What 357 Is For Me?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Sulaco

Sulaco

Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2003
Messages
784
I want something I can use as a home defense gun loaded with mild .38's (for the women folk to handle).

I want it to have a real rear sight and a decently long barrel (between 4 and 6 inches). I would prefer stainless just for the corrosion resistance compared to non stainless.

I am not a fan of Ruger or Taurus. I guess that leaves me looking at S&W's. Is the 686 my gun?
 
I would recommend looking for a used model 66. I know I asked my wife's opinion on the 686 and she felt it was too heavy. We use a model 15 for our house gun.
 
Saluco,

Smth and Wesson is now offering the Model 60, which is a J-Frame, with a 5 inch barrel and adjustable sights. It is only a 5 shooter, but it would be the ultimate .357 or 38 Special for those with small hands and wanting fixed sights and a longer barrel.

Boo586
 
Why are you looking at a .357 if you are going to shoot mild .38's?

I suggest a S&W Model 67. Its .38 special, adjustable sights, and stainless steel.
 
Used mod 66, New either a 686 or a new 620. Itake it that you mean a "real rear sight" to be and adjustable, because my 65 has a real rear sight just not adjustable.

If you want an adjustable rear sight and 38 spec only you could look for a mod 67.
 
How about the SW Model 620. I really like the gun. I also vote for the 686. Both are great.

Telli
 
If you are only going to shoot .38's, I'd buy a police trade-in. You'll find many deals for $150-$200, some cheaper. Many of these are well-made, reliable Smith and Wessons.
That is exactly what I would buy.
Good luck,

David
 
Good Used House Gun?

I would look at a S&W model 15 or 19 with 3 or 4 inch barrel. Most of these can be had at very resonable cost. :)
 
This would be the perfect .357 for a lady. Hell, it's about the perfect .357 for anyone. I have one in my collection in Bright Stainless, it's my safe queen. Colt King Cobra

976557849-1.jpg
 
I'd buy a police trade-in. You'll find many deals for $150-$200, some cheaper.
Click to expand...

Where can I buy one for cash and carry? Don't point me to an online shop where I have to pay shipping and transfer (adding nearly $40 to the bottom line).

The only guns I've seen in that price range are used Kel-Tecs, junk like Jennings, and milsurps like the Makarov. I've never seen a decent Smith and Wesson for that price (decent means it's safe to shoot).

Chris
 
I recently bought a 4" 620 and have been pleased with it after more than 300 rounds of .357 in 110 gr to 158 gr. It holds 7 rounds and is lighter in weight that the 686+ (7 rounds). I swapped the stock grips for a set of Pachmayr grips. They cover the backstrap and provide a little more to hold on to. However, the stock grips are fine, too. I know some people don't like the new 2-piece barrel. I can't say I like the looks of the 2-piece but the gun shoots fine.
 
I have a 6" model 66 S&W that was one of the first two centerfire handguns my wife ever shot the other being a model 66 Taurus. She's a 112 lb Grandmother and has claimed the Smith ever since. Shoots mostly .38 Sps but occasionally a few cylinders of .357s. Did put a set of Uncle Mike rubber grips on it for her(and me too). The 686 might be better with really hot loads because many women and more men than like to admit it have trouble shooting a K frame .357.
 
Where can I buy one for cash and carry? Don't point me to an online shop where I have to pay shipping and transfer (adding nearly $40 to the bottom line).

I buy most of my guns online, and that's where I found the deals. If you don't want to go that route, then see if you live near one of the online places and go to their storefront, or go gunshow trolling. Last month I bought an excellent condition Rossi .357 for $139. Here is the link describing the purchase:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=139032

Good luck,

David
 
For me, there's nothing sweeter than a 686 going off and giving my hand that tingly feeling. I'm going to stop now because it might get x-rated.
 
I buy most of my guns online
Click to expand...
I can find cheap guns online myself, but they're not that cheap when they're ready for me to pick up ($15+ s/h and $20 transfer). Also, you said many were Smith and Wesson. I can find Taurus and Rossi handguns for the price you quote, but I thought we were talking Smiths.

Not trying to bust your chops or anything, I'm just trying to track down the mythical sub $200 police trade-in S&W I keep hearing about. I haven't seen anything close to that in the nearly 10 years I've been buying guns.

Chris
 
Thanks for all of the replies.

I have looked at some of the police trade-in .38's and while some are good deals, I really want to be able to shoot .357's out of whatever gun I end up with.

I like the 620 a lot. It is a sharp looking gun. I wonder how the 2 piece barrel will hold up in the long run compared to a solid barrel like in the 686?

I don't like Ruger for political reasons and dislike Taurus for prior quality control issues. I haven't looked at Rossi, I may have to.

Thanks again for all of the input. It helps to know I am looking in the right direction at least.

I think it is now a toss-up between the 686 and the 620. I may wait a bit and see how the 620 holds up.
 
It killed the cat

Sulaco,

Purely out of curiousity, what political reasons have turned you against Ruger?

Timbo
 
a home defense gun loaded with mild .38's (for the women folk to handle).
Click to expand...
Are you trying to get them killd or do you believe that "women folk" can't handle a real gun?

I have yet to see a woman who couldn't handle .38+P ian any gun and .357 is a gun with proper grips. Of course there could be a physical condition that would preclude heavy recoil but in that case almost any .38 would be too much.

Lady45 has let quite a few beginning female shooters fire her Taurus snub. After 50 or so .38 target loads even the 90 pound lass could handle the +P ammo with no problem and put an entire cylinderfull in the chest of a B-27.

You should see the grin on a lady after she drops five .357 holes COM into a target. They love that feeling of power.

So don't discount the ability of the "women folk" to stand and be counted.

By the way, 18 months ago Lady45 had never fired a handgun. Now she can shoot magnums (.357/.41/.44) better than most men I know.
 
I took a girl out shooting about a month ago. Only thing she'd ever shot before was a .22 pistol. I got her to shoot .223s, an AK, a .308 and a .300 Winchester!~ She liked them all too!
She wasn't some big girl either, she weighs about 105 lbs sopping wet. She shot a few handguns too, .38 spcls through my Ruger, a G23 C, and a Berretta 92.

She had lots of fun too. :D
 
Originally Posted By: TimboKhan

Purely out of curiousity, what political reasons have turned you against Ruger?
Click to expand...

I don't agree with Bill Ruger's assumption that he can compromise our freedoms for his prophet. Even after the sunset of the assault weapons ban, his company will still not manufacturer to sell standard capacity magazines to civilian consumers.



Originally Posted By: BluesBear

Are you trying to get them killd or do you believe that "women folk" can't handle a real gun?
Click to expand...

Have you ever heard of arthritis? It afflicts millions, so maybe you have.

Oh, and assumptions make people's uninformed comments appear to be made in ignorance. You may take that into consideration before you post next time. Or not.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

R
  • Locked
.38 snub to .357 snub
Replies
9
Views
1K
22luvr
2
S
  • Locked
S&W 686 rear sight
Replies
8
Views
1K
BYJO4
B
I
  • Locked
New (for me) Gun
Replies
6
Views
399
Majic
M
klcmschlesinger
  • Locked
SP101 in 357
Replies
16
Views
853
Remllez
R
M
  • Locked
Trust me.... I know what I'm doing....
Replies
23
Views
3K
CraigC
CraigC
Back
Top