Gun search

[Chocum]

I have been looking for a .357 magnum autoloader so I don't have to buy yet another caliber weapon. I've found the 4lb behemoth Desert Eagle and the Coonan that uses the basic John Browning 1911 design. Are there any others out there and are they worth looking at?

[cjb1911]

I have been looking for a .357 magnum autoloader Are there any others out there and are they worth looking at?

Did wildey come in 357?

As far as modern autoloaders, I think you pretty much have exhausted your possibilities.

[theJanitor]

There's the old Colt National Match 38 Special Mid-Range. But at that rate, It's easier/cheaper to just get a new gun and stock some different ammo

[Bucky]

I have been looking for a .357 magnum autoloader so I don't have to buy yet another caliber weapon. I've found the 4lb behemoth Desert Eagle and the Coonan that uses the basic John Browning 1911 design. Are there any others out there and are they worth looking at?

If you’re considering it for anything other than a range toy, then get a semi auto in a cartridge meant for a semi auto. Shooting an overly long, and rimmed cartridge is not ideal in a semi automatic pistol.

[Bigghoss]

You've exhausted the current market as far as I know. I would opt for a Coonan if you were really opposed to a different cartridge.

[Rock185]

Were I in the market for a .357 auto-loader, I'd have to go with the Coonan. A bit bigger than a 1911, but nowhere near Desert Eagle size. I had the opportunity to shoot a Coonan. Recoil seemed moderate with factory 158 grain 357, actually less than 10MM to me.

[cjb1911]

You would be far better off selling the 357 and buying a 9mm wheel gun and your choice of 9mm autos.

[mtnbkr]

You would be far better off selling the 357 and buying a 9mm wheel gun and your choice of 9mm autos.
This. Except I'd keep the 357mag wheelgun. Also, I've not heard stellar reliability reports regarding any of the 357mag autos. They also tend to have extended periods of unavailability, which means support issues should yours have problems.

For the price of a 357mag auto (assuming $1k+, which was the average price last I looked), you could buy a decent mid-sized 9mm auto like a Glock 19 or S&W M&P ($500), a case or two of ammo ($170 each), a decent holster ($100), and a couple extra mags ($30/each).

Chris

[psalms144.1]

This. Except I'd keep the 357mag wheelgun. Also, I've not heard stellar reliability reports regarding any of the 357mag autos. They also tend to have extended periods of unavailability, which means support issues should yours have problems.

For the price of a 357mag auto (assuming $1k+, which was the average price last I looked), you could buy a decent mid-sized 9mm auto like a Glock 19 or S&W M&P ($500), a case or two of ammo ($170 each), a decent holster ($100), and a couple extra mags ($30/each).

ChrisI can't agree more with any of this statement. Having owned several different magnum semi autos, I can say, conclusively, that they're all gimmicks, not serious defensive pistols.

Get a G19 or M&Pc 9mm, buy a decent holster, some ammo, and go to a good training course. Would be MUCH better way to spend your money.

[Darth_Uno]

If you've just got to have that power, .357 Sig is your best bet. While it's not for me, I've been impressed with the ones I've shot (all two of them). Took a 2 day class with a guy that had one, he kept asking why everyone was standing so far away. :cool:

[Joe in PNG]

A Colt Series 70 in .38 Super would be another way to go.
Then again, 1911's are their own rabbit hole.

[willie]

I too urge you to reconsider buying a .357 Mag automatic. I can write a long narrative on this subject but will not. Keeping your very versatile .357 Mag revolver is wise. As already stated, buying a 9mm automatic should be your first step. But if you do want a high velocity auto, then look at the 357 Sig Glock which will readily accept a Glock 40 S&W barrel and use the same mags as the 357 Sig. Furthermore, you could buy a 9mm conversion barrel for the 357 Sig Glock and shoot the very plentiful 9mm ammo through the conversion barrel. The ones that I have used functioned perfectly and showed better accuracy than factory barrels.

I have enjoyed owning and shooting 357 Sig autos. I cited the above example as a way to let you have versatility with minimal costs. Should you decide that you don't need this versatility, then I suggest that you consider Glock, S&W, and CZ 9mm pistols. These brands are proven performers sold by companies providing superb support.

[Duelist]

A 10mm will give you comparable power to the .357 across a broad spectrum of loads, comes in a variety of reasonably sized and priced current and out of production autoloaders, and if you decide at the end of the day that you don't actually like it, it shouldn't be as hard to sell off as a Coonan or whatever. Especially if you stick with GLOCK, quality 1911, and/or S&W 3rd gens.

Otherwise, stick with a .357 revolver.

Of course, this could be a single post drive-by, but those are my thoughts on .357 autoloaders.

[mtnbkr]

Of course, this could be a single post drive-by

I'm thinking you're right. Poor guy didn't get the answer he expected and left. :D

Chris