Best .357 mag under $500

[Random 8]

You've gotten some solid recommendations on used arms. .357 mags come in a few flavors, from "cowboy" to duty to carry to hunting to target, etc. I will comment on the hunting/field/informal target class.

A year ago I picked up a Taurus M66 with the 6" barrel. I have absolutely loved the thing through some 3k rounds and counting. It is accurate and reliable with every load I've tried from powder puff .38 cast through flash bang H110 with 158s. The single action pull is outstanding, double is a bit gritty but I hardly shoot DA mode with a revolver. I've taken numerous small game and varmint critters with it, won a field pistol IHMSA match and carried it countless miles by foot, ATV and snowmobile. I have the SS version. The only very minor mark against it is the front sight colored insert is rather dull, am thinking of replacing this with something aftermarket. Not sure what more one could ask from a sub $500OTD new revolver. If your intended use is similar to mine, that's your huckleberry.

 

[HPCadm17]

Best bet I would definitely say a used S&W 586 or 686, or used Ruger GP100. Around here they're hard to find in shops, usually go for around $499 +/- and are snatched up pretty quickly.

For a new revolver for less than $500, you could look at the EAA Windicator. I had one for a short time; heavy DA trigger, but it handled magnum loads like a champ. I got rid of it because I didn't care for the grip. The only real downside design-wise is that there are no aftermarket grips made for it, and fixed sights. I'd still say you'e better off looking at a used Ruger or Smith.

 

[I6turbo]

Pre-lock 686 or 586. You can get a good one for approximately $500 if you look around. Not a museum piece, but a plenty nice one, perhaps with aftermarket grips that will knock a hundred bucks or so off the price.

This thread needs moar pitcherz of revolvers...

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Sarsilmaz SR38

I never handled one, but those Turkish clones are mighty fine and I've never had issues with anything from SAR. If I ever track one down, it will be added to the stable.

 

[huntinfool87]

I see a bit of hate for the Taurus. I've had one and it was a great gun. Personally I dont like their Simi auto guns but I think they make a solid revolver for the price.

 

[gotboostvr]

My 686-0 was right at $500. Not exactly a museum piece, but a great trigger in the 9lbs range.

 

[I6turbo]

My 686-0 was right at $500. Not exactly a museum piece, but a great trigger in the 9lbs range.

Very nice!
On the trigger, I've mentioned it here a few times, but my 1982 model 686 has the most awesome handgun trigger I've ever felt. It is significantly better than my 586 or 67, and better than any of the Pythons or other revolvers I've handled. I acquired the gun back in 1985 or so from a friend. I don't know why the trigger is so good. The only thing I recall doing to it soon after acquiring it was to lighten the mainspring (I narrowed it), but I might have done other work to it that I don't recall. I also reduced the circumference of the firing pin a little bit so that in D/A it would still reliably light off all of the primers that I encountered. Beyond that, I don't know if someone had worked the action before I got it, but I suspect it was just one of the L Frames that had a great action. I measured it a couple years ago at 2.3# S/A, 6.5# D/A. And D/A is amazingly smooth throughout the entire pull - no stacking, no ramp-up, etc. I wish my other revolvers felt like it. I bought some parts a few months ago to work on the 586 (retain the stock parts), want to get it at least close to the 686.

 

[gotboostvr]

Very nice!
On the trigger, I've mentioned it here a few times, but my 1982 model 686 has the most awesome handgun trigger I've ever felt. It is significantly better than my 586 or 67, and better than any of the Pythons or other revolvers I've handled. I acquired the gun back in 1985 or so from a friend. I don't know why the trigger is so good. The only thing I recall doing to it soon after acquiring it was to lighten the mainspring (I narrowed it), but I might have done other work to it that I don't recall. I also reduced the circumference of the firing pin a little bit so that in D/A it would still reliably light off all of the primers that I encountered. Beyond that, I don't know if someone had worked the action before I got it, but I suspect it was just one of the L Frames that had a great action. I measured it a couple years ago at 2.3# S/A, 6.5# D/A. And D/A is amazingly smooth throughout the entire pull - no stacking, no ramp-up, etc. I wish my other revolvers felt like it. I bought some parts a few months ago to work on the 586 (retain the stock parts), want to get it at least close to the 686.

I dunno what it is, but it seems that S&W really did something right with the early L frames. Don't think I've ever heard anyone say that there's wasn't one of their finest wheel guns.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I'll jump on the dogpile and suggest a used 686 or GP100. They might be hard to find for under $500, but they are lifetime revolvers worth stretching your budget for.

Ruger Blackhawks are fine guns as well, but I simply don't like the cowboy-style grips.

 

[JTHunter]

What do you think the best .357 mag for under $500 is and why?
(Note) please keep in mind opinions may very because we have different needs and uses hints the (why) part. Let the discussions begin!

If you haven't thought of this, try a pawn shop. About 6 years ago, I got a 1 year old Ruger GP-100, blued, with a 4" barrel, adjustable rear sight at a pawn shop 6-8 miles north of me for $500 cash.

 

[Legionnaire]

I have purchased two used stainless GP100s, a 4-inch and a 3-inch, for well under $500 each. I'd do it again before spending the coin on a new .357.

 

[JTHunter]

I have purchased two used stainless GP100s, a 4-inch and a 3-inch, for well under $500 each. I'd do it again before spending the coin on a new .357.

Good for you. The prices at two local gun stores for the blued 4" was over $600 back in 2012. Stainless was over $700. Fortunately, I preferred the blue. The pawn shop had the gun listed for $560 but when I checked several online sites for the blued ones, prices ranged +/- $50 from $500. So I asked if they would take $500 in cash AND pay the sales tax and they agreed. The only thing wrong with this gun is that the cylinder gap, while within the spec's tolerance, is at the upper end of the spec for the gun. A minor annoyance.

 

[Mike J]

To the OP. I don't have any experience with these but I thought you might be interested. https://aimsurplus.com/leo-trade-in-smith-wesson-model-65-357-magnum-revolver/

Personally I only own one revolver. It is an old Monson made Dan Wesson model 15-2. I bought it out of a pawn shop back in the mid-90's for $100. I believe it is my most accurate handgun. Now I think ones like mine sell for between $300-$400. I would be looking at used.

 

[lionking]

My advice is put another $100 into the budget so it is $600 or less and that will open up more choices in quality double action revolvers like Ruger GP 100 or S&W 686. While you have find those used under $500 I hardly ever see that though I often see a used Ruger or S&W sell for under $600.

However Random says he has had good service life with his Taurus so that is still a choice. Ruger Blackhawk is a awesome gun if you like a single action.

 

[Meeks36]

Years ago I had a Rossi 971 4in stainless.357 thing was accurate. Put a couple thousand rounds through it. No problems paid $200.00 back in 2006. They can be had for $300.00 if you can find one.

 

[Tallball]

FWIW, my Rossi 971 was also a very good revolver. I paid around $300 for it a few years ago. The Interarms Rossi revolvers were generally good. My 1990-ish Model 720 is still one of my favorite revolvers.

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[bersaguy]

I was able to score a 4" stainless Ruger Security Six last year for $400. One of my better buys. I had been keeping an eye out on the local boards for a few years before I found one. Typically in my area they are in the 450-550 range
And why I like it? Its built like a tank!

 

[357 Terms]

https://aimsurplus.com/le-trade-in-ruger-gp100-dao-357-magnum-revolver/

 

[Meeks36]

https://aimsurplus.com/le-trade-in-ruger-gp100-dao-357-magnum-revolver/

I found my next purchase. Just have to switch out hammer's. Good find.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

I have to agree with Blue Brick. My 5-shot 357 Charter Target (3.5" barrel) has been my go to packer much more than any other. It has a surprisingly good trigger pull in both SA and DA and it's as accurate as many more expensive revolvers. I have to recommend Charter to anyone that wants a new lower priced 357.

 

[brutus51]

Quite a few of them on gunbroker, including a Colt trooper with a starting bid of $500. Good place to start looking.
Fella could spend a couple hundred in gas driving around looking for a good deal.

 

[swoter]

Look on Armslist, there are some dealers that sell new Ruger SP101 357, for less than 500. I paid 425 for my new blued SP101 357 about a year ago.

 

[Mullo98]

You might able to pick up a new ruger, Smith or another 357 of your choice if you wait for a sale.

 

[Jack B.]

I know you said you are not a fan of Taurus but I jut picked one of these for a tick under $400 from a LGS .357, 4inch barrel, 7 shot gave it to my wife and it has become her favorite revolver. This is a lady who was a super fan of her Colt Trooper MK III,357, 6 inch barrel. but she has moved to the Taurus. She can out shoot me any day of the week, its embarrassing to go to the range with her. She makes me look like I've never fired a gun before. She is deadly accurate with the Taurus. She said it has good balance and just fits she shoots right & left hand both better than I do.

https://www.taurususa.com/firearms/revolvers/66/

 

[FL-NC]

Paid $360 OTD for this one a couple weeks back, slightly used.