I'm looking for a .357 revolver. Suggestions?

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Grab a Dan Wesson M15-2 while you can. Present prices for excellent condition used models are still under $500 but new models are retailing for $1100 and more and it's the same firearm. The prices for the used ones are going to increase, sure as shootin'. The multi-barrel Pistol Pacs are probably going thru the roof. They've already increased by 25+% in the past year.
 
I would seriously consider the gp 100s also. I went with the Blackhawk for my woods gun, but my caliber choice was .44, and the Redhawk was too big for my tastes.
I kinda like the loading of a single action, and with practice can be done fairly quickly. And there are fewer things to break on it.
For a .357, a smaller than redhawk DA revolver would be sweet.
 
I have the .357 Blackhawk convertible. 6.5" barrel is too front end heavy for me. My 4 5/8" .45 Colt has better balance for me, as does the 5" Stainless Steel .45 Colt.

I do not have a Ruger double action. I do have some S&Ws. I bought a great used model 19-3 4" on Gun Broker for just over $500. Love it. Also got the 6", very nice but the 4" is "handier". I also bought the S&W 620 4", but that's over your budget.

My .357s shoot 98% .38 Special target loads, so will outlive me by two lifetimes.
 
I picked up the Ruger GP100 6" with a full lug as my first (and only, so far) revolver. I have to say, I'm extremely satisfied with it. The weight makes it handle .357's nicely, and .38's are pretty gentle in it. Highly recommended! If you really want SA, then I'd go with the Ruger Blackhawk.
 
I'm torn between the Taurus 66 6" SS and the GP 100. Like the price better on the Taurus. Both seem to have pretty good triggers. The first of either I can find for under $400.00 will probably do!
 
MushroomxSpider:

I noticed most of the suggestions here are double action. You said a single action:

A Ruger Blackhawk is a great option, especially if you're looking for a gun with adjustable sights.
But be aware, the Blackhawk, while a great gun, was too big for me because I have smaller hands.
So I sold it.

A Ruger Vaquero would be a good option for fixed sights, but then for $100 less you could get a Uberti. I have 2 Ubertis & just love 'em.
Their as accurate as can be. But I reload my own, so I have the ammo tailor-made for my guns.
 
After doing some more looking around and reading some really good stuff about the GP-100, I think I've decided to find one in 4". Is there any functional difference whether it is blued or stainless steel, or is it just eye-of-the-beholder?
I like the looks of both, but I definitely want to find one with the rosewood grips (or find them aftermarket). That bit of color really makes it shine, IMHO. Although if I find a quality used for a great price I won't pass it up on account of the grips.
 
After doing some more looking around and reading some really good stuff about the GP-100, I think I've decided to find one in 4". Is there any functional difference whether it is blued or stainless steel, or is it just eye-of-the-beholder?
I like the looks of both, but I definitely want to find one with the rosewood grips (or find them aftermarket). That bit of color really makes it shine, IMHO. Although if I find a quality used for a great price I won't pass it up on account of the grips.
Click to expand...

Mushroomxspider, if you are going the Ruger route I would suggest a 4" Security Six instead. You original post mentioned carry and I find the GP100 to be too heavy to haul around. Your choice though.

The stainless will better resist rusting and won't show scratches as badly. Also, the turn line on the cylinder will be more evident with bluing. There isn't really that much functional difference so just go with the one that looks better to you.
 
I bought a Stainless over a blued gun and glad I did. You have to be careful with the blued gun when cleaning and you can't use a lead removal cloth on the blued. No doubt Stainless! Pretty too :)

The 5" barrel would be neat but I opted for a 4" and glad I did. The 6" has just to long of barrel for a nightstand and such. Also have to look who may handle it. My Fiance shoots the 4" fine but the added weight of the 6" may have been too much. CT Grip it with a HiViz front and you have one mean piece of metal defense!
 
My personal preference is a double action.. If you are going double action, any revolver made by Smith is a good place to start. Minimum .38/357 for CCW

Single action, can't beat a Ruger.. .41 or 45... cause bigger is better... IF YOU CAN HIT WITH IT......... If the bigger bores are not your cup of tea, again 38/357..
 
For a first gun, it's hard to beat a 4" S&W M686. The mid-sized L-frame will handle just about any load, you can get it in "Plus" configuration (7 rounds instead of just 6), single-action accuracy or double-action trigger practice (your choice),it's easy to find accessories, and many (most?) were built without the internal lock. Also, it seems there are quite a few listed on GunBroker for less than $600.
 
You have some great options here so I will address the open carry situation.

I would not open (or conceal) carry a single action revolver, as that just takes too much time to manipulate the hammer and fire if you would actually need it.
 
I've a 6.5" Blackhawk, too.


You might think it "front heavy", but it shoots like a laser and is strong as a tank....:D I really prefer it to my DA guns for outdoor carry BECAUSE they're strong and quick is not needed, accurate is. Besides, I can get off a pretty quick first shot, usually cock the hammer instinctively on the draw even with DA guns. I've worked to get out of that habit for self defense, but it really doesn't seem to affect me with the autos I'm usually totin'. The Blackhawk is a bit heavy, but I've carried it all day in the field a lot.

There is not the need for speed in the field. Accuracy at distance is what gets it done. I never fire DA in the field at game, wouldn't at an attacking animal or whatever your scenario is. Once shot a wounded hog attacking from 20 yards. Shot him with a DA gun, but fired SA.
 
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When I posted last night, I didn't notice the responses had already spilled over into page two :D

I'm going to check out the Washington Arms Collectors' May gun show with my brothers, so I think I'll make a list of all your guys' suggestions and try to get my hands on some. I'm not gonna lie, a large part of my consideration has to do with how the firearm looks.

As for single action v. double action, I think as long as I have the option for single action firing I'll be fine. Of the points I listed as 'wants', wanting a SA was the point I was least sure about. After thinking more about it, I guess it should read like "I'm not opposed to single-action-only". Having the swing open cylinder is more important to me than being single action (so no blackhawk). It's just not a detail I thought to mention in the OP.

As far as other calibers go, I'm dead-set on .357. :D I don't want a large frame revolver (too big and shiny for my tastes), and I like the option to use .38spc for target practice in the same gun. Yup.

So anyways, further suggestions are always welcome! As I said, I'm building up a list to check out at the next gun show. Thanks for everything guys! I'm so glad I finally joined THR :D
 
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Hand feel is SO important. Go to an indoor range that rents and try them all. Borrow your buddies and take him to the range and try his. Try DA and SA. Do a LOT of homework. Mechanically, they almost all work. there are issues with mechanical tune-ups on some of them, but it's not a deal breaker. You have plenty of competent gun smiths in WA.

Shoot everything from 32 Mag to 44 Mag and see what you like when it actually goes bang. 32 is very underated. Most will shoot 32 S&W, 32 Long, and 32 Mag which ain't no slouch. When you get the right one in hand, it will be obvious. When you get a good fit, it just feels right. When you get the right bang and feel, it's magic :)

Single action is fun, but so is double. Uberti up to real honest antique Colts are all out there. You need to see what works for you.
 
Mushroom,

When hiking in snake infested places I keep the first round in my GP100 a bird shot. Rest are slugs. Now if I see something I need to shoot that is not a snake I simple cycle the action by cocking with my thumb and decocking, and then I'm set. That's something my simi-autos can't do so well.

Yes .38s for lots of fun practice and +P .38s for most critters. Then hot magnums when you need some serious power (like I say, Buffalo Bore is the way to go with them.)

I find handloaded .357 that get 1100 fps or so with a 180 gr JHP is plenty for most things. I'd only use the BB stuff if I was deer hunting.

Deaf
 
Here is what my field rig looks like Mushroom.

The pouches in the back have a) survival kit, and b) first aid kit (including a quickclot bandage.)

The knife is an old SOG Government blade (old.. made in japan!) The ammo is Federal Castcore 180 gr. flat point lead slugs. The gun is a GP100 4 incher!

attachment.php


Deaf
 
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Blued resists surface scratching better than stainless, due to the passivation. Surface scratches on stainless look bad to my eye, and they occur easier.

Stainless resists rust better due to chrome in the steel alloy. I have seen stainless guns rust, keep in mind they are not maintenance free.

Blue has a certain heirloom quality to it; stainless seem more utilitarian. There's nothing like a wood-gripped blued revolver shooting lead bullets--they go together like it's meant to be.

I have had stainless revolvers, but I kept my blued ones. Have fun!
 
I love nice blue, but I also love polished stainless, which you won't get in a factory GP...However, they can be polished. I have polished out more than one stainless gun...The good thing about stainless is that if you do scratch it or heavily wear it, you can fix it with the proper technique. Once blue is scratched or worn, it's there for good.
 
Mushroom, after all the posts I have read here, I think you thought you wanted a single action. In that case the Blackhawk would be best. After reading you did not like the way they load and the absence of a swing out cylinder, I would say the GP100 is gonna be your best bet. More affordable than a Colt or S&W, built like a tank, can be fired SA or DA, and can fire .38's or the full power .357's. Combine that with it is a fine looking revolver. Consider the 4" for all around purpose. I'm a Colt guy, but love and highly recommend the Rugers. Good luck and be safe.
 
I'd recommend a S&W Model 19 (I prefer the 19-4) just from my experience. The 686 is also a fantastic gun and both are rock solid.
 
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