Picking a 357

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Thanks for all the replies, There is a ton of info here and I'm still a little confused. K, J, N are frame sizes and specific models are subsets from each frame? Are 66 and 686 models related?
It seems S+W is the favorite but I know a guy who swears by his anaconda(44 mag I think) and Have heard good things about Pythons.
I'm just looking for a general purpose gun, one that is adaptable to many uses. I can"t justify the huge dollar amounts that some people feel is neccesary to buy a "good" gun. The 4 inch barrel seems like what I'm looking for.
Thanks again pete
 
You should be able to find a used 4" Model 19 (K-frame .357) for a very reasonable sum.

It's pretty much the very definition of "general purpose gun". Target shooting, CCW, home defense, snakeshot when hiking, even hunting in a pinch; it's as "do everything" as they come.
 
J frame, the small snubbies. A model 60 or 36 would be two examples.

K frame, the original medium frame. In .357 it is a good gun but meant for mainly .38s and occasional magnum use (the way most people use their .357s). A 66 and a 65 are two examples.

L frame, a slightly beefed up medium frame. Made for those who will use predominatly magnums in their .357s. For the rest of us it will probably last forever (then again so will a properly cared for K-frame). A bit heavier and beefer than the K-frame so not as good for carry (and for range use some like the balance of the K better) but for some it is better for the range, for most it is decent for carry, and it also makes a great woods gun. The 686 and (discontinued) 586 are two examples.

N frame, this is the big .44magnum frame- this was the frame the first .357mag was built on (long before anyone thought up the .44). Extremely strong, also very heavy. Not so good for carry, but it will probably live forever. Good for extended mag use at the range or as a woods gun (it will easily take extended use of even the strongest .357 reloads). I'm pretty sure there aren't any .357s in this frame in S&W's regular production (maybe some Performance Center guns). Used a M27 or 28 are good examples, the Taurus 608 is similar in size and the S&W .44magnums are the same size (if you want a quick and easy size comparison).

For your stated purpose (a "general purpose gun") a K-frame would probably be best (either a 66 or 65 if new, a 13 or a 19 should be added to the list if used) but an L-frame 686 or 586 (the 586 is only available used) would be great as well.
 
My experience has been mostly with S&W revolvers, both models 66 and 686 and I have never been sorry for having bought them. The trigger on Smiths is so much better OOTB compared to a Ruger, and can be made even better with very little work. The Rugers are by and large stronger than the Smiths and of a simpler design. If money is no object then get an older Colt Python, you cant go wrong.
 
based on your comments...

Get a used S&W and don't look back.

As I like my revolvers blue, I'd go with:

M19
M27
M28
M586
M13

I think any of the above would suit you fine.

Jeff
 
I recommend a used Smith and Wesson model 19 or 66, with a 4" barrel. These are K frames which more or less fit all hand sizes.

19 is blue steel, 66 is stainless steel. The both have adjustable rear sights.
 
I've got to say that of all the guns I've fired, and it hasn't been nearly as many as most people here, the GP-100 4" is still my favorite. Every time I shoot it, I just feel all warm and fuzzy. Could be that I'm overdressed and have an excessive body hair problem, but I still like shooting it.
 
Well,I'll probably be branded a heretic for this.I have never cared for S&W handguns.Oh,they are more than nice enough and selection is great.Actions can be smooth as glass and accuracy exceptional.But I'll take a Ruger or Colt any day.Please...no flames.Just my personal preference.It leaves that many more S&W's out there for S&W lovers to buy.:) Is it O.K. for me to be different?:eek:
 
You really can't go wrong with any of the models that have been mentioned. I went through this not too long ago. I finally chose a Smith 66 4", as it has to fit in IDPA. Then I bought a Ruger GP100 3" barrel (used). Now I have the best of both worlds; Ruger "strong like bull", S&W= crisp trigger, refined lines.:cool:
 
Buy a Mod 27 in 3.5" or 5", or buy a Mod 19 in 2.5" or 6" or buy a Colt Python in 4" or 6" or a Colt mod P in any barrel length.:)
 
Ten Bears

I'm pretty much with you. The only reason I have S&W revolvers is that no other company makes a IDPA legal .45ACP revolver.

Getting back to the topic, If the main diet of ammunition is going to be .38 then I would opt for the smaller, lighter .357. I find the .38 much more pleasant to shoot.
 
That's O.K. by me Tamara.;)
It gets even worse though.I never have liked the Winchester Model 70 either.Sick puppy huh?:)
 
I like my 586 very much.

But do not overlook the Dan Wesson line as well. I've got an accurate Model 15-2 w/ interchangeable barrel. Better finish than the Smith if you like that deep dark blue.

Ruger is fine. Old Speed or Security-Six models, GP's as well.

I've shot a friends Python. Smooth.

Single Action? Ruger.

Adios
 
Lots of good choices out there.....

A good used S&W, Colt, or Ruger should be available for a "good price". Any one should work well. To me, a big advantage of these .357's is that I was able to start out shooting .38's and improve my shooting skills until I was confident with the .357 round. Plus they are all reliable and much more accurate than I am.

I was glad to see the reference to the old Security Six family. I still have a short barreled Speed Six and miss my 4" Security Six.

One thing to remember though: a "bigger framed" revolver will weigh only a few ounces more, but that small weight can make it kick quite a bit less than a smaller & lighter one. In any case, all three of these brands have sold a LOT of the "medium" frame .357's.

FWIW, for general use, I could be happy with any 3" to 4" barreled S&W, Ruger, or Colt.
 
I have a couple of recommendations. I have 2 K-frame S&W .357s. One is a 19 4incher with factory target trigger and hammer (basically just a wide spur on the hammer and a wide trigger, nothing special) of 1970's vintage. The other is a stainless 66 of 1990s vintage. Of course, the workmanship on the 19 far surpasses the 66. The 19 trigger is probably the smoothest trigger short of a custom action job (and I have one of those, BTW). The 66 has a good trigger also, but nothing to write home about. If you plan on shooting mostly .38 special with a limited, but respectable amount of .357, either of these should be good for you. If you are glutton for punishment and want to shoot exclusively .357, then you should get one of the N-frames (27 or 627). The 686s (L-frames) are good if you want shoot somewhere between the extremes. Also, I see alot of Ruger security sixes turning up only slightly used. These would make an excellent addition.
 
Just to be different -- you can probably find a used .357 Dan Wesson pistol pack for a pretty good price if you look around. These allow you to change barrels from 2" snubbie up to 8" hunter and even larger if you have a use.

A solid gun, short trigger pull, different barrels for different uses and solid evidence against the usefulness of a ballistic fingerprint database.
 
If you are going used, I would recommend something like this:
(25 years old and unfired - Still used though!)

r
 
Have a Ruger GP141 and SP101...nice guns. Looking for a 3" 586.
 
I like the older Dan Wesson revolvers, the ones that say 'Dan Wesson' not Wesson Arms. Triggers are a bit different than S&Ws but still very good.

Used 686s can be a good value. I bought mine for about $290 but they three other used ones in stock. Last time I was at the same dealer, they had one (686+) and were asking $339 or $349.

And a used 19 or 27 would be excellent. And if you find a guy wanting to get rid of his Python for $300 or $400, that wouldn't be too bad either.
 
I'm a fan of 686+'s

I use a 686+ snubby as a carry gun quite often. Use a FIST #1 clip holster on a very good gun belt. Makes for a confortable, concealment combo. Have attached the 686+ pic for the heck of it. Good shooting:)
 

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