Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Mudman on February 04, 2013, 09:16:42 PM

Title: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: Mudman on February 04, 2013, 09:16:42 PM: Opinions on what would be the best for protection and outdoor use? It must be user friendly for a woman with little experience with pistols or guns. It seems the 357mag would be best as it can shoot weak 38 ammo, and 357 is pretty potent and accurate for knockdown or maybe even bears? Ruger or SW 4to6inch barrel revolver. Dont know much about the 40 but hear good things. Any thoughts and info? A simple durable utility purposed if you had only one gun to meet these requirements with the womans requirement being most important.
Title: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: sirmissalot on February 04, 2013, 09:22:37 PM: For a female I would shoot the 40 just for the reduced felt recoil and added capacity. I'm sure everyone is gonna say whatever she shoots best, which to me if I pull the hammer back and shoot a revolver single action I'm a great shot, no so much using it double action.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: troyspinetar on February 04, 2013, 09:23:38 PM: I have a glock 27 (40 cal) which is probably not the most comfortable to shoot. However I got it for conceal carry. I also have a .38 snub revolver that is a bit more friendly for the wife to shoot. That being said...if I was to have one handgun it would probably be a .357 mag in a 4" barrel. I love revolvers, they are easy to use and very reliable.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: BigD on February 04, 2013, 09:44:27 PM: I would go with the 357, practice with the 38 spcls and pack the 357's in the woods.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on February 04, 2013, 10:05:39 PM: Quote from: BigD on February 04, 2013, 09:44:27 PM
I would go with the 357, practice with the 38 spcls and pack the 357's in the woods.
:yeah:

No comparison between the s&w 40 and the 357mag.

-Steve
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: FisherKing on February 04, 2013, 10:28:21 PM: do those two belong in the same sentence, they are entirely different animals.

If its just washington you could get by with a .40 since we really don't have a grizzly bear problem. I own a .40 and it takes practice to be good, especially when compared to a 9mm which seems like a pea shooter after shooting a 40. The .357 is a magnum caliber to me its not much great than a .40. The recoil impulse just not as sharp(IMHO) it would take practice to be good.

So with that said whatever you buy just practice :)
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: Mudman on February 04, 2013, 10:38:35 PM: We had a Grizz chasing black bears around camp last year, NE WA. :yike:
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on February 05, 2013, 06:32:58 AM: If your girl is petite she may not even be able to rack a semi auto. I know mine cant. Better check that first.

If your gonna compare a semi auto to a 357 in power, better compare the 10mm.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: Arnbo on February 05, 2013, 06:40:45 AM: Let he decide ,Get out and try them both my wife first carried a Taurus 605 357 but now carries a Taurus 911 in 9mm night and day ,But her choice.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: hillbilli on February 05, 2013, 06:51:51 AM: if you're going to try to deer hunt with it.. get a .357, and be very picky about ammo (gold dot 158gr, etc) . If you are fond of revolvers, then yes get a .357, and you can also shoot .38's in it. if you plan to shoot mostly reloads, the revolver is not as picky about loads. Most guys tend to think of these two rounds as being not even in the same ballpark.. but if you compare similar bullet weights.. a 155gr .40&1200fps, and a 158gr .357@1250 arent much different. If it's purpose is not to deer hunt, but rather a general defensive gun for backwoods and other use in a state that usually doesnt have grizzlys.. then a polymer frame medium size .40 with twice the capacity of the revolver with less weight has a lot to be said for it. (my compact .40 is 13+1 capacity and weighs 10ounces less than the lighter of my .357's..) might recommend if you can you shoot one before you go buy one, but I've met a number of lady cops who shoot .40 auto's with no problem..
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: boneaddict on February 05, 2013, 06:55:50 AM: .357
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: JLS on February 05, 2013, 06:59:16 AM: Another vote for a .357, revolvers are so simple and have so little to go wrong.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: 92xj on February 05, 2013, 07:02:56 AM: 357
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: boneaddict on February 05, 2013, 07:03:24 AM: Simplicity, versatility and deadly. Its as easy as that.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: huntingfool7 on February 05, 2013, 08:10:01 AM: "It must be user friendly for a woman with little experience with pistols or guns."

Revolver
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: h20hunter on February 05, 2013, 08:11:05 AM: SP101 .357 with .38+P rounds. Foolproof.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: B.G.hunter on February 05, 2013, 08:28:32 AM: I have a S&W model 28 4" 357mag I carry in the woods with me. I think I would have a hard time carrying a semi-auto simply because the bullets are not made for large animals. They are made to stop people. I carry 158gr JSP and feel comfortable with them. If weight is not an issue I would look at the Ruger GP100 or S&W 686 both great guns.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: thinkingman on February 05, 2013, 08:33:35 AM: Revolver is my choice for backwoods carry.
Much less to go wrong.
357 has better bullet selection than .40SW.
180gr hardcast lead out of a 357Mag is a sledgehammer on heavy bone.
Buy a stainless 4 inch 357 from SW or Ruger and you won't regret it....And if you do, you will have plenty of buyers to take it off your hands.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: Mudman on February 05, 2013, 10:16:52 AM: Cool. I think the 686 SW Stainless with 4" barrel would be good choice? What Ruger? blackhawk? Is the Ruger gp100 the one that has the loose pin in the rear sight?
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: duckmen1 on February 05, 2013, 10:22:43 AM: I want to get the ruger sp101 357. Love that gun in the 4.2 inch barrel.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: CP on February 05, 2013, 10:26:49 AM: Quote from: Mudman on February 05, 2013, 10:16:52 AM
Cool. I think the 686 SW Stainless with 4" barrel would be good choice? What Ruger? blackhawk? Is the Ruger gp100 the one that has the loose pin in the rear sight?

The 686 is a large “L” frame revolver. It’s a great choice if it is going to be shot a lot with .357 loads but may be a bit large and heavy for a female.

You might consider a “K” frame (M 66 - M19) for ease of carry. They are plenty strong occasional .357 loads.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: h20hunter on February 05, 2013, 10:32:16 AM: I saw th mention of the GP100.........if anyone is looking for one I may know a guy that is looking to sell.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on February 05, 2013, 10:33:37 AM: Quote from: duckmen1 on February 05, 2013, 10:22:43 AM
I want to get the ruger sp101 357. Love that gun in the 4.2 inch barrel.

Its 2.25 or 3. You must love the GP100?
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: duckmen1 on February 05, 2013, 10:38:07 AM: I like them both but really like the way the sp101 looks with the hogue style grip and wood panels with the green front sight.
Plan on buying one in the future but don't have the money for one right now.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on February 05, 2013, 10:39:33 AM: You like SP101s look at Gemini customs website! Mine went there for a action and sight job.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: Bob33 on February 05, 2013, 10:40:30 AM: For your application and criteria my choice would be a Ruger SP101 in 357 Magnum.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: duckmen1 on February 05, 2013, 11:08:35 AM: Gemeni customs makes some beautiful custom work on revolvers.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: Rick on February 05, 2013, 01:28:51 PM: Quote from: thinkingman on February 05, 2013, 08:33:35 AM

180gr hardcast lead out of a 357Mag is a sledgehammer on heavy bone.

If someone is serious about carrying a handgun for protection from animals,hardcast is the way to go.

Until you get up to the really big calibers,handguns just aren't that powerful. They don't provide much penetration.

Hollowpoints look mean,but are generally a poor choice for killing animals with.

A .357 with a hardcast load is a good starting point.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: IBspoiled on February 05, 2013, 02:01:14 PM: I went with the 40 cal because I didn't like the ringing in my ears after shooting the 357. It takes awhile to be able to hear again after shooting it. The 40 cal isn't that way. Some of the other reasons were, twice as many rounds, lighter easier to carry, different holster options and my wife can shoot it. It wasn't easy for her at first, but with practice she can now use it comfortably. If I was looking for something for grizzly country, I would choose a different weapon.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: Mudman on February 05, 2013, 02:05:21 PM: The Rugers do look right. The sp is lighter which is good but the heavier gp would help with recoil. Sp with 38sp loads is another good choice for females it seems. Its listed on website with a 4.2"barrell also. I like the Rugers look alot and the 686SW too.
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: mtncook on February 05, 2013, 02:48:47 PM: Sas has been packing a sp101 in .327mag. Just about all she wants for her size. The sp101 frame is perfect for women. She carries ot mostly so that people she meets can see it. We are getting some strange acting poeple here lately.

mtncook
Title: Re: 357mag or 40cal?
Post by: cohoho on February 06, 2013, 08:57:35 PM: .357 hands down... .40 is nothing more than a 9mm that took a Viagra pill...