Who has a 357?

[azmark]

I've always thought the 357 was kind of cool but for some reason I didn't even give them a second look when shopping.  Tell me what you think of yours...is it accurate?  How is the single action trigger?  Have you ever tried shooting a small pest?

[Gippeto]

I have one of the older 357's with the brown grips. Came as a kit with the 8" and 4" barrels. Purchased late '80s....I think.

Tried the 4" a few times, ended up sticking with the 8". Plenty accurate, used it on sparrows quite a bit, mice in the grain bins and ruined the day for a few chipmunks. Did use it on Richardsons ground squirrels (gophers/sage rats)...adequate if ranges are kept short and shot placement is up to par. Took one rabbit with it...one shot through the eye from ~5 yards.


Mostly used it single action...single action trigger is VERY good IMO..double action was never practiced.

Al

[1377x]

I had one the only reason I got rid of it was because it was loud
the neighbors across the street would say I heard you shooting what kind of gun was you shooting?
I was in my back yard. they never asked when I was shooting my lcd' 1377 or even my 50fpe 2260 with ldc

[farrlarr]

As you can tell from my avatar, I have a 357W.  I like it, though I don't shoot it as much as I do my custom 2240.  Granted, it is a bit loud but I shoot in my basement so it isn't an issue for the neighbors.  It is reasonably accurate and the single action trigger is pretty good.  The double action trigger can be staged so it doesn't cause all that much problem with accuracy; I can shoot double action about as well as single action.  I've never shot at pests so can't comment on that but, given its relatively low velocity, I wouldn't think it would be a good choice for pests much larger than a mouse (although others may have other advice for you about that).

[azmark]

I have one of the older 357's with the brown grips. Came as a kit with the 8" and 4" barrels. Purchased late '80s....I think.

Tried the 4" a few times, ended up sticking with the 8". Plenty accurate, used it on sparrows quite a bit, mice in the grain bins and ruined the day for a few chipmunks. Did use it on Richardsons ground squirrels (gophers/sage rats)...adequate if ranges are kept short and shot placement is up to par. Took one rabbit with it...one shot through the eye from ~5 yards.


Mostly used it single action...single action trigger is VERY good IMO..double action was never practiced.

Al

Did you get one shot kills on the chipmunks and ground squirrels or did you have to chase them down?  I get some as-of-yet unidentified rodents in my barn that look like a cross between a rat and a guinea pig.  They run between about 4 inches to about six inches.

[1377x]

sounds like a prairie dog or whistle pig you are describing
if they are those are some tough critters you would need more than a 357 air gun

[Gippeto]

Chipmumks are tiny critters and do not require much energy...shot placement. Head or heart/lung gets it done with one shot.

Richardsons ground squirrel are ~8" + the tail in length. 10 yards...shot placement is important.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardson's_ground_squirrel

Would there even be a question if a fellow was using a rifle at "495fps" and similar range? The 357 with an 8" barrel shoot just as hard.


Al

[farrlarr]

Chipmumks are tiny critters and do not require much energy...shot placement. Head or heart/lung gets it done with one shot.

Richardsons ground squirrel are ~8" + the tail in length. 10 yards...shot placement is important.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardson's_ground_squirrel

Would there even be a question if a fellow was using a rifle at "495fps" and similar range? The 357 with an 8" barrel shoot just as hard.


Al

An unmodified 357 with a 6" barrel only shoots at about 435, at least that is what is listed on Pyramyd Air and Crosman says "up to 435 fps."

[azmark]

sounds like a prairie dog or whistle pig you are describing
if they are those are some tough critters you would need more than a 357 air gun

No, not a prairie dog.  I'm very familiar with them.  I lived in Colorado for ten years and saw countless prairie dogs.  I have a picture somewhere that I took to get some help figuring it out.  I'll try to find it so you guys can see it.

[azmark]

Chipmumks are tiny critters and do not require much energy...shot placement. Head or heart/lung gets it done with one shot.

Richardsons ground squirrel are ~8" + the tail in length. 10 yards...shot placement is important.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardson's_ground_squirrel

Would there even be a question if a fellow was using a rifle at "495fps" and similar range? The 357 with an 8" barrel shoot just as hard.


Al

Nope.  Much heavier body, very short tail.  Imagine a hamster only huge.

Nope.  Much heavier body and nearly no tail.

[Fronzdan]

I have a 357 as well. Pretty nice shooter. As others have said, it's loud. I don't shoot it much because I really need electronic sights. (Some day I really want to try an eye pal)  I had no luck mounting a sight on it for reliable use. The plastic rib on the barrel is supposed to be a dovetail, but there's some play in it.  Trigger is pretty good in single action.

If you really want a nice revolver air gun, you can't do better than the Umarex/S&W 586 and 686's. I have one of those as well. Very accurate, very nice trigger, all metal construction and high quality.  It feels very much like the real steel.

[arkmaker †]

Love my 357's but I do not shoot them as much as I would like to because of the noise they make. I have one apart and ready to swap out the soda straw barrel with a regular 7/16" barrel. When I do the swap, I will have a longer barrel and be able to mount a nice LDC. I also now have a 6 shot mag, so I was going to try it in .22 this time around. I only wish there was some way to beef up the valve and up the power, but that valve won't take much tinkering the way it is constructed........
Rich
Here is a little mod Woody and I conspired on;
http://www.crosman-air-pistol-owners-forum.com/board/index.php/topic,5433.0.html

[Cwlongshot]

I have one of the older 357's with the brown grips. Came as a kit with the 8" and 4" barrels. Purchased late '80s....I think.

Tried the 4" a few times, ended up sticking with the 8". Plenty accurate, used it on sparrows quite a bit, mice in the grain bins and ruined the day for a few chipmunks. Did use it on Richardsons ground squirrels (gophers/sage rats)...adequate if ranges are kept short and shot placement is up to par. Took one rabbit with it...one shot through the eye from ~5 yards.


Mostly used it single action...single action trigger is VERY good IMO..double action was never practiced.

Al

I agree 100% I have had mine since the mid 80's too. Its a bit lite for squirrels unless they are close, but I have shot probably a dozen bunnies with it. Quite accurate considering the hinged barrel with front site on barrel and rear on receiver. 8'' barrel all the way!!

CW

[azmark]

Chipmumks are tiny critters and do not require much energy...shot placement. Head or heart/lung gets it done with one shot.

Richardsons ground squirrel are ~8" + the tail in length. 10 yards...shot placement is important.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardson's_ground_squirrel

Would there even be a question if a fellow was using a rifle at "495fps" and similar range? The 357 with an 8" barrel shoot just as hard.


Al

Nope.  Much heavier body, very short tail.  Imagine a hamster only huge.

The closest thing I can find a picture of is a pocket gopher.

[azmark]

Hey, back to the gun.  I just bought a 1377 and then re-injured my elbow.  pumping it up more than a couple of times starts to get painful.  I'm thinking CO2.  I bought the 1377 at WM and don't have the receipt any more so I can probably only get store credit and exchange it for something in stock.  I wish they had a 2240, but they don't.  If the manager is feeling particularly generous, maybe I can get something online.  the 2240 may be the best option, but the 357 will make follow up shots much faster if I need one.  What's the weight distribution like on the 3576?  Is it very front heavy?  I know it's way heavier, but holding out my 6 inch GP 100 hurts because it's front heavy, but my 1911 is not very bad.