Which .357 should I get?

[bannockburn]

Will always have a soft spot for any fairly decent Ruger. I would go with the Service Six.

 

[RealGun]

"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.

My understanding was that the GP100 replaced the Security Six and its brethren to get away from investment casting, not because the Sixes had some weakness. I have both and see them as both pretty hunky and in no danger of coming apart. I also have a prized 686 in the same 4" barrel as the Security Six (GP is 5") and see it as less blocky in appearance but certainly up to the task of full power .357s in strength, mass, and balance. They are all good shooters, but the Smith action is unmistakably in a higher class. That click just yells precision.

 

[Godsgunman]

thanks for all the input so far. It is almost just a "flip of a coin" decision. I have a 3" that already occasonally makes it into my carry rotation so I think I may be leaning more towards the Smith.

 

[tomrkba]

The S&W will hold its value better should you decide to sell it in the future.

 

[Godsgunman]

Is $425 a good price or just a so-so price? I know the prices have gone up especially on the pre-lock Smiths.

 

[Drifting Fate]

Both are great options, I have similar models of both, and while I rely on guns other than Smiths, Smiths are the quintessential wheelguns.

 

[OldBrownDog]

Price depends on condition. I paid ~$450 OTD for my NIB-condition M65-3 in December 2012, and I considered that a fair (if just slightly high) price.

 

[skidder]

"There ain't no woman like the one I got"

I've had several K-frame Smiths and several Security Six models. They are the same size gun. They take the same holster and speed loaders, but the Ruger is clearly the stronger of the two. Now if they were both 38s? I think I'd take the Smith over the Ruger.

 

[Stainz]

S&W all the way.

As to speed vs barrel length, I chrono-ed the defensive ammo I carry, Remington R38S12, and my range loads, the same 158gr +P LHPSWCs from Georgia Arms, the same day. I got from 840-860 fps from my 1 7/8" 642 and 2" 10 while changing to my 6" centered at 995 fps!

Barrel length is important, velocity-wise, in +P .38 Special!

Stainz

 

[LT.Diver]

S&W has a MUCH better trigger than Ruger. If it were up to me I'd take a Smith over a Ruger every time.

 

[Pointshoot]

I've got guns in both those models. I don't like service size revolvers with barrels less than 4 in., especially in a 357 (muzzle blast). So, in this case I'd go with the Smith.

 

[wproct]

You can't go wrong either way here. For me, I would have to look at both and see which one pushes my "I gotta have it" meter over the most.

 

[Jlr2267]

The S&W will hold (or increase) its value better. That's about the only real difference as far as I'd be concerned. Both would make excellent additions to any collection.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Niether is a bad choice. I'd probably go Ruger, just because I see fewer of them on the market.

 

[Brian Williams]

Both are nice.
Here is how you should do it.
Go to the shop, have them placed on the counter.
pick one up and fondle it a bit without looking down the sights get a nice feel for the grip, grip it well. Close your eyes and point the gun(please do this towards a safe area) then open it and see where it points. Lather rinse and repeat, the one that points closest to the sights being lined up will be the easiest to shoot rapidly and consistently.

 

[Manny]

I really like 3" guns & really like Rugers, so for me the decision would be easy.

 

[zerobarrier]

I would go with the Smith. For me it would be because I do not own a smith and I have 2 single action(1 is a ruger) revolvers but only 1 double action. So the Smith fits for me, I like a variety.

 

[Ky Larry]

What's for supper,steak or lobster?You won't go wrong with either.

 

[RealGun]

"There ain't no woman like the one I got"

I've had several K-frame Smiths and several Security Six models. They are the same size gun. They take the same holster and speed loaders, but the Ruger is clearly the stronger of the two. Now if they were both 38s? I think I'd take the Smith over the Ruger.

I am still working on getting a grasp on the differences among Smiths, but doesn't the K frame have a smaller cylinder frame than an L....38 Special versus .357 Magnum? I think it is the L that is more or less the same profile and holster fit as the Security Six.

 

[akarguy]

new S+Ws are pretty rough

Recently compared a 686 to a GP100 side by side. They were both new manufacture. I had read that 686s were supposed to be pretty nice and anlot of remarks describd tham as better than GP100s. The SW had tool marks, wasn't polished well and just didn't look good at all. The ruger was much much nicer. Better care was clearly taken milling and finishing it. I asked the guy what gives with the 686. He said SW had gone downhill in recent years with quality. The older revolvers were much nicer. I'd have to say if you are buying brand new you might lean to ruger. If buying used, you might lean to smith. But you have to compare them.