Which Is A Better .357? Colt, Ruger, Smith?

Which .357 Is Best? (If You Could Only Have One)

  • Colt Python

    Votes: 39 14.3%
  • Smith & Wesson 66/65/19/13

    Votes: 30 11.0%
  • Ruger Security-Six/Speed-Six/Service-Six

    Votes: 31 11.4%
  • Smith & Wesson 686

    Votes: 64 23.4%
  • Ruger GP-100

    Votes: 52 19.0%
  • Dan Wesson Pistol Pac

    Votes: 13 4.8%
  • Taurus/Rossi (Mine Is Great!)

    Votes: 5 1.8%
  • Tough Call...Lot of Good Ones

    Votes: 39 14.3%

  • Total voters
    273
  • Poll closed .
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Yes, I saw the other poll, but let's get real. We need to tack on a couple of more entries. The Colt Python was first manufactured in 1955 and it's listed as a front runner. Yet why wasn't the Ruger Security-Six included? Or the Dan Wesson, which was released in an innovative Pistol Pac and available in both a beautiful, luxurious blue and a decent stainless steel?

The GP-100 was listed as Ruger's entry, but though it looks like the earlier Security-Six, it's an entirely different animal in both design and balance.

So with all due respect to el Godfather, let's stack the deck a bit different with the venerable line of .357s.
 
For a 357 Mag to shoot the crap out of, & not break, I'd choose either a S&W 686 or Ruger Security Six, with the cost effective edge going to the Ruger. I've never liked the GP Rugers. And while the Python was a beautiful gun, they would never hold up as long as an L-frame S&W or a Ruger.
 
I believe Ruger currently is making the finest .357 revolver known, the GP100. It's an incredibly strong firearm that is rugged to the core, plus highly accurate and not bad looking. The triggers on new GP's seem to be great. All in all, IMHO they are the best .357 magnum no nonsense revolver on the market.
 
S&W 686. Strong as anything else in that class, not too hard on the pocket book, and with a little work it'll rival the Python smoothness without the Python problems. I have a 6" 686 no dash that was worked over (no idea who did it, but they knew what they were doing), and it has a smoother action than any pony I've ever handled.
 
And while the Python was a beautiful gun, they would never hold up as long as an L-frame S&W or a Ruger.
The frames are okay, but as I pointed out elsewhere, the design flaw is in the hand/pawl (which is too small at the point). So while you don't get any warping or frame stretching, your Python tends to go out of time. With today's tough steels this could probably be fixed, but a few years ago some Python owners were sending in the pawls (and even ratchets) to have them hard chromed. Although very thin, the hard chrome substantially slows down the wear and tear. The Rugers, Smith 686s and Dan Wessons are all stout revolvers and can handle many full-powered magnum rounds; but the Smith 66/19 had a lot going for them. Smaller, lighter and much better outdoor guns.

SW_Ruger_1.jpg

The Smith & Wesson 686 (top) and Ruger Security-Six, two of my favorite
.357 revolvers.


686.jpg

The first generation Smith 686 is a substantially different gun than the present
686. Hammers, triggers and other parts, like the grips, firing pin, mainspring, and
front sights are different and machining methods as well. The wood grips made
the first generation guns much classier than later ones.


Bench_3c.jpg

RugerSS_SolidFrame_5.jpg

Bill Ruger said he never made a dime off the Security-Six, a gun he designed,
he said, from a clean sheet of paper I like this one much more than his second
generation design...if the GP-100 was his design. The company said making one
spring do the work of two was a marked improvement in the GP. My view,
though, is that two springs do better in doing the work of two!

 
I voted for the S&W 686 but would would be equally happy with a Ruger Security Six or a Colt Trooper Mk. V.
 
I voted Dan Wesson Pistol Pak just because it is more versatile.
Also, you left off all but a single Colt offering. Where are the Trooper, Trooper MKIII, Trooper MKV, King Cobra, Lawman MKIII, Peacekeeper, Whitetailer, Boa...?
 
Each weapon has their attributes. And each weapon has their draw backs. For me I am partial to the Ruger Speed Six for ccw. And the GP100 for Duty or Woods carry. I don't believe there is a revolver that is as rugged as a Ruger revolver. Looks be damned. It is function and usability I care about. I'm not saying these guns are ugly, but they are brute strong and will stand up to more abuse then the others mentioned.
As a follow up 357, I'd pick the King Cobra.:D
 
The Python as an investment. Over rated as a shooter

The Ruger as a TEOTWAWKI survival gun that will be around after 4-5 generations of abuse.

S&W best overall. Good quality, accuracy and reasonable durability.
 
I like my GP-100 best out of the current production offerings. Although the trigger is a little heavy. I fell out of love with S&W after my last two purchases. (No longer feel they are worth the extra money over a Ruger.)

The Python is a obviously a nicer gun but it's discontinued and definitely up for sale in a seller's market. (Good ones are $900+)
 
Favorite yes.

1. K frame for carry and every day use.
Investment and value also come to mind.

2. 686 7 shot 3 inch is a close second. I like it but my to britches want to ride down too often.

Best is a term I don't use .
 
My vote goes to the Ruger Security Six. Biggest mistake that Bill Ruger made discontinuing these fine revolvers. I have owned just about every 357 magnum single/double action made with the exception of the Colt. I have reduced my collection quite a bit but I still have my Ruger Police Service Six. I have owned this revolver the longest. Other than my Blackhawk I shoot my Service Six the best. They are getting harder to find and there price has gone up. That speaks volumes for the revolver.
Anyway here is my trusty Service Six.
Howard
PoliceServiceSix_zps4d6092f8.gif
 
I much prefer my GP100, but I would not hesitate to use a 686. I would avoid Rossi, Taurus, and DW. I'd use a S&W K-Frame if I had to, but would prefer 38 Special +P ammo for it.
 
I picked "lots of them". I don't care for either the 5/686 or the GP-100 but freely admit that I've never fired/owned either of them. I just don't like the looks of them. That's enough for me.

I've owned Smith & Wesson, Colts, Rugers, and Taurus. They've all been good. The only one I've got now is a Model 19. A Model 19 was my first handgun and I suppose it will always be my favorite.
 
I like most of them and probably shot Smiths the most. But if I was down to just one, it would likely be the Dan Wesson because you have all of the barrel length options and you can change barrels in just a couple of minutes.

715-Tgt1_zps87706d1a.jpg
 
Which Ruger 357 revolver, the Security Six or GP100, is the most like the Ruger Redhawk? I had a 44 mag Redhawk back in the 80's that I shot Metallic Silhouette with and it was built like a tank (along with a Super Blackhawk). I liked how simple it was to take apart to clean or tweak. The Security Six looks kinda like a 3/4 scale Redhawk.

I haven't owned a revolver in about 20 years, been shooting the action pistol games for awhile with plastic pistols. But lately I've been wanting to go attack the long range steel rifle targets at my range with a magnum revolver. I'm thinking 357 mag is enough for plinking and I keep coming back to Ruger. I wish they made one with a 7 or 8 inch barrel though.

GP100 or Security Six?
 
You left out the S&W 627PC which I consider the best of the bunch. I also like the 686SSR and GP 100, all with a bit of trigger work.
 
That dan wesson that saleen322 posted is absolutely beautiful revolver. I've never owned one but I want one in the worst way. I have a s&w 586-1, 686, and a ruger gp100. Based purely on appearance I like the way my s&w looks over my gp100. Based on the overall gun I would pick my ruger for several reasons. The simplicity of it is genius. it comes apart in seconds with one screwdriver and can easily worked on. The extreme strength of the modular design. Its very accurate and I've fired thousands of rounds through it without one single problem. I love my s&w's but I've actually had a couple problems with them.
 
I no longer own a .357. My bullets have gotten bigger but I voted S&W 686 cause if I did that would be it.
However, Ruger Service Six with fixed sites would be my first choice.
If I could only have my 4 in blue RUGER back new in the box again. Loved that revolver. Shot thousands of rounds through it and carried it everyday for years. Never had a hitch.
 
I like my GP100 but I'd sure like to find a deal on a nice short-barrel Six series to go with it.
 
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