• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

Kimber K6

Wstar425

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
570
Location
Tomahawk and Abbotsford, Wi.
Small, and very light .357 mag revolvers can be uncomfortable to shoot. I don't know anything about the Kimber, but have fired several featherweight Smiths and Taurus, and did not particularly enjoy it. Ended up with a Ruger SP101, which I still find on the edge of "unfun". No weight to counteract recoil. I carry a 6" S&W 686 .357 on a regular basis. But, not trying to hide it.

If you're looking at is a BUG gun or deep concealment, that's different. I doubt it will be the first choice for a range toy.

I've started a few women on the SP101 with .38 Specials, and they have all (so far) ended up with a semi-auto. They all seem to love the Sig 229.
 

WalkingWolf

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
11,930
Location
North Carolina
A small revolver with loads to match the size are comfortable to shoot. Remember shot placement is what counts, a 22 short that penetrates the skull is more effective than a 500 S&W that completely misses.

That said I prefer a medium to large revolver for open carry, unless the small revolver is a bug. Even with that my loads are not full power.
 

Brian D.

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
937
Location
Cincy area, Ohio, USA
The indoor range I belong to just got one in this week. The owner doesn't mind a bit of dry firing with guns that are new to the market. (In a safe direction and only after triple-verifying the gun is empty, of course.) I did so and thought the double action was quite smooth and reasonably light. Sights are decent and can be changed out if desired. The stocks put my fingers in the right place on the gun. It felt and pointed just fine.

All that said, didn't get to shoot the thing, so a real conclusion is impossible for me to reach.
 

color of law

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
5,936
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
A small revolver with loads to match the size are comfortable to shoot. Remember shot placement is what counts, a 22 short that penetrates the skull is more effective than a 500 S&W that completely misses.

That said I prefer a medium to large revolver for open carry, unless the small revolver is a bug. Even with that my loads are not full power.
My daughter was quite unhappy shooting my S&W 38s snubby. But, loves shooting and carrying her S&W lightweight 32 magnum snubby.
 

WalkingWolf

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
11,930
Location
North Carolina
My daughter was quite unhappy shooting my S&W 38s snubby. But, loves shooting and carrying her S&W lightweight 32 magnum snubby.

I use 138 grain wadcutter at 900fps in our Rossi 352(j frame size). The wadcutter seats deep in the case using less powder, less powder means less jet flame at the muzzle, they are not brutal to shoot, very controllable. Even a 148 grain factory wadcutter is a good load if the shooter can hit the target.

I am a big fan of performance wadcutters for self defense, Buffalo Bore has standard pressure 38 spl wadcutters that match the performance of mine. But they are a tad expensive.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=111

Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Ammo
150 gr. Hard Cast Wad Cutter (850fps/M.E. 241 ft. lbs.)
20 Round Box

➤ 868 fps (251 ft. lbs.) -- S&W mod. 60, 2 inch barrel
➤ 890 fps (264 ft. lbs.) -- S&W mod. 66, 2.5 inch barrel
➤ 961 fps (308 ft. lbs.) -- Ruger SP101, 3 inch barrel
➤ 1005 fps (336 ft. lbs.) -- S&W Mt. Gun, 4 inch barrel
 
Top