I’m old. Grew up reading the likes of Jordan, Keith, O’Connor and Skeeter Skelton. It’s refreshing to hear some straight talk without a subliminal sales pitch.
I carried a .357 for my entire police career. We were issued mod 19s, I was never a fan, I got a "dispensation" from my detachment commander to carry my own mod 28. We had a lot of moose hit on the road in Alaska, I always carried six extra rounds in my pocket, these were 170 gr. SWC hard cast over 13.5 gr. of 2400 they worked well for dispatching injured noose. The .357 is probably the most versatile revolver round.
A four inch Ruger GP100 is still my favorite companion in the city. It’s been worked over by Gemini Customs, and wears the factory compact style grips for better concealment. No one will ever convince me I’m not well armed or at a disadvantage
I have a 686 in S.S. That poor guy is wore out. I'm not knocking it, it's lived through thousands of rounds from 38 special to heavy hand loads. Fantastic gun.
I have a 686 made in 1983 and it is almost a mint revolver. I seldom shoot it but I can depend on it any time I need it. I bought it at a gun show for 295.00 and I will never sell it.
Maybe just need to change out the springs? The barrel alone should last like 100,000+ rounds from a handgun due to lower pressures compared to a rifle...
@EroticOnion23 The cylinder has quite a lot of front to back play. Ran to many very hit loads through back many years ago. I also have a blue 686 that is like new.
357 magnum in a lever action rifle is one of my all time favorites. If you're stuck living in a ban state like Massachusetts New York or California the lever action rifle is still an effective weapon. 10 rounds of 357 mag in a tube magazine that you can top off and keep loaded will definitely keep you alive if you practice with it.
Dick.. Really enjoy your content. I'm 67. I'm an FFL and Certified Instructor. I have also been a Sheriffs Posse member for years. I have qualified many times with 9mm and 40 cal semi's. I also qualify everytime with my 586 S&W .357 4". That's the one I carry. Its fast, reliable, accurate and hits hard. I carry Federal 158 gr. JHP.. Call me old school if you will, I am still here. 👍
Back in the '80s there was a local cop who frequently carried a 6" S&W model 25 .45 Colt. I asked him if it was a .44, and was surprised when he said it was a .45.. He was carrying the 25 loaded with 225gr Winchester Silvertip in place of his 586 due to overpenetration concerns at the local carnival. Makes sense to me
Thanks for your post. In 1965 while in Subic Bay, PI I picked up a Colt Trooper .357 Magnum Revolver with a 6" Barrell. This was at a time when my ship was patrolling the coast of South Vietnam and boarding sampans, junks and other suspicious vessels. That handgun served me well and I now have 3 other .357 Magnum Revolvers. It remains a favorite caliber.
Third generation peace officer, now long retired. Worked uniform patrol, mounted unit, detective, crime analyst, crime prevention, and armorer. Was in three shootings over the years, and walked away from them. The weapon I used was a 4" S&W mod 28 357mag. The number one load was the Remington 125gr JHP. It never failed to get the job done. In the mid 90's, we got a new chief of police, who came from another agency. He must-have been a fan of movies like Die Hard, as we were all forced to switch to the Beretta 92F 9mm. Was present on the range to witness several critical failures of that weapon. I retired a year later. And was thrilled to give that Beretta back to the department. The Mod 28, was my personal weapon, and is not for sale at any price. And the only autoloader pistols you're going to see mixed with my revolvers is two 1911A1. 45 Auto. No plastic pistols, just steel and wood firearms. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 😏
I have a Mod 28 and find it easier to shoot, and control. But carried a mod 19. I still have both. Weight of my duty belt was never a bother to me and I carried two extra speed loaders on my belt . and a pr 24 , two cuffs, cn gas , flashlight at dark a big one.
I don't know if it's true, but I've heard that the original Pythons had internals that were somewhat fragile and were prone to timing issues. Supposedly, the new Pythons have solved this issue. To make matters worse, Colt has publicly stated that they no longer have the parts for the original Pythons. Therefore, they will not work on them. 😕
I have a S&W 686+ Performance Center 7 round 2.5 inch .357 cut for moon clips. For me, it’s the perfect EDC loaded with Hornady Critical Defense rounds.
I've always liked the .357. Very versatile cartridge and out of a carbine, does amazing things for its size. I remember when I was a teenager in the 90s, our troopers here in SC still carried revolvers, and one unfortunate night, a trooper lost his life in a gun fight. He put 5 rounds of .357 silver tips (I don't remember the grain weight) into a guy who survived that and then returned fire with a 22lr, striking the trooper under his shoulder into the armpit hitting vitals, killing him there. Because of that event, I always shied away from silver tips and never considered them.
God I love 357 revolvers. As a kid when I was a student at LSU in the late 70's, I worked behind the gun counter at Steinberg's, the largest gun store in Louisiana. I was in love with that Colt Python. Many years later I found a Colt Python in the original box, original Styrofoam, with the factory shot target, and the original Colt Booklet. It has never been shot except at the factory. It's my collector's gun. Lol. I took a 5 day Gun Sight class from Mike Seeklander, where I brought a Smith 686 with a 4 inch barrel. That class taught me good trigger control. Hiking here in Colorado, I usually carry a 5 inch Performance Center 686 in a chest rig. I load it with 180 grain hard cast Buffalo Bore. When my daughter was living in a sketchy area she had my Model 66 Combat Magnum for home defense. We both like 1911's and revolvers.
Last cop I saw with a revolver was in Jersey City around 2015-2016: a JCPD cop working a detail at a street fair of some sort…I didn’t get close enough to see which make/model it was
I have almost 20yrs of Level 1 Trauma Center (in the ghetto) experience…. See lots of GSWs, typically 5-7 a week. Here’s my advice: don’t carry a .380acp, 32acp, or 25acp… severe lack of penetration. The 22mag is a better option, 38spl with good ammo is about the minimum for a “real” caliber handgun. I do get to see .357sig (a local PD carries) and they are OUTSTANDING. Have also seen quite a few 357mag but they are typically out of a short barrel so definitely not getting full power, but those results have been excellent as well.
My home protection pistol is a S&W "N" Frame, 4" bbl, marked "Highway Patrolman" with Pachmayr grips. It is a heavy pistol (3lbs. loaded), which helps tame hot loads. I am 76 years old and still find it to be comfortable to handle shooting 125 gr. jacketed hollow point stoked with 11.5 gr HERCO powder. Thanks for your review!
I have a Kimber K6s Target. I love it, but you are right about how it is a literal pain to shoot. The other thing is that a revolver in 357 is a great four legged critter gun as well. I since added a GP100 to my collection. Love it.
Dick, big fan here, but I must (as an avid collector of 357s) respectfully disagree. The Manurhin MR73 is the finest revolver ever made. Everything else was well-put and accurate.
Don't believe I've ever seen one. The Korth that Nighthawk imports might be another contender in the "best revolver" category. They cost as much as a vintage Python.
Yes, Manuhrin 73 may well be the finest (combat) .357 handgun ever made. Not a very practical consideration though, just because of procurement. You're not likely to see one at a local gun show.
First pistol I ever got was a 1986 Taurus 66 in 357 when I was 11. Still have it and it’s one of my favorite pistols. Learned how to control recoil and the importance of good grip on that thing 😂
I have a Ruger Security Six in SS that was handed down to me from my father. 2 3/4 inch barrel. I made a custom western style engraved holster for it back in middle school. It’s had very few rounds fired through it and is in excellent condition. Shoots really good. I polished all the internal components that needed it. Left the double action heavy, but the single action is just at 2 pounds. I won’t shoot it much because of it being a keepsake that I’ll hand down to one of my children. It does have a custom set of exotic wood grips on it. Definitely put together well. It’s not a S&W or Colt, but I think it’s pretty cool. Thanks again for all the informative videos and thanks for your faithful service. God Bless.
Considering your LEO background , age , training , and historical knowledge I am surprised at the limitations you put on the .38 spl , .357 mag ? I understood and agree with training , and user capabilities , but those calibers can achieve the same results its had for at least the last 75 yrs ? Considering how long it was in the rank and files of law enforcement and civilian usage , self defense, hunting , etc , and it's proven capabilities , the average distance , average shots fired , even at multiple assailants , the human body has not changed ? I am sure your very familiar with these facts along with the phrase fight or flight . I would think that in many cases especially in a self defense situation the threat is going to be close and once the first shot is fired that phrase is going to become a factor ? I went to the police academy in 1982 and all in my class shot 357 mags. Out of 40 only two of us carried 6 in , the rest 4 in revolvers, later in my career I carried a .45 acp 1911, and a S&W 10MM ,mod 1076, Beretta 92, Glock 22, 19. I have all but the 10 mm. I like them all for different reasons, but my S&W Mod 19 is my favorite ! And I have 5 different 357 mags . I love and trust that caliber for just about everything . I do agree with the super nines ! I carried a 2.5 in S&W Mod 66 for many yrs as my ccw.
I recently got a 686 plus 7i inch barrel. It’s not bad at all as far as recoil . I’m not going to use it for carry . I’ve always wanted a 357 . I do have a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag
Great information on a very good SD cartridge. Had 2 Ruger SP101's 2.25" and 3" sold the 2.25". The 3" is definitely the sweet spot for this round. Critical Defense loads in 125gr are spot on and mild recoil in that platform. But ths Barnes 125gr SCHP is just a round that works very well. It expands reliably in wet pack 100% petals out beautifully. Dual purpose workhorse. Edc and hunting. I use a chest rig, and Barnes 140gr SCHP Dispatched a doe that was shot in the spine by my in-law. (His first harvest) . The 357 is very much a viable EDC choice. Very much looking forward to the super 9's video. I found you to be a wealth of information. My Father was an MP and his buddy was a PO in a very large midwestern city. He carried a 45 Colt with a 6 in barrel. Only because that department didn't allow the 1911. You remind me of both of them.
Watch my Rossi Rp63 Vids 3" 6-shot 27 oz small frame. Have .357 Meat & Bone Target Ballistics vids coming up including Silvertip New Hst Hydrashok critical duty gold dot and 158 sjhps
In 1979, on the occasion of my 21st birthday I was gifted a Colt Python .357 magnum in a 4 inch barrel. It had the nickel finish and quite frankly it looked like a bathroom fitting. Edit: I loved the revolver and also my S&W Model 19, .357 mag, 4 inch.
While I have some .357 Magnums I prefer the 10mm and .41 Magnum. The J Frame .357 Magnum is too much pleasure for my taste. I’ll stick with 3” and 4” .357 Magnums loaded with 135 grain Speer Gold Dots. I’ve still got some of the old Remington 125 grain duty loads but reserve them for the L and N frame size guns. Wonder if you’ll cover the .41 Magnum in this series? That’s my all time favorite handgun cartridge and very underrated in my opinion. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the kind words! I will post a video on the "4" caliber revolvers in a couple of weeks. I agree, the .41 should have been a winner, I blame the lack of a good ".41 Special" load for police use.
@@LibertysetsquareJack , It got off the ground, sort of, but not with the intended market. Savvy handgun hunters discovered it and as a friend of mine said once, “There is nothing I can do with a .44 Magnum that I can’t do with a .41 Magnum.” It’s a very undervalued and underrated round.
My nickel 586 is about 40 years old, and it pops em off. It is starting to show it's age, but it has a lot more years in it still. I used to load wadcutters, but now I'm just loading 158gr plated flat points.
I shoot a 3" model 60 and have no trouble with full power loads. I think the 2" bbl would be significantly worse however. I've also tried the Airlite S&W model 360, which is the same size as the model 60 but only half the weight, and that one is a bit too snappy for my liking. The regular model 60 is a great all-around carry gun and very comfortable to conceal. Barnes Tac-X 125 grain is my preferred ammo.
Saw a 150 grain Hollow based bullet mould,[ "Minie ball" in 1860's terminology]. I was thinking that bullet, with a wadcutter charge, may make a good load for a lever action in 38 special, or maybe a RiA M-200. [ 4 inch ] 2 grains make much of a differance ?
I never understood why the 44 Special as moved a really good Police duty round? Great knockdown power without the Magnum bite! Footnote, My Dept rule from on high was our Duty wheel guns were .357 Magnums, We could Carrie the gun with Magnum Rounds but only .38s in our reload pouches! The thinking was It we can out? another office could give us some of his .38s in a gunfight?
Never heard that logic before. I knew one cop with a .357 who carried .38 wadcutters for the first two rounds up ... in case he got shot with his own revolver. Plan to fail!
When I was 16 I asked my dad if I could give him some of the money from my first job to buy a handgun, keep it for a while, and then give it to me when I was 21. He said okay. What did I ask him to get? A S&W model 60 Pro Series .357 magnum with 3in barrel. 😂 I fired that thing a lot over the years with mostly .357 mag ammo. I didn't realize how absolutely brutal the recoil was because I had nothing to compare it to, I just figured that's how handguns were. I got pretty good with it, keeping almost all my rounds on a paper plate at 25 yards. Years later when a buddy let me try a 9mm for the first time it felt like a cap gun. I still have that little smith almost a decade later. I'll always love it because of my history with it, and to me it's token of my father's trust. I attribute it to my to my immense enjoyment of heavy recoil in hanguns these days, as the .44 mag and .500 S&W are my favorites to take to the range. I just get a kick out if it. 😉
Ive got a smith and wesson 442...usually loaded with 148 gr wadcutters. Also a ruger lcr in 357. The frame is plastic seems to flex when you shoot it. It's pretty nice.
Another great addition to an outstanding series. I love the .357 Magnum and have owned several revolvers, mostly S&W and Ruger and I have 2 lever guns and a 1911ish chambered in the cartridge. I just wish someone would develop an AR in .357 Mag. You mentioned how the early model J frames in .357 had excessive recoil. It was some time in the late 1990s that SAAMI, the organization that sets the chamber pressure limits for ammunition felt that the cartridge was dangerously over pressured for the small S&W J frames and the Ruger LCRs that are available in that caliber. I have reloading manuals from the 1980s and others from the 2010s and there is a substantial difference in the maximum loads.
Thanks for the kind words! The when the midwestern states adopted straight-case rifles for deer hunting, Winchester brought out the .350 Legend. It is sort of an AR version of the .357 Maximum revolver round. A buddy had a Marlin lever gun rechambered to .357 Maximum many years ago and killed a nice Mule Deer buck with it when he visited me in Wyoming. Luckily he laid in a good supply of Maximum brass, hard to find now.
@@williamzeller294 I found him, he is building a gas/op upper in .357 Sig. I've never handled a .357 Sig, so I don't know how much velocity it might gain in a 16 inch barrel. The .350 Legend is an even longer .357 case built specifically for the AR platform.
I have been waiting for the .357 evaluation. When I started my LE career we were issued S&W .38 Spcls. As soon as I made enough money, I purchased an S&W Model 27 and carried it in the Bill Jordan holster. It was the most accurate revolver I have ever fired. It was stolen and I replaced it with a S&W Model 66. It still is my bedside "bump in the night" gun and has been for about 49 years. It is loaded with the Winchester 145 grain silvertip. Great video!
ha, all you have to do is fire 6 hits on a 10" disk at 5 yds and record the time. Then do the same with an SA 9mm that's had a trigger job done and an overtravel stop installed in the trigger and see which one has repeat his that are twice as slow as the other. ESPECIALLY if you use a K frame 357 and the full charge Buffalo Bore loads (ie, 700 ft lb stuff)
I carry a 686-3 4in for about 4 years and I just got and have been carrying a new colt python in 4.25in i'm a armed security guard I never felt uncomfortable with 357 on my hip
Totally agree on the more practical 4" barreled revolvers. Same with pistols with 4" to 5" barrels. Although a 6" or 8" may give more velocity. You really don't lose much velocity potential with a 4". Regardless of caliber size. The best thing is the shorter length barrel improves concealment for EDC. Still gives a very adequate iron sight length. And if you have a purposely built holster with a 30° can't, or, can adjust your polymer holster to a 30° forward cant you can conceal your handgun better.
Yeah I had a model 649 in 357 years ago. I had it customized a bit. I had a 3" barrel from a model 60 installed, magnaported, and had the cylinder machined for moon clips. You know it's too bad the only 3" barrel versions were made in .38 in '91 and '92. This really is the sweet spot for that j-frame revolver! It shoots better and is certainly more handsome wearing that longer barrel.
I read somewhere...sorry I don't have the reference...that the effectiveness of the 125 grain 357 Magnum round was looked at closely. The majority of 'effective' encounters happened indoors at night with short barreled revolvers. There was speculation that the flash & bang from a snubbie exploding in the dark provided a psychological impact in addition to the actual terminal effects of the bullet. Someone said it was like throwing a "flash-bang" grenade with a 125 grain slug impacting right after. Interesting, if true.
When Wal-Mart deiced go Woke and stopped carrying pistol/revolver ammo I got a 50 round box of 125 grn SJHP .357 magnum ammo. I use it in my 6" mid 1990's Ruger GP-100. I put a Houge mono pod grip on because my weaker older hands could not handle the full power load recoil. My dad carried for the last 11 years of his LEO carer S&W 19-3 he got in 1978 by the serial number. I have that and consider it a treasured gun. I wont ever carry it or use it.
My first handgun was a Dan Wesson 15V .357. I now own five .357s. A 1978 Colt Python 4 incher, three SW Model 19s- 2.5,4 and 6 incher. My latest is a 586 that unfortunately I’ve had to send back three times to fix problems.
I've got a Taurus 65, 4 in. .357. Seems to be a K frame clone...same speed loaders work ok, fixed sights so I've got to find a load that goes to point of aim out to 25, 35 yds....
The .357 encounter and wounding I will always remember is from 1965 when Cleveland ("The Big Cat") Williams was shot by a Texas Highway Patrol officer And very critically wounded. Never moved out of his tracks. Lost a kidney and a bunch of intestine and several years out of his career as a pro boxer. I think the bullet was never removed. I remember when it happened; I thought he was finished but he was too tough to quit. God bless him.
I'm a Colt guy also. I own a King Cobra, and I like the versatility of being able to fire .38, .38+P, and a variety of .357 rounds! I'd like your opinion of the King Cobra, cause I've heard some don't care for it, but I like it, 3" barrel, stainless, 6 rounds, powerful cartridge, AND IT'S A COLT! I used to own auto (Colt commander45acp), but with a revolver you just have to pull the trigger and it's ready to go, as opposed to racking the slide and carrying a hot auto with a safety on! .357 (in my opinion) has plenty of stopping power! But so does 45acp!
My current favorite carry gun is a S&W model 60 3". My current self defense load is the 357 Magnum Hornady Critical Defense. It's actually not too bad.
I have a High Standard MkIII Sentinal .357 Mag - it was made by Dan Wesson. It's a tack driver. N-frame sized with a 6" barrel. Not a great carry revolver but man is it accurate. Also have a couple of snub nosed .357 Mags - Colt King Cobra and Taurus 605. I like them both but the Colt is a six shooter and oh so smooth action. Nice thing about the .357 Mag is you can match a revolver with a lever gun like the Rossi R92 and you have a great hunting pair.
I own two snub .357’s..S&W 66-2 and a Ruger Security Six. Both are excellent carry options and both have Pachmayr grips on them. And I own a Ruger 4 5/8 barrel Vaquero. The Vaquero is my favorite to shoot .357 with the 66-2 and Security Six finishing out in that order. But my favorite carry pistol is still my 1911 commander in .45. Damn that’s a nice accurate shooter. Great video, looking forward to watching more. 👍🏻
I used to carry a Ruger sp101 2.5”. CCI 125 gold dots ran 1260 from the short barrel, 1490 from my 4”, and 2270 from my Marlin Cowboy. Can’t find that ammo any more.
Speer still catalogs a 125 Gold Dot in .357 Magnum, as well as a 135 grain short barrel load. Of course, finding a given load on the shelves has been tricky for several years.
Hi you said you dont believe in kinetic theory of stopping power some where in your discussed topics so please explain how 357 magnum works .Thanks, from Philippines
I've been enjoyed your videos! Speaking of derringer recoil, have you seen the 45-70 Cyclops one shot derringer from Bond Arms? Got the be a knuckle and wrist breaker, but dang it's cool.
I carried a revolver early in my police career and that 145 gr Silvertip load was a real performer. Buy I think the specs for the .357 have dropped over the years.
Excellent video, Sir! I think "marketing" versus reality is the biggest impediment for revolvers be carried less than semiautomatic pistols. It is hard to beat a revolver for real world EDC.
@@shadowcastre My Dad bought me a Ruger Bearcat for my 9th birthday. I learned so much from that little revolver, as well as having a great deal of fun! Plastic pistols have their place, but give me wood and steel, please!
I carry my S&W model 66 in 4” barrel when backpacking through the country side,or fishing at the lake in summer time. It’s an extra powerful round you will need if you come across a wild animal willing to attack in the mountains.
Mr . Fairburn. You are one of the few people, I ever heard, who believes the colt revolvers were the best. I believe the colts were superior to any other revolver made. They were vey hi quality and very accurate. You had to be a little careful with the action. Like a dummy i sold all of them that l ever owned. I owned several pythons, troopers,and several other makes of colt revolvers over a period of many years. I regret having sold them all. I have no idea what the new ones are like.
I have a 3" Taurus defender. It is a handful for sure. But I can shoot it well enough to carry and be confident. Now at the rage yea it sucks shooting 25 rounds or so, But you are not going to do that in a SD scenario.
Going back to my busy days as a USPSA match director, for several springs I built a dark house on the outdoor range and set up stages inside with strings of festoon lighting that we turned off just before the "are you ready" command. I mostly did it to learn to shoot in the dark, and letting scores of other people have fun with it was just a bonus. One IDPA match I decided to use my Colt Magnum Carry 2-inch .357 with full-house factory 158s. Well, before the third cylinderfull, even with a good flashlight, I couldn't see the dang targets anymore due to the tremendous muzzle flash. I never did carry a snub magnum again after that lesson. Going back a few more decades, my very second gun ever was and is a Smith Model 28 Highway Patrolman. (The first was a .45, of course. They call them "1911s" now.) Paid something like $125 for it new at Bell's Gunshop. That was a good chunk of change to a young carpenter. Still got that gun, and I'll be darned, I still shoot it better than any other revo I ever owned, and that's quite a few of them. Something like magic, I've come to think.
Great video! Thanks for your hard work--I was looking forward to this one. I usually carry a two-inch five-shot revolver, but I've moved on from 357 magnum. Just too much noise out of that short barrel, and the recoil is no fun... Right now, I'm carrying a 44 special, but typically I'm comfortable with a good 38+p.
@@CarolinaRimfire I carry 44 SPL as EDC. It is a pretty sweet cartridge: well-conceived and practical loadings are very powerful even out of short barrels, without the surplus of blast that 357 Mag or 44 Mag engenders; and purpose-built 44 SPL pistols are also capable of being much smaller and/or lighter than even snub nose 44 Mags. Ammo for it is indeed relatively rare, and can get expensive, but things have gotten better versus a few years ago. For one, there are some excellent self-defense loads from reputable manufacturers that simply didn't exist back in the day. The 165 grain FTX load from Hornady, for example, or the 180 grain XTP load, the later seemingly discontinued by Hornady relatively recently, but the .44 caliber XTP bullets themselves are readily available. Underwood, Buffalo Bore and Double Tap, amongst others, also feature a range of 44 SPL loadings. For another thing, economy can be a strange thing. In the last couple of years the more common cartridges have grown in expense and rarity, because the demand for them is more common, whereas the "oddball rounds" such as 44 SPL will be sitting on the shelf with no one to buy them. Anyway, really looking forward to Fairburn's assessment of the 44 Mag and any asides he has about 44 SPL.
@@LibertysetsquareJack I'm really enjoying his series and am definitely looking forward to the discussion on the big bore revolver rounds. I really love the 44 special. Not as noisy or abusive as the snubbie 357, and it's plenty powerful... Especially if you're using one of the loadings you mentioned.
46 yo Fudd here. I love this channel! But I’m a history buff, so maybe that’s why. Both you and Paul Harrell have a wealth of knowledge and experience and can listen to both of you all day. Hickock, Sootch00 and Garand Thumb I also find both educational and entertaining. Keep them coming.
I love S&W (sorry, I have Pythons as well). 19s, 66s are my favorites to shoot. L frames the most practical. My favorite of these is the 686+ 3” barrel. Shoot it better than the 4”. Also, I shoot almost exclusively DA. A friend has the scandium J frame in 357. One round of full power was sufficient to satisfy my curiosity. I’ve been familiar with your work for many years. Think we may have exchanged a casual hello in the late 80s early 90s at a shot show.
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I’m old. Grew up reading the likes of Jordan, Keith, O’Connor and Skeeter Skelton. It’s refreshing to hear some straight talk without a subliminal sales pitch.
Just being mentioned in a paragraph with those names is an honor, Thanks!
I carried a .357 for my entire police career. We were issued mod 19s, I was never a fan, I got a "dispensation" from my detachment commander to carry my own mod 28. We had a lot of moose hit on the road in Alaska, I always carried six extra rounds in my pocket, these were 170 gr. SWC hard cast over 13.5 gr. of 2400 they worked well for dispatching injured noose.
The .357 is probably the most versatile revolver round.
That looks like a good load can't go wrong with 2400
A four inch Ruger GP100 is still my favorite companion in the city. It’s been worked over by Gemini Customs, and wears the factory compact style grips for better concealment. No one will ever convince me I’m not well armed or at a disadvantage
Won't get an argument from me, confidence alone makes your choice a good one.
I have a 686 in S.S. That poor guy is wore out. I'm not knocking it, it's lived through thousands of rounds from 38 special to heavy hand loads. Fantastic gun.
I used to have a 686 as a service revolver and really liked it. Then it was stolen.
I didn’t think it was possible to wear out a 686. You must’ve put over 10K rounds through it!
I have a 686 made in 1983 and it is almost a mint revolver. I seldom shoot it but I can depend on it any time I need it. I bought it at a gun show for 295.00 and I will never sell it.
Maybe just need to change out the springs? The barrel alone should last like 100,000+ rounds from a handgun due to lower pressures compared to a rifle...
@EroticOnion23 The cylinder has quite a lot of front to back play. Ran to many very hit loads through back many years ago. I also have a blue 686 that is like new.
357 magnum in a lever action rifle is one of my all time favorites. If you're stuck living in a ban state like Massachusetts New York or California the lever action rifle is still an effective weapon. 10 rounds of 357 mag in a tube magazine that you can top off and keep loaded will definitely keep you alive if you practice with it.
Dick.. Really enjoy your content. I'm 67. I'm an FFL and Certified Instructor. I have also been a Sheriffs Posse member for years. I have qualified many times with 9mm and 40 cal semi's. I also qualify everytime with my 586 S&W .357 4". That's the one I carry. Its fast, reliable, accurate and hits hard. I carry Federal 158 gr. JHP.. Call me old school if you will, I am still here. 👍
Thanks for the kind words ... from another old school guy!
Sammy The Bull was quite the proponent of the .357 Magnum.
Back in the '80s there was a local cop who frequently carried a 6" S&W model 25 .45 Colt. I asked him if it was a .44, and was surprised when he said it was a .45..
He was carrying the 25 loaded with 225gr Winchester Silvertip in place of his 586 due to overpenetration concerns at the local carnival. Makes sense to me
I'll have a video about the big "4" caliber revolvers in a couple of weeks.
@@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb
I'm enjoying this duty cartridge series. Looking forward to the Super 38s. (I'm a .357 Sig fanboy)
Cheers!
Thanks for your post. In 1965 while in Subic Bay, PI I picked up a Colt Trooper .357 Magnum Revolver with a 6" Barrell. This was at a time when my ship was patrolling the coast of South Vietnam and boarding sampans, junks and other suspicious vessels.
That handgun served me well and I now have 3 other .357 Magnum Revolvers. It remains a favorite caliber.
Still a fan of the 357. Have both revolvers and a lever carbine in the cartridge. Great team, just like they used to do back in the day.
Third generation peace officer, now long retired. Worked uniform patrol, mounted unit, detective, crime analyst, crime prevention, and armorer. Was in three shootings over the years, and walked away from them. The weapon I used was a 4" S&W mod 28 357mag. The number one load was the Remington 125gr JHP. It never failed to get the job done.
In the mid 90's, we got a new chief of police, who came from another agency. He must-have been a fan of movies like Die Hard, as we were all forced to switch to the Beretta 92F 9mm. Was present on the range to witness several critical failures of that weapon. I retired a year later. And was thrilled to give that Beretta back to the department. The Mod 28, was my personal weapon, and is not for sale at any price. And the only autoloader pistols you're going to see mixed with my revolvers is two 1911A1. 45 Auto. No plastic pistols, just steel and wood firearms. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 😏
I have a Mod 28 and find it easier to shoot, and control. But carried a mod 19. I still have both. Weight of my duty belt was never a bother to me and I carried two extra speed loaders on my belt . and a pr 24 , two cuffs, cn gas , flashlight at dark a big one.
I don't know if it's true, but I've heard that the original Pythons had internals that were somewhat fragile and were prone to timing issues. Supposedly, the new Pythons have solved this issue. To make matters worse, Colt has publicly stated that they no longer have the parts for the original Pythons. Therefore, they will not work on them. 😕
I owned a Python and yes getting out of time was common.
I have a Taurus 617 SS 357 Mag. It holds 7 rounds I shoot Buffalo Bore 38 SPL +P the 158 gn SWCHP
A 2.25” Ruger SP101 is a little rough in DA with full-power loads. I don’t see how an alloy J frame would be viable with magnum loads.
I have a S&W 686+ Performance Center 7 round 2.5 inch .357 cut for moon clips.
For me, it’s the perfect EDC loaded with Hornady Critical Defense rounds.
I've always liked the .357. Very versatile cartridge and out of a carbine, does amazing things for its size. I remember when I was a teenager in the 90s, our troopers here in SC still carried revolvers, and one unfortunate night, a trooper lost his life in a gun fight. He put 5 rounds of .357 silver tips (I don't remember the grain weight) into a guy who survived that and then returned fire with a 22lr, striking the trooper under his shoulder into the armpit hitting vitals, killing him there. Because of that event, I always shied away from silver tips and never considered them.
Trooper Coates I believe. Bless his soul.
Yes, Trooper Coates.
A stretch of I-95 in lower South Carolina is named after one of our finest.
Win Silvertips tended to expand a little too well. If the bad guy is heavier than usual the Silvertip can fail to go deep enough to reach vitals.
God I love 357 revolvers. As a kid when I was a student at LSU in the late 70's, I worked behind the gun counter at Steinberg's, the largest gun store in Louisiana. I was in love with that Colt Python. Many years later I found a Colt Python in the original box, original Styrofoam, with the factory shot target, and the original Colt Booklet. It has never been shot except at the factory. It's my collector's gun. Lol. I took a 5 day Gun Sight class from Mike Seeklander, where I brought a Smith 686 with a 4 inch barrel. That class taught me good trigger control. Hiking here in Colorado, I usually carry a 5 inch Performance Center 686 in a chest rig. I load it with 180 grain hard cast Buffalo Bore. When my daughter was living in a sketchy area she had my Model 66 Combat Magnum for home defense. We both like 1911's and revolvers.
I've been EDC'ing a 4" 357mag(686+ or GP100 that's my rotation) for many years and only load it with Remington UMC 125GR SJHP 357mag.
Last cop I saw with a revolver was in Jersey City around 2015-2016: a JCPD cop working a detail at a street fair of some sort…I didn’t get close enough to see which make/model it was
I rarely heard someone survive a 357 gunshot wound.
I have almost 20yrs of Level 1 Trauma Center (in the ghetto) experience…. See lots of GSWs, typically 5-7 a week. Here’s my advice: don’t carry a .380acp, 32acp, or 25acp… severe lack of penetration. The 22mag is a better option, 38spl with good ammo is about the minimum for a “real” caliber handgun. I do get to see .357sig (a local PD carries) and they are OUTSTANDING. Have also seen quite a few 357mag but they are typically out of a short barrel so definitely not getting full power, but those results have been excellent as well.
@@southfloridanick,
By "OUTSTANDING" or "excellent" I assume you mean for the shootER, not for the shootEE.
Great job. Thanks for your channel. Great info. I'm tired of seeing all these tacticool knobs. I appreciate real world views...not fairy tales.
Ditto. Great channel so far, and I got a feeling it's just going to get better.
Thanks, I'm trying.
Ruger Security Six.Fine weapon in a 4" build.That heavy duty hog-leg still keeps on ticking...
My home protection pistol is a S&W "N" Frame, 4" bbl, marked "Highway Patrolman" with Pachmayr grips. It is a heavy pistol (3lbs. loaded), which helps tame hot loads.
I am 76 years old and still find it to be comfortable to handle shooting 125 gr. jacketed hollow point stoked with 11.5 gr HERCO powder.
Thanks for your review!
Your old Model 28 is collector's item now, bringing collector prices.
I have a Kimber K6s Target. I love it, but you are right about how it is a literal pain to shoot. The other thing is that a revolver in 357 is a great four legged critter gun as well. I since added a GP100 to my collection. Love it.
Dick, big fan here, but I must (as an avid collector of 357s) respectfully disagree. The Manurhin MR73 is the finest revolver ever made.
Everything else was well-put and accurate.
Don't believe I've ever seen one. The Korth that Nighthawk imports might be another contender in the "best revolver" category. They cost as much as a vintage Python.
Yes, Manuhrin 73 may well be the finest (combat) .357 handgun ever made.
Not a very practical consideration though, just because of procurement. You're not likely to see one at a local gun show.
Thank you Elmer Keith for the 38 SPL and the 357 Mag.. RIP.
🤔 ummmm
I have S&W 28 with duplex load...125 grn...works fine with low recoll...
First pistol I ever got was a 1986 Taurus 66 in 357 when I was 11. Still have it and it’s one of my favorite pistols. Learned how to control recoil and the importance of good grip on that thing 😂
The HSM Cowboy Action 357MAG 158gr swc, FPS 1175, and FPE 484 appear to be a good 357MAG round for the 2 inch snubby and the 4 inch. Try them.
I have a Ruger Security Six in SS that was handed down to me from my father. 2 3/4 inch barrel. I made a custom western style engraved holster for it back in middle school. It’s had very few rounds fired through it and is in excellent condition. Shoots really good. I polished all the internal components that needed it. Left the double action heavy, but the single action is just at 2 pounds. I won’t shoot it much because of it being a keepsake that I’ll hand down to one of my children. It does have a custom set of exotic wood grips on it. Definitely put together well. It’s not a S&W or Colt, but I think it’s pretty cool. Thanks again for all the informative videos and thanks for your faithful service. God Bless.
Thanks for the kind words. I have always liked Ruger revolvers. Maybe not s refined as Colt or S&W, but very rugged.
Got a lcr357. Nice little gun. Hammerless so can shoot through a jacket pocket.
Considering your LEO background , age , training , and historical knowledge I am surprised at the limitations you put on the .38 spl , .357 mag ? I understood and agree with training , and user capabilities , but those calibers can achieve the same results its had for at least the last 75 yrs ? Considering how long it was in the rank and files of law enforcement and civilian usage , self defense, hunting , etc , and it's proven capabilities , the average distance , average shots fired , even at multiple assailants , the human body has not changed ? I am sure your very familiar with these facts along with the phrase fight or flight . I would think that in many cases especially in a self defense situation the threat is going to be close and once the first shot is fired that phrase is going to become a factor ? I went to the police academy in 1982 and all in my class shot 357 mags. Out of 40 only two of us carried 6 in , the rest 4 in revolvers, later in my career I carried a .45 acp 1911, and a S&W 10MM ,mod 1076, Beretta 92, Glock 22, 19. I have all but the 10 mm. I like them all for different reasons, but my S&W Mod 19 is my favorite ! And I have 5 different 357 mags . I love and trust that caliber for just about everything . I do agree with the super nines ! I carried a 2.5 in S&W Mod 66 for many yrs as my ccw.
I see no advantage of a 3" barrel, over a 4". Esp. If carrying IWB...MAYBE a round butt and proper grips, for concealed use...
Great series, really enjoying it.
I'd consider the 357 cartridge
"Optimal".
Good word.
I recently got a 686 plus 7i inch barrel. It’s not bad at all as far as recoil . I’m not going to use it for carry . I’ve always wanted a 357 . I do have a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag
King cobra ❤.
Great information on a very good SD cartridge. Had 2 Ruger SP101's 2.25" and 3" sold the 2.25". The 3" is definitely the sweet spot for this round. Critical Defense loads in 125gr are spot on and mild recoil in that platform. But ths Barnes 125gr SCHP is just a round that works very well. It expands reliably in wet pack 100% petals out beautifully. Dual purpose workhorse. Edc and hunting. I use a chest rig, and Barnes 140gr SCHP Dispatched a doe that was shot in the spine by my in-law. (His first harvest) . The 357 is very much a viable EDC choice. Very much looking forward to the super 9's video. I found you to be a wealth of information. My Father was an MP and his buddy was a PO in a very large midwestern city. He carried a 45 Colt with a 6 in barrel. Only because that department didn't allow the 1911. You remind me of both of them.
Sound like you've lumped me in with some good company, thanks.
LAPD Detectives still carry a 2” ? 357? Or 38? I seen a guy about 3 years
Watch my Rossi Rp63 Vids 3" 6-shot 27 oz small frame. Have .357 Meat & Bone Target Ballistics vids coming up including Silvertip New Hst Hydrashok critical duty gold dot and 158 sjhps
In 1979, on the occasion of my 21st birthday I was gifted a Colt Python .357 magnum in a 4 inch barrel. It had the nickel finish and quite frankly it looked like a bathroom fitting.
Edit: I loved the revolver and also my S&W Model 19, .357 mag, 4 inch.
I have a Model 19 4" a security six 4" but my carry gun is a vintage Colt Detective special 38 sp 1951 2" with 125gr xtp hand loads 🙂
Very informative.Thankyou for a nice video.
While I have some .357 Magnums I prefer the 10mm and .41 Magnum.
The J Frame .357 Magnum is too much pleasure for my taste. I’ll stick with 3” and 4” .357 Magnums loaded with 135 grain Speer Gold Dots.
I’ve still got some of the old Remington 125 grain duty loads but reserve them for the L and N frame size guns.
Wonder if you’ll cover the .41 Magnum in this series? That’s my all time favorite handgun cartridge and very underrated in my opinion.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the kind words! I will post a video on the "4" caliber revolvers in a couple of weeks. I agree, the .41 should have been a winner, I blame the lack of a good ".41 Special" load for police use.
41 Mag is definitely interesting. An intriguing idea that never really got off the ground.
@@LibertysetsquareJack ,
It got off the ground, sort of, but not with the intended market.
Savvy handgun hunters discovered it and as a friend of mine said once, “There is nothing I can do with a .44 Magnum that I can’t do with a .41 Magnum.” It’s a very undervalued and underrated round.
My nickel 586 is about 40 years old, and it pops em off. It is starting to show it's age, but it has a lot more years in it still. I used to load wadcutters, but now I'm just loading 158gr plated flat points.
I shoot a 3" model 60 and have no trouble with full power loads. I think the 2" bbl would be significantly worse however. I've also tried the Airlite S&W model 360, which is the same size as the model 60 but only half the weight, and that one is a bit too snappy for my liking. The regular model 60 is a great all-around carry gun and very comfortable to conceal. Barnes Tac-X 125 grain is my preferred ammo.
A buddy has a 2-1/2" model 19 that I've shot. I really don't notice much difference between that and my 4" model 66.
Saw a 150 grain Hollow based bullet mould,[ "Minie ball" in 1860's terminology]. I was thinking that bullet, with a wadcutter charge, may make a good load for a lever action in 38 special, or maybe a RiA M-200. [ 4 inch ] 2 grains make much of a differance ?
You can get more than 2 grains of difference between bullets from the same box of ammo ... no difference at all.
I never understood why the 44 Special as moved a really good Police duty round? Great knockdown power without the Magnum bite!
Footnote, My Dept rule from on high was our Duty wheel guns were .357 Magnums, We could Carrie the gun with Magnum
Rounds but only .38s in our reload pouches!
The thinking was It we can out? another office could give us some of his .38s in a gunfight?
Never heard that logic before. I knew one cop with a .357 who carried .38 wadcutters for the first two rounds up ... in case he got shot with his own revolver. Plan to fail!
When I was 16 I asked my dad if I could give him some of the money from my first job to buy a handgun, keep it for a while, and then give it to me when I was 21. He said okay. What did I ask him to get? A S&W model 60 Pro Series .357 magnum with 3in barrel. 😂
I fired that thing a lot over the years with mostly .357 mag ammo. I didn't realize how absolutely brutal the recoil was because I had nothing to compare it to, I just figured that's how handguns were. I got pretty good with it, keeping almost all my rounds on a paper plate at 25 yards. Years later when a buddy let me try a 9mm for the first time it felt like a cap gun. I still have that little smith almost a decade later. I'll always love it because of my history with it, and to me it's token of my father's trust. I attribute it to my to my immense enjoyment of heavy recoil in hanguns these days, as the .44 mag and .500 S&W are my favorites to take to the range. I just get a kick out if it. 😉
I guess you can get used to almost anything!
Ive got a smith and wesson 442...usually loaded with 148 gr wadcutters. Also a ruger lcr in 357. The frame is plastic seems to flex when you shoot it. It's pretty nice.
I had the first model LCR .38 Special for a review article and liked it, several good points. light weight, soft recoil and good DA trigger.
I got the J frame Model 60 Smith & Wesson five shot 357 Magnum it's one hell of a gun
Another great addition to an outstanding series. I love the .357 Magnum and have owned several revolvers, mostly S&W and Ruger and I have 2 lever guns and a 1911ish chambered in the cartridge. I just wish someone would develop an AR in .357 Mag.
You mentioned how the early model J frames in .357 had excessive recoil. It was some time in the late 1990s that SAAMI, the organization that sets the chamber pressure limits for ammunition felt that the cartridge was dangerously over pressured for the small S&W J frames and the Ruger LCRs that are available in that caliber. I have reloading manuals from the 1980s and others from the 2010s and there is a substantial difference in the maximum loads.
Thanks for the kind words! The when the midwestern states adopted straight-case rifles for deer hunting, Winchester brought out the .350 Legend. It is sort of an AR version of the .357 Maximum revolver round. A buddy had a Marlin lever gun rechambered to .357 Maximum many years ago and killed a nice Mule Deer buck with it when he visited me in Wyoming. Luckily he laid in a good supply of Maximum brass, hard to find now.
There is a fellow in Michigan making .357 Magnum AR uppers. Working from memory here, I think it's The ARGuy in Ludington.
@@williamzeller294 I found him, he is building a gas/op upper in .357 Sig. I've never handled a .357 Sig, so I don't know how much velocity it might gain in a 16 inch barrel. The .350 Legend is an even longer .357 case built specifically for the AR platform.
I have been waiting for the .357 evaluation. When I started my LE career we were issued S&W .38 Spcls. As soon as I made enough money, I purchased an S&W Model 27 and carried it in the Bill Jordan holster. It was the most accurate revolver I have ever fired. It was stolen and I replaced it with a S&W Model 66. It still is my bedside "bump in the night" gun and has been for about 49 years. It is loaded with the Winchester 145 grain silvertip.
Great video!
Great combination.
357 magnum with full power loads = 1 one shot stops.... 125 grain at 1500 fps 158 grain at 1300 fps 180 grain at 1200 fps ....
Just remember to wear earplugs before you shoot it
I bought a Ruger lcr 357 is mild in it
Thank you Elmer Keith.
I doubt if I could have carried Elmer's boots, but thanks a lot for the compliment.
AS A 50 YEAR REVOLVER SHOOTER,YOU ARE SPOT ON.
What about the Ruger GP100 and the SP101
ha, all you have to do is fire 6 hits on a 10" disk at 5 yds and record the time. Then do the same with an SA 9mm that's had a trigger job done and an overtravel stop installed in the trigger and see which one has repeat his that are twice as slow as the other. ESPECIALLY if you use a K frame 357 and the full charge Buffalo Bore loads (ie, 700 ft lb stuff)
The Colt Trooper in .357 Magnum didn't come out in 1961... The Colt New Service was the first Colt DA followed by the 3-5-7 in the early 1950s...
I carry a 686-3 4in for about 4 years and I just got and have been carrying a new colt python in 4.25in i'm a armed security guard I never felt uncomfortable with 357 on my hip
Class act.
Totally agree on the more practical 4" barreled revolvers. Same with pistols with 4" to 5" barrels. Although a 6" or 8" may give more velocity. You really don't lose much velocity potential with a 4". Regardless of caliber size. The best thing is the shorter length barrel improves concealment for EDC. Still gives a very adequate iron sight length. And if you have a purposely built holster with a 30° can't, or, can adjust your polymer holster to a 30° forward cant you can conceal your handgun better.
Yeah I had a model 649 in 357 years ago. I had it customized a bit. I had a 3" barrel from a model 60 installed, magnaported, and had the cylinder machined for moon clips. You know it's too bad the only 3" barrel versions were made in .38 in '91 and '92. This really is the sweet spot for that j-frame revolver! It shoots better and is certainly more handsome wearing that longer barrel.
I read somewhere...sorry I don't have the reference...that the effectiveness of the 125 grain 357 Magnum round was looked at closely. The majority of 'effective' encounters happened indoors at night with short barreled revolvers.
There was speculation that the flash & bang from a snubbie exploding in the dark provided a psychological impact in addition to the actual terminal effects of the bullet. Someone said it was like throwing a "flash-bang" grenade with a 125 grain slug impacting right after.
Interesting, if true.
I only have 4 357's
When Wal-Mart deiced go Woke and stopped carrying pistol/revolver ammo I got a 50 round box of 125 grn SJHP .357 magnum ammo. I use it in my 6" mid 1990's Ruger GP-100. I put a Houge mono pod grip on because my weaker older hands could not handle the full power load recoil. My dad carried for the last 11 years of his LEO carer S&W 19-3 he got in 1978 by the serial number. I have that and consider it a treasured gun. I wont ever carry it or use it.
All this seems unnecessary if the 158gr LHP .38 is the better stopped…🤷♂️
My first handgun was a Dan Wesson 15V .357. I now own five .357s. A 1978 Colt Python 4 incher, three SW Model 19s- 2.5,4 and 6 incher. My latest is a 586 that unfortunately I’ve had to send back three times to fix problems.
I've got a Taurus 65, 4 in. .357. Seems to be a K frame clone...same speed loaders work ok, fixed sights so I've got to find a load that goes to point of aim out to 25, 35 yds....
The .357 encounter and wounding I will always remember is from 1965 when Cleveland ("The Big Cat") Williams was shot by a Texas Highway Patrol officer And very critically wounded. Never moved out of his tracks. Lost a kidney and a bunch of intestine and several years out of his career as a pro boxer. I think the bullet was never removed. I remember when it happened; I thought he was finished but he was too tough to quit. God bless him.
You mentioned a reversed wadcutter [ 148 grain] once, as a hollow point. Any changes to the powder charge ?
No, the wadcutter loading is a powder-puff charge to begin with.
@@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb Ok. That one's off my load list.
I wish I had my old Viper, Diamondback and Trooper. Youth is foolish.
I'm a Colt guy also. I own a King Cobra, and I like the versatility of being able to fire .38, .38+P, and a variety of .357 rounds! I'd like your opinion of the King Cobra, cause I've heard some don't care for it, but I like it, 3" barrel, stainless, 6 rounds, powerful cartridge, AND IT'S A COLT! I used to own auto (Colt commander45acp), but with a revolver you just have to pull the trigger and it's ready to go, as opposed to racking the slide and carrying a hot auto with a safety on! .357 (in my opinion) has plenty of stopping power! But so does 45acp!
I was lucky enough to find a S&w 386 nightguard. 24oz L-frame. Perfect balance of carry and shoot ability.
My current favorite carry gun is a S&W model 60 3". My current self defense load is the 357 Magnum Hornady Critical Defense. It's actually not too bad.
I have a High Standard MkIII Sentinal .357 Mag - it was made by Dan Wesson. It's a tack driver. N-frame sized with a 6" barrel. Not a great carry revolver but man is it accurate. Also have a couple of snub nosed .357 Mags - Colt King Cobra and Taurus 605. I like them both but the Colt is a six shooter and oh so smooth action. Nice thing about the .357 Mag is you can match a revolver with a lever gun like the Rossi R92 and you have a great hunting pair.
The .357magnum cartridge is an all around excellent revolver round. Love the Python, model 27, and 586 chambered in 357mag.
I own two snub .357’s..S&W 66-2 and a Ruger Security Six. Both are excellent carry options and both have Pachmayr grips on them.
And I own a Ruger 4 5/8 barrel Vaquero. The Vaquero is my favorite to shoot .357 with the 66-2 and Security Six finishing out in that order.
But my favorite carry pistol is still my 1911 commander in .45. Damn that’s a nice accurate shooter.
Great video, looking forward to watching more. 👍🏻
I have the SP 101 and 357 and I love it
I used to carry a Ruger sp101 2.5”. CCI 125 gold dots ran 1260 from the short barrel, 1490 from my 4”, and 2270 from my Marlin Cowboy. Can’t find that ammo any more.
Speer still catalogs a 125 Gold Dot in .357 Magnum, as well as a 135 grain short barrel load. Of course, finding a given load on the shelves has been tricky for several years.
@@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb yes they do, but they haven’t made any in a while. Too busy running 9mm and .223.
The first pistol I qualified with in corrections was a S&W 357. Great revolver.
Do you have any experience using liberty civil defense .357 magnum 70gr
Hi you said you dont believe in kinetic theory of stopping power some where in your discussed topics so please explain how 357 magnum works .Thanks, from Philippines
I have the trooper
The new S&W model 66-8 with a 2.75" barrel comes with a full length ejector rod.
I've been enjoyed your videos! Speaking of derringer recoil, have you seen the 45-70 Cyclops one shot derringer from Bond Arms? Got the be a knuckle and wrist breaker, but dang it's cool.
I carried a revolver early in my police career and that 145 gr Silvertip load was a real performer. Buy I think the specs for the .357 have dropped over the years.
Excellent video, Sir! I think "marketing" versus reality is the biggest impediment for revolvers be carried less than semiautomatic pistols. It is hard to beat a revolver for real world EDC.
Thanks for the kind words.
Raylauderback5126...
I Agee completely!
A SAA clone 45 Colt suites my needs.
@@shadowcastre My Dad bought me a Ruger Bearcat for my 9th birthday. I learned so much from that little revolver, as well as having a great deal of fun! Plastic pistols have their place, but give me wood and steel, please!
I carry my S&W model 66 in 4” barrel when backpacking through the country side,or fishing at the lake in summer time. It’s an extra powerful round you will need if you come across a wild animal willing to attack in the mountains.
Yes,and with the crimson trace grip its pretty quick and accurate. I like the trigger on the smith and wesson better though.
Thanks!
Mr . Fairburn. You are one of the few people, I ever heard, who believes the colt revolvers were the best. I believe the colts were superior to any other revolver made. They were vey hi quality and very accurate. You had to be a little careful with the action. Like a dummy i sold all of them that l ever owned. I owned several pythons, troopers,and several other makes of colt revolvers over a period of many years. I regret having sold them all. I have no idea what the new ones are like.
Don't overlook the Colt Cobra .357 / 6 shot / 3"
Excellent firearm
I have a 3" Taurus defender. It is a handful for sure. But I can shoot it well enough to carry and be confident. Now at the rage yea it sucks shooting 25 rounds or so, But you are not going to do that in a SD scenario.
I love the 357 Magnum, but they beat up revolvers. Between timing and end shake I've had trouble keeping working ones around.
Not a Dan Wesson 357
Going back to my busy days as a USPSA match director, for several springs I built a dark house on the outdoor range and set up stages inside with strings of festoon lighting that we turned off just before the "are you ready" command. I mostly did it to learn to shoot in the dark, and letting scores of other people have fun with it was just a bonus.
One IDPA match I decided to use my Colt Magnum Carry 2-inch .357 with full-house factory 158s.
Well, before the third cylinderfull, even with a good flashlight, I couldn't see the dang targets anymore due to the tremendous muzzle flash. I never did carry a snub magnum again after that lesson.
Going back a few more decades, my very second gun ever was and is a Smith Model 28 Highway Patrolman. (The first was a .45, of course. They call them "1911s" now.)
Paid something like $125 for it new at Bell's Gunshop. That was a good chunk of change to a young carpenter.
Still got that gun, and I'll be darned, I still shoot it better than any other revo I ever owned, and that's quite a few of them. Something like magic, I've come to think.
The Model 28 S&W has become something of a collector item, with prices well above other similar wheel guns.
Great video! Thanks for your hard work--I was looking forward to this one.
I usually carry a two-inch five-shot revolver, but I've moved on from 357 magnum. Just too much noise out of that short barrel, and the recoil is no fun... Right now, I'm carrying a 44 special, but typically I'm comfortable with a good 38+p.
I have a "4" caliber revolvers episode coming up, the .44 Special is one of my favorites.
@@lockloadwithdickfairburn-cr1jb I'm looking forward to that! I've really enjoyed my 44 special, but I wish the ammunition wasn't quite so expensive
@@CarolinaRimfire I carry 44 SPL as EDC. It is a pretty sweet cartridge: well-conceived and practical loadings are very powerful even out of short barrels, without the surplus of blast that 357 Mag or 44 Mag engenders; and purpose-built 44 SPL pistols are also capable of being much smaller and/or lighter than even snub nose 44 Mags.
Ammo for it is indeed relatively rare, and can get expensive, but things have gotten better versus a few years ago.
For one, there are some excellent self-defense loads from reputable manufacturers that simply didn't exist back in the day. The 165 grain FTX load from Hornady, for example, or the 180 grain XTP load, the later seemingly discontinued by Hornady relatively recently, but the .44 caliber XTP bullets themselves are readily available. Underwood, Buffalo Bore and Double Tap, amongst others, also feature a range of 44 SPL loadings.
For another thing, economy can be a strange thing. In the last couple of years the more common cartridges have grown in expense and rarity, because the demand for them is more common, whereas the "oddball rounds" such as 44 SPL will be sitting on the shelf with no one to buy them.
Anyway, really looking forward to Fairburn's assessment of the 44 Mag and any asides he has about 44 SPL.
@@LibertysetsquareJack I'm really enjoying his series and am definitely looking forward to the discussion on the big bore revolver rounds.
I really love the 44 special. Not as noisy or abusive as the snubbie 357, and it's plenty powerful... Especially if you're using one of the loadings you mentioned.
46 yo Fudd here. I love this channel! But I’m a history buff, so maybe that’s why. Both you and Paul Harrell have a wealth of knowledge and experience and can listen to both of you all day. Hickock, Sootch00 and Garand Thumb I also find both educational and entertaining. Keep them coming.
Thanks ... might have to give my thoughts on what this summer will bring.
I love S&W (sorry, I have Pythons as well). 19s, 66s are my favorites to shoot. L frames the most practical. My favorite of these is the 686+ 3” barrel. Shoot it better than the 4”. Also, I shoot almost exclusively DA. A friend has the scandium J frame in 357. One round of full power was sufficient to satisfy my curiosity. I’ve been familiar with your work for many years. Think we may have exchanged a casual hello in the late 80s early 90s at a shot show.
The Hello again, thanks for commenting.
It would also be interesting to hear your thoughts on 327 Federal.