.357 Magnum for Self Defense?

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SuperCubPilot

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Greetings, all.

I sold all my handguns, including revolvers. I'm wanting to get one handgun for general purpose, including self defense, and I love revolvers and shoot them better.


I like the idea of an 8 shot .357 magnum revolver. I've been looking into the S&W 627 with the 4" or 5" barrel.

I only hesitate because I've been reading about widespread quality control issues with current production S&W revolvers. Canted barrels, out of time, chipped crowns, etc. Bad quality control, even with Performance Center models. Can anyone soothe my concerns about this?

Also, assuming the quality control of the weapon is good, this is a newer model with slightly different specs than the 6 shot 627, isn't it? Is this a well proven weapon that I can stake my life on?

Are there any prelock, pre-mim 8 shot 627's? Maybe those have better quality control. Money is no object, so I'm willing to pay the extra for it.
 
It sounds like you seek the Bloodwork revolver from the Clinton Eastwood flick.

Save your unlimited budget and get a GP100. You don't need eight shots. I literally bet my life on it. Get yourself one of the new match champion GP100s to be assured S&W level fit&finish and trigger out of the box.
 
drastic_quench said:
Get yourself one of the new match champion GP100s to be assured S&W level fit&finish and trigger out of the box.
Click to expand...
Oh man. I've always wanted a GP100, but I've never gotten around to actually buying one. This is the first time I've heard of the Match Champion, and after researching it a little bit I really want one! Man, why can't I have a cheap passion like knitting!?
 
A 4" .357 is the best do it all handgun IMO. I'm usually not sensitive to size and weight but a N frame is a bit chunky for concealed carry. A K frame size won't take the abuse of a lot of magnums (other than a Ruger 6 series). That leaves the GP100 or L frame S&W to fill the bill.
 
If I were to own one handgun for general use I would buy a Ruger Waley(sp) Clapp 3" GP 100 without hesitation. I own a 4" GP100 and a 3" S&W Performance Center 686 Plus seven shot and while I would give the edge to the 686, you can buy two GP100s for the price assuming you could even find the 686 for sale.
 
I enjoy shooting my 357s, but frankly they are too loud for self defense with no hearing protection. The .44 Special makes more sense to me. I had to buy mine used to get a 3" medium frame gun intended for carry. It is down to five shot. I don't know that you can buy such a thing new these days. Mine is a Taurus 430, but some choose the Charter Arms, which is off my collector radar but has its following.

The .44 Special doesn't work so well in a dual caliber .44 Magnum, because the gun is sized and structured for the magnum, making it (in my estimation) a lame .44 Special for carry.
 
I think the 627 is simply too thick in the cylinder for regular CCW. I have one of the newer Bloodwork PC guns and it is perfect in every regard, save for the ILS and the MIM parts that some abhor. I prefer to have a chance to look a gun over before buying it, so online purchases are a no-go for me these days.

I tried the Ruger Wiley Clapp. First one was a complete dud and Ruger had to replace it. The second one was frought with shoddy workmanship and was not a good representation of what an $800 revolver should be. It went bye-bye, and for 200 more, the 627 PC replaced it. Ruger makes some good guns at times, yet screws them up horribly at other times. For guns in this price bracket, having 2 back-to-back junkers was enough to scare me away from Ruger forever.

Now, for the ideal do-it-all gun, I think a 3" pre-lock 686, such as the CS1 is an optimal choice. Perfect size, great looks, adjustable/swappable sights, round butt, and enough heft to not be too abusive with Magnum loads. The only problem is the absolutely insane prices they are currently bringing.

686-cs1-1.jpg
 
"I think the 627 is simply too thick in the cylinder for regular CCW"

I carried my 627 for 3 calendar years until this March when I finished my 1911 build. I bought a Lobo IWB holster and a Beltman gun belt, never missed a beat. Its not too heavy, its not too hot, and its not too long and its not too thick. Get a good holster and belt.

The only PITA was carrying around a 8 shot moon clip in your pocket without the cashier at Walmart thinking your happy to see her :)
 
You could also look for a nice older Model 66. I carried one for years and still have it. 2.5", with a ported barrel. It is not pleasant to shoot full house .357 loads, but it certainly does the job for which it was intended.
 
The problem with trying to find a single general purpose pistol is that handguns aren't very general. Choosing one gun for every use means compromised performance for every use. Sometimes that makes sense, but it isn't ideal.

So...once you have accepted that you are doing something that isn't ideal, why obsess over something you can inspect for? QA issues mean buying new is no different than buying used, so read up on buying used revolvers, find a S&W or Taurus (the only two companies that make 8-shot revolvers as far as I know), inspect it, if it is OK buy it, and if the lock bugs you take it out.
 
Welcome to the forum.

There may of may not be QC problems with current S&W revolvers but one fact still remains, S&W and Ruger revolvers are still the best revolvers on the market bar none.

If you're going to carry this revolver at all I agree the N frame revolver is large and a bit heavy for that purpose. S&W does make a 7 round 4" L frame revolver that will carry better. The Model 686 Plus is what you are probably looking for.

If not and you do want the larger revolver I see no reason not to buy a M627. I see nothing wrong with 8 rounds of .357 Magnum on tap!
 
supercubpilot There a couple problems with a handgun that large. IF you try to carry it on your hip day in and day out a 40 to 44oz handgun becomes a real pain of time. Unless you live in Alaska and carry it in a chest holster its becomes uncomfortable.

If your trying to conceal it . For get it. AIN'T HAPPEN.

Locktite green will deal with a lock. maybe a glock 20 in 10mm or 21 or quality 1911 in 45 set up shoot 45 super. Ether are lighter and can pack around the same energy on target quicker than you can from a 4 or 5 inch 357 and with the same round or more.
 
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Stop reading. You're only hearing one side of the story. Do a little math. Find out how many guns Smith and Wesson sells. Then divide that by the number of posts you read about complaints. That's the important ratio. How many guys buy a gun, like it, have no problems, and then post to confirm that it works/shoots great? Very few. But, if they buy a gun and it has a problem, even if it's only imaginary, the first thing they do is post on a forum to talk about it. Even joining new forums, just to vent.

Buying a good revolver is a great choice. Even after you shoot it, if you do enough reading you'll become convinced it's a terrible choice. Buy any gun, in any caliber, and you'll eventually read about how somebody else thinks it sucks.

Alternatively, read up on some other perspectives that have an optimistic slant. I've read plenty of stories about 92 year old grandmas with some .32 caliber revolver, that her husband owned, that thwarted a burglary.

In the end you are just reading stories, not any statistically significant points. Those you'll have to derive on your own.

Personally, I've had some mixed results with autos, but they were all pretty easy to work out. I've also been able to break a revolver through poor tuning, like under-screwing the trigger spring.

But, I've only owned 50 or so handguns. Not nearly enough to be statistically confident.
 
It sounds like you seek the Bloodwork revolver from the Clinton Eastwood flick.

Save your unlimited budget and get a GP100. You don't need eight shots. I literally bet my life on it. Get yourself one of the new match champion GP100s to be assured S&W level fit&finish and trigger out of the box
Click to expand...

It sounds like you didn't even read the original post. How is a snub nosed gun comparable to a 4 or 5" barrel gun? Also, telling someone what they do or don't need makes no sense. :scrutiny:

"I want a an 8 shot." "You don't need that!"

Based on what? :banghead::banghead::banghead:

SuperClubPilot, The 8 shot 627 PC guns are nice, and for open carry would be a great all around gun. However, your concern about the large frame size is valid. So just as a suggestion, I'd take a look at the 686+ Talo edition. Specifically this model:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_781530_-1_757767_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

The 5 inch bbl would get you plenty of velocity, and the longer sight radius will make it plenty accurate for a little bit longer shots. It can carry 7 rounds so it would get you close to your 8 shot count, but in a smaller package.

I have the 3" barrel version and it is a great gun. Quality is great for modern day production. It's my living room gun, and when my holster shows up from Alaska, I plan to open carry it on the trail and in the woods. Lots of people bash .357's with a barrel shorter than 4" because of the velocity loss, but it is still plenty of muzzle energy for a human sized attacker. If you got into black bear sized threats, I'd want more length in the barrel and 180 gr hard cast bullets.

Anyway, I thought it would be a good compromise for you. 686+ or 627, I think you would be happy with either. Just a thought too. If money is no object, you could buy one of each, try them, and sell which ever one you like less.
 
but a N frame is a bit chunky for concealed carry.
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There just ain't that much difference between the N frames and L frames. The cylinder is 1/8" thicker and 4" guns are 1 oz heavier if both are 6 shot guns. The 8 shot N frame 357's are lighter than the 6 shot 686's. They will often fit in the same holsters. If one is too heavy and chunky, so is the other.

Personally none of the above would be my first choice, but any could be an acceptable choice. Just get all the facts right and base your decisions on accurate information.

6 shots, vs 7, vs 8 shots is a decision you have to make. As well as how much you want to spend. While it isn't what I'd buy it sounds like a good choice for you.

I'm not overly concerned about S&W problems. They are a solid company who generally makes very good stuff, especially their revolvers, and will back it up if problems come up.
 
SuperCubPilot said:
Greetings, all.

I sold all my handguns, including revolvers. I'm wanting to get one handgun for general purpose, including self defense, and I love revolvers and shoot them better.


I like the idea of an 8 shot .357 magnum revolver. I've been looking into the S&W 627 with the 4" or 5" barrel.
Click to expand...


.....any time you try to make any one item "all purpose" you are going to have to make compromises. The best CWC guns don't make for the best hunting or range guns. What works best in an ankle holster doesn't necessarily make for the best nightstand gun.


For the same amount of monies you'd spend on a P.C. 627, you could have the best of both worlds, a 4-6'' 686+ and an alloy J-Frame.

S&W is not experiencing any more quality control issues than any other manufacturer. If and when they do, their no B.S. lifetime warranty on new guns along with their top-notch customer service will take care of it.
 
An L,N, or GP in .357 magnum is never a bad choice. 4" or 3" are very convenient sizes for comfortable carry, 5" provides little performance gain for the increase in bulk. Get a rare dud from S&W or Ruger and you know the company will make it right.
 
It sounds like you didn't even read the original post. How is a snub nosed gun comparable to a 4 or 5" barrel gun? Also, telling someone what they do or don't need makes no sense.

"I want a an 8 shot." "You don't need that!"

Based on what?

SuperClubPilot, The 8 shot 627 PC guns are nice, and for open carry would be a great all around gun. However, your concern about the large frame size is valid. So just as a suggestion, I'd take a look at the 686+ Talo edition. Specifically this model:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...layErrorView_Y

The 5 inch bbl would get you plenty of velocity, and the longer sight radius will make it plenty accurate for a little bit longer shots. It can carry 7 rounds so it would get you close to your 8 shot count, but in a smaller package.

I have the 3" barrel version and it is a great gun. Quality is great for modern day production. It's my living room gun, and when my holster shows up from Alaska, I plan to open carry it on the trail and in the woods. Lots of people bash .357's with a barrel shorter than 4" because of the velocity loss, but it is still plenty of muzzle energy for a human sized attacker. If you got into black bear sized threats, I'd want more length in the barrel and 180 gr hard cast bullets.

Anyway, I thought it would be a good compromise for you. 686+ or 627, I think you would be happy with either. Just a thought too. If money is no object, you could buy one of each, try them, and sell which ever one you like less.
__________________
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Very good information. Thanks. I have a bit to think about now. I guess I can look into it a bit more and make a decision. Thanks for not tearing a newbie like me apart in my first post, heh.
 
I carried my 627 for 3 calendar years until this March when I finished my 1911 build. I bought a Lobo IWB holster and a Beltman gun belt, never missed a beat. Its not too heavy, its not too hot, and its not too long and its not too thick. Get a good holster and belt.
Click to expand...

Oh, I've had good belts and good holsters for many, many years. The extra girth of the cylinder is enough that even with my pants being one size larger than I need, it is enough that the gun will not work for IWB carry. You have the larger diameter of the cylinder, then as a result, you also have a wider holster to contend with. For OWB, sure, but when it comes to IWB the cylinder makes a big difference. It's simply huge. The L-frame is easier to hide, and the K-frame even moreso.

Regular CCW with an N-frame isn't a walk in the park.
 
Personal favorites are the Taurus 66. I sometimes carry the 3" gun. They're stronger than a K frame, beefier frame with enough room for a ROUND forcing cone. I've had a K frame split the forcing cone at the flat on the bottom, a weak point.

These are a late 80s (the three incher) and early 90s model (the 4" nickel). The new ones are 7 shooters. They are very accurate and more easily carried than an N frame. I have a Hume JIT slide holster for mine.

2liiv60.jpg
 
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