I want a .357, opinions wanted

[gofastman]

Id like to get a .357 revolver.
I had a Taurus Model 66 with a 6" barrel that was almost perfect, but I dont want another Taurus.
It cant be super expensive, and it will primarily be a range toy. I'll be putting a lot of round through it.
I was thinking a Ruger SP101 with a 4.2" barrel

[Clay M]

I like the 686 L frame Smith in a 6" barrel for fun shooting.The 4" if you are going to carry it a lot. The L frame seems to be the right size for the .357 cartridge.

[Andrew Mason]

cant go wrong with a GP100

they are built like tanks.

[waco]

I picked up a very nice 6" SS Colt King Cobra awhile back. Very slick action and beautiful trigger.

[wv109323]

Unless you are going to carry concealed I would stick with a 6" barrel. Used Ruger, S&W or a Colt Trooper.

[Mk42gunner]

For a range toy, not super expensive; it is very hard to beat a six inch GP-100.

I have had several .357's over the years, the six inch or longer barrels are fine for range use and hunting, but the four inch barrel is a lot handier if you ever see yourself carrying it.

The one .357 revolver I ended up keeping? A blue four inch GP-100. It is a good all around gun, and will do anything I need a .357 to do.

Robert

[richhodg66]

If you can wait, look around for a used Ruger Security Six. I am very fond of mine. Seems like the bigger framed revolvers are just a little too big and as has been said already, Ruger tends to overbuild things where strength is concerned.

[Outpost75]

The GP100 is similar in size to the S&W "L" frames. The S&W is prettier, but the Ruger is more rugged.

GP series also has good reputation for accuracy. Older Security Six, Service Six and Speed Six series are OK if you find one in good mechanical condition which requires no gunsmithing, but the factory doesn't service them anymore because the supply of spare parts for them ran out several years ago. I still have my Service Six and like it alot.72596

If you want a smaller .357 for "Kit Gun" type use, the SP101 with the 4" barrel is a good choice.

[Artful]

I find that the shorter barrel 357's are just a little too loud with magnum loads for my tastes
My wife has a SP101 3" and it carries ok in her purse but we don't shoot it much with magnums.
My personal fav is Dan Wesson - I have 4" and 6" barrels but usually use the 6"
- the S&W L frames are about the same size and were developed after the K frames couldn't stand up to a steady diet of 357's
- the GP100 or Security Six are nice guns and up to large numbers of 357 loads.
- I guess the Ideal would be a nice 5 inch barrel L frame in stainless steel with a Nelson Ford Trigger job/Tune

[jlucke69]

I have the GP100 in 4" stainless. It's as accurate at the handgun range as I am. The shorter barrel allows ease of carry in the field if you decide to do so. Mine is about 20 years old and still going strong.

[Larry Gibson]

Concur with a GP100 or better yet a Security Six. I prefer the 6" barrel but a 4" barrel is ok. Both are hell for stout and take full magnum loads ( the old ones loaded to SAAMI MAP) w/o rattling apart. A good S&W used L frame would be my 2nd choice but they can be more spendy. If all you are going to do is shoot single action then also consider a Ruger BH.

Larry Gibson

72597

[HighHook]

+1 on the Ruger family.

[gofastman]

thanks for the input everyone!
why no love for the SP101?

[Love Life]

S&W model 28...

The end.

[NoZombies]

A smith model 19 is another good choice.

I doubt most people would choose the SP101 over a larger framed gun, if the purpose of the gun is range duty.

[Bonz]

I really wanted a S&W 686 but could not find one. So I bought a Ruger GP100 3" barrel with fixed sites. It's definately heavy duty but I am not a fan of fixed sites. And of course, it shoots a little to the right, LOL. Who knows, maybe its just the shooter. I have heard some negatives about the S&W 686 that there were issues with anyone shooting all 357 magnum loads, especially the lighter 125gr bullets. Supposedly the barrel cone has split on some of them but S&W is replacing the barrels under warranty.

[richhodg66]

Larry, that Security Six looks like mine except yours is in better shape. Mine has been my "off the blacktop" gun for 25 years or so now, I love it and if I had to depend on a handgun, it would be the one I wanted in my hand.

I got a S&W 27-2 a couple of years ago, nice revolver, but talk about big and heavy. Way more gun than needed for a .357. It also has short chambers because the rims are recessed into the cylinder, ammo I had loaded for my Ruger wouldn't let the cylinder close.

[PS Paul]

Seems to be no shortage of guys who suggest Ruger. I have the Security six in a 6" stainless version and love it. The GP100 is he** for stout. As a shooter, someone above mentioned full-size instead of the SP series and I would support that position FULLY.

Let us know which you decide.

[marlin39a]

I like the Ruger Blackhawk, short barrel. You want to shoot a lot, this is the gun.

[Outpost75]

thanks for the input everyone!
why no love for the SP101?

The SP101 is a better platform for .38 Special +P and +P+ than for .357. Not that there is any weakness in the gun, for there isn't, but full .357s are nasty to shoot in short-barreled guns weighing less than about 30 ozs.

I had an SP101 from early production which was chambered in .38 Special, and I shot lots of +P+ LE ammo in it with no issues. I gifted to my brother because he needed a sturdy .38 off-duty carry piece which could handle an unlimited diet of Q4070 110-gr. +P+ ammo, and it will.

For what its worth, .38 Special ammo will be somewhat more accurate when fired in a cylinder having the correct chamber length, than when firing the same ammo in a .357 chambered gun. The difference is not important for field shooting, but is significant and measureable when testing a large number of guns.

Some Rugers were produced for police orders with .38 Special cylinders, because those departments didn't want their officers carrying "Magnum" ammo for political reasons. If you are lucky enough to find one of those Ruger .38 Special police turn-in guns, you have a very accurate and strong .38 Special which will stand a steady diet of +P and +P+ loads.

[MtGun44]

Both Sec Six 6" and S&W 586 + (7 shooter) are superbly accurate in
my experience.

Bill

[dagunnut]

I would have to side with the GP100 or the S&W 686. The college I went to had both of these models for firearms training for the Law Enforcement students. These revolvers had hundreds of thousands of rounds fired thru them (granted it was 38spcl target reloads). They never failed and where cleaned with only a bronze bore brush and Hoppe's #9 with a few patches pushed thru on a jag afterwards.

Mario
dagunnut

[jlucke69]

I like the SP101 as well and own a smaller one, but it was not available when I purchased the GP100. You also gain an extra round with the GP. Either should last a life time.

[jmort]

"why no love for the SP101?"

There is a lot of love out there, but I had a 3" .357 SP101 and to me it is both too heavy and too light. Too light for me and some/many/most to comfortably shoot heavy .357 ammunition, and too heavy for CCW for what you are getting. I would get a six shot 686 or a GP100.

[seagiant]

Hi,
My fun gun!

[MT Gianni]

I have heard some negatives about the S&W 686 that there were issues with anyone shooting all 357 magnum loads, especially the lighter 125gr bullets. Supposedly the barrel cone has split on some of them but S&W is replacing the barrels under warranty.
That was the model 66 not the 686. Also the mod 19 and the reason the L frames came about in the late 80's. The L frames are considered stout enough for any and all 357 loads vs the K frame "practice with 38's and carry 357's".

[Ed_Shot]

+1 for 6" GP100

[Para82]

I own a SP101 357 with the 3 1/16 barrel and it will do all I need from a 357. However it is not a range gun with full house magnum loads. It does make a good companion for my Rossi 92 carbine though. It is also pretty stout for a small pistol and I like it for a woods carry gun. Hope this helps ya.
Para82

[Lucky Joe]

The .357 does most anything I need to do.
(2) Ruger Blackhawks 4 5/8" barrels. One in each hand is fun.
(1) Ruger Security Six 4"
(1) S&W 686 6"
(1) Ruger Redhawk 7.5"
If I need more I have a Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag., the .38/.357 is my favorite pistol cartridge. Would like to get a rifle to go with the handguns someday.

[1Papalote]

thanks for the input everyone!
why no love for the SP101?

For me?
A 357 that is easy to carry is painful to shoot.
A 357 that is easy to shoot is painful to carry.

1Papalote

[dragon813gt]

Don't rule out a 586. They're being made currently and I've seen them at quite a few shops. Here is mine that I picked up a few months back.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/dragon813gt/Firearms/8FE93859-92A7-43DC-9124-4A76490DAF26-13533-0000095D41B1B15F-1.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/dragon813gt/Firearms/159E3089-22F2-4644-B4A7-AFF7DA10E159-13533-0000095D49A2881B.jpg

Yes it has a lock but since this is strictly a range toy I'm not worried about it.

[atr]

S&W 28, or Colt Trooper
I just picked up a Herter/Sauer .357 in 95% for $200.00 and its a great shooter

[Clay M]

My 6" S&W 686 has a single port in front of the front sight.I suppose it does some good ,although I can't really tell because I no longer have my 6" Python to compare it to.It seem to be a very accurate gun.

[Artful]

thanks for the input everyone!
why no love for the SP101?

For me?
A 357 that is easy to carry is painful to shoot.
A 357 that is easy to shoot is painful to carry.

1Papalote

That's pretty accurate and the grip on SP101 is less comfortable than GP100 for larger hands.

[ironhead7544]

thanks for the input everyone!
why no love for the SP101?

The new 4 incher with adjustable sights is about the perfect size for a 357 Magnum. They are a bit expensive.

I always thought the medium frame revolvers were best for the 357. The Security Six is really nice. If you will be hunting with the revolver, then a 6 inch would be better. Lots of good ones around. A good used Blackhawk might fill the bill for you.

[Groo]

Groo here
As I carry a 2in SP101 And have other revolvers in the longer barrel lengths I will chim in.
If you want a pure paper puncher [that means light 38 loads] go with a 38 or 357 K frame Smith, L's and N's are too large and heavy.
If you want a field gun what ever trips your trigger.
If you want a gun to shoot and carry and for CD then barrel length and weight come into play.
My best allround's are a 3in GP100 fixed sight, a 3 in SP101 and a M60 Pro.
Your 4in SP would match with the Pro well , adj sights , thin, fairly light and enough barrel to turn on a 357.
Forget the problems with grips as these are small frame revolvers and changing grips to fit you is easy.
Lastly, if you are going to shoot magnum loads a lot , the SP would get the nod as it is somewhat larger and heaver.
But for lighter target loads, a lesser number of magnums and alot of carry the m-60 is something else!!!

[texassako]

I love my Security Six, but that does not mean I wouldn't pick up a 6" GP100 if it came my way.

72725

[jonp]

^is right. I've had both a gp100 & a sp101. The smallest frame of the sp101 made it much more suited for shooting 38sp on a daily basis and carrying 357mag concealed. If you have never fired Cor Bon full house 357 mag from a light 2.5in pistol you have not experienced recoil. I'm no shrinking violet but 5 of those at one was all I wanted. It makes a superb carry pistol. The gp100 is one you will never wear out. I used 165gr Rem cor locs to take a nice whitetail with it and wish I had it back.

[dilly]

I have the 4 inch sp101 and I have to say I wish I had gotten one of the full size ones. It's not exactly portable anyway. My $.02.

Maybe if I'd've gotten the GP100 I would be wishing for an SP101, haha who knows.

[Lonegun1894]

I have a SP-101 2 1/4", a Security Six 4", and a GP-100 6". All shoot well. The recoil is nothing I pay any attention to or even really notice in any of them with full power 158gr loads, and I load mine to be closer to the old standard for the .357 Mag, not the new standard. Having said that, I have been carrying .357s, .45 ACPs, and .45 Colts for 20 years now so I have had a little time to egt used to them. My first .357 snubbie was a Taurus 605 that I wore out completely after about 10K rds (which is why I won't recommend a Taurus .357), and it definitely recoiled and was painful at first. To the point that I almost sold it after the first 100 rds in one range session. I continued practicing though and it though, and got to where eventually the recoil just didn't bother me. If you're at all concerned about recoil though, I would recommend any full size Ruger that feels best in your hand. The Security Six is great, as is the GP-100. I have Blackhawks in .44 Mag and .45 Colt, and those are great so I don't see the .357 version being a slouch in any way either--and will get one some day.

[GaryN]

I've had a Model 19 S&w four-inch, a security-six six inch, a 686 S&W six inch, and a GP100 six inch. The S&W triggers were a little better. The Rugers were stronger when shooting a lot of full house loads. My favorite is the Gp100. Very accurate. And I don't have to load it lighter. I can just shoot the snot out of it and it keeps begging for more.

[Clay M]

I believe the L frame was S&W's answer to the Python. It is pretty much the same size,and a good bit smaller than the N frame. I carried a 66 K frame for years and can still draw and fire it faster than any other handgun I own.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

.ouge?

[Jeff82]

+1 on the Rugers. If you intend to shoot standard magnum loads and you want target accuracy, I'd go with a GP-100s rather than the SP-100s. GPs are great for shooting heavier loads comfortably. I love the SP snubnoses, but that's a different shooting experience.

My personal preference is the Ruger Blackhawk, which is exceptionally accurate and a joy to shoot. The GP series is more practical for self-defense, etc.

[pdawg_shooter]

Colt Python, I have 2 and they are the finest handguns I own, bar none.

[Beerd]

My Dan Wesson was a good one until I traded it off for something I "needed" more.
Now I have a Model 66 S & W.
There's nothing wrong with my Blackhawk either.
And my Contender in .357 Mag is pretty nice too.
..

[Matthew 25]

My 4" Smith 28 is easily the best .357 I've shot. I thought I was through with .357s. I figured why not just shoot the .44? Well, then I found this smooth as SILK 28 locally and bought it. It honestly makes my Python feel sub-par. The Python outshines it with no comparison when it comes to balance and looks...but the 28 is smooth, soft shooting with hard hitting magnums, and very accurate.
I've had short SPs also. Wonderful and can be tuned to be very smooth, pretty accurate for its size and sights. But full house loads wore me out after a while. I chuckle when I shoot magnums from the 28...I could really shoot it for hours straight.

[Matt85]

ill give a +1 to the Ruger Blackhawk.

I used to shoot with a guy who had one and I found it to be not too heavy and not too light (light enough to carry and heavy enough for full mag loads). for a while I was looking at picking one up but I never got around to it as im not a big pistol guy.

-matt

[wiljen]

4" model 28 Highway Patrolman. You can pick one up in decent shape for $300 a lot of times, they are built like a tank and usually accurate enough with 38s to make great range toys.

[HDS]

If it where for me, it would be either a 586 or 686. Preferably a 586", 6" barrel or a 5".

[Kraschenbirn]

I have several .357's but for 'fun' shooting my two favorites are both S&Ws: a 4" M66 and a 6" 586.

btw...+1 on everything Outpost75 said in the previous post. I also have a 3" SP101 that I shoot quite a bit and it hasn't seen a magnum load in a long, long time. IMO, +P .38s seem to be a better choice in a snubby...less muzzle blast, quicker recovery between shots, etc.

Bill

[Beagle333]

GP-100, hands down. :-D

[GabbyM]

Double action S&W.

[country gent]

My wifes favorite revolver was a Ruger security six adjustable sights 4" barrel with a set of pachmeyer grips on it. She shot this one alot. It has held up very well over the years. We had a load worked up with 200 grn bullets for her to use on Bowling pins. I have had several a S&W 27 6" barrel was heavy and big but tough as all get out beautiful trigger. My current favorite is an old Python nice wieght and size 6" barrel that old school trigger and classic lines. SHoots great handle well. Handle several diffrent models at the local gun shops and see what fits your hand and eye. If possible rent or try diffrent ones also. I do that at the local shop here if there is something "new" Im interested in and its in the rental rack. Rent the gun a box of Factory ammo (ugh) and an 1/2 hours range time. I usually decide its not what I need for a much smaller fee than buying and reselling. Although when I rented the SIG 238 380 the one in the showcase came home with me that day. Handle all the diffrent ones you can shoot them if possible see what feels right. Ask questions of the sales people, They know alot about the companys performance with returns repairs service and custom work.

[Petrol & Powder]

I'm going to toss another vote in for the GP100 ! I've owned bunch of revolvers and worked on a bunch as well. The GP100 is a solid design and one of my, "If I could only have one" guns. The S&W L frames are good revolvers but the design just doesn't have the strength of the Ruger. The Colts are OK but finding a good one can be costly and I've never known one to stay in time as well as a Ruger or a S&W. The SP101 and the older Security-six models are good choices but for a full sized .357 I'd go with the GP100. I've heard the complaints about the Ruger trigger and it's just a non-issue in my opinion. Yes the S&W may have a better out of the box trigger (some of the time) but the Ruger can be improved easily if needed.
I'm not maligning S&W revolvers and I've owned a bunch and still own several, it's just the Ruger has a better design in my opinion. If you need to carry the Ruger it's going to be heavy and that might tip edge to a S&W or at least a SP101. The K frame/L frame/N frame debate will take up too much room on this thread but they all have pros & cons.

[BD]

I'm pretty fond of my Dan Wesson. It's as strong as anything out there,(unless you find one of the rare .357 Redhawks), as accurate as anything out there, and when I want a 4" barrel, I put it on. When I want a 6" barrel, I put that on.
BD

[Shedhunter]

My vote goes for the Ruger Blackhawk, nice robust single action.

[jimb16]

I'm a Security-Six guy. My 6 inch is both my home security gun and my backup deer gun. It goes to the range a lot, mostly for my wife who occasionally let ME shoot it!

[sigep749]

I have a 2", 3", and 4" SP, 4" and 6" GP and an 8-3/8" Smith. Love them all. The 4" SP with Hogue after market grips(in my very large hands) is a joy to shoot 38's, 357 mags, not A joy, but managable. But I carry the 4" SP around the farm above any of the others, unless deer hunting, because it carries easy and is accurate. Mainly just plunk with 38's

[osteodoc08]

Smith L frame or GP-100. I enjoy the GP, but find the 586/686 a little more polished.

If SA is your thing, a blackhawk.

Honorable mentions for Dan Wessons and the Ruger security and service sixes.

[John 242]

Or a Model 27 with a 6-inch barrel. I love mine.
It was $295 at a pawn shop and came with a holster and rubber aftermarket grips.

[2wheelDuke]

You guys talking about Model 27's for $300 are killing me. I've never seen one under twice that price around these parts.

[mj2evans]

I remember when gun shows were littered with N frame 357s (had I only known). I really like a 6in 686 S&W (current 357). Had a 4" 19, great carry gun but full power loads where a little much after about 30 rounds at the range. No doubt Ruger makes a good revolver and built like a tank. Love a Colt but never could afford one. Still kick myself for selling my Dan Wesson even if it had a little creep in the trigger.

[Petrol & Powder]

You guys talking about Model 27's for $300 are killing me. I've never seen one under twice that price around these parts.

Roger That. I can't remember the last time I saw a decent K-frame for under $300! A good model N-frame in .357 would start at about $700 around here.

[John 242]

Roger That. I can't remember the last time I saw a decent K-frame for under $300! A good model N-frame in .357 would start at about $700 around here.

Believe or not, it really wasn't that long ago. 2005, I think. It has a few pits that you won't see unless you know they're there. Great gun and a lot of fun to shoot.

[Petrol & Powder]

Believe or not, it really wasn't that long ago. 2005, I think. It has a few pits that you won't see unless you know they're there. Great gun and a lot of fun to shoot.

I don't doubt it, it's just killing me that I miss finds like that.

[Sasquatch-1]

If you want something that will take almost anything you throw at it, you can't beat a Blackhawk. They can still be purchase relatively cheap compared to better quality double action revolvers. If you can find a convertible you have the option of using 9mm in it, although not the most accurate choice for ammo.

[Dryball]

It's not all that cheap but I would go with the Chiappa Rhino. There's hardly any recoil and you can shoot it as fast as anything and is accurate as all get-out.

[Clay M]

One thing to consider is the fact that customer service for S&W or Ruger is great. They both are very accommodating.

[robertbank]

I use my GP100 4.2" for IDPA SSR and love it. I prefer the balance of the shorter gun. Gun is accurate as heck. The cylinder throats on my GP100 were to tight for cast and had to be reamed out to .358. Leading in the first 1/8" of the rifling is now being slowly solved by fire lapping. Guns are hell for stout and take about all you can throw into them.

Take Care

Bob

[smkummer]

Colt trooper. 4 in. if it will be carried but the 6 in. most will find as a better shooter. I prefer the original over the MKIII, but the MKIII is built like a tank.

[Michael J. Spangler]

I had a Blackhawk in 357 and really liked it. I wasn't a very good shot back then so I can't speak for accuracy.
I do have a 686-1 now and what little I've shot it since I bought it I can say its awesome. With plenty of experience with a 5" model 625 I think the 686 is going to be an amazing gun

[375supermag]

Hi...

I've been shooting various .357Mag for 30-40 years.
I started out with a S&W 686 Silhouette Model with an 8-3/8" barrel and adjustable sights front and rear.
Later on I picked up three blued BlackHawks in various barrel lengths.
A few years ago, I managed to stumble across (at different times) a couple of Colt Troopers in .357Mag.

Every one has been accurate and stood up very well to whatever handload I put in it. All of them are well up into the multiple thousands of rounds fired, both jacketed and cast.

I did have a Taurus .357 for one shooting season. I thought it might be an interesting experiment. It was not. Inaccurate...6-round groups at 7 yards were more properly called "patterns".

Traded it on another revolver...don't miss it.

My 686 is the single most accurate handgun I own.

[daniel lawecki]

Gp 100 gets my vote 6'' barrel full underlug stainless steel I shoot mine as much as possible.

[John in WI]

I have to agree with this. My dad had one for years--that thing was built up to and way beyond any military/police specs. It really is built for someone to trust their life on it. That, and I always thought the styling was cool and mean.

I'm sure that's the reason I have never seen one come up for sale used--people just don't give them up.

[lmcollins]

I'll be a ringer.

I got my first 357, an old 3 screw Blackhawk 45/8 barrel back in 1970 through a base rod and gun club. I ended up carrying it throughout Alaska. It was portable, and I felt well armed with all of its 5 rounds. I never could shoot it well. Just something about the grip frame. I sold it in the 1980's.

No 357 until the early 90's when I bought a stainless SP101 31/4 or whatever it is and love it. At the range I always plinked with 38 Specials. My carry loads now are the 358156 with 14 grains of "old" 2400. I don't shoot piles of them without a fingerless fishing glove, and ear muffs. For plinking in 357 brass I shoot some Accurate #5 at about 950 to 1000 fps with any old cast 158 grain bullet. I can shoot all day. I can carry it for weeks, and feel better armed than with the old Ruger 6 shot/ 5 loader. It loads quick. I don't have large hands, and if I ever have to use it I'm very nimble with its "just right" trigger reach and weight to move it "fast."

No. It's not a 100 yard target pistol. For that I've got a 629 61/2 Classic. But I like a 357 for carry to keep with me. It would be "minute of deer" at 35 yards. Skeeter is looking down on me and grinning. Once and a while I even load and shoot a cylinder or two of that group buy 180grain loaded with 12 grains of the "old" 2400.

Jerrry has again made us all feel humble with the quality of his "gun stash" and the "art" of his photography. I bet that either of those pictured wheelguns would get him two of my 3 inch SP101 stainlesses NIB.

I still have the George Lawrence Keith Style belt and Model 120 holster for the old Blackhawk. What should I get for it?

[mroliver77]

I carried a Security six and or a Speed Six years ago. I prefer them to the GP as they are sleeker imo. Now it is K frame with heavy barrel and a Blackhawk. I shoot the 358429 loaded to early .357 specs and these are hard hitters! They use every bit of the case crimped in the crimp groove.
The K frame sees only .38s as I dont want any of my heavy loads in it.

[NoZombies]

You guys talking about Model 27's for $300 are killing me. I've never seen one under twice that price around these parts.

Drive north my friend, Last time I was in WPB I passed on a model 27 in decent (shooter, not collector) shape for $325. I doubt it's still there, but you can PM me for places to look...

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I love the S&W 27s and 66s.

[JesterGrin_1]

For a .357 Range Pistol I would bite the bullet sorta speak for a S&W 586 blue or 686 Stainless with a 6 in barrel. Or a 4 inch if that is what you like. The 686 4 in that I use has been an accurate pistol for me.

I have other .357's but there use is dependent on the job at hand.