Colt Model "357": Opinions please?

[slick6]

Colt Model 357;

1)What are your opinions regarding this revolver(Good, bad, indifferent, anything?)?

2)If you could find one of these, would this gun be desireable for you to want to own it?

3)In view of the Colt 357, being in the "Shadows" of the Colt Python, do you think that the collectible value of this gun, will remain "Low"?

4)Which barrel length in the colt 357, would be your preference(4" or 6")?

 

[tc300mag1]

Should Be a good gun

If i could find a colt at a decen price yeah it would be desirible to own .

Cant say on the collection if price will go up etcetc

I like a 357 in 4 inch just points the best for me

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'd snap one up in half a heart beat if I could find it in good condition at a good price. The .357 was the Python's direct predecessor. Many had truly outstanding triggers and top accuracy.

Personally, I'd go for a four-inch model, since it's handier for carrying than the longer tube.

I believe they're becoming collectors' items, since not many were manufactured.

 

[slick6]

Colt 357(6-incher)?

Well, I have found a pretty nice(Lightly fired!)Colt 357, with a 6-inch barrel! And, I have been "Pondering" whether or not to buy this revolver(Since it isn't NIB!)? But, it does come with the original box(But, no papers!)? There is barely, a "Trace" of a cylinder ring(Hard to see it though!)and, only a few powder burn rings(Light ones!)on the cylinder face! It has Colt Target grips(Later type, that look to be original!)! Although, I like these Colt 357's, with the 4-inch barrel the best, I don't think that it would be very easy to find another Colt 357(In any barrel length)?

I just don't know how "Desireable" it would be to own(Or to collect?)a Colt "357" with the longer(6-inch)barrel? I don't have any idea, what a gun like this(In about 98% condition!)would be worth? I can get this gun, for about $550? To buy(Or not to buy?)is the question, in my mind?

 

[Standing Wolf]

Try the auction sites:

http://www.gunbroker.com
http://www.gunsamerica.com
http://www.auctionarms.com

They're not scarce, but Colt .357s in very good condition aren't a dime a dozen.

 

[Leadbutt]

I have and still shoot a 6" and a 4" model, very nice revolvers and very smooth actions on par wit the later Pythons

 

[BluesBear]

There is barely, a "Trace" of a cylinder ring(Hard to see it though!)

Since the Colt mechanism works slightly differently from a S&W you shouldn't see any ring caused from firing.

However a slight one will eventually appear just from opening and closing the cylinder.

 

[thatguy]

The 357 bridges the gap between the Official Police and the Python. Same insides but more deluxe outsides on the Python. Old style free-standing ejector rod. Good, not fancy, I would be pleased to use one if I bought it for $300 or less (getting harder to do as all Colt prices have been rising in recent years but I have seen a couple for $250-$275 that were less than perfect finish but good for shooting). If I am looking at more I would look for a Python.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I like mine quite a bit, in fact I wouldn't trade it for a Python, but I'm not all that bright, either.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Mighty pretty, Bullet Bob!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have a Colt M357 I've owned since about 1965 or so. I carried this gun during my first tour in Viet Nam (as an adviser to 4/48 ARVN Infantry) and it is the only handgun I've ever shot a man with.

It is as smooth as a Python -- in fact, it IS a Python, except for the underlug and external finish.

I would not trade this gun for anything.

 

[Gordon]

Cool, Vern. I have a 4" .357 and like the man says- I ain't selling! I went thru 3 of these before I found 'Mr. Right". Sold a 80% one for $275 and a 90+% 6" one for $350. I have a perfect 98% one now that is my most accurate , non target, .38/.357. The double action is 8 pounds and the single action 2 pounds. This gun does much less than ONE INCH at 25 yards from a Ransom rest with .38 Federal Match ammo. Remington .357mag 158 grain hollow points do an inch. My own Kieth 173 grain loads(14.5 grains of 2400)do under an inch. I have shot less than 1000 rounds thru it, it is cleaned and put up as a FAVORITE gun that I KNOW works when I want it to!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've always carried my M357 in home-made holsters, having never found a commercial one I liked.

I have a Colt Officer's Model Target -- also 6" barrel -- and it fits those same holsters perfectly.

My M357 currently is wearing a set of Hogue Rosewood grips -- sort of a late thank-you for saving my life.

 

[Johnny Guest]

I like mine

It is a four-inch in good to VG condition - - Nice shape but with enough wear that I'm not nervous about taking it afield. I like the "niche" it occupies: Just a touch more robustness than a Smith K-frame, to handle heavier loads. Not as bulky and HEAVY as an S&W N-frame.

I mostly carry mine in an El Paso Saddlery "Tortilla" holster. It likes a load of the 158 gr. Hornady XTP with a healthy dose of 2400 powder, but mostly eats a 162 LSWC over 7.o Unique.

Best,
Johnny

 

[guy sajer]

You won't be sorry . They're a finely crafted machine made when the worker had pride in his trade . No offense meant to todays workers , but the new guns today don't impress me . They work , but no love goes in . It's a job . imo

As far as being a collectors item ... Any really nice specimen you locate will cost less than a new S&W 686 for example . Buy one and enjoy

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Identical to mine -- although mine has a lot of wear on the grips, so it now wear Hogue grips. And, of course, a lot more holster wear.

 

[guy sajer]

We took a really nice 4" M357 in last week . I'm fighting the urge to buy it . We're attending the LV Antique gun show while in Vegas for the SHOT Show . Might see something more interesting there I need a basic model New Service in 38spl or better yet 357 mag !