Ghost Tracker
Member
Ruger - Blackhawk (flat top, 3 screw), 4.75"
Colt - Python, Blue, 4"
S&W - Model 19, ~2"
Colt - Python, Blue, 4"
S&W - Model 19, ~2"
Quintessential .357 Revolvers
- Thread starter HDCamel
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agree with Stainz
Gee whiz, I have a pair just like that! Had 2 Pythons , a SS snubby bought new last tinme they made them and a blue 4" -they were both good shooters but didnot fit me as nicely as he S&W's. Dont know about the others. These are my picks.
Stainz, where did you get the double chrome plated CNC speed loaders ? Nice
Gee whiz, I have a pair just like that! Had 2 Pythons , a SS snubby bought new last tinme they made them and a blue 4" -they were both good shooters but didnot fit me as nicely as he S&W's. Dont know about the others. These are my picks.
Stainz, where did you get the double chrome plated CNC speed loaders ? Nice
BCRider
Member
What determines if a particular model is a definitive offering? Magazine ads and articles that created product recognition of the time? Newspaper stories about specific gun fights? Numbers sold to the various LEO agencies and the many years of use for a given model?
If this last one means anything then would the lowly Model 13 deserve a spot on this "iconic" pedistal?
If this last one means anything then would the lowly Model 13 deserve a spot on this "iconic" pedistal?
MCgunner
Member
Colt = Python
Ruger = GP100
S&W = 686
Taurus = M66
Ruger = GP100
S&W = 686
Taurus = M66
Generally if it's one that's heavily identified with the company.
When you hear "X company" you think "Y gun".
Also, I've rethought my original criteria. I don't really see any reason to limit myself to one offering from each company if they offer a number of different, but equally definitive designs.
Stainz
Member
HiVel1, etc,
The loading 2 x 8 baseplate and a #8N Speedloader are both machined aluminum and comprise a 'Bedside Block Kit' for $32.50 + s/h from 5starfirearms.com. Great products... and they make them for other examples of 'quintessential .357 Magnums', too!
Stainz
The loading 2 x 8 baseplate and a #8N Speedloader are both machined aluminum and comprise a 'Bedside Block Kit' for $32.50 + s/h from 5starfirearms.com. Great products... and they make them for other examples of 'quintessential .357 Magnums', too!
Stainz
oldfool
Member
Quintessential .357 Revolvers
I am more of a k-frame or Ruger DA "six" series guy, myself, mundane tastes
but I would nonetheless have to vote for
S&W 27
Colt Python
Ruger Blackhawk
no matter how great the others are, I could live with those three
PS
no disrespect at all to other choices implied
but if S&W had not done the 27, I sort of wonder if Colt really would have done the Python,
and if Dan Wesson just might have been more inclined to stick with great 38sp bullseye guns
and if Bill Ruger had not done the Blackhawk, I wonder if Freedom Arms would be what they have become
I guess that's what "quintessential" connotes to me
and if Bill Jordan had not promoted k-frames, I might not have ever found out what's "best for me", but that's not quite the same thing
I am more of a k-frame or Ruger DA "six" series guy, myself, mundane tastes
but I would nonetheless have to vote for
S&W 27
Colt Python
Ruger Blackhawk
no matter how great the others are, I could live with those three
PS
no disrespect at all to other choices implied
but if S&W had not done the 27, I sort of wonder if Colt really would have done the Python,
and if Dan Wesson just might have been more inclined to stick with great 38sp bullseye guns
and if Bill Ruger had not done the Blackhawk, I wonder if Freedom Arms would be what they have become
I guess that's what "quintessential" connotes to me
and if Bill Jordan had not promoted k-frames, I might not have ever found out what's "best for me", but that's not quite the same thing
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DC Plumber
Member
That is definitely a tough one. I have a 4" 19-4 and a 4" 586-0. Maybe because I'm 6'4" and 225 lb. I like the heavier frame, so I have to go with the 586.
I've held and shot 27/28s and 2" 19s, GP100s and a 4" Python.
Heft, smooth, quality, slick trigger, looks, price................I gotta go 4" 586. It may possibly be my #1 most favorite handgun. I could go on and on, but I won't. I love it.
I've held and shot 27/28s and 2" 19s, GP100s and a 4" Python.
Heft, smooth, quality, slick trigger, looks, price................I gotta go 4" 586. It may possibly be my #1 most favorite handgun. I could go on and on, but I won't. I love it.
sixgunner455
Member
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- Aug 25, 2006
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- 3,052
S&W - a 19 or a 13. I have a 13.
Colt - a King Cobra or a Python. Shot some Pythons, and they are ... awesome. But that King Cobra was nearly mine, a couple of decades ago, and I'd still look at getting one.
Ruger - Blackhawk.
Colt - a King Cobra or a Python. Shot some Pythons, and they are ... awesome. But that King Cobra was nearly mine, a couple of decades ago, and I'd still look at getting one.
Ruger - Blackhawk.
TimM
Member
Colt Magnum Carry
S&W 686+ (581 a close second)
Ruger GP100
Dan Wesson Model 15
Chiappa Rhino
Freedom Arms 97
Then of course there's
Taurus
Rossi
Charter Arms
S&W 686+ (581 a close second)
Ruger GP100
Dan Wesson Model 15
Chiappa Rhino
Freedom Arms 97
Then of course there's
Taurus
Rossi
Charter Arms
BCRider
Member
HDCamel said:
Well in that case with Colt it would be the Python.
With S&W it's not so clear. But since you're after THE .357Magnum that started it all I'd have to say that what you want is the pre-number "Registered Magnum" since that's the one that started the main part of the original .357Mag craze. SInce it's an N frame it wouldn't be all that much of a stretch to "update" to a Model 27 or 28. While the 586 and 686 are what everyone thinks about these days they are actually the ones that came out the most recently in the product line.
For Ruger I dunno.... To me, given my short time in the shooting sport, my nod would have to go to the Blackhawk SA or Vaquero. I tend to have to do a mental shift to think of a Ruger as being anything other than a 10-22 rifle, Mark I, II or III .22 pistol or a Blackhawk SA revolver. Although I tend to drool a bit from the corner of my mouth and swoon a little at the sight of a really nice old Security Six picture.
As for the other companies I don't really see them as having a truly definitive model. They just make guns and I don't really think of them as having any one model that really jumps out at me. That being Rossi and Taurus... which I guess are pretty much the same thing these days.
)
Confederate
Member
Whoooaa...with add due respect sir, the Security-Six has to be Ruger's .357 flagship.
Why?
At the time it was produced, it was many times stronger than its competition. While the S&W K-frames would fire about 2,000 hot magnum rounds without parts replacement, Skeeter Skelton said he knew of three Security-Sixes that had 30,000 magnum rounds each. One was spitting a little, he said, but it was still serviceable. Colt's Python was hard to beat from an accuracy standpoint, but it still has a tiny pawl/hand that wears quickly. Some shooters have hard chromed their pawls to stop the wear, but the Security-Six still beat it strengthwise.
The 686 has to be the flagship of S&W, but the Ruger GP-100 can't match the accuracy and it's a toss-up in strength. And while it may be a tad stronger than the 686, it doesn't add any real advantages over the S&W.
Bill Ruger said he never made a dime off the Security-Six revolvers, but it was a powerhouse medium-frame gun, and the 6-incher was a fantastic hunting pistol! The GP-100 is a bit chunky and picking up a moving target with full underlug barrels is a real challenge. Carrying the 6-inch hunting or camping is just not something I'd enjoy. But I did think the S&W 66 and Ruger Security-Six were astounding.
Just my view. Other opinions may vary.
OldCavSoldier
Member
For me, given my penchant for plain, no-bling handguns:
Colt Trooper Mk III - 4 inch (have one)
S&W Tie between Highway Patrolman - 6 inch (have one) and 686 - 3 inch (have one)
Ruger Security Six - 2 3/4 inch - blued (have one)
Have not fired a DW in decades....cannot comment.....
Colt Trooper Mk III - 4 inch (have one)
S&W Tie between Highway Patrolman - 6 inch (have one) and 686 - 3 inch (have one)
Ruger Security Six - 2 3/4 inch - blued (have one)
Have not fired a DW in decades....cannot comment.....
oldbear
Member
Sadly, IMHO no one longer makes a premier revolver such as the Colt Python or the S&W M-27 any longer, I guess the cost is Prohibitive. It's sad that neither of these fine companies are unwilling to produce a niche market revolver.
BCRider
Member
Actually at least ONE company is still making the effort. The 27 appears as currently made in S&W's Classic lineup.
Now I know this includes such "updates" as the internal lock and likely some MIM parts. But that's a whole other topic.
Now I know this includes such "updates" as the internal lock and likely some MIM parts. But that's a whole other topic.
Arizonagunrunner
member
S&W = Model 19
Ruger = Security Six
Colt = Python
But for me I would take a Ruger Speed Six, then a Colt King Cobra and I would take a S&W model 27.
Ruger = Security Six
Colt = Python
But for me I would take a Ruger Speed Six, then a Colt King Cobra and I would take a S&W model 27.
madcratebuilder
Member
Smith&Wesson M27 N frame or MX86 L frame
Ruger Security Six
Dan Wesson M15-2
Ruger Security Six
Dan Wesson M15-2
Flint Ridge
Member
Smith 27-2 for me. (another on the way too)
66's aren't bad either
66's aren't bad either
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