The .357 revolver cartridge debuted on the firearms scene back in 1935 when it was first introduced by gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson. Based upon the .38 Special cartridge, the .357 became the first Magnum cartridge, and was introduced as the world’s most powerful handgun among guns for sale at the time.

For 20 years, it was the only Magnum. Eventually, the .44 Magnum and the 9mm surpassed the .357 caliber . Nevertheless, it remains popular today for its stopping power and reliability.

History of .357

The Gangster activity of the prohibition era spawned the use of early bulletproof vests, which defeated any pistol ammunition of the time. Until the development of the .357 Magnum. The .357 was born out of law enforcement’s need for an advantage over the criminal element.

The Colt .38 Super Automatic was the first pistol ammo that was able to penetrate the car doors and ballistic vests that the gangsters and bootleggers used for cover. The .357 was developed by extending the .38 Super Automatic casing by 1/8 inch allowing room for additional powder. This extension allowed it to be used in rifles and it became known as a dual use round.

.357 Magnum Pistols

The .357 Magnum pistols, and later the .44 Magnum’s, popularity declined with the development of smaller guns chambered in 9mm using smokeless powder. This was due to the 9mm abilities to produce a higher velocity in a smaller cartridge, providing smaller and lighter guns for modern guns for sale.

The .357 IMI Desert Eagle was the first semi-automatic pistol to fire the .357 Magnum cartridge. Today’s law enforcement often use the .357 pistols as a backup weapon, but not as their primary. The .357 remain popular guns for sale among many citizens for self-protection, security jobs and sports.

The .357 SIG, developed in 1994, was designed to mimic the performance of 125 grains .357 Magnum loads fired from 4 inch barreled revolvers in a cartridge designed for semi-automatic pistols. It performs very closely to the .357 Magnum but, in a semi-automatic, it provides an increased capacity. The Texas Highway Patrol became the first government agencies to use the .357 SIG cartridge in 1995. Today many government agencies and law enforcement officers use the .357 SIG caliber.

A Great Caliber for Self-Defense

The .357 Magnum makes an effective self-defense pistol. While there are other handguns with an even greater impact in these factors, the .357 remains more than adequate. The fact that it produces less recoil than other more powerful handguns may be an advantage for those shooters who have difficulty maintaining accuracy with recoil. For these shooters, the .357 pistols can provide ample stopping power in a handgun they are able to control.

Guns For Sale at GrabAGun

GrabAGun offers an extensive selection of guns for sale and includes the .357 Magnum revolver and the .357 Sig semi-automatics. We also offer accessories for every type of firearm, including gun holsters, optics, and much more! GrabAGun provides a great selection of discounted firearms products. If you require assistance give our knowledgeable customer service agents a call.