Colt Python .357 Magnum

When introduced in 1935, the 357 Magnum was touted as the most powerful handgun cartridge in the world, a title it has since relinquished to other cartridges such as the .44 Magnum, 10mm Auto, and .41 Magnum. Even so, the 357 Magnum is still an extremely useful development. For plinking and paper punching, revolvers chambered for this cartridge usually shoot .38 Special loads with acceptable accuracy, but for more serious work, the higher chamber pressure generated by the .357 enables it to produce almost three times as much energy as its shorter parent.

Despite the greater publicity enjoyed by cartridges of larger calibers, the .357 is still the most popular magnum revolver cartridge ever introduced. This is probably due to the fact that it generates about all the recoil most shooters can handle.

SPECIFICATIONS

Type:  Double Action
Caliber:  .357 Magnum
Barrel Length:  4; 6; 8 inches
Weight:  38 ounces (4 in. barrel, empty)
Sights:  Ramp (front); Fully Adjustable (rear)
Stocks:  Rubber Combat (4 in.); Rubber Target (6, 8 in.)
Cartridge Capacity:  6
Finish:  Blue; Stainless; Bright Stainless