Help me pick out a new 357.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Hey guys looking for a recommendation on a double action 357mag revolver. I shoot quite a bit and would like to shoot even more, so I need a gun that will last. Stainless steel is a must. The main purpose of this gun will be Target/Hunting, thinking about going with a barrel in the 6”+ range. Have no need for a scope base, seeing as I will never scope it. I have experience with both a GP100 and a Python. The GP100 is fine, but I would like something a little smoother both out side and inside. The Python has great looks and a great single action trigger, but I do not really care for the DA trigger or the rather short cylinder. The S&W right now are what have my attention, but I am still not sure on which model. A seven shot sounds like a good idea, but how is long term strength? Oh, and last but not least it has to be a good boolit shooter.

What would you all say if I tried to pick up an old DW in 357Max?

Thanks for any input.

[dubber123]

It sounds like an "L" frame S&W is what your are looking for. (6 shot models are 586/686). Much more durable than a "K" frame, and has a decent length cylinder. The 357 Max has alot more power. I wouldn't class the DW as any "smoother" as you say than the GP100. Given the price differential, I would choose the GP.

[Shiloh]

As stated above by Dubber123.

S&W 686 or the GP 100. A used Ruger Security Six could also be an option.

Shiloh

[wallenba]

S&W 686+ is a sweet piece, but I'm biased to S&W. Regarding strength, the 7 shot cylinder (all odd count cylinders) is a bit stronger than the six due to the cylinder stop cuts being between the chambers and not over them.

[bobthenailer]

never owned a colt or a ruger 357 mag pistol but i sure love the s&w 357 mag pistols ive had several of each frame size J, K , L , and N my favorite for your purpose would be a 6 inch 686

[JesterGrin_1]

Out of the Box I do not think you can do better than a S&W 686. But as also said if you do not mind to have a little trigger work done to them the GP100 and the Ruger Security Six are fine pistols. I have the S&W 686 and the Ruger Security Six and both are fine hand guns.

[crabo]

Even though you don't plan on scoping your gun, it sure helps when you are working up and testing loads. The new Smiths can take a Weigand scope mount without drilling and tapping.

I'd go with the Smith 686, it's just a nice gun to shoot and to look at.

[JesterGrin_1]

Okay Crabo yes they are purty too lol. :)

[Bucks Owin]

In a word "Ruger"...Dennis (Proud owner of a 6" M-19 S&W .357 Combat Magnum that is used sparingly but affectionately) http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/BucksOwin/Rugertank.jpg

[Bret4207]

686. I hate stainless, but the Smith quality helps make up for that. I carried the fixed sight version, the 681, till they made us use Glocks. Never a bobble and I made some incredible shots on coyotes and such at ranges that would make Elmer take notice. Good guns.

[EOD3]

At the risk of sounding "old school", have you considered a single action revolver? A Ruger Bisley or Hunter model would fit the bill pretty well. A Freedom Arms would also be pretty slick. :Fire:

[EDK]

If you shop around a bit, you might find a S&W 627 six shot from the late 80s. With a full lug 5.5 inch barrel, it is a cannon at about 50 ounces. (I need to dust mine off and shoot it a bit; too much range time with the VAQUEROS.) A six shot 686 with 6 inch barrel would be my next choice in a double action.

A stainless RUGER single action is never a bad choice for a non-defensive gun. I'd buy one of the 5.5 inch BISLEY limited editions aka ACCU-SPORTS.

I'm 61 and don't have the time or patience for low quality stuff. Buy one of the various suggested guns and then have Jim Stroh (ALPHA PRECISION) or other high end pistolsmith work his magic on the trigger/action.

:Fire::castmine::redneck:

[jameslovesjammie]

S&W 686. And don't discount optics. I've had a red dot on mine since 2002.

[S.R.Custom]

...What would you all say if I tried to pick up an old DW in 357Max?

It'd be stout, for sure. But for the caliber, unnecessarily heavy.

For a purely hunting revolver, I'd look into snagging an old Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Max. All steel construction (it's actually a SuperBlakhawk in that respect) and they came with 7.5" and 10.5" barrels. Pricewise, they are about the same as a new 686. And they love heavy cast boolits.

[NickSS]

To tell you the truth I have owned a ton of Smiths but never had a stainless one or a L frame one. They all shot good. I also owned several Colt pythons. I had one with a Six inch barrel that went through the custom shop at Colt and it was the slickest DA revolver I ever known. Now after many years and a lot of guns I own 4 DA revolvers all of them are Rugers. Two are security Sixes and two GP 100s all but one is stainless. I have slicked them up myself and they have good triggers and shoot well and are hell for stout. I got rid of all the others due to a fear of banging them up. I have no such fear with a ruger. . My fixed sight GP 100 rides around in my tackle box most of the time rapped in a rag. I would never do that with a Smith or Colt.

[cajun shooter]

Go to any DSM pr PPC match and look at what guns they have. Guns are like the 31 flavors of ice cream. They are all good but some are just your favorites. The lock time on a S&W is better than the Colt, Ruger or DW. See how many other revolvers have won National Matches. The fastest man alive with a revolver does not use but one gun. The others are great guns in their own place of use but for what you stated as your use it's the gun you need.

[atr]

I have a late 60's vintage model 28 S&W Highway Patrol model. A very good shooting revolver. If you can find one (used) go for it. I also have a Ruger 3-screw and between the two I favor the S&W.....clean lines....sweet trigger....great sight plane, a solid piece.
atr

[pmeisel]

I would go 686. I have a model 19 and love it, but they are getting hard to find.. and the 686 will hold up better anyway.

If you run across a Colt Trooper Mark III, that would be a fine choice as well, but even harder to find.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

At the risk of sounding "old school", have you considered a single action revolver? A Ruger Bisley or Hunter model would fit the bill pretty well. A Freedom Arms would also be pretty slick. :Fire:

Yes, I love my single actions but this time I want a DA revolver. Thanks guys for the input!

[EOD3]

Well then, I'd recommend the Ruger KGP161 (stainless, 6", full underlug) or, if you can find one of the Redhawk revolvers in 357 Mag you'd have the best of both worlds. Either one will launch 170 grain GDSP bullets and/or heavy hard cast bullets for at least two generations, maybe three or four... [smilie=w:

[pdawg_shooter]

I have sold all my .357s except one, a 4" blue Python. To me, that is the only way to go.

[DevilDog83]

If I were to get only one, it would be a 4" 686. You can do just about everything with it, target/carry/USPSA/ICORE/IDPA/hunt, not perfect for everything, but very good for all uses

[Lloyd Smale]

in my opinion the L framed smiths are hands down the finest 357s built today.

[Marvin S]

Ill give one more vote on a 686 since you said it had to be SS. Yea a Python is nice but way over priced. I have or have owned most of the guns above and the 586/686 is just the way to go, at least for me. Try to find one with the partridge/ target sights.

[Limey]

.....a picture paints a 1,000 words.....

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f101/lambris/P1000312-1.jpg

as they say, long after the price is forgotten, the quality remains!......


Safe shooting,

Limey

[anachronism]

Pass on the 27s & 28s. They have short cylinders like the Python. I'm amazed that you find the GP100s rough, mine is much smoother, inside & out than my 686. It's much purtier too, since I went with a blued one over stainless. Most GP100 triggers respond nicely to a spring kit & a good cleaning.

[MtGun44]

Limey,

Great pic of your lovely Python! I'm guessing that not every shoe store in your area
carries cowboy boots! ;-)

As to the original question - Pythons are beautifully made and typically really accurate,
unfortunately they are getting kinda hard to come by these days and pretty pricey.

As far something in current production, I have a recently built S&W 586 7 shooter
with a 6" bbl that is really nice and extremely accurate. 25 yd groups with the Lee
158 LBT style or the Keith 358429 solid or HP run aroud 1.5". The one time I tried some
358429 HPs (16.3 H110, book claims 1500+) at 50 yds they went into 3". I need to try
that one over again to see if it was a fluke. I paid under $500 NIB about 18 months ago
for this beauty.

Bill

[snowwolfe]

If you can find a Python at a good price you like that would be my first choice. Next in line would be a 686, I own the 7 shot version, 6inch barrel and love it. Picked up a brand new one last winter for $469 out the door and admit I was lucky on that one as I really do not have much use for a .357. One of those deals where I just couldnt resist paying hte money because of what I was "saving", lol.
Finally either a Ruger Security Six or GP. Both are ok revolvers out of the box and with some good gunsmithing the actions can be made pretty smooth.

[softpoint]

While I like N frame Smith's ,in the medium frame , my vote goes to the GP100. Smith L frames are great, too, I just have a personal preference for the GP. I've done action jobs on both of them, and I have had excellent results getting the actions smooth on the GP. Ithink the Gp has a slightly better lockup in the front of the cylinder...Nit picking... Oh what the heck, get one of each![smilie=l:

[sargenv]

So I guess an 8 shot 627 is out? :)

But then they can be a bit pricey if you get the performance center items.. they do sell a less expensive 627 without the cut for moon clips.

[sleeper1428]

I have a 6" S&W 686 and a 4" Ruger GP-100, both in SS, and both are great handguns. You can't go wrong with either one and I'm quite sure that you'll be satisfied with which ever one you choose.

sleeper1428

[TCLouis]

6" 686 or GP 100 and your good for life.

[BBA]

Dan Wesson W/ 6" or 8" barrel