.357 magnum revolver recommendations?

[goon]

The GP-100 is a great gun but it's also a heavy tank of a gun.
It's built like an anvil. That's a good thing for me but it might be a bad thing for some (weight).

For my own uses, I absolutely love the 3" SP-101. It's as close to a "do-all" handgun as I can imagine. But it does have fixed sights. So far, that hasn't really made much difference though - After I got the sights adjusted they seem to put just about every round I've tried to the same POI regardless of what weight it is or how fast it's going.

 

[PhiloebeddoUSA]

Ditto the "get what you pay for".

I personally am not a fan of short barreled magnums, but to each his own.

I would rather have a snubbie carry in .38 and and a full sized .357 then one inbetween, but I realize that we are now talking about 2 revolvers.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=124213186

That is S&W's .357 offering, new for $600 plus shipping and registration. 7-shot is bonus. 4 inch barrel. All specs available at www.smith-wesson.com

I won't knock the other brands. But from hearsay, I won't buy one of them either.

 

[easyrider604]

double post

 

[easyrider604]

Ok, so my first question is, is my reasoning sound?

It is right on. Based on your requirement for a quality, inexpensive, stainless, general purpose, durable (able to digest 357mag regularly), reliable, accurate medium frame 357 revolver, I can recommend only one.

GP100 w/4 inch barrel. Best do it all revolver ever made. If your primary intent is CC, well that is the subject of another thread.

I love my S&W L frames, too much to feed them regular doses of full power 357mag. We also have 2 S&W 65s (built on K frames-smaller than L)) in the family, but they see only 38 spl +p at the most because they are not designed for a regular diet of 357mag.

No experience with Rossi or other brands.

Although I'm a huge fan of the 1911, I have had to concede that a .357 magnum revolver will make a more sensible choice for my first gun.
My reasoning for this is:
A) When I buy my first 1911, I want it to be a good one, and my first gun needs to be inexpensive.

You can buy a good inexpensive 1911, search the Handgun-Autoloader thread for info. I'd personally go for the Rock Island Armory Tactical for about the same price as the GP100.

 

[W Turner]

Looking at your criteria, a used K frame S&W would fit the bill nicely. Smith did make some fixed sight, .357 k frames with a 3" barrel. These are sought after and farily hard to find. They make great carry guns and S&W used to make a stainless version call the Ladysmith, not sure if they still do or not, but it's worth a look.

An L frame size gun (including the Ruger GP100) is only a few ounces heavier. 4" barrels can be easily concealed IWB if you're interested.

W

 

[Water-Man]

Ruger GP-100 4" stainless

 

[eye5600]

A feature not mentioned (unless I missed it) is a transfer-type mechanism or similar that makes the gun safer with a round in the chamber. Maybe they are all like that now.

 

[wep45]

.357 magnum..............quality, dependability, accuracy

smith & wesson 686
smith & wesson 686p
smith & wesson 686pp

 

[Big Bill]

What David E said!

+1


I love my Ruger SP101 3" with Hogue monogrip...

 

[lgbloader]

I am about as happy as a tornado in a trailer park with my Model 66.

Sorry about the enuendo but I just watched "CARS" with my 5 year old.

LGB

 

[PhrankKastle]

Let me jump on the Ruger GP100 3" bandwagon, that was my backwoods gun for years and served me very well.
I did decide that I wanted a 44 magnum so the GP100 was traded towards my new Alaskan and I love the Alaskan but I do have a feeling that I am going to regret letting the GP go as much as I miss my Colt King Cobra I traded about 15 years ago.

 

[Vere]

I had a similar situation: my wife was ardently anti-gun before my firearm purchase and I thought, perhaps, I may only be able to negotiate one. It turned out to be a misunderstanding of what shooting sports were that was broken after two cylinders. Anyhow, I would lean towards the 357, smith or Ruger. A new GP100 in SS/4" will run, at least around here, a little cheaper than the S&W and several people here have made comments around the S&W/Ruger.


There are several things I have come across while shooting with my wife that made me happy with my 357 purchase, particularly since she isn't too hot on practicing:
1) She has not been able to pull the slide back on several semiautomatic pistols.
2) She is very comfortable with 38sp at 7-10 yards and has some pretty consistent groups.
3) Single action with 357 scares her, but several other firearms she has fired (including a Beretta 92 in .40) have really made her uncomfortable.
4) She can load the cylinders, even after some practice, more consistently than she can load magazines.
5) My dad has an SP101 he keeps loaded with 38s. My mom hates firearms, doesn't like to shoot, BUT she keeps that in close reach when he is out of town.

 

[nachosgrande]

GP100 4" Stainless

 

[snakeman]

rossi, taurus tracker, or ruger gp100, or blackhawk convertible

 

[messerist]

686 or the GP100. Both are rock solid performers and available in many guises. Good luck and welcome.

 

[vcs700s]

S&W model 620.

Stainless .357 with 7 rounds and 4" barrel.

Unbelievable trigger right out of the box both SA and DA.

Great gun. Deadly accurate!

 

[sohcgt2]

I'm moving to Ohio from the UK soon, and will thus be purchasing my first handgun.

Initially I will have more pressing things to spend my money on, so my first handgun will have to be something of a jack of all trades so to speak.

It seems that you have done your homework, and I agree with JimJD the Ruger GP100 is probably the best revolver value available. Good luck with your move.

 

[Marshall]

I'll give another vote for the GP-100 in 4". Good choice for a do-everything revolver to meet your requirements. You can shoot everything from top to bottom with it.

Although, I myself, would go for a Model 66 Smith.

 

[Guitarslinger46]

I'm diggin my 4" GP100 stainless. I have no problem carrying it either. I'm used to the weight. It is a tank, but in a good way!

 

[BCRider]

It's a pity that you're dead set against a blued gun or I'd recomend a good condition used S&W Model 28. This is a .357 in an N frame so it's big and burly. The exact same frame and cylinder was later made into the .44 Magnum so you KNOW it'll take a big gulp of .357 Magnums and grin back at you.

My own Mod28 tonight put in a nice performance with groupings of from 1.5 to .75 inches for three shot groups at 10 yards shooting single action with .38Spl Fiocchi ammo. And this was with old man 55 year old eyes and nerves. I'm more than happy with both the gun's and my own performance overall.

It's also a rather intimidating looking beast. Much like the GP100 in the picture above but with a 6 inch barrel.

But you already decided that you're not interested in blued options so I guess this was a waste of bandwidth.....

 

[hoptob]

Used 2-3/4" Ruger Speed Six in stainless is a good choice.

Six shot, medium frame, same size as 65/66 but without barrel cutout. These guns were very well made, they don't have [in]famous roughness of the current production GP100 and they carry better than GP. Speed Six are less popular than S&W K frames and can be had for under $400 in like-new condition.

Mike

 

[under_dawg]

Welcome to the Socialist States of America. GP-100 or the Smith 686 in .357 mag. Either will be a great choice for you for a "if had to have 1 gun" scenario. The .357 chambering will allow you to shoot 38 specials for practice and 357 mags for when you need that little extra umph. I personally like revolvers better than pistols because I am a reloader and revolvers allow you to greatly vary the load/power to the task at hand, but man would I love to have a quality 1911 as well.

 

[jamesbeat]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies....

It looks like I'm going to try to find a 686 at a reasonable price, or go for a SP100.
I also really like the look of the Speed Six, I'm a little concerned about barrel length, but it's the nicest looking Ruger I've seen so far.
I'd prefer the Smith simply because I don't like the looks of the Ruger as much, but I am well aware of the reputation Rugers have for ruggedness so I'll be happy with either.

I don't particularly have a set budget, but I'll be coming to the US with a fixed amount of money and that has to last me until my work permit is processed and I can find employment. I do have a reasonable amount of money, but I don't know for sure how long I need it to last.

Good news is that my friend seems to think he can get me a job at his dad's place, and he says the money is good, so I may end up with a surplus

PT1911, I hear you on the 1911 thing, but I have to be pragmatic about my choice for my first gun.
It's not that I don't want a .357 revolver, it would be a gun I would purchase anyway. I have compiled a mental list of the pistols I want, and the 357 makes the most sense for my first gun.
The way I see it, I should be able to get a decent used 357 revolver for around $400ish, but I will not get the 1911 of my dreams for that amount of money. I'd rather wait and get a REALLY nice one. After all, it's going to be my first 1911*
The strict budget was one of several reasons why the revolver moved to the top of the list when selecting my first gun.



*it will actually be my second 1911, as I already own one that has been deactivated to make it legal in the UK. It's an Ithaca GI model and is heavily pitted all over and has been very poorly refinished. I paid the equivalent of $900 for it.
That may seem like a lot of money for a rattly old pos 1911, but it has allowed me to familiarise myself with handling a 1911 and practice dry firing.

 

[under_dawg]

hoptob

I just did a double take on that Speed-Six. I have had a blued version of that same gun for about 17 years. It stays loaded and is my "take everywhere" in the truck gun as well as my night stand gun and sitting in my Lazyboy gun. I also use at as my carry gun when needed. Since it's blued and older, the finish is getting a little worn holster marks etc. I would to run across a stainless version like yours one day. They are great guns. I have a GP-100 as well and wouldn't take anything for either them, but that Speed-Six has a special place in my heart. My son who is 17 now is already looking around wishing they were more available. He's seen it with me for so long he's convinced it's the only gun to have.

 

[LoneCoon]

James: What part of Ohio are you coming to?