While I definitely can appreciate the logic behind snubbies. I don't see myself carrying all that often. The reason I asked about carrying is because I am a Law student who wishes to eventually work as a public defender in rough urban areas and as such would only see myself carrying if I have to venture into areas like that or if I happen to piss the wrong people off. Furthermore I want to have a gun that i can take to the range and enjoy practicing That being said, is there much difference conceal wise between a 3 and 4 inch barrel? I would prefer the 4 inch due to the target use and the fact that i prefer something slightly muzzle heavy. Also any thoughts on alternating 38 specials and 357 in the cylinder something like 3-4 38s first and then 2 357 last resort rounds (yes if i do this i would practice like that)
thanks
Well...I understand your reasons for limited concealed carry...at the moment. You may decide to embrace the concept more completely once you begin carrying. Not infrequently, an armed encounter will happen in places and times where it is least expected.
I'm not quite sure why you would want to alternate .38's and .357's. Frankly, many of the modern +P .38 loads are sufficient enough to get the job done, on the other hand the L frame S&W should absorb the recoil of a .357 quite well, and should be managable especially with a four inch barrel. A 125 grain jacket hollowpoint load in .357 from any of the major ammo companies is hard to beat, and is the basis for the .357 Sig semi-auto round. It seems like the Texas Rangers and the Texas Dept of Public Safety and some other agencies missed their .357's so much, that they talked Sig-Sauer into developing the cartridge. I say, why not carry the original?
I agree with Wheelgun the barrel length is not as big a factor for concealability as some would make it out to be, but that can vary depending on body type,posture and general activity level (someone who sits a lot might find a 6 inch barrel a bit uncomfortable, for example).
Back in the day, there were coppers who carried their 4 inch REAL S&W MP's (Model 10) both on and off duty, same for the Combat Mags...it is also true that S&W offered the Model 10 with a 2 inch barrel (Four Seasons has one now, in nickle) and the Model 19/66 in 2 1/2 inch barrel because of the demand for a CCW gun virtually identical to the uniform carry gun.
In general, I think that you are making a good choice, if limited to one gun in the selection of a .357 with a four inch barrel. That would be my choice. There are so many reasons that the revolver is really the optimal choice for so many shooters. The sheer versatility is one major reason: the plethora of .38 and .357 loads, the fact that grips can be configured to fit the individual hand to a degree that is not possible with a semi-auto is still another major reason...I could go on, but you get the idea.
Remember what one of the leading trainers and pistoleros of our time says: "Revolvers are real guns"...Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch
Mark L.
