Best All-around 357 Frame Size

[r3volv3r]

caliber is 357 mag. bbl is 4". pick a size. you can only have one.
intended uses in order of priority:
1. range use
2. hd
3. woods
...
4. rabid&intelligent lions/tigers/bears/sharks/crocodiles
5. carry (not so important... who still carries a full size revo anyways)

i'm just curious what the majority prefers these days; don't get offended or read too much into this.

 

[Blue Brick]

First: Ruger medium frame Security Six line Second: Ruger RedHawk line. Third: Ruger GP-100 line.

 

[r3volv3r]

3 way tie so far? wow

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Not any more...

 

[zxcvbob]

What size frame is a SAA? K or a little bigger? (I have a SAA and a Ruger Security Six, and both are just right)

 

[.38 Special]

I'm surprised anyone would vote for other than N frame. I love the 19/66, but it has its limitations. For general knockabout, woods carry, high volume shooting, hot loads, and whatever, I'll take the 27 any day.

 

[.41Dave]

I voted for the K frame. Yes, it has it's limitations, but it makes up for them. Here is the way I look at it given the OP's parameters:

intended uses in order of priority:
1. range use High volume shooting with mostly .38 Specials. The K frame shines
2. hd Very low volume shooting (I hope!). Yes, I need to avoid hot 110 and 125 grain loads. I do not feel particularly handicapped with 158 grain Gold Dots or 145 grain Silvertips, however.
3. woods Lots of carry, a little shooting. Mostly .38s for small game. Why lug around the bigger heavier L or N frame? If I was going to carry an N frame, it'd be a .41 or a .45, not a .357
4. rabid&intelligent lions/tigers/bears/sharks/crocodiles Yikes! I want something bigger than a handgun for these, but if all I've got is the .357, the K frame will shoot 180 grain hard cast bullets as well as the N frame, albeit with slightly more perceived recoil.
5. carry (not so important... who still carries a full size revo anyways) But if you do, the K will conceal better than the L or N.

 

[sterling7c]

With hands as fragged as mine the days when frame size was an 'any choice' option are gone. Now I have to depend on the weight of the gun coping with the recoil as much as possible so for me it's a Ruger Security Six .357 with 2.75" barrel (carry/HD) and a S&W Model 27 with 6" barrel (Range/Woods/HD). I also have an ancient but still very tight Model 37 (carry) but feel somewhat under gunned with standard pressure .38sp SWHP Nyclads these days. Sorry to OP, I know I moved away from the 4" barrel spec. Don't grow old

 

[earlthegoat2]

I tend to like the Ruger GP100 most but given the criteria I would choose the L frame which is probably what the GP100 is anyway.

 

[pmeisel]

I love my 19. Nothing wrong with the L or N, but the 19 does everything I need it to do.

It's a 6". The only other gun I couldn't part with is my 4" Python.

 

[Larry Burchfield]

Frames

I vote for the 4'' model 66 Smith and Wesson
Larry Burchfield
SEABEES/RVN/67/68/69/
DAV

 

[Guillermo]

Why no i frame?

 

[.41Dave]

Because the S&W I frame is far to small for a .357

 

[.38 Special]

1. range use High volume shooting with mostly .38 Specials. The K frame shines

Facts not in evidence! I tend to use .357s in a .357, and .38s in a .38. And of course, the 19 is not best for high volume .357 shooting.

2. hd Very low volume shooting (I hope!). Yes, I need to avoid hot 110 and 125 grain loads. I do not feel particularly handicapped with 158 grain Gold Dots or 145 grain Silvertips, however.

I actually keep my nightstand M19 loaded with 125 JHPs. I figure a few won't hurt it, and I also figure that, if actually needed, a damaged throat won't matter, because the gun will spend the rest of eternity in evidence.

3. woods Lots of carry, a little shooting. Mostly .38s for small game. Why lug around the bigger heavier L or N frame? If I was going to carry an N frame, it'd be a .41 or a .45, not a .357

We have different ideas of "woods carry". When I'm in the woods with a gun, it's generally because I'm going stump hunting: lots of shooting with full power loads.

4. rabid&intelligent lions/tigers/bears/sharks/crocodiles Yikes! I want something bigger than a handgun for these, but if all I've got is the .357, the K frame will shoot 180 grain hard cast bullets as well as the N frame, albeit with slightly more perceived recoil.

I worry about shooting the 19 with lots of hot loads, regardless of bullet construction. I agree with you about loads for the above situation, but I disagree about the K being as good as the N for them.

5. carry (not so important... who still carries a full size revo anyways) But if you do, the K will conceal better than the L or N.

Absolutely agreed. But if carry is noted as not so important, then...

Just admit that you're wrong, and I'll forgive you.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I voted for N frame, but L frame would be OK.

None of your priorities seem to involve carrying the gun, and if you are not going to carry it, the bigger frame will always be better.

 

[wnycollector]

First: Ruger medium frame Security Six line

I own J, K and N frames. For an all around .357 ruger got it right 30 years ago!

 

[Guillermo]

Because the S&W I frame is far to small for a .357

Oh yeah...Smith made an I frame too

 

[kentucky_smith]

Oh yeah...Smith made an I frame too

What he said. A Colt Python I frame would be ideal.

 

[MCgunner]

None of the above. I vote SP101 size.

 

[Rio Laxas]

I like the N frame myself. I generally carry a K frame sized revolver when concealment is required, but when its not I go with a S&W 28.

 

[Brian Williams]

I wish that S&W had made a 581 with a 3" barrel and a round grip, it would be ideal for carry gun in 357 shooting 180gr LRNFPGC.

 

[kludge]

Gp-100

 

[Bill_G]

Uh.......how about other? you know, there are other makers than S&W.

best frame size?? the Ruger Sixes are the best for my money. small like a K, but actually able to handle 357 w/ impunity.

 

[sgt127]

I carry a 3" 65 (K frame) most of the time. And, the N frames holds a special place in my heart (and, in sheer value in my gun safe) But, If I had to pick one, and only one for all time, I would have to go with the L frame. A 686 to be specific. More wieght than you want to carry all the time...tough enough for all the .357's you want to shoot...a pretty decent compromise. Next up would likely be a Ruger GP. But, I am more used to the Smith trigger, so it gets a nod in my book.

As much as I appreciate the L frame, I only own three. A 681 a 696 and a 296. I can limit the use of full house magnums in my K frames and I have all the N frames I need if I feel frisky. So, I don't have to choose....

 

[Noxx]

"L" frame, because the 686 in 4" is easily the best all-around revolver ever made.