What should I get for a 357?

My FiL got a NiB GP100 a few years ago. It has a better trigger than I expected. He shoots it better than any of his semiautos, other than maybe his CZ75.

I almost never buy new guns. IIRC, every single one of these was bought used:

Rossi - I had a nice 6" Model 971 from... maybe the early 90's? It had nice sights, decent trigger, and was reliable. Cost me maybe $300.

Ruger - My Blackhawks are some of my very favorite handguns. I lucked into a used 6.5" version from the mid or late 70's for $299. It's a great shooter.

S&W - I have the less expensive N frame... I think it's the Model 27, and the 28 was the fancier version. It's 6", blued, and its trigger is incredibly good. It's from the late 70's. Maybe the geometry of the larger models allows for a better trigger pull? I paid in the mid $400's for it.

Taurus - I've had three different variants of the Model 66: from 1983, 88, and 90. They all go/went bang every time and the triggers went from good to excellent. The only one I bought at modern prices was in the low $300's.

All of the ones I've listed were/are very satisfactory. The Smith has the best trigger. You can't go wrong with a Blackhawk if you want a strong revolver that will last for a WHOLE LOT of rounds.

Good luck to the OP. I'm looking forward to pictures.

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...

Oi, you forgot to mention Freedom Arms.

Tallball said:

S&W - I have the less expensive N frame... I think it's the Model 27, and the 28 was the fancier version.

Click to expand...

No, the 27 is the 'fancy' one. the 28 was the less expensive version - highway patrolman.

My 2.5" s&w model 66

I've always thought the 4" 686 was the perfect first .357 ... (as noted, others tend to accumulate after the first).

At any rate, the Smiths tend to have better triggers out of the box than the Rugers, but the new Colt King Cobras, in my experience, have superb triggers.

Armored Farmer above depicts my co-favorite .357, the 2 1/2" Model 66 (my other favorite is one common on the used market, the 4" Model 19).

I think I already posted on this thread but it's worth saying again.

I will suggest if you can find one on the used market a Dan Wesson 15-2. They used to be known as the poor man's Python. All I got to say is it's rare that the poor man actually gets the better end of the stick!