Tag Archives: .357 Magnum

Weapons

The Most Interesting thing from SHOT SHOW 2016

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This is something I don’t think anyone saw coming… the most interesting thing at the 2016 SHOT Show was a snub-nose revolver.  I don’t think a new snubby has been the most most interesting new gun for the year since maybe the 60’s.  Or when the SP101 came out.
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The Kimber K6 is a pleasant surprise though.  It’s the same size and weight as a S&W 640.  Yet it has a 6 round cylinder.  That’s a significant upgrade.  But that’s really not the point.

The question is if a little revolver is still a viable self defense option.  If the answer is yes, then this is certainly the most viable option.   So… to the question.  Is a revolver viable?
The round we’re working with here is the .357 Magnum.  A cartridge that was the most significant advancement in handgunning since the 9mm Luger.   And speaking of the 9mm Luger, it is the chief self defense cartridge choice these days and the most over rated at that.  Comparing most 9mm self defense pistols to .357 Mag options it’s hard to find an apples to apples.   Generally speaking though, the .357 Magnum will hit about 100 to 200 FPS faster and harder with similar bullet weights out of similar barrel lengths.   This is a big advantage in exterior and terminal ballistics for a handgun.  And you want as much of that as possible.  The biggest advantage though comes in the heavier Magnum loadings with bullets that can weight almost twice that of some of new hottness 9mm loads.
Now combine the flexibility of a wide variety of ammunition for your selection.  Now mix that in with a firing platform that is inherently reliable and accurate.   You trade some capacity in exchange for greater power, accuracy, and reliability.   But is that really a big deal?  kimber-k6s-cylinder-1
Most self defense shootings are between 1.2 and 1.8 rounds, depending on the source of the stats.  What do they have in common?  The 1.  Generally the one who hits first wins.   That being the case, that 1 hit needs to be as big of a hit as you can make it.  So yes, indeed, .357 Magnum is a great option for self defense.
In the realm of small snub nose .357 Magnum revolvers, the K6 is going to be a great choice.  And it’s not just because it’s a +1.  It’s a premium quality revolver that’s priced less than something from S&W’s Performance Center, yet is reported to be smoother.   And the K6 is cool looking.  Solid stainless construction, no MIM, and all made in the USA… and it’s a plus one… Yeah, I really like it.

Weapons

The Match Champion.

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This is one of the very best firearms purchases I’ve ever made in my entire life.  As far as revolvers go, the Match Champion is the pinnacle of the wheelgun genre.    Designed to be a competitor to S&W’s SSR revolver… it is… but it’s more than that.
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The sights, the chamfered cylinder, the trigger work… This is beyond something for mere gun games.  Ruger just made the most serious production fighting revolver they have ever put out.  The only thing that could make this better as a combat weapon, would be to subdue the stainless.  And really for most purposes and situations, that’s not an issue.  20150724_122217

In making this gun, Ruger certainly put a shot over S&W’s bow… or actually… a full Broadsides.  This is beyond Smith’s SSR.  I’d even say it’s going head to head against Smith’s R8/TRR8.  Advantage to the Smith with 8 rounds in the cylinder… But the Smith can’t handle the loads that the GP100 can load.  In the long run, the MC will still be shooting full throttle loads while the Smith is laid up, crippled, and begging for a merciful end.20150724_122238

And the Ruger is hands down a better looking gun.  It’s lines are gorgeous.  That Grip is just sexy.  It feels good in a way S&W will never understand.  Power and Glory.  The MC has it.  The MC is made of it.   If you have been thinking about getting a Revolver.  This is the one to get.

 

 

Weapons

The Ruger Twins

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Brought home a set of Ruger twins. Two guns I’ve wanted for years and today I just said “Screw it… I’m getting them.”  So I did.  Full power .357 Magnum Goodness Gracious.
I’ve not shot them yet. First, I have some work to do on them. They need some smoothing.  Out of the box Rugers are not the slickest of actions or triggers.

20150612_181217-1The SP101 needs a new set of grips, or inserts.  Not digging them.  The Match Champion is awesome.  Still needs to be slicked up, but I love it.
I will also need a couple good holsters.  And when I say I need holsters, I only look to one source.   My exclusive holster maker.  I will not carry them in anything less.

There’s something just… Honest about revolvers.   With Autos there is so much BS when it comes to “Reliability” and chest pounding when it comes to what Elite Unit uses your gun.  Revolvers just ARE.  They are inherently accurate and as reliable as any gun can possibly be.  They are easy to shoot well with.  And dang if they don’t look good.