What is a good inexpensive S&W .357?

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volfandan

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Hello,

I am an avid gun owner and lover, and my safe has guns from assault rifles to 1950's Winchester shotguns. But.....I don't own a wheel gun :(. So, I have decided that I would love to have a 3" or 4" S&W .357 as a carry gun when I go fishing in the back woods.

I definitely want a stainless model, and want a used one that won't break the bank. I had originally thought of getting an old Model 10, and having it hard chromed....but it seems like that may cost more than just finding a stainless gun.

There are SO MANY different models of S&W's, and you practically have to have a S&W History degree to keep up with them. Obviously, I'm a total noob to S&W and revolvers in general, so I would really value any advice.

From my brief research, it seems like a police/trooper trade-in Model 65 might be my best bet. Any other Models I should look for that may be less expensive than a 65?

Thanks.
 
i have had two s&w 357. of the two i liked the 686 much more than the 66. the 686 is heavier but i did not notice the weight, carried in snap front leather gear. both were 4 inch, had wood on the 66, but put pacmeyer on the 686, because everyone else was doing so, the rubber did help when hands sweaty or wet. i thought the 686 had a better trigger also.
 
An inexpensive S&W .357 is getting hard to find, but CDNN Sports in Texas (www.cdnnsports.com) have (or had - they go fast) some police trade-in model 65's at around $300.00 (dealer price). These are 4"/fixed sights/K-frame/stainless steel revolvers in decent to better condition.
 
That's probably the least expensive Smith you'll find matching your criteria.

I checked Gunsamerica and Robertson's Trading Post has this for sale:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/91122302...Revolver/S_W_65_4_Sts_357_HB_4_in_VG_1992.htm

They are located in Henderson, Tennessee. I bought some stuff from them when I was in college in Henderson. He also posts commercially on the Smith and Wesson forum as 41mag.

Best of luck.

BTW, you referenced Smith's changes. Here's some data:

S&W revolver names before World War II
Name Caliber Frame
.22 Hand Ejector Ladysmith 22 Long M
.22/32 Target 22 Long Rifle I
.22 Outdoorsman 22 Long Rifle K
.32 Hand Ejector (round Butt) 32 S&W Long I
.32 Regulation Police (Square Butt) 32 S&W Long I
.32-20 Hand Ejector 32-20 Win. K
.38 Military&Police 38 Spl K
.38 Hand Ejector (same as above, with
adjustable sights)
.38 Regulation Police (Square Butt) 38 S&W I
.38 Terrier 2" Round Butt 38 S&W I
.38/44 Heavy Duty (fixed sights) 38 Spl N
.38/44 Outdoorsman (Adj. Sights) 38 Spl N
.357 Magnum 357 Mag N
.44 HAnd Ejector Military Model 44 Spl N
.44 Hand ejector Model 1926 44 Spl N
(shrouded extractor rod)
.45 U.S. Army Revolver, Model 1917 45 ACP N
.455 Hand ejector British Service 455 Mark II N

Letter designations assigned S&W Revolvers 1900-1930
32 Double Action R
32 Safety Hammerless G
38 Single Action S
38 Double Action D
38 Safety Hammerless Y
44 Double Action L
22 Hand Ejector M
32 Hand ejector I
38 Military and Police K
44 Hand Ejector N
38 Double Action Perfect P
22 Perfect Single Shot T
35 Automatic A
32 Regulation Police B
38 Regulation Police E
22/32 Heavy Frame Target V

Factory Model/caliber designation begun in 1930s
22/32 Target IT22 Square Butt
22/32 Kit Gun IT22 Round Butt
K-22 Masterpiece KT22
32 Hand Ejector I32 Round Butt
32 Regulation Police I32 Square Butt
K-32 Masterpiece KT32
38 Regulation Police I38 Square Butt
38 S&W Terrier I32 Round Butt
38 Military & Police K38
38/44 Heavy Duty N38
K-38 Masterpiece KT38
38/44 Outdoorsman NT38
357 Magnum NT357
1926 Model 44 Military N44
1926 Model 44 Target NT44
1917 Army N45


S&W Model Listing
Model year year Frame Caliber Name
intro Discon Size
10 1899 K 38 Spl Military & Police
10 HB 1960 K 38 Spl Military & Police Heavy Barrel
11 1936 1965 K 38 S&W Military & Police
12 1953 1986 KA 38 Spl Military & Police Airweight
13 1974 K 357 Mag 357 Magnum M&P
14 1947 1982 KT 38 Spl K-38 Masterpiece
15 1949 KT 38 Spl K-38 Combat Masterpiece
16 1947 1973 KT 32 S&W Long K-32 Masterpiece
17 1946 KT 22 LR K-22 Masterpiece
18 1949 1986 KT 22 LR K-22 Combat Masterpiece
19 1955 KT 357 Mag 357 Combat Magnum
20 1930 1966 N 38 Spl 38/44 Heavy Duty
21 1908 1966 N 44 Spl 1950 Model 44 Military
22 1917 1966 N 45 ACP 1950 Model 45 Army
23 1931 1966 NT 38 Spl 38/44 Outdoorsman
24 1908 1966 NT 44 Spl 1950 Model 44 Target
24 1984 1984 NT 44 Spl 7500 units reintroduced
25 1955 1983 NT 45 ACP 1955 Model 45 Target
25-3 1977 1977 NT 45 Colt 125th Commemorative
25-4 1977 1977 NT 45 Colt 125th Delux Comm
25-5 1978 NT 45 Colt 45 Colt
26 1950 1966 NT 45 ACP 1950 45 Target Light Barrel
27 1935 NT 357 Mag 357 Magnum
28 1954 1986 NT 357 Mag 357 Highway Patrolman
29 1955 NT 44 Mag 44 Magnum
30 1896 1976 I&J 32 S&W Long 32 Hand Ejector
31 1917 I&J 32 S&W Long 32 Regulation Police
32 1936 1974 I&J 38 S&W 38 Terrier
33 1917 1974 I&J 38 S&W 38 Regulation Police
34 1936 I&J 22 LR 22/32 Kit Gun 4" barrel
35 1911 1973 I&J 22 LR 22/32 Target 6" Barrel
36 1950 J 38 Spl 38 Chief Special
37 1952 JA 38 Spl 38 Chief Special Airweight
38 1955 JAC 38 Spl Bodyguard
39 1954 1981 Auto 9mm 9mm Double Action
both alloy and steel
39-1 1960 1960 Auto 38 AMU Commonly called M-52A
alloy
40 1952 1974 JS 38 Spl Centennial
41 1952 Auto 22 LR 22 Semi-Automatic
41-1 1960 1972 Auto 22 short 22 Short Semi-Auto
42 1953 1974 JAT 38 Spl Centennial Airweight
43 1954 1974 JAT 22 LR 22/32 Kit Gun Airweight
44 1954 1959 Auto 9mm 9mm Semi, Single Action
alloy
45 1936 1965 K 22 LR 22 Military & Police
46 1959 1968 Auto 22 LR 22 Semi Auto
47 Experimental number used on several guns
48 1959 1986 KTM 22 WMRF K-22 Masterpiece MRF
49 1959 JC 38 Spl Bodyguard Steel Frame
50 1955 1975 JT 38 Spl 38 Chief Special Target
51 1960 1974 JTM 22 WMRF 22/32 MRF Kit Gun
52 1961 Auto 38 Spl 38 Chief Special Target
Steel
52-A See Model 39-1
53 1961 1974 KTC 22 Jet 22 center fire magnum
54 Experimental never issued
55 Experimental never issued
56 1962 1963 KT 38 Spl KTX 38 Became Mod 15 2" bl.
57 1964 NT 41 Mag 41 Magnum
58 1964 1978 N 41 Mag 41 Magnum Military& Police
59 1971 1981 Auto 9mm 14 shot 9mm Semi-Auto
Alloy
60 1965 J 38 Spl 38 Chief Special Stainless
61 1970 1973 Auto 22 LR 22 Escort
62 Experimental never issued
63 1977 JT 22 LR 1977 22/32 Kit Gun Stainless
64 1970 K 38 Spl 38 Military&Police Stainless
65 1974 K 357 Mag 357 Mag M&P Stainless
66 1971 KT 357 Mag 357 Combat Mag Stainless
67 1972 KT 38 Spl 38 Combat Masterpiece Stainless
68 1976 1976 KT 38 Spl California Highway Patrol
Model Stainless
69/75 Not officially assigned -- used experimentally
76 1968 1974 Auto 9mm Machine Pistol
77 1970 1978 22 cal Air rifle
78 1971 1978 22 Cal CO2 Pellet Pistol
79 1971 1978 177 Cal CO2 Pellet Pistol
80 1975 1978 177 BB CO2 Semi Auto Rifle


New Model Numbering System
--------------------------
147-A 1979 1979 9mm 14 shot DA steel frame Model 59
325PD 2003 N 6 shot 45 ACP, 2.5" barrel, Scandium Frame
329PD 2003 N 6 shot 44 Magnum, Scandium Frame, Stainless Brl, Ti Cylinder
340 J 5 shot 357 Magnum, Scandium Frame, shrouded/internal hammer
396 L 5 shot 44 Special, 3-1/8" barrel, Aluminum alloy frame
439 1979 9mm 8 shot DA Semi Auto Alloy
459 1979 9mm 14 shot DA Semi Auto Alloy
469 1983 9mm 12 Shot DA Semi Auto Alloy
500 2003 X 5 shot 500 S&W Magnum
520 1980 1980 N 357 Mag, Fixed Sights
539 1980 1983 9mm 8 shot DA semi auto Carbon Steel
547 1980 1985 K Steel 9mm Military & Police
559 1980 1983 Auto 9mm 14 shot DA Semi Auto Carbon Steel
581 1980 L 357 Mag Distinguished Service Magnum
586 1980 L 357 Mag Distinguished Combat Magnum
610 N 10 mm, 6 shot, stainless
624 1985 1986 NT 44 Spl 1985 Target Stainless
625 N 45 ACP and 45 Colt Stainless
627 N 357 Magnum, Stainless
629 1979 NT 44 Mag Stainless
629 Classic N 44 Mag, Stainless, full underlug
639 1982 Auto 9mm 8 shot DA Semi Auto Stainless
645 1985 Auto 45ACP DA Semi Auto Stainless
649 1985 JC 38 Spl Bodyguard Stainless
650 1982 JM 22 WMRF Service Kit Gun Stainless
651 1982 JTM 22 WMRF Target Kit Gun Stainless
657 N 41 Magnum, 6 shot, Stainless
659 1982 Auto 9mm 14 shot DA semi Auto Stainless
669 1985 Auto 9mm 12 shot DA Semi Auto Stainless
681 1980 L 357 Mag Distinguished Service Mag Stainless
686 1980 L 357 Mag Distinguished Combat Mag Stainless
686+ L 357 Mag, 7 shot cylinder, Stainless
SW1911 2003 45 ACP 1911


Model and Dash numbering system
--------------------------------
Model 10
-1 1959 Heavy Barrel
-2 1961 Changed extractor rod thread to LH on standard barrel
-3 1961 Same as above, for heavy barrel
-4 1962 Screw in front of trigger eliminated
-5 1962 1/10" to 1/8" front sight, on standard barrel
-5 1962 Screw in front of trigger guard eliminated on
heavy barrel model
-7 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
-8 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
on heavy barrel model
Model 12 1957
-1 1962 Change extractor rod to LH thread, eliminate
screw in front of trigger guard
-2 1962 Front sight changed from 1/10" to 1/8"
-3 1977 Gas ring on yoke to cylinder
-4 1984 Change frame thickness to same as all K frames
Model 13 No designation used to avoid confusion with air force model
13 air crewman
Model 13
-1 1974 Introduced
-2 1977 Change back to gas ring on cylinder
-3 1982 eliminate cylinder counterbore
Model 14,15,16,17,18,48,53 (all start without dash in 1957)
-1 1959 Change to LH extractor rod thread
-2 1961 Cylinder stop changed, hole in front of trigger
guard eliminated
-3 1967 Relocation of rear sight leaf screw
-4 1977 Changed gas ring from yoke to cylinder
19 All of the above changes and
-5 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore

N-Frame Model Blue
------------------

Model 20,21,22,23,24,25 (except 25-5) 26,27,28,29
-1 1960 Change to LH thread
-2 1961 Cylinder stop changed, hole in front of trigger
guard eliminated
-3 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore (magnums only)
-4 2004 Thunder Ranch 44 Special, fixed sight
Model 57 1964 Introduced
-1 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore
Model 629 1980 Introduced
-1 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore
Model 25-5 1978 -5 means 45 Colt caliber
125'th anniversary model, -3 (standard) -4 (delux)
both of these used a shorter than standard cylinder.
-7 1985 45 Colt, 5" barrel, unfluted cylinder
K-Frame Stainless Models
------------------------
64 1970 Introduced
-1 1972 Heavy barrel
-2 1977 2" standard barrel, gas ring from yoke to cylinder
-3 1977 Same as above, for heavy barrel
65 -1 1974 introduced
-2 1977 gas ring from yoke to cylinder
-3 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore
66 1971 introduced
-1 1977 Gas ring from yoke to cylinder
-2 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore
67 1972 introduced
-1 1977 gas ring from yoke to cylinder
39 1957 start of model numbering system
-1, 1961 Made in 38 AMU cartridge for military 87 made.
52-A -2 1971 Change of extractor
41 1957 start of model numbering system
-1 1960 22 Short chambering
(dash number not always stamped)
52 1961 introduced
-1 1963 Single action only
-2 1971 Changed extractor
52-A See model 39-1
59 1971 introduced, no dash numbers used during production
61 1970 introduced in March
-1 May '70 Add magazine safety
-2 Sep '70 Addition of barrel nut
-3 1971 Forged Al frame
76 1968 introduced, discontinued 1974 no dash numbers used

Small Frame Revolvers
---------------------
Model 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35
1957 Start of numbering system
-1 1961 Change from I frame to J frame
36 -1 1967 Indicates 3" heavy barrel
37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 49, 63, 649, 650, 651
No dash numbers ued on above numbers
60 1965 Introduced
-1 1972 Heavy barrel variation made in 1972, not marketed
limited production only
 
Smiths (I am told) are great, but if expense is a criterion, why rule out a Ruger? My carry gun is a 2 1/4" SP101 and my home-defense and competition gun (for competitions like IDPA where 6 round capacity is needed) is a 3" GP100. Both guns are stainless .357s.
 
So it does seem that with a Model 65.....I may be on the right track.

Harmonic:

Geeze! See what I mean about having a PHD in S&W History to keep up with those models!!!??? :eek:

Pat Cannon:

I guess if I'm going to own a wheel gun....especially if only one....I want it to be a Smith :rolleyes:.

I have been told that Ruger has the strongest frames in the industry....period.
 
K frames can be had in good to excellent condition from $200-$400. I love 'em, but one has to remember that the K-frame was not designed to take constant abuse from full-power magnum loads. Run box after box of Buffalo Bore through a model 19, and you'll pound that poor gun to death.

If you want to run hot .357 loads all the time, get an L-frame gun.
 
Yes try to find the L frame if any extensive use is planned, K frames make a good packing revolver though. I like my 7 shot 4" 686. I have a K frame mod 65-2 but only because I got it for $129 in 2003:)
 
Just remember, the M65 is a fixed sight revolver and the M66 is the same revolver but with adjustable sights. Both are S&W K frame revolvers.
 
Another vote for 65 and/or 66.

If possible, have a smith check it out before you buy (and read this.)
(Some have been cared for more than others.
Mine is having a new hammer spring installed now;
apparently, the former owner tried to modify it ... unsuccessfully.)

For those on a budget,
it'd be hard to find a better .357 mag,
and looks are FAR less important than functionality.

attachment.php
 
Harmonic, I think you have qualified yourself for that S&W History degree referenced as being needed in the original post . . . :) :)
 
A Smith 65 or 66 with a 4" barrel and a set of Wolff springs is about as sweet a revilver as you will find anywhere. A Ruger Security or Service Six with a 4" barrel is Ruger's version of the same guns. The Smiths will have a little better trigger, the Rugers are a bit tougher. You may be able to find a Ruger for less $ s. I don't think you could go even a little bit wrong with any of them.
 
I've been searching the pawn and gun shops for a 65. I found a 4" 65-2 today. The pawn shop had it listed for $389. I talked the MGR into $325 cash. It has pachmeyer grips, and is in very good condition. The cylinder is not loose at all.

Can someone tell me about what the year of MFG?

Serial 1D84385.

I'll take and post some pics soon...
 
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