Most comfortable revolver chambered in .357?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Buddy of mine just bought a lightly used Ruger Redhawk in .357. Like shooting a .22.

Same gun weight to cartridge ratio as a S&W 27 or 28, and yes, very soft shooting. Also very big.

That said, finding a Ruger Redhawk in .357 usually requires extensive searching, patience and a bit of luck.
 
BTW, I had a stainless 971 Rossi for quite a while. It was only about 32 ounces, but for some reason, the felt recoil was less than my Ruger Security Six. I really liked that weapon for hiking and as an also gun on spot and stalk hunts, but traded it for a gun I wanted more, a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. My Taurus 4" 66 is a bit heavier at 38 ounces, but shoots a bit better and has lighter felt recoil.

Now, I'm thinkin' the Freedom Arms 353 would be pretty light in felt recoil. The thing is huge.

As carry guns go, I'll vote for a Ruger SP101 with Hogue grip for being quite comfy, yet easily carried on a belt.
 
k or n fame with hogues- there are other options too-- but not single actions! if someone says their single action the most comfortable it must be the ONLY revolver they ever shot :p
 
I'd have to recommend the Ruger Bisley Model, due to the excellent grip design. It is used by John Linebaugh when he makes is really big bore (and heavy recoiling) custom revolvers. It should make the .357 into a pussycat.
 
I have shot only a few .357s. A taurus 4inch barrel (don't know the model), a Ruger gp100, smith and wesson 340 M&P, s&w 340sc. The one I could shoot all day comfortably and had the sweetest trigger was the gp100 with the 6 inch barrel.
 
k or n fame with hogues- there are other options too-- but not single actions! if someone says their single action the most comfortable it must be the ONLY revolver they ever shot :p

I owned a M19 and I've fired everything from a Contender to a 12 ounce M340 with heavy loads. The Blackhawk is much easier to shoot than even the k frames. I've fired .44 mag Superblackhawk against M29 and the Superblackhawk won except for that blasted square trigger guard. It just rolls in the hand, not pounds straight back. Of course, you have to know how to hold it with your pinky under it to flip it back for firing. However, I have a much larger grip on my .357 caliber Blackhawk.

vwx4qt.jpg
 
What effect does barrel length have on comfort?

I take it a longer, heavier barrel would make the gun jump less. More accurate as well (if there's any difference in accuracy between a 4" and a 6" barrel)?
 
My Blackhawk is pretty comfy, but I once had one of those titanium 357 snubbies......... It was brutal and painful.
 
Have to agree; my 4" GP100 is an absolute joy to shoot with full power loads. Only issue is the massive report. Double ear protection a must; indoor range sessions...."stunning." Avoid indoor ranges.
 
I had a GP100 that I really had fun shooting full house magnums out of. It was 6" blued. 38 spl kicked less than my cz 75, and magnums just burned my hands a little because of the cylinder gap (take the good with the bad :D)

It was funny because one day my brother and a friend were shooting their 1911, and Beretta 92. (respectively) I walked up with the GP100: BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM. My brother said the percussion wave hitting his face hurt lol.
I loved that thing, but I had to pay the dmv to register my vehicle, etc so it had to go.
Im saving for a super redhawk now (hehehehe)
 
Mark-Smith ...What effect does barrel length have on comfort?...

A longer barrel will get the muzzle blast futher away from your ears and that helps with recoil control. It also moves the balance point out a bit and that may help you fire more accurately. A longer sight radius also is an advantage. And a little more weight.

As for the original question, I used to be a big fan of the 357 Magnum cartridge, (I have since moderated my opinion) and fired a lot of magnum loads down range. In my hands and for my purpose, a double action revolver was the correct choice and S&W made the ideal revolvers for me. I eventually ended up with the Model 686 as it combined the weight of the M27 but gave me the grip frame closer in size to the M19. Combined with a set of stocks that fit my hand, it made a great combination. Enough so that I purchased a second 686 (but with 4" barrel) and used it on duty.

For me the single action revolvers were not accurate enough to warrant consideration, nor did they tame the recoil unless very heavy.
 
Last edited:
asia331 said:
...indoor range sessions...."stunning." Avoid indoor ranges...

Ha! No, no...the indoor ranges are great. I love the look on people's faces getting an earful of KA-BOOM's from my hand cannons after shooting their little plastic 9mm's. You'd thunk they've never seen a revolver before, because I usually hear a comment like, "what kind of a gun is that?"
 
Again, these thread is opinion only. Everybodys experience will vary so the answers with be different.
As for me. I own four S&W K frame magnums. I own a S&W 686. I own three Ruger 357s. One Police Service Six, GP100 and a New model Blackhawk 4 5/8 barrel. I did own a S&W model 28-2 4 inch.
I believe like others have said that weight does make shooting 357 magnums easier. Also grip size and whether a revolver has a full underlug or half underlug. The model 28 I once had was a joy in taming the 357 round. But do to my small hands the revolver was still uncomfortable to shoot. Trigger reach was hard for me with short fingers. My K frame magnums are a joy to shoot but not for 357 magnums. Same with my Ruger Police Service Six. My 686 and my GP100 fits my hand almost as well as my K frames. My only grip is both have full underlug barrels and shooting 357s after a while makes the revolver seem muzzle heavy. Last is my Blackhawk. This revolver tames recoil very well. Plus because there is not as much weight on the muzzle I can shoot longer without getting tired.
For me I would pick my Blackhawk.
Regards,
Howard
 
it's all about personal fit IMO, ergonomics more that weight to recoil ratio

for me, it's 6" K-frames with traditional fat butt wood (despite having small hands)
but I don't run a whole lot of 357 all hat often, though 50 rounds worth is no problem when I do, just being so accustomed to the gun(s).
I don't much notice the difference between 38sp and 38+P in 'em, unless paying close attention (have been known to shoot up a box of +P before noticing it was +P). You notice 357 vs 38 of course, but it's really no big deal.
 
I have shot only a few .357s. A taurus 4inch barrel (don't know the model), a Ruger gp100, smith and wesson 340 M&P, s&w 340sc. The one I could shoot all day comfortably and had the sweetest trigger was the gp100 with the 6 inch barrel.
In line with what I posted earlier, I agree with dagerv on 6" GP100! :) Absolute comfort to shoot! Just had to say it again!
 
Well, maybe I'm a masochist, but I don't find a SP101 with a Hogue grip all that unpleasant to shoot and it's one HECK of a lot easier to conceal than a GP100 or 4" anything. I don't go lighter than the SP101, though, or maybe a J frame (couple of ounces less). The scandium/titanium stuff HURTS with heavy loads. I currently carry a 3" Taurus 66 on occasion, about the size of a K frame, and it's easier to shoot than a SP101, but I don't find the SP101 (I had one for a while) that tough.
 
MCgunner said:
Well, maybe I'm a masochist, but I don't find a SP101 with a Hogue grip all that unpleasant to shoot and it's one HECK of a lot easier to conceal than a GP100 or 4" anything. I don't go lighter than the SP101, though, or maybe a J frame (couple of ounces less). The scandium/titanium stuff HURTS with heavy loads. I currently carry a 3" Taurus 66 on occasion, about the size of a K frame, and it's easier to shoot than a SP101, but I don't find the SP101 (I had one for a while) that tough

I think the SP is tolerable (I have a 3" 357 with Hogue), but definitely not what I'd call comfortable. But then again, I'm not what you'd call "macho" either. :D I do love my SP, though.
 
Awwwww,cyclopsshooter. That ain't nice. :evil:

"if someone says their single action(sic) the most comfortable it must be the ONLY revolver they ever shot ".

The plow handle lends it self to diverting recoil. The old six shooter will roll barrel up and, if held properly, rotate in the hand 'til the web of the hand is close to the hammer. I can attest to this fact because I own and shoot a 3 screw 7 1/2" SuperBlackhawk in 44 Mag.

I also own a 6 1/2" nickel M29 in 44 Mag. That sucker, especially with the factory grips, will slap (learned that word when I got to NC) hurt your hands. The recoil is straight back and, compared to the SBH, barrel rise is somewhat negligble. When I bought the Smith back in the 70s, I quickly rushed to the sporting goods store and bought a big, cushy, rubber Hogue.

I am aware that this is pretty much subjective but I dare say that the experienced single action shooters will agree.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top