What's a tough, utilitarian, and durable .357 double action revolver?

AJMBLAZER · Oct 1, 2011

Starting to look for a .357 revolver.

Needs to be double action and 6 shots, 3-4" barrel, fixed sights, and capable of taking a beating. Truck/glove box, shoot-a-bunch-and-clean-next-week, eat heavy Buffalo Bore and other +P and +P+ rounds all day long all it's life, bang around on my hip in the woods capable and be relied upon to work every time.

Would prefer stainless steel. Fine with buying used (live 15 minutes from Bud's and about 6 other great gun stores with good selections).

S&W? Which model?

Ruger? GP100, Security Six, Service Six?

Older Colt?

I don't baby my firearms and don't generally like things you have to treat nicely to ensure their functioning. I don't mistreat them either but they do get used.

AEA · Oct 1, 2011

Tough=Ruger

BCCL · Oct 1, 2011

If you can find a nice one in the used market, the Ruger Service Six is perfect for what your describing.

AJMBLAZER · Oct 1, 2011

Any advantages of a Service or Security Six over a GP100?

Kicking myself for not picking up one of the dozens of police trade in GP100's JUST LIKE I WANT that Bud's was selling off 2 years ago. WITH a police issue holster. $325 plus tax.
DOH!

clang · Oct 1, 2011

S&W 681 (fixed site version of the 686)
or
Ruger GP100 (you will have to look for a fixed site version)

I used to own both, I still have the 681.

Got_Lead? · Oct 1, 2011

Any of the Ruger "6" series, GP-100, or Smith 686. Stainless preferred.

click clack · Oct 1, 2011

Smith and Wesson 686

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/26250

I have that one and love it.. It has had no problems and devours everything I have fed it. Great gun, it absorbs alot of the recoil and i love it's grip.. Its been on many a camping trips and sometimes with me in the tree stand and its a hoss to sum it up... i have heard nothing bad about the Rugers though, im sure there great too

Revolver218 · Oct 1, 2011

Consider a S&W Model 28. Nothing to look at but built like a tank.

22-rimfire · Oct 1, 2011

Most revolvers are no-frills guns. I would vote for a Ruger GP-100 in a 3 or 4" barrel.

waidmann · Oct 1, 2011

Smith 581/681

Warp · Oct 1, 2011

Ruger GP100

AJMBLAZER · Oct 1, 2011

Size wise how do these compare to a K frame Smith? Already have two Model 10's.

WNC Seabee · Oct 1, 2011

My LGS has the 3" fixed sight GP100 in stock. It's a heck of a nice piece. I mention it because you said "fixed sight", this is the only configuration of GP100, current production, that you'll find. There are 4" 1/2 lug fixed sight GPs out there. I had one and am kicking myself for ever letting it go.

WNC Seabee · Oct 1, 2011

AJMBLAZER said:
Size wise how do these compare to a K frame Smith? Already have two Model 10's.

I have K frames: 66, 14 and 17, a GP 100 and an SP 101. The SP is just a tiny bit smaller than a K frame and the GP is a just a tad larger.

AJMBLAZER · Oct 1, 2011

My LGS has the 3" fixed sight GP100 in stock. It's a heck of a nice piece. I mention it because you said "fixed sight", this is the only configuration of GP100, current production, that you'll find. There are 4" 1/2 lug fixed sight GPs out there. I had one and am kicking myself for ever letting it go.

That the Wiley Clapp edition? Saw that on GunBlast a while back and what sorta sent me on this kick lately.

Probably out of my price range right now though.

keyboard commando · Oct 1, 2011

S&W Model 13.

AJMBLAZER · Oct 1, 2011

Don't the .357 K frame Smiths have issues with prolonged .357 use? Heard about flame cutting and stuff. Isn't that why Smith stopped making them and went to the larger frame?

Tony_the_tiger · Oct 1, 2011

The benefit of buying a Gp100 over the six series by Ruger is that the Gp100 is still supported and the six series may not be, depending upon the issue and timing of a need for repair. The "GP" stands for general purpose - sounds like it's just what the doctor ordered for you.

zxcvbob · Oct 1, 2011

Don't the .357 K frame Smiths have issues with prolonged .357 use? Heard about flame cutting and stuff. Isn't that why Smith stopped making them and went to the larger frame?

They can with full-tilt 125 grain loads. Use heavier bullets and there's not a problem.

WNC Seabee · Oct 1, 2011

AJMBLAZER said:
That the Wiley Clapp edition? Saw that on GunBlast a while back and what sorta sent me on this kick lately.

Probably out of my price range right now though.

$539+tax is at the tag said.

Waywatcher · Oct 1, 2011

Let me preface my input by saying that I own several revolvers, including one that have been mentioned above.

But I would pick my Glock for this task, hands down. Sorry. When I want a gun that I am going to beat the tar out of, it's going to be Glock. Click here for why.

wperez · Oct 1, 2011

The Ruger Security Six or Service Six, the GP 100, any of the Smiths K or L framed will do it

Balrog · Oct 1, 2011

Rugers are tough, but I also like to hit what I am shooting at, so I prefer pre lock S&W's.

Warp · Oct 1, 2011

Is that Glock a 10mm?

Because if not it doesn't even belong in the discussion since the OP talked about a gun that would be carried in the woods and is looking at .357mag

Hondo 60 · Oct 1, 2011

If I were to buy a 357 of current manufacture?
It'd be a Ruger GP100 no question!

If I were looking used?
Then an L frame S&W, or a Ruger Speed Six, or Security Six would be in the decision as well.

But I think the toughest gun made today is the GP100, built like a tank!

Of course it also has the aesthetics of a tank too.
(that's why I added the L frame S&Ws - those have what I consider classic beauty lines)

What's a tough, utilitarian, and durable .357 double action revolver?

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