What should I get for a 357?

I'll copy and paste a response from a similar thread...

"(The 686/586 and a Python)...

You'll also need a GP100, DW 715, M27/28, Security/Speed Six and a M19/66 if we're being really honest.

Might as well get a Blackhawk (flat top and a new model actually) a Redhawk, a Contender, a S&W 627 and a 60 plus a Colt Cobra and a SP101 while we're at it.

Don't forget a Korth and a Manhurian of course!"

... take a look into all of those, there's no wrong choice, but each one has its quirks. If an extra round (or two) are important to you, the 686+, GP100, 627 and the Redhawk are gonna be your huckleberry.

I prefer the look of blued steel, but I like the lack of maintenance stainless requires. I had a blued GP100 and I fought surface rust a lot. Nothing deal breaking, but for a carry piece, I spent a lot more time taking care of it than I would have liked.

So for me, I like to drool over pictures of wood and blued steel, but stainless just makes more sense for carry. I will say, I'm a bit garish. I much prefer the high gloss polished stainless over a more matte finish.

I don't think I've ever seen a 357 that I didn't like. At least not one from the major players. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them, so find one you like and enjoy it.

It is not a seven shooter but have you looked at a 586 Smith?

Here's a 586. It's a great shooter, very accurate.

.357 revolvers are like potato chips. Nobody can buy just one.

Targa said:

It is not a seven shooter but have you looked at a 586 Smith?

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They do make a 586 L-Comp which is a 7-shot, not to muddy the waters any further... Never shot a Rhino but I like the concept. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Is there a range where you can rent a few and see which ones you like?

Very nice^^^. I did not know that.

I'm kind of in the market too.. I just missed out on a nice 150 prefix security six. Should had bid $350...

gotboostvr said:

I'll copy and paste a response from a similar thread...

"(The 686/586 and a Python)...

You'll also need a GP100, DW 715, M27/28, Security/Speed Six and a M19/66 if we're being really honest.

Might as well get a Blackhawk (flat top and a new model actually) a Redhawk, a Contender, a S&W 627 and a 60 plus a Colt Cobra and a SP101 while we're at it.

Don't forget a Korth and a Manhurian of course!"

... take a look into all of those, there's no wrong choice, but each one has its quirks. If an extra round (or two) are important to you, the 686+, GP100, 627 and the Redhawk are gonna be your huckleberry.

Click to expand...

Somebody forgot the Dan Wesson and Coonan. They also missed the Bond Derringer, Winchester clones, Marlin rifle (but of course not a dastardly remlin) heaven forbid that somebody look at anything not made by a top tier maker because the Taurus 66 and tracker guns are functional but cheap and draw lots of hatred. There are those commie guns like Alfa Proj coming in soon that are to be avoided at all costs because they aren’t made by Ruger, Smith, or what’s left of Colt. Thunderers and other antique designs in modern production need to be overlooked because if the design is 100 years old then it can’t be worth a flip, kinda like the break action rifles from NEF/H&R and the slightly updated design in the Henry single shot. The bolt action rifle design is also antiquated so no real need to look at the ruger 77-357.

Of course all of this is in jest, but .357 is a very versatile round. It’s good for just about anything short of predator hunting, elk, or moose provided you pick the right platform and ammo. Squirrels, no problem. Deer, no problem. Street corner thug, no problem. Poking paper, no problem. SWAT? 327PD should have you covered.

For a 357, it's real hard to beat a nice L frame Smith... IMO...

WestKentucky said:

Somebody forgot the Dan Wesson and Coonan.

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Coonan I'll grant you, but DW715 was mentioned.

WestKentucky said:

Somebody forgot the Dan Wesson and Coonan. They also missed the Bond Derringer, Winchester clones, Marlin rifle (but of course not a dastardly remlin) heaven forbid that somebody look at anything not made by a top tier maker because the Taurus 66 and tracker guns are functional but cheap and draw lots of hatred. There are those commie guns like Alfa Proj coming in soon that are to be avoided at all costs because they aren’t made by Ruger, Smith, or what’s left of Colt. Thunderers and other antique designs in modern production need to be overlooked because if the design is 100 years old then it can’t be worth a flip, kinda like the break action rifles from NEF/H&R and the slightly updated design in the Henry single shot. The bolt action rifle design is also antiquated so no real need to look at the ruger 77-357.

Of course all of this is in jest, but .357 is a very versatile round. It’s good for just about anything short of predator hunting, elk, or moose provided you pick the right platform and ammo. Squirrels, no problem. Deer, no problem. Street corner thug, no problem. Poking paper, no problem. SWAT? 327PD should have you covered.

Click to expand...

I remembered the Dan Wesson's 715! Although a 15-2 should be the one considered if he wants blued.

I was leaving semi-autos and rifles out intentionally, in which case there's always the Rossi 92(a personal favorite) and the Taurus pump-action then there's the Desert Eagle. Can't forget the Uberti and Freedom Arms wheel guns too though.

For me personally, older S&Ws are the way to go for DA revolvers. I don't find that the lock or the MIM parts on newer guns affect function, but I do find that the older guns usually have better triggers and better workmanship. My understanding is that the same thing is true with Colts, but my personal experience with them is too slight for me to comment.

Ruger builds good quality DA revolvers, but they tend toward the heavy and clunky end of the spectrum, and their triggers tend not to be great. In some cases I think they are exactly what the doctor ordered, but for a fellow looking for an attractive, blued revolver, Ruger is not the first name that comes to my mind.

My Taurus revolvers are all a bit older, and they are functional but not special. I have heard the quality has improved over the decades but cannot speak from experience. If nothing else, they seem to be going for a more modern look in general, with flat finishes, two-tone jobs, etc. so again maybe not quite what the OP has in mind.

For SA revolvers the situation is brighter, in my opinion. Broadly brushed, we have Ruger style guns and Colt style guns. The Ruger Blackhawks are great - very strong, very reliable, accurate, and reasonably good looking. The triggers aren't always perfect but can be made to be without fuss. The Colts (and their copies, including Vaqueros) are also great - not as strong as the Blackhawks but still good for most purposes (especially in the .357), very adaptable to gunsmithing, and of course very easy to look at.

So for me, it boils down to this: if I want DA it's going to be an older S&W. If I'm going to carry it I will have a 66 or 19, and if I'm going to shoot it a lot it will be a 27. The 686 will do in a pinch. If I want SA, I'm going to decide whether I want a great every-day gun with adjustable sights, in which case it will be a Blackhawk, or if I want a fun fixed-sight gun that looks and feels great, in which case it will be a SAA or a copy thereof.

The New python of course!

gotboostvr said:

I remembered the Dan Wesson's 715! Although a 15-2 should be the one considered if he wants blued.

I was leaving semi-autos and rifles out intentionally, in which case there's always the Rossi 92(a personal favorite) and the Taurus pump-action then there's the Desert Eagle. Can't forget the Uberti and Freedom Arms wheel guns too though.

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Love my blued DW 15-2 with the 6V Barrel. They were very affordable on the used market when I bought mine. I have not kept up with current pricing.

My 2 cents is that IF you're willing to learn and put in some time to "kitchen table" gunsmithing, the Ruger GP100 is a great option.

You can, of course, also take it to a gunsmith and have them do a trigger job and replace some springs. But in my opinion, it's much more satisfying to do it yourself and know the inner working of your gun.

I was just in your position and had a thread about it around last week. I ended up with a used S&W 66.

As cool as the high capacity (7,8 round) revolvers are, finding adorable speedloaders (HKS and Safariland) is tricky if it isn't a popular model.

So if you wanna run speedloaders, which are awesome, keep that in mind.

The Exile said:

I never understsood speed loaders, mechanically they make no sense to me; but then I've never seen one in person

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Once you hold one in your hand and fiddle with it for a minute you realize how simple they are. They seem much more complicated than they really are till you see one up close.

I too picked up a k frame 66 it was the display and a little over a hundred dollars less. It's really nice.

38's feel run right through it with hardly a thought. Magnums definitely feel like they have a little bit of spirit but it's by no means a unpleasant. It feels right to me except for the finger grooves but once I settle in and get a rhythm the fade into the background. I'll probably get a different grip at some point but I'll have to get a holster set up first.

JeeperCreeper said:

I was just in your position and had a thread about it around last week. I ended up with a used S&W 66.

As cool as the high capacity (7,8 round) revolvers are, finding adorable speedloaders (HKS and Safariland) is tricky if it isn't a popular model.

So if you wanna run speedloaders, which are awesome, keep that in mind.

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Five star makes speed loaders for both.

If I was to have just one 357 magnum...I would pick a Ruger GP100. I love mine. I also have it's little brother the SP101

With that said, I've been looking hard at the following:

S&W 686+ 3"

I really like the 3" LCRX357 for an all around gun. Adding the HIVIZ front sight and the Hogue Tamer grips makes the front sight easy to find and the whole package easily concealable.