shoebox1.1
Member
I see what your doin’ there… with the multiples.. I like you.
38+p / 357 Mid-size All-Rounder
- Thread starter Jackal1
- Start date
ThomasT
Member
To me an heirloom doesn't have to an expensive gun. For me its more who owned it before me and how they used it. For example my grand fathers Single Six from 1961 with both cylinders and the original parts after the trigger upgrade. Or my mothers nickle plated HB model 10 she carried while working for the sheriffs dept. Or my dads model 28-2 he bought in the 1980s NIB for a little over $200 that has never been fired. Those are heirlooms to me.
Since you seem to be leaning towards short barreled 357s here is the Ruger GP-100 page. I was going to pick a couple and post the link but since there are several variations of the 2.5" and 3" guns I will post the whole page and let you pick. I would just as soon have any of these for a carry gun as any S&W made gun. And all of these will stand up to all the 357 loads you care to shoot.
https://www.ruger.com/products/gp100/models.html
I have to agree with the others that mentioned 38 Special only guns. Maybe a short barreled model 10. They will handle all the +P loads you care to shoot and will be lighter to carry. And you really don't have to shoot full bore loads all the time. Regular pressure 38s will let you shoot all day without fatigue or damage to your wrist. And they are just as deadly now as they ever were.
Since you seem to be leaning towards short barreled 357s here is the Ruger GP-100 page. I was going to pick a couple and post the link but since there are several variations of the 2.5" and 3" guns I will post the whole page and let you pick. I would just as soon have any of these for a carry gun as any S&W made gun. And all of these will stand up to all the 357 loads you care to shoot.
https://www.ruger.com/products/gp100/models.html
I have to agree with the others that mentioned 38 Special only guns. Maybe a short barreled model 10. They will handle all the +P loads you care to shoot and will be lighter to carry. And you really don't have to shoot full bore loads all the time. Regular pressure 38s will let you shoot all day without fatigue or damage to your wrist. And they are just as deadly now as they ever were.
.308 Norma
Member
Agreed!
For me, it's the pair of Colt "Frontier Scouts" (.22 short/long/long rifle) revolvers and the beautiful, hand-tooled holster and gun belt set Dad had built for them in 1959. "Quick Draw" was kind of popular back then (probably because of TV westerns) and Dad practiced it a lot. Although, I remember him saying, "I'm not very fast with my left hand because it doesn't feel right - I'm afraid I'm going to shoot myself in the foot!"
Anyway, Dad passed the revolvers as well as the holsters and gun belt to me probably 20 years back, and I in turn passed the whole rig to my oldest nephew (Dad's oldest grandson) a few years ago because I knew he'd appreciate it more than either of my daughters or my own grandsons. I don't have any granddaughters, although because my oldest grandson is going on 25, and got married last summer, I might have a great granddaughter or grandson one of these days. But then again, there's no telling how one of them would feel about their great, great grandfather's guns and holster set, while I know how my nephew feels about them.
Last edited:
I've been looking for a 3" Smith K frame for a while. Finally found one at a price I was willing to pay recently. I haven't had a chance to fire it yet. This is a LadySmith model 65. A previous owner polished the matte finish and changed the grips. I bought it from the personal collection of a gunsmith I use. He had done an action job on it. DA trigger is 9 lbs, SA is 2 lbs.
With the mods it has probably lost some value. But I didn't buy it as a collectible.
With the mods it has probably lost some value. But I didn't buy it as a collectible.
IWAC
Member
Ruger makes a Talo version of the SP 101...3" barrel, and improved sights; the rear looks like a Novak, instead of the groove on the top of the frame. It looks like a real contender. Of course..I'd prefer a 3" 66 any day!
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,297
From the choices listed I would go with a Model 686 with a 3" barrel. I have a Model 686 with a 4" barrel and it's a comfortable, all-day fit with an old Uncle Mike's shoulder holster.
The J-frame is a non-starter for me. .357 in a J-frame is a terrible idea as far as I am concerned.
If you eliminate the .357 rounds, the K-frames like the 66 are great fun. My favorite range guns are S&W model 15's.
If you really want to shoot the .357 magnums, go with the L-frame 686. I carried a K-frame model 13 when I started and one of the guns cracked the forcing cone when using the 125 grain ammo instead of our issue 110 grain .357 magnum ammo.l
With the new premiium ammo in .38 Special like the FEDERAL HST, DOUBLE TAP Controlled Expansion, WINCHESTER PDX-1 rounds, I do not feel the need for .357 magnum ammo for self defense. I only use full .357 magnum ammo in my L-frames Smith's or my RUGER GP-100's. All that extra weight soaks up a lot of recoil.
I was at the range the other day, comparing 2 medium size .357 revolvers, both RUGER Security series and the 110 and 125 grain .357 ammo was just unpleasant to shoot with no real advantage for my needs. If I spent a lot of time in the woods, it would be another matter, but then I would get the heavier gun to begin with .
Jim
If you eliminate the .357 rounds, the K-frames like the 66 are great fun. My favorite range guns are S&W model 15's.
If you really want to shoot the .357 magnums, go with the L-frame 686. I carried a K-frame model 13 when I started and one of the guns cracked the forcing cone when using the 125 grain ammo instead of our issue 110 grain .357 magnum ammo.l
With the new premiium ammo in .38 Special like the FEDERAL HST, DOUBLE TAP Controlled Expansion, WINCHESTER PDX-1 rounds, I do not feel the need for .357 magnum ammo for self defense. I only use full .357 magnum ammo in my L-frames Smith's or my RUGER GP-100's. All that extra weight soaks up a lot of recoil.
I was at the range the other day, comparing 2 medium size .357 revolvers, both RUGER Security series and the 110 and 125 grain .357 ammo was just unpleasant to shoot with no real advantage for my needs. If I spent a lot of time in the woods, it would be another matter, but then I would get the heavier gun to begin with .
Jim
Last edited:
chaim
Member
I think a 2.75-3" K-frame is about the perfect all-around gun.
I have had a 3" S&W 65LS for 22-23 years. I love it. I don't carry it though, it is the gun I've owned the longest and is still in good shape. I'd hate anything happen to it. I didn't baby it in the beginning (I stopped counting at about 10K rounds 20 years ago, between 1/4 and 1/2 of those were magnums), but now it has some sentimental value.
I bought a 3" new model King Cobra, and while it is a great carry gun, it is a little light for full on magnum loads (or any but the lightest recoiling magnums if I want quick follow up shots).
I recently bought a new production S&W 66 with a 2.75" barrel that I am picking up today (MD has a 7 day waiting period). After putting some rounds through it to be sure there aren't any issues, it will likely become my main carry gun when I choose to carry a revolver. As a medium framed revolver that weighs over 30oz, it should handle all but the hottest magnums without issue. Whether carried, sitting in my nightstand while I sleep, or at the range, it should serve well (as my S&W 65LS has for over 20 years).
I have had a 3" S&W 65LS for 22-23 years. I love it. I don't carry it though, it is the gun I've owned the longest and is still in good shape. I'd hate anything happen to it. I didn't baby it in the beginning (I stopped counting at about 10K rounds 20 years ago, between 1/4 and 1/2 of those were magnums), but now it has some sentimental value.
I bought a 3" new model King Cobra, and while it is a great carry gun, it is a little light for full on magnum loads (or any but the lightest recoiling magnums if I want quick follow up shots).
I recently bought a new production S&W 66 with a 2.75" barrel that I am picking up today (MD has a 7 day waiting period). After putting some rounds through it to be sure there aren't any issues, it will likely become my main carry gun when I choose to carry a revolver. As a medium framed revolver that weighs over 30oz, it should handle all but the hottest magnums without issue. Whether carried, sitting in my nightstand while I sleep, or at the range, it should serve well (as my S&W 65LS has for over 20 years).
Last edited:
Mike in Western Oregon
Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2019
- Messages
- 103
Jackal1, Of your three choices, I’d go for the 3 inch SW 686. They are sweet all rounders and are good on the hip. They can eat hot 38 specials indefinitely and won’t beat your hands up during practice sessions. The 7 rounders offer up an extra chance. There are tons of grip options from beautiful wood for showing off to more comfy rubber for shooting. Good luck and let us know what you decide is best for you.
amd6547
Member
My K frame 357mag experience was not so great.
I have a longstanding love for my 4” Model 15, so naturally, I wanted to try the Model 19. I found a used nickel Model 19 snub for a good price, and of course, loved the form factor immediately.
Now, in the first year, it probably made four or five range trips. Ammo was mainly American Eagle 158gn SP, which used to be cheap, and some assorted self defense loads. But no more than 250rds of magnum ammo.
Developed a timing issue. I had it serviced by a well known local revolver smith.
A year later, with similar usage, problem returned. Moved it on.
I replaced that revolver with a 3” GP100, which has been a fantastic shooter. Covers the gamut from CCW to home defense, and makes a great woods gun. 3” barrels really are the sweet spot for a medium frame 38/357.
I have a longstanding love for my 4” Model 15, so naturally, I wanted to try the Model 19. I found a used nickel Model 19 snub for a good price, and of course, loved the form factor immediately.
Now, in the first year, it probably made four or five range trips. Ammo was mainly American Eagle 158gn SP, which used to be cheap, and some assorted self defense loads. But no more than 250rds of magnum ammo.
Developed a timing issue. I had it serviced by a well known local revolver smith.
A year later, with similar usage, problem returned. Moved it on.
I replaced that revolver with a 3” GP100, which has been a fantastic shooter. Covers the gamut from CCW to home defense, and makes a great woods gun. 3” barrels really are the sweet spot for a medium frame 38/357.
Thanks to all of you who have participated, your insight is very valuable!
On this Father's Day I read through all the thoughts and suggestions.
It was a lot of info so I figured why not group the suggestions by frame size (including the Kimber , Taurus, Ruger, and other suggestions) and came up with these values:
On this Father's Day I read through all the thoughts and suggestions.
It was a lot of info so I figured why not group the suggestions by frame size (including the Kimber , Taurus, Ruger, and other suggestions) and came up with these values:
- 27.9%, 19 votes: L-frame size (including Python/GP100)
- 23.5%, 16 votes: ~J-frame size or weight
- 23.5%, 16 votes: ~K-frame size (Out of production, Pre-Lock, and/or 38Spl)
- 20.6%, 14 votes: ~K-frame size (modern, or not mentioned as pre-lock)
- 4.4%, 3 votes: Honorable Mention: Colt King Cobra
Well, I favor a Smith M60 with the longer 3" bbl., but I carry OWB and that length might not work as well AIWB. Too, I like fully adj. sights for easy sight in and far better longer range accuracy. I carry mine frequently into town, CC, but also a great deal here on our farm. With moderate loads, say up to the old FBI 900+ fps with a 158 gr LSWC, it'll handle just about any chore and still be fun to shoot . BTW, CC ammo choice is Speer Gold Dot .38 +P Specials.
As a back packing gun, when you're not willing to tote a 4" bbl.'d revolver in a bigger caliber, it's about right for my use. In practical terms, I find it just about as accurate as my 4" bbl'd, M66, 67, & 69...out to say 30-40 yds. One difficulty however is that it's tough to find a Smith J frame with a good DA trigger pull...and tougher still to find a gunsmith to tune it for you. Mine's improved steadily with over 1200 rounds through it & considerable dry-fire practice.
For an all purpose handgun, if you can live with the smaller J frame, the M60'd be a good choice, & might be cheaper than trying to find a M66 etc with a 3" tube. And while I personally prefer a 4" Smith, I do find that the 3" M60 is strapped on a lot more often.
Best Regards, Rod
As a back packing gun, when you're not willing to tote a 4" bbl.'d revolver in a bigger caliber, it's about right for my use. In practical terms, I find it just about as accurate as my 4" bbl'd, M66, 67, & 69...out to say 30-40 yds. One difficulty however is that it's tough to find a Smith J frame with a good DA trigger pull...and tougher still to find a gunsmith to tune it for you. Mine's improved steadily with over 1200 rounds through it & considerable dry-fire practice.
For an all purpose handgun, if you can live with the smaller J frame, the M60'd be a good choice, & might be cheaper than trying to find a M66 etc with a 3" tube. And while I personally prefer a 4" Smith, I do find that the 3" M60 is strapped on a lot more often.
Best Regards, Rod
Hole maker
Member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2021
- Messages
- 34
I found a Security Six last year in a Ma and Pa gun shop, it was like new with original box and paper work not a mark on it and you could hardly see the cylinder ring from rotation on it, 200yr centennial model /1976- 4" stainless, I did not bat an eye $500, it is my pride and joy, it shoots extremely well, Ron.
