357 snub nose vs Glock 23

[TNP'R]

MY friend is trying to decide on which to get? What would you get? I'd get a glock 23 but what would you all prefer?

[crazyucbr]

I'd get a snubbie but if I'm gonna carry I'd prefer a glock.

[sealocan]

I like the feel and reliability of a snubby and unlike most I usually can shoot them as well as any handgun.( has your friend ever fired Magnum loads out of a 357 snubby?)
That said,if I could only choose one...
I think go with Glock, the rapid reload capability wins the race. other things being relatively equal, like reliability, cost, long term durability, ammunition costs.
Not to mention the fact that you can use standard capacity magazines if you pre owned them.

[dc2integra]

Id go with the g23 for numerous reasons. For example higher capacity, faster reloads and easier to shoot, less recoil etc

[CK_32]

Snubbt for the range glock for carry.

[rm1911]

Maybe I'm a contrarian. Most defensive shootings are relatively few shots. The idea of capacity is overrated. You're not at the OK corral. You're not doing MOUT. Even if you're confronted by three people they're not jihadists looking for their 72 virgins. Most situations are under 3-4 shots. But revolvers require much more practice.

I really feel that the 357 is as effective a defensive round as anything. And revolvers are absolutely reliable.
Another thing to consider is that revolvers leave nothing behind at the scene. Nod nod wink wink.

[MrExel17]

+1 for the G23 lightweight, round count, more advantages.

Snub bit heavy, less rd cound!

[Striker]

Maybe I'm a contrarian. Most defensive shootings are relatively few shots. The idea of capacity is overrated. You're not at the OK corral. You're not doing MOUT. Even if you're confronted by three people they're not jihadists looking for their 72 virgins. Most situations are under 3-4 shots. But revolvers require much more practice.

I really feel that the 357 is as effective a defensive round as anything. And revolvers are absolutely reliable.
Another thing to consider is that revolvers leave nothing behind at the scene. Nod nod wink wink.

You're betting you won't get caught in a situation where you need more than the average number of rounds. The key word is average. Not a bet I would want to make unless for some reason it was the best choice for that moment. For instance a small Jframe .38 when discretion is an issue. Personally, if I had to carry a .357 revolver I could live with it, but I think there are better choices out there.

OP, same advice as with every other versus thread; go to a range and rent the guns; fire a couple hundred rounds through each, then decide. If lack of experience is an issue, take some basic courses first for frame of reference; then do the above.

[ap3572001]

I will compare my Glock 23 to my S&W pre lock 686 2 1/2 inch .

My 686 with fire 38spl 148WC and 158 LRN std loads, any38SPL +P or +P+ JHP's , remington 125JHP medium velocity .357 magnum, 110/125/140/145/158/180 full power magnum loads.

I can adjust my sights to any load I want to use in it .

With compact grips , in quality pancake holster , I can hide it under a T Shirt better than my Glock 23.

If I want/need to use exotic loads or loads that I never fired in it , I know that if its a 38 or 357 it will work in the gun.

My Glock 23 gives me 12+1 ( I like to download my magazines)

It is the same as my duty Glocks. ( I can use 15 and 22 round magazine as spare)

I like both guns.

I feel just fine with either one.

[44fred]

MY friend is trying to decide on which to get? What would you get? I'd get a glock 23 but what would you all prefer?

OP
That is a pretty open ended question. Do you have any particulars?
Where does he live? Weather plays a significant roll in how we dress and how we can conceal.
What is he using it for? Most are assuming concealed carry due to size choices.
What is his budget? My 340PD is very light but pricy.
Maybe he would eventually get both. Man's got to have options.

[Lead Waster]

The reason that higher capacity is better than lower capacity (aside from the obvious) is that, even if you can stop a guy with one shot, you have to hit him first and I'm guessing that in a situation where shots are fired, about 9 out of 10 rounds are just flying aimlessly past the bad guy (and into the neighbors house!). It's not that you need a lot of rounds to stop a guy, you need a lot of rounds because you're going to miss a lot when you're all amped up in fear of your life.

Look at this; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newhall_massacre

EDIT: Sorry, this part was proven false: The 4 CHP cops killed, one was killed while trying to reload his .357 ... the CHP didn't issue speedloaders back then, and there is conjecture that the training practice of not losing brass had the rookie cop trying to keep his spent brass instead of just dumping it and he was killed with a half loaded revolver in his hand.

[LightsOut!]

It all depends on the circumstances... but Glock 23, for me.

[nikki#2]

OP
That is a pretty open ended question. Do you have any particulars?
Where does he live? Weather plays a significant roll in how we dress and how we can conceal.
What is he using it for? Most are assuming concealed carry due to size choices.
What is his budget? My 340PD is very light but pricy.
Maybe he would eventually get both. Man's got to have options.

Not enough info.

Depending on model, a snubby is a pocket gun. The G23 is certainly not a pocket gun. When I could CCW, there were many instances
where I slipped my airweight snubby in my short's pocket when running out the door, instead of saying, "Eh... just this once....."

I agree, it's more difficult to shoot a snubby accurately, it takes practice. However, when you need a gun, having one is infinitely better than not.

[Dvrjon]

The reason that higher capacity is better than lower capacity (aside from the obvious) is that, even if you can stop a guy with one shot, you have to hit him first and I'm guessing that in a situation where shots are fired, about 9 out of 10 rounds are just flying aimlessly past the bad guy (and into the neighbors house!). It's not that you need a lot of rounds to stop a guy, you need a lot of rounds because you're going to miss a lot when you're all amped up in fear of your life.

Look at this; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newhall_massacre

EDIT: Sorry, this part was proven false: The 4 CHP cops killed, one was killed while trying to reload his .357 ... the CHP didn't issue speedloaders back then, and there is conjecture that the training practice of not losing brass had the rookie cop trying to keep his spent brass instead of just dumping it and he was killed with a half loaded revolver in his hand.

You missed the part that CHP trained with .38 loads and carried .357. That's a hell of a difference in fire control. No practice with the duty load will seriously screw up your hit percentage.

[dtelston]

G23 as it's easier to learn on and it's required skills and practices are more transferable to other semi-auto's.