Best value .357 poll + unrelated question

Best value .357 poll

  • Ruger GP-100(+)

    Votes: 38 34.9%

  • Smith 686(+)

    Votes: 39 35.8%

  • Other

    Votes: 27 24.8%

  • I am not a .357 fan at all

    Votes: 5 4.6%
  • Total voters
    109
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
I voted don’t care for the 357mag. And I use to really like it. But it’s loud out of even 4” barrels, and I really don’t think it’s all that great. You can get a 41mag in the same size frame or just go up to the most bestest caliber, the 44mag. Both of these start where the 357 maxs out. Don’t think anyone here is cool enough for the 45LC, so I won’t mention it.

Best value, that was about ten years ago. Sorry, not paying $800-$1000 for either a GP100+ or 686+. Might for a 686+ Performance Center 5”, but not the standard versions. I just don’t think they are worth it. Saw a Taurus Tracker, with a 6” non ported barrel and vent rib that I would pay $500 for, but the were asking $750 for it. Not on your list, but if I was laying today’s prices for a 357 I would look at the Kimber K6 line.

Most of the first paragraph was tongue in cheek, so light up Francis. But, I do have a strong conviction that the 357 needs a 8” barreled pistol to shine. Anything , else is just wasted powder and a lot of flash and bang. The caliber was developed around the 8.75” barrel, and I see larger calibers like the 41m and 44m working better in shorter barrels.

Putting on my flame proof suit,
Lefty
 
Ru4real said:
Really? Hands down, best “value” is an EAA at 300 bucks.

View attachment 1083142
Click to expand...

I had a 2” model. I only shot 38 +p pressure loads in 357 cases, cause that what I had loaded up at the time, but it handed great. Carried well too, for such a bulky grip. Wish I never got rid of it. Think I did cause I couldn’t find wood grips for it.
 
Last edited:
Hi...
I voted for the 686.
Mine us an 8-3/8" Silhouette Model...extremely accurate, well made and aesthetically pleasing to look at.
Don't have a GP-100 because... I have a 686, but I have shot GP-100s. Decent revolvers, well made, strong but not as attractive to the eye as the 686.
I have a couple of Colt Troopers that are nicely made, fairly accurate, nice looking handguns, so I am not a S&W snob.
I also have several Ruger BlackHawks in .357Magnum and they are also very nice accurate revolvers, but not as stylish as the SAA Uberti clone my son has. His S&W 66 is an excellent revolver that is quickly becoming a favored revolver for speed drills at 7 and 15 yds on steel plates because it is somewhat smaller and lighter than my 686 or Colt Troopers.
 
I voted “other” and here is my reasoning. I have two 357 Revolvers, both S&W Model 66’s and both are from the 70’s. I shoot them both very frequently but not with .357 and if I do it is my handloads that are more medium than Magnums. They have been 100% reliable and are exceptionally accurate. I expect them to do the same for my kids. I have owned a Colt Trooper, Rugers and one Taurus Mode 66. All were good guns that worked as they should no complaints. I sold them off because of my lack of love for .357 Magnum. I took the long way around to say that the best value is a gun that you love, will last and does what you expect it to do. A few hundred dollars now will pay dividends over time. Buy what you really want and like. Nothing against budget guns, they fill a roll but few will give you the service of a Smith, Ruger, Colt, Dan Wesson. If it’s something that you plan on shooting a bunch and plan on keeping take the word “budget” out of the equation. The best “value” revolver I own is my S&W Model 15 that cost me $250 in 1987. It keeps paying dividends as others have come and gone. Buy what you really want!
 
wcwhitey said:
I voted “other” and here is my reasoning. I have two 357 Revolvers, both S&W Model 66’s and both are from the 70’s. I shoot them both very frequently but not with .357 and if I do it is my handloads that are more medium than Magnums. They have been 100% reliable and are exceptionally accurate. I expect them to do the same for my kids. I have owned a Colt Trooper, Rugers and one Taurus Mode 66. All were good guns that worked as they should no complaints. I sold them off because of my lack of love for .357 Magnum. I took the long way around to say that the best value is a gun that you love, will last and does what you expect it to do. A few hundred dollars now will pay dividends over time. Buy what you really want and like. Nothing against budget guns, they fill a roll but few will give you the service of a Smith, Ruger, Colt, Dan Wesson. If it’s something that you plan on shooting a bunch and plan on keeping take the word “budget” out of the equation. The best “value” revolver I own is my S&W Model 15 that cost me $250 in 1987. It keeps paying dividends as others have come and gone. Buy what you really want!
Click to expand...

I agree.
Also, “best value” isn’t at the cash register either. Reliability, resilience, future maintenance and repair costs also contribute to “best value”.
 
tubeshooter said:
I was also interested in a recent comment about the best value .357 revolver and wanted to make a poll about that. So please vote and feel free to elaborate. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Best value 357 is the Ruger GP101. The best 357 is the S&W 686+. When Taurus makes a 357 Executive series revolver, my opinion will swap from being the Ruger GP101 to being Taurus 605 and/or 66 Executive.

The assertion that modern day Taurus revolvers will have premature issues eventually and will end up costing more is unfounded. I see A LOT more QC, reliability issues, and complaints in general when it comes to S&W revolvers. This is on new in box revolvers and premature issues popping up on their revolvers. Seems like many like to ignore this fact. Most recently one of many on S&W forum: (S&W factory won't repair constricted barrel (686)).

I don't keep up with any Ruger revolvers or other manufacturers, but I pay a lot of attention to S&W, Taurus, and Colt revolvers. I will say I don't see an many complaints on gun forums, Reddit, or YouTube when it comes to Ruger revolvers. I do see a lot when it comes to Ruger semiautos though.
 
Last edited:
20220430_154607.jpg I've owned dozens of 357's from SW, Ruger and Taurus. ( Taurus is dead to me so won't be discussed here) I currently own several SW 686/586 and several more GP100's. The SW's have a slightly better finish but honestly, I feel the GP100's have the advantage in all functional areas. Specifically: a) the GP''s have better out of the box triggers and improving those triggers is an easier kitchen table task as well. b) They also come with the interchangeable front sight on all 4" or longer models. The ability to change out the sight to a FO or night sight is a huge advantage (that is only available on the SW PC series) c) the factory grips on the GP 100 are better suited to absorbing recoil since there is no backstrap resting on your palm. BTW, this all coming from a die hard SW collector. I feel the GP should get credit where due though. They did a great job with it.
 
AustinTX said:
There are objectively higher-quality .357 revolvers that do everything at least as well as a 686, so I disagree.
Click to expand...
I objectively disagree with your opinion. Seems like we are at a stalemate.
 
I have owned a bunch of 357's over the years. Mostly Smith and Wesson, but there have been Colt, Ruger, Taurus and probably a few I don't remember off the top of my head also.

I've sold them all off now, except for two. Both 4" 2020 Colt Pythons. They were more expensive than a 686, but I feel they're "worth it." There just isn't anything about them I don't like, except maybe the fact that they didn't come in Royal Blue. (As an aside, I've never cared for the 686 at all for some reason. I don't dislike it, I've just never wanted one.)

I admit that I don't shoot ANY gun enough to hurt it. I also admit that I've never seen a 357 that wasn't a good one. Even the Taurus revolvers I've owned were top notch. But I've still got the Pythons and have no thoughts of getting rid of either of them.

The other one looks just like this one.

4Colta_zpskvpl3jvb.jpg
 
Taurus 692, comes with a 9mm cylinder.

Alternate option is a used Charter made in Stratford, CT.
 
Styx said:
I objectively disagree with your opinion. Seems like we are at a stalemate.
Click to expand...

No, I’m afraid that’s false.

Much as the case would be with someone who insists that their preferred Röhm, RIA, Charter Arms, or Taurus is the best .357 Mag. revolver produced, you disagree subjectively, but not with reference to objective standards. Whether you or that hypothetical person acknowledges being insufficiently informed on the matter is of course immaterial to the validity of his or your opinion.
 
AustinTX said:
No, I’m afraid that’s false.

Much as the case would be with someone who insists that their preferred Röhm, RIA, Charter Arms, or Taurus is the best .357 Mag. revolver produced, you disagree subjectively, but not with reference to objective standards. Whether you or that hypothetical person acknowledges being insufficiently informed on the matter is of course immaterial to the validity of his or your opinion.
Click to expand...
Are you looking to just argue? No matter what your opinion is and what you think, you aren't going to change my opinion based on my own personal experience and what I know. In my personal experience, the S&W 686 is the best all around 357 revolver. There was a poll about this on GlockTalk or some other firearm forum recently (I can not recall which off the top of my head), and the overwhelming number of other gun owners who participated in the poll agreed with my personal opinion. I have experience with a wide range of revolvers, and it's my subjective and objective opinion that the S&W 686 that is property QC'd is the best. Others think it's the Ruger GP100. Some just might think it's a Charter Arms or a Taurus. You probably think it's another brand. In my objective opinion, it's the 686. I'm sure that everyone can make a subjective argument to support their opinion.
 
Last edited:
Styx said:
Are you looking to just argue? No matter what your opinion is and what you think, you aren't going to change my opinion based on my own personal experience and what I know. In my personal experience, the S&W 686 is the best all around 357 revolver. There was a poll about this on GlockTalk or some other firearm forum recently (I can not recall which off the top of my head), and the overwhelming number of other gun owners who participated in the poll agreed with my personal opinion. I have experience with a wide range of revolvers, and it's my subjective and objective opinion that the S&W 686 that is property QC'd is the best. Others think it's the Ruger GP100. Some just might think it's a Charter Arms or a Taurus. You probably think it's another brand. In my objective opinion, it's the 686. I'm sure that everyone can make a subjective argument to support their opinion.
Click to expand...
Yeah, well, you get folks like this every once in a while, even here. Don't participate and it will go away.
 
Started out being a Colt fan when it came to .357s; a Trooper Mk.III and two Mk.Vs. Loved the Ruger Six Series (and boy do I wish I had hung onto a few of them) but didn't care for the GP100. Even had a Dan Wesson Pistol Pac to play around with for awhile.

Found the S&W N frame versions of the .357 to be just a little bit too big for my hand size and the K frame versions to be not quite as durable as their larger brethren. Enter the L frame Model 686 and finally I have my "Goldilocks" gun! That and along with having the best balance and handling with a 4" barrel, it also has the sweetest DA/SA trigger, out of the box, on any revolver I have ever tried!

That to me is some of the best value I'm ever going to find in a .357!
7yFNH9e.jpg
 
Well, one thing about this thread. It reminded me I need to get a group shot of some .357's together. :)
The hardest working revolvers I own: Colt Lawman
index.php

Great Western II
index.php

Ruger Blackhawk
index.php
 
i voted "other". the 686 is accurate but heavy (i have one). i have no experience with the gp-100. i prefer the blackhawk (i have two).

murf
 
derek45 said:
The Ruger is thicker because it's investment CAST.

S&W is FORGED steel

These days, both S&W and Ruger need to be closely inspected before buying.

Quality Control has been replaced with 6-Sigma-hurry up and get it out the door policies

View attachment 1083499

View attachment 1083500
Click to expand...

They definitely do both need to be carefully inspected. :thumbup:

I've always thought that S&W advert was very clever. Even though based on their respective websites, the S&W is lighter by only 0.3oz.

However, this is what my scale gets:

6 shot GP with aftermarket sights fingerless Hogue monogrip
IMG_20220611_094616358.jpg

7 shot 686+ with aftermarket Hogue Nylon grip
IMG_20220611_094653869.jpg

Both are unloaded, btw. I'm sure we can work out which would be heavier when fully stoked.

But for a lighter weight and sleeker option, there's this GP100, which I bought used maybe 8-10 years ago.
IMG_20220611_094632651.jpg

It didn't require any springs or shims, or even an action job. And it has the shortest DA trigger of any GP100 I've owned. Though the SA trigger has a step of creep to it. Not too bad of a thing, if you know it's there.
 
Last edited:
Went looking for a 6" 686 when I got the urge to revisit the .357 Magnum, had retired my Python to target only loads about 20 years earlier, Couldn't find one without the Hillary hole. Decided the Dan Wesson 715 was a better deal so I bought one of those. Really liked the DW very accurate and the interchangeable barrels are awesome. In the mean time Colt released the Cobra Target, it was love at first sight, just the right size and balance. Fast forward another year and low and behold Colt starts making Pythons again. About a month ago a friend who's a Dan Wesson fan and has been pestering me to sell him the DW made an offer I couldn't refuse. Replaced it with a new 6" Python.
Couldn't be happier. :)
I can't consider the new 686's as a superior product as long as they have the lock.
I have two pre-lock Smith's a 629 and a 625 and love them both so it's not like I dislike the brand, just the lock.:cuss:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

col_temp
  • Locked
  • Poll
which would be the best choice? (Poll)
2
Replies
44
Views
2K
jim243
J
T
  • Locked
  • Poll
.357 recommendation for beginner: S&W 686 or Ruger GP-100?
2 3 4
Replies
92
Views
8K
skidder
S
R
  • Locked
  • Poll
45 Acp ?&poll Glock Vs Kimber Pls Read Thread Before Vote
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
kptaylor
K
Detritus
  • Locked
  • Poll
AR, Marlin LTR, or 10/22 build for Appleseed Training/class rifle?
Replies
9
Views
1K
CraigC
CraigC
R
  • Locked
The value of just walking away
2 3 4 5 6 7
Replies
163
Views
5K
Al Thompson
A
Back
Top