.357 Magnum
Serious blast and muzzle flash from short barrels, but from a lever carbine it turns into a soft-shooting brush gun — the most versatile revolver chambering ever made.
Family
Handgun
Introduced
1935
Origin
Smith & Wesson with Elmer Keith and Phil Sharpe, USA
History
Developed by Smith & Wesson with input from Elmer Keith and Phil Sharpe, the .357 Magnum debuted in 1935 in the Registered Magnum as the world's most powerful handgun cartridge. It became a law-enforcement mainstay for decades and set the template for every magnum revolver cartridge that followed. Its ability to also fire .38 Special makes its revolvers uniquely versatile.
What it's used for
Iconic platforms
Smith & Wesson Model 19 and 686, Colt Python, Ruger GP100 and Blackhawk, plus Marlin and Henry lever carbines.
Common load types
Jacketed hollow point, jacketed soft point, and full-power hunting loads, with .38 Special as the practice option.
Reference only — not loading data, not ballistics advice, and KitID links to no ammunition sellers. Know your local law before you buy anything that goes bang.