Which .357 should I get?

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Godsgunman

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Alright, this may start a brand war, but I have the opportunity to pick up another revolver and the choice is between a S&W 65-1 or a Ruger Service Six. The Smith is a 4" and the Ruger is a 3". About the same price and both in good + used condition. (Both is not an option) I know the choice is ultimately mine but I would like to hear what you would pick and why.
 
I would almost have to toss a coin on that one. While I normally lean toward Rugers, I will admit that I might lean slightly towards the S&W on this one.
 
It works for me, but YMMV -

Close your eyes, smile real big (that is important), and see which of the two you end up picturing yourself holding in your mind.


Really - you cannot go wrong either way. That is a nice dilemma in which to find yourself!
 
A 3" Ruger Service Six looks and feels like a paperweight. I would pick barrel length and go with the Smith.
 
It's something of a waste to shoot .357 from a snubbie, where the short barrel length does not provide enough time for the additional (compared to the .38) powder charge to burn completely, thus failing to push the bullet to the velocities that form the reason for the .357 in the first place.

You can see the evidence of this by watching someone shoot a .357 snubbie, and taking note of all the fire in front of the muzzle. That's all the powder that did not burn while it was still behind the bullet, in the barrel, where it could have done some good.

If I were going to buy another snubbie, I'd just get a .38.
 
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AntiSpin said:
It's something of a waste to shoot .357 from a snubbie, where the short barrel length does not provide enough time for the additional (compared to the .38) powder charge to burn completely, thus failing to push the bullet to the velocities that form the reason for the .357 in the first place.

You can see the evidence of this by watching someone shoot a .357 snubbie, and taking note of all the fire that comes from the muzzle. That's all the powder that did not burn while it was still behind the bullet, in the barrel, where it could have done some good.

If I were going to buy another snubbie, I'd just get a .38.
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Chronograph results don't always agree. While there is absolutely no doubt that a longer barrel will almost always yield more FPS in a .357, The difference between a 3" and 6 " barrel is negligible. I have done a lot of testing with this and have never seen more than 60fps difference with identical loads in the 3 to 6 inch barrel lengths. Now, if you jump up to a carbine with 16-18" barrel, it goes up by 200-300fps.
 
Godsgunman said:
Alright, this may start a brand war, but I have the opportunity to pick up another revolver and the choice is between a S&W 65-1 or a Ruger Service Six. The Smith is a 4" and the Ruger is a 3". About the same price and both in good + used condition. (Both is not an option) I know the choice is ultimately mine but I would like to hear what you would pick and why.
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It depends, are you going to carry the gun or not. If you are going to carry it concealed a 3" barrel seems to carry better. If it's a HD or range gun the 4" barrel would be better IMO.

Both are quality revolver so you can't lose with either choice.
 
Alright, this may start a brand war,
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I don't there will be a brand war between these to brands, in my opinion they are both excellent.

I already have a good carry gun I really like so I would have to pick the Smith.

Ah heck, I'd probably end up with both of them.
 
While I am a big fan of the Ruger Sngle Actions, the Smith & Wesson action is one of the best double actions yet to come out. Not too familar with their stainless guns, but all blue Smiths I've ever owned had DA actions far superior to anything else to come along.

Go with the Smith.

Bob Wright
 
I personally like the S&W 65, and if it's a good example, would probably go with it. That said, I did buy a Model 65 in the mid-70's, and it was absolutely awful. I sent it back to S&W, and they returned it after three weeks. it was worse than when I sent it to them. That was the only negative experience I've had with them, and I generally like the examples I've owned since then. I actually own more Rugers than I do S&W's. In this case, I would go with the 65, providing it locks up tight and passes the usual checkout.
 
I've owned both. I liked both.

Today, I'd pick the Smith & Wesson, but only because I REALLY like Smith & Wessons. I can't really tell you "why". It's just one of those things.
 
The Ruger is stronger but the Smith is nicer to shoot. Pick one.
 
Chronograph results don't always agree. While there is absolutely no doubt that a longer barrel will almost always yield more FPS in a .357, The difference between a 3" and 6 " barrel is negligible. I have done a lot of testing with this and have never seen more than 60fps difference with identical loads in the 3 to 6 inch barrel
Click to expand...

My chronograph results are quite different. From 3" or shorter barrels I can't beat 9mm loads from my 357's with 125 gr bullets. These guys results are pretty close to mine. They are getting 300-500 fps difference between 3" and 6" guns.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

Notice the differences between the test barrels and real guns. With the real guns the 6" Colt they tested does just barely beat the 3" gun. But the 4" and 5+" guns are all much faster than the 6" gun.

Some individual guns are just slower or faster than expected. A small example will sometimes give skewed results. Everything being equal the difference between 3" and 6" barrels will be huge with magnum revolver loads. Running across a longer barreled gun that shoots very slow doesn't mean all of them will.
 
Both is not an option
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Why?

Why not buy one and put money down on the other? Make payments on the second and all is well. This is THR after all!
 
I've got a S&W Model 65-3 with a 4" HB that I bought used, in like new condition. I'd not trade it for any Ruger. YMMV
 
"The Ruger is stronger but the Smith is nicer to shoot. Pick one."

Buy the 65-1 ... if for no other reason than accessories/parts for K-frames are still readily available. Well, that and the fact that the Ruger is not stronger.

That would be the GP series v. the 686 series.
 
I have and love both Rugers and Smiths. If buying new, I'd definitely say Ruger, but out of these older ones, it's a tough call, but I'd say go with the Smith.
But, that assumes equal condition. Of the two, I think I'd go with the one in the best condition, with the tightest lock-up, and least flame cutting under the top strap.
Also,unless you're hooked on these two guns, take a look at your local Armslist.
An hour away from me up in Atlanta, I'm seeing a nice 6" Model 28 for $500+, and a very clean 686-1 for $600. There may be some good stuff posted in your area right now, it's worth checking out.
 
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