Recommend a S&W 357 mag snub nose

[TennJed]

I am a Ruger and really not too familar with S&W centerfire models (I do have a 617 22lr) guy but would like to get myself a decent Smith 357 snub nose. No paticular purpose. maybe the occasional carry, but the main reason is I want one.

I would like to keep it under $600.00 My finish preference would be blued (not the modern "Black") first, followed stainless, and last would be "black". 5 or 6 shots, and no more than a 2.5"

What would you recommend?

 

[SWAddict]

I would recommend a S&W Model 19 with 2.5 inch barrel.

It is a very nice, compact revolver in .357 Mag. So you can shoot .38 Special and +P also. You can usually find them for around $400 to $500. They are durable, accurate, concealable, powerful, very fun, and have a classic look.

 

[Roverrich]

Consider the LCR. Great trigger, hogue tamer grips, polymer frame all seem to ease the recoil of the 357 round in a snub nose. Only downside...5 rounds.

 

[VA27]

IIRC, the only 357 Smith snubby in blue is the Model 19. I think it's the King of Snubbies. In stainless it's the Model 66. Both are 6-shot guns with target sights.

Smith made a bunch of 5-shot 357's in stainless and stainless/alloy. Be aware that the airweight guns in 357 are NOT fun to shoot, thought they do carry well.

 

[TennJed]

Consider the LCR. Great trigger, hogue tamer grips, polymer frame all seem to ease the recoil of the 357 round in a snub nose. Only downside...5 rounds.

thanks for the recommendation, but I have an LCR (it is a great gun) and 8 other Rugers. I want a Smith. That is the reason I, I put in the OP that I am a Ruger gun and LOOKING FOR A S&W

S&Waddict and VA27 Thanks for the tips on the Model 19. That is the kind of info I am looking for. I am not up on the model differences

 

[BP44]

another vote for the 19/66. Nothing as pretty as a k frame snubby if you ask me.

 

[steveracer]

"You can usually find them for around $400 to $500"
I have not found one under $600 for many months now. If you find one under $500 in shooting condition, BUY IT! If you find two of them, PM ME!

 

[joeschmoe]

SW model 60. SS 5 shot .357 with a leather pocket holster. (Ladysmith is the same gun, but although I think the wood grips look great, IMO they are too slippery to hold the magnum recoil)

 

[rswartsell]

Using your parameters, the 19 is the answer. Be advised of 2 things;

1. the price is going up and won't come back down
2. K-frame S&W .357 (the 19 specifically) cracked forcing cones with use of hot 125gr loads and should be limited to 158gr. magnums mostly (if not entirely, I won't shoot them in my 4"). This is a BIG reason why the L-frame 686 family came into being. Yes that family has snubs too, but as before prices are climbing.

J-frame S&W snubbies are an option but are pretty much universally considered to be a handful under hot magnum loads.

My favorite is the old Colt 2" Lawman Mk III for magnum work, it too is getting pricey but no stronger more stable 2" magnum platform exists.

 

[BYJO4]

Another vote for the model 19 or 66.

 

[1 old 0311-1]

S&W 19, or 66, if you can find any left.

 

[SFCRandall]

The fiive shot J frames are great. M36/37 Chief's Special, M40, M42 etc. I have a scandium frame .357 that weighs less than 12oz. Lots of power for such a small package.

 

[bannockburn]

I always had a particular liking for the Colt Lawman MK.III with a 2" barrel and the round butt configuration. Just looked all business to me and wasn't that much larger than a Detective Special. Since you prefer a S&W then I would go with a Model 19 with a 2.5" barrel and with a round butt as well.

 

[TennJed]

I always had a particular liking for the Colt Lawman MK.III with a 2" barrel and the round butt configuration. Just looked all business to me and wasn't that much larger than a Detective Special. Since you prefer a S&W then I would go with a Model 19 with a 2.5" barrel and with a round butt as well.

what would be a fair price for the colt

 

[rswartsell]

Man, thats hard to say in these times. Watch Gunbroker is my suggestion. My experience says you can get a good one if you are ready to go north of $500.00.

 

[rswartsell]

The Lawman is actually a good bit bigger than the Dick Special. An absolute tank in the snubby world though. If you are not afraid of the weight, and want magnum capacity, it is your huckleberry.

Colt DA revolvers are no longer made and "collectors" have been pushing the price envelope even before the recent "gun panic". Know that breaking a firing pin as these models would, due dry firing without snap caps mean a trip bacl to the Colt factory because of the frame mounted firing pin that had inconsistent heat treating. Use snap caps and you are good. They are still relatively "undiscovered" but the glory days of stealing one are pretty much over.

If you are diligent in your search, settle for "perfect function-shooter grade" your price limit should work. For how long? Anyone's guess.

P.S. No way this limit would work for a Diamondback or Python.

 

[bannockburn]

TennJed

The problem with Colt revolvers is that there don't seem to be many of them that go for a "fair price"! I would say a decent Lawman MK.III (also be aware some older ones did not have the barrel shroud), on Gunbroker would start somewhere around $600 and could make its way to $800 with very little effort involved. The redesigned MK.V model (some changes to the internals, grips, and cosmetics), which weren't made for as many years as the MK.III models, probably would start in the $1K range and go up from there.

 

[nitesite]

If you're willing to go another half-inch in barrel length, look at a Model 13 with a round butt.

They carry great and are remarkable guns. The FBI issued them for a long time and I think they are easier to extract empty cases vs. a 19/66 because of the full length ejector.

 

[royal barnes]

My first choice would be the Smith 19/66 but the Models 60 and 640 both carry well and, while stout with .357 rounds, are shootable. Downside is they carry 5 rounds.

 

[JohnBT]

In stainless, I'd look at a 649 or 640. My 649-3 is a .357 and weighs 23 ounces. It's much easier to shoot compared to a 15.8 ounce J-frame like my 442-1.

 

[Iggy]

I pack this nickel Model 19 with a 2 1/2" bbl. every day.



I've got a lot of options, but this is the one that gets the call.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Don't get no better...

You can't go wrong with a 2.5" S&W 19 or 66.

 

[420Stainless]

Its a quarter inch too long, but my favorite is a Ruger Security Six in 2-3/4".

Like others have said, given your criteria a short Model 19 sounds like the way to go. I have a 4" and it is an outstanding revolver and much more to look at than the Ruger. However, the little Ruger is one of the very finest shooting guns I've ever used.

 

[dprice3844444]

model 65 3 inch heavy bbl round butt.it's stainless,no rust or adjustable sights to stick ya

 

[Guillermo]

another vote for a P&R Model 19