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I am wanting a new ccw. I currently carry a XDS and I really like it. I am wanting a 357 with a short barrel. Does anybody have any tips on what would be best. There just seems to be so many options Any help would be much appreciated.

Welcome to the forum, why the change?

How are you going to carry. Hip, pocket, ankle? How heavy?5-8 shot?

I would avoid those small lightweight .357's. Airweights or something like that. I tried them at a range awhile back and they are so painful to shoot I would rather throw one at someone than shoot them with it. Even with .38 special they are not that great to shoot.

If you want to shoot 16" shells, you need a battleship hull.

Thanks for the welcome. I've been reading the forum for a while but I decided I needed some help from the experts.

I love my XDS. I just want to add some variety to my CCW options.

I have a Taurus 605 PLY SS it's a .357 that has a polymer frame. It comes supplied with two grips a compact grip and a boot style grip. I find full house .357 125 gr loads aren't unpleasant to shoot with the compact style grip. I haven't tried shooting it with the smaller grip.

I would like a 5 shot that I could carry in my pocket or on a IWB holster.

Ruger SP-101

Okay I have an XDs (in the glorious .45) and a Taurus 85 (almost like the one pictured above) which shoots .38 Spec +P ammo. I have the little 85 for a while and just picked up the XDs this month (The XDs just replaced my Taurus PT111 in 9MM as my EDC.). I also have an IWB Max tuck WhiteHat Holster for the XDs (and I am not sure how things could get more comfortable or more concealed. )

So in comparison of my XDs and my Model 85:
Both are 5 shots but the .45 vs .38 is a big difference.
Size: width on the XDs is just under an inch, the 85 is 1.3”. I think any revolver is gonna be wider, adding to the challenge of concealment. Both are listed as 4.4" in height.
Weight: XDs is 21.5 oz and the 85 is 18.2 oz…so technical advantage to the 85 if you can feel the difference in 3.3 ounces!
Reloading: the win goes to the Semi auto, yeah I know there are those “speed loading revolver freaks” but that aint me!
Simplistic fail-proof operation, slight edge to the 85 but I think that comes from “old-skool” indoctrination and not really based on fact.
The grip and comfort level in my hand, goes to the XDs
Accuracy: oh yeah totally the XDs but again that is user based and very self biased!

I can’t imagine a scenario in which I would leave the XDs at home and take the 85. But I do agree, I do like having a verity of different weapon classes/types to shoot with but for EDC…hands down the XDs everyday.

Good luck and I do recommend the Taurus line of revolvers. Well built, inexpensive and I have never had an issue with mine.

S&W 60. It's a great carry.

How about the XD in .357 sig or glock 33? That way you stay semi-auto.

Best advice I never took:

SHOOT BEFORE YOU BUY

Small guns aren't always unpleasant to shoot. I have an old Rossi 5 shot snub that was my dad's 'leave in the car' gun. It lived a life of neglect, but it still goes 'bang' every time. Wouldn't want to get into a protracted shootout (or range session) with it. But I've fired several strings out of it enough to trust it and it wasn't painful. This is in a lightweight 38 shooting 125gr JHPs. Not target ammo. So I wouldn't be too scared of a snub, especially if you shoot 38s. If you carry full house 357 rounds, it could smart a bit.

What I really want is something that I can use as a secondary carry or when I need to be able to just carry in my pocket. I want something small but with some power.

S&W 360PD. Small, extremely lightweight, .357 magnum capable. I pocket carry and IWB mine all the time when the weather gets warmer.

Be warned, it does have a significant recoil impulse with .357 magnum. Kinda like getting your hand hit with a broomstick. But that's the trade-off with lightweight power.