot 3 inches and love shooting my 1911, recoil isn't bad. but I can feel the 357 and it is not pleasant even with an all-steel Ruger sp101
Nuff respect to you sir.
I’m giving an update 2 years later.
Now I am 77 and have switched to a Sig 365 compact backed up by a Taurus 357 j frame sized revolver. I did this for concealablity and not for accuracy or control issues.
I am still practicing with my friends and wagering on the best accuracy for the day.
I should add, that I have worked out with barbells since I was a teen and have strong hands and wrists.
If advise is wanted, stay in shape and practice, practice, practice.
@@alexandermescavage6653 I don't understand why you were concerned about the recoil of a 45 ACP if you can handle 10mm.
@@davidhoffman6980
When I started shooting 45 ACP, there was no 10 mm. It was in the early 1970s when all the WWII vets were saying what a beating the 45 ACP gave you. Truth is , short barrel , light 357 is much harder to shoot than 10 mm.
I have a ruger LCR .357, hammerless. I conducted similar experiments when I first got it. My conclsions: 1) 38+P is all that it really needs. I found it difficult to control with mag laods. I had simlar results and unenjoyable experiences when testing with mags. 2) Not my primary carry, but when I have to wear clothes that do not conceal my Glock very well, it's a decent alternative. Also not a bad weapon to keep accessible in the car. Hey, I spent a lot of time in St. Louis. You're a fool not to have something handy at a stop light.
stay safe brother
640 Smith for over 30 years
Shooting 158 grain magnums out of a j-frame feels like your hand was in a car wreck.
Been there done that...LOL 😆
That's a very accurate, clever analogy.
Not under adrenaline
Makes a Glock 43 with 30 rounds of .25 ACP look like a pro choice. 😁
A hicap glock in .25 or .32 would be awesome.
Just want to let you guys know you’re killing it with the background music
Tracklist please.
Soothing blasting music
Yeah, that was something special for sure
What is that track that was playing at the range?
Indeed. Cassiopeia II by Jamie Bathgate.
Excellent demonstration! I have a SW 640 that weighs in at 22 ounces with thr stainless steel frame. The weight really helps tame the recoil on full-house .357 loads. It is accurate at the distances you tested for . It's a wonderful backup gun or a hideout gun. I love it. Awesome video!
I
My EDC is also the 640 with the big Hogue grips loaded with Gold Dot fast burn self defense ammo.
I have the 2" Taurus 605 with Hogue grips and even the hot .357 rounds are very controllable. The bad side is that it only has a 5 round capacity. The plus side is that each round has great stopping power.
Glad to read this post. I just purchased a Taurus 605 myself & I replaced with Hogue grips!! Glad to know the .357 magnum ammo is controllable with these new grips!!!
I have the same setup. Is there some recoil? Of course. But it's not horrible, and at self defense distances, it's actually fairly accurate. I enjoy carrying it.
Change it for Kimber K6S
@@MTB_Pathfindercould carry 3 605s
Doesn’t the 605 have a 3” barrel? That would be more controllable than a snub nose.
"it's also easier peeing sitting down" 😂
Train with the seat down
“Yes If youAre a girl!
Those short shorts means he dosent even have to whip it out, dudes on another level.
Life hack.
I pee sitting down
I don't shoot Magnums out of my K frame that often, so when I move to a snub, I tend to favor steel-framed ones and I tend to load them with 38
Stay steady my friend
Normie.
Unless you own an older k frame with the uneven forcing cone i say it's best to learn to shoot 357 out of a k frame well. 38 special gives roughly the same energy as 9mm so there isn't mich benefit to carrying a k frame with 38 special when you could carry a semi auto that is in the same range of size (glock 19 is a near match in size and weight of a model 19 or model 66) and have a greater potential energy output. With 357 mag you get enough energy per shot to make up the capacity difference and you get all the advantages of a revolver, but with 38 special it isn't as practical since you lose a few advantages, at least in my opinion. Each person is different in what they see as good for self defense but I personally think the beating you give you hand to learn it well at the range is worth it in the long run
@@jaythus3181 it's a 13-2, so it does have the forcing cone issue
I do shoot enough magnums to keep my hand in, and I've corrected some mistakes I was making with my stance and grip, which makes the Magnums less punishing to shoot
( it used to be that a box of 125 grain hollow points would leave my trigger finger bleeding from the trigger slot abrading it)
However this is not my normal carry gun
For that I have a Glock 43, although it had to go back to Glock for repair, and right now a bodyguard 380 is standing in for it
@@artwebb6939 yeah i personally wouldn't shoot 357 mag out of that gun due to the forcing cone. I have a newer model 19 that fixed the issue and i love it for carry although I open carry with a leather pancake holster since that is all i am legally allowed to do in my state so your mileage may vary although it doesn't weigh as much as you would think. I personally dislike glock due to various reasons (grip angle and the other common complaints) and i enjoy revolvers and 1911s a lot but i don't like the idea of carrying without a round in the chamber or cocked and locked so I leaned more towards revolvers for carry. Im a little weird for having the taste of a 60 year old man while im in the weird grey area of millennial and gen z which prefers black plastic guns but it's what i have grown to love. I still need to train with magnums more since my 19 beats the web of my hand right by my thumb knuckle when shooting magnums for a while due to my grip and i feel like it's a pretty common issue people have so that's why i personally train to shoot them, never hand my trigger finger bleed though.
I got my first wheelgun a year or two ago. I ran a box of .38spl through it before trying .357 mag. I was SHOCKED at the difference. It felt like firing 2 or 3 of the 38s at the same time. Looking at the difference in the shells I didn't expect that much difference but man oh man it's a lot.
I carried a snub .357 for about a year. I installed Altamont boot grips. Made a big difference in recoil control/handling. Still not pleasant, but not as painful.
I've carried a S&W 340PD with clip draw for 15 years. I like it so much I bought a second one as a backup and my wife took it lol. It's perfect when uber concealment is key or when you run to the store in shorts without a belt. I rotate the G43X and 340PD depending on attire and situation. Great gun!
@nfareview - What is your carry load for the 340PD? Also, how secure does the ClipDraw feel in the waistband without a belt?
James, I think you just found what gun to get Brandon for his birthday. He can deny it all he wants and use all the reasoning available to justify hating it but he was still smiling through the pain. We must turn him.
Good luck with that. I think Brannon will give you a Clint Smith line about" Tugboats and assholes" . I really expected his smaller hands to be a BIG advantage.
Video posted 1 hour ago but you're comment is from 4 days ago.
Explain yourself, Witch!!!! 🧹
I think the biggest point missed here, especially by Brandon, is the .357is MUCH more powerful than a 9mm. Per the FBI it’s the top one shot stop round. If it’s on target it’s a stop. Plus it’s a viable sidearm for people like me who can’t carry holsters due to disability I carry in a over the shoulder satchel and can fire through the satchel whatcha you can not do with an automatic
@@jamesrowell2786 And how much of that extra powder charge and its theoretical power can you put to use in snub nose length barrels? I'm not particularly well researched on how efficiently those rounds scale down.
@@jamesrowell2786 it's the top because it was issued to so many cops and because it's the tweener gateway round from little auto cartridges to the bigger magnums. If cops were issued 45 win mag, 44 auto mag, 10mm, you wouldn't be saying 357 is the best. Ever see a .50 cal pistol loaded with turned copper hollowpoints that expand into ninja stars? 1.5"+ tip to tip. They're nasty. Rip your guts out of place and wad them into a little ball before blowing out a football sized exit cavern.
J-Frames are great for EDC, even with capacity limits. I stick to 38spl in a revolver that size.
I personally prefer going to a k frame with a 3" or longer barrel since it isn't that much larger and you gain an extra round of capacity and i find 357 mag to be tolerable in that size.
Split the difference, K6S 3-inch.
It's a no inch barrel, what is the expectation?
@@jaythus3181 3 inch seems to be a good compromise. It depends on how big you are, I'm 6'5" and that size is ok for a carry gun for me. That snubby is too damn small for my hands.
@@chopperdeath any relation to the singer Michael Bolton?
I've got a S&W 640 it's my "just picking up the pizza" gun 😁👍
Yes I own semi autos, but revolvers are fun and still go bang!
Picked up one as a police trade. It’s heavy and with hogue grips can shoot accurately enough at the video’s distances, and enough rounds / cylinders that it’s the heat of the cylinder, rather than recoil that slows me down. Then again it’s probably twice the weight of the 340pd
I carry my 642 everywhere. Absolutely love it. So light there is no excuse not to have it.
@@LA_Commander agree 💯😁👍
Always.
I have a 640 too and carry magnums in it. It is nutty on recoil but at least it's not the business end.
I recently picked up a stainless Ruger SP101 with a 3.2” barrel. It’s my first .357, and I was surprised at how snappy of a round it is. I’d hate to shoot hot .357 out of anything smaller than that.
Agreed. I load mine with 38+P rounds and it shoots very well.
My first wheel gun many moons ago was the 2.25" barrel spurless SP101. Tank is the only way to describe it. I'll NEVER sell it.
That’s why I have a Ruger sp 101 .357 snubnose. Built like a tank, all stainless steel.🦅🇺🇸
Damn. That Rolling Stones bit was savage lol
Preacher telling the truth, and it hurts.
Stones laugh at you children all the way to the bank.
@@tonyromano6220 Charlie Watts ain't laughing now.😬
Massad's back up with Speer 135-grain .38 Special Gold Dot +P hollow points. Depending on the circumstances, this is an "OK, let me get my wallet" gun.
Haha. That happened here in Phoenix a couple years ago around this same time of year. There was a firework stand owner getting ready to close up shop one night when a car pulled up and a man got out with a gun demanding money from the firework stand owner. The firework stand owner acted as if he was complying and pulled a Ruger LCP out of his pocket shooting the suspect in the fuckin face dropping the POS. The suspects girlfriend was in the drivers seat of the get a way vehicle she watched her man get shot in the face and was so freaked out that she ran from the scene on foot leaving her registered vehicle there lol. I always thought that was a great victory story for the good guys and for Ruger since a lot of Rugers are made here in Arizona it’s kinda cool they saved at least 1 arizona resident. I’ve carried daily for almost a decade the only gun I’ve ever had to draw was my LCP. I was out jogging one morning before the sun rose since it’s hot as balls here in Arizona and out of nowhere a car came flying towards me sliding to a stop almost hitting me, the driver started screaming at me saying “you wanna fuckin fight me mother fucker” he was yelling so loud and was so angry that he was as red as a 🍅. I grew up boxing so I’m capable of defending myself but instead of getting into a ego battle with the guy I just shook my head saying “no” then continued jogging. The dude made a u turn & came hauling ass towards me again forcing me to run to the other side of the street where there was a curb so he couldn’t hit me, the dude stopped his car about 10ft from me & grabbed a galvanized steel pipe from the passenger seat and started lunging towards me screaming “you wanna fuckin die mother fucker” at that point I pulled my LCP out of my pocket and before I could even raise my gun up to point at him he stopped dead in his tracks with the pipe in the air mid swing no bullshit. The dude looked at my gun, looked at my face, looked at my gun again then got back in his car and drove away. The dude was bigger then me and almost certainly on drugs of some sort, even tho I’m an experienced boxer there’s no way I would have walked away from that situation un injured if I didn’t have my gun so my gun either saved my life or saved me from serious injury.
Great choice of ammo.
I enjoyed watching your experiment. As a die hard revolver guy who carries one everyday, there is one factor that I would like to point out that wasn't covered. Full power .357 magnum loads coming out of a 2 inch barrel will cause anyone in front of that gun to decide that whatever they thought they were going to do ain't worth it, hit or not. Touch a couple off inside without ear protection and everyone in the room will pick up their toys and go home. Between the projectile and flame coming from the barrel and the pressure exiting the cylinder gap it is an ear spitting, vision blurring blast of noise, light and heat that is just not tenable. I would recommend to anyone considering a full power load out of a short barreled revolver for self defense to shoot them in low light/darkness and decide if it's for you. I'm not hating on the .357, I love them. Just something to consider. Great video !
the tinnitus from shooting it indoors is enough to make me consider 9mm
Exactly! Thanks for the reminder.
Howdy 🤠 James, great little review! I personally have and been carrying this 340PD for over 18yrs now and can say the 357 personal defense + power is definitely a step up in hand cannon experience. I have noticed my had turning black and blue after a few cylinders. What I a suggest, and helped me out a lot was adding a crimson Trace LG-405 to the gun. It has an air pocket high up on the back strap of the grip where the web of the hand goes. This extra thick area makes it much easier to get a better perch on the gun as well as absorbing a bit of the blast energy. I see models LG-305 & LG-350 are also offered now and would offer ever better gripping than the 405 but would also take up more pocket Real estate. The added benefit of these grips is also having the laser which helps greatly with falling up shop.
I would love to see this same test done again with this laser grip option and see how it changes the game. For me, it really was night & Day… Cheers
I own one and like it a lot. It definitely is easier to shoot with 38 +P on follow-up shots, but first shots count and recoil isn't an issue on first shots - the 357 mag carries a lot more power.
Can you put first round 357 then the rest 38?
@@frenchy2410i’d imagine so. and if you train with that setup, that actually doesn’t sound like a bad idea
Took my wife to the range with a Glock 43, Glock 19, and Ruger SP 101, after shooting all three, she choose the Ruger to carry. She just does not want to deal with manipulating an automatic under stress.
Perfectly valid
I really like the SP101 its a good gun for the money and heft. Also i dont know how your wife is carrying but they tend to have bags and stuff so revolvers are kind of easier for them
That's why my my wife settled on a revolver, too.
My wife carried a L frame 686 3" barrel when she had the choice of one of hundreds of my pistols. I wouldn't want to be in a gun fight with her because you will likely loose.
My wife chose her revolver for the same reason. She wants to be able to just point and shoot if she's forced to defend herself. No extra steps under stress.
When I take mine to the range, everyone stops for a second to see what's making all that noise.
My 4" ported barrel 41 mag will light up the range like a Starburst shell just so everyone can see their targets better, you're welcome
Hence the "Little Cricket" namesake, eh? LMAO
"Noisy Crickett" bud. Which is a men in black reference.
I personally carry a berretta Tomcat, yes it ain't fancy or the most tactical but hey I can throw it in my pocket and go
Thats a good gun
Very reliable
I carry the Beretta Tomcat with Crimson Trace as my primary weapon and a Ruger SP101 357 as a backup weapon. The Tomcat is so easy to carry; got the laser for shot placement.
Don’t know what’s more terrifying: shooting that snubby with .357 Mag or seeing James in those manties ever, ever again…
Manties 🤣🤣🤣 he’s going to mess around and get a yeast infection
I would love to see this drill with 3 pop up targets. Also start with a 1 or 2 minute in place jog before each shooting round. It would add a adrenaline rush, with a random target pop up it would add to you stress level, and your stress decision making skill. Not expensive to set up or hard to operate. It could also give you a 2 or 3 person attacker test.
I recently bought a ruger sp 101 in .357 with a 3 inch barrel and it is absolutely perfect for me to conceal carry. I really prefer a heavier gun like the sp 101, the recoil isn’t that bad.
Looking at buying a used p101 in 3 inch. It just feels "right"
Great gun indeed. I carry mine with 2.25 inch daily.
I think it's adorable that you're allowed to call Clint Smith "Pop-pop". Also, I'm super jealous.
Best comment
You were shooting probably the lightest 357 out there. If you tried it with a SP101, part J frame part tank, maybe a different result. I like the model 66 - K frame. 6 shots and great reliability.
I bought a S&W Model 13 (K Frame) back in 1988 with a 3" barrel, fixed sights (front ramp/blade, rear notch) as my first firearm. Shooting .357 was brutal, but I developed good fundamentals from it such as how to grip your revolver to control recoil (or you could knock yourself out especially when shooting +P or +P+) trigger control, and most of all, point shooting (with a little Kentucky windage thrown in). It made transitioning to the wonder 9s when they arrived a breeze.
I sit here as I type this, with a 340pd in my pocket. Shooting full house 357 is equivalent to open hand slapping a steel T-post. I do try it from time to time, wearing shorty shorts(Just like my idol James Reeves) but for EDC I run Buffalo Bore 38spl +p short-barrel low-flash. It's a perfect compromise. The 340pd (IMO) is one of the greatest edc weapons made. Slips into a pocket and disappears. It hardly prints in my shorty shorts and if you're looking that hard, thank you very much...
Carried a .357 SP101 for about a decade. Loved her, was pretty good with her, but now I tote a 9mm.
The SP101 is great in .327 Federal.
Yeah, like any reasonable person does! In other news, you could commute to work in a 1975 Cadillac with a 500 cubic inch engine. But really, you'd probably be better off in a Chevy Malibu.
I don't think I've seen the colour coding of group sizes done before. That makes it a whole lot easier to see clearly the effect of the increasing distance between shooter and target.
I must confess to only shooting snubbie magnums a couple of times and yes, it has left me psychologically scarred and flinching. ...
.357 2" is a great carry option...It has ammo versatility. You can use .38 , .38 plus p , and .357 ammo. For edc or home defense you can't go wrong. Under appreciated in the 9mm semi auto frenzy.
Stay away from these. I am a physician. I had a Taurus 2" .357 magnum 8 years ago. It DESTROYED my basilar thumb joint. I required surgery replacing the trapezium bone at age 42. These things can seriously damage your hands. AVOID.
@@johnstokes1161 Good to know. I will take it under consideration.
@@johnstokes1161 what happened exactly in easy man terms
@@durancooley1080 Willing to bet he gripped it wrong. There is no way these tiny J frames should wreck your hand badly if you grip it correctly AND know your limit on recoil tolerance.
My 3 inch king cobra bucks when i fire magnum loads. The fireball is pretty cool though. Wouldn’t be bad in a pinch but I keep 38 +p in the cylinder and speed loaders.
One thing you guys didn't talk about is the fact you're all in pretty decent shape, strong forearms, you're able to deal with the recoil better than a lot of people. I remember hearing a pretty sad story. Homicidal perp kicks his way into an old man's single-wide. Old man has a .357 snub nose on him. Fires the whole cylinder at his attacker. All misses. Perp kills him. Yeah, you guys might be able to shoot that gun accurately. But there's a whole lot of old men and out of shape men that own and carry .357s who probably shouldn't. The old man from the story would have been better served by loading cartridges with far less recoil.
Absolutely right. Know your limits. And know that an attacker probably isn't going to come at you when you're good and ready and unoccupied. Personally, I don't carry any gun I can't shoot reasonably well one handed for this reason and others.
It is nice to have the option of loading the really hot stuff, though.
My grandma carries a S&W model 66 .357. (she also has a Arminius .357 in her car). We make her shoot it from time to time.
Shes no John Wick, but she definitely gets consistant hits. Also, she ain't scared to blast.
@@letsdothis9063 Grandma Wick 😂😂 🥷🏻
Elderly men, the disabled, "some" women, and soy boys probably are better off carrying 380s instead of 357 magnums, but as for the rest of us . . . lock and load that 357!!!
Model 351 PD, .22 Maggie. 7 shots, it kills. Less recoil.
It doesn’t even have muzzle flash. It looks like the entire thing turns into a sphere of fire.
As a certified Boomer Fudd myself (carrying concealed daily since 1979 on and off duty), I'm not really aware of very many of us who embraced the ultra light weight .357 Magnum J-frame as a good idea, and certainly not 50 years ago. The J-frame snub in .38 Special, within its limitations was another matter, and quite a few of us ended hostile engagements with those. They need no further justification. But, as is so often the case, some people took a good and useful idea and run off the end of the earth with it. So it is with the ultralight .357 Magnum loaded with full-house rounds. Having said that, I've seen a number of guys and ladies who are able to do some good work with a steel frame J, even loaded with Magnums, and something like an SP-101 even more so. Now we are talking some real Boomer stuff. I could MAYBE see the setup used in the video as a cop's ankle gun, designed to be used in a very short range encounter, but not as a primary carry choice.
In times past we could buy Medium Velocity Magnum loads, and also some .38 Special +P+ loads that were materially more effective than standard .38 Specials, but not so abusive as full-house Magnums. But since some people think that having the highest possible velocity is all that matters, these didn't sell well. Now one has a hard time finding any .357 Magnum loads that are truly appropriate in these tiny guns. Oddly enough, your best choice, if you want that, may be to carry a 9mm revolver.
Trips down memory lane aside, having been present at multiple handgun autopsies, I wouldn't be so quick to accept about half the hits I saw in this video. We have known for decades that the B-27 target is far too large to be anatomically relevant. Instead, if you want to test yourself, try using a single piece of standard copier paper, with any hit on that paper counting as a perfect hit. That will be much closer to anatomical significance in stopping a fight. In my opinion, the ultralight J-frame .357 with full house loads is for people who still think there is any such thing as a free lunch.
As a weird in between millennial and gen z young adult that likes fudd guns as well as modern and tactical guns, i personally prefer k frames to the small j frames in 357 mag. There are very few detriments to going to the k frame over the j frame, the only ones i can think of is that they are slightly wider guns (but the difference is negligible), they are slightly heavier guns, and the older ones used to crack forcing cones since Smith and Wesson made them with one portion of it narrower than the rest but if you can get over the slightly lower quality and the internal trigger lock of the newer k frames they have fixed that issue. I recently got a smith and wesson model 19 with a 4 inch barrel and took it to the range once and ran about 50 rounds through it, i absolutely love it. I plan on conceal carrying it when i am legally allowed to and the only thing i find bad about it is how much it beats your hand up since its lighter than the old ruger Blackhawk 6 inch 357 mag i grew up shooting (i looked into when it was made a few years ago based on serial numbers and I am wanting to say it was made in the early to mid 80s but i am not sure). The model 19 is by far one of my favorite guns to shoot from that 1 trip to the range and i can't wait to become proficient with it and i definitely see it as superior to the 357 mag j frames based on capacity and the fact that it definitely has less recoil that any j frame although i do wish to eventually man up enough to be able to handle a 357 mag j frame well, but until then ill stick with my k frames and other larger frame revolvers
Agreed. Piss on that super light scandium stuff. All steel 640 or Sp101 will hold its own.
@@jaythus3181 Not to mention, with magnums a 4-inch barrel REALLY picks up some speed over the 1.8 to 2-inch barrel, somewhere around 500 fps, according to BBTI.
@@wehrewulf right on, agree totally!
@@wehrewulf Yep.
If I ever got a snub nose I would do the Ruger SP101. I've shot my friends several times & I loved it. It's all steel, heavy frame really handled the .357 well. I had a J Frame .38 Spl+P & I hated it.
Well, it is pretty easy to pee sitting down 😂😂😂
I carried the 340Sc as a duty weapon during my tenure with DHS. It took me six sessions before I qualified with this weapon. The duty ammo was Speer Gold Dot 38+P. 357 would aggravate my carpal tunnel.
This was a great idea for a vid and well executed; however, I'd like to know more about the ammunition loadings used. There are huge differences in control and recoil based upon the type of 357mag ammo fired. It was unclear if the ammo used in this test would be realistically carried by a typical person. Additionally, I'd like to see the same test with a Ruger LCR 357mag (20% heavier gun with a much better trigger), firing both 357mag & 38 special +P loads. Finally, it would be nice to see the LCR (as aforementioned) compared to the S&W Model 327 (8-shot, N-frame, 357mag). Then we'd have a bit more information about whether carrying a snub nose 357 is practical (rather than using the extreme of THE lightest example gun with potentially hot ammo).
Why not a 44 special snubbie instead of a 357? Bigger bullet slower sounds a lot easier to control than the 357 at the same energy level, and it's not like it's unproven.
I agree I would like to see then try different snub nose to test this more accurately, because I remember James recommended the 327 a few months ago.
Someone get Paul Harrell on this, if he hasn't done it already. I know he did a Snubbie video some time ago, though.
@Dan Jett I could point you in the direction of a 44 hollow point that expands into a ninja star from a 2 inch barrel if you want? You seem to be confusing energy and velocity, anyway. A fast 180 357 and a slow 240 .44 can make the same energy, and either one can be loaded with projectiles that don't expand or reliably expand at low or high velocities. I don't know what pathetic 44 special cowboy ammo you're talking about, but the power potential for a 44 special in a snub nose is way higher than a 357 snub nose.
@@randomidiot8142 What are you taking? 180gr is on the slow side for .357, not fast. Furthermore, .357 Mag completely trumps the .44 Special when it comes to energy. The only way that wouldn't be true is if you overload .44 Spl with the intent of replicating .44 Mag performance, but wtf is the point in that, just get a .44 Mag.
As a criminal defense attorney I love the line: "I call anything past 10 yards the felonious zone of questionable murder".
I stopped shooting 357 in my Ruger LCR. It now has 38sp wadcutters. I can keep rounds on target at 7 yards, and that is good enough for me.
My aunt jen has the same set up. Nice
Full power 357's thru a 2 & 1/2 inch L-frame are more than I cared to deal with...can't imagine the flinch factor on a light weight revolver. Take care, thanks for the videos.
I have been saying the same thing for years. I would rather carry a small frame revolver than a small frame auto. When your life is on the line you need reliability. It has to work 100% of the time. The down side of revolvers are your less likely to train with it and you are more likely to run dry. But that first shot - which is the one that counts in almost every citizen involved shooting is going to go off, and if you hit the target its going to drop like a sack of shi*!
I’ve got a stub with magnums that I carry for hog protection just in case. They’re everywhere where I live and a 9mm won’t stop them as easy as a 357. Sure multiple shots might be a little more effective but the magnum has the ability to stop them with one shot in a broader amount of areas. I do have 158 Underwood jhp for defense ammo but it’s rare I carry it for protection against people.
RIP eardrums if you ever crack a round in a small room.
And that is the truth. When I am shooting my LCR at the range with 357's, everyone (and I mean even the guys shooting rifles) stops and looks after I fire the first round, with a "WTF was that" look. Range time is double protection - ear plugs and ear muffs, I like my hearing.
Yes not an indoor gun. I like the guy who said “pizza gun”
If you really want to confirm your collected data. Perform the same test with a Ruger LCR in 22 LR.
That would be cool. Or use the 351C Jframe in 22 mag. Virtually identical in weight and size.
I once had a pet mosquito that was killed by a Ruger LCR in 22 LR. Or it might have been the .220 magnum...
I've done that. I shoot mine out to 50 yd on a regular basis. It's fantastic little pocket gun
@Sixgun Symphony I have an SP101 in 327 and it shoots pretty nice. Everyone wants to name-drop a fancy revolver or historic piece and really it's just about learning how to shoot a double action revolver
@@ChristofHarper experience with da revolvers is key. I carry a 3” SP101 frequently. Full house 125gr loads. I can easily put all 5 inside an inch at 4 yards as fast as I can but I shoot revolvers A LOT.
It's pretty effective at notifying the whole county that an altercation has taken place.
Those short shorts look like a 1980's pistons versus celtics playoff game
I learned this 10+ years ago with a buddy's 340PD. 10 rounds, nah dude I'm good. I'll stick to my Airweight and .38+P's👍 Like repeatedly having Tyson punch you in the palm🤦♂️
even in my K6S I was like "ok fk this" after the 2nd shot
Add a WC spring kit and an XS big dot and your results will improve.
Broski, id say. Its a good ankle gun to whip out when your being mounted by a roided out beaver and need a quick shot of 357 of shwackin power Stat, let someone else raise their kids.
Thank you for existing you beautiful human being
This was beautiful, bless you.
I love this so much but i can't like it since it is at 69 likes, i hope you understand.
@@jaythus3181 these are agreeable terms you have set forth comrade.
@@woahdude3853 thanks for understanding papa, i didn't want another 357 mag shwackin power spanking
As long as it's a Model 60 with a 3" heavy barrel, it's not too bad. Lighter than that, you'd better toughen up.
I had one of these years back and your slo mo portion with the purple tape reminded me of the felt recoil, pain! I stick to my 442 these days and just roll with +P's lol
Part of me would like to have one for a BUG, while the other part of me thinks one in 22LR or WMR would get shot more often. The great thing about the 357 Magnum is that despite all the hype about other common defensive calibers, the 125 grain SJHP is still the king of the defensive handgun hill.
I really like my 145gr Winchester hollow points.
I'm a retired LEO and my off duty EDC is a S&W M66 revolver. I was a firearms instructor and no one ever out shot me with any duty weapon or off duty either revolver or semi. I regularly engaged targets at the range out to 150 yards. And if your using a gun in a defense situation you don't feel any recoil.
I carried a 340pd for yeas in a ankle holster on my Harley. I loaded it with full house 357’s, but did NOT practice with those. I call it shaking hands with the devil.
I say that my 340PD "Carries like an Angel, shoots like a handshake with the Devil."
Damn James! Them shorts are making any magnum pain bearable. So any time I’m shooting my .357 snuby I’ll be thinking of your shorty shorts to make the pain go away… 😜👍🏻🥃
Ruger LCR .357 for me. Smoother trigger than a S&W.
Keanu Reeves should take fashion advice from James Reeves. John Wick 4 with short shorts and a fanny pack 👊😀
That fucking cat walk at 10:52 , now that's bonus content.
Video posted 1 hour ago but you're comment is from 4 days ago.
Explain yourself, Witch!!!! 🧹
@@sheldonjplanktonn Patreon members get the content early.
@@myoptik3x103 - I wasn't aware they had a Patreon
Happy Pride Month, Mary.
Love the Ruger SP101 & the Ruger Security Six, with 2 1/2 " 3" snubbie ,357 Mag!
I need to get a holster for my Magnum Research BFR .500 Magnum, so I can EDC it.
5 shots, but I only need to hit them once to remove their torso from the rest of their body...
Tbh you can miss and just the speed and force of that bad boy might be able to still take a limb off lol
Brandon lebouf is literally just Louisiana's version of Hank from breaking bad
My main carry is still a 357 Ruger SP101 snub nose.
That was my very first gun, and still my favorite. Good ole sp101
Real men shoot revolvers single handed from the hip.
Or the fbi stance from Paul Harrels introduction.
@@77Infidel id like to see Mr Harrell try this gun/load test..
@@Booboobear-eo4es not sure. I've seen some guys do pretty well one handed
@@Booboobear-eo4es definitely understand where you are coming from. Always thought that was odd not to train both ways.. im not an expert or an instructor. But if "most confrontations are at 7yds or less". The possibility of you having to block or fight with one hand and shoot with the other is enough where I try to shoot one handed enough to feel confident i could if I had to. Also I'm usually carrying somthing if I have to go into crowded public. But yes I agree most trainers shoot two handed.
@@hammerslammer3006 - And most movie goers say hold the gun sideways when firing. ;-)
I love my 340PD. 12oz! Added benefit that you don't leave brass at the scene.
I have a Ruger LCR 357. Yes, it is very uncomfortable to shoot with magnums. It is not my EDC, although I have carried it. I love the .357 round and my inside the house "fight my way to my long gun" choice is the 357 that is always in the room I am currently occupying. This one just happens to be my smallest .357.
God Damn it James…I was sitting down peeing when I watched this.
The 38 snubbie is just as good for self defense. I like the ones with single action capability, too.
Practice practice practice! Mastering that double action trigger is super important. Personally, I won't shoot 357 in anything smaller than a full steel K Frame, but there are some great 38 special rounds out there. Find some good grips and practice with it, and j frames will do their part to save your life if you're willing to put in the time and effort.
Truth!
I have an SP101. I like the extra weight for magnum rounds.
The other advantage a pocket 357 has is in the woods
Interesting outing. The other paradigm snubby scenario might be a steel Ruger SP101 carried with the most hardcore .357s (something like the Buffalo Bore hard cast 180s) for rural critter defense.
Be interesting to run a similar drill like that.
Even coming from someone like me, yes...it is a bad idea. A warm .38+P will be near as effective with each hit with way more ability to hit what you aim at.
.357 also has some other benefits. Follow up shot are less important with a round that powerful but making you shots count means more. Also more of a tangential point, but it can also punch through some lighter body armours meant for 9mm.
Great idea, snub nose! I do .38 special only in a snubby.
My late mother in law wanted a small handgun for personal defense at home that she could easily handle. We found a used S&W model 19-3 with a 3" barrel she really liked. Granted it's not your 340PD, but I was really surprised how well that gun shoots and how accurate it is. I thought shooting 357 through it would be a wrist breaker, but it's not too bad. I've shot it at the range out to 10 yards just to see what it would do. I'm not the greatest shot, but I put all six on the same target you used for this demonstration. This video is a great example of what you can do and the limitations of a small gun for people looking for a first gun.
When I bought my 605 in 2019, I was disappointed that it only held 5 rounds. But upon reflection, I've realized that it's not the number of rounds you have, it's the placement of those rounds. If you can't hit your target in 5 shots, you need a shotgun...
I love this gun and actually carry one regularly- definitely more pleasant carrying it with Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 rounds…Full blown .357 rounds are definitely a handful…Great video as always - stay safe and be BLESSED all!!!
I still love little revolver to keep in my pocket. I always keep one in my pocket if I’m not able to carry aiwb. Pretty sure James isn’t carrying appendix even though it looks like he’s got a deagle in there
Hey show some respect. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are the only two mortals that cannot be killed by conventional means.
Moon clips make a big difference re re-loading. I’d argue the outcome is to disable/kill the Bad Guy…. Therefore more shots in different organs is better than all in one spot.
SP 101 for the win. Yes, its heavier, but also much more shootable with magnums. Its not my first choice, and my particular sample needs a better front sight, but ive been pleased with how it handles, shoots, and serves as an impact tool when depleted.
I like the IDEA of the lightweight wheelguns, the execution and reality has taken me back to steel when it comes to revolvers. Give me a 3-4" GP 100 and i'm pretty happy. the sight radius and grip makes its easier to handle, shoot, and reload, and thus is worth the effort to carry it. The GP is my plan B gun, for when the world gets so low on resupply i have to make/reuse everything myself. Hoping we only get there in my imagination.
All that said, there are a few old farts still kicking that are damn good with a little 5 shooter. Of note, they generally carry steel, at least the ones ive run into.
Choosing an air weight 357 because it’s lighter to carry, is like peeing in the seated position because it’s easier on the leg muscles. 😂 Stick with stainless steel for wheel guns. It’s all about the ballistics not weight.