I take posts like these with a grain of salt!!! You think you'd be the posting: I've tried it and used XXX load, along how many shots total along with what you used to shoot whatever in. Fowling??? (fouling) What are you shooting dirt clods with full house loads of unique?
For conceal carry I'd opt for the Kimber, which is basically what I carry except I wanted a DAO. For a range gun the S&W is a better option, and a 686 or GP100 is an even better option.
Just got my $1K "First Responder" bonus from the state. The Colt King Cobra at my local Bass Pro is priced at $999. It certainly is pretty. Hmmm...
Assuming the gun is meant as a carry piece, I would go with the S&W not because it necessarily is better than any of the others, but because I have grown up with the S&W cylinder release and would doubtless fumble the others under pressure.
I despise compensators on revolvers, especially those chambered for high pressure cartridges. As if the .357 wasn't already loud enough!
None...of the OP's offerings...with size "L" hands, I find the Smith J-frame Model 60, .357, with full underlug bbl. and a set of Hogue Monogrips ideal. The 3" bbl. offers good inter-sight distance for precision when needed and the Hogues allow control with sensible loads (read +P .38 Special Golden Sabres = good penetration, light enuf recoil to allow fast, accurate 2nd shots, and outstanding expansion when driven at 900 fps). While I've shot my example up to 1150 fps with 160 gr LSWC's...padnuh, it's not fun! While the K-frame 2-1/2" bbls are a bit more controllable, the light, but not too light SS Model 60 is easy on the belt and feels great in the hand. The OP's choices are fine, I suppose, but there's not a lot of street cred to them as yet. YMMv Rod Here's my rig, OWB, with the Hogues and its understudy, a M63 .22 LR. Those Hogues beat the retro S&W combat finger grooves all day long...notice how the Hogues protect the 2nd finger from the trigger guard rap!
S&W makes a 2.75" M66-8 -- I really like mine. Left to right - M360, M60, M66-8 Balistics from 66-8 Labradar Muzzle Velocity (familiarization run) 60 Deg F S&W M66-8 2.75" .357 Mag 130gr Fed Hydra-Shok JHP "Personal Defense" PD357HS2 H …….. 1,416 fps avg (84 fps ES) -- two rounds 140gr Underwood Xtreme Penetrator (Philips head mono metal).. 1,422 fps avg ( 5 fps ES) -- two rounds 158gr Horn Xtp - 15.0gr A2400 Std small pistol, new Starline...… 1,316 fps avg (49 fps ES) -- six rounds 165gr CSWCGC (358156) - 13.0gr A2400 New Starline ...… 1,070 fps avg (49 fps ES) -- six rounds 180gr Buff Bore …………………………………………………………………………….. 1,312 fps avg ( 6 fps ES) -- two rounds 185gr LFNGC (Beartooth), 15.0gr Lil'Gun, CCI 400 New Starline.. 1,228 fps avg (14 fps ES) – two rounds 200gr WLNGC (leadheads), 13.4gr H110, Fed 205, New Starline.. 1,102 fps avg ( 4 fps ES) – two rounds 200gr WLNGC (leadheads), 14.4gr H110, Fed 205, New Starline.. 1,155 fps avg ( 2 fps ES) – two rounds (purported to be the “Doubletap” load info) 200gr WLNGC (leadheads) handload with Lil Gun ………………………. 1,266 fps avg ( 2 fps ES) -- two rounds Load data not given -- maybe too much of a good thing. Spent cases fell from chambers, and no obvious signs of over pressure. Recoil was heavy. Don't even know if this stabilizes.
Another Ruger Six fan here, https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/guns-001-jpg.135741/ it shoots very well.
For a range gun, a longer barrel is a better option than the 3" carry gun discussed here. I agree that a heavier gun is better for the shooter, if shooting a number of rounds at the range. The reality with many smaller guns is that they are actually being used with 38 Special ammo. My choice in the poll would be the Kimber simply because I would not consider new production in the other two.
Amazing that a poll with the name "Kimber" is getting positive responses on a firearms forum. My, how the worm has turned! We already knew the S&W fanboys own this forum. Sadly, not enough King Cobra owners present to show up and make a dent in the poll, despite the fact that the new King Cobra has the best trigger in DA and SA, of the three choices.
For fans of the Kimber revolver, you might check out, if you haven't already, the latest critique of the gun at The RevolverGuy site.
Of the three that you list, I would go with the Kimber, but for me it is the DAO. Left to right, all 3": SP101, .327; Kimber DAO .357; S&W 64 .38
I'll take my 1983 Ruger Speed Six any day. 2 3/4 barrel and six thumping rounds of Remington 125 sjhp with a speed strip for a reload. Total tank, easy to conceal, and 100% reliable.
Yes, the 2.75" Speed-Six is a great gun, and one that Ruger should bring back. (Here in the 12 o'clock position)
