If this new offering by Ruger is a 8 shot 357mag on a slightly bigger frame than the GP100 and weighs the same as the S&W 686+1 ... They will have something...
I'm looking for a great condition S&W 686 +1 with a four inch barrel.. at the LGS's and pawnshops at this time....
I may put off my search ..
That would make eminently more sense-significantly more power than .357 magnum, and presumably less bulk needed than for .44 magnum. Could be a great match-up for the GP100. Hey, people went for the .44 Special; I'd think a .41 GP100 would have a logical, and fighting chance of success. Good call.
Best, Jon
For those people who took up shooting because beating their thumbs with hammers became boring...
I'm a recoil wimp. I found shooting a .41 from a 6" M57 to be pleasant. Shooting .357s from a 6" M27 is fun and so is shooting them from a 4" 686. It becomes less fun as I move to a K-fame and then to a steel J-frame. I have zero interest in firing .357s from alloy J-frames.
Besides that, my impression has been that firing a .357 Magnum from less than a 4" barrel gives one a shitload more noise and flash and maybe 200fps than a .38 +P. If one of your SD scenarios is shooting indoors without ear pro, I'd stay away from Magnum loads.
If we have to march off into the next world, let us walk there on the bodies of our enemies.