.357 Magnum Revolvers

[brewer90]

I've had a 686 for about 13 years. It's a tank but I shoot the best with it. Other guns are a Kimber Tactical Pro II, Glock 26 and Beretta 92FS Centurion.

Mine has the 4" barrel. It came with the big wooden grips but I replaced them with Pachmyers.

 

[Working Man]

+1 for GP 100

 

[Marshall]

Ruger & S&W, can't go wrong with either.

 

[Black Majik]

Ditto most others: Ruger GP-100 or the S&W 686

If you want slightly lighter medium frame look into the S&W 66 K frame.

 

[TimboKhan]

Ruger is sort of the Ford and Taraus the Yugo.

Man, I just don't get where this dislike of Taurus comes from. Its just my own personal opinion, but I have 3 Taurus guns right now, one of which is my carry piece, and I have been very pleased with all three of them, in addition to a fourth that I ended up selling back to my buddy after he sold it to me to finance an AR-15 purchase. Maybe at some point they weren't that great, but they sure seem to be good guns now!

 

[fallingblock]

Small to medium hands seem to like the Ruger factory grip....

better than the factory S&W handle.

The Ruger GP-100 with fixed sights is an extremely rugged revolver.

The S&W 686 is a bit more 'refined'.

Best advice is to try before you buy anything.

 

[casual]

im with Reed1911

get yourself a S&W 65


casual

 

[Old NFO]

Nobody has mentioned a Python I like mine Other options would be Ruger Security Six or S&W Model 19 I don't know much about the newer offerings...

 

[blfuller]

Look around and you may be able to find a used Dan Wesson model 715 in stainless. These have interchangable barrels so you can put on whatever suits your needs. These are a medium frame revolver. You can always buy whatever is available and then add the 2.5" through 12" or so barrel later. These are very reasonably priced on the used market. They also made a fixed barrel model that was even less expensive if the interchangable barrel is not a necessity for you. I sure like mine and I've had it since 1978. Mine is a blued model 15-2 that I had hard chromed.

 

[dawei]

IMNSHO the newer S&W® are way overrated. I will NEVER BUY A NEW ONE, OR A NEW RUGER®. Thanks to Bill Ruger Sr; a SUPERB GUNMAKER, we got the 10 round mag limit in the Brady Bill. S&W® caved in to political pressure & signed the infamous AGREEMENT with the KLINTON administration. Nevermind that it's not enforced; it's still on the books AND HAS NOT BEEN DISAVOWED/REFUTED, ETC. I will buy older, used S&W® and Ruger revolvers because the money goes to the individual; not the gunmaker.

While all of this had been going on Taurus® stepped up to the plate; supported your & my SECOND AMENDMENT rights; and gave free NRA Memberships for every gun purchased.

I have Taurus Mdls; 85, 617, & 669 and they are great. Dead bang accurate, reliable, durable, and INEXPENSIVE (NOT CHEAP). Taurus is a company that supports SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS; where is S&W® and Ruger in this fight?

I go in harms way 4 nights a week & TRUST MY LIFE TO MY 85 & 617/669. Each has over 10K rounds apiece with out a hiccup or FTF. Not true with my Smiths, Colts, or Ruger.

I'm not trying to start a flame war just stating my opinion based on experience & observation.

Taurus® has had the lifetime warranty since 1977; Smith & Wesson® only since 1996. Ruger has yet to offer one.

Taurus® guns are underappreciated; they are good value for the money.

 

[f4t9r]

would recommend Ruger GP100

 

[denfoote]

Two words.

N-FRAME!!!!

Nothing beats an N-frame!!!

 

[buttrap]

pete, repete and dito on the N frame idea. best .357 money can buy.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

What's the difference between L-frame and N-frame? Both handle .357mag?

 

[rancher]

s&w model 60 w/5 inch barrell

try the nice "j" frame model 60 w/5" light,but not too light for .357,easy to carry in cross draw,shoulder or strong side waist holsters.accurate as all get out.the grips that come with the rev are perfect for med and smaller hands.it just is the sweetest rev i've ever carried(and i carried a /357 for many yrs in law enforcent).still the best cartridge ever developed.careful with the rem and buffalo 180gr .very potent ,but longer barrel seems to reduce flash.best round? good ,old 158gr.any flavor.consistent and very acurate.this rev is easy to carry,accurate to shoot and provides the kind of ready punch you want for just about any purpose.

 

[Bill B.]

Good advice given on the GP-100 and the 686. Though I do like the S&W K frame guns I don't think they will hold up with a steady diet of hot factory .357's. Some say they will and so say they won't. I can only say that my S&W M19 got out of time from a relatively small number of .357's from me(2000+). It was used when I got it and in perfect time. By the way I do like Smith & Wesson's!

 

[Mark8252]

357

I have many guns. And I mean many.
One of my favorites is my Smith and Wesson Model 686 8 3/8 inch barrell stainless revolver.
I still cannot believe how accurate it is.
Fun Gun.

 

[afasano]

With a Dan Wesson you can have an assembly with a Red-Dot scope if you're too cheap to buy another gun.

 

[gunnut75]

the 357. i would recommend

i have a ruger sp 101 with a factory bobbed hammer its got a 2 1/4 inch barrel it is very accurate and it fits in the pocket great plus it doesn't have
and internal lock that could fail, so you can count on it when you may need it
best wishes

 

[dawei]

The Singapore Police Department issue weapon is a Taurus® Mdl 85 3" barrel 38 Special with Crimson Trace® Lazer Grips. They are extremely pleased with their choice.

 

[Bobshouse]

Let me in on this...The Ruger is like Matag, S&W like Whirlpool and the Taurus is like Frigidare....ok, figure that one out :banghead:

 

[antediluvianist]

The S&W 686 is like a Mustang. The Ruger GP-100 is like a Thunderbolt. The Taurus is like a Zero.

 

[jlh26oo]

The S&W 686 is like a Mustang. The Ruger GP-100 is like a F150

 

[.45-70TC]

old NFO....ditto!!!

Nobody like Colts??? Love my Stainless Python!!! Absolutely the smoothest action I've felt out of the box. 'course it wasn't cheap either.

 

[cjg]

S&W 686 Questions

I just bought my first handgun a few days ago, the 4" 686P, and I really don't know that much about revolvers. Basically, I purchased it because my brother is an avid shooter who got me to like visiting the range, and he recommended it. I was hoping someone could answer these questions:

1) What are the main differences between a .357 magnum and .38 special cartridge?

2) What are the differences between 21/2", 4", 6" barrels?

3) What are the differences between J, K, and L frames?

4) What are the differences between the 686, 686P, and 686PP?

5) What is a compensator?

I would greatly appreciate some answers.