2 inch barrelled revolvers, are 357s worth it?

[bripro]

I'm feeling somewhat of a void after selling my SP101 357 a few years ago. I still have a very reliable and accurate Taurus model 85 chambered in 38spl though. This isn't a brand war, I'm just wondering if the forum feels 357s are worth shooting out of a short barrel. My model 85 is +P rated and handles them well but I'm still feeling I should move up to 357 again. Ballistic people please chime in, Brian

[bluetrane2028]

Short answer, you will see a slight increase in velocity, but IMO it's not worth the extra blast and recoil for such a little gain, especially if you have to pull the trigger indoors.

[markshere2]

I've got a wad of revolvers.
2 are taurii, snubs. One a .38 Special and one a .357.
I carried them alternately until I got a lightweight .38 Spl +p S&W bodyguard.
Been carrying that for a couple years now.

It's enough gun for my rural setting.
If I gotta go urban, I strap on a glock or 1911.

I agree w/ bluetrane2028

[pennlineman]

I'd go with the .357 cause cauterizing their wounds seems like the right thing to do.

[Pilot321]

Short answer, you will see a slight increase in velocity, but IMO it's not worth the extra blast and recoil for such a little gain, especially if you have to pull the trigger indoors.

I agree. I think .38 Spl +P is about the most I'd want to shoot in a small revolver, even if it is a .357 mag.

[MT1]

Get the .357, it lets you go both ways.

[TXDMERC73]

Are you serious now? Dont listen to these haters who hate .357 snub nose revolvers, yes they are worth their weight in gold! I have a LCR .357 magnum and i love it! I shot various bullets and gr to see which ones i prefer , i chose winchester 110 gr jhp due to recoil and better follow up shots, i couldnt handle the heavy recoil on Hornady 125 gr and 158 gr XTP on my 19 oz revolver, if u can handle those two perfect! The 158 gr XTP hits like a freight train!

Im gonna open up a can of worms, one shot stop with a 2" snub nose is alot better then a full sized 9mm i shit u not! More momentum in a .357 magnum and steer clear of those cupcake .38 special in a snub they are worthless rounds believe me.

.38 spc is a shitty round in an already anemic short barrel i wouldnt trust my life with anything less then .40 cal or .45 acp so my EDC now is a .357 snubby.

also all the "FBI" load hype in LWCHP is a hoax , they dont expand very well even in +p cuz i tested some they didnt expand at all out of my LCR.

[middlefinger]

.

38 special +p is plenty

[dkf]

If you can get a 3" barrel I'd do that over a 2", especially for the .357mag. If its an all steel revolver hotter .357mags in a snubby isn't that bad but the lighter alloys and plastic can be more of handful. Having the option of .357mag is nice as you can run hotter if desired. The problem with .38 special and snubbies is you are right on the line of reliable expansion and good penetration.(usually you get one or the other, not both) The extra velocity of the .357 can easily mean the difference between the bullet expanding and not expanding from the shorter barrel.

[Marcus99]

I have a S&W 340pd, scandium alloy frame chambered in .357 and I will tell you that shooting .357 out of it is a real handful. The gun itself is labeled "don't use less than 120grain bullets" I've shot it extensively at the range with both .357 and .38+P loads. With the stock grips it is virtually impossible to keep a firm grip after touching off the first .357 and the revolver rides up in the hand which in my mind is not safe or accurate. I keep it loaded with +P's solely for control-ability.