357 Mag - pre-purchase due diligence

Don't believe Ruger's 5-inchers come in
anything but adjustable sights. I wouldn't
worry too much between 4- and 5-inch
barrels. Either I believe will serve you well.

Beyond the GP100 models, you might also
consider a like-sized S&W such as the
686 SS or 586 blued. (The new Python
is in the same size class but generally
run about $600 or more above the Rugers
and Smiths.)

And take note, any models you might try out
can have their single action and double
action triggers improved somewhat beyond
out of the box weights.

Also remember stocks (grip) sizes and shapes
can be readily changed from out of the box
offerings.

I personally think you should get.......

I prefer a 4" for carry and a 5" (or longer, if possible) for shooting. If I'm not going to be carrying it, it's an easy answer. The longer sight radius really improves my ability to hit. (Velocity, though, plays no role in my thinking on the matter.)

Sights are an even easier decision. While I like the appearance of fixed sights on certain guns, for "using" I prefer adjustables by a wide margin. That goes for just about any gun, but absolutely applies for a range gun. In addition to allowing the gun to hit exactly where you want it to with your preferred load, adjustable sights almost always offer a cleaner and more accurate sight picture.

For a range gun I would get the 5in and adjustable sights.

If going to carry it a lot and firing a load which you have found the fix sights shoots well I would go with 4in.

Not a major issue though.

Adjustable sights are nice on a range gun if you want to shoot much 38's in it or various .357's as the POA will change.

You will be very well served with a GP-100 .357 Mag. The guns are sturdy and offer a lot of options.
Some have 7-shots, most 6. The 5” are not as common since Ruger is big with dealer-exclusive models, so the 5” will probably be harder to find and higher priced than a catalog-standard 4.25” or 6” gun.

https://ruger.com/products/gp100/models.html

The grips are easy to swap and come in a variety of sizes for most every hand.

I love S&W revolvers, the newer Model 19 and 686 revolvers are also good guns, if you don’t find a Ruger the S&W guns are amazing shooters.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/revolvers

Colt and Kimber are also making great revolvers, give them a look if you get a chance.

When you’ve made your choice and get a chance to shoot your new gun, let us know how it shoots for you.

Stay safe.

I always heard "4" to carry, longer for the range", and more I own 4", 5", and 6". . . and I like a 4" K frame (L frame as a close second) for everything.

I have a blued 6" GP. I would never enter any places with the potential of grizzlies without it (as when I/we visited Yellowstone). The extra inch of barrel really helps stabilize the sights while aiming. Plus the sight radius is that much better. Plus, again, the slight extra weight helps control recoil from high-power loads, as I found while developing loads from it.

I would get the one that feels good to YOU I kinda like a 4" barrel
Good luck

I have a 6 1/2" Blackhawk that covers my range / hunting needs, and am looking to buy a 3" King Cobra for carry.

If I didn't already own the Blackhawk, I'd likely go with a 4" GP-100 (7-shot) or 686+ to cover both uses. Or maybe the King Cobra Target model. Or a 4" S&W Model 66.

Dang, that wasn't much help, was it?

The most common lengths for revolver barrels tend to be 4" and 6". I guess I just like to be different, but would go 3" and 5" every time if given the option. One inch of barrel just doesn't matter much other than how they balance. And that can be important.

1. I do not have a chronograph, so cannot be much help, regarding velocities and barrel lengths. Gun writer Wiley Clapp reported that he tended to get higher measured velocities, with a GP100, than with other revolvers in the same barrel length.

2. There is something “just right” about 4”, for carry, for me. Anything longer can get in the way, when I want to sit, if carrying at 0300. Longer barrels are nice, however, when shooting, with the longer sight radius. Having accumulated 3”, 4”, and 6” samples of the GP100, I have no regrets.

3. Fixed, milled sights are NOT common options, except with 3” guns, made in the past. Fixed, milled sights on 4” guns were never common, and started becoming scarcer about 20 years ago. I bought a 4”, with milled rear sight, new in 2002, and have never seen another new one, for sale, since then. (I do not have a habit of looking at Gunbroker.) As for using revolvers with fixed milled sights, well, let’s just say that it is a good thing that a GP100 pointes so well, in my hands. I do MUCH better with adjustable sights, because I can see them better. This was true when my vision was better than 20/20, and now, when my vision is terrible.

4. I owned several S&W .357 revolvers, and still have one. I almost bought an S&W 19-5, last week, but another buyer acted, while I “slept on it.” One should understand the different eras of S&W production, and how to select a revolver that does not have issues. A Bangor Punta era revolver, for example, may well be loaded with issues, or could be well-fitted and excellent. Ultimately, the original-pattern GP100 grip is a perfect fit, in my hands, whereas any S&W revolver that I buy needs aftermarket grips, to work well, in my hands. Notably, the 2020 Colt Pythons have been run hard, by some folks, and early reports are positive, so, I might be tempted to try a new Python, if I can convince myself to spend the money. (I am a bit nostalgic for a very-early-Nineties Python, that I let get away. It was not one of Colt’s best efforts, which had made it easier to part with.) Colt has had some troubled times, with revolver QC, too, but seems to be doing things right, at present.

264swedmoor said:

I found a new 5" GP100 and am buying it.

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Good for you. The only extra thought which you
might consider is getting the rubber grips with
the wood inserts (4 inches high and sold directly
from Ruger Shop site) if. you don't like the wood
grips which I believe are standard. Most shooters
like that rubber style grip. They are Item #70083.

Pictures sell better than words, so...

I love the utilitarian look of it. However, I have wanted a Smith L frame for many years but never got one. I just like the trigger more. If this were a Smith 581 I would be happier than a pig in poo. But I'll stick with this.

I think you have good taste sir...if you get it pics are mandatory..

264swedmoor said:

I found a new 5" GP100 and am buying it.

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Four years ago I bought a 5" GP100 357 in stainless and I really enjoy it. Hope you do too. Good luck!

Have a stainless double lug 6" GP100, came with the Hogue rubber mono-grip. It shoots well, and IMO has great balance.

However, it seems that what you may prefer is entirely up to you.

Good choice. My FiL bought a NiB 6" stainless GP100 a few years ago. The trigger is nice and it outshoots all of his semiautomatics (except the 22's).

You'll enjoy it immensely.

264swedmoor said:

I'm looking for a 357 Mag. This falls squarely in the "I WANT" zone and I can live without it.

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I was in exactly the same place- kinda wanted a revolver but had no particular need for one.

Then the Kimber K6S passed in front of my view- fondled the 2" one in a big-box sporting goods store. Ended up buying the 3" DASA model from the Base Exchange. Still figured it wasn't going to be a carry piece, until I carried it.

The DeSantis FlexTuck carries this revolver very well, and the OWB holster I picked up carries even easier. The OWB holster tucks it in tight to my side and it disappears under just a loose shirt. I now have a cross-draw holster ordered and carry this thing often.

264swedmoor said:

I found a new 5" GP100 and am buying it.

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264swedmoor said:

I'll give it some time before I start changing things. Can't wait!

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Congratulations!

I do not own a Ruger double action revolver but do intend to correct that one day. I would definitely consider one like the one you have purchased.

Wise move on shooting it a while before changing things.

You have a good looking shooter there.

I just picked up a S&W nickel 586 .357 mag with adj. sites and 6 inch barrel just because I wanted it.
It's such a pretty gun. There were 3 of them at a gun show ranging from 4 inch barrels to 8 and 3/8. This one, was the cleanest and the cheapest. Can't wait to shoot it. I plan just shooting .38s, but decided to load some .357
@800 fps JHP just for bragging rights. Hey, you will be the only one that knows what really went down the bore. I doubt if I paid much more than a GP-100.

I shot a GP100 for a lot of years and one day I happened on to a really nice 686-4 that had been tuned. Oh man does that thing shoot good!
Of all my revolvers, it is my favorite of all time.
I'm already set but you can't go wrong with a good Smith 586 or 686. I haven't had as good of luck with Rugers as I have with Smith & Wesson's and I'll just leave it go at that. (And I have five Rugers).

Congrats!