hello, new to revolver page, looking for .357

[Mr. D]

You've gotta go single-action to go with a lever gun. And if you're going single-action, my recommendation would be a Ruger Vaquero or New Vaquero, whichever fits your hands. I have a New Vaquero and it is one awesome gun. Very easy to shoot, easy to be accurate with.

~Dale

 

[Evyl Robot]

No offense, but anyone who would say a ported .357 "isn't so bad" would probably say a prostate operation was "an enjoyable experience."

None taken, I assure you. Seriously, though. I was shocked! There's a little fire out the top, but not nearly what you might imagine.

--Michael

 

[Vern Humphrey]

How's the report when not wearing ear protection? How does the flame affect your vision in low-light level situations?

 

[AH-1]

hmmm get a ruger.anyone that says a L-frame smith will last as long as a gp100,security six or a blackhawk need to quit smoking that funny stuff. this from a guy that "likes" smiths.

 

[Stainz]

I started my revolver life with a Ruger convertible Blackhawk in .45 ACP/Colt - to use up my sold G21's leftover stash of ACPs. Then, I had to shoot .45 Colts - and I was lost. I outgrew the SA Rugers - and a .454/.45 SRH & .45 RH. Over six years ago, I discovered the S&W 625 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt - a new gift from my wife. I have more S&Ws - including another 625MG - while my Ruger collection is down to just an Old Army black powder C&B revolver. I am happy.

I liked blued revolvers... but SS is far easier to keep clean - and doesn't show it's age - or scratches - like a blued revolver. I've gone to DA-capable SS revolvers - S&Ws, at that. They will enjoy a long life - and be handed down to your children - if you stay within the SAAMI spec's for the caliber you choose. Below are my 'answers' to the matching lever gun & revolver - a Puma M1892 SS 24" octagon barrel in .45 Colt - and a 625 MG in .45 Colt:



You like your blued Marlin carbine - get a blued revolver to 'match' it. Sure - a S&W 19 would be nice - in good shape. I do have to admit, the concept of a Ruger .38/.357M & 9mm convertible isn't bad at all. You can have the gun matching your levergun, yet it will shoot the el-cheapo 9mm ammo, too - shared with your P38. Just keep your eyes open for a decent DA-capable revolver. First - they are great home protectors. Pick it up and squeeze the trigger - bad guy gone. When you decide you are ready, come on back - I've got some great suggestions for you. Good luck - and keep us apprised of your choice.

Stainz

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Points well taken.
Considering I drained the "extra" money stash to get the 1894c I have plenty of time to decide on wheelgun.

Stainz, since you have used the convertible I'll direct this in your general direction. When changing the cylinder to use the auto ammunition do you have to use the moon clips (that I know nothing about) on it? I assume you'd have to.

...and by the way, that's a nice triple play you have going there.
thanks

edit: as far as ported goes, my 3.5 inch ported .45 will bring tears to the eyes if using it without muffs on. Your mileage may vary but I'm not intentionally doing THAT again. ouch!

 

[Stainz]

No moonclips required. The rounds headspace by butting up to the chamber's rim step. As the Blackhawk is a SA anyway, you just use the ejector rod to force the empties out as you would the .38s or .357Ms. Yeah, the convertible may be the way to go.

Thanks for the compliment. The knife is from a S. Alabama custom maker - Fred Vollmer. It isn't very appropriate for a cowboy-era pairing, anyway - Winchester didn't offer the '92 in .45 Colt until well into the twentieth century. Then there is that SS...

The '92 is my 'assault rifle' - it holds 12 rounds in the tube. My only other long guns are a couple of CZ-452 .22s. I sold my long guns - bought S&W revolvers. Interests do change... I love the revolvers - that won't change! Welcome to the world of roundguns!

Stainz

 

[mauiglide]

My first revolver was a S&W 686 Plus with 4" barrel. I liked it so much, I recently bought another 686 Plus with a 2.5" barrel. I just installed a Crimson Trace laser grip on the 2.5" model and I'm going to try out my new Aimpoint H-1 Micro red dot scope on the 4" model.

 

[Evyl Robot]

How's the report when not wearing ear protection? How does the flame affect your vision in low-light level situations?

I've never shot it without ear protection. I really like my hearing. The flame did not affect my low-light level vision. That really surprised me, but I didn't have any more than some spots in my vision - it definitely didn't leave me blind.

--Michael

 

[Marshall]

Definitely the Ruger Blackhawk. Tis the perfect companion to compliment your lever gun.

If you don't want a Single Action handgun, you can find a blued GP-100. But if I was going to do that, I would look at a 586 Smith too. You'll pay more, it may or may not be worth it to you?

 

[MCgunner]

Mine are....

Ruger 6.5" Blackhawk
Taurus 4" nickel M66
Taurus 3" blued M66
Rossi 92 Puma lever carbine

I HAVE owned....

M19 Smith and Wesson
Stainless Security Six
Rossi M971 4" Stainless

Those are gone for various reasons. I could get more for the 19 now, but funny thing, the one I most miss out of those three is the lowly Rossi. It was super light to carry, about 30 ounces, had decent accuracy, and was easy on the shooter with hot loads. It was sweet, but my nickel 66 Taurus is sweeter if a little heavier.

The one I'd recommend you for a companion piece is the Blackhawk. No .357 on earth under $1000 can match its strength. Only one I can think of that beats it is the Freedom Arms in .357. N Frames, forget it, not even close. And, it's uber-accurate. Being a single action, of course it goes best with a lever gun, no question there!

 

[jjohnson]

Ruger Blackhawk. Convertible if you can find one.

Ponder a Blackhawk Convertible so you can shoot your 9mm ammo in it just for fun sometime.

The beauty of it is that if you ever handload 9mm that your bottomfeeders don't like you can feed 'em to the Blackhawk, which will just giggle when you do.

I'd look for used blackhawks at gun shows or pawn shops. Maybe - just maybe - somebody like Elmer Keith could wear one out, but I've never met a mortal human that could. Since Blackhawks aren't ninja cool, they've never really been high priced.... the 5 1/2" barrel is a very good length. My 4 5/8 feels a little butt heavy, but is one very good shooter. It'll go well with your lever action.

 

[Colt46]

Ruger's discountinued sixes

Their Service and Security Six lines are really fine, underapprecitated revolvers.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Gunshow in the neighborhood tomorrow and Sunday. For the first time ever I'll be focused on the wheelguns.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Got in my pick-up this morning and drove 30 miles to the gunshow. There was one convertible Blackhawk in the whole place, used. Drove 30 miles home, drove myself nuts. Called a buddy that has been eyeballing the only bottomfeeder I don't shoot. A Springfield V10 .45. Well one thing led to another. Drove 30 miles back to the gunshow........ and I still have other great bottom feeders but now I have a pair of .357s

Meet the addition, my first wheelgun. I was just out getting the boys acquainted and didn't clean em up much for the pics. Still grinning though. 357/38s and a cylinder for 9mm. I figure it's a cowboy revolver with urban tendencies? Urban cowboy?

Thanks for all the advice but if this doesn't stop soon my wife is going to restrict my computer time.

Mark

 

[jaholder1971]

One Word says it all:


NICE!!!!!

 

[kmrcstintn]

last year I owned a Marlin 1894C in .357 mag, but the foreend worked it's way loose twice after the screw that holds the barrel band broke 2 times in a year confused: bad metallurgy ??? or :banghead: lowered QC @ marlin ?!?); at that time I had it paired with a Ruger GP100 (stainless) w/ 6" barrel; did some swapping to get a S&W 629 Powerport & rebuilt the .357 mag collection with a 1978 vintage Ruger Security Six (blued) w/ 4" barrel for $229...cuz it was reblued (priced to my advantage ), a Taurus 651 shrouded hammer (stainless) snubby w/ 2" barrel...stash gun, and a 1978 vintage Ruger New Blackhawk (blued) w/ 4 3/4" barrel...basically me is a happy camper

I have also owned a slew of different S&W 19's, S&W 686's, Taurus 66's, Taurus 605, Ruger GP100's, Ruger SP101's...based upon experience...every Taurus before the 651 had timing or spring problems (the 651's cylinder locks up against the forcing cone when fired hot...this one went back to the manufacturer for repairs...haven't heard back from Taurus yet); I wish I had kept a Ruger SP101 w/ 3" barrel; every other Ruger and S&W I bought in the past were good examples (highly recommed either brand)

 

[MCgunner]

My 3 taurus revolvers are among my favorites for the jobs I bought 'em for. I have a 4" and 3" 66 and a M85SSUL in .38. Superb revolvers. I had a couple of Rugers, Security Six and a SP101, a Rossi M971, and a Smith M19, all gone, Taurus guns are better for one reason or the other, mostly accuracy with the .357s.

The Blackhawk is my hunting .357, very accurate, among the strongest guns in the caliber, and as light as an N frame on the hip. Very good outdoor gun and I've toted it a lot.

That's a handsome combo. My rifle is a Rossi M92 20" rifle, but the Marlin is and excellent choice for a working gun and a great match for the Ruger. The more you own and shoot these things, the more you'll appreciate the versatility, too. I'm going to start hunting more with my Rossi 92. It has gotten neglected for the bolt guns over the years, but I've taken a deer an some small game with it. Fun rifle. I really like how handy these little rifles are, light and fast to the shoulder. I highly recommend a ghost ring aperture sight for hunting. Of course, the marlin can mount a scope, but to me, on a .357 lever gun, that's blasphemy.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Just came in from punching 50 9mm holes in paper out in the backyard. Nice! It takes a lot longer with this SA revolver than it would with my XD but it sure is enjoyable.

 

[wep45]

Go get yourself a S&W model 686, .357 magnum. You will be happy that you did, over and over again.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Due to my new addiction I'm sure there are more advanced wheelguns in my future but for right now slower is more better. I used a buddies DA .357 Smith last week and in single action shooting I think it had a better trigger than my 1911.

 

[batmann]

Since you have a lever action Marlin, the logical companion side arm is a Ruger SA. My choice, since I have one, is a 50th Anniversary Blackhawk. Just something about a good SA and lever combo that seems to fit.

 

[MAGNUM44]

I am looking for a pair of S & W original N frame square target grips, I do not want to deal with E bay if anyone has a contact on these grips I would appreciate it. they must be near new condition, do not want anything that has been beat up etc

 

[76shuvlinoff]

This is my .357 combo for now. Just makes me grin like a kid a Christmas.