Reply #53: .357 Mag

[Gumbo]

Ballistics for the same line of Federal ammo, 130 grain

PD357HS2H 357 Magnum 574 511 457 411 373

They make J-frames in .357Mag, but they're so unpleasant to shoot that I didn't recommend them. A gun you're afraid to practice with is just a paper weight. If you aren't holding my SW642 in .38 Special right, it'll pop your hand pretty good and that's with normal loads. If you're goal is the most boom possible out of the smallest package possible, you won't find better than a .357Mag J-frame.

My problem with the .327 is the same problem I have with 6.8SPC. While all the ballistic charts in the world tell you it's a superior package to something similar (5.56 in the case of 6.8), it's almost impossible to find and correspondingly pricey. I'd recommend sticking with either NATO calibers or tried and true American classics like .45ACP and .38 Special.

Do yourself a favor, save some money, and do what I suggested. Get your permit and carry a handgun you already have, like your wife's P22 and see if you're comfortable carrying it. Decide what size pistol you're comfortable with and choose a caliber from there.