4'' barrel 357/38 what brand?

Used 686

Ruger GP100 Match Champion. Was made to go toe-to-toe with Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center 686 SSR as a target revolver, but at a lower price point. It has a slick, factory tuned action and has a very fine trigger. It is NOT a typical Ruger production line GP100. This is mine. I carry it ridge walking in spring and summer. Great woods gun. Mine was a bit cheaper than a stock 686.

Used Gp100 with a spring kit would be about the same cost as a new Taurus.
I picked one up used with a spring kit and fiber optic front sight and the trigger is a night and day difference betweeen stock.

I picked up a lnib S&W model 13-1 for $385. It's a beautiful, old school 4 inch 357.

Trust me this Taurus isn't junk by any means,but each to his own.Taurus 66 in the $ 450+ range.I don't know if you have fired one of these or not. Just my opinion!

I do not have first hand experience with Taurus guns so I will not comment. I have some friends that have Taurus guns that like them so I will let that be.

Used S&W or Ruger revolvers would be a good alternative although in my parts, used S&W guns are going for prices similar or higher than new S&W revolvers. So, that may not work out as an option. That said, a used S&W 586 or 686 would be a good revolver for the OP's purpose. A Model 27 or Model 28 is another although they would be more expensive. Stay away from K frames if you want to shoot lots of full power magnum loads. Except for the current manufactured S&W Model 66, the K frame 357 Magnum guns cannot handle a steady diet of full power loads without experiencing problems. I love shooting 38 Special in my S&W K frames.

A GP100 would be a good option. I do not what their used prices run but Ruger makes a good, reliable revolver.

I prefer S&W revolvers and an equivalent Ruger looks "frumpy" to me, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have a GP100 (44 Special) and a Redhawk (45 Colt) and they are excellent revolvers.

I'm happy to see someone wants to buy a revolver...with all the hoopla over semi-autos you would think they were all made extinct!

Keep looking on the used market, and put feelers out there for a good S&W with sellers. Good deals are out there, but a lot of times it's timing, or just plain old luck, that had them drop into your lap. If that comes up dry (or too pricy!) then take a good look at the Ruger GP's, either used or new. They really are bomb proof, and they're built to outlast you and whoever you bequeath it to (once you're not able to shoot anymore).

Good luck!

New-Ruger GP100.

Used- Ruger GP100 or Security Six.
S&W Model 19, 66, 686, 27, 28.
Colt Trooper Mk.III, Mk.V, Python, .357, King Cobra.

I would second the Taurus 66 suggestion. I have both the Taurus 66 as well as a new production Smith 686. Of the two, I find myself shooting the Taurus more.

The Taurus has a better DA trigger pull, better factory grips (for me), and a less obnoxious looking lock. The Smith fells like it is built better, but that is probably just due to the extra weight. The Smith has a much better SA trigger pull...pretty much perfect.

Both revolvers shoot similar groups. There is definitely not enough "better" in the Smith that makes it worth the price difference. If I could do it over again, I would have bought a used pre-lock Smith and hopefully gotten a better gun at a more reasonable cost. At more than $700, the 686 is a gun I sometimes regret buying. Especially when it performs so closely to a gun I got for less than half of that.

The Smith is also more picky about ammo if you reload. I have found it does not like full-power .357 loads using CCI magnum primers. I think the concave firing pin bushing overworks the primer edges. I have gotten pinhole burns on the FP bushing several times on the Smith from this combination. This does not happen on the Taurus, which is flat at the breech face like the older S&W's. It is not a huge issue, since it does not happen with Winchester Primers and I have modified my purchasing accordingly.

I can't comment on Ruger GP100s. I have only owned one Ruger revolver and that was a SP101. I didn't keep it, but that was an ergonomics issue not a functional one.

I have a Taurus Model 66 Stainless with 4" barrel. It is a good shooter and have had no problems. Purchased new for $400.

I would look at the Ruger gp-100's. The blued 4" 357mag is about $600 new in my area. I bought the 4 inch blued first and liked it so much I bought the 5 inch stainless soon after. Ruger makes it easy to switch the front black ramp sight to fiber optic or red ramp for guys like me with failing eyesight. Ruger's customer service may be the best in the industry. I would look for a used one if you want to save some cash.

ohihunter2014 said:

I have always like revolvers and only have a s&w 642 but I would like a target gun but I cannot afford $800 for a new smith and Wesson. I was looking at Taurus but everything ive handled from them seemed like junk. any suggestions on a decent 4'' barrel revolver?

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Rugers are good for the price point, but regardless of what some say, are not a S&W, even tho many of the new Rugers have a MSRP very close to similar new S&Ws. Same goes for Taurus. Good quality for the price point. Gonna be real tough to find S&W quality at a Taurus price point unless you make a steal deal on a used one. We all have to make a choice of how much we can afford on most anything we buy. My problem most of the time when I get impatient and make a impulse buy on something cheap, I end up regretting it or still wishing for that better product. When I'm patient, and keep looking, many times that deal of a lifetime comes around.

I bought this Smith 686 dash none in 1986. I gave $310. for it NIB. I still have the receipt, box and papers. It is just a gorgeous revolver and accurate. It is the handgun I've owned the longest and is still my favorite. If I were looking for a 4" .357 I would look hard for one of these.

Taurus 65 .357 Mag. 4" not a bad choice either in my opinion, for the price you want to pay.

My experience with Taurus is that they run hot and cold. If you get a decent one, they are decent pistols, however there are more than a few that are truly lemons and have numerous accuracy, fit, finish, reliability, or durability issues. My suggestion would be to save up for a bit longer and spring for either a Ruger GP100 or a Smith 586/686.

I'd say either would be a good choice, I own a GP 100 .357 Mag. 4" Match Champion and a S&W 686-6 .357 Mag.4" barrel. Price i'd say they would be in the $500.00 plus range that's my guess used S&W or Ruger.

ohihunter2014 said:

I was looking at Taurus but everything ive handled from them seemed like junk.

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Without starting down the Taurus bashing black hole, I agree with you.

I'd look at the Ruger GP100 or SP101. Both are very solid revolvers and can be had in 4 inch barrels. You may be able to find a used S&W 686 or 586 also. Have you considered a single action?

The pre lock L-frame Smiths (686,585,681, etc.) are, IMHO, the high water point in production/design of all revolvers, combining bulletproof engineering, excellent materials and finish, fine ergonomics and balance and classic lines and proportions.
The used ones command nearly new prices because they are generally considered better made, lacking the key lock and metal injection molded internal parts. I would stick to a dash 4 or lower, personally.
In our neck of the woods, expect to pay 500-700 for a decent L frame.
Save up, get one, you will never regret it!

If you are looking for a range toy or a gun to shoot IDPA with, stick with the full size 6 shot guns (GP-100, S&W 5/686). The SP101 while a good gun, is a smaller frame 5 shot. With full boogie .357 loads it can be quite a handful.

98Redline said:

If you are looking for a range toy or a gun to shoot IDPA with, stick with the full size 6 shot guns (GP-100, S&W 5/686). The SP101 while a good gun, is a smaller frame 5 shot. With full boogie .357 loads it can be quite a handful.

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Good advice. I don't think the SP101 was meant to be a range gun at least shooting 357's. I like my Rugers but if I was competing I would probably go with the Smith. Both are quality guns but the Smith 586/686's are better finished and some feel have better triggers. The Rugers are tough very durable revolvers. If you have any ranges that rent the guns you're considering I'd shoot and compare before you buy.

A .357 DA revolver with adjustable sights and a barrel in the 4-6” range is a very versatile and accurate handgun.

A used Ruger Security Six used to be the “sleeper” deal, but prices seem to have crept up in the last few years. The “Sixes” are Rugged but not overly heavy and bulky.