Revolvers .357 Magnum

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I'm not really too concerned with old/new production although - I admit the S&W lock feature annoys me to no end and probably don't want it on any firearm I own. My 10-7 is a shooter more than a collectors item, I don't really mind taking a gun all apart and servicing it and going over it and for a revolver doing all the checks on function.

For the companion .357 rifle I was considering a Ruger 77/357, partly becuase I do not own a bolt action rifle, and well - why not. If I get another lever gun, it will probably be a new Marlin in 30-30, basically to relegate my grandfathers Winchester 94 to the safe, but for special occasions. Although, I'll probably sit on that until Ruger figures out what they are doing with the Marlin line - maybe they will produce something exceptional, hope so.

So, much info in this post - have read most of it, but have to go back and process it more, thanks for everyone's input. My thinking from what I've gathered so far, is really I want a .357 shooter just for range use and a larger gun is probably better to be more shootable. For carry, I probably want to keep my eyes open for a smaller .38 Special. I really need to get to a gun shop and just hold a bunch of models to get a feel for some of the models mentioned. I'm not independently wealthy so, dropping 2K or something on a handgun isn't for me, but I'll watch and wait and study, and look for a Colt, Ruger, S&W that fits the bill probably.
 
film495 said:
I'm not really too concerned with old/new production although - I admit the S&W lock feature annoys me to no end and probably don't want it on any firearm I own. My 10-7 is a shooter more than a collectors item, I don't really mind taking a gun all apart and servicing it and going over it and for a revolver doing all the checks on function.

For the companion .357 rifle I was considering a Ruger 77/357, partly becuase I do not own a bolt action rifle, and well - why not. If I get another lever gun, it will probably be a new Marlin in 30-30, basically to relegate my grandfathers Winchester 94 to the safe, but for special occasions. Although, I'll probably sit on that until Ruger figures out what they are doing with the Marlin line - maybe they will produce something exceptional, hope so.

So, much info in this post - have read most of it, but have to go back and process it more, thanks for everyone's input. My thinking from what I've gathered so far, is really I want a .357 shooter just for range use and a larger gun is probably better to be more shootable. For carry, I probably want to keep my eyes open for a smaller .38 Special. I really need to get to a gun shop and just hold a bunch of models to get a feel for some of the models mentioned. I'm not independently wealthy so, dropping 2K or something on a handgun isn't for me, but I'll watch and wait and study, and look for a Colt, Ruger, S&W that fits the bill probably.
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Sounds like you're on the right track, then. If I were on the hunt for a .357 Mag. wheelgun with your general search parameters (larger gun, not too crazy of a price, no internal lock), my top preference would be a S&W Model 27-2 or 28-2. With a little patience, you can find some very nice ones for not much more than -- and sometimes less than -- the current-production guns that have all of the changes that irritate (or disgust) S&W traditionalists, especially if you're willing to forego having the original box and papers (and you're not set on a 3.5" barrel). Here are some recent auction results, to give you an idea:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/880664412
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/883149966
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/884258852
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/881646365

A pre-lock 586 or 686 is also a whole lot of wheelgun for the money. Nothing wrong with a GP100, either. Come back (with pics) and let us know what you ultimately choose!
 
I’ve had Colt King Cobras, a Python, a few different S&W revolvers, etc. I have traded them over the years and have kept three - a Kimber K6 with the short barrel hammerless, a Ruger GP100 with a 4 inch barrel, and a Ruger Police Service Six with a 2 3/4 inch barrel. These are the most comfortable shooters in my hands. I liked all of the others too, but the colts were too valuable to shoot, and the S&W 686 has a longer LOP than the Ruger GP100 and my small to average hands shoot the Ruger better. The Police Service Six isn’t that comfortable but for some reason I’ve always liked the looks of it. The Kimber is a nice little shooter, although I normally shoot 38 plus p in it. My suggestion is to shoot a 686 and a GP100 and see which one suits you best. They are both nice and durable revolvers. If you want to carry one I’d get a Kimber.
 
Nice pictures everybody. I don't think you could go wrong with any of this advice. I've got a K6s that is easy to carry.
 
Wide variety of range 357mags revolvers... just go pick your poison ... Id be surprised if you go wrong..
For carry the field narrows ... but it all depends on what size, weight & capacity you want to carry ...
You got 5 shooters , 6 shooters , 7 shooters & 8 shooters.. steel frame , aluminum frame , alloy frame & polymer frame ..barrel length galore..

I have 4 357 revolvers .. they cover my needs
4 inch Security Six (6) 34 oz
4 inch Charter target Bulldog (5) 21 oz
3 inch Charter Professional (6) 27 oz
2 inch LCR357 (5) 16.5 oz

Id like to have a S&W 327 snubbie
But the world fell through before I got a chance to purchase at a normal price
 
film495 said:
I'm not really too concerned with old/new production although - I admit the S&W lock feature annoys me to no end and probably don't want it on any firearm I own.
Click to expand...

If you're concerned about the lock in regards to trusting that it will not activate on it's own I currently have 2 guns with the lock and I sold one with the lock. None have ever activated under fire.
I had a S&W Model 60 Pro .357. That is a 23 ounce J frame revolver. I shot a LOT of full house 158 grain .357 Magnum ammo. It never activated. The same goes for my 327 Night Guard. Hundreds of rounds of .357 Magnum with no accidental activation. I sold the 60 Pro because of other issues, definitely not the lock.

Don't discount the possibility of owning a great gun because of the biases of others. And if you do buy a gun with a lock that's your business. No one else's.
 
Just what loads were you using that you say " trigger guard kind of pounds my hand a bit." An other point which you need to consider is there are several ways to hold a model 10. A former Army Ranger showed me that many people don't hold the gun high enough in the web between the thumb and index finger. And then again Asoob Aoob also has an interesting two handed hold. There is a lot you can learn on Utube when shooting a Model 10.
 
Thomasss said:
Just what loads were you using that you say " trigger guard kind of pounds my hand a bit." An other point which you need to consider is there are several ways to hold a model 10. A former Army Ranger showed me that many people don't hold the gun high enough in the web between the thumb and index finger. And then again Asoob Aoob also has an interesting two handed hold. There is a lot you can learn on Utube when shooting a Model 10.
Click to expand...
Was just shooting basic power factory loads. It is my hold I'm sure. I picked up some target grips, but have not tried them yet.
 
Pat Riot said:
If you're concerned about the lock in regards to trusting that it will not activate on it's own I currently have 2 guns with the lock and I sold one with the lock. None have ever activated under fire.
I had a S&W Model 60 Pro .357. That is a 23 ounce J frame revolver. I shot a LOT of full house 158 grain .357 Magnum ammo. It never activated. The same goes for my 327 Night Guard. Hundreds of rounds of .357 Magnum with no accidental activation. I sold the 60 Pro because of other issues, definitely not the lock.

Don't discount the possibility of owning a great gun because of the biases of others. And if you do buy a gun with a lock that's your business. No one else's.
Click to expand...

My experience also. I've had M327, M360, M637, 2 M60s, and the M686+. All but the 637 fed mostly 357. Thousands of rounds through (including some light guns) with the lock and no issues.

Now I've sold or traded all but the 686 for other reasons: I don't shoot j-frames well enough for my liking and I got two guns for the 327. But not because of the lock.
 
KYamateur said:
I’ve had Colt King Cobras, a Python, a few different S&W revolvers, etc. I have traded them over the years and have kept three - a Kimber K6 with the short barrel hammerless, a Ruger GP100 with a 4 inch barrel, and a Ruger Police Service Six with a 2 3/4 inch barrel. These are the most comfortable shooters in my hands. I liked all of the others too, but the colts were too valuable to shoot, and the S&W 686 has a longer LOP than the Ruger GP100 and my small to average hands shoot the Ruger better. The Police Service Six isn’t that comfortable but for some reason I’ve always liked the looks of it. The Kimber is a nice little shooter, although I normally shoot 38 plus p in it. My suggestion is to shoot a 686 and a GP100 and see which one suits you best. They are both nice and durable revolvers. If you want to carry one I’d get a Kimber.
Click to expand...

I also think the short-barrel Ruger Sixes are nice-looking guns -- and concealable.
 
film495 said:
So, I'm fantasizing about future firearms to add to the collection. I have no immediate plans, but would like to add a .357 at some point. Looking for suggestions.

The only revolver I have is a S&W 10-7, .38 Special - and I like it, but the service grips are a bit small and the trigger guard kind of pounds my hand a bit. I put some aftemarket grips to try, but it lowers the grip, and it made it easier to shoot, but I was not a fan of the added muzzle flip that came with it.

Knowing this - what are some .357 Magnum revovlers I might want to look at.
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If you'd entertain the idea of getting a single action, a short ruger blackhawk in 357 is a lot of fun
20200316_155131.jpg
 
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Well guess what?

The other day I said my next .357 would be a RUGER Match Champion unless I found a good bargain along the way. Yesterday, I was running errands and cruising gun shops for .40 S&W ammo when I checked the used display at a gun shop and discovered a RUGER blue finish Security Six with 6 inch barrel and an excellent trigger for $449.99. I also found a SIG P-6 for $600.00 which had an excellent trigger, but a warn finish. If this had been the SIG 225, the civilian version of the P-6, I would have bought it, but it was not. So the RUGER came home with me!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Jim
 
golden said:
Well guess what?

The other day I said my next .357 would be a RUGER Match Champion unless I found a good bargain along the way. Yesterday, I was running errands and cruising gun shops for .40 S&W ammo when I checked the used display at a gun shop and discovered a RUGER blue finish Security Six with 6 inch barrel and an excellent trigger for $449.99. I also found a SIG P-6 for $600.00 which had an excellent trigger, but a warn finish. If this had been the SIG 225, the civilian version of the P-6, I would have bought it, but it was not. So the RUGER came home with me!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Jim
Click to expand...
You did good! I woulda bought the Ruger right away as well :).

Show us some pics and let us know how it shoots for you when you get a chance :thumbup:.

Congrats and stay safe.
 
I recommend the Herter's Double Action Power Mag:

herters-357-magnum-revolver-2.jpg

Sure, they were only on sale for about 15 minutes before the Gun Control Act of 1968 ended Herter's mail-order gun business, but you'll be the only guy on your block to own one!

It kind of dwarfs an S&W N-frame, so I guess there were 44 Magnum or maybe 401 Powermag versions planned that never got made.

Anyway, I choose to believe they are a never-to-be-exceeded high point in visual elegance and engineering excellence. Mainly because I own one. I have never fired it with 357 ammo. It's not bad with 38 Special, but whoever designed the grip frame and grips did not really understand heavy recoil, IMO. The grips are made of hard plastic, which is not something you see much in 357 revolvers - another selling point!

Incidentally, I have seen two different hammer spring setups for these; a simple flat spring, and an L-shaped lever bearing on a small but strong coil spring on the bottom of the frame. So you'll need two to complete your collection!

PS - This is not my photograph. I cannot take pictures like that. I got it from the Pony Express Firearms website, which has more pictures of it: http://www.ponyexpressfirearms.com/...er-mag-double-action-revolver-mfg-1960s-used/
 
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Full disclosure, I am not a revolver guy. Though I have two in my collection, one being a 357 mag.

If I had the money, I would absolutely get a Ruger GP100. But alas, I am poor. I needed a double/single action revolver for the concealed carry class I teach. I ended up getting an EAA vindicator with a 2" barrel in 357.

While many people may turn their nose up at this particular revolver, it met my needs well. I even ended up carrying it for a while. When I got a new semi auto carry piece, I decided I wanted a revolver with a 4" barrel (for more velocity and better recoil for use in bear country), so I sold the 2" version and bought the same revolver with the 4" barrel.

It handles 357 loads no problem and its even better with 38 special loads. It's quite accurate as well.

While I do reload for it, it not my main gun at all and remains one that I only take out once in a while. I figure I'll hold onto it until I can trade up to a GP100.
 
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686 custom, trimmed to 5"

sxpoT1D.jpg

Ruger GP100

with some minor polishing, spring kit and shim kit, it's as smooth as a S&W

9bQnRJL.jpg




Both of these are 7 shot, and designed to shoot full magnums, unlike the earlier K-frames, like the 19, which tend to crack forcing cones after lots of hot 125gr loads.

WRuHFFM.jpg
 
My favorites, in order of size: 686+, 4" Stainless Security Six, 2 3 /4" Security, 3" Sp101.
4 3/4" stainless Blackhawk for the heavy loads.
hated the 60-15. Nasty.
 
4 Ghost said:
I have both, great shooters. Matter of fact I have the S & W Set, 3-5-7. Wife calls the 7 Inch model, “Big Ed”.
Click to expand...

I'm jealous, and would be more so if you posted a picture of the three. I'd especially like the three inch.
 
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