Best DA .357mag w/ 4" bbl.... & don't dare mention Taurus!

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Bama Drifter

Bama Drifter

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OK fellas, here's the dealio: looking hard at Smith model 19-2 or dash three to save wear on my Colt SAA .357 that I don't shoot often enough. Would like a Python, but don't have the $3k scratch. Had a GP-100 & sold it for funds to get my Colt SAA. I want a great shooting, high value, blued 4" smoke wagon.

Tell me why I don't need to buy a S&W 19-3 or what is better. The goal is to spend >$650 -- <$1K. I will be at the Tulsa Show in November. :)
 
The K-frame S&W 19 or 66 would be an excellent choice. They are known for smooth actions, perfect size for easy handling or carry, and good accuracy. There is much talk of split forcing cones from using a steady diet of hot 125 grain ammo. I use more .38s than .357s in my 19/66 Smiths and have had no problems after years of use. Another option for you might be a S&W 28 Highway Patrolman. Big and beefy N-frame that will hold up to anything you feed it. However, it is much bulkier than the 19.
 
hard to beat the ruger gp100... plenty tough, good trigger, big & heavy, accurate. Probably my best shooter, in SS 6". ..and, i have a taurus, too. :D
 
Bama Drifter said:
Tell me why I don't need to buy a S&W 19-3 or what is better. The goal is to spend >$650 -- <$1K. I will be at the Tulsa Show in November. :)
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The S&W Model 19 is a great firearm. But if you plan on shooting a steady diet of full powder 357 Magnum loads, the Model 19 and Model 66 (stainless version of the M19) will not hold up. Cracked forcing cones seem to be the most frequent problem. My Model 19 has had its barrel replaced for a cracked forcing cone.

The current production Model 66 has had some changes made to its design to address this issue but time is early.

L frame Models 586 and 686 or the N frame Model 27 will handle full power loads without issue.

I am not intimately familiar with Colt or Ruger double action revolvers but both companies make/made excellent models. Ruger single action revolvers are like Timex watches--takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
 
It seems strange to me, but I have had a couple of Model 19's and fired a fair amount of .357 in them with no problems. The general consensus always was that they were not made for firing thousands of rounds of full-house .357. But it has only been in recent years that I have heard about the forcing cone problem and then only with some .357 ammo, not .357 ammo in general.

Now I keep reading that those forcing cones crack all the time and that pieces of demolished Model 19's are littering the landscape. One poster even asked if he should use black powder to keep his from blowing up!!

I wonder just how many folks here have actually had a Model 19 forcing cone split, break, swell, or burst, or a cylinder or barrel split or burst with any factory .357 load or any factory equivalent handload. If there are millions of blown up Model 19's around, surely at least one THR person should have personal experience.

Jim
 
S&W Model 520

In the price range you mentioned the BEST you can get is a S&W Model 520. There were only 3000 made which means there are only 2999 available. Mine is not available.
 
jamesinalaska said:
In the price range you mentioned the BEST you can get is a S&W Model 520. There were only 3000 made which means there are only 2999 available. Mine is not available.
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James, wow the 520 looks very nice! Is the N frame bigger than K frame? I know that I'm leaning more for to the 19 due to K frame being "handier" and lighter on the belt than a 586 L frame. The Smitty lettering system is something I've never mastered!

So as to cracked or eroded forcing cones, I understand that was from shooting lots of 110gr to 125gr ammo... I load up a fairly dirty and slower 158gr LSWC over 6.0gr Unique. Don't judge me, plz :) It is plenty accurate and is CHEAP to shoot. Those details in mind, is a 586 as collectible as the 19-3? Thanks for the input.
 
smith 520 = gold plated brick latrine

Holy Moly James... :eek: spent some time researching the 520 and so far you have the winning vote for toughness. Fixed sights on a large frame .357mag! wow that thing is really overbuilt for the apocalypse. If I need a doomsday revolver I'd go with it. As it is, I think I may want the luxury of adj. sights on my piece. :D
 
What makes you think you can wear out a Colt SAA .357 that you don't shoot often enough?

It will still be going strong long after you are if you take halfway decent care of it.

rc
 
Jim K said:
I wonder just how many folks here have actually had a Model 19 forcing cone split, break, swell, or burst, or a cylinder or barrel split or burst with any factory .357 load or any factory equivalent handload. If there are millions of blown up Model 19's around, surely at least one THR person should have personal experience.
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Jim, I think most of the concern with Model 19's and 66's probably stems from the fact that Smith & Wesson can't fix them if the forcing cones do crack. Used to be if you had a forcing cone crack, you sent it back to the factory and they put a new barrel in. You can't do that anymore. Like you, I've never seen one or even knew anyone first hand who had it happen to them. I have read on the internet a number of "it happened to me" stories, but I don't know them personally.

I kinda suspect the average person will never shoot enough rounds to worry about it, but I freely admit I don't know what the "average" is. And since all the ones we buy now are used, we never know what the guy ahead of us shot through it. Maybe he just used wadcutters...maybe he used full house blowtorch rounds. I just stick to 38's in mine, but then I don't do anything with them but punch a hole in a piece of paper.

With the budget the OP mentioned, I'd be looking for a "N" frame Smith & Wesson like a 27 or 28.

They're about as tough as 357's get.

28-2 (27's are the same gun, nicer finish)

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Bama drifter

You might also want to consider a Ruger Security Six. Replaced by the GP100 but still one of the sturdiest, dependable, best designed, and well balanced DA .357 4" revolvers out there. Available with a blued finish or in stainless steel they should still be well under your $650 starting price range.
 
If you can find a decent shape Dan Wesson 15-2, that would be my recomendation. Other than that, if you must have a blued gun, S&W 27, 28, 585, or 19 are hard to beat. Hopefully you don't get a 19 with a forcing cone issue...I'm not sure how common this was in the wild, or if it's been overblown.
 
2 nd vote for Ruger Ruger security/service. Tough to beat. I like my 19 but the Ruger is my go to 4 inch.
In the interest of full disclosure I may be biased as it was my first duty weapon 45 yrs ago.

I have seen some at gun shows for 3-400, holster worn imports, but all were shooters.
 
Ruger Security Six

3rd vote for Ruger Security Six...one sweet gun...mine is 6" blue...I'd jump on a 4" stainless though.
 
Yet another sugg for the Service/Security Six...

I always notice when Bikerdoc chimes in with these; I remember his story about how he got his.

I have my dad's Service Six now, which was his sidearm as a deputy at one time.. tough but comfortable shooter..
 
I appreciate the Ruger enthusiasm, but part of me is in "collector mode" when @ the Tulsa Show. While I never intend to wear out Colt SAA (early 3rd Gen w/ box, papers, NO turn line on my cylinder, nickel finish) I still like to shoot it just 2X a year with light LSWC .38 ammo, Flitz the carbon off my cylinder face and put it back up clean as a whistle.

The Rugers are great, however my lean towards S&W is due to shoot-ability and collectibility. Can any S&W guys comment to how quickly a 27 vs 19 will appreciate? Saw that 19s have doubled in the last ten years. I consider this a "deadly nostalgia" purchase as Hank Jr. refers to his guns, if that makes sense. To clarify, I want this gun to be worth more $ later X years from now. :) Thanks.
 
I might hold out for the new Pietta 1955 P, a newly introduced clone of the Colt Python. If it's anything like the originals, I think it's set to take the stage of the "new" gold standard for full size .357 magnum revolvers. History repeats itself.
 
Cooldill said:
I might hold out for the new Pietta 1955 P, a newly introduced clone of the Colt Python. If it's anything like the originals, I think it's set to take the stage of the "new" gold standard for full size .357 magnum revolvers. History repeats itself.
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I just saw "New Pietta Revolver" thread.
Dang if that doesn't throw a wrinkle in my planning. Well shucks! That's just too cool. :) ??? Hmm???
 
S&W 686 4" in stainless is one sweet handling revolver. I've owned a 5" model 27 which was precious, but frankly I shoot the 686 better.
 
Well for right now thought, to me, the GP100 really gets me going in a positive way.

It's what I think of when I think of the ideal revolver: tough, extremely reliable, smooth. The two I own have smoothed out over the years and have great triggers. One of the strongest and most durable revolvers ever made, and accuracy is neck and neck with contemporary S&W etc. etc. offerings... just a sublime weapon.

To be honest though, I actually hate Ruger right now... but only because they keep introducing all these cool revolver models, and ain't no way I can afford all of them!!! :mad:...:D
 
Find a nice S&W 19 and enjoy yourself trying to wear it out. I have a family of 4" K Frames and they are delightful guns to shoot.

IMHO you would not lose money on it if you decide to sell it, but I don't buy any firearm expecting it to appreciate. If you are looking for an investment there are stocks, bonds, and real estate.
 
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