Revolvers .357 Magnum

I just added another Freedom arms .357 to my safe. Shooting it this afternoon. Shoots very nice.

As we are discussing on another thread, the Ruger GP100 and S&W 686 (or 586) are the go-to 357s under $1000. I have both, and enjoy both. The Ruger is probably more shootable with full-house 357, and I prefer the grip options, but the 686 probably has a slightly better trigger.

ruger blackhawk

murf

Get the 686 or GP100, yes there are a plethora of others but these offer the best of strength and durability without scaling up to an N frame or. 357 Redhawk.

Cump said:

As we are discussing on another thread, the Ruger GP100 and S&W 686 (or 586) are the go-to 357s under $1000.

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Here are my 6-inch GP100 (7-shot) and my 5-inch 686 plus (7-shot with unfluted cylinder). I plan on shooting these for years to come and passing them down to grandchildren.

Constrictor said:

I just added another Freedom arms .357 to my safe. Shooting it this afternoon. Shoots very nice.

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+1 Of all the 357s I have, or had, this is my favorite.

Tell us your intended uses.
Ccw: ccw/hd: hd/hunting:
Hunting/ target: target/competition:

You might consider a used S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman. I recently picked up one as new in box for $875.

film495 said:

good point, on what I want it for. I think multi-purpose - but, mostly for carry of concealed carry. I see no use for hunting, target, or competition for me. I want a rifle, handgun combo in .357 just to have in the collection.

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Then you are probably looking for J-Frame size .357s. Like a model 60 or 640.

film495 said:

good point, on what I want it for. I think multi-purpose - but, mostly for carry of concealed carry. I see no use for hunting, target, or competition for me. I want a rifle, handgun combo in .357 just to have in the collection.

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If you think your Model 10 pounds your hand a bit with .38 Specials, try one of the 2” barrel Ruger SP-101’s or S&W J frame .357 Magnums with full house .357 Magnum loads.
The .357 Magnum excels as a hunting, target or outdoors carry gun. Not so much as a concealed carry weapon. I certainly would not want to fire one indoors without hearing protection. (Bad enough outdoors!)

film495 said:

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The only revolver I have is a S&W 10-7, .38 Special - and I like it, but the service grips are a bit small and the trigger guard kind of pounds my hand a bit. I put some aftemarket grips to try, but it lowers the grip, and it made it easier to shoot, but I was not a fan of the added muzzle flip that came with it.

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With the aftermarket stock that fills the trigger well, you still must grip as
high as possible to avoid accentuating muzzle flip.

I don't mean to offend but your description of shooting tells me you're
a novice who definitely needs some instruction.

Otherwise, the suggestions of what .357 to get mean nothing.

I suggest you master that Model 10 with .38s before you jump
to a .357. Many a man and woman has defended themselves
with .38s, especially with the newer Plus P ammo.

film495 said:

good point, on what I want it for. I think multi-purpose - but, mostly for carry of concealed carry. I see no use for hunting, target, or competition for me. I want a rifle, handgun combo in .357 just to have in the collection.

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The SP101 and Model 60 are good, very concealable guns. But if you don't need deep concealment, I would go with a 3-inch GP100 or short-barrel K- or L-frame S&W -- which would be more pleasurable to shoot and easier to shoot well.

film495,

Unless I find a bargain that I cannot pass up, my next revolvered will be a RUGER Match Champion. It has all that I want and nothing that I do not want. The Match uses the stainless steel GP-100 revolver as a starting point, it adds a fancy wooden grip that I will replace with rubber HOGUE grips, a 4.2 inch barrel that has been trimmed and DOES NOT HAVE the GP-100's full lugged design. This save a few ounces and gives a better balanced gun, in my opinion. Also, all of the Match Champions that I have handled, have a very smooth trigger.
By the way, that 4.2 inch barrel means that I can take this gun into CANADA, while a standard 4 inch model would be prohibited.
I have both L-frames and GP-100's and much prefer they did not have the full lugged barrels.

Jim

The GP100, with the original-factory-pattern, squared-back profile, NON-Hogue grip, is what I use when shooting full-pressure Magnums. This is a realistically-concealable carry gun. I bought my first one in the early Nineties, and used it during a defensive shooting, in 1993, while on street patrol duty. I have added several more GP100 revolvers, since then.

I really do like S&W K-Frames, too, but for shooting .38 Special, or the occasional mid-range-pressure Magnums.

I like the Ruger Security/Speed/Service Six revolvers, too, but finding grips that mitigate Magnum recoil is not an easy task.

Finally, the SP101, if PROPERLY held in the hand, can handle Magnum recoil, even the full-pressure stuff, without hurting, but it is recommended that one learn this from a really good coach, who truly understand a HIGH hold on the weapon, and knows how to make sure the grip fits your individual hand. The SP101’s low bore axis does an amazingly good job of minimizing muzzle flip, if the weapon is held properly.

There are S&W J-Frames capable of firing .357 Magnum, but I avoid them. I would have to use over-sized grips, which would make them as large, overall, as an SP101. I like and prefer the SP101.

You didn't tell us what your budget was. What do you want to use if for?

Classsic - Colt Python - Royal Blue from before 1990 - Lower budget Colt - Trooper
Smith & Wesson Model 27 or model 28 if you are on a budget, also from pre-1990
Target Shooting
S&W model 19 , 66, 686 etc.

Ruger SP101 2-1/4" DAO is a great revolver choice for conceal carry.

Rexster mentions the original GP-100 stocks and many, many
find them the best in handling that revolver. It seems Ruger
is re-introducing them on many of its models. And Lett Grips
has them readily available with a large choice of wood panel
inserts. The design comes in standard and compact sizes.

Colt king cobra. Carries EASY owb. Has some OOMPF! with the magnums but doable. I can shoot about 1/2 a box and I’m ready to shoot 38’s lol.

i like gp100 & Dan Wesson 715.

Constrictor said:

I just added another Freedom arms .357 to my safe. Shooting it this afternoon. Shoots very nice.

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I'm already broke, you trying to make we want to get poorer???! Got any pictures?

film495 said:

good point, on what I want it for. I think multi-purpose - but, mostly for carry of concealed carry. I see no use for hunting, target, or competition for me. I want a rifle, handgun combo in .357 just to have in the collection.

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If that's the case I would look into the K frame series, there are new iterations of the 19 and 66 that would be great for that, I don't recommend the model 60 or SP 101 for what you stated since you said you only really have model 10 experience I think the j frame or sp might not be the best recoil wise to start with, also any speedloaders you have for the model 10 should work with the 19 or 66

2ndtimer said:

If you think your Model 10 pounds your hand a bit with .38 Specials, try one of the 2” barrel Ruger SP-101’s or S&W J frame .357 Magnums with full house .357 Magnum loads.

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What he said. If you are wanting to shoot a steady diet of .357’s and buy one of these things you are going to realize you just have another .38 that has the capability of shooting .357.