What is your best 357 revolver?

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I'm an S&W fan. Ruger double action revolvers just do not look sexy enough to me. Kind of like an Edsel.:)

Ruger makes fine firearms though, The Ruger's appearance has no effect on performance.

S&W M586 (wife's) and M686 are our best 357 Magnums. Except for color, I cannot tell any difference.
 
My best is a little hard to pin down. It is a four way tie between my Python, Smith Model 27, Model 19 or my Model 66
 
K frame fits me well, so my 4" S&W 66 is my no.1 choice. In fact, I have reduced my collection to now include only one .357 Magnum. The S&W 66. I prefer the standard wooden grips, which went on it the day I bought it.
 
4" Colt Python, hard chromed, tuned, and ported, all by Mag-na-port over 25 years ago. A lot of guns have come, and many have gone since, but this remains my favorite revolver.
 
gmaster805 said:
What is your best 357 revolver?

I am wanting to get a new revolver and was wanting input on your 357 choices. I do favor Ruger and am looking at the GP100 and an LCR.
Click to expand...

You asked 2 different questions.

As far as the first question, the best factory-stock revolver in my safe is an early 90s 3" S&W M65 that's slicker'n snot. My best non-stock revolver is a 4" S&W 686 that's been tuned for competition. It's sent about 70k rounds downrange reliably, accurately, and rather quickly. :cool:

As to the 2nd question, I think a 4" GP100 or 686 would be an excellent choice for a range, competition and/or HD revolver. I've not owned a GP100, but I've been impressed with their design and the examples I've shot. Like the 686, they respond very nicely to tuning. I wouldn't hesitate to consider one for myself if/when I'm in the market for another DA revolver.

I'd consider the LCR (especially a .357mag) only if I had to carry it regularly and deeply concealed, and planned to seldom shoot it, in which case, I'd still get a GP100/686 for regular practice.
 
65-5 S&W Ladysmith 357 mag 3" barrell. Oversize cocobolo grips. Without using sights, point shooting at 7 yds, I can cover six rounds with a silver dollar. At 25 yds using sights and taking enough time to aim, I can do the same thing.

blindhari
 
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After buying a S&W 629 I sold all of my 357's. Didn't have one for several years until I ran across a S&W 28 I liked. I really like the N frames. They are lighter than a comparable L frame with the same barrel length and just balance and look better to me.
 
I don't know about "best", but I know which one I would sell last. :)
That would be a well-used 4" M66-dash-nothin' that is apparently began its life as the property of the San Diego Sheriff's Department.

It isn't all that pretty, and it probably isn't worth all that much, but it was my "re-entry" to the revolver world after about 30 years of absence, and I'm pretty attached to it. Shoots really nicely, and I'm not afraid of putting a(nother) ding or scratch in it.

Of course, if I still had my (really pretty) 4" 586, or my (really small&light) 340, I might have voted differently, but since I sold both of them long ago and still have the 66...I think I'll stick with my original answer.

If I ever find a really nice 3 1/2" or 5" M27 that I can afford...ask me again.
But the price of both of those has jumped up higher than a cat's back, so I think I'm out.
 
Find a Taurus DA revolver patterned after the S&W K-frame revolvers. Best for the money. Best PRODUCTION revolver is any S&W K-, L-, or N-frame. Rugers are stronger, but not quite as user-friendly (they can be learned, though). The only .357 I own is a Police Service Six. Had it for 30 years. The trigger eventually smoothed up, after a lotta rounds. S&Ws tend to come from the factory with good (okay, BETTER, anyway) triggers.

Taurus revolvers may or may NOT come with a good trigger, but will break in well. If tuning is needed, anything that may be done to a S&W may be done to a Taurus clone.
 
To: EarlTheGoat2

OOOH!!! Yah, MAN! First big-bore (i.e. non-rimfire) revolver I ever shot was a 5" M27, and I've never shot a better one! Wanted one all my life, but never could put together enough money for one. Now, I guess I never will.
 
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My one and only .357 was a Python. Everything else would be downhill from there. Besides, I've moved on to .44, and have no further interest in .357s.

Just picked up a S&W Model 69 today.
 
In my mind you need to decide if you want a larger size for a range or hunting gun, a smaller size for concealment, or do you want to compromise a little in each area.

Many people carry a 4" revolver, and that works for them. A 4" revolver is also a great range gun, so that is a good compromise if you cannot get one for each need.

I have a 2 1/2" 686 that I enjoy shooting. I even shoot it at 100 yards sometimes, but I don't particularly want to shoot a lot of full, or near full, power loads through it, simply as a comfort thing.

I have a 6" Trooper Mk III that excels as a range gun, but I wouldn't want to try to carry it.
 
Easy. S&W M27-2 5". I'd take that thing anywhere, as long as I didn't have to conceal it. It's too big for that.

My other .357 is a S&W M65-2 4". I really like it, but wish it was a 3", it'd be easier to conceal.
 
My "best" .357 is a Python 6" blued but it's too big for concealment. If you deon't nave to have new, keep your eyes peeled for a gently used S&W Model-19. I nave a 4" -19 and it's one of the finest shooters I've ever owned in my 61 years. I also have a S&W Model-686 4' with a Millet Red Dot and BSquare rings and mounts. Great shooter but NOT for CCW. Good luck.
 
My best is a 5" Pre-27. It even beats out my 1968 4" Colt Python bought new by my father just prior to deploying to Vietnam. I'd keep the Python over the Pre-27 only for sentimental reasons.
 
My new Ruger GP100 4" half lug bbl stainless is my best .357 magnum I own, such a quality gun for a good price and rugged to the extreme.
 
My best 357’s are the ones I just put in some range time with on black Friday. That would be S&W models 13, 19, 27, 28, and 66. The model 13 has a 3” barrel and is my carry gun, the others are all 4” barrels. But this won’t do you much good if you want a new gun. In that case I would recommend a new model 60 with a 3” barrel.

Nothing wrong with the suggested Rugers. I just don’t care for transfer bars.
 
PapaG said:
1. 686+ 6".
2. Security Six 2 1/2"
3. Security Six 4" stainless
4. SP101 3"
All for different purposes, reasons.
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Speed Six 2 3/4 inch stainless if you can find one. Never seen one shoot off yet they come with fixed sights.

Or 3 inch Gp-100. But my love is for the 2 1/2 inch S&W Combat Magnum. Preferably 66-1 for stainless or 19-1 in blues. Again, if you can find one.

Deaf
 
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