.357 Magnum suggestions

[rookorami]

I am in the market for a .357 Magnum and have been doing some searching to see what is out there. I know that S&W and Ruger are typically quality. Are there any other manufacturers that I should look at? Or stay away from. I know with semi auto pistols I have heard mixed reviews on Taurus. How are their revolvers?

 

[coolluke01]

And here comes the Taurus bashing...

I had a Taurus Tracker in .357. It shaved lead so I sent it back. It still did the same thing after it came back so I sent it back again. When it came back the last time it seemed to be a little better with .38's. I sold it. And I know they sent it back again.

I now have a Ruger GP100 4". This gun is twice the gun the Taurus was. Lockup is tight and the trigger is great. I changed the springs and put a fiberoptic front sight on it. I know many like the Smiths too, and some day I'll own one. They are more expensive than the rugers.

 

[IndispensableDestiny]

I have an older S&W 686, a fine gun. It's available in six or seven round versions.

 

[dgroff85]

I have an older S&W 686, a fine gun. It's available in six or seven round versions.

+1 I have a S&W 686-4 7 shot, really great gun. I also like Colts

 

[Deaf Smith]

rookorami,

To be honest Taurus and Rossi make serviceable sixguns... but they are NOT S&Ws or Rugers (or even Colts.)

Right now, if I was to pick a NEW in-the-box revolver it would be the Rugers. GP-100s to be exact.

But if one looks for the older Smiths and Rugers (the Security Six series) made 10 to 50 years ago you will find the best, and I do mean the best, made revolvers that can stand alot of punishment.

Of those I'd look for the L frame S&Ws and N frames for ability to handle lots of shooting with full powered loads in the .357 (N frame .44 magnums made 30 years ago should be shot alot with 'midrange' rounds and little with full powered .44 magnums.) And then the Security Six Ruger revolvers.

Deaf

 

[rookorami]

Thanks, yeah I was considering hunting through some used ones. I checked out the thread on picking out a good used revolver definitely some good things to know.

I don't consider it bashing when its a first hand experience.

 

[119er]

I prefer Smiths, but that is likely because I grew up shooting one. I have an old but cared for Model 28 that is THE most accurate handgun I've ever shot. The later model 686 I got is a somewhat different animal in appearance as well as function. Firing pin arrangement off the top of my head is different plus the whole lock thing. That is the limit of my first hand experience. I have heard good things about Rugers from a co-worker.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Spend a few bucks more and get what has been said to be the strongest mid-framed DA .357 made, a Colt King Cobra.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

rookorami,
I have a bunch of .357 Magnum handguns and I'm a fan of the .357 Magnum. Probably my favorite is a S&W M686-2, it's never left home. I also have a pair of Ruger New Vaqueros in 38/357, those are great shooters.

If you're considering using it for hunting you might want a single action revolver, the Ruger Blackhawk is a good choice.

It's so hard to recommend a handgun for someone else because everyone is different but if I were you, I would stick with Ruger, S&W, Magnum Research BFR, Dan Wesson and Colt. I don't like to list companies not to buy but with all the good options available Taurus would not be on top of my buy list. Older Charter Arms revolvers were very poor after the original owners sold but the Ecker family is back at Charter Arms and the company and their guns are again very good.

All just in my opinion of course...

 

[JTHunter]

rookorami - I just recently bought a 4" GP100 as well. I'm still trying out different ammo, testing for accuracy.
I had looked at Rossi (trigger guard pressed uncomfortably on "bird-finger knuckle), S&W, EAA, and Colt. Ruger gave the best midpoint of price, comfort, and quality.
Don't forget to look at used guns too! I got this one from a pawn shop and saved over $100 on a 1 year old gun compared to new.

 

[Twiki357]

I would go with a Smith & Wesson or Ruger. Love my Model 27. No Berettas, I have an SSA in 357 and it's a POS. The gun and Berettas warranty and CS. I can't say anything about Colt. I could never justify the extra $'s for the name so the only Colt I have is a 22 Mag SSA that I bought in the 1950's.

 

[wlewisiii]

Model 13
or
Model 65

Nothing else better.

 

[brandorf]

I've had zero problems with my Taurus 7-shot model 66. Many people joke a bit, both because it's a Taurus and a Revolver, but many of them have been pretty impressed with it after shooting it.

 

[Guillermo]

if you have to buy new, buy a Ruger.

They use, effectively, cost cutting measures but deliver the best new revolver value on the market.

Avoid Smiths newer than 1998 (they started creating guns with the same methods as Taurus at a MUCH higher price)

Colts can be great but maintenance can be an issue.

So in short, New or used Ruger or used Smith.

 

[rookorami]

Cool, I am not married to the idea of it being new. I am mainly concerned with Quality, How I feel after handling it and a reasonable price.

 

[JERRY]

if its intended for self defense i would not recommend a gun with a built in lock, but if its not for self defense there are plenty of options, S&W and Ruger being my top picks.

 

[XGibsonX]

Were it I, I'd probably find one of the three listed below, two of which could be fairly pricey and scarce. Searching for nice used guns is part of the enjoyment, for me. Dan Wesson is rarely a mistake. The FA and the Ruger RH in .357 are absolute tanks. FA will likely outrun the cartridge. But the last two are heavy and the DW in say, 15-2 might be a good option.

Is weight and heft a consideration

DW

FA 353

R RH

 

[Deus Machina]

I'm a fan of all of Ruger's offerings. A friend has a SP101 and Security Six that are just about the nicest things for the price.

I had a S&W 586 for a while that I can't recommend enough. <deleted[/]>

 

[bannockburn]

I would go with Guillermos suggestion and look at new or used Ruger (I'm a big fan of the older Security and Service Six series), and used S&W (a Model 19, Model 27, or a Model 686 are all great choices). Used Colts are also very well made but are rather pricey, and parts and service can be a problem if they have to be worked on.

 

[Guillermo]

rookorami

I would respectfully suggest that you not look for "the best" revolver but rather one that you really like.

Find a friend with a Ruger GP-100 and shoot it. How does it handle? The balance feel?
We don't need to argue whether it is better than a pre-98 686 (another fine revolver).
If you are going to shoot mainly 38's and sometimes .357 a Model 19 is a great gun. We all have opinions but it is only your's that matters.

Whatever you decide, Ruger or pre-lock Smith, you will have a fine weapon that will last a lifetime or two.

Be sure to check out the "how to check out a revolver" sticky at the top of the revolver forum.

(BTW, I am a huge Colt fan, but parts are an issue in the unlikely scenario that you need them)

 

[19-3Ben]

But if one looks for the older Smiths and Rugers (the Security Six series) made 10 to 50 years ago you will find the best, and I do mean the best, made revolvers that can stand alot of punishment.

^^^^^ Best advice.

 

[brnmw]

Colt "Trooper" / "Python".

 

[Kahr33556]

stick with ruger or smith

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

Find yourself a nice S&W 586. I can promise you you will not be sorry if you get one. My only problem with the 586 is I only have one of them and I hope to fix that problem sooner than later.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I handled a nice 586 and chose a pre-27 instead.

In retrospect, I should have bought both. My suggestion is get a 586 or 686 as a good 357.