Whether you are looking for a new challenge or wanting to partner a caliber-matched handgun with your rifle, now is the time to check out a .350 Legend handgun. The low-recoiling round first tailored for AR platforms and straight-wall-restricted states now makes its home on handguns of most every type.  
 

About the .350 Legend

We won’t get into details here, as we covered the specs and history of the .350 Legend at length in years past. As a quick recap, the .350 Legend has proven itself a user-friendly and pleasant shooter in both long guns and handguns. Introduced in 2019 by parent Winchester, the .350 is a new casing sized for .357-caliber projectiles. 

Though still a young round, most major ammunition manufacturers have gone all in, with loads for everything from plinking to hunting to suppressed use, and even home defense. Common bullet weights range from 145 to over 250 grains, allowing shooters to find the proper ammo for the job at hand. 
 

Related: Top Picks in .350 Legend Ammo for Deer Hunters

The round has been touted as effective to the 200-yard-plus range, but its effective and ethical limits drop off a little with the loss of performance from a handgun-length barrel. Still, the .350 Legend holds real appeal for deer and wild hog hunters, among others. What’s more, its lower recoil makes it controllable and surprisingly accurate.
 

The AR Class

With its rim diameter identical to the .223 Rem/5.56 NATO and overall length ideal for AR-magazines, the .350 Legend was purpose-built to run in short-action modern sporting platforms. Plenty of rifles and uppers have been created around the round. 
 

In fact, CMMG’s Resolute has long been one of our favorite rifles, and the company now offers a related Dissent pistol on its Mk4 line. POF, Franklin Armory, and many more are also on the pistol board. 
 

Related Review: Not Your Typical AR Pistol – CMMG Dissent Review

In 2019, Ruger showed an AR-556 braced pistol with .350 Legend upper. Numerous other small companies tout .350 Legend uppers of both rifle and pistol length. Though not traditionally considered serious hunting handguns, we can’t dismiss the role of AR platforms in that space, especially when they seem right at home on high-volume hog hunts. 
 

What’s Next

A few of these entries were somewhat unexpected (looking at you, Savage PCS), but none are unwelcome. So, what will come next? Perhaps other revolver builders will join the fray. AR pistols also make a natural host. Though we’re not yet familiar with the rejuvenated T/C brand, a .350 Legend offering for the Contender and Encore platforms makes perfect sense. 

Many straight-wall chamberings come and go without leaving a lasting impression, but it seems the .350 Legend, at least among the latest straight wall dearth, is here to stay. The main reason is that its appeal reaches far beyond those states under shotgun-only and centerfire casing restrictions. As a low recoil, practical deer and hog hunting player, a .350 Legend handgun will suit first timers and experienced hunters alike.