Opinions wanted on .357 snubbies

Which .357 snub for EDC

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Alpa Chino

Alpa Chino

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I have a 4 inch Taurus .357 revolver that’s a safe Queen as I don’t carry it.
I do have two OWB holsters for it for range carry.
Anyway, I’ve always been interested in a snubbie, preferably chambered in .357 so I’m not limited to .38 special as I don’t need another caliber.
So….in the last couple days I’ve been getting the on sale emails ad nauseum.
Surprise surprise they’re pretty much the same price right now give or take a couple bucks.
Since there is no wrong answer, what sayest thou my brethren?
Taurus M605
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Or the Windicator?

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I’ve only ever seen the Windicator blued n person. Obvious differences the grip sizes and the one extra round.
Statistically 3 rounds fired at 3 feet in the majority of SD shootings so would it really matter?
I have two speed loaders for the bigger Taurus but they’re 6 round.
Akward to carry also.
 
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Sorry, I cannot provide any insight since I've shot neither of those models, but hopefully someone else can. I've only handled and shot several S&W, Ruger, and Colt .357 revolvers, liked them all, and still haven't squeezed the trigger on acquiring one of my own. I was waiting to shoot a friends new Python, but after reading about Racer's recent troubles with his recent BD acquisition and return to Colt that he's still not received word back on, I'm not sure I would even consider a Colt Python either. :unsure:
 
I know this is not a .357 but it IS on sale at Sportsman's Warehouse for $200. LINK

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I've been considering getting one online and picking it up in person--the nearest SW is about 45min away. I'm finding I have well over 500rds of .38Spl (and .357) and nothing to shoot it out of... :rolleyes: Wouldn't be the first time I bought a gun because I had a bunch of ammo for it (ie: .40S&W). :)
 
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I don't have experience with either of them, but if you are narrowing it down to these two I'd go with the .357. In theory a slightly beefier gun (framewise) will hold up better. If all you do is put .38 or .38 +Ps in it you'll have a little more weight which may absorb some recoil. And as you point out you can always put Magnums in it if you feel the need.

Side note - If you are pondering this as a backup gun (pocket carry, ankle carry, etc) then I'd lean back to the thinnest/lightest option.
 
Well, both are .357’s, just the Taurus has a smaller grip and one round less.
Would it matter?
I left a Rossi 3 inch for $250 on a table at a gunshow, I can still kick myself for that one.
 
Alpa Chino said:
Well, both are .357’s, just the Taurus has a smaller grip and one round less.
Would it matter?
I left a Rossi 3 inch for $250 on a table at a gunshow, I can still kick myself for that one.
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Overlooked that, sorry. I guess it comes down to how you plan to use it. The lightest / smallest one will be the easier one to carry & conceal. So if you want this for situations where you only have light cover garments, go for that. If you are concerned about 5 vs 6 rounds, I'd say you ought to be packing a semi-auto with 10+.
 
Bobster said:
I know this is not a .357 but it IS on sale at Sportsman's Warehouse for $200. LINK

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I've been considering getting one online and picking it up in person--the nearest SW is about 45min away. I'm finding I have well over 500rds of .38Spl (and .357) and nothing to shoot it out of... :rolleyes: Wouldn't be the first time I bought a gun because I had a bunch of ammo for it (ie: .40S&W). :)
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I've got the 4" version and it's fine. Amazing for the money these days.
 
Don't let me discourage you from buying one of those revolvers as I am a huge fan of wheel guns, have a half dozen of them and shoot them on the regular in my club's action handgun matches.

Buuut since you specified "for EDC" I'll share my .02.

Snubbie revolvers' jam is pocket carry. Both of those have exposed hammers which will go unused in a defensive situation. Either plan on bobbing the hammer or look for something in DAO.

The other thing to consider - recoil from full power 357 is quite painful from something that will fit in a pocket. Last time I tried that it took 2 of us to empty the cylinder. Muzzle flash and blast is also quite substantial. So my "carry" revolvers get Underwood 38 special +p. It feels more like a 39 but nowhere near as bad as 357. 😜

The truth is I never actually carry any of my 3 snubby revolvers. They are beautiful to look at and satisfyingly fun to shoot in a match with 38 spl @700 fps. I am getting adept at reloading them with moon clips or if I really want a challenge, speedloaders. Carrying either kind of reloading device is not conducive to concealed carry. In my world I just hope the 5 or 6 rounds in the gun will suffice when I do choose to carry a revolver.

Compare my smallest revolver, a Ruger LCR in 9mm, to a G43.

The revolver gives me 5 rounds. Admittedly the 5 round moon clips with stubby luger rounds would be the easiest of all revolver reloads to carry but I have not tried.

A G43 holds 6 +1 of the same ammo in a slimmer package. An extra 6 round magazine can go in any pocket and prints like a cigarette lighter or pack of gum, unless I wear my rock star pants.

I have to agree with @brian, if there is any real consideration about whether 5 rounds is enough then you are probably better off carring one of the dozens of other guns you already have. There is a reason why revolvers end up safe queens. Chances are the Taurus or Windicator will join their ranks. But if you carry it for a few days it will have made itself worthwhile for the brief endorphin high of buying a new gun at a bargain price.👍
 
I think you just worded my thoughts.
 
I've been carrying a S&W .38 airweight stubby EDC for about 30 years. It is far from the most effective firearm you could carry, but IMHO nothing beats it as for EDC if you absolutely can't afford be "made". In a pocket holster in my right front pocket it has been reliably concealed in any pants with reasonable pocket depth and it allowed me to put on a tool belt, crawl in, around and under structures, use public restrooms, change my shirt in front of other people, even change into a swimming suit. That said, it took about 3 years and 10,000 rounds to learn to instinctively use it effectively out to 25 yards. And that is just about the lifespan of a lightweight revolver in .38 special. I don't believe a light .357 would survive long enough for me to get there. An exposed hammer is a definite drawback. I bobbed the hammer on my chiefs special, and when I replaced it I went DAO hammerless.
You may also need to experiment with different grips until you find a set that will "point" correctly for you.

All of that said, if the situation allows an IWB rig, I would trade the little .38 for a 1911 in a heartbeat. If you want to understand my overall reasoning here, shoot a steel challenge competition with the snubby and see how that goes.
 
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Hvymax said:
I've got the 4" version and it's fine. Amazing for the money these days.
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I got sucked into ordering one of the snubbies. :rolleyes: It will be in-store next week. They also include larger plastic grips (like the 4") instead of the little woodies. After testing and evaluation, I might give it to the wife. My concern with that is that I would become the likely recipient of anything coming out the muzzle end... :eek: ;)
 
BD1 said:
I've been carrying a S&W .38 airweight stubby EDC for about 30 years. It is far from the most effective firearm you could carry, but IMHO nothing beats it as for EDC if you absolutely can't afford be "made". In a pocket holster in my right front pocket it has been reliably concealed in any pants with reasonable pocket depth and it allowed me to put on a tool belt, crawl in, around and under structures, use public restrooms, change my shirt in front of other people, even change into a swimming suit. That said, it took about 3 years and 10,000 rounds to learn to instinctively use it effectively out to 25 yards. And that is just about the lifespan of a lightweight revolver in .38 special. I don't believe a light .357 would survive long enough for me to get there. An exposed hammer is a definite drawback. I bobbed the hammer on my chiefs special, and when I replaced it I went DAO hammerless.
You may also need to experiment with different grips until you find a set that will "point" correctly for you.

All of that said, if the situation allows an IWB rig, I would trade the little .38 for a 1911 in a heartbeat. If you want to understand my overall reasoning here, shoot a steel challenge competition with the snubby and see how that goes.
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Another benefit of a pocket-carried snubby is the ability to actually grip it while remaining concealed and looking "casual." Draw speed from that point is unbeatable by any other carry method.

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All of the previous posts by members have had some very good points. While I do not have a 357 snubbie, I do have a 38 Special and a 44 Special.
About the only time these see any carry time is in the dead of winter when a hoodie just won't cut it and you need a real coat. Too many layers to deal with to get to a pistol in a belt holster. So, these are the drop in the coat pocket when I go to the store guns.

The 38 is loaded with Federal 158gr, LHP +P. What they used to call the "Treasury Load" in the good ole days. At the time, that was deemed most effective in a 2" barrel. Technolgy advances, so maybe there's something better now.

The 44 is loaded with 200gr. Gold Dots, again, at the time, the best load for the caliber in a short barrel.

The current recommendation for 357 belly guns is a 110gr. bullet. You get better velocity and less recoil. modern bullet design/construction, selected for short barrels has elevated even the lowly 32 and 380 autos to a performance level beyond anything in the past.
Everything I've seen about snub 357's is that the muzzle flash will take your night vision, so you might want to research and see if any ammo is better in that regard.
Being there is such an animal as a 9mm wheel gun, as beastly as that sounds to die hard revolver fans, maybe it deserves a closer look. Similar ballistics, less flash, moon clips are more compact, etc... assuming you are wedded to the revolver platform.

My Snubbies

Old Model Colt Detective Special.
Made in the early 70's and was a US Customs trade-in.

Pluses:
Old school Colt smooth DA. Same 19th Century V spring type action as the first gen Python.
Pachmayr grips much better than the itty bitty factory grips.
6 shot vs. 5 shot when compared to the traditional S&W Chiefs Special.

Minuses:
Heavy for its size. As mentioned above, a G43 is lighter, flatter, holds more rounds and the spare mag is more compact than a speedloader.
No real way to put tritium sights on it. Best you can do it paint the sights with glow in the dark paint.
Being blued steel, one must wipe it down daily to prevent rust.
IWB carry is problematic. If you're a big squishy guy, yeah maybe. But for me, IWB plus revolver is uncomfortable after a few hours. Feels like a rock in your waist band. Speedloaders are not as easy to carry/conceal as magazines.

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Taurus 445 Ti.
Bought back when Taurus first came out with these. Taurus no longer offers titanium or 44 Special revolvers.

Pluses:
Feather light empty and if memory serves, I'm thinking it's lighter when loaded than the Detective Special is empty.
Ported barrel and squishy grips makes recoil a non-event. It's kinda almost there, and then gone. A strange sensation, but very pleasant to shoot.
All titanium construction makes for no worries about corrosion.

Minunses:
Like all ported firearms, it's extremely loud. Expect hearing damage if fired without ear pro.
Same comments on sights and IWB carry as the Colt.

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BD1 said:
I've been carrying a S&W .38 airweight stubby EDC for about 30 years. It is far from the most effective firearm you could carry, but IMHO nothing beats it as for EDC if you absolutely can't afford be "made". In a pocket holster in my right front pocket it has been reliably concealed in any pants with reasonable pocket depth and it allowed me to put on a tool belt, crawl in, around and under structures, use public restrooms, change my shirt in front of other people, even change into a swimming suit. That said, it took about 3 years and 10,000 rounds to learn to instinctively use it effectively out to 25 yards. And that is just about the lifespan of a lightweight revolver in .38 special. I don't believe a light .357 would survive long enough for me to get there. An exposed hammer is a definite drawback. I bobbed the hammer on my chiefs special, and when I replaced it I went DAO hammerless.
You may also need to experiment with different grips until you find a set that will "point" correctly for you.

All of that said, if the situation allows an IWB rig, I would trade the little .38 for a 1911 in a heartbeat. If you want to understand my overall reasoning here, shoot a steel challenge competition with the snubby and see how that goes.
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Welcome to the forum, BD1! 🍻
 
Moon clips for the win! Any revolver produced in 2023 needs to be machined for them. There is no downside to having the cylinder cut for them even if you never use them.

If @Racer88 were to listen to me he would demand Colt give him his money back for that turkey of a gun they sold him and put it towards the Chiappa Rhino of his dreams. One that has a cylinder already machined for moon clips.
 
Alex said:
If @Racer88 were to listen to me he would demand Colt give him his money back for that turkey of a gun they sold him and put it towards the Chiappa Rhino of his dreams.
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That would be like having to look at a Ford Raptor pickup truck in your driveway OR a Tesla Cybertruck. They both do about the same thing but one is SO MUCH BETTER LOOKING! (hint: it is not an EV)
 
no4mk1t said:
Old school Colt smooth DA.
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Reviews say the Rock Island is similar to the old Colt revolvers. I wouldn't know--what would you say? The black grips shown also come with it. (customer review pic)

Speaking of old school, I have some 125gr Nyclads I may keep in it. :)

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