15 Best 357 Carry Pistols – April 2023

The best CCW 357 Magnum pistols on sale in 2022

Update: Ammo is running seriously low, if you see this then stock up here and then thank me later.

You see less of them these days, but a concealed 357 Magnum revolver is still the only valid form of self-protection for plenty of you.

So what is the best 357 Magnum carry pistol on sale in 2023?


Smith & Wesson 340 PD. The best 357 Magnum concealed carry pistol

1. Smith & Wesson Model 340 PD

  • Price: $1,109.99
  • Barrel: 1.875 inch
  • Total: 6.3 inch
  • Weight: 0.74lb
  • Capacity: 5

Meet the lightest 357 Magnum pistol in the world, and the obvious choice if you want to carry a large caliber revolver in your pants.

The best selling S&W 340 PD can trace its lineage all the way back to the J-frame revolvers of the 1950s that law enforcement loved. They evolved into the Model 40 Airlite, and finally into this 0.74lb wheelgun with a Scandium alloy frame.

The enclosed hammer and low profile fiber optic front sight help with a smooth draw with the alloy frame Smith and Wesson. As does that stubby 1.875 inch barrel. Inevitably it’s snappy and recoil control largely comes from your shooting technique, but that’s the payoff for a palm-sized 357 Magnum that is easy to conceal.

These concealed carry revolvers sets the standard for this sector in so many ways that it just has to be the winner, despite the price.

If you have the money and want the best for appendix carry or just about everywhere else, this is right here waiting for you.


Colt King Cobra Carry on sale now

2. Colt King Cobra Carry

  • Price: $849.99
  • Barrel: 2 inch
  • Total: 8.2 inch
  • Weight: 1.6lb
  • Capacity: 6

There is a hammerless version of the Colt King Cobra 357 Magnum that you might like more. But for the sake of variety, this stainless version with the exposed hammer gives you options.

The Colt is significantly heavier than the winner and we maintain it’s a major disadvantage in a concealed carry gun. When it comes to actually firing, though, the extra weight can help with the recoil on these 357 carry pistols.

So 95% of the time the S&W is better, but the 5% where the Colt is better tends to be the most important. The double action/single action revolver options are nice to have, for a start with these popular models.

The frame is heavy duty brushed steel, the rubber grips do the job, we like the flat front sight and after coming back to the market in 2019 after an extended hiatus, the Cobra is proving a smash hit. And if you want the bigger revolver, it’s on our overall best 357 Magnum list.


S&W 66 Combat Magnum. Still one of the great carry revolver options. Get yours.

3. Smith and Wesson 66 Combat Magnum

  • Price: $958.99
  • Barrel: 2.75 inch
  • Total: 6.62 inch
  • Weight: 2.1lb
  • Capacity: 6

Smith and Wesson feature heavily on this list and there are certainly more specialist carry revolvers these days.

But if you’re looking for an all round personal protection package then it is still hard to beat the classic Smith and Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum revolvers.

The Smith and Wesson K-frame has been with us in some form or other since 1899, when it was built for the 38 Special cartridge for LEOs and the military. Now the best 357 carry pistols come a long way since then.

Nowadays you get a nicely weighted 357 revolver, with barrel lengths that aren’t too snub nose, so contain the recoil. It’s a compromise in almost every department, but it’s also a good one. In some places, law enforcement still carry these.


Kimber K6s, a great concealed carry 357 Magnum pistol that might just become your new EDC. Get yours today.

4. Kimber K6s

  • Price: $1,013.99
  • Barrel length: 2 inch Barrel
  • Total: 6.62 inch
  • Weight: 1.44lb
  • Capacity: 6

Kimber brought its fearsome reputation for producing high end 1911s to the world of wheelguns with the K6 and it has produced an absolute stainless steel smash hit.

This is the best conceal carry pistol, pocket pistol, whatever you want to call it. And these 357 carry pistols.

Everything from the cylinder release to the handle are just perfect for the job and the profile on the barrel means it’s easy to draw and easy to shoot. The front sight, too, is near perfect.

The Kimber K6s can come with a 3 inch barrel, or 4 inch. If you want long range accuracy then sure go for the longer barrel. But this is a concealed carry list. So yeah…


Rock Island Armory AL3.0 on sale now. A great concealed carry 357 handgun. A great tool for self defense.

5. Rock Island Armory AL3.0

  • Price: $877.99
  • Barrel: 2 inch
  • Weight: 1.50lb
  • Capacity: 6

Rock Island Armory don’t make the prettiest guns, generally, but they do make a mighty effective handgun at the right price. That’s enough for lots of you. That price is kind of wild right now, though. Normally it’s less.

It comes with a drop safety, a simple hammer and not much else really. But it’s basically half the price of the big name alternatives. So does that matter?

This gun is produced in the Czech Republic and it’s a solid DA/SA revolver with 3 finger grooves that do a solid job. It’s a soft shooter, too, and some owners claim it’s like shooting a 22LR when you load it up with 38 Special.


Taurus Protector Polymer, a lightweight 357 Magnum pistol from the Brazilian budget firearms manufacturer.

6. Taurus 605 Poly Protector 357 Mag

  • Price: $362.99
  • Barrel: 2 inch
  • Total: 6.62 inch
  • Weight: 1.26lb
  • Capacity: 5

The plastic frame means the Taurus 605 Poly Protector 357 Mag is both cheap and lightweight.

It does so for less than half the price. of course there are trade-offs. Logic dictates that plastic isn’t as strong as steel and the frame will flex while shooting. You might not pass this gun down to your grandkids either.

But if you’re not overly concerned with durability and want a lightweight 357 Magnum revolver that does just fine at defensive distances, well the Taurus Poly Protector works.

You can get a Taurus Raging Hunter type color scheme, too, with your 357 carry revolvers. Or you could just buy the Large frame Taurus Raging Hunter, but I would question its carry potential.

You can opt for a Taurus Judge, which is another of these popular models. That 357 Magnum 5 shot was a gamechanger for the company and we still like the Taurus Judge in all its forms. Don’t judge us too harshly for that..


Colt Python on sale now. Get the shorter barrel lengths for the best conceal carry. Buy yours online today.

7. Colt Python

  • Price: $1,513.99
  • Caliber: 38 Special/357 Magnum
  • Barrel: 3
  • Total: 7.5 inch
  • Weight: 2.5lb
  • Capacity: 6

The Colt Python has come back with a, well, bang. The 3 inch barrel is new for 2023 and so it just about slots into the concealed class.

We’re glad to welcome this latest addition to the top rated snake gun family.

Minor tweaks to the overall Colt Python design include new steel alloys to strip weight and increase torsional rigidity. New match-grade rear sights, checkered walnut grips that hark back to the original, and when you pull the trigger that silk smooth action will trigger happy memories too.


Chiappa Firearms 30DS. A new kind of revolver, but would you carry it every day?

8. Chiappa Firearms Rhino 30DS

  • Price: $999.99
  • Caliber: 357 Magnum Revolvers
  • Barrel: 3 inch
  • Total: 7.5 inch
  • Weight: 1.7lb
  • Capacity: 6

The Chiappa Firearms Rhino 30DS is innovative and fun. You might not carry it every day, but you know you kind of want one now.

Chiappa Firearms is an Italian legend that has been around since 1958. It produces stars like the Chiappa Little Badger 22LR Long Rifle and an exceptional Beretta 92 clone.

This new range of Chiappa Firearms is available in a number of calibers and is loaded with cute tech. The low slung barrel creates a lower bore axis, combats muzzle flip and helps direct the force back in a straight line. That’s good.

High sights take some getting used to at the shooting range, but it all works. The barrel, , grip and trigger guard are all stressed members that should give added rigidity. It does seem, too, which helps with long range accuracy.

Design wise you love or hate the Chiappa Firearms revolvers and we probably won’t change your mind. The longer barrel 50S and 40S look better proportioned. This smaller pistol is a little awkward to the eye, but it is still truly unique.


Ruger LCR chambered in 357 Magnum. One of the great budget carry revolvers. Get yours online today.

9. Ruger LCR

  • Price: $752.99
  • Caliber: 357 Magnum Revolver
  • Barrel: 1.9 inch barrel
  • Total: 7.5 inch
  • Weight: 1.2lb
  • Capacity: 5

The Ruger LCR is another one of the best concealed carry revolvers you can order chambered in a number of different cartridges. But here the small-frame revolver is carrying the full fat 357 Magnum.

Of course that means you’re limited on ammunition and can only pack 5 rounds in to this double action revolver. but at defensive distances, that should be enough.

The form of the Ruger LCR is totally tailored to carry, from the Hogue Tamer Monogrip through to the contour of the spurless enclosed hammer. You can order a Ruger LCRx with a hammer and a single action, incidentally, but it’s definitely less of a specialist and is often a nightstand pistol for home defense.

You can get a Ruger LCR with a Crimson Trace laser grip, too, if you’re worried about the lack of a rear sight on your double action revolver. A simple laser stashed inside a rubber grip does work and is a popular accessory for 357 carry pistols….


Smith and Wesson Model 686 Performance Cemner. Buy yours now!

10. Smith & Wesson Model 686 Performance Center Model

  • Price: $1,708.99
  • Caliber: 357 Magnum Revolvers
  • Barrel: 2.5 inch barrel
  • Total: 7.5 inch
  • Weight: 2.13lb
  • Capacity: 7

The best selling Smith & Wesson Model 686 357 Magnum Performance Center Model isn’t the lightest here by a long way.

But it is without question one of the best guns here and if you are about to buy this medium frame carry gun then you have our full support.

Now the additional engineering that goes into a Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model normally results in better long range accuracy. And you do get fully adjustable rear sights and a gorgeous cylinder release. But really what you’re paying the extra for here is peace of mind.

The cylinder and frame have been hand matched, polished and fettled by a master gunsmith. That beveled barrel has been worked on to provide the smoothest draw and a better natural balance.

Price Point is For Guaranteed Engineering, and the Look

But really you’re paying for the Performance Center designer label, and for the knowledge that it should go bang when you pull that long double action or super crisp single action trigger. The rear sight really isn’t that big a selling point.

It’s also a super stylish statement piece, and apparently, The Rock has a Smith & Wesson Model 686 357 Magnum Performance Center. But he’s a big dude, so 2lb of steel to him is the equivalent of a normal man carrying a chopstick. Maybe…


Ruger SP101 at an awesome price. Buy your guns online today, here.

11. Ruger SP101 Stainless

  • Price: $673.99
  • Caliber: 357 Magnum/38 Special
  • Barrel: 3 inch
  • Total: 7.5 inch
  • Weight: 2.13lb
  • Caliber: 7

The Ruger SP101 stainless double action revolver isn’t the cheapest here, it isn’t the best here. But as always it is a dependable, reliable and solid firearm for just slightly more than the cheaper alternatives.

Sturm Ruger really understands value for money and this 3 inch barrel version of this medium frame revolver is a nicely balanced firearm in every respect.

The Ruger 357 has a triple locking cylinder, patented grip design, super simple takedown method and cushioned grips that work as well as they look like they should. Those low profile front sights, too, are clearly for draw speed rather than the last word in target acquisition.

Everything on this Ruger SP101 stainless pocket pistol is functional. And in a way, that makes it stainless steel art.


Charter Arms Mag Pug, a great little conceal carry revolver.

12. Charter Arms Mag Pug

  • Price: $437.99
  • Cal: 357 Magnum revolvers
  • Barrel: 2.2 inch
  • Total: 6.7 inch
  • Weight: 1.44lb
  • Rounds: 5

Charter Arms make some great concealed carry/home defense revolvers for the budget conscious buyer.

Everything is fairly basic and nobody at Charter is trying to reinvent the wheelgun. Instead these are solid basic firearms that get the job done.

The Charter Arms Mag Pug isn’t the prettiest here, but it does have a solid reputation for reliability and accuracy. Those things tend to be more important when it comes to the best concealed carry revolvers.

This snub nose, small frame carry pistol is elegant, relatively light and it stashes inside an IWB holster. You get quality Hogue rubber grips and that cushioned rubber grip really helps squash recoil.

So the company has done good work to fit a lot of power into such a heavy duty small package.

You can order one with a 3 inch barrel, too. But that hurts its best concealed carry revolvers credentials.


Ruger GP100, a great conceal carry revolver that you can buy today.

13. Ruger GP100 357 Magnum

  • Price: $928.99
  • Cal: 357 Magnum
  • Barrel: 2.2 inch
  • Total: 6.7 inch
  • Weight: 2.2lb
  • Rounds: 6

The Ruger 357 Magnum is a great little conceal carry with a hammer from Ruger. And the bigger ones are great for target shooting.

We especially like the Ruger GP100 Match, which comes with competition features. The shorter barrel benefits really from the additional engineering and hand matched frame and cylinder. Pull the trigger and you’ll feel the difference too.

The Ruger 357 Magnum is a great gun in any spec, though. And this one is significantly cheaper that some other revolvers on the market.


Taurus Defender Model 605. Get your 357 Magnum Revolver here today.

14. Taurus Defender

  • Price: $426.99
  • Cal: 357 Magnum revolvers
  • Barrel: 3 inch
  • Total: 6.7 inch
  • Weight: 2.2lb
  • Rounds: 6

The Taurus Defender 357 Magnum Model 605 is a basic revolver that comes in at a sensational price.

And that is really the main selling point of the Taurus model. Aside from that it’s a blued revolver, a relative lightweight revolver, despite its medium frame size.

It is a cheap and relatively decent gun. If money is tight, definitely consider one.


Dan Wesson Model 14.

15. Dan Wesson Model 14 357 Mag

  • Price: Used $1000
  • Barrel: 4

If you are ever going to buy a used gun then a Dan Wesson Model 14 revolver makes a lot of sense. Back in the day this was a seriously high price, high spec handgun.

These were hugely expensive, prized firearms that would have been cared for. And they’re a revolver, refined for improved reliability and use in the field. So yeah, they’re pretty solid and you can maybe find the interchangeable barrels that were a part of its USP.

Dan Wesson is a limited edition gun builder with strong ideas on platform and build. The son of one half of Smith and Wesson simply wasn’t happy with revolvers of the time. He set out to use the platform and build a better pistol.

Most people agree that he did and now the 715 and the semi-automatic handguns are the talk of their respective towns. This limited edition gun builder does make seriously expensive firearms, but they are very, very good.

But you can pick up an old Model 14 blued revolver on Guns.com and you might still just love it like the first owner did.


Magnum Research Desert Eagle is an option if you want a 357 Magnum semi auto.

16. Magnum Research Desert Eagle

  • Price: $1,743.99
  • Cal: 357 Mag
  • Barrel Length: 6 inch
  • Total: 9 inch
  • Weight: 4.5lb
  • Rounds: 9+1

Now we know this isn’t a revolver in any way, and at 4.5lb you’d be hard pushed to call the Magnum Research Desert Eagle a conceal carry pistol.

It’s a larger gun than that, to be honest, and is more suited to home defense, or bear defense. It’s also a pretty high price, high spec gun. But it’s fun, this is the internet and we’ve got space. So here we are…

You might like 357 punch but also love large capacity magazines with a semi-automatic pistol.

In that case, semi-auto pistols are the way to go after all. Also, we just like putting something left-field at the bottom of our best of lists. We’re kind of contrary…

The semi auto Magnum Research Desert Eagle is a legend in 50 Action Express spec, but this smaller caliber comes with a few advantages. Like reduced recoil, and improved reliability.

Suddenly the semi-automatic pistol with 357 Magnum loads is viable, although we stop short of calling them carry guns. Or revolvers…


The Glock G32 357 Sig. An unusual semi-auto pistol alternative to the 357 Magnum revolvers on offer elsewhere.

17. Glock 32

  • Price: $582.99
  • Cal: 357 Sig Semi Auto
  • Barrel Length: 4 inch
  • Total: 7.3 inch
  • Weight: 1.7lb
  • Rounds: 13+1

This is very clearly a semi-auto pistol chambered in 357 Sig ammo, which surely rules it out of the best revolver class? I mean it does, yes, but… We like options.

Glocks fit carry holsters better than big stainless steel revolvers andf a Desert Eagle, that’s for sure, especially IWB holsters. There’s a lot of other benefits with concealed carry/home defense semi-auto pistols, too, including lots of follow-up shots.


Gun Accessories For Your Carry Revolver

So you have the best revolvers and maybe even the custom work of a limited edition gun builder. What else do you need? Well you can certainly look at top rated laser grips. Don’t underestimate the value of those red and green lights in a high stress situation and we do like these gun accessories.

Rifles, shotguns, tools, accessories, optics, pistols, revolvers, California compliant firearms. We got them all. Gun cases? Yes we have gun cases for them too. Rifles aren’t really relevant here, but we like revolvers, long guns too. So check out our posts on cheap AR-15s, and 308 rifles here.

Generally we like pistols, revolvers, long guns etc.

Don’t Forget 38 Special

You might want to consider the Smith and Wesson M&P Bodyguard for deep concealment or California compliant regs. Or the more impressive S&W M&P Performance Center model.

It might be for reduced recoil, reduced weight in your IWB holster, all that stuff. Whatever your reasons. a 38 Special still has a place in this world, and you can easily pick up a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard.

Other Calibers and Posts For You

We got all kinds of top rated firearms, handguns, pistols in all calibers. We have siome air guns, knives, tools, that stuff too. So check these posts when you’re done here.

Derringer 357 Magnum. Fun to shoot and a piece of history.
But do Forget a Derringer

You can buy a Bond Arms Derringer in 357 Magnum. The classic deep concealment pistol used to sit in cowboy’s boots or a gentleman’s pocket. But now we have better options and the Bond Arms Derringer line is really just fun for enthusiasts these days.

Even firing a 357 Derringer is kind of fun, but your Bond Arms won’t be your best target shooting pistol.


Micro Compact 9mm Luger Alternatives or a Back Up Gun

9mm Luger is a wild option to 357 Magnum, but it comes with a lot of benefits. The ammo is cheaper, there is much less recoil and 9mm Luger has come a long way in terms of ballistics.


Let’s not kid ourselves, 357 Magnum makes a much bigger hole with much more force. But the additional rounds of 9mm Luger and the ease of concealment definitely muddy the waters. There are pros and cons when you select your platform, buy guns online and build your home firearms collection, always…


So if you’re not sure about this, then we have a few options for you to consider.


S&W M&P Shield Performance Center Pro Series EZ 9mm Luger. Get yours today.
1. S&W M&P Shield Performance Center Pro Series Model
  • Price: $647.99
  • Cal: 9mm Luger
  • Barrel Length: 3.83 inch
  • Total: 7.3 inch
  • Weight: 1.45lb
  • Rounds: 8+1

The S&W M&P Shield Performance Center Pro Series Model EZ is a stylish, slimline 9mm Luger pistol.

So consider the S&W M&P Shield EZ as just one viable alternative to your 357 magnum revolver.

The M&P shield comes in a wide range of flavors, from the single stack compact M&P Shield through to the double stack compact M&P Shield Plus with more rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition. There is the sub compact M&P Shield with the shortest barrel too.

You can buy guns like this version of the S&W Performance Center Pro series in 30 Super Carry, too. And while people initially wondered why the hell they did it for carry, home defense etc, they seemed to get it pretty fast.

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Author

  • Nick Hall

    Nick is a lifelong gun enthusiast who has a simple mission. He wants to find the best deals for guns online and help you make the best choices with weapons your life may depend on one day.Nick won a minor league shooting competition at the age of 11 and it all went from there. Now he runs one of the biggest firearms websites on the net and his work has featured in Playboy US, Tatler Asia, Forbes and a whole host of national magazines and websites.

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