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Do You Really need a .357 Magnum for Self Defense?

mikep said:
I thought that’s what “God’s caliber” was for.

I worked with an engineer who took part in “punkin’ chunkin’” contests in the fall. He was in the airgun group and would launch head-sized pumpkins 500 yards. He didn’t do the trebuchet group but said they were real fun to watch.
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I'm deadly serious. I have always wanted to build one. A serious one. My wife designed one, but it will cost me a crap ton of money to build. It will definitely fling bowling balls 1000 yards plus.
 

Do You Really need a .357 Magnum for Self Defense? - Talyn​

For the decades that the 357 Magnum was a standard LEO cartridge, it's "One-Shot" statistics were pretty damn good. Even reduced power (self-defense) 357 Magnum loads meet, or exceed the FBI's previously expressed minimum FT/LB rating for reliable conflict resolution.

The gun industry has convinced people they need a 10mm Auto for EDC, which, using full power loads, is comparable to the 357 Magnum. So, the question you've posed can be applied to many cartridges. For instance, do you really need 9mm +P+ loads for self-defense? Ultimately, the best answer to your question is "Use what you're comfortable with and can shoot well.".
 
Ezekiel 25:17 said:

Do You Really need a .357 Magnum for Self Defense? - Talyn​

For the decades that the 357 Magnum was a standard LEO cartridge, it's "One-Shot" statistics were pretty damn good. Even reduced power (self-defense) 357 Magnum loads meet, or exceed the FBI's previously expressed minimum FT/LB rating for reliable conflict resolution.

The gun industry has convinced people they need a 10mm Auto for EDC, which, using full power loads, is comparable to the 357 Magnum. So, the question you've posed can be applied to many cartridges. For instance, do you really need 9mm +P+ loads for self-defense? Ultimately, the best answer to your question is "Use what you're comfortable with and can shoot well.".
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If we're talking full power loads, .357 Mag still beats 10mm.

It seems to be a common selling point these days that, "10mm gives you .357 Mag power" and that's simply not true.
 
ECS686 said:
Need???? Probably not but I love a 357 Mag L frame with a 4” barrel and 125 SJHP.

Seriously though out of a 2” or less no not worth the bite. 4” service size wheelgun heck yes
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I totally agree...:) A 3 inch barrel maybe...:)

I don't have any 357 magnum revolvers any more but I enjoyed shooting them. I owned a S&W 686 with a 4 inch barrel that was one of the most accurate handguns I ever owned.

A bonus of 357 magnum revolvers is all the different kinds of ammo you can shoot (38 special and 357 magnum).
 
Ezekiel 25:17 said:
No, what?
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No you don't need a.357 magnum for self defense, in reply to your question.

I carried .357's for on and off duty and own several Model 19's and Model 27's. Without doubt it is a powerful, effective cartridge. But, many agencies that carried .357 revolvers loaded them down with .38 special. The muzzle flash, report, and recoil of full house .357 ammunition made it difficult to train and qualify new recruits, plus the muzzle flash at night could wreck your night vision. It is a shooter's caliber that not everyone is going to shoot a lot to become proficient. There are other less punishing calibers that will get the job done.
 
I like the .357 and own quite a few of them. But I consider full house magnum ammo to be more of a field load. Something you carry when out in the woods hunting or where some critters may bite.
On of my more frequently carried revolvers is a 3" S&W Model 13. Yes, its a .357. However, I normally load it up with .38+P ammo. The reasons are simple. Less recoil, better accuracy, faster follow up, much less fear of over penetration. Its just a much better load for typical urban carry.
So NO, you don't need a .357 Magnum for self defense. But I ain't gonna knock you if you carry one. ;)
 
Grayfox said:
I like the .357 and own quite a few of them. But I consider full house magnum ammo to be more of a field load. Something you carry when out in the woods hunting or where some critters may bite.
On of my more frequently carried revolvers is a 3" S&W Model 13. Yes, its a .357. However, I normally load it up with .38+P ammo. The reasons are simple. Less recoil, better accuracy, faster follow up, much less fear of over penetration. Its just a much better load for typical urban carry.
So NO, you don't need a .357 Magnum for self defense. But I ain't gonna knock you if you carry one. ;)
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My thinking as well. I generally save the full power .357 Mag loads for the woods.
 
For me, the 357 recoil is one thing but the 13 lb. of trigger pull is another, my practice is limited to 12-18 rounds double action.

Also, to paraphrase a post from weeks ago, some dandy a the next booth over had scowled at the noise the .357 made.

Home plan: I always have .357 SJHP in the Colt just because (though +P‘s probably would do fine) and if time is ample I’d probably single action that first knock-down round.

Aside from the magnums, +P and 38 Spl, round nose, a box 200 gr. hard cast .357 is on hand for the woodlands.
 
During warmer months my primary carry is usually a K6s or a SP 101. Depending on where I'm going dictates whether or not it's magnum or +P loads. A friend asked me once why I carried a starter's pistol. I didn't understand at first then he said "If you ever have to let one of them off inside building, The Race is On." I was in a gun shop many years ago when somebody brought in a revolver and was asked to unload it. Really load noise followed and when the owner was asking if anyone was hurt most all of our initial replies were "What?"
 
Hammer67 said:
If we're talking full power loads, .357 Mag still beats 10mm.

It seems to be a common selling point these days that, "10mm gives you .357 Mag power" and that's simply not true.
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I agree! There is a great deal of hyperbole with the 10mm. It's overkill for an EDC, imho. If one prefers autos for back country it's a good bear defense cartridge, but 9mm, 40S&W and 45APC have all taken down bears in documented bear defense cases. The 357 Magnum with light loads makes for a great defensive cartridge, while heavy loads, as you noted, exceed the 10mm loads. The main problem with the 357 Magnum is that not many people carry wheel guns these days and the Desert Eagle 357 is pretty large and pricey for an EDC.
 
Mr.W. said:
In the overwhelming majority of self defense scenarios, meaning dealing with a two-legged foe, I feel it's highly unnecessary.
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Huh, so, if your life is on the line, you believe its better to use less effective cartridges? By that logic, 22 LR is an adequate self-defense cartridge?
 
HayesGreener said:
No you don't need a.357 magnum for self defense, in reply to your question.

I carried .357's for on and off duty and own several Model 19's and Model 27's. Without doubt it is a powerful, effective cartridge. But, many agencies that carried .357 revolvers loaded them down with .38 special. The muzzle flash, report, and recoil of full house .357 ammunition made it difficult to train and qualify new recruits, plus the muzzle flash at night could wreck your night vision. It is a shooter's caliber that not everyone is going to shoot a lot to become proficient. There are other less punishing calibers that will get the job done.
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In general I agree with what you're saying. However, my point, which you may have missed, was this : Ultimately, the best answer to your question is "Use what you're comfortable with and can shoot well.".
 
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