.357 which one

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JoeH

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Hi
I am trying to decide on which 357 magnum revolver to get. I would like to be able to carry it if needed but also take it to the range and have fun.

I have a S&W 442 for pocket carry which is great. And although I do enjoy shooting it, Its not as much fun to shoot a lot.

I also don't want to break the bank buying one :)

Any ideas ?

Oh and double action is a must

Joe
 
IMO, the S&W K-frames are one of the few well suited to both tasks. Large enough for comfort and control on the range, small enough to carry comfortably.

The L-frame (686, etc) or Ruger GP-100 are a bit large for CCW.

The SP-101 also wouldn't be a bad choice, but isn't much smaller than a K and gives up capacity.

Here's a comparison photo from my personal armament:

SANY0025.jpg

From top, it is Ruger Super Redhawk, S&W N-frame, S&W L frame, S&W K frame, Ruger SP-101, S&W J-frame. My security six is with my folks, so I couldn't include it. They are slightly bulkier than a K-frame.
 
Thanks

I've been looking at them. Which is easier on the hands? I'm leaning toward the SP101.

I am fairly new to guns. But from what I have been readin the heavier guns have less perceived recoil. Between the SP101 and the GP100 is the difference much?

Joe
 
IMO, the S&W K-frames are one of the few well suited to both tasks. Large enough for comfort and control on the range, small enough to carry comfortably.
Click to expand...

To show how little I know, whats the model on the K frame ?
 
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For a revolver that is both fun to shoot and can still be carried, I don't think you can go wrong with a 4" S&W 66. I love mine.
 
Hello friends and neighbors // I have and enjoy the S&W 442 myself, in .357 I chose:

The S&W 6" Model 586 Distingushed Combat Magnum .357/.38 (1983)

The Sturm Ruger Model 717 4" Security Six .357/.38 (1977)

Both have adjustable rear sights and are very comfortable on the wallet.

There is a sticky post on checking used revolvers before buying at the top of the this forum if you have not done much.
 
There are many more experienced

shooters than I, but the .357 is a different round in different guns, to my perception.
Model 19: A poem of a gun, beautiful, accurate, great trigger, great ergonomics, too nice to beat up.
Colt Trooper MK III: Strong, DA trigger that is like a grip strengthener, but SA is like thought control.
Colt King Cobra: A tank, and heavy enough to use as an anchor.
GP-100; Also a tank, but common enough to tap for a scope.
No experience with sp-101 or scandium or other subs.
Good luck.
 
you want a .357 that is able to be carried and one that is affordable. i would humbly suggest the following:

3" bbl GP100 (Ruger)
2"-3" bbl. SP101 (Ruger)
3" bbl. SW 19/66
3" bbl. Ruger Security/Speed/Service six

all carryable, reliable, and should be affordable
 
An SP101 can share speedloaders with your 442, in case that is considered desirable. Just keep .38s in the loaders, so it can be used for either gun. I consider the SP101 one of the best compact carry revolvers in the world. I rarely carry my J-frames, as the SP101s are small enough for most of my needs, even pocket carry. Yet, in my hands, at least, the SP101 is large enough for me to grip very well while stroking the trigger, making it about as accurate as a service/duty-sized sixgun.

As for controlling recoil, the SP101 factory grip is sufficient to prevent actual pain with any factory magnum load I have yet tried. (I have not tried the semi-custom loads such as Buffalo Bore.) I am having trouble finding a compact type of grip that will mitigate recoil as well with a Ruger Speed Six. That is right, my Speed Six, with either factory wood grips and a Tyler T-grip, or Pachmayr Compac Professional grips, kicks me worse than my SP101s. Of course, this is an individual thing, with my skinny hands. Your results may vary.

Ruger has been turning out some really smooth SP101s lately. Cherry-picking at large dealers can help you avoid the need for a trigger job.
 
I really like my 2-3/4" Security Six and recommend it if you can find a good used one. I've never tried one, but I imagine the SP101 would be on the same level.
 
I'm like the poster above, I really like the K frames. Light enough to carry but they can take more rounds than most will ever want to shoot. If you're talking about 357 stay away from a heavy diet of 125-135 gr bullets. Use the 158 gr. That frame just fits my hands very well.
 
I'm quite fond of my 686+, but it may be a bit large and heavy for daily concealed carry. I do carry it concealed occasionally, but rarely.
I saw the post above about a 586 distinguished combat magnum being light on the wallet, but then googled it and found one that the auction closed on January this year, for 490 bucks. WOW I wish I'd seen that back then. I would have sucked that up bigtime.

Jeff
 
Since CCW is part of the criteria, I'd strongly suggest looking at a S&W Model 65 w/ 3" barrel.

Feels good in the hand, definitely capable of being CCW'ed, and is reliable as you can get.

Also, you can find a used one in good condition without breaking the bank.

I've attached a pic for reference.
 

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  • SW 65 modified.jpg
    SW 65 modified.jpg
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SP101 with Hogue Monogrip. I have put somewhere around 200 rounds of .357 through mine and it now feels like it used to feel when I shot .38's.
 
If you want a fun gun to shoot at the range, go with the Ruger GP100 4". I just bought one last Friday and I can't put it down. I have run about 400 rounds through it-both 357 magnum and 38 special and it is SO fun to shoot.
The trigger pull is excellent even using it double action and even better it you shoot single action. Accuracy is excellent right out of the box.
I also have a Ruger SP101. Excellent gun to carry and fun to shoot.
But if I could only have one, it would be the GP100.
 
He said he want to carry the gun. Have any of ya'll recommending L-frames and GP-100's actually tried to CC the thing? They're pretty darn big guns, make a full sized 1911 seem small.
 
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