writwing
Single-Sixer
How much advantage is gained or lost in shooting 357 in a SP vs 38s in a carry gun?
357 In A 2" SP101
- Thread starter writwing
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Glupy
Blackhawk
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I can't quantify an answer.
I do know that the .38+P have about the same recoil as the .357.
I shoot the .357 when I am walking in the woods but carry the SP101 with.38s in an urban setting. I worry that the .357 is too much for a crowded place.
I use a subsonic 45 Colt for home defense. There is no such thing as a flesh wound with the 45 Colt.
Dave
I do know that the .38+P have about the same recoil as the .357.
I shoot the .357 when I am walking in the woods but carry the SP101 with.38s in an urban setting. I worry that the .357 is too much for a crowded place.
I use a subsonic 45 Colt for home defense. There is no such thing as a flesh wound with the 45 Colt.
Dave
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
There is a big difference in velocity between a 38 special +P and a 357 magnum out of the same short-barreled gun. About 400fps in this test.
http://www.snubnose.info/docs/38-snub_vs_357-snub.htm
...Jimbo
http://www.snubnose.info/docs/38-snub_vs_357-snub.htm
...Jimbo
I have been wanting a sp101 or gp100 for a while and I've been torn between 2 3 and 4 inch barrel lengths.
I have though just go 3 inch, but I will probably never CCW the thing, as i have a LCP, so it would be limited to hiking gun, so maybe a 4 inch, but I hear the gp100 4 inch is a heavy sucker.
So maybe a 4 inch sp101 but I don't want to much recoil either, so now im back to square one a 4 inch lol.
I have though just go 3 inch, but I will probably never CCW the thing, as i have a LCP, so it would be limited to hiking gun, so maybe a 4 inch, but I hear the gp100 4 inch is a heavy sucker.
So maybe a 4 inch sp101 but I don't want to much recoil either, so now im back to square one a 4 inch lol.
Midwestern Pumpernickel
Bearcat
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In my opinion, with good holster, the weight difference would not be noticeable. Personally, I like the 3" in both models.
writwing said:
That is a dern-good question, and one that has been debated a lot over the years. For me, it comes down to this:
To get the maximum potential out of a 357 cartridge, it needs a launch platform with at least a 6" barrel, and a 7"-8" barrel would be even better.
The shorter/lighter the gun/barrel combination gets, the more obnoxious a 357 gun is to shoot. Ditto for a 38+P gun.
At some point while shortening the 357, there'll be about as much powder getting burnt after the bullet leaves the bore as was used to launch it. I don't know just where that point is but I'm certain that 2" is a heck of a lot closer than 6".
No controlable handgun can be counted-on to stop an agressor with one shot. I wouldn't personaly give up the ability to rapid-fire 2 or 3 accurate shots for firing only one in the same amount of time, whether it looks on paper to be a "man stopping" load, or not.....but that's just me.
The old 158-.38Spl "police load" worked perty-good for a lot of years, and works even better with a SWC bullet. At least one company (Federal) offers such a load. If I was limited to being armed with a snub-nosed revolver, THAT is what mine would be loaded with.
Just my 02, you can take it FWIW.
DGW
I once chronographed some 125-grain .357 loads from Winchester out of a 2 1/2-inch M19. Velocity averaged 1296 feet per second. No .38 load will acheive that, even in longer barrels. Of course, that was one gun. There are many variables which can affect the outcome. In general, I believe the .357 has a significant edge. In your 2 1/4 inch revolver, I would expect to find at least a few factory loads that would exceed 1200 fps, perhaps significantly.
sheepdawg
Single-Sixer
Glupy said:
If this is true you haven't shot any full load 125 or 158 grain 357s out of it. Shoot +Ps at an indoor range and switch to some full bore 125 grain 357s, you'll get everyone's attention. The 110 grain Winchester 357s have a similar recoil to +Ps with over 100 foot lbs. more energy at the muzzle. That's whats in my SP.
I've shot both Speer 38+P 135 gr GDHP short barrel and Speer 357 Mag 135 gr GDHP short barrel in my SP101 with 2 1/4" barrel. I settled on the 357 Mag as my carry ammo for it.
Here's the average velocity for each from my chronograph (12 ft from muzzle):
Speer p/n 23921, 38 Special +P 135 gr Gold Dot Hollow Point, Short Barrel:
945 ft/sec (5 shot average)
Speer p/n, 23917 ,357 Magnum 135 gr Gold Dot Hollow Point, Short Barrel:
1082 ft/sec (10 shot average)
Conditions were 75F, 40% RH, elev. 400 ft
Warmest regards,
Rob
Here's the average velocity for each from my chronograph (12 ft from muzzle):
Speer p/n 23921, 38 Special +P 135 gr Gold Dot Hollow Point, Short Barrel:
945 ft/sec (5 shot average)
Speer p/n, 23917 ,357 Magnum 135 gr Gold Dot Hollow Point, Short Barrel:
1082 ft/sec (10 shot average)
Conditions were 75F, 40% RH, elev. 400 ft
Warmest regards,
Rob
ronto
Hunter
I also carry Speer 357 135gr GDHP "short barrel"...Recoil isn't that bad considering a very powerful caliber out of a short 2 1/4" barrel...However, wearing ear protection during practice sessions would be a good idea.
I have a 3" and for ammo, it really depends on why you're carrying. For in-town/urban setting, I see no reason to carry anything more than a .38 sp (158gr SWCHP).
I will carry mine this fall during bowhunt, and for that, I'll be carrying .357 mag in either 158gr XTP HP or 180 gr Buffalo Bore LFNHC
I will carry mine this fall during bowhunt, and for that, I'll be carrying .357 mag in either 158gr XTP HP or 180 gr Buffalo Bore LFNHC
patcannon
Single-Sixer
I carry max load .357s in my 3" GP100 and my 2.75" SP101. I have the Hogue Monogrip on both and it makes recoil very manageable.
Yes, the .357 out of a short barrel is less effective than out of a long barrelled gun (that you won't carry), but it's still a serious step up from any .38 Special Plus Whatever.
Yes, there's serious flash and noise -- but way less from the shooter's perspective than that of the shootee. I, personally, like that. My plan is to not be the only person who peed their pants.
Yes, the .357 out of a short barrel is less effective than out of a long barrelled gun (that you won't carry), but it's still a serious step up from any .38 Special Plus Whatever.
Yes, there's serious flash and noise -- but way less from the shooter's perspective than that of the shootee. I, personally, like that. My plan is to not be the only person who peed their pants.
