Best .357 mag under $500

[TTv2]

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.

6 months ago I was thinking about getting the 7 shot Ruger GP or 686+ in a 6 inch barrel, but I found an unfired Stratford .357 Bulldog with 6 inch barrel online and won the auction. After I got it, felt the trigger, I decided that I wasn't in need of those 7 shot .357's anymore because they're just too big for any carrying work and if I wanted a shorter barrel 7 shot, I already have that in the lighter, lower recoiling Charter Professional.

I feel that the 5 shot Charter's are just a better value for anyone looking to carry a .357 out in the field. Home defense... yeah, the 7 shot .357's are fine.

 

[eastbank]

for me a lightly used S&W 686 with a 4" barrel, you may have to look around a little to find one. but its worth it.

 

[PzGren]

If one plans on shooting a lot of .357 Magnum ammo, a sturdy firearm should be chosen. The price limit of $500 will limit the buyer to used guns and if better quality and durability is desired, Ruger is within that price range, while S&W L-frames are mostly a little above the $500 threshold.





With bargain .357 Magnum ammo pricing around $350+/1000 plus shipping, the purchase price of the gun will rapidly become the smallest part of the investment.

That's why I shoot a Korth.

 

[stonebuster]

You may be able to find a used Dan Wesson model 15-2 357 for $500. I found a 1981 15-2 V6 357 a few weeks ago for less than $500. You can change out the barrel and shroud to a different length in about 2 minutes. You can get new replacement barrels (2.5, 4, 6,8,10) from CZ USA and get the length that suits you're purpose. It's like having several guns in one.

 

[357smallbore]

Ouch!!!!
I'm just glad I got my guns many, many years ago. I have never paid more then $350 any gun. And I dont buy cheap crap either. Just really shop the auctions and LGS. Price on guns are just so high today. And yes, a good used 357 revolver will cost $5 bills unless you really shop around.
If I were to buy one today. I'd really like to have a 4in 586 original or a 4in S&W 19

 

[Walkalong]

A used Smith, Colt, Ruger, Dan Wesson, or Astra.

Well under $500 when I bought it, shoots as well as I can.

Astra .357 Mag, P&R no less.

 

[golden]

I do not shoot single action revolvers and have no experience with them. On the other hand, I shoot double action revolvers a lot.

I have been using the .357 magnum for over 30 years and my experience is that you should AVOID ANY S&W K-FRAME as a .357 magnum. They make great .38 Special and .38 +P revolvers, but have the problem with the ground off forcing cone and a thin topstrap. My agency issued me a S&W model 13 K-frame with a 3 inch barrel and round grip (ex-FBI guns), several years later, we had a forcing cone crack when qualifying with the 125 grain jhp with a model 13. This was a wonderful carry gun, but just not strong enough in my opinion for continued use with .357 magnum.
To put this in perspective, my agency required a minimum of 500 rounds a year of .357 magnum to qualify. We also shot some .38 Special, but not often.

If you want a mid size gun, I recommend a used RUGER Security Six. Just compare a model 19 and Security 6 side by side and it is just no question which is the stronger gun. The ground off forcing cone on the S&W is not on the RUGER and the topstrap is much thicker ( I noticed that the new COLT KING COBRA also has a thicker topstrap than the S&W K-frame, but is a light gun). I know a lot of people will argue against this point of view. I do not care, this has been my experience with several K-frame guns and Security 6's.
I bought my last one for $349.00 used. It had a trigger job done, but is 100% reliable.

If you are willing to go up a size, then either a S&W L-frame like the 686 or a RUGER GP-100 are great choices. They are strong to the point of being overbuilt for the .357 round and now both are available as 7 shot revolvers. The S&W L-frame can also be had in .44 magnum, if you will accept a 5 shot revolver.

The full size N-frame S&W revolvers and the even bigger RUGER Red Hawks just weigh too much for most of my use and usually will cost more than $500.00, even used.

I really like the S&W K-frames and some of my favorite range guns are a pair of model 15 Combat Masterpieces and a model 19 Combat Magnum, but they only get standard pressure .38 Special and occasional .38 +P for self defense. The S&W L-frame is a terrific .38 Special, but is borderline for the .357 magnum round.

Jim

 

[wojo65]

I absolutely love my early 30 year old Ruger GP100 with a full lug barrel. Even till today it is the most accurate out of the box revolver I have. with a 6 inch barrel it is a bit heavy but it is well balanced. Every person who has shot it just smiles and comments on the silky smooth 3lb trigger which I did have polished and lightened.