How come some people would carry a .357 mag

[Timthinker]

I agree that any situation that might involve deadly force is a thinking game. The purpose of my preceding post was not to belittle revolvers as self-defense weapons. In fact, I am a huge revolver fan as many of my previous postings illustrate. Rather, I am stating why militaries and police departments have switched to semi-auto handguns. Also, I am making a case for "potent" semi-auto handguns as well.

I believe that most civilian encounters that require a firearm can be handled with a wheelgun. As evidence for this assertion, I quote criminologist Gary Kleck who maintains that many criminal acts can be deterred by the mere sight of a firearm. Where deterrence fails, five or six rounds of .38 Special or .357 Magnum rounds should suffice. Still, there are good reasons to carry a semi-auto, but we stray from the original posting here. Suffice it to say that I consider any repeating handgun chambered for a 9mm/.38 Special or larger cartridge adequate as a self-defense weapon. I hope this clearifies matters.


Timthinker

 

[Daizee]

The 9mm can approach the .357 at the lighter bullet weights, but the .357 eats the 9's lunch once you get above 130gr, and that's in matching barrel lengths. Even Better, .38+P can approach the middling 9mm loads in the higher bullet weights as well, and do it with nice soft lead hollowpoints. As the bullet weight goes up, the 9mm just runs out of room for powder.

Furthermore, for matched ballistics in any weight, the .38+P and .357 can will do the same work with less pressure due to the larger case volume. That translates to a much more pleasant recoil signature for me.

I'll probably own a 9mm someday, but I'm in no rush.
Besides, I prefer a subsonic defense round. If you use that limitation, the .38spl and .45 start to look much more appealing than either the 9mm or .357 which typically use velocity to do more work (for defense rounds). You get the advantage of bullet weight or bullet weight AND diameter.

 

[regal]

In my area there have been a lot of breakins. Reports of 3 to 4 intruders working together. I have a shotgun but its never "with" me as I roam the house. Started carrying my revolver, but no I am not safe with 5 shots against 4 intruders.

Now I have a Glock 17 with 20 rounds, I'll take that over 5 rounds of anything. Its about accurate fire-power rate. How long does it take you to make 20 accurate shots with a 357 revolver ? In my case there is no comparison.

 

[BikerRN]

I like what the 357 mag does and how it does it. One shot hit or spray and pray? If you can hit it with a full house 357 mag then you don't (in my opinion) need a lot of ammo.

Tell that to Steve Chaney.

I believe he was firing 125 Grain JHP's out of his .357 Magnum the day of his first shooting.

All handgun rounds are ineffective stoppers, IMHO. Some are just more ineffective than others.

BikerRN