The slide show of Benny at the end was just spectacular. I nearly got emotional. The bond between a man and his dog is something special something that is hard to put into words. You guys are true Americans living the American dream.
It tells you a lot about the quality of your audience, when you look at the number of comments about Benny, instead of the .38/357 S&W Magnum! Proud to be part of that!
everyone talks about binge watching Netflix tv shows... I could binge watch him all day every day! The world needs more of this salt of the earth on it. Best wishes to Benny!!
A good Cigar and petting an old faithful Brittany, having a beer and talking about gun cartridge's, Life doesn't get too much better than this. ; ) I wish lived closer, I'd be sitting there with you.
Awesome video, thanks! I began a 36 year career in law enforcement in 1973. Until 1988 I carried a .357 Magnum revolver in uniformed duty, loaded with department issued .38 Special "FBI loads" with a 158 gr. Lead SWC-HP. I had to buy my own duty revolver in 1973. I bought a Colt Trooper MKIII, 4" barrel, mickle plated. Later, I was issued a S&W Model 28, 4" barrel .357 magnum and carried that until they were phased out. As the Department was going to "trade in" the revolvers, they offered the officers the opportunity to buy theirs. I bought mine. I still have both the Colt and the S&W with their boxes and papers and my duty rig and holsters. I later went into plain clothes work and no longer carried a large duty handgun. I was given some latitude in my carry gun and used either a Model 19 S&W with 2.5" barrel or a SIG P228 9mm. I retired in 2009. Yes, for many years our department issued .38 wadcutters for practice. They were free to us, so why not? We DID have to qualify monthly with the duty load, though. As I recall, that practice ammo was offered to us until some time after the department went to 9mm handguns. I think they just used up what was on hand. I have added many other .38/357 revolvers over the years, including J frame S&Ws, 2 Colt Officer's Model Match revolvers, a Colt Official Police, a S&W Model 19 w/2.5" barrel and a Ruger Single Six .357. They are some of the best, most useful handguns ever made. If you told me I could have only ONE handgun, I would choose the S&W Model 28. I can barely keep enough wadcutters loaded to keep my wife happy shooting her Officer's Model Match (yeah, I had to buy two because I was never going to be able to shoot the first one, once she got her hands on it) I have yet to find a more accurate and pleasant handgun to shoot than a Colt Officer's Model Match and .38 wadcutters. I use 2.6 gr. of Bullseye for loading a 148 gr. button nose wadcutter that I cast from wheelweights. They cost little more than .22 LR cartridges and are very pleasant to shoot in a heavy revolver, recoil barely more than a .22 I rarely shoot .357 Mag loads anymore. I handload and shoot LOTS of .38 Special, 9mm and .45 ACP, most all with cast bullets and Bullseye powder. One caution, it IS possible to double charge the .38 case with Bullseye, as I am sure you are aware. Be sure there is only ONE charge of powder in the case! I eyeball each casing with a bright flashlight in the loading block before seating bullets.
And me, actually he’d be someone I wished I had for a dad. Mine shot himself when I was 6 and and at 69 coming up on the 16 of January, 2023, I still wish I would have had a dad.
You have a beautiful family. Seeing the kids in the wagon behind the tractor reminded me of the rides my grandpa used to give us like that when I was a kid.
i love Benny and i love your videos my dad was 27 years army CWO3 ww2 and Korea he had experience like very few people have but you are one of them good health to you
Thank you. I could listen and learn all afternoon. I really enjoy shooting the 357/38 revolvers I own and always look forward to the next range session. I have been experimenting with rounds that are only taper crimped for both my revolvers and lever guns. So far I have not experienced any set back. We share a common bond with our family pooch cancer survivors. We consider our little lady a special gift in life and are so much richer for the opportunity to help her. In November of 2021 she was given 3-6 months to live and today she is a happy loving, typical 10 year old miniature schnauzer. My veterinarian and the doctor's of Animal Cancer Care Center of Florida are the brains behind the miracle. She is now a constant companion in the reloading room during reloading sessions.
Once again, you have proven to be one of the most knowledgeable gun experts I have encountered. What's so impressive to me is your diversity of knowledge on ALL gun platforms and history, and even metals, oils, chemicals, woods, and a wide variety of topics. As a rookie in 87 and 88, I carried a S & W Model 66. We were allowed to carry .357 Magnum ammo in our gun, but all extra rounds had to be .38's, in order to be interchangeable with the officers carrying the issued Model 64's. Most of the gun guys at the time were so excited about the 586/686, and I never understood it. Yes, my first six rounds were marginally tougher to handle than the guys with L frames, but my gun was lighter to tote all day, and handled faster out of the holster and on to target. We trained with .38 ammo, so under the adrenaline of an actual gun fight, I never worried about having trouble with the first six (I trained with them too, just to be sure). Nothing against the L frames--they are fine guns, but despite having 30 years plus on the Glock, if I knew I was going to need more than six rounds, I still want that 66 in my hand.
I'm 70 years old and I can remember every dog I've ever owned, some of my best memories are from sitting in bars, NCO clubs, and road houses with my buddies, and hunting and shooting.
Okay, I am not the only one that loves GunBlue. In just a week you've changed my perspective on cleaning my guns and taking life a little easier during these times. I haven't had a cigar in months so I will light one this weekend and watch another video of yours. Thank you sir.
I'm in my 60s now and haven't shot since I was a cadet. Getting back into target shooting and I'm learning a lot from your videos Gunblue490. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. I appreciate all your videos!
I’m locked down in Mission Viejo, California, while watching your flick. As a kid I shot my dad’s Smith & Wesson, 38/44. In 1967, I bought my first Smith & Wesson, Model 27, .357, with 8 ⅜ inch barrel. Since then I have bought numerous S&W revolvers. I also have numerous pistols. I’m a former Marine and Vietnam Veteran. I’m also a retired cop. As a cop my first duty firearm was a S&W mod. 15, .38. Later I went to another department and was issued a S&W mod. 66, .357, but we loaded it with 38+P, per department policy. Later we went to the .45 auto, 9mm. This lock down, I can’t get to the range, so I enjoy watching your flick as well as others. Thank you for your service and and Happy Birthday Benny, LOL. 😁🍖🍗
@@kesselster Not sure but if I had to guess might be wear and tear or bad publicity over using "a powerful round like the .357 for no reason" but I can't speak for sure obviously.
Department I worked for let you keep the revolver and carry it on duty until you retired. They did not force everyone to change. Police need to go back to wheel guns and pumps.
@@jasonweishaupt1828I'm inclined to agree. Ever since those goons in uniform turned that UPS truck into a connect four board with lines of fire crossing each other and civilians I don't trust any minimally-qualified patrol officer with a semiauto rifle.
Thank you so much for sharing the pictures of your beautiful family. It is heart warming to see God’s blessings. Happy birthday, Benny. May you have many more years of watching over your humans.
Absolutely love the Benny slide show. Brings back very fond memories of my German short hair, Abby. We had such a strong bond, and she was the smartest dog I ever had.
I have a snub 2" .38 for every day carry personal protection. I also have a 357 6 inch barrel highway patrolman. I use the #57 for home defense, camping / Hiking etc...I will Never let go of them until I pass on. then my Sons can have them. They are my favorite hand guns. I loved your vid Cheers Mate. I also am a dog Lover.
4 wheel guns and counting in .357 and or .38 special. Protects me and mine in various places platforms. Thank you sir, for your guidance and wisdom. Love to you too, Benny! God bless.
Thank you for all the effort you put into these videos: facts in context, lots of common-sense knowledge, and a mature outlook that tells your audience why you use these "tools" like you do. I standardized my guns on 38/357 without really knowing much about guns: after reading a lot, it seemed like a great compromise between operational costs, purpose (I just shoot targets), legal issues (I live in Maryland), and self-protection. I am a Vietnam Vet (Army Medic), a trans-woman, and retired Intelligence Officer... I know how terrible the death of another human is. I own 2 S&W pistols, and a Henry Big Boy rifle (all 38/357). I wish you and yours God's love and a long life. Again, thank you!
MY SON HAS CREATED A MONSTER WHEN HE GOT ME STARTED AS A BEGINNER RELOADER. I'M SO FASINATED BY YOUR WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, AND INSPIRTION THAT YOU SHOW AND GIVE YOUR TH-cam FOLLOWERS. THANKS FOR WHAT YOU SHARE.
First, a guy who loves his dog is usually a good man in my book. Second, listening to you reminds me of listening to dad& grandpa's "gun talk" as I was growing up. Third, here you mention my two favorite revolver cartridges. Looks like I got a trifecta in this video. Thanks. PS, dad was a cigar man too.
We came because we share a common interest. We subscribed for the quality of content & the character of the man delivering it. We watch ALL your videos for we learn from you no matter the subject matter. We "like" your videos and patiently await new postings. Then you tug our heart strings with "Baby" pictures(Happy Birthday Benny!). And to top it all off you give us affirmation the circle remains unbroken by presenting the whole wrecking crew. It is hard to tell which of us is the luckier. Thanks to the entire clan for sharing the Patriarch.
I first found your channel with you talking about the. 270 winchester. I am glad to hear that your dog recovered i lost my yellow lab a few months ago and he was 17.
Great video. I always learn so much from you. Great music. I don't know of you know it but the music is actually Puerto Rican folkloric music. My Dad played it live at home. Thank you wonderful
Thanks for joining us Bennie! And a belated happy birthday to you. The photos of you and your family are much appreciated in these interesting times. Slainte!
It’s wonderful to see Benny and heartbreaking at the same time as he looks just like my dog Mac who I lost to cancer many years ago. Brittanys are special big hearted dogs.
I e been watching your videos for a long time and quite honestly your realistic approach on caliber selection is by far unmatched in my opinion. Today I couldn’t help but notice your 25th Infantry hat. Are you a Vietnam Vet if so thank you for your service my Father was with the 101st in the central highlands 68-69.
My father's best friend was a police officer in Wisconsin. He became a police officer during the later half of the 1970's and retired in the late 200's. He started out with a Model 66 in .357 Magnum & yes he qualified with Magnum loads. During the late 1990's his department went to .40 S&W pistols which they still issue to this day.
Started my LE career with a S&W model 19 combat magnum, retired using a Glock model 19. Still have both! Miss my ol fur buddy, cherish every day you have with Buddy. God bless.
My opinion is Brittany's are the best bird dog and friend a guy can have. my last was 5 years ago she also thought she was a rabbit dog because she was raised with two beagles very smart dogs. Think you for your videos I'm 50+ closer to 60 and I Have hunted from the time I was 9 and shoot gun when I was 5 and still learn something with every video of yours I watch so again Thank You !!!
GunBlue, I’ve been watching you for close to a decade if not more. I often revisit your videos to refresh myself of the knowledge you have to share. Most recently I am contemplating buying one of the new Ruger made 1894s in 357/38 special and that inspired me to re-Watch this video. I love my Smith and Wessons/ Marlins and daydream about getting in the deer woods with an 1894 in my hands and my model 19 on my hip. If you’re ever in the Adirondacks I’d love to take you and our wives out to dinner. God bless.
Great video. Brings back old memories. Next week I will be on the job for 35 years. Started out with a S&W model 13. Nice carry gun, and great to shoot with wadcutters or any .38 Special load, but it was a handful with the Federal 125 grain .357 Magnum loads we carried. After a few months I picked up a model 686, which did handle the Magnum loads much better. I carried two speed loaders and 12 cartridges in the old loop holders on my duty belt. I still have the model 13 and model 686, and shoot them often with my .38 Special handloads. Great photo compilation of Benny.
Thanks once again for the great informative video. Lots of good information on these 2 cartridges. I've responded before to your videos but I've yet to thank you for your years of service in both the military and law enforcement. I appreciate all you've done and continue to do. And the pictures of Benny and your family were very fun to watch. It cheered me up watching. That's what life's all about.
Thanks for an enjoyable and informative presentation! I listened to it while resizing some 357 Magnum brass. I live in an area of Michigan where we're limited to straight walled cartridges with a maximum case length of 1.8" for deer hunting. I've become awfully fond of the 357 Magnum and, when launched from a carbine, I have found it effective on whitetails out to around 100 yards. I wouldn't push it much farther than that due to bullet drop and loss of velocity. But it is indeed a very versatile cartridge. Some day I wouldn't mind picking up a revolver in 357 Magnum to accompany my carbine.
Glad Benny is doing great. My oldest Joe, a Catahoula, just turned 12 and still acts like a fun puppy (he is sitting next to me in the car as I listen to this). A good dog is a blessing to the family in more ways than people realize. Great video. I didn’t hear mention the .38 Spl +P 158 gr LSWCHP ( “FBI Load”) or the .357 Mag 125 gr SJHP? I have been carrying both in my .38 and .357 revolvers for 15 years both for concealed carry and sometimes outdoor carry (I usually go a little heavier on the bullet weight in the woods). Loaded in my S&W M15 as I type is Buffalo Bore 158 gr .38 Spl+P LSWCHP. That exits my 4 inch muzzle around 1188 fps from chronograph memory.
Great video on the 38/357! I have 3 Brittany 1 since retired from hunting, in my opinion one of the best all around gun dog and best home companions especially with grand kids.
Thanks for the informative video. A few boxes of .38 special cartridges should be coming in today so that I can do some target shooting with my Ruger SP101 snubbie. I am using Speer Gold Dot 135 grain HP short barrel for my .357 magnum defensive round. That round has tested well for use out of the short barrel revolvers. Thanks for the pics of Benny. We got our puppy a little over a year ago and we love her as well. She is my wifeś dog, but she hangs out with me. LOL.
I’m a big fan of .38 spl and .357 mag. I have well over a dozen firearms that chamber the .38spl. I carry a vintage Smith or Colt snub in .38spl everyday. I appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge on the topic. Love Benny!
It's great to get a feel for a gun , shooting a lot of rounds , without going broke , using the .38 in place of the .357, and finishing up with the high dollar stuff.
Preach brother. I love my 686+ and I’m watching your video while enjoying a 601 Steel cigar and so far it’s drawing great. Excellent coverage of the material.
Whether in a single action revolver, double action revolver, or lever action rifle, these 2 can’t be beat. They’re easy to reload and with a 4 pound canister of Red Dot or Bullseye, plenty of primers, bullets and brass, they’ll get one through the ammo shortages we experience every few years.
Thank you for your videos. I look forward to you sharing your wealth of experience and knowledge. Glad you dog is doing well - they make the world that much brighter.
yes that is an excelant idea cause putting the 357 into a closed rifle chamber of 16 inchs or longer with right powder definetly brings the true power out of it
Yeah Benny! I'd love if we could get a video on the 45 Colt. I only have one firearm in this chambering but it's always fascinated me! Theoretically it can eclipse the versatility of the 44 Magnum, or so I understand. Not to mention all the history around it and some of the iconic guns that were chambered in 45 Colt.
We were in New York walking around one night. We watched a bad guy get tackled by a plain clothes cop right beside the sidewalk. His shirt came up and l saw he was wearing a 38 snubby. Another cop came running up and jumped on the pile ha ha. The walk light came on l said to the wife “ let’s go luvvy we have no business here. Everything is under control” I enjoy your vids. Respect!
Thank you GunBlue for another great video , the music and pictures at the end were heart warming . Its good to see Gods Light still shining in this Country. Benny is truly a Handsome Dog .
I found a nice S&W M66 in the early 1990’s. A security firm was upgrading to Glocks so they “dumped” all the revolvers & shotguns (Ithaca M37 in favor of Ruger Mini 14). I grabbed both the M66 & M37 for about $250 total. That’s when I actually started firing the .357 I’d heard so much about. It really took some getting used to. It took a while to overcome the flinch factor before I could control the weapon.
Another great video, for several reasons. My first centerfire handgun was a S&W Model 15 and I still have a collection of 38’s and 357’s that seem to continually grow. While scanning through videos for something I hadn’t yet seen, I stopped when I saw the familiar scene of you in your lawn chair, Benny, the cigar, and that Tropic Lightening cap. The scene was reminiscent of the last video of yours I watched featuring the S&W 41. Keep up the great job you do with the wide array of firearms related topics. That Redhawks you had strapped across your chest should be a good match for your bear problem, but maybe a little heavy for the ticks. Take care, be safe, and keep the great videos coming.
This guy I like , to the point about reloading . Years of experience, go by the book for any reloading data . Safety first I only have the powder I'm working with in the area. Doing that way 30 years. Take care of Benny .
Great video. I have recently come to the conclusion through trial and error that 38 special is indeed the better choice for a small lightweight J frame size revolver. I have owned three different 38 special revolvers in the past and then recently bought a 357 magnum revolver. This was a Ruger SP101, steel, with a 3" barrel. After firing the 357 and the 38 out of the same revolver, I came to the conclusion that the 357 magnum is just too strong out of a smaller revolver. Sure, the first shot would be fine. But follow up shots always suffered. And this was shooting with both hands. When you try to shoot with one hand, it was even worse. And when I shot with my weak hand, forget it. I couldn't hit anything. It was that much out of control. With 38 special I could fire with my weak hand and still hit the target. You have to train as you fight. Your dominant hand may be injured or out of action in a real fight. So now I carry only 38 special +P in my daily carry. No more 357 magnum except in rare circumstances when I'm hiking in bear country or something like that. But 99% of the time I'm carrying 38 +P and feel perfectly well equipped to defend myself in most any situation.
I got a S&W Model 60 in 357mag and I have fired full power magnum ammo in it once. That seemed to be an obviously fruitless pursuit to me, so I load to 38spl levels in 357mag brass and don't look back. Small guns are just not good for powerful cartridges.
I have been watching your videos for some time now and I have always learned something new even at 72. The thing I always wonder before I see your latest video is will we get to see your pal Benny what a wonderful buddy you have. God Bless you and Benny and thanks for the great firearms information.
The first handgun I ever purchased as a young man was my 6" 586, and it's still my favorite handgun. Even with the 6" barrel and full underlug, you're certainly correct that it isn't a gun for those who do not practice with full power cartridges, or cannot handle them. I take it to the range at least monthly, and after 50-100 rounds of practice with .38 Specials, I run several drills with Federal 357B (125gr SJHP). It is a world of difference between a .38 and those full-power .357 cartridges! I also keep ear protection and tinted shooting glasses nearby it at home, because the 125gr loads will daze you if you set one off in a hallway or small room unprotected. Your expertise certainly shows in your discussion of the overall length of the 158gr .38 Special round nose cartridges versus the length of .357 Magnum cartridges with lighter bullets. I have a Henry rifle chambered in .357/.38, but the manual states that it was designed with .357 length cartridges in mind, so you may get misfeeds if you use .38 Special cartridges other than 158gr loads. As I recall, it doesn't explain that is because of the shorter cartridge length, but that is the reason. Regardless of feeding issues, I've never fired wadcutters through it, because with a 20" barrel I have the same concern you express about the use of wadcutters at .357 Magnum velocities. Even at .38 Special pressures and velocities, I don't want to learn the hard way that they may cause excessive leading or damage the barrel because the conical rear of the bullet is under pressure for so long. The Henry is a fantastic gun for 180gr hard-cast bullets, though. Even with those screaming out at a muzzle velocity of about 1850fps, the weight of the gun makes them quite manageable for almost any shooter in case they are attacked by King Kong or a large boulder.
Thanks for another wonderful chat. I have to chuckle when viewing Bennies “baby pictures”. In the ones where he is featured with the cat, the cat looks a little less than enthused. These things warm my heart. Blessings to you, Cap.
Dear Mr. Gunblue, I truly enjoy you when you have the 3 things in life that make the day sweeter; a beverage of choice, a good cigar, and your dear best friend Benedict. Happy Birthday to Benny. As a Patreon Supporter, I find myself pleased that I can give back for all the knowledge you have shared willing to the community. God bless you and your family, and God bless the power of prayer which allowed your Benedict to continue celebrating birthdays on God's green earth with you. God bless, Rick Mansberger Redmond Sports Group
A good cigar, a beer, a fine dog, a comfortable chair, and making a video. Life is good.
Don't forget! Gun in holster.
The slide show of Benny at the end was just spectacular. I nearly got emotional. The bond between a man and his dog is something special something that is hard to put into words. You guys are true Americans living the American dream.
It tells you a lot about the quality of your audience, when you look at the number of comments about Benny, instead of the .38/357 S&W Magnum! Proud to be part of that!
everyone talks about binge watching Netflix tv shows... I could binge watch him all day every day! The world needs more of this salt of the earth on it. Best wishes to Benny!!
A good Cigar and petting an old faithful Brittany, having a beer and talking about gun cartridge's, Life doesn't get too much better than this. ; ) I wish lived closer, I'd be sitting there with you.
Me too , I would bring all the beer
The 357 and 38 are fine but YUCK a cigar stinks and it's not good for the lungs
@@aaronwilcox6417 weed is better true
Awesome video, thanks!
I began a 36 year career in law enforcement in 1973. Until 1988 I carried a .357 Magnum revolver in uniformed duty, loaded with department issued .38 Special "FBI loads" with a 158 gr. Lead SWC-HP. I had to buy my own duty revolver in 1973. I bought a Colt Trooper MKIII, 4" barrel, mickle plated. Later, I was issued a S&W Model 28, 4" barrel .357 magnum and carried that until they were phased out. As the Department was going to "trade in" the revolvers, they offered the officers the opportunity to buy theirs. I bought mine. I still have both the Colt and the S&W with their boxes and papers and my duty rig and holsters. I later went into plain clothes work and no longer carried a large duty handgun. I was given some latitude in my carry gun and used either a Model 19 S&W with 2.5" barrel or a SIG P228 9mm. I retired in 2009.
Yes, for many years our department issued .38 wadcutters for practice. They were free to us, so why not? We DID have to qualify monthly with the duty load, though. As I recall, that practice ammo was offered to us until some time after the department went to 9mm handguns. I think they just used up what was on hand.
I have added many other .38/357 revolvers over the years, including J frame S&Ws, 2 Colt Officer's Model Match revolvers, a Colt Official Police, a S&W Model 19 w/2.5" barrel and a Ruger Single Six .357.
They are some of the best, most useful handguns ever made.
If you told me I could have only ONE handgun, I would choose the S&W Model 28.
I can barely keep enough wadcutters loaded to keep my wife happy shooting her Officer's Model Match (yeah, I had to buy two because I was never going to be able to shoot the first one, once she got her hands on it) I have yet to find a more accurate and pleasant handgun to shoot than a Colt Officer's Model Match and .38 wadcutters.
I use 2.6 gr. of Bullseye for loading a 148 gr. button nose wadcutter that I cast from wheelweights. They cost little more than .22 LR cartridges and are very pleasant to shoot in a heavy revolver, recoil barely more than a .22 I rarely shoot .357 Mag loads anymore. I handload and shoot LOTS of .38 Special, 9mm and .45 ACP, most all with cast bullets and Bullseye powder.
One caution, it IS possible to double charge the .38 case with Bullseye, as I am sure you are aware. Be sure there is only ONE charge of powder in the case! I eyeball each casing with a bright flashlight in the loading block before seating bullets.
Did any one else get teary eyed watching that? Beautiful dog and family you have there, sir.
Thank you. I get teary eyed watching it. I am truly blessed by God.
@@GunBlue490 Yes you are. Greetings from Kamloops, BC, Canada.
I wish this guy was my next door neighbor.
Me too! 🥺
Yes
We d never get any work done. ...
And me, actually he’d be someone I wished I had for a dad. Mine shot himself when I was 6 and and at 69 coming up on the 16 of January, 2023, I still wish I would have had a dad.
I really like that he shared his puppy pictures, nothing better in a human quality than loving his pets.
You have a beautiful family. Seeing the kids in the wagon behind the tractor reminded me of the rides my grandpa used to give us like that when I was a kid.
i love Benny and i love your videos my dad was 27 years army CWO3 ww2 and Korea he had experience like very few people have but you are one of them good health to you
I like your cap, Welcome home, I was in Vietnam 67-69, Army.
Thank you. I could listen and learn all afternoon. I really enjoy shooting the 357/38 revolvers I own and always look forward to the next range session. I have been experimenting with rounds that are only taper crimped for both my revolvers and lever guns. So far I have not experienced any set back. We share a common bond with our family pooch cancer survivors. We consider our little lady a special gift in life and are so much richer for the opportunity to help her. In November of 2021 she was given 3-6 months to live and today she is a happy loving, typical 10 year old miniature schnauzer. My veterinarian and the doctor's of Animal Cancer Care Center of Florida are the brains behind the miracle. She is now a constant companion in the reloading room during reloading sessions.
That's wonderful. Thanks be to God!
You remind me of my father so much. From your demeanor and speaking to smoking a cigar and sitting outside having a chat. Don't change!
Once again, you have proven to be one of the most knowledgeable gun experts I have encountered. What's so impressive to me is your diversity of knowledge on ALL gun platforms and history, and even metals, oils, chemicals, woods, and a wide variety of topics. As a rookie in 87 and 88, I carried a S & W Model 66. We were allowed to carry .357 Magnum ammo in our gun, but all extra rounds had to be .38's, in order to be interchangeable with the officers carrying the issued Model 64's. Most of the gun guys at the time were so excited about the 586/686, and I never understood it. Yes, my first six rounds were marginally tougher to handle than the guys with L frames, but my gun was lighter to tote all day, and handled faster out of the holster and on to target. We trained with .38 ammo, so under the adrenaline of an actual gun fight, I never worried about having trouble with the first six (I trained with them too, just to be sure). Nothing against the L frames--they are fine guns, but despite having 30 years plus on the Glock, if I knew I was going to need more than six rounds, I still want that 66 in my hand.
What an endearing dog Benny is! I'm glad to hear that he's doing well.
I'm 70 years old and I can remember every dog I've ever owned, some of my best memories are from sitting in bars, NCO clubs, and road houses with my buddies, and hunting and shooting.
Okay, I am not the only one that loves GunBlue. In just a week you've changed my perspective on cleaning my guns and taking life a little easier during these times. I haven't had a cigar in months so I will light one this weekend and watch another video of yours. Thank you sir.
I'm in my 60s now and haven't shot since I was a cadet. Getting back into target shooting and I'm learning a lot from your videos Gunblue490. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. I appreciate all your videos!
I’m locked down in Mission Viejo, California, while watching your flick. As a kid I shot my dad’s Smith & Wesson, 38/44. In 1967, I bought my first Smith & Wesson, Model 27, .357, with 8 ⅜ inch barrel. Since then I have bought numerous S&W revolvers. I also have numerous pistols. I’m a former Marine and Vietnam Veteran. I’m also a retired cop. As a cop my first duty firearm was a S&W mod. 15, .38. Later I went to another department and was issued a S&W mod. 66, .357, but we loaded it with 38+P, per department policy. Later we went to the .45 auto, 9mm. This lock down, I can’t get to the range, so I enjoy watching your flick as well as others. Thank you for your service and and Happy Birthday Benny, LOL. 😁🍖🍗
God bless you and thank you for your service.
🍀🍀🍀🍀💚🍀💚👍👍👍👍💯
Thank you for your service...What did you think of that transition from .38 to 9mm?
Sir, do you know the "reasoning" for restricting the men in your department to .38 spc. +p as opposed to simply using .357?
@@kesselster Not sure but if I had to guess might be wear and tear or bad publicity over using "a powerful round like the .357 for no reason" but I can't speak for sure obviously.
You sir have provided a clear and concise history of the .38/.357 cartridge. My S&W model 19 served me well until department changed to 40 caliber.
Department I worked for let you keep the revolver and carry it on duty until you retired. They did not force everyone to change. Police need to go back to wheel guns and pumps.
@@jasonweishaupt1828I'm inclined to agree. Ever since those goons in uniform turned that UPS truck into a connect four board with lines of fire crossing each other and civilians I don't trust any minimally-qualified patrol officer with a semiauto rifle.
25th Infantry Division served In Viet Nam awesome thanks Brother.
I was at DaNang 633TFW F4 Crew Chief.
One of life's simple pleasures for me is to enjoy a premium cigar on my front porch, being able to do that and enjoy one with you is a good thing.
A stick, an IPA and a .44 magnum. The best gentleman on TH-cam. Prove me wrong.
I’m so glad I found your channel.
I've always favored the .38 Special as it was my first handgun. And I love the ending of this video with the pictures. What a great friend!
It's an easy round to shoot and return to target quickly even one handed.
Thank you so much for sharing the pictures of your beautiful family. It is heart warming to see God’s blessings. Happy birthday, Benny. May you have many more years of watching over your humans.
Absolutely love the Benny slide show. Brings back very fond memories of my German short hair, Abby. We had such a strong bond, and she was the smartest dog I ever had.
So great to see Benny doing well Sir. That story stuck close to my heart. To see prayers answered really strengthens faith! God Bless Sir
Thanks for explaining the merits of the 38 Special and .357 Magnum. These have been a favorite of mine since the mid-1960s.
I have a snub 2" .38 for every day carry personal protection. I also have a 357 6 inch barrel highway patrolman. I use the #57 for home defense, camping / Hiking etc...I will Never let go of them until I pass on. then my Sons can have them. They are my favorite hand guns. I loved your vid Cheers Mate. I also am a dog Lover.
4 wheel guns and counting in .357 and or .38 special. Protects me and mine in various places platforms. Thank you sir, for your guidance and wisdom. Love to you too, Benny! God bless.
Thank you for all the effort you put into these videos: facts in context, lots of common-sense knowledge, and a mature outlook that tells your audience why you use these "tools" like you do.
I standardized my guns on 38/357 without really knowing much about guns: after reading a lot, it seemed like a great compromise between operational costs, purpose (I just shoot targets), legal issues (I live in Maryland), and self-protection. I am a Vietnam Vet (Army Medic), a trans-woman, and retired Intelligence Officer... I know how terrible the death of another human is. I own 2 S&W pistols, and a Henry Big Boy rifle (all 38/357). I wish you and yours God's love and a long life. Again, thank you!
Nothing better in the quality of a human than loving his pets, Benny looks to be his baby. Great slide show at the end….😊😊
A very pleasurable sharing of history. Thank you!
Enjoyed your video, I server in the 25th INF. DIV. 65th Engr. Bart. 1980-84 Tropic Lightning 🇺🇸
Always enjoy just listening to this Man speak. What a great teacher.
Thank you
I just watched your 1911 video. Thanks for leaving the MP Corp in good shape for me. I was a MP in HI from 2002-2007. Tropic Lightning!
Thank you brother. We can be very proud of our unit's heritage. Tropic Lightning!
Anytime-Anywhere. Tropic Lightning
MY SON HAS CREATED A MONSTER WHEN HE GOT ME STARTED AS A BEGINNER RELOADER. I'M SO FASINATED BY YOUR WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, AND INSPIRTION THAT YOU SHOW AND GIVE YOUR TH-cam FOLLOWERS. THANKS FOR WHAT YOU SHARE.
Always enjoy hearing from you and watching Benny...God Bless
First, a guy who loves his dog is usually a good man in my book. Second, listening to you reminds me of listening to dad& grandpa's "gun talk" as I was growing up. Third, here you mention my two favorite revolver cartridges. Looks like I got a trifecta in this video. Thanks. PS, dad was a cigar man too.
We came because we share a common interest. We subscribed for the quality of content & the character of the man delivering it. We watch ALL your videos for we learn from you no matter the subject matter. We "like" your videos and patiently await new postings. Then you tug our heart strings with "Baby" pictures(Happy Birthday Benny!). And to top it all off you give us affirmation the circle remains unbroken by presenting the whole wrecking crew. It is hard to tell which of us is the luckier. Thanks to the entire clan for sharing the Patriarch.
357 is why I bought my first revolver. The 38 special is that great range round that makes me love 357 revolvers even more.
I first found your channel with you talking about the. 270 winchester. I am glad to hear that your dog recovered i lost my yellow lab a few months ago and he was 17.
I always carry my EAA snubby 357 when I'm in the woods with my Henry Allweathrr 357 rifle. Thanks for the excellent content as always!
In eastern Oklahoma we don't get long shots. I've had excellent success with a .357 lever. Generally
Great video. I always learn so much from you. Great music. I don't know of you know it but the music is actually Puerto Rican folkloric music. My Dad played it live at home. Thank you wonderful
Thank you. Yes, I was aware of the origin of that enjoyable music.
Thanks for joining us Bennie! And a belated happy birthday to you. The photos of you and your family are much appreciated in these interesting times. Slainte!
It’s wonderful to see Benny and heartbreaking at the same time as he looks just like my dog Mac who I lost to cancer many years ago. Brittanys are special big hearted dogs.
2-05-2021 At a time when everything seems upside down in the U.S. your videos relax me & give me peace.
Thank You & God Bless you .
Nice surprise photos of Benny. I've often said that dogs are God's special gift to mankind.
Agreed. I am happily owned by 4 dogs.
Yes, that's why dog is god backwards.
@@vladamirkb1 Amen. Undeniable. Proof positive.
I agree also I have a Mini Schnauzer that is 10 and he is really part of the family.
Paul Williamson If God made anything better than dogs he kept it for himself!
I appreciate your timeless wisdom, your love for Benny, and your Civic Duty.... God bless
I e been watching your videos for a long time and quite honestly your realistic approach on caliber selection is by far unmatched in my opinion. Today I couldn’t help but notice your 25th Infantry hat. Are you a Vietnam Vet if so thank you for your service my Father was with the 101st in the central highlands 68-69.
Yes, I served with the 25th MP Co. in the 25th Infantry Division at Cu Chi, Vietnam.
GunBlue490 thank you for your services !
Was the 25th based out of Schofield Barracks on Ohau?
I'm finding it difficult to imagine a higher quality of life than what this man has achieved. There has never been a better time to be an American.
Thank you for publishing this amazing content. This channel should be well ove 1 million subscribers!
My father's best friend was a police officer in Wisconsin. He became a police officer during the later half of the 1970's and retired in the late 200's. He started out with a Model 66 in .357 Magnum & yes he qualified with Magnum loads. During the late 1990's his department went to .40 S&W pistols which they still issue to this day.
Started my LE career with a S&W model 19 combat magnum, retired using a Glock model 19. Still have both! Miss my ol fur buddy, cherish every day you have with Buddy. God bless.
I need to get a holster like that. That Redhawk over the chest is pretty bad ass.
Damn straight
Check out Simply Rugged holsters. They have a Chesty Puller version.
Double D, i think…maybe double diamond out of Chugiak AK is where i bought mine…fits my 629 5” perfectly…makes it my go to when hitting the trail.
Hooray for Benny the wonder dog! So glad to here he continues to have great health. Loved the video as well. Thanks again.
My opinion is Brittany's are the best bird dog and friend a guy can have.
my last was 5 years ago she also thought she was a rabbit dog because
she was raised with two beagles very smart dogs.
Think you for your videos I'm 50+ closer to 60 and I Have hunted from the
time I was 9 and shoot gun when I was 5 and still learn something with every
video of yours I watch so again Thank You !!!
GunBlue, I’ve been watching you for close to a decade if not more. I often revisit your videos to refresh myself of the knowledge you have to share. Most recently I am contemplating buying one of the new Ruger made 1894s in 357/38 special and that inspired me to re-Watch this video. I love my Smith and Wessons/
Marlins and daydream about getting in the deer woods with an 1894 in my hands and my model 19 on my hip. If you’re ever in the Adirondacks I’d love to take you and our wives out to dinner. God bless.
Thanks for the chat! Keep imparting your knowledge. Much appreciated. Stay safe and may you always shoot true!
Electric Stawberry AKA the 25th Infantry division. Thank you for your service to your country.
Great video. Brings back old memories. Next week I will be on the job for 35 years. Started out with a S&W model 13. Nice carry gun, and great to shoot with wadcutters or any .38 Special load, but it was a handful with the Federal 125 grain .357 Magnum loads we carried. After a few months I picked up a model 686, which did handle the Magnum loads much better. I carried two speed loaders and 12 cartridges in the old loop holders on my duty belt. I still have the model 13 and model 686, and shoot them often with my .38 Special handloads. Great photo compilation of Benny.
Enjoyed your video and I have a love for S&W revolvers in 38/357. Excellent rounds.
Thanks once again for the great informative video. Lots of good information on these 2 cartridges.
I've responded before to your videos but I've yet to thank you for your years of service in both the military and law enforcement.
I appreciate all you've done and continue to do. And the pictures of Benny and your family were very fun to watch. It cheered me up watching. That's what life's all about.
Enjoyed your video. Nice hat, I’ve got one just like it. I was with 3/4 cav 67-68 cuchi.
Thanks for an enjoyable and informative presentation! I listened to it while resizing some 357 Magnum brass. I live in an area of Michigan where we're limited to straight walled cartridges with a maximum case length of 1.8" for deer hunting. I've become awfully fond of the 357 Magnum and, when launched from a carbine, I have found it effective on whitetails out to around 100 yards. I wouldn't push it much farther than that due to bullet drop and loss of velocity. But it is indeed a very versatile cartridge. Some day I wouldn't mind picking up a revolver in 357 Magnum to accompany my carbine.
Glad Benny is doing great. My oldest Joe, a Catahoula, just turned 12 and still acts like a fun puppy (he is sitting next to me in the car as I listen to this). A good dog is a blessing to the family in more ways than people realize.
Great video. I didn’t hear mention the .38 Spl +P 158 gr LSWCHP ( “FBI Load”) or the .357 Mag 125 gr SJHP? I have been carrying both in my .38 and .357 revolvers for 15 years both for concealed carry and sometimes outdoor carry (I usually go a little heavier on the bullet weight in the woods). Loaded in my S&W M15 as I type is Buffalo Bore 158 gr .38 Spl+P LSWCHP. That exits my 4 inch muzzle around 1188 fps from chronograph memory.
Great video on the 38/357! I have 3 Brittany 1 since retired from hunting, in my opinion one of the best all around gun dog and best home companions especially with grand kids.
What a brilliant video. So much good, easily understood information delivered in an informal fun to listen to and watch way. Well done.
Thanks for the informative video. A few boxes of .38 special cartridges should be coming in today so that I can do some target shooting with my Ruger SP101 snubbie. I am using Speer Gold Dot 135 grain HP short barrel for my .357 magnum defensive round. That round has tested well for use out of the short barrel revolvers. Thanks for the pics of Benny. We got our puppy a little over a year ago and we love her as well. She is my wifeś dog, but she hangs out with me. LOL.
Great educational video. You certainly know your subject. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I’m a big fan of .38 spl and .357 mag. I have well over a dozen firearms that chamber the .38spl. I carry a vintage Smith or Colt snub in .38spl everyday. I appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge on the topic. Love Benny!
It's great to get a feel for a gun , shooting a lot of rounds , without going broke , using the .38 in place of the .357, and finishing up with the high dollar stuff.
Great video, as always... best wishes from Chile.
Great video, thanks !
.38 special, is one of my favorites !
Happy Birthday to Benny !
Preach brother. I love my 686+ and I’m watching your video while enjoying a 601 Steel cigar and so far it’s drawing great. Excellent coverage of the material.
Whether in a single action revolver, double action revolver, or lever action rifle, these 2 can’t be beat. They’re easy to reload and with a 4 pound canister of Red Dot or Bullseye, plenty of primers, bullets and brass, they’ll get one through the ammo shortages we experience every few years.
Thank you for your videos. I look forward to you sharing your wealth of experience and knowledge. Glad you dog is doing well - they make the world that much brighter.
Watch out, Bennie! Those ticks and bears are on the prowl...
Glad to see he's doing so well!
God Bless!
Would be very nice to get a follow up video for the 38. special & .357 Magnum for lever action carbines & rifles .
yes that is an excelant idea cause putting the 357 into a closed rifle chamber of 16 inchs or longer with right powder definetly brings the true power out of it
Yeah Benny! I'd love if we could get a video on the 45 Colt. I only have one firearm in this chambering but it's always fascinated me! Theoretically it can eclipse the versatility of the 44 Magnum, or so I understand. Not to mention all the history around it and some of the iconic guns that were chambered in 45 Colt.
We were in New York walking around one night. We watched a bad guy get tackled by a plain clothes cop right beside the sidewalk. His shirt came up and l saw he was wearing a 38 snubby. Another cop came running up and jumped on the pile ha ha.
The walk light came on l said to the wife “ let’s go luvvy we have no business here. Everything is under control”
I enjoy your vids. Respect!
Thank you GunBlue for another great video , the music and pictures at the end were heart warming . Its
good to see Gods Light still shining in this Country. Benny is truly a Handsome Dog .
Such a beautiful dog and beautiful family. Thank you so much for sharing those pictures, you've made my weekend.
I Have several revolvers in 38spl/357mag. Probably my favorite cartridges. I really enjoyed this video. Thanks
Ahhh, another great video sir! I am one of those guys falling for revolvers lately, so this was very interesting subject matter. Thank you.
I found a nice S&W M66 in the early 1990’s. A security firm was upgrading to Glocks so they “dumped” all the revolvers & shotguns (Ithaca M37 in favor of Ruger Mini 14). I grabbed both the M66 & M37 for about $250 total. That’s when I actually started firing the .357 I’d heard so much about. It really took some getting used to. It took a while to overcome the flinch factor before I could control the weapon.
Another great video, for several reasons. My first centerfire handgun was a S&W Model 15 and I still have a collection of 38’s and 357’s that seem to continually grow. While scanning through videos for something I hadn’t yet seen, I stopped when I saw the familiar scene of you in your lawn chair, Benny, the cigar, and that Tropic Lightening cap. The scene was reminiscent of the last video of yours I watched featuring the S&W 41. Keep up the great job you do with the wide array of firearms related topics. That Redhawks you had strapped across your chest should be a good match for your bear problem, but maybe a little heavy for the ticks. Take care, be safe, and keep the great videos coming.
This guy I like , to the point about reloading . Years of experience, go by the book for any reloading data . Safety first I only have the powder I'm working with in the area. Doing that way 30 years. Take care of Benny .
Great video, especially the pictures at the end. Thank you!
What a treasury of memories! Love your videos.
Darn, and I told my wife I had quit smoking cigars! Thank you sir for another excellent gun history lesson.
Great video. I have recently come to the conclusion through trial and error that 38 special is indeed the better choice for a small lightweight J frame size revolver. I have owned three different 38 special revolvers in the past and then recently bought a 357 magnum revolver. This was a Ruger SP101, steel, with a 3" barrel. After firing the 357 and the 38 out of the same revolver, I came to the conclusion that the 357 magnum is just too strong out of a smaller revolver. Sure, the first shot would be fine. But follow up shots always suffered. And this was shooting with both hands. When you try to shoot with one hand, it was even worse. And when I shot with my weak hand, forget it. I couldn't hit anything. It was that much out of control. With 38 special I could fire with my weak hand and still hit the target. You have to train as you fight. Your dominant hand may be injured or out of action in a real fight. So now I carry only 38 special +P in my daily carry. No more 357 magnum except in rare circumstances when I'm hiking in bear country or something like that. But 99% of the time I'm carrying 38 +P and feel perfectly well equipped to defend myself in most any situation.
I got a S&W Model 60 in 357mag and I have fired full power magnum ammo in it once. That seemed to be an obviously fruitless pursuit to me, so I load to 38spl levels in 357mag brass and don't look back. Small guns are just not good for powerful cartridges.
@@Daekar3 Good call!
Glad seeing you having a good time and giving thanks to God!
I have been watching your videos for some time now and I have always learned something new even at 72. The thing I always wonder before I see your latest video is will we get to see your pal Benny what a wonderful buddy you have. God Bless you and Benny and thanks for the great firearms information.
Reminds me of my grandfather , was just down the range , with my 38 & 357 both my favorite revolvers
The first handgun I ever purchased as a young man was my 6" 586, and it's still my favorite handgun. Even with the 6" barrel and full underlug, you're certainly correct that it isn't a gun for those who do not practice with full power cartridges, or cannot handle them. I take it to the range at least monthly, and after 50-100 rounds of practice with .38 Specials, I run several drills with Federal 357B (125gr SJHP). It is a world of difference between a .38 and those full-power .357 cartridges! I also keep ear protection and tinted shooting glasses nearby it at home, because the 125gr loads will daze you if you set one off in a hallway or small room unprotected. Your expertise certainly shows in your discussion of the overall length of the 158gr .38 Special round nose cartridges versus the length of .357 Magnum cartridges with lighter bullets. I have a Henry rifle chambered in .357/.38, but the manual states that it was designed with .357 length cartridges in mind, so you may get misfeeds if you use .38 Special cartridges other than 158gr loads. As I recall, it doesn't explain that is because of the shorter cartridge length, but that is the reason. Regardless of feeding issues, I've never fired wadcutters through it, because with a 20" barrel I have the same concern you express about the use of wadcutters at .357 Magnum velocities. Even at .38 Special pressures and velocities, I don't want to learn the hard way that they may cause excessive leading or damage the barrel because the conical rear of the bullet is under pressure for so long. The Henry is a fantastic gun for 180gr hard-cast bullets, though. Even with those screaming out at a muzzle velocity of about 1850fps, the weight of the gun makes them quite manageable for almost any shooter in case they are attacked by King Kong or a large boulder.
Thanks for another wonderful chat. I have to chuckle when viewing Bennies “baby pictures”. In the ones where he is featured with the cat, the cat looks a little less than enthused. These things warm my heart. Blessings to you, Cap.
We lost the cat 2 years ago. We miss her. Benny enjoyed hanging out with her.
Dear Mr. Gunblue,
I truly enjoy you when you have the 3 things in life that make the day sweeter; a beverage of choice, a good cigar, and your dear best friend Benedict.
Happy Birthday to Benny.
As a Patreon Supporter, I find myself pleased that I can give back for all the knowledge you have shared willing to the community.
God bless you and your family, and God bless the power of prayer which allowed your Benedict to continue celebrating birthdays on God's green earth with you.
God bless,
Rick Mansberger
Redmond Sports Group
Great pictures of Benny as he grew, and as he became part of the family, it was a great way to end the video, he is a beautiful dog.