.357 Magnum for Self Defense?

[ArchAngelCD]

Do pre-lock, pre-mim 8 shot 627's exist?

No MIM and lock, yes but it's very rare.

In 1998 the M627-2 was released with an 8 round cylinder but a few months into the production year the M627-3 was released with MIM parts.

In 2002 the M627-4 and M627-5 were released, bit with the ILS.

Like I said, no MIM and lock is very rare but there are 4 years of production with no locks.

 

[RealGun]

but a N frame is a bit chunky for concealed carry.

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.

I found you to be correct about that measurement (1/8" difference) but to compare my 629 and 686 (both 6 shot) side by side, the bigger cylinder looks huge. I carry the 686 often but rarely the 629. I have never carried my 625 either, actually any N frame. I use the stoutest 1 3/4" belts that work with the holsters and am usually able to dress to conceal. I would have to grant that I hitch up my pants a lot.

Seeking 8 shots would surely require the larger cylinder.

 

[Haywood]

My all purpose gun is a 4" Taurus 627 Tracker. It handles any 357 load I have put through it. It carries fine. I use it for informal target shooting and camp gun. The only problem I see is it is ported and very loud without hearing protection.

 

[Djay]

A bit stocky, but the pre-lock S&W 696 in 5 shot .44 Special would be effective and be less percussive indoors. Unfortunately, it has now garnered collector interest.

The percussive blast of a .357 would be a huge negative for me personally; and downloaded with .38s would be too borderline for me.

 

[RugRev]

As noted above there were some 627's made without the lock. In fact a while back there was one for sale on Gun Broker. At one time Smith made a 27 8 shot (I think they made about 200) that looked like a blued N frame Mtn. Gun with the thin barrel. One might also consider the 4" barrel 686 Mountain Gun which is 7 shot and per S&W weighed about 35.5 oz. One that I had weighed about what a 4" 66 did that I had.

 

[weblance]

Consider a 3" Ruger GP100. The 3" is hard to come by, but excellent in many ways. Easy to carry, perfect for Self Defense, a very good range shooter(dont let anyone tell you a 3" doesnt make a good range gun) and when you run out of ammo, you can beat a bad guy to a pulp with it. Oh... and NO internal lock.

 

[Nom de Forum]

Consider a 3" Ruger GP100. The 3" is hard to come by, but excellent in many ways. Easy to carry, perfect for Self Defense, a very good range shooter(dont let anyone tell you a 3" doesnt make a good range gun) and when you run out of ammo, you can beat a bad guy to a pulp with it. Oh... and NO internal lock.

That is very close to perfection!

 

[tomrkba]

Who in their right mind would sell all their handguns before buying, testing and training with the replacement?

Something is not right here.

 

[Ed Ames]

Who in their right mind would sell all their handguns before buying, testing and training with the replacement?

Something is not right here.

What blew my mind is there is another poster in the semiauto sub who claims to have done the same and is looking for a .45. I assume they had no choice.

 

[Panzerschwein]

OP, you will not go wrong with a GP100.

I recommend the 4" barreled version in stainless steel. I have a 6" gun, and I love it.

 

[MCgunner]

Consider a 3" Ruger GP100. The 3" is hard to come by, but excellent in many ways. Easy to carry, perfect for Self Defense, a very good range shooter(dont let anyone tell you a 3" doesnt make a good range gun) and when you run out of ammo, you can beat a bad guy to a pulp with it. Oh... and NO internal lock.

I suspect the Ruger GP100 three inch doesn't quite have the collector interest of the 3" Smith K frames. This alone would make them a better buy. I bought my Taurus used at a gun show pretty reasonable and, yes, you are right, a 3" gun is near the accuracy of a 4" gun, at least for me.

Now, one 3 inch you CAN get, and it's a super tough little gun, super easy to carry at 28 ounces, is the SP101. Yeah, only holds five, but if I was that worried about firepower, I'd carry my Ruger P85. The 3" SP101 is a dandy, and quite accurate. BUT, you'll not get one with adjustable sights. I had a 2.25" one that shot same POA with .38 as .357. Shoulda kept that one.

 

[Legionnaire]

A 4" .357 is the best do it all handgun IMO.

Ditto. Double if you reload. Something in .44 mag is almost as versatile, but perhaps less concealable--S&W 629 Mountain Gun maybe? But if I could only have one, it would be a stainless 4-inch GP100 with a compact grip, like the one on Weblance's 3-incher.

 

[RealGun]

Do we really need an inquisition? It's still an interesting topic.

 

[hAkron]

A 686 plus might be a good compromise. They are 7 shot (less than 8, but more then 6). You can find them pre-lock, pre-MIM if that's important. You can get them in a 4" or a 2.5" (or any other common barrel configuration). Less bulky than an N frame, and way more common than an 8 shot model 27.

 

[Manny]

You're in good company with your thoughts on a "one & only" gun. The late, great,Skeeter Skelton who was a noted enough shooter to be named Handgunner Of The Year picked a 5" N-frame .357 M27 as his "one & only" choice many years ago. Back even before they came as 8-shooters.

If you're willing to tote around a gun of that size & weight, it'll do the job. And the .357 chambering is my pick for best all around cartridge. Still given the difficulty of CCW'ing such a large & heavy gun as a 627, I'd probably be at least a two gun man and have something like a M60 Pro for discrete carry and the 627 for all else. JMHO.

 

[amd6547]

I have owned a few different 357's...Model 19 2.5", 686 4", SP101 3"...
Bit my favorite, and the one I shoot the best, is the GP100 3". Here it is, with it's first 25yd group, wearing the Hogues that Ruger supplies. They are big and ugly, but actually fit my hand pretty well.


I replaced them with the more appropriate compact Lett grips I was lucky to find cheap on eBay.
For me, they shoot great, and make the 3" GP carry able.

 

[tomrkba]

Do we really need an inquisition?

We have no idea who is on the other end. This could be a simple conversation starter or "'Cuz I wanted a reboot". I would like an explanation from the OP as to why he sold all his handguns prior to acquiring the replacement.

I find that one gun does not cover all concealed carry situations. The OP may find his clothing will not hide an N-Frame except in narrow circumstances. My recommendation is that he try N, L, K and J Frame (or the Ruger equivalent) revolvers. I then recommend that he have two of each chosen frame size chambered in 357 Magnum. Doubling up means he still has a gun of that size while the other is in the shop.

Also note that the Model 66 is back. This could cover almost all situations except pocket carry.

The optimal THR response is that he buy several 8 shooters, a few Model 27's, a few 686 and 586 revolvers, a pair of 640's in 357 Magnum, a few 66's, a Redhawk in 357, and a few GP100's. Next come the single actions from Colt and Ruger...

 

[sgt127]

I could probably make it through the rest of my life with only one gun if that gun were a 3" S&W 65. I have two of them, as a matter of fact, if one ever wears out or breaks.

Its big enough to handle like a real gun. Its compact enough to carry concealed. From wadcutters to full house Magnums. From the range to the woods and back to an urban setting.

Since the 65 is out of production, I would likely pick a 3" GP-100 to replace it now. I own several Rugers, they are great guns. Maybe not QUITE as refined as an older Smith, but, certainly capable and great guns in thier own right.

 

[Nom de Forum]

I agree with you guys that love your 3" guns. I have a 3" Model 10 MB that I have a hellava time getting my wife to let go of for me to shoot. We both find it just about perfect.

 

[JSH1]

I would like an explanation from the OP as to why he sold all his handguns prior to acquiring the replacement.

While it may be an interesting discussion what's done is done.

I find that one gun does not cover all concealed carry situations.

I find it interesting that the replies to the OP's question have focused on concealed carry when the OP never mentioned it.

 

[gym]

I don't own any revolvers any more, but did trust my life to 2 of them for over 2 decades.
If I were going back to one, "which I have considered with the 7 round models", It would be a 3" 686, either in 6 or 7 round. If you hit your target with a 357, it should not take more than 1 or 2 rounds. They are LOUD, so ear damage will occur without protection, indoors.
I never liked the "tang" on rugers, that secures the grip to the frames, it always had a wiggle that drove me nuts. I see most ruger guys change that to the screw in the bottom type, why did ruger do that?

 

[boricua9mm]

I find it interesting that the replies to the OP's question have focused on concealed carry when the OP never mentioned it.

The OP specifically mentioned the words "general purpose" and "self-defense" and in doing so, Concealed Carry naturally becomes part of the discussion, as CCW is permitted in the vast majority of States. It is easy to illustrate how some of the larger revolvers can be problematic for CCW, and likewise it is easy to illustrate how an 1-7/8" Airweight J-frame may not an optimal choice for a hiking, camping or hunting sidearm.

If someone told me I could only have one revolver, I'd make it a 3" steel pre-lock S&W in an L-frame or K-frame, in that order. Small enough to conceal, yet big enough to actually shoot with ease & comfort, a full-length ejector, and a sight radius that is much more forgiving than a true snubby.

If it's too big and heavy to carry, then you won't carry it. If it's painful to get through a box of 50 rounds, then you won't find yourself doing much practicing. From my experience, the 3" steel guns are in the sweet spot. It appears others would also agree.

 

[Deaf Smith]

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.

Any of these will do..

From the top..

Ruger SP101 DAO 2 1/4 inch bbl .357 magnum 5 shot
S&W M66 2 1/2 combat magnum .357 magnum 6 shot
3 inch Ruger GP100 .357 magnum 6 shot
S&W M60 2 inch Chiefs .38 Spl. (J frame) 5 shot
S&W 686 2 1/2 'Distinguished Combat Magnum' .357 magnum 6 shot
2 inch S&W 64 .38 Spl. 6 shot
2 3/4 inch Ruger Speed Six. .357 magnum 6 shot
2 inch S&W 640 .38 Spl. (J Frame) 5 shot
Ruger Security Six 2 3/4 inch bbl. .357 magnum 6 shot
and S&W 65 'Lady Smith' 3 inch .357 magnum 6 shot

Any and all will do to ride the river with.

Deaf

 

[JSH1]

The OP specifically mentioned the words "general purpose" and "self-defense" and in doing so, Concealed Carry naturally becomes part of the discussion, as CCW is permitted in the vast majority of States. It is easy to illustrate how some of the larger revolvers can be problematic for CCW, and likewise it is easy to illustrate how an 1-7/8" Airweight J-frame may not an optimal choice for a hiking, camping or hunting sidearm.

Concealed carry natural becomes part of the discussion for those that carry. For the majority of gun owners that don't carry concealed weapons; "self-defense" means the gun on the nightstand, in the drawer, or in the closet kept for to defend the home and family. In that case, concealability is not an issue and often is counterproductive.

 

[Plastikosmd]

Deaf, I think I know how u got your screen name, shooting all those shorties!
I thought I had issues, I used your pic to show my wife I am more normal than at least one person!!