Best .357 for all around use

[bersaguy]

Would this work for you?
https://www.guns.com/firearms/handg...-mag-revolver-6-rounds-4-barrel-used?p=419911

 

[THEWELSHM]

In your price range, Taurus is the bang for your buck IMHO.

Maybe but by no means the best choice, I can’t name an American agency that authorize one for carry or duty...my o2

Thewelshm

 

[Styx]

Maybe but by no means the best choice, I can’t name an American agency that authorize one for carry or duty...my o2

Thewelshm

Regardless of what agencies authorize, in that price range I think the Taurus 605 Defender is the best choice. Hogue, VZ, or Altamont wood grips. Pinned Tritium front sight. Stainless frame and cylinder from machined from bar stock with the finish options of black oxide, cerakote, plain stainless, or two toned stainless frame and black oxide cylinder.

Other than the fact that no agency authorized their revolvers, what design or other issues have you heard or know about with regard to the Taurus 605 defender? From my personal experience, this thread, and reading threads on this and other forums, the reviews and first hand experiences have been favorable.

I own a few expensive S&W revolvers as well as a Colt King Cobra and Kimber K6s. All of which are around $900 or more dollars each. I also own a Ruger 357 LCR for over a decade now, and even with having a polymer frame, the MSRP on those are $829.00 now. I have owned and even EDC'd Taurus Model 85 for years while at work, and never had even one issue.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

An SP101 is the answer if you are leaning more towards carry (the smallest 357 worth shooting IMO), and a Ruger Six-series or K frame with a 4" barrel if you lean more towards range use.

The hard part is going to be finding ammo for it... I haven't seen 38s or 357s on store shelves in a long time.

 

[Styx]

An SP101 is the answer if you are leaning more towards carry (the smallest 357 worth shooting IMO), and a Ruger Six-series or K frame with a 4" barrel if you lean more towards range use.

The hard part is going to be finding ammo for it... I haven't seen 38s or 357s on store shelves in a long time.

There is plenty of ammo in my area albeit expensive. I think it probably depends where you located.

 

[Ted100]

I'd definitely never buy a Taurus. And if someone gifted one to me I'd get rid of it immediately. People that have them seem to like them but I remember how they were in the 70s and 80s.

Chater makes great guns but they aren't the prettiest ascetically to me. The best allaround gun for the money would be a RUGER SECURITY SIX or a RUGER SPEED SIX. Very high quality and the market doesn't appreciate them; so they're underpriced. I just saw a security six at bass pro for $300. That's a hellofa deal for that quality of gun.

 

[chicharrones]

I just saw a security six at bass pro for $300. That's a hellofa deal for that quality of gun.

Unless that was a beater, I would have bought it on the spot. That's about half the price of what those guns go for around here.

 

[Targa]

I got to say, I got my hands on a 4” Taurus 627 the other day at the LGS and I was very impressed. I could actually see one of these in my future for an all around “beater” gun.

 

[SDGlock23]

Personally I think its hard to go wrong with a 4" GP100 for all around usage.

 

[Ted100]

Unless that was a beater, I would have bought it on the spot. That's about half the price of what those guns go for around here.

I have so many already. If I brought another one home my wife would most assuredly scalp me!

 

[Charlie Martinez]

I've been thinking of adding a Bisley or Vaquero to my collection of revolvers in .357 and was wondering if the shape of the handle on the Bisley makes it unpleasant to shoot or control. Do you have any issues controlling muzzle flip?

My favorite SA is an Old Model Ruger Bisley Vaquero in 44 Mag. I have never shot the really big stuff but standard 44 Mag (240 Grain) factory loads are not a problem at all and the grip is fine (if maybe a bit large for my medium sized hands). People that shoot these guns a lot say the rounded grip of the regular SA is better for big loads because the grip rotates in your hand and absorbs some recoil. The Bisley will not do that as much and tends to stay in your hand so the felt recoil is different but for me it has never been a problem. In CASS competition recoil wasn't an issue but I shot Duelist Class (one handed) and the Bisley was faster for follow up shots because the hammer is closer to my thumb & easier to reach and cock.

 

[bannockburn]

shanep0017

In a new .357 I would probably be looking for something like a Taurus Model 65, 66, or 605. Charter Arms is another option though it doesn't seem like they carry all that many models in .357.

Used guns opens up a whole other world. Best bets, though they may get a little pricey at times, are S&W K, L, and N frame models and the Ruger Six Series (Security, Service, and Speed), LCR, SP101, GP100, and the single action Blackhawk and Vaquero. There also SAA copies by Italian gun makers Uberti and Pieta.

 

[bannockburn]

shanep0017

To answer your question I think that a S&W Model 686 with a 4" barrel, is the best all around .357 Magnum revolver.

 

[nofendertom]

S&W Mod 28 either 4in or 6in.

 

[Rodfac]

'All around use'

In my mind that would limit the bbl. length to 4" or less, but really, 4" is a nice doable number: it's long enough for hunting close in, but is still manageable for under the shirt tail operations & four inches gives you a good inter-sight distance, read: increased accuracy and muzzle velocity when you need it.....but still concealable. And any revolver you choose should be DA/SA for better defensive carry.

Smith, Ruger and formerly, Colt all make/made good 4" .357's...but IMHO the Queen of the tribe is Smith's Model 19 or 66. That "K" frame fits a lot of hands...from relatively small to my size "L" paws. And the sheer number of after market stock options ensures you'll find one you like. Adj. sights & a good/great trigger right out of the box...they've got both....relatively light weight: at ~37 oz's / there's enough to tame relatively hot loads but still light enough to minimize the sag your gun belt. These are fine compromises that Jordan and S&W worked out almost 70 years ago, in what was then described as the 'Peace Officer's Dream'.

Like all compromises, the all around .357 doesn't do everything to perfection, but a 'K' frame Smith with adj. sights is as close as you're going to get, IMHO.

YMMv, here's my pair and the OWB Tom Threepersons that carries them. Rod

 

[LOLBELL]

Double Action would be a GP100. Single Action would be a Blackhawk.

 

[P5 Guy]