Advice on .357 magnums

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

bill45

Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
9
Location
Southern New Jersey
Hi All,
I'm looking for a .357 magnum, DAO, 3" barrel. Would like opinions on what the best one to buy (pros and cons) from your experience. I'm a semi-auto guy and don't know much about the models available for this revolver.
Thanks,
Bill
 
Hello,

I was (well still am a Glock) guy. The Ruger security six and the SP101 are solid buys from what I gather. I have the Security Six in 2.75". Will never sell it. It's built like a tank.

Have to ask what you want it for? EDC or woods carry?
 
You can take it to a good smithy and have him make it a DAO revolver. SP 101 and DAO, nothing finer! I've got one I had an action job done on, fantastic firearm! DA is so smooth, nicer than the SA when I first got it.

You're right Guillermo !
 
Prelock S&W's with 3" barrels are highly prized.

However, you are in luck since they currently make the 686 with a 3" barrel. If you want DAO, then you'll need to have the hammer bobbed.
 
Ruger Sp101 was my first choice but the trigger is too heavy in double action and has a all around lousy feel. I need it for training women and also serve as a gun for my wife to shoot. So I need a lighter trigger pull. I don't want to pay another $100.00 for a trigger job on a new gun. I don't expect a perfect trigger but the Sp101 is totally unexcepable.
 
If I was looking for a DAO revolver to use in training ladies and other casual shooting, I would check out J&G Sales who have an excellent supply of law enforcement .38 Special/4" trade-in's. Prices are very reasonable, the double-action/bobbed hammer trigger puls have been factory tuned. and they are ready to go. For your use you don't need a Magnum, and the lighter weight of the S&W K-frame, combined with a slightly longer barrel would be advantageous. However ask if the have any 3" length in stock, as they might.
 
I have a three inch model 65 smith and wesson. It has had a professional action job and green sight insert. It was manufactured in 1985. My father carried it plain clothes, any idea what such a firearm is worth?
 
I would look for a S&W 65 3 inch DAO. They are out there if take your time and look. A good second choice would be a Ruger Speed 6 in either 2.75 or 3 inch barrel. The speed six will be a little less expense. Both of these revolvers are not that common so prices maybe higher than on say a 4 inch.
Good luck,
Howard
 
Well, depending on size, I have some recommendations. Two in particular.

One is the 686 or 686+ (6 or 7 shots, your choice) in 3", perfect for belt or IWB carry.

The other is the Model 60. A 3" 5 shot J-frame, easier to conceal. There is also a "Pro Series" that is a little cooler looking with adj. night sights.

Both of those are single/double, but you could get a good gunsmith if you know one, or you could get Smith's gunsmiths in the Performance Center, to stone and disable the single action components to make it fire double only, or even just file off the hammer spur and semi-disable it that way. I doubt either would cost much considering what is involved, and they may even just replace it with their DAO stuff the police use --call 'em. I wouldn't do this myself, but that is one way, and if you had them replace the parts you could keep the DA/SA in case you wanted to go back.

I once owned an old police trade in a long time ago that was a 4" stainless .38spcl. DAO with the spur removed. Just wasn't for me. Now I didn't see any DAO revolvers in my Smith catalog today except for the '40 series, the ones with concealed hammers, but I do know Smith makes or used to make these for police departments that had to have DAO.

Another Performance Center option, this may cost more, I don't know, would be to have them fit a Model 60 barrel to a 640. The 640 is the 5 shot concealed hammer J-frame and is DAO. There are also a few of the Night Guards that could be modified.

My advice is, if money is an issue, to look for a good deal on a 640 (or 340PD if you want super light and can take the punishment, I love mine) or a 649. This revolver has the shrouded hammer, so it can be used SA, but it is obviously a mostly DA tool. It has a 2" barrel, so you'll take a hit on that one inch. I just got my wife's 649 at a gunshow for $450 cash, barely used, shoots GREAT.

If you are stuck on the 3" and DAO, then at least for Smith, a call or trip to the Performance Center is in order. But they may be able to recommend a S&W licensed smith that is local, who knows? If it is a parts swap, that won't be hard at all with the MIM parts.

There are other manufacturers, but for me, Smith and Wesson is it. Best bang for the buck!
 
The Taurus 605's are a pretty solid gun. I don't think the triggers are an improvement over an SP101 though.
 
Thanks for the info guys . I bought the Ruger SP101 3" barrel and plan on getting a trigger job. One more thing if you don't mine. Opinions on a defensive round for a .357 magnum. A heavier round like 158 Gr. or lighter weight like 125 Gr.
Being a semi-auto heavy .45 round fan I've never spent any time studying ballistics on .357 rounds. Any advice from experience would be appritiated.
 
bill45,

You should be able to do the trigger work yourself.

Go to triggershims.com and buy the shim kit and the Wolff spring kit. Watch the videos and install them. I used an 8# trigger return spring and 12# hammer spring, plus the shims, on my GP100. It is 100% better now. I had a few light primer hits with the 10# hammer spring. Obviously, you should try several brands of ammo in the gun to make sure it works.
 
bill45 said:
Thanks for the info guys . I bought the Ruger SP101 3" barrel and plan on getting a trigger job. One more thing if you don't mine. Opinions on a defensive round for a .357 magnum. A heavier round like 158 Gr. or lighter weight like 125 Gr.
Being a semi-auto heavy .45 round fan I've never spent any time studying ballistics on .357 rounds. Any advice from experience would be appritiated.
Click to expand...
Maybe a good middle ground here.

Hornady 140gr. XTP Hollow Point Ammo. Heavier than 125 but not as punishing as 158s!

Or Barnes 140gr. XPB Hollow Point Ammo.

or Corbon 140gr. HP Ammo.

or

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr. HP Ammo ( I have the Speer 125 Gold dots but they are full bore magnum.. and out of my 2 1/4 inch S&W M60 they are a handfull!)

or

Winchester's Super-X Silvertip 145gr .357s!

Deaf
 
There's only two brand names that I'd recommend.
Ruger & S&W
I have an SP101 & it's built like a tank.
Properly cared for, my great-great grandchildren will enjoy it.
I would also heartily recommend the Six series.

Pre-lock S&W L or N Frame .357s are just beautiful guns.
I would LOVE to get a 581 or 681.
581s are blue & 681s are stainless.

There are others as good or better, but then you're talkin' SERIOUS bucks.
 
I've found a couple crummy triggers in Ruger DA's, but also some quote good ones, my SRH Alaskan being very nice. I have shot a number of SP101's and most have at least decent triggers, with my 2.25" being pretty nice. You might want to try several SP's and you may very well find one with a good trigger out of the box.

The SP101 is in my mind a very good size for shooting and carrying, with enough weight to hold steady and enough size to shoot well. I find them infinately easier to shoot well than J frames. The SP's are also much more reasonably priced in my experiance, and even if you had to pay to get the trigger slicked you'd still have less in it than a new S&W.
 
230therapy,
What's your take on bullet weight for .357's.
Click to expand...

In my view, one of the primary reasons to carry a revolver is powerful ammunition. However, the ammo needs to be tuned for the intended target. I like 125 grain JHP for self-defense. I think anything from 125-158 grains is just fine for defense. The good news is that you can get hard cast lead bullets in many shapes, load them as hot as you need, and enjoy lower cost shooting. You can duplicate your carry loads and practice with it.

Some considerations: flash, recoil, follow-up shot speed, and velocity. Penetration is very important. Heat is also a consideration, especially if you attend a self-defense course or have a long shooting session. I've been reading how various powders create different levels of heat. According to some Intarwebs posts (Brian Enos' forum), VihttaVuori powder doesn't overheat guns as quickly. I do know that my loads in 45 ACP with Clays cause the gun to get hot within 30-36 rounds. This is something I plan to look into and a infrared thermometer would be very helpful.
 
Last edited:
as for .357 bullet weights, i often read that the 125 grain JHP is one of the best self defense loads around. when i got my 3" sp101 i had planned on using a 125 grain load but found that POI was lower than POA (this was with factory ammunition. i hope to try to fix this problem with some handloads whenever i get around to it). you may find as i did, that the factory fixed sights are regulated for 158 grain loads. my favorite load is a 158 grain hornady XTP loaded not quite as hot as it could be. back when i used factory ammunition i favored the 145 grain winchester silvertip. the 145's did hit just a tad low of POA, but the difference was not enough to worry about.
 
I'm a semi-auto guy and don't know much about the models available for this revolver.
Click to expand...

By the way, you should pick up a few books:

The Gun Digest Book of the Revolver by Grant Cunningham
The Snubby Revolver by Ed Lovette
No Second Place Winner by Bill Jordan
Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting by Ed McGivern

The Gun Digest Book of the Revolver is a great introduction to the topic. Cunningham includes some great shooting advice that helped me. I also recommend Lovette's book. Buy those two if you buy nothing else (both are available on Kindle). The other two are also very good. McGivern's book is interesting, but you'll have to work your way through it. There are some excellent instructions in there, but they're tough to find.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
Pros and cons of the S&W 60 and Ruger SP101
Replies
21
Views
2K
10-Ring
1
C
  • Locked
  • Poll
help me pick a snub
2
Replies
33
Views
1K
abrink
A
T
  • Locked
HELP! Taurus vs. S&W vs. Ruger
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
Ruger Redhawk
R
S
  • Locked
model 60 .357
Replies
4
Views
638
Standing Wolf
S
Sneakshot92
  • Locked
Blackhawk or GP100?
2 3
Replies
73
Views
4K
Tallball
Tallball
Back
Top