Vanity- Best 357 mag load for CCW

Myself | 4/16/2010 | Myself

[Uri’el-2012]

For safety with ammunition always match

the caliber stamped on the barrel with
the caliber on the box of cartridges
with the caliber on the head-stamp
of the cartridge.

For you own safety ignore advice given
by those who are not trained and certified
as firearms instructors

If people were to follow these
NRA safety rules they would eliminate "accidents":

Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction

Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot

Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use

[DarthVader]

I have a few Smiths too. A Model 29 exactly like yours in this post and a 4” Model 27. They are beautifully crafted and excellent shooting guns.

[DarthVader]

They are the ideal .357 Magnum defense round for 4” barreled guns. Plenty of firepower and highly destructive in the 25 -75 ft range.

[kbennkc]

I have a few Smiths too. A Model 29 exactly like yours in this post and a 4” Model 27. They are beautifully crafted and excellent shooting guns.

I have never seen a well made firearm I didn't want if the price is right , but with some like the old Smiths and Colts ,the blends of craftsman , beauty of design , and performance make it easy to fall into the trap of brand snobbishness .

Your model 27 , maybe the apex model of all Smiths , is a kick in my behind and punctuation for my attempted point to the OP .

If he lets go of that .357 , he will miss it one day .

[BulletBobCo]

My preference is aHornady Critical Defense round.

http://www.hornady.com/store/Critical-Defense-newammo

[Lurker]

Later.

[DarthVader]

He sure will and any decent .357 is good to hold onto. Is your Model 29 new (recently manufactured) or an older model? It looks new.

[kbennkc]

Is your Model 29 new (recently manufactured) or an older model? It looks new.

It is an S prefix serial number , from 1967-68 . I credit the fact I only carry it in good leather , which like the gun I keep CLEAN , and carefully stored . I shoot it , just occasionally now days, mostly when someone who has never fired a .44 mag wants to go out try it . They talk like Inspector Callahan for the rest of the day . The most fun in shooting is sharing . They haven't made a gun that is too good for my family and friends to shoot .

[rocket002]

In my CHL class, there were two different women that said they would aim low if it was an attempted rape. One of them said she would put a round there after the guy was already down. I hope she has a good lawyer....

[FlyingEagle]

What 40 rounds (brand/load) do you recommend for:
1- in household for protection
2 - in ccw mode on concealed holster
3 - range practice
for sig 229

[MindBender26]

House and carry, Cor-Bon .40 135 gr.

Learn your angles in your house. Where can you shoot without any chance of wall penetrartion and hitting a family member? Think 3d. Look for ways to shoot up and down for safety.

Do not go stalking your target. You WILL make noise. Call cops as described below.

Never shoot at anything you do not want to KILL. Identify EVERY target. It may be your kid’s friend in a wierd outfit.

Tell everyone in the house where your gun is. Get a GunSafe. You can work it silently, even in the dark.

Look for ways to funnel your adversary. There are places in my house where I can get out two or three ways, but bad guys can only get in one way. Makes aiming a hell of a lot easier.

Think of unusual ways of evacuation. One way out of my house, which everyone knows, is to throw the Mother in laws favorite chair through a certain bay window and go out that way.

Avoid any and every fight you can. Run away if you can. Always, in every situation, plan how you are going to get out and get away. If you carry a gun, carry a cellphone and a tiny can of mace. Some 9 year old trying to mug you might be legally shot, but you will never forget it.

If someone kid is running from your house with a TV, let him go. If someone is in your house, call 911 on your cell phone. House wires may be cut. Then wait for sounds at bedroom door. If you hear them, yell. “I’ve got a gun. Police cars are on the way. If you come through that door, I will kill you.” If he runs, so be it, you won. If he comes through the door after that warning, it is to harm you or a family member. Kill him. SEE TARGET IDENTIFICATION ABOVE.

If you shoot anyone, double tap them. Carry a spare mag.

Practice changing mags and clearing jams one handed, in the dark.

Practice shooting at close range at the range. Forget the 50 meter shot. How are you going to justify self defense at 50 meters? Practice shooting when “hyped.” Do 50 pushups or some wind sprints, then practice shooting while tired and out of breath.

Range, any FMJ, always followed by one mag of your carry ammo. Shoot up the carry ammo at least once a year and get new stuff.

Keep any lubricants away from the primers on your ammo.

Sig, not my chouce, but a great weapon.

Remember, this is serious shit. You may be called on to kill someone to defend yourself or a loved one. At least now you are equipped to do so. Be prepared.

[MindBender26]

Two more things. If defending bedroom, touch wife to ensure what you see is not pillows and she is actually there in bed, not at refrigerator making noise.

Get a good house alarm. Burglars will NOT make enough noise to wake you.

Be well.