lowercase
Member
By post #6, I was pretty much thinking that I'm too poor for this thread, then I scrolled to the Registered Magnum, and yep...I'm too poor.
I'd go with my trusty old 19-3.
I'd go with my trusty old 19-3.
Ultimate 357 magnum revolver if you were going to have ONE?
- Thread starter Stopsign32v
- Start date
- Status
@NIGHTLORD40K has a good point. Why is the L frame so awesome, you ask? One of the best 38 Special target revolvers is the Colt OM. You can see the L frame is nearly identical, but built for 357.
Imho there is no " ultimate" gun in any caliber or type. Over time and with experience my preference changed - and it is about personal preference mostly. For many years a cheap surplus S&W 65 was my favorite blaster. Steel plates could not stand up to that gun and I enjoyed it. Before it I loved a Colt Python for accuracy competitions and was flattered that an older friend and shooting mentor loved to borrow it to travel to competitions with it. Nowadays I do not shoot that much .357s anymore but in the last competitions I trusted a 5 shot Korth and found this gun the pinnacle in quality and accuracy - and I have a few dozen more guns than I could ever justify
.
.
Stopsign32v
Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2015
- Messages
- 124
Prelock and all....I like that. What is it an early 686?
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Yeppers, 686 no-dash. Ive got dozens of revolvers but that is my favorite and if I had to have only one, itd be that one.
bangswitch
Member
I hope you don't have plans to carry it dishonestly.
It all depends on what you want a nice .357 for. For a collectible, you have S&W or Colt, for absolute strength and utility there is Ruger. Not that S&W's can't handle it, they are my choice for any caliber revolver, especially the magnums. These are my choices:
M66-1
M19-3
M27-2
M28-2
Not only a fixed sight, but the ONLY .357 Magnum N frame with a fixed rear sight. That's a beauty, and a real rarity. Only 3000 of them (original issue) made, in 1980. They were a special order for the New York State Police, but were never delivered. They did a re-release in 2005, but it's just not the same. You have a near unicorn there. (and I'm jealous.)
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
I agree. There is only “the ultimate” until you discover something else you like better.
What you need to do @Stopsign32v is first determine how many rounds do you want to have the revolver capable of carrying. Also, do you plan to shoot .357 solely or will you be shooting .38 Special as well and in what quantities vs .357 magnum. Also, what weight are you willing to carry or does weight and length even matter.
Me personally, I like my S&W .327 Night Guard for carrying, but (there is always a “but”, for accuracy I love my model 19-4.
I am partial to the concept of having 8 rounds of .357 in a revolver.
The S&W 326 TRR8 N frame is an 8 shot 5.5” revolver. It weighs 36 ounces.
I have also been considering the Ruger Redhawk model 5060. An 8 shot .357 with a 5.5” barrel, but the weight is 52 ounces.
It just depends on what you wish the revolver for and what you want it to do for you.
Stopsign32v
Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2015
- Messages
- 124
It will be strictly 357 magnum loaded and some hot loads sometimes. 158gr will be the only weight I send through it likely. Will be a range gun only and would like a minimum barrel length of 4" and max of 6"
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
I would definitely consider a 686 L frame as the minimum size for your gun.
Last edited:
I carried a S&W Model 19 for a long time when I wore a badge. It was a great revolver then and it is still a great revolver. Perhaps, the penultimate fighting revolver. My personal favorite for the small bore is a S&W Model 27. The same weight as a Model 686 but a lot better styling and more history.
All that said, if it were me pairing a revolver with that 357 lever action, I would grab something in 45, preferably 45 ACP. Just me but I don’t see the sense in pairing up the cartridges.
Kevin
All that said, if it were me pairing a revolver with that 357 lever action, I would grab something in 45, preferably 45 ACP. Just me but I don’t see the sense in pairing up the cartridges.
Kevin
Tallball
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,822
For a DA range toy...
If you want a nice one and are willing to spend a few dollars, definitely a Smith and Wesson.
I have XL hands and my N-frame Model 28 has possibly the best DA trigger out of all my revolvers. Heavy loads don't affect it much.
For smaller hands than mine, an L frame or a K frame, whichever fits your hands better.
For a range toy, six inch is more fun.
Adjustable sights are not only adjustable, they're much bigger than fixed sights and generally preferable for range toys.
I try different grips on DA revolvers, and some kind of generic Pachmayr usually seems to be the most comfortable.
If you want a nice one and are willing to spend a few dollars, definitely a Smith and Wesson.
I have XL hands and my N-frame Model 28 has possibly the best DA trigger out of all my revolvers. Heavy loads don't affect it much.
For smaller hands than mine, an L frame or a K frame, whichever fits your hands better.
For a range toy, six inch is more fun.
Adjustable sights are not only adjustable, they're much bigger than fixed sights and generally preferable for range toys.
I try different grips on DA revolvers, and some kind of generic Pachmayr usually seems to be the most comfortable.
shoebox1.1
Member
It’s a bit big to lug around BUT she sure ticks my boxes!
A companion revolver for an 1894?
It can only be an SA!!
Both are hammers with 180grn XTP's loaded hot!! Almost 1400fps from the 6.5 Blackhawk and 1700 from the Marlin, my deer stand companions!
Ghost ring and Hi-viz sights add a nice touch for older eyes!
It can only be an SA!!
Both are hammers with 180grn XTP's loaded hot!! Almost 1400fps from the 6.5 Blackhawk and 1700 from the Marlin, my deer stand companions!
Ghost ring and Hi-viz sights add a nice touch for older eyes!
Attachments
Last edited:
ontarget
Member
I'm not a big Ruger DA fan, but I've loved that piece since the first time you posted it.
J-Bar
Member
The original, the one and only S&W Model 27, direct descendant of the first Registered Magnums of 1935. I have two Model 28s and two Model 27s and the 27s edge out the 28s in trigger feel and accuracy. I love them all but if forced to chose....
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
This past March I missed buying a 4” 586 at a Sportsman’s Warehouse and I am still kicking myself. I should have bought it when I saw it, but I went home and the next morning I called about it and it was gone.
I guess it’s okay though because I went on a mission to find another, but instead found a model 25 with a 6” barrel in .45 Colt. That eased my pain.
SteadyD
Member
- Joined
- May 5, 2017
- Messages
- 1,747
The GP100s I’ve handled or owned had nice triggers right out of the box. There’s no comparison to the SP 101. I occasionally consider getting a 7 shot 2.5 inch. The proportions seem perfect. There’s also a Talo 3 inch 7 shot with a Novak rear sight and a tritium front.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,183
6-1/2” Ruger Blackhawk.
But since you specify double action, I like the poor mans Python - the Colt 357 or Trooper - for smooth shooting. I took my Colts Lawman out today and it’s just as smooth and accurate but with fixed sights. No snags.
Last edited:
Much prefer the looks of the 66 4" and 686 6". Plus the 6" lug brings more ballast. Both available sans lock. One now, one later.
Appreciate all the fantastic photos!
- Status
