.357 Mag vs .38 +P in 2" snubbie - Page 3

ElkSmoker · November 6, 2009, 01:32 AM

I have a S&W 340 Airlight PD Scandium with the 1-7/8" barrel. I call it "Little Medicine". The difference between the .38/.38+P I've run through it (mostly 158 gr. LRN and FBI load), and full house 158 gr. 357 mags is considerable from both ends. Logic dictates any velocity gains, as others have pointed out, will result in more energy...not sure why people wouldn't think that. Having said that, the 357's are a miserable handful for follow-ups. For CCW, I use a Galco pocket holster and have started using the Hornady Critical Defense 110 gr .38+P. Accurate and very quick follow-ups. I like it for CCW. On the other extreme, I work some mining claims in Montana grizzler country...used to carry my 4-inch 500 S&W (I call it "Big Medicine"), but it is heavy and gets in the way of climbing around and swinging a pick, so I switched to the snubbie in a deSantis thumb-break holster. I'm loading my own with 158 gr. hardcast lead with gas checks and just shy of 7 gr. of Unique. About the absolute minimum I would even consider for a big bear in an emergency...but it's a barker and man, does it penetrate! Recoil is violent and brutal to say the least. I'd rather pop a couple dozen through Big Medicine than a cylinder full of these. Anyway, the gun is so light, you don't remember it's on your belt, and stays out of the way while I'm digging holes...kind of a unique use for a .357 snubbie.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

November 6, 2009, 01:32 AM	#51
ElkSmoker Member Join Date: April 29, 2009 Posts: 6	I have a S&W 340 Airlight PD Scandium with the 1-7/8" barrel. I call it "Little Medicine". The difference between the .38/.38+P I've run through it (mostly 158 gr. LRN and FBI load), and full house 158 gr. 357 mags is considerable from both ends. Logic dictates any velocity gains, as others have pointed out, will result in more energy...not sure why people wouldn't think that. Having said that, the 357's are a miserable handful for follow-ups. For CCW, I use a Galco pocket holster and have started using the Hornady Critical Defense 110 gr .38+P. Accurate and very quick follow-ups. I like it for CCW. On the other extreme, I work some mining claims in Montana grizzler country...used to carry my 4-inch 500 S&W (I call it "Big Medicine"), but it is heavy and gets in the way of climbing around and swinging a pick, so I switched to the snubbie in a deSantis thumb-break holster. I'm loading my own with 158 gr. hardcast lead with gas checks and just shy of 7 gr. of Unique. About the absolute minimum I would even consider for a big bear in an emergency...but it's a barker and man, does it penetrate! Recoil is violent and brutal to say the least. I'd rather pop a couple dozen through Big Medicine than a cylinder full of these. Anyway, the gun is so light, you don't remember it's on your belt, and stays out of the way while I'm digging holes...kind of a unique use for a .357 snubbie.