Most comfortable revolver chambered in .357?

[Mark-Smith]

I borrowed a friend's Rossi revolver, chambered in .357. It was decent to shoot with, but the tiny grips on that powerful of a load just really didn't work in its favor.

A larger framed revolver with bigger grips would seem to be a better choice. Any (affordable) recommendations?

 

[BCRider]

Weight counts for a lot in taming recoil.

My S&W N framed Model 28 Highway Patrolman soaks up recoil and makes full house loads easy to take which in my lighter Model 19 smack the hand pretty darn hard.

 

[Trahma Hownd]

I do not own multiple 357 revolvers, so I cannot necessarily make comparisons, but I find my 4" Ruger GP100 very easy to shoot with full 357 loads. It's weighty yet balanced and I find the stock grips to be quite nice.

 

[glockgod]

Ruger Blackhawk 61/2"-Nuff said!

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Try a Dan Wesson 15-2 with several different grips.
The shorter trigger pull seems to help some folks with recoil also.

The Rossi might be fine with the right grips too.

 

[MachIVshooter]

N frame S&W (27, 28), the big Dan Wessons, Ruger Redhawk (good luck finding one).

Of the common and more affordable variety, the S&W L-frame (686) or Ruger GP-100. Between the two, my vote goes to S&W.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

A Colt King Cobra with it's stock grips is pretty darn sweet to shoot even with stout loads.

 

[357 Terms]

+1 on the Blackhawk. My 6.5in ss 357 just rolls with it, even with my full house hunting loads.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

You want something with some weight to it (a so-called "light heavyweight" frame, e.g., the Ruger GP100 or S&W 686), and, even more importantly, a well shaped grip, to come anywhere near "comfortable" to shoot with magnums.

 

[cackalak]

I'd say Ruger GP100, Black/Redhawk with ~6" barrel. I'd say Smith, too, but he said affordable.

 

[MtnSpur]

S&W 66 4" barrel is not only a well balanced, accurate weapon it eats .357 like candy. I bought a police stamped that had pachs on it and recoil was negligible. I put Ahrends on her and still very pleased. I paid $450 w/holster SS and consider it to be the best buy I ever made.

 

[buckeyed]

I will take a OM blackhawk any day I will put 100 full house rounds down range at a time and not think anything of it

 

[Overkilll0084]

Generally, larger is better when it comes to magnum revolvers and felt recoil. Additionally, well fitting grips take some of the sting out of things as well. Different (larger) grips would probably make the Rossi more manageable.

 

[LTR shooter]

Having owned around 16 handguns in 357 mag through the years with various grips and barrel lengths the really comfortable ones were Smith 6" 686s with Hogue rubber grips. The 6 1/2" Ruger Blackhawks really tame the recoil.

The right grip can make all the difference , fired a short barrel K-frame with checkered wood grips and it was uncomfortable from the very first round. With a Hogue rubber grip there was no discomfort at all.

 

[glockky]

I dont have alot to compare it too but I like my 686

 

[PO2Hammer]

Weight is not everything.
The Ruger Blackhawk is the softest shooting .357 to me. I traded mine for a F/A model 97. The 97 is heavier, but it's vertical Bisley style grip does not roll up in the hand as nicely as the Blackhawk.
Even in .45 Colt with fairly heavy loads (255 @ 950 fps), the Blackhawk rolls up nicely, as long as you have smooth wood grips. The new plastic checkered grips really grate your skin.
Double action revolvers need more weight to tame recoil, because they don't roll at all.
I should know, I'm a recoil wimp.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I always liked my S&W 686 with 6" barrel with Pachmayr Presentation Grips (the ones without the finger grooves and having the large base).

 

[MMCSRET]

I have or have owned Rugers, Colts, S&W, Taurus, Rossi, and a few others like Astra. Had at least one of all Ruger and S&W frame sizes, had Colt Troopers, Pythons, King Cobra. Of them all my Trooper Mark III transfers less felt recoil to my hand and wrist than any of the others. Probably the worst for felt recoil are the K frame S&W and the Model 66 Taurus. Those two are too light for a steady diet of 158, 180, or 200 grain 357 hand loads.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'd say Ruger GP100, Black/Redhawk with ~6" barrel. I'd say Smith, too, but he said affordable.

About a $150 average price difference for a new GP-100 vs. a New 686. That's a big difference when comparing rimfire plinkers, but not that much when already in the $500-$700 range for a centerfire revolver.

Ruger:

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=gvwFTsSGO-yOsAKK3sHCDQ&ved=0CE4Q8wIwAA#

S&W:

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=tPwFTtGDHcyosAKZ9pjnDQ&ved=0CFEQ8wIwAQ#

 

[Tomcat47]

I vote GP100 as well....And I used to enjoy my Security Six but GP is definately nicer!

And I will just have to say my Taurus 608 is the sweetest to shoot heavier bullets through.....but it is a Large firearm! Larger frame than the Rossi you shot!

Affordable though! They have 4" and I have the 6-1/2" myself!

The Sweetest .357 I ever had (not revolver) was Stainless Desert Eagle!
Major Sweeeetttnessss! Also had .41 & .44 Magnum...Too Much Fun NOT AFFORDABLE .... just fun!

 

[Smith357]

Over the years I have found just changing grips can make a huge difference on how comfortable a gun is to shoot. I went through quite a few different styles of grips on my custom 586 until I finally settled on a pair of Pachmayer Decelerators. Yes they are ugly rubber grips and though not near as pretty as the custom exotic woods but they work well in taming the recoil of full house loads. I use the pretty wood for show and the rubbers for go.

 

[critter]

Buddy of mine just bought a lightly used Ruger Redhawk in .357. Like shooting a .22.

 

[Iggy]

N frame Smiths or Colt Pythons.

 

[elano]

Honestly, I find my Rossi (interarms) m851 with its stock target grips more comfortable to shoot 38s in than my S&W model 65 and Ruger Speed Six. Maybe it's the full underlug, but that cheap $150 gun shoots good! Great trigger too.



Edit: This was made before Taurus started making them.

 

[deerhearse]

Shooting full-house .357's through my 6 inch GP100 is actually comfortable (with ear plugs) recoil wise! The mass and tank-like quality of the gun with the comfortable Hogue grip make it an absolute joy to shoot!