.357 Smith & Wessons

.357 Magnum frame: Would you prefer

  • a K-frame (i.e., Model 19)

    Votes: 96 54.2%

  • an N-frame (i.e., Model 27)

    Votes: 54 30.5%

  • neither! Gimme a Ruger or J-frame any day.

    Votes: 27 15.3%
  • Total voters
    177
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Quoheleth

Quoheleth

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Just curious as to what most THR folks would prefer.

If you could have one Smith & Wesson revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, let's say with a 4" barrel for the sake of argument, would you rather have the massive N-frame model 27 or 28 or the K-frame Model 19 or 66 (or their fixed-sight counterparts) as an all-purpose/general purpose gun. Why?

Q
 
I have both and regard the k-frame as being about as good as a handgun can get. The weight is handier than the larger gun, without being too light to reasonably shoot magnums (i.e., a J-frame); the grip/trigger geometry is more perfecter--the very perfectest in fact.
My N-frame .357 is a 627 Pro--it's a very nice gun. But the K frames just rock all challengers.
 
I agree that the K frames are the probably the better all around guns. But personally, my 27s fit me best and I shoot them much better than my smaller 19. So the big N frames get my vote, even though they are so large as to be occasionally impractical.
 
I have owned N frames in .357 and there all gone.
Still enjoy shooting my four inch M-65. Honestly I shoot 38 spl from it most of the time. But that was the same with the N frames.
 
Model 19.

This is not a theoretical exercise for me; this IS my absolute favorite S&W sixgun, a fact I did not recognize until I sold off many of my handguns, including two 19s and a 66, in the late 1990's to finance some 1911s. I remedied this recently by purchasing a minty 4" 19-5.

Really, N-frames are too large for my hands, to shoot DA well, anyway. This does not stop me from yearning for a Model 27, but it would not be a carry gun.
 
I like L frames. A 4" 686-4 was my first revolver... I still don't know what possessed me to trade it off.
 
K-frame. It is about the perfect size for daily carry and use, and it will outlast the shooter if it is taken care of. The 686 and N-frames are just bigger and heavier, they don't shoot better. If you want to shoot nothing but on-the-edge powerful Magnums, then they are the cat's behind, but for general use, the K's are the shining stars.
 
Isn't the Model 617 10 shot .22LR on a bigger frame it seems to be a full sized gun than the S & W 66 .357 revolver?
 
stinger_357:

The 617 & 66 are built on the same K frame. The 617 has smaller charge holes, so the cylinder is heavier. The 617 also has the full lug barrel, which is heavier than the Model 66 standard barrel, the barrel also has a .22 caliber bore instead of a .357 caliber bore, so again this leaves more metal.
Basically the 617 is heavier than a 66 with the same barrel length and the full underlug makes it look bigger as well.
 
686 SSR. With the slab sided barrel I find it balances as well as, if not better than the Model 66 in my hand. Number two vote goes to the Model 66. I've owned a model 66 for the better part of the decade, but I am seriously considering trading it on the SSR.
 
I'm biased since I own a 19-3, bought new. It's more comfortable and natural-pointing than my SBH, MK1, SBH, Victor (close second) and the Contender.
 
none of the above, I prefer L-Frames. But if I HAD to take one of the three mentioned it would be a N-Frame.
 
Seems weird to me to not include L frames in your poll. S&W designed the L frame to basically be a stronger and longer lasting version of the K frame. K frame guns are great, but don't always stand the test of time when fed high velocity magnum rounds.. and so the L is basically the bugfix. I have at least 1 of each (more than one of K and L) of all 4 frame sizes J,K, L and N , and my preference for .357mag is unquestionably the L frame.
 
L-frames weren't included b/c I have a GP100, a sort-of L-frame. I'm not interested in an L-frame, either.

I love my Model 15 .38 Special and I have a lead on an inexpensive Model 66 from a fellow at church, but I've recently acquired a 25-5 in .45 Colt and have also fallen in love with the big N frame. So, it was an informal question of which frame folks prefer in .357 Magnum and why --- some guiding thoughts, if you will, for what I might pursue some day.

Q
 
Make mine a model 66, pre lock of course.

I'll happily settle for a model 19 though.

Points naturally and faster handling than your other choices, for me. :)
 
Quoheleth said:
Just curious as to what most THR folks would prefer.

If you could have one Smith & Wesson revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, let's say with a 4" barrel for the sake of argument, would you rather have the massive N-frame model 27 or 28 or the K-frame Model 19 or 66 (or their fixed-sight counterparts) as an all-purpose/general purpose gun. Why?

Q
Click to expand...
I have the Mod. 66 just a great size and handles well in 4 inch.
 
Radagast said:
stinger_357:

The 617 & 66 are built on the same K frame. The 617 has smaller charge holes, so the cylinder is heavier. The 617 also has the full lug barrel, which is heavier than the Model 66 standard barrel, the barrel also has a .22 caliber bore instead of a .357 caliber bore, so again this leaves more metal.
Basically the 617 is heavier than a 66 with the same barrel length and the full underlug makes it look bigger as well.
Click to expand...
Yes it seems the 617 is a bigger gun / larger than the Mod. 66 in 4 inch. .357.
I have to decided which 617 10 shot revolver I will be getting.
The 4 inch or the 6 inch.
How much difference will there be between the 2 inch difference in velocity and accuracy?
 
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