I don't have. S&W 357 snub, but need one

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TennJed

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So I have one glaring omission from my collection (ok maybe more than one). I do not have a snub nose S&W 357.

I want to pick one up, not necessarily a carry gun, just want to add something I don't have. Blued or SS, doesn't matter. I would want to keep it under 750 or so (give or take $100)

Off the top of my head I would probably want a 686, 7 shot. Just because it is unique. I don't care one way or the other about the internal lock. It doesn't bother me, but was wondering what are some of the older classic 357 snubs to look at? I am not well versed in Smith's models.

If I could find one for $500 or less even better
 
The Model 66 in 2.5" barreled trim is regarded as perhaps the all-time classic -- and perfect -- .357 snubby. A 19 in blued for those that don't worry about holster wear ...
 
S&W actually has a few M686 and M686+ short barrel revolvers.
In the M686 they have a 2.5" barrel model.
In the M686+ they have a 2.5" barrel and 3" barrel models.
Talo is making a 3" M586 too.

But buying any of them new will cost you over $800 so the used market is probably where you will have to look. If it were me looking to add a K/L frame snub nose revolver I would be looking for a used short barrel K frame M13, M19, M65 or M66. (with the focus on the M19)

Since I noticed you said you weren't good with the S&W models.
The Model 13 is Blue with fixed sights.
The Model 19 is Blue with adjustable sights.
The Model 65 is Stainless with fixed sights
The Model 66 is Stainless with adjustable sights.
 
You mean like this?

iuk3.jpg


bd7j.jpg


(If you do get the seven shot model be aware that you aren't going to be able to find any speedloaders for it; and who would carry a revolver, nowadays, without a couple of speed loads!)
 
My first choice in a S&W .357 snubbie would be a Model 19. Just something inherently classic about that revolver. If not that then a 2.5" barreled Model 686 would also do quite nicely.
 
I have a 65-3 with 3" bbl. You're right if you don't have one you need one. Mine was just under $400 otd 3yrs ago don't know what they are running now.
 
A snub 686 is a great gun, built like a tank and fun to shoot, I wouldn't want to pack one all day. If you can find a clean 2 1/2" 66 BUY IT!
 
You know it would be punishing to shoot, right? So many have big ideas about these guns and wind up shooting little but .38 Spl.

A 4" is where the greatness begins in my opinion. I carry the 686 high and tight all day and every day, and it is a pleasure to shoot loaded to sub-magnum level. I am using 6.5g SR4756 and 158g LSWC for range time.

For SD I am using full loads by Double Tap.
 
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Don't forget to take a look at Model 27's
Santagrips.jpg

You pick one up and you may not be able to put it back down.
 
7 Shot Speedloaders

"If you do get the seven shot model be aware that you aren't going to be able to find any speedloaders for it;"

HKS makes speedloaders for the 7 shot as had some for a 686+ Mountain Gun. Others make the 7 shot and 8 shot speedloaders for various models such as Star and SL Variant.
 
RealGun said:
You know it would be punishing to shoot, right? So many have big ideas about these guns and wind up shooting little but .38 Spl.

A 4" is where the greatness begins in my opinion. I carry the 686 high and tight all day and every day, and it is a pleasure to shoot loaded to sub-magnum level. I am using 6.5g SR4756 and 158g LSWC for range time.

For SD I am using full loads by Double Tap.
Click to expand...

I have had a SP101 and currently have 2" Taurus 617, both in 357 and neither were punishing to shoot. I have shot plenty of 357s out if snub nose revolvers so it is not any big idea.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys
 
All this talk about the S&W Model 19 being a, 'good 357 Magnum' handgun!

Perhaps someone should point out that Smith's Model 19 was NEVER a strong 357 Magnum pistol. How do I know? Well, ....... I used to shoot mine a lot; and then, one day, the forcing cone cracked and it blew up!

After that I began meeting lots of other Model 19 owners who'd had the same thing happen to them. Smith & Wesson was good about it, though. In my situation they gave me a brand new Model 627 FOR FREE! (What the factory wouldn't return to me, though, was the cost of an Austin Behlert action job - which was expensive! THAT I had to, 'eat'.)
 
Perhaps someone should point out that Smith's Model 19 was NEVER a strong 357 Magnum pistol. How do I know? Well, ....... I used to shoot mine a lot; and then, one day, the forcing cone cracked and it blew up!
Click to expand...
Ive been hearing this a lot around the internet of late. Im hoping its not as common as its starting to sound.

I have two 19's that I shoot quite a bit, a 4" and a 2.5". While I normally only shoot 357mag's through them, they arent generally "hot" loads, so, so far, so good.

Austin Behlert is a name I havent heard in awhile. I used to live about 5 minutes from his shop there in Pipersville. He always had some interesting things in the case, especially the HP's and Walthers.

You know it would be punishing to shoot, right? So many have big ideas about these guns and wind up shooting little but .38 Spl.
Click to expand...
I have and have had a number of snubbies and the answer here is really, "it depends", and thats regardless of caliber. My model S&W .357mag Model 60 was not fun to shoot, my Model 19 is very pleasant, even with hotter loads. Both are steel guns. My Airweight .38's are not fun at all to shoot. I can shoot my 19 all day, I can barely make a box of 50 with the Airweights anymore.
 
Ive been hearing this a lot around the internet of late. Im hoping its not as common as its starting to sound.

I have two 19's that I shoot quite a bit, a 4" and a 2.5". While I normally only shoot 357mag's through them, they arent generally "hot" loads, so, so far, so good.

Austin Behlert is a name I havent heard in awhile. I used to live about 5 minutes from his shop there in Pipersville. He always had some interesting things in the case, especially the HP's and Walthers.
Click to expand...

According to the S&W factory: IT IS COMMON! That is, 'Why' Model 19's (owned by the original purchaser) are being replaced at no charge with another S&W pistol-of-choice. It is, also, the reason, 'Why' Smith invented the much stronger, 'L Frame'.

Don't get me wrong! The Model 19 is a nicely proportioned, very good looking pistol - I loved mine! The real problem is that Smith, 'got cheap', and built it on their, 'K Frame'. If you continue to use your Model 19 with relatively light loads you should be able to continue shooting it for many years to come.

For many years Austin, Frank, Art Leckie, (Austin's son-in-law) and I were personal friends. Frank and I used to go shooting together; and I went deer hunting in New Hampshire with Ben Killam, one of their senior gunsmiths.

Frank, by the way, was a very very good IPSC pistol shooter. On my best day - my best day - I could barely keep up with him! The only person in Austin's family that I never met, or socialized with was the older brother, Bill.

I still have a Walther PPK-S that Behlert Custom set up for me. It's totally reliable, and really is a beautiful little pistol.
 
I have had a SP101 and currently have 2" Taurus 617, both in 357 and neither were punishing to shoot. I have shot plenty of 357s out if snub nose revolvers so it is not any big idea.
Click to expand...

What a man!
 
Glock Doctor said:
According to the S&W factory: IT IS COMMON! That is, 'Why' Model 19's (owned by the original purchaser) are being replaced at no charge with another S&W pistol-of-choice. It is, also, the reason, 'Why' Smith invented the much stronger, 'L Frame'.

Don't get me wrong! The Model 19 is a nicely proportioned, very good looking pistol - I loved mine! The real problem is that Smith, 'got cheap', and built it on their, 'K Frame'. If you continue to use your Model 19 with relatively light loads you should be able to continue shooting it for many years to come.
Click to expand...
It certainly can and does occur, and seems largely relegated to the K-frames designed for .357, but it's misleading for a S&W rep or anyone else to call it common. Where are the hard numbers? Piles of anecdotal reportage on the S&W forums indicates it's actually quite uncommon and tends to be associated with two things: shooting hot, lightweight .357 Magnum loads, and failure to regularly clean around the forcing cone and top strap.

And the Model 19's origins weren't based on going cheap. On the contrary, S&W spent coin developing a .357 capable K-frame when they already had the sturdier and proven N-frame; they did this at Bill Jordan's request, as many in law enforcement complained that they needed a .357 capable revolver that wasn't as heavy to carry and bring into action as an N-frame. The Model 19 and its twin the 66 were the result, and were never meant for a regular diet of .357, but instead .38 Special for regular practice and .357 for occasional practice and everyday carry.

For intended purpose, the 19s and 66s were huge successes, and used as intended will last.
 
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