Compact 40 vs 357 snub for woods carry

[PurpleMountainOutdoors]

Would you feel better with 10 rounds of 40 or 5 rounds of 357? Both loaded with hardcasts.

 

[rcmodel]

Are you more worried about dope farmers & drug smugglers where you live?
I'd go .40 with at least a 13 or 15 round mag!
And an AR-15.
And a few extra mags.

Or more worried about typical woods threats like rabid coons, skunks and rattlesnakes?

I go .22 Pistol, or .38 shot shells in a 5-shot Chiefs Special most of the time around here.
With one or two reloads at most.

Rc

 

[Schwing]

You have two hips... just sayin.

 

[PurpleMountainOutdoors]

Mostly mountain lions, potential two legged threats, and possible black bears.

Mostly it's for when I don't feel like wearing a full size gun.

 

[jmr40]

I'd take the 40, From sub 4" barrels a 357 is just a very loud 9mm. In fact many 9mm loads will beat 2-3" 357 loads by a fair margin.

 

[Godsgunman]

If we are talking a 2" 5 shot .357 I would go with the .40. If it's a 3" 6 shot its a tie in my mind and depends on how I feel that day. I wouldn't feel under gunned with a good 158 gr LSWC with a 3" barrel .357.

 

[PurpleMountainOutdoors]

We're basically talking a 3" SP101 vs an M&P 40c

 

[Godsgunman]

In that case if it were me I would do the SP personally just because I'm more of a revolver guy. Whenever I head out to CO it's the .357 that gets the nod. As long as you shoot them both well then it comes down to whichever you're feeling that morning.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I own both, but would not take the short barreled revolver to the mountains. I like the punch of my .40 S&W's but I would take my GP100 or Security Six over the .40 for self defense in the mountains myself. However, the revolvers I would take are in the 6" barrel range.

 

[rswartsell]

If you want .357 the unstated but good advice here is to go with a 6" .357 that will wring the potential out of that round. Like a Dan Wesson 15, Mod 27 Smith, Smith 686 or a Ruger GP-100.

This is where you will see an advantage over a .40 S&W, and there is a considerable advantage to be had with loads up to 200 gr. bullet weight at up to 1200+ fps.

Otherwise the rounds available and the performance of the .40 Short and Weak make sense. What makes more sense for this application is a 10mm as a second choice.

 

[Kayaker 1960]

I used to have an SP101 with 2-1/4" Barrel. I decided that my M&P40c with 11 rounds weighs just a little less than the SP101 with 5 rounds and the power is very comparable. I sold the Ruger.

 

[hartcreek]

I agree with the guys if those two are you only choices go with the .40 cal. That short .357 against an enraged critter with fangs or claws is Not a good idea.

 

[PurpleMountainOutdoors]

Interesting data. I was leaning towards the 40, but I really thought I would get a different response. I thought the 357 would get the nod by most people.

I have a 10mm for most days, but it is a little big for more local hikes. Hence the need to acquire something smaller.

 

[BLU]

JMR40: I don't know what ballistics tables you are using but mine say a 9mm+P+ is still 39 foot pounds under a plain Jane regular 158 gr. Federal .357 load. And that's a pretty hot 9 mil load.

PurpMtOut: I'd still choose the .357. Revolvers being reliable and not finicky about ammo. When I hike the north woods near the Canadian border I carry a .44 mag, 4" S&W329PD. It's hard to find a gun as light, (Scandium/Titanium) as that one is and the gun, at least in my large hands isn't as punishing to shoot as I thought it would be. And I carry for bear protection too. Just a suggestion.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I confidently carry a SP101 .357 daily in woods, Walmart, or wherever. It will handle anything where I live.....Black bears? Yep, got lots of them. Never heard of one attacking anyone, though.

 

[mdauben]

In fact many 9mm loads will beat 2-3" 357 loads by a fair margin.

Maybe... if you are comparing full size service pistols to snub nose revolvers. Typical 124gr +P 9mm loads are rated 1200-1250fps in full sized pistols and I've seen chrony data of 125gr .357 loads can match that in a 1.8 inch LCR. Put those 9mm +P rounds in a 9mm pocket pistol and see how they compare to the .357 snub.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Sticking to the choices specified, I can't hit anything with a snubnose revolver, let alone one in .357 Magnum, so I would go with the subcompact .40.

Personally, I fear two-legged creatures much more than four- or no-legged ones. You mentioned mountain lions. They aren't thick-skinned or heavy-boned. A .40 S&W should be sufficient for them. The problem is hitting them in the first place. Especially if it is running at you, it isn't a very big target. And if you do see one, it isn't stalking you.

 

[bhk]

When in the woods, I leave my compact .40 at home and carry my 3" SW Model 60 that has adjustable sights. I do so because, when hiking, I am always 'hunting.' Just my nature. I know that I have a far greater chance of hitting a 70 yard coyote with my revolver (shooting single action) than I do with my compact .40. For me, it boils down to trigger quality and the ability to adjust my sights so impact is exactly to the point of aim. Even my little 3" model 60 is sighted in precisely at 50 yards.

Now, if the choice was between a 2" snub with fixed sights and my compact .40s, the snub would stay home. There is a world of difference between 3" adjustable sighted revolvers and the 2" guns. By a factor of 5 or 10.

 

[WC145]

Well, I'm not a fan of the .40 to begin with, however my choice of hiking/fishing/field carry revolver is a S&W 327 Night Guard 8 shot .357mag. With the scandium frame and 2.5" barrel it is relatively light and compact for a N frame, making it easy to carry and not be a drag on a long outing. It is a very accurate gun and 8rds of .357mag is tough to argue with. Plus, between the scandium alloy and stainless cylinder and barrel it is an all-weather gun as well.

Given the OP's choices, I'd go with the SP101. It's rugged as all get out, accurate, small and light enough for convenience but heavy enough weight to absorb some recoil while not being a burden. Plus it is a more versatile gun - you could bring along .38spl wadcutters for small game, shot loads for snakes, and still have heavy magnum loads for protection.

 

[bannockburn]

Between the two choices I would probably opt for the M&P .40 as well. If I could choose another gun entirely then I might think about getting something like a Glock 29 for those backwoods hikes.

 

[mavracer]

Either would be fine with me, if I think it's safe enough to carry just a compact. If I thought there was any chance of an armed encounter I'd have a rifle with me.

 

[hunterwinco]

I have a Ruger LCR 357 and a Glock 23. The Ruger is in my pocket for CCW and the Glock is on my side when I am in the woods. 357 from a 2 inch is pretty anemic for animals. I don't like to pack extra ammo, so the 13 rounds in the Glock is enough for me.

 

[JRWhit]

Wasn't sure if you have these already, or are considering a purchase.
I'd suggest a Glock 29 10mm compact to lighten things up if the full size becomes to cumbersome on long hikes.

Otherwise, I would hip the M&P and ankle the SP101. A far as power from the Sp101, if you have one you already know. I don't want to get in the middle of that firestorm.



missed it in Post 20

I might think about getting something like a Glock 29 for those backwoods hikes.

 

[*Kemosabe*]

Mountain lions and black bears??? If there were a real possibility of meeting those why would you restrict yourself with a compact gun? Leave the S&W.40 and the .357 at home. Take the .40s big brother if you're leaning toward an auto or a .44Mag in a revolver.

I have a 10mm Auto, but if real wildlife threats are a possibility I, for reliability, carry my 4" S&W29 if I also have a formidable cf rifle with me. Without a rifle, a 6 3/8" model 29. YMMV

 

[David E]

How big can that 10mm possibly be? If it's a semi-auto, I've never seen one that fit your description. 6.5" N-frame, ok.

But if it's a local hike, so what if it's "big and heavy?" You're not carrying very far, so what's the problem?