What's a tough, utilitarian, and durable .357 double action revolver?

[AJMBLAZER]

Ooooph, nice but yah...way outta my price range.

 

[gvf]

Too pricey for me. I'll stick to my Python (got it unfired 3 1/2 years ago for $499 at Gander Mtn)

Anyone ever shot a Coonan? That slide must fly back like a rocket with .357 - wonder how it shoots and how it feels - weird, 357 in a 1911........

 

[Shienhausser]

I would love the chance to even own a Coonan.


I was debating a M1a as my next purchase but I could buy an Auto .357 for less. oh man decisions.

 

[gvf]

I would love the chance to even own a Coonan.


I was debating a M1a as my next purchase but I could buy an Auto .357 for less. oh man decisions.

Well, sorry if this makes it harder for you, but how often do you see a Coonan? (I think the seller originally had it on Glock Talk).

I'd get the Coonan between the two you mention, as long as they have good reputations. The price too may be below average - which protects you in a way.

Good luck with either purchase though. Exciting to get a new gun!

(If you get the Coonan post about it OK?)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just found this:

From Coonan site http://coonaninc.com/ (I know, I'm terrible...)

"A brilliant and unique engineering feat with flawless reliability and functioning. The only pistol of it's kind, chambered for an iconic and still superbly useful cartridge. Great Value for the money."

Peter Kookalis, Shotgun News, May 2011


"I really enjoyed shooting this pistol, and I believe any handgunner would too. It's reliable, accurate, powerful and a whole lot of interesting"

Bart Skelton, Guns and Ammo, The 2011 Complete book of the 1911


"Has far greater shock power than any .38 .44 or .45 ever tested".

John Taffin, American Handguner, Sept/Oct 2011



Read what the industry experts have to say about the Coonan .357 Magnum Automatic. ...here:
http://www.coonaninc.com/news10.php



Read what our customers are saying about Coonan ...here:
http://www.coonaninc.com/news40.php

Hmmmmm - you can get a new one - though Basic - for $1249.

(I'm beginning to want one badly myself....)

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
Dan Wesson ! Swap barrels from 2" to 10" . Most acurate production revolver that was made. Still lots of nice used DW´s caliber .357´s out there. Built like a vault & will take all the heavy shooting anyone can give to them. DW .357´s are strong enough to take "silly wet" shooting and accurate enough to win repeatedly. That´s what I used my first year popping steel in 81.. still have the same revolver and it is as accurate as the day I bought it in 1978.
Mike in Peru

 

[Stainz]

Marlin 45 Carbine: The GP100 frame was purpose built as a .38/.357 - it has never been offered in anything larger. It does share it's lockwork with the Super Redhawks and, in a smaller size, with the SP101 as well.

To the OP: If you forget the '+P' & '+P+' requirements, a 3"/4" 65 would be ideal. If you regularly need more 'oomph' than a standard .357 Magnum, go with a hotter caliber.

Of course, I chose a 4" 627 Pro as my heavy duty .38/.357M launch platform. It won't fill the bill for the OP, however. It holds eight rounds and has adjustable rear and easily changed front sights. Too nice for a 'truck gun'!

Stainz

 

[waidmann]

If I were going to tote it a 65 or 681 would be my choice. If I were going to bet on one in a destruction test, a Ruger.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

So...local store that deals in high end and quality and classic used guns has a 4" fixed sight Service Six .357 in stainless for $350.

I'm uhm...I'm uhm...uh...dammit!...I wants!

 

[Jonah71]

I just let one get away from me. Ruger Security Six is a good, reliable revolver.

 

[sprale]

I love my Security Six. It has adjustable sights, though, but I expect it will outlast me, and maybe my children too. I picked mine up for $300 earlier this year, private party sale. I have been thinking of swapping the Pachmayr's for Hogues, and installing a fiber optic front, but still need to paint the rear.

 

[Radagast]

Not mentioned yet, but definitely fitting OPs requirement is the original S&W 520 .357 magnum Military & Police. A fixed sight .357 magnum on the large N frame manufactured in 1980 for the New York State Police but never delivered. Four inch barrel with ejector shroud, square butt, blued wit a 6 shot cylinder.

 

[bannockburn]

A Ruger Service Six would be my choice based on the OP's requirements for a tough, utilitarian, and durable .357 double action revolver.

 

[hiker44]

Depending on your preference, Ruger GP100 or Smith L-frame. They are #1 and #2, not necessarily in that order, and it just depends on who you talk to. Both excellent guns.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I like the S&W Model 13 in 3".

LD

 

[Rey B]

Add another vote for a 4" prelock 686. Easy to carry and will handle anything you want to throw at it. I know adjustable sights but I haven't had any problems.

 

[GRAPE-DRANK]

I own two Smith autoloaders and I like them just fine, but for .357 revolver I have to say Ruger. I have a 3" SP101, but anything that Ruger makes in .357 is a perfect "utilitarian" revolver and they don't have the stupid locks like Smith.

 

[Brian Williams]

My vote is a S&W 681. It is tough and will shoot with any Ruger or Colt or Dan Wesson and even a Taurus.

If you really want tough get a Ruger Redhawk in 357, they can take just about any load you can stuff in a 357 case.


Now I wish some one would take 3 S&W 5/686s, 3 Ruger GP, 3 Colt pythons , A couple of Dan Wessons and a few Taurus's maybe even a Rossi and shoot them until they fall apart and do a metallurgic survey on each and let us know which mid frame 357 is really the tough king of the hill.
This size gun was made for the 357 and meant to be shot with full power loads and last. They all have some problem, but they are all designed to handle the 357 and do it well.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Anything S&W or Ruger -- period (IMHO).

 

[Fleet]

I'll second the Dan Wesson in the 15 series. I fed one many thousands of rounds loaded with 16.5 gr of 296 and a 150 gr. LSWC hard cast. Never a hiccup as long as I did my part.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Well, small update on this.

I was about settled on a Ruger GP100 when back in November a local shop (the one that had the Security Six for a song) had a rough looking but solid S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman. I LIKED. Similar good price.

Sadly by the time I had the funds raised it was gone.

Then another place in town had a Model 28-3 with a 4" barrel. Yes, adjustable sights and blued but really, after handling the Highway Patrolmen I was in love. Price was a hundred and some more but I could work with it since it was much better shape. Went in with cash in my hand for a month until it came off consignment and they'd negotiate with me. Bought it about 3 weeks ago.

Loving it. Just feels like a great gun in the hand and shoots great. A bit worried the GF wants to adopt it though.

 

[slick6]

Although I liked my 3" Ruger GP100, I much prefered my 3" Ruger Speed-Six pictured below-since it was better handling-due to being less bulky, and still a "tough as nails" revolver, with the build quality being obviously superior!:

 

[ghitch75]

Colt Lawman MKIII.....built like a tank.....

 

[medic_guns]

Nice Mk III. I sold a blued one last year. I am still crying about it. Just bought a nice model 13 3" roundbutt though, so my tears have subsided some.

 

[MuleRyder]

No votes for Trooper MKV? I've had mine for about 25 yrs and 1000s of rounds through it without a problem.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I vote for a .357 magnum chambered Ruger Redhawk, .357 magnum on a frame originally designed for .44 magnum. Only disadvantage would be the limited number of them.