Ultimate 357 magnum revolver if you were going to have ONE?

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For both, sentimental & pragmatic reasons, my 2nd-cousin’s Chicago PD service revolver, a (1980 no-dash/1987 M-mod) 4” S&W 586 ... and since the OP said “ONE”, I won’t mention the anything but useless 2.25” Ruger SP-101
 
My 686+ 6" sided with my old Winchester 1892 that Mr. Koozer rebarrelled for me in 357 about 1967 or so. Otherwise, my Ruger 1976 (200 year) 4 3/4" which has, on occasion, done 4" at 100 yds. 357446, .357 dia, 13 2400.
 
Any decent 357 is going to be a good choice.I think it would be harder to name a bad 357 than a good 357. A lot including me recommended a 4" barrel or even shorter. But there isn't a thing wrong with a 6" or longer barrel. The longer sighgt radius helps the aiming part and you get a real boost in power if you are using one of the slower burning powders.
 
Just as a .357 companion to your rifle and without breaking the bank I like my S&W Model 19 or Model 586. I guess if we up the ante a Model 27 or 28. All of what you choose is a matter of what you plan to spend. I hunted West Virginia for years with a Ruger 44 carbine and my S&W Model 29-5 as my sidearm. Get what works for you and fits your budget.

Ron
 
I have a 27-8 Lew Horton. eight shots of .357 in an N frame revolver. I have never shot or owned a better self defense handgun.

Many will view this as wrong, but I have always felt that if you can control a .357 magnum than it is the best overall choice. And with eight shots it has a big advantage over the six shot revolvers.

I also have a 1970s Nickel Python and a MK III Trooper. But the 27-8 is the shooter.
 
I've had a few revolvers in the last 40+ years but never really been a fan ... Colt Python and Anaconda, S&W's and a couple Rossi, Taurus ... usually didn't want them but traded into them.

Then along come Kimber with their K6s ... and I fell in love! They are the first Kimber's I've bought since the Kimber II 1911's came out.

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Disclaimer:
I really like .357 Mag.

That said, if I were only to own one, I guess that depends on whether I would be carrying it regularly (and that would depend on whether this was to be my only handgun, and not my only revolver... or my only .357 revolver).

Given the above, one revolver, probably a .45LC M25.
One .357, probably a 4" stainless M66 or a 5" M27.

Or maybe a 4" M19?
 
Back long ago and far away, I had a neighbor who was a masterful gunsmith. He was especially good with Smith and Wesson Revolvers. I had a 686-3 and gave it to him for a couple of weeks. He blue printed the gun, gave it a super smooth double action job and the single action trigger has to be experienced to believe. Stippled the front of the trigger guard. I recently had the barrel shortened to just a shade over 3" and a hi vis front sight installed. It is for certain the one .357 for me. Decent leather is a nice plus.

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My favorite .457Magnum revolver is my S&W 686 Silhouette Model with 8-3/8" full underlug barrel with adjustable sights front and rear.
Second would be my Dan Wesson with 8-3/8" barrel.
Third is probably my vent rib Colt Trooper or maybe my S&W Model 27.

I have several other .357Magnum revolvers but these would be my favorites. Couldn't go wrong with either of them.
 
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