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Minimum barrel length to get most out of .357 Mag
Wagion
Member Posts: 2,464 ✭✭✭✭✭
So my girl friend decided she wants a S&W Model 60-15 Pro it has a 3 inch barrel. I think that is long enough to get most of the power out of a .357 round right? Also $600 seems to be the going price on this gun anyone seen it cheaper anywhere.
Link below just example of gun.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=103426544
Link below just example of gun.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=103426544
Comments
3" is a little short to get max performance out of a 357. They do a lot better with a longer barrel, like a 6".
My summer carry is a Ruger SP101 2".
Stoke it with 125gr hollow points and she will be well armed. 158gr will make it recoil to the point of being uncomfortable.
I sold the 3 3/16 in SP101 and kept the 2 1/4 in. 35 fps is not worth the extra bb length.[:)]
I would rather have a 4" barrel, in fact I do. Her hand size may be an issue, but take a look at Ruger GP 100 (and replace the stocks).
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She also wants to replace the wooden grips with rubber ones.
The tested the .357 Magnum and the .38 Special in differsnt barrel lengths. They determined the best barrel length for optimum power was the 6 inch barrel.
In fact, the .38 Special +P fired out of a 6 inch barrel had more power than a .357 Magnum out of a 2 1/2 inch barrel.
If the gunpowder is 'burning air' it ain't pushing the bullet!
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Back about a million light years ago, when wheel guns were what Cops carried, I remember a gun test done by a gun magazine.
The tested the .357 Magnum and the .38 Special in differsnt barrel lengths. They determined the best barrel length for optimum power was the 6 inch barrel.
In fact, the .38 Special +P fired out of a 6 inch barrel had more power than a .357 Magnum out of a 2 1/2 inch barrel.
If the gunpowder is 'burning air' it ain't pushing the bullet!
.
I find it hard to believe a +p would outdo a .357... gun for gun out of a 4" barrel the .357 has way more energy. A 38+P will push 300foot pounds and a .357 will do around 575 foot pounds with the exact same bullet. A Four inch .357 will do 1400 fps. velocity. Loosing an 1.1/4 barrel will not reduce it that much. A .38+p will do around 900-1000 fps out of a 6" while a 2.5" .357 will still be exiting around 1250plus. I would tend to say the snubbie will still be at least 25% stronger than a 6" .38+P. That loud crack of a .357 gets their attention.
This is not a matter of me deciding, she picked this gun out and is buying it. I was just curious if shooting .357 out of it was just blowing a lot of unburned powder out the end of the barrel.
She also wants to replace the wooden grips with rubber ones.
Well, yes, she will be blowing some unburned powder out the barrel but if that the piece she wants then I guess not a lot of point in arguing about it anymore. It'll be loud, real bright flash in the dark but she will be well armed.
Good idea to get rubber grips, make the recoil a little easier to handle.