Help picking a full size 357 mag revolver

Have you ever considered a Ruger GP-100? They are built like a tank. Not as smooth as a S&W 686, but much more stout. You can rework the action with a little time and some Wolfe springs and they smooth out pretty well. They usually run $100 to $200 less than a S&W.

A Colt KIng Cobra is about as tough as it gets. Sure, it will cost a little more than a 686, upfront, but your money will be safe...or you could always take the cheaper, more common road that 25 other guys will suggest and get a homely GP100.

Ruger would be my choice

686 is the one I enjoy

For many of us, a gun purchase is a long term investment and spreading out the additional cost of one gun over another is minor in comparison to quality and other personal factors. I assume based on the barrel length you indicated that this will be range gun primarily. The 686 is an fine gun with great accuracy and an excellent action right out of the box. It also maintains its value well.

or you could always take the cheaper, more common road that 25 other guys will suggest and get a homely GP100.

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Count me in with the 25 other guys.

GP100 has everything you are looking for. Full underlug, cheaper than S&W 686 (especially if you find a nice used one in the high-$300 to low-$400 range), built like a brick outhouse, and I don't think anyone is going to accuse it of being less than full sized!

For the record, I don't think the fit/finish or triggers on the current production Ruger revolvers are any worse than the fit/finish and triggers on current production S&Ws.

l would look for a pre-Lock, pre-MIM, gun, meaning a 686-4 or earlier; that means a gun with the firing pin on the hammer where it belongs.

Count me in with the 25 other guys.

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Me too! There's a reason gun stores can't keep GP 100's in stock.

I`m #1 guy for the GP100 !!!

Why not a Dan Wesson that has the full under lug? Then you can get different size from 2in up to an 8in that Way you can 4 guns in one 2 4 6 8 Good Luck

I picked up an unfired no-dash S&W 686 for $550, it is a fine gun.

If there is even the slightest chance you could give up the full underlug, consider a Colt Trooper Mk III. I picked up an unfired one for $500 not too long ago. Frankly, I like shooting it more than the 686 or my King Cobra.

I sold both GP100s I owned, they just didn't suit me, but they are an excellent value if they work for you.

The good news about the S&W and the Ruger is they are both usually available to rent so you can try-before-buy, not so with the Colts.

I would go with your original idea of the 686 but a GP100 would do just fine as well.
best of luck!

I just bought a S&W 44 mag. I know what you mean. My wrist is fine I just get blisters on my hand. BUT you have the option of 44 special. they are fine. Mine is one of those light weight (forgot what they call them) I love it.

I believe I heard something like 28 of the 29 finalists at the last USPSA National Revolver Championship match were shooting S&W.

The one odd man out was shooting a Ruger, and I don't believe he placed.

I doubt S&W gave everybody entered in the USPSA regionals all over the country free guns, just in case they moved up to the nationals!

rc

Gp100

I have a ruger gp 100, built like a tank. The 40 oz weight helps with recoil on full .357 magnum loads, also. Very manageable recoil.

686

For me, the 686 is the Cadillac of SW handguns. It just seems like they have gotten so cost prohibitive of late. I noticed a previous poster said they had found (nice gun) one for $550.

Really?? Not in my neck of the woods. Are nice 686's to be had for $550. If so, please tell me where. I live in central Oklahoma. I often work in Fort Worth, TX. Are these prices anywhere close to me?

Thanks much,

Gunner

I'd go for the 686+ Combat Magnum first. Just get that.

Then, if you have further full-size .357 magnum needs, consider something else. But get the Smith first. Quite possibly the finest revolver ever made.

I've seen used Troopers sell for $400 on Gunbroker. Those are nice, solid, last forever revolvers.

A 686 is a great handgun as well.

The gp100 is a fine gun. But I loves me some 686.

I believe I heard something like 28 of the 29 finalists at the last USPSA National Revolver Championship match were shooting S&W

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It's partly because in USPSA, S&W 625 .45acps rule because they're moonclipped & because of USPSA scoring, as it relates to power factor.

S&W vs Ruger

S&W are over rated and over priced, quality control is a thing of the past and competition smiths require $$$$$$ from the custom gun shop.

Rugers are tanks and workhorses. at several hundreds of dollars less for new, or used, the custom work is becomes an affordable option.

Colts are poorly made these days, and rely on the past. Another pistol overpriced and out of reach for us common folk.

So, my $.02 is in. Harsh words from an old timer

Fuzzball

I don't have a full size 357, but every GP 100 I've handled has a smoother and lighter feeling trigger than most 686's I've shot and handled. I know this goes against what most people say but it's what I've experienced.