reccomend a good 357

[GearHead_1]

Another 686 recommendation here. I prefer it to my GP 100 not for any serious reason I just like the feel of the Smith in my hand but then again I'm actually a fan of the Coke bottle type factory wood grips. I like the feel and the look.

 

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

if you want a entry level there is also the Rossi. i have the M461 which is the 2inch .357mag. they also offer it in 4/6inch versions in blued and stainless.

mine has the fixed sights and i love it. i mainly shoot .38's out of it but the .357's are very manigable. and the fact that it was under $296 out the door and is my primary carry im EXTREMLY impressed with how it works as well as accuracy out of the box as well as the fit/finish.

if you want something a little higher end that you can change grips and such i would look at the ruger's. im looking at one simply for the fact that you can get grips (not that the factory rossi's are bad i actually love them) but also the fact you can get CTC grips for it which i LOVE in a CCW peice.

 

[MCgunner]

Standard answers are 686 and GP100, the eternal "mossberg vs 870" thing for revolvers. I, however, have owned a M19, a Security Six, a Rossi M971, wound up keeping my favorite, a Taurus M66, more accurate, great shooter.

I also have a fantastic 6.5" Blackhawk in the caliber and a little SP101 that's great for IWB carry. Sorta depends on what you want the gun for. A 686 or a GP100 are good range guns and OWB, but not a good CCW or great hunting choice with 4" barrels. The 6"er will make it a bit better choice for hunting. The 4" is good for home defense as will be the other DA choices.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I don't conceal carry my 686 because it is too bulky even in a shoulder rig (I have others for that). I had a Rossi M461 stainless with 2'' barrel that fit me perfectly that I carried until it was stolen from my locked vehicle(couldn't carry on the job). The Rossi would be a good choice for CCW.

 

[hockeybum]

RUGER! i have an sp-101 and it NEVER misses.

 

[kanderson586]

I think the thread started with range play for him and wife, all these ccw things are not factors. Am i wrong?

 

[Warner]

About the guns being discussed,

A gunsmith with 35-years experience once told me that the .357 magnum Smith & Wessons in K and L frames are about as strong as they need to be for "average use", while the older Ruger "Six" series D/A's are at least twice that, and the GP-100's going even a little further yet.

I took that as his comparative indication of how long one of these high-intensity revolvers might last with full-bore loads before needing some type of service. While his opinions seem to have held up over time, please take this as one (experienced) guys thoughts.

W

 

[1895GS]

I feel the GP100 is pretty much the best 357 you can buy. I have a sweet Colt Trooper MkIII, nice trigger, very nice shooter, but I still think the Ruger is a better gun overall. Just a very well designed revolver. Having said that, you might check out what will be my next purchase, a Blackhawk, specifically a 50th anniversary flattop. Haven't seen anything like that mentioned in this thread, but there's nothing wrong with a nice SA.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I had a S&W M619 which is the fixed sight model of the M620. I sold it because I needed a 6 round revolver instead of a 7 round revolver, and that's the only reason. I bought a older 4" M686-2 and I'm glad I did. It's very accurate, has a great trigger and it looks good too! LOL The big target grips are no longer on the revolver because they are just too big but I do like the look.

 

[BikerRN]

I'd have to say a 4" or 6" Ruger GP100 if you were looking for a Target, Hunting or HD gun.

For Concealed Carry and HD I'd have to say a 3" or 4" Ruger GP100. I have had, have and will probably continue to possess Smith & Wesson firearms, but the new ones are not something I desire due to the "Hillary Hole".

I'm becoming a big fan of the Ruger GP100 for the .357 Magnum cartridge.

BikerRN

 

[LKB3rd]

I like the Colt Trooper Mk III, but also really like the Ruger Police Service Six.

Ash

I love Colt's too, and if you don't want to part with the cash for a python, older "non-python" .357's can be found at a more reasonable price and are really nice.
I shoot a lot of .38's with my .357 (Python), definitely more than .357's and I am more accurate than any of my other handguns, save for my .22, and I am roughly equal to that with the .38's. Very mild and easy to shoot.
.357's are fun too, even if just for the big boom and healthy muzzle blasts.

 

[Ash]

Trooper Mk III's can be had used (of course) for similar prices as the Ruger. Yeah, some guys have marked all Colts up, but I picked up a new condition 6" Trooper Mk III for $400, and also a 4" nickel from another guy a few weeks later for a bit less. They are great revolvers. But then, I don't care for the underlug. I once owned a nickeled S&W 586 and, while it was a great revolver, I just didn't like the S&W version of the full-underlug. I'm not a big fan of the Python for the same reason. I owned a Ruger Police Six and deeply regret selling it - but don't at all regret keeping the Trooper over it.

Ash

 

[stevereno1]

ruger gp 100, colt king cobra, s&w 686 (pre 1996), or if you want a GREAT 357... the Colt Python. The revolver that all others want to be when they grow up. The action, the DA trigger, the feel, the great lockwork. WOW!

 

[easyrider604]

Nothing to top end, just the basic, preferably in stainless with maybe a 4 in barrell

The Ruger GP100 will fit your requirements quite nicely.

The SW 686 is prettier (to me) but a little more money. I have and like them both. Your call.

 

[mr.trooper]

IV been seriously jones'ing for a 5" model 60 as of late. Maybe with a set of checkered cocobola grips...

 

[BOOM-BOOM]

No one has mentioned Taurus. so I will, I have a Mod.608 4" barrel 357 mag 8 shoot... shoots as well as any gun I've ever shot. And for 400.00 NIB is nothing to sneer at the money I saved, and it was alot, I manage to fill my lawn mower up with gas....

 

[equitytrader]

Coonan! Somebody had to say it.

 

[Tamlin]

The first .357 I shot was my friend's Rossi snubby. I HATED it! I couldn't even hit the target at 20 yards. But then I found an almost-new Ruger 4" GP100 for a great price, and I LOVE it. I was recoil-shy for a long time (I shot 9mm from a full size Ruger P89 for years because of the low recoil), but now I find that I actually enjoy shooting magnums out of the GP100 - the nice big 158 grainers. And I can put them all in a decent center mass group at 25 yards without a problem. The GP100 is a heavy gun, but I like that. The weight of the gun absorbs a lot of recoil. Shooting .38's out of it feels like shooting a 9mm. I've handled but not shot Smith & Wessons, and if I could have found a Smith 686 for the price I paid for the Ruger, I probably would have bought it. Go with what feels the best in your hand, but keep in mind the price difference.

Good Luck.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

I'm quite pleased with my Taurus M66SS4. Every bit as smooth and accurate as my Smith and my son's GP100. And a lot less expensive.

That said, I really love the S&W 686 and the GP100, just 'cause they're S&W's and Ruger's!

 

[wnycollector]

+1 on a ruger "six", they are good solid working guns that will outlast you!

 

[Black Adder LXX]

Another vote for the GP100. I got mine at Outdoor World and it was even cheaper than Bud's Gun Shop.

 

[Catherine]

I have a S&W Model 686. She is a sweet gun. Sweet shooter from the gitgo... right out of the box as my others were except for adjusting some sites on some of my guns. Mine does not have those 'locks' on them. Mine has a 6 inch barrel, Hogue grips, full lug, holds 6 cartridges - it is not the plus or ported model. I may get some cute wooden grips for it too. Mine came with the Hogue grips. I bought mine NIB and she was the one of my first firearms from 1998 and on. I open carry this one if I am not open carrying my Ruger S/A ones in a leather cowboy belt - 2 holsters rig. I have an Uncle Mike's black shoulder holster that fits this S&W gun very well. I shot 357Magnums because that was my personal protection ammunition at home and I shot TONS of 38Special Plus P too. I even shot some wad cutters a few times too! This is a HOUSE, VEHICLE, and WOODS GUN for me too. So is MY Ruger S/A Revolver Blackhawk 45Colt but you are asking about 357Magnum now! Grin.

I like Ruger and Smith and Wesson firearms very much! I adore others too!

My husband has a Ruger SP 101 (357Magnum.) and he may get another Ruger D/A or S/A one - only bigger. He will keep his SP101. He carries open and concealed.

I liked my S&W Model 60, 3 inch barrel, Uncle Mike's grip, stainless steel = 6 and back when I bought that one it was a close out of the 38 Special Plus P ONLY model not the 357 Magnum one. I sold that one but she was a sweet shooter. I ended up getting a center fire rifle out here when I sold that one... I sold a few items. She SOLD in less than 10 minutes too... I did not lose a cent either.

I am VERY much into Ruger S/A revolvers as some of you already know. I don't own but I have shot some of those single actions in 357Magnums... VERY sweet guns. My Ruger S/A revolvers are in 22LR and in 45Colt aka long colt.

I have owned and still own some bigger caliber guns. For my small and older hands, I do NOT like to shoot any firearm with a BARREL that is shorter than 3 inches long! I have tried it but I do NOT like it at all. ALL of the firearms that I have owned have been two 3 inch barrels and BIGGER barrels in other calibers. My two - 3 inch barrels have been the S&W Model 60 - 38Special Plus P ONLY and the S&W Model 317 - Kit Gun in 22LR.

Some gals/guys don't mind a shorter than 3 inch barrel for conceal or open carry. It depends on the person... for me... thanks but NO thanks.

So... I would highly recommend a S&W Model 686 or a RUGER to you in a D/A or a S/A if that trips your trigger or serves your needs!

Best wishes.

Sincerely,

Catherine

 

[Legionnaire]

Ruger GP100 (top), or SP101 (bottom). The GP is a 4" model, the SP a 2.25"

 

[moooose102]

well, i used to own a s&w model 686 6" stainless it was a G R E A T gun, i am sorry i sold it. you could pick up one of these used, and not do bad. my older brother has a ruger "cowboy" style, i am nor sure what model, but i am thinking it is a redhawk? anyway, he has probably 2000+ rounds through it. no problems other than the ocassional loose screw. which my smith did also. you really couldnt go wrong with either of these guns. a long time ago, i bought my wife a ruger security six, but that was not such a good thing. i bought it used, and about 2 weeks after we bought it, something happened inside with the trigger, it had a big nothcy feeling. instead of having it fixed, we traded it in, my wife wasn't to keen on the way it fit her hand anyway. so if you buy used, be careful. good luck on your decision.

 

[cluttonfred]

I'll jump in with a change of tack...

The OP said:

I am looking for one to take to the range on the weekends and let my wife practice with too. Nothing to top end, just the basic, preferably in stainless with maybe a 4 in barrell.

So, the primary use is range shooting, adjustable sights might be nice. To be shot by both a man and a woman, so we can imagine that hand and grip size might come into it, so a small frame might be appropriate. Not too expensive, preferably stainless, and since we are talking about a .357 here we don't want it to be too light, so all steel is best.

Lot's of good guns have been mentioned, and many would work fine, but the one that seems to come closest is an S&W Model 60 Pro with a 4" barrel and adustable night sights, a 3" Model 60 with regular or hi-viz adhustable sights, or the modern kit gun, the 5" Model 60 with adjustable sights. See the S&W Small Frame page here. Both the Model 60 Pro and 5" Model 60 are reviewed on Jeff Quinn's www.gunblast.com site.