Which .357 for Son?

[slk]

For what it's worth- I'm 23 and purchased my first handgun a few months back. I was torn between the s&w 686 and the gp100, but after a couple trips to the gun store I opted for a 6 inch gp100. The finish on the smith was a little nicer,the double action a little smoother, and the single a bit crisper, but imho it wasn't enough to justify the price difference. Especially considering that the ruger is undeniably more robust, something that appealed to me greatly as a novice handloader. And now, after putting hundreds of rounds through it, dry-firing it countless times, and even doing a little bit of action work on it with my dad, I have to say that the double action is quite nice. Additionally the gp100 styling seems to appeal to my generation.

However, I soon discovered that I really wanted a .44. And as such, I couldn't help but feel that having a long barreled .357 and a long barreled .44 was somewhat redundant (and having a long .357 and a short .44 offends my sensibilities). So I'd recommend a 4 inch gp100, or smaller, maybe even an sp101, depending on what your son wants next. But YMMV.

And not to hijack your thread, but...

CZ USA will be manufacturing the Dan Wesson .357 revolver in near future if you want new

please tell me more.

 

[hunt]

i have a gp100 in SS with 6" full lug with williams firesights added (old age thing)
love this gun a little large for a ccw.
but i deal with that, its extra weight may help
keep the barrel down, if he is not a real experinced shooter
i am not biased on mfg i love all handguns

 

[NMGonzo]

Stainless = yes ... can be refinished and he will not freak out if the finish has a scratch.

Ruger = can't go wrong with it. GP100 4 inch for versatility.

 

[Bula]

GP100 or 686 S&W, you can't go wrong. I have a 4" GP100 abd a 6" Smith, they both are fantastic pistols.

 

[ptb351]

I am proud to say my 1st handgun purchase was a new stainless GP 100, 6", full shroud, adjustable sights

Bought it brand new for $369 plus tax back in the summer of 1997. I love this gun and strongly recommend it.

 

[oldfool]

a lot of great choices named, but many be hard to find and or pricey

ArchAngel and G already hit my 3 top suggestions
but if S&W blue ain't his favorite color, a S&W k-66 will do (or k-sixty something, depending on preferred barrel length)
but blue is tuff to beat in the old Ruger "sixes" as well, even Skeeter would approve

actually it's pretty hard to go real bad wrong with any Colt, S&W, Dan Wesson, or Ruger with 357 imprinted on the barrel

 

[asia331]

May I recommend a 4" Gp100? Gave my eldest his as a graduation / commissioning gift. Seems to have worked out very well for him

 

[Giterboosted]

I'm only 23 and fwiw my first was a 2 3/4" Taurus model 66, I love it, still carry it every day almost, very accurate, potent, smooth, not too much recoil

I know half the people on this thread are going eeew Taurus but I haven't had a single hiccup out of it, ever

 

[FruitCake]

My first 357 which I purchased is a SP101 2" in stainless. This can be compared to the Beauty and the Beast all in one. Its size means that you will carry it a lot more often which is what you probably want for him. Longer barrels are nice for home and range but for carry I highly recommend the SP101 snub in 2". Just my 02 cents.

 

[chg]

I have a few SP's and think they're excellent revolvers but someone wanting a .357 presuming it is his 1st centerfire, I'd go with the GP100 4". Will handle recoil more comfortably allowing him to practice more than the smaller SPs would. Not playing down the SPs, just saying the larger GP is more pleasant to shoot.

 

[goon]

GP-100, used Security Six in good shape, or the SP-101. I really like the Ruger .357's.

 

[Hanshi]

Several Security Sixes have passed through my hands over the decades and I still miss them as they were one of my favorite revolvers. I carried one on duty for years. With maybe three exceptions all my revolvers are from the 1950s to the 1970s. I do not plan to ever buy another as I have all uses covered.

For a general "good for everything" revolver I highly recommend a six inch barrel. A perusal through the used gun counter will turn up excellent older guns for a decent price. Stainless is worth a premium but not a LARGE premium. I have a 26 year old S&W 686, 6" bbl with which I've deer hunted with for years. I treasure that good revolver. I've used it more than many of my much older revolvers. A Ruger is never a mistake as are Colts.

 

[okespe04]

gp100 or sp101

 

[Tomac]

He's enjoying a friend's GP-100 so while he hasn't made up his mind yet, he's leaning towards a 6" stainless GP-100.
Tomac

 

[easyrider604]

GP100 stainless 4 inches. IMO, the best all-around 357 revolver available, bar none. The 6 incher is nice too, but not really as versatile as the 4 incher.

 

[svtruth]

I bought my son a GP-100 for his 21st, so I endorse that.
Guierrmo, a Model 19 at fifteen, nice Daddy!
Her wedding will be pretty impressive.

 

[Guillermo]

Guierrmo, a Model 19 at fifteen, nice Daddy!
Her wedding will be pretty impressive.

She is about to graduate with a 4.3 from a really good college preparatory school. She wants a 1911.

I am shopping now...happily

 

[dashootist]

I thought young people are only interested in autos.

 

[Guillermo]

I thought young people are only interested in autos

mine loves all guns

once upon a time a Remington 11 (looks like a Browning auto) was stored in her room. I sold it and went to get it. She said "awwww, it is sooo pretty"

and she asked me to leave the Colts (Python, Diamondback, Cobra, DS) for her.

of course I intend to leave them all for her.

 

[oldfool]

sounds to me like the girl was raised right, G
a lot to be proud of, on both counts

 

[Phil W]

The GP100 would be a pefect 1st revolver. I gave my son my 1980's 686 and missed so much I bought the Ruger. As fine a handgun it is, I still missed my Smith. So I ended up trading the Ruger for a 686. I also owned a 1980's Python which I sold 'cause I was just weaned on S&W. Enough babbling.....I would go for the Ruger....for now.

 

[Guillermo]

The GP100 would be a pefect 1st revolver

Ruger makes perfectly fine revolvers. They are like a Toyota Camry. Cheap, dependable and plentiful.

I would have loved a Camry for my first car. And looked forward to moving up.

 

[-eaux-]

Depends on whether you want a single action or a double action.
If you want a SA, go with the Ruger.
If you want a DA, go with the Ruger.

 

[jbowserk]

According the rep at the Shot show the new Dan Wesson 357 should be available in June or July.

 

[Phil W]

I recall the old Dan Wessons.....interchangable barrels and always worked. Like to see them produced again. CZ makes an excellent semiautomatic, but I hope any revolvers are American made.