.357Mag vs 38spl question

[Occams Rasor]

Ok, this is a newby question about revolvers. I am looking at a SP101 and it comes chambered in .357 and 38spl+p. Since you can shoot 38spls in a .357, why would anybody buy the 38 chambering? Seems to me that the .357 would be more Versatile. What am I missing?

[desertjosh]

Usually the gun chambered in .38 spl will be lighter and cheaper.

[Occams Rasor]

Usually the gun chambered in .38 spl will be lighter and cheaper.

In this case the price and wt are about the same.

[rambutan316]

You're right, I see no reason to choose the 38 over the 357 model.

[roadglide2003]

Your not. I have a lady co-worker newbie to guns and even the mention of 357 magnum drives her to shy away from the model. Sometimes its difficult to explain to non gun people the advantages so just leave them to their ignorance in purchasing strictly the 38 model sp100 if its still available.


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[SkyHawk]

There are some jurisdictions where a 357 pistol is not approved for carry. Security Guards in St Louis for instance https://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/c...sr/17c20-2.pdf

Firearm—Approved double-action .38 Special caliber revolver or double-action only semi-automatic pistol in 9mm Luger caliber only.

Some departments may restrict backup revolvers to 38 special only. That is also why S&W made the model 342, which is the same as model 340 but chambered for 38 special only due to some LEO agencies ammo restrictions. This is due to over penetration concerns with 357, problems qualifying with 357 in a snub, and in some cases public backlash from carrying 'magnum' rounds. Dumb reasons maybe, but a LEO is responsible for all rounds fired.

Definitely get the 357. I have a SP101 2.25" on my permit and I carry it sometimes, I love that pistol.

[westcoast362]

Some argue that .38's are more accurate out of a .38 cylinder, because the bullet does not have to make the jump to the forcing cone. So if accuracy is what is important to you that might make a difference.
That is why Colt made a few Pythons in .38 only.

[CSACANNONEER]

I have a SP101 in .38. I bought it used. If I had bought a new one, I'd have gotten a .357 but, it's no big deal to me. I don't need to shoot .357 through it. If I do, I know the gun can handle the equivalent of .357 loads in a .38 case. Of course, just following a .357 recipe would not work. The load would require a little development and, I would never recommend that anyone do it. But, I have the utmost confidence that the gun could handle it.

[Sutcliffe]

The .38 is far easier to handle

Recoil in a snub nose is about as good as it gets with the SP-101

Defensive ammo for .38 is light years ahead of what it used to be. Less flash, recoil, blast and quicker follow up is why I bought the .38 version.
Love it.

[357magnum]

Get the .357 its more versatile.
I have the SP101 3" .357 and love it.

[Carcassonne]

Ok, this is a newby question about revolvers. I am looking at a SP101 and it comes chambered in .357 and 38spl+p. Since you can shoot 38spls in a .357, why would anybody buy the 38 chambering? Seems to me that the .357 would be more Versatile. What am I missing?

There are several reasons to get a 38 over a 357.

Some security companies only allow an employee to carry a 38 special. Buying a 38 spl only gun prevents the employee from chambering a 357 cartridge. This is done for liability reasons. A 357 travels farther and can do more damage than a 38 special.

People who only target shoot and have no need for a 357 magnum don't want the bullet to free travel .100 before contacting the throat of the cylinder. S&W K38 is a 38 special only target pistol.

38 special has a lower pressure than 357 magnum: About half. Less pressure means lower strength lighter material can be used for the frame and cylinder. Modern aluminum frame 5-shot 38 special revolvers are a good example of a lighter gun. I believe Colt made an aluminum frame 38 special for the U.S. Air Force.

[ojisan]

I went with the longer 3" barrel for .357 use, as 2" with .357 is not much more than a hot .38+P will get you.
The slower powders used in the .357 need as much barrel length as possible.
For .38 use, 2" is fine.
Both are better out of a 4"+ barrel, but then it's not a snubby anymore.

CSA: there is load data out there for .357 in a .38 case.
Often the bullet is crimped at the lower groove using a 158g lswc.

[Vampyredark]

Nothing wrong with a 38 for self defense or a security guard. Put some plus P in it and I think its a very good round.

[Marquand]

Ojisan has a good point - .357 out of a 2" barrel rarely offers enough ballistic improvement to warrant the muzzle blast, recoil, and flash that accompanies such a hot load. Most folks would be better served with a .38 Special even with a larger frame and longer barreled platform.

[crufflers]

Ojisan has a good point - .357 out of a 2" barrel rarely offers enough ballistic improvement to warrant the muzzle blast, recoil, and flash that accompanies such a hot load. Most folks would be better served with a .38 Special even with a larger frame and longer barreled platform.

I agree. It doesn't do you any good if the powder isn't burnt in the barrel. I have a ported 5-shot that is kind of ridiculous with hot .357 - almost disorienting and not much fun. The ports mean you better have good eye protection on at all times. .38+P is nice and smooth. So what do I get out of the heavier more expensive gun if I only shoot .38+P ?