That One Go-to .357

If I could only have "One Go-To" .357 then it would be my S&W Model 686-no dash. Besides being a solid, well built gun, it has the sweetest DA/SA trigger on it right out of the box!

If I'm not worried about CC, lots of things will work.
For CC, I prefer 2-3" where possible.


Most anything in the J Frame class is a little light in the pants for me personally as a true "go-to".
They are great for carry, though.

My vote goes to the Ruger new model blackhawk. Stainless. It needs to be tuned some before full reliability is realized. The hammer has a plunger on it. The plunger hole likely has grit and oil in it and needs to be cleaned out, polished, lightly lubed and reassembled. When this plunger locks up, the gun will not cock. Often giving a couple cocking efforts will free it and it'll work until the next time it locks up. I've had 2 Rugers that did this. Loctite the cylinder release nut in place, as well as all the screws.

Second vote goes to the GP100. It is far more robust than a smith686. And can be disassembled much easier. All that's required is a screwdriver or whatever can be improvised to get the grip screw out. Then, you can use the hammer strut to pop out the trigger assembly. This needs tuning in that area so the trigger guard isn't so tight it can't be budged. You could modify the grips to take a thumb screw stud so it could be disassembled without tools.

Both, use the Bowen rough country rear sight.

Very utilitarian, plus you can't really hurt it without trying.

In the book by wilson, Ruger and his guns, It describes abusing a security six. The predecessor to the GP100. They held an armorers course I believe it was. Anyways, half a dozen men throwed the gun against a concrete wall, throwed it down a dusty range. Drove over it, peeled out over it. For several hours trying to break it. The only actual damage was to bust the grips. They taped them on and continued. After each "trial" they loaded it and fired it. They never did cause it not to work. Rugers engineers designed their double action guns to take unbelievable abuse and continue to be serviceable.

How about a redhawk in 357 yummmmmy

My personal favorite is my Colt Trooper 4". However my 6" S&W M-28 and Dan Wesson M-15 Pistol Pac would be strong contenders.

One .357, for all uses, no regular regimen of cleaning, light enough for day long carry, accurate enough for deer out to 40-50 yds, and with sights that can be seen.

That pretty much describes Smith's venerable classic: the Model 66 with a 4" bbl. Get an older one, preferably a carefully used and maintained LEO gun that'll have a buttery smooth action, & without that !)$(*#($()^)$ l ock. It'll have lighter weight that will encourage you to pack it when you need to as opposed to say one of the much heavier full lugged models, and it's adequate sight radius that'll add needed precision for hunting.

In my view it's an easy choice, now get busy and find one....their out there and not as expensive as you might guess, being a revolver and not in as much demand nowadays.

Best regards, Rod....here's mine with it's stable mate, a M-19....

Ruger Blackhawk

mcb said:

Double acton S&W revolver, fixed sights, 4-inch, round butt, in any cartridge other than 357 Magnum.

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I do believe, as described, a 1910 to 30s
.32 S&W will fit the bill. No moon
clips of course.

Bazoo said:

In the book by wilson, Ruger and his guns, It describes abusing a security six. The predecessor to the GP100. They held an armorers course I believe it was. Anyways, half a dozen men throwed the gun against a concrete wall, throwed it down a dusty range. Drove over it, peeled out over it. For several hours trying to break it. The only actual damage was to bust the grips. They taped them on and continued. After each "trial" they loaded it and fired it. They never did cause it not to work. Rugers engineers designed their double action guns to take unbelievable abuse and continue to be serviceable.

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Good info. Not an attack on you, but maybe the guys that did that -- they're the only ones doing that kind of thing to the gun. On the other hand, Ruger discontinued to "Six" series because it couldn't hold up to what people actually do: shoot them. After Newhall, the doctrine of shooting in practice what an officer carries came down. Many agencies went back to 38 Special +P, but the ones that started practicing with 357 Magnum shot a lot more of it. Anecdotes like "mine's shot over 75,000 rounds and is still going strong" didn't matter. Two facts: there was demand for the GP-100. There was not enough demand to keep making the Six series. The Six's were dropped well before revolvers were and it wasn't because they were too tough.

Also, I stand by my first assertion that a gun isn't useful just because it functions if it can't be used to do the job needed to be done. What job is the Six good for? Police work? IPSC, USPSA? Deer hunting? Bullseye?

UncleEd said:

I do believe, as described, a 1910 to 30s
.32 S&W will fit the bill. No moon
clips of course.

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What about a 1917 in 45 ACP, 2&3 round moonclips where invented for that revolver that would later evolve into the full moonclip.

I thought my post was relavent. In the situation the OP described, huge numbers down range aren't going to be consumed. Maybe a few thousand? So any size 357 would suffice there. The gp100 grew out of them six series and is just as robust, but with the ability to digest all the rounds you want.

My gp100 is my only 357 currently. But my wife has a 686. So I have direct comparison of the two. The GP is much more robust in the frame and crane area, and overall. The 686 is more finely finished though.

S&W 686 or M66. 4" barrel

WB

Smith and Wesson 686, then S&W model 28, then maybe some Ruger model. I have too many Rugers now, Not working out so well.
Smith and Wesson has proven itself to me since 1980 when I bought my first Model 28. Made in 1957 I have never needed any other as far as longevity.
I have bought several since including a GP100 that has been so-so comparing it to the model 28 for longevity.
Forcing cone is all burned up in the GP100 from year 2000+ but the 1957 Model 28 still looks line new.
My 686 looks even better.
I have to vote 686-4 or less.

Mmm model 27, no other 357 looks as good to me.

Not my choice at all in my world, single action revolvers to me demand a big bore cartridge but with the parameters given I guess it would go to the Blackhawk for me.

I have a dozen 357's, none exactly alike.
My 4in 627 Pro (for me) meets the OP's criteria.
8 shots, enough barrel to get good 357 performance.
Easy to field carry with a good holster.
N frame strength.
Cant beat it.

I'd go with a modern k frame

Pre Lock S&W Mountain Gun 686+ 7 shot

My number one choice of the 357s I own would be the 4" GP-100. Second would be the 6" GP-100. And after that a 4" model 28, 4" Security Six or model 65 4". Any should last as long or longer than I will.

My two oldest Ruger GP100 revolving pistols were made during a time when Ruger still cared enough to machine “powder-eatin’” grooves, under the extractor. These grooves can provide a place for unburned powder particles, and other small debris, to accumulate, without causing harm, until the user can find the time to clean the weapon.

I already favor the GP100, anyway, as I have since the very early Nineties, due to the perfect fit, in grip dimensions, and trigger shape and position being perfectly “natural,” for my hands. My avatar image shows my first GP100. Yes, my finger is on the trigger, as I snapped that photo, in a series, with an iPhone, to show my firing grip, to include my finger placement on the trigger.

If the user’s requirements allow a single-action weapon to be a contender, the Ruger Blackhawk has fewer things that can break, and there is no extractor “star,” under which debris can accumulate.

P5 Guy said:

S&W 681 the Ultimate 357MAG

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The only problem with a 681 is they are so hard to find.....

My first handgun. Miss it badly.

Go to... only One...so must be good for carry and hunting....hmmmm.




My DW...

shoebox1.1 said:

How about a redhawk in 357 yummmmmy

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I love mine, but man is it heavy!