Which 4” 357 for my next handgun purchase?

[Ala Dan]

Well folks, a little different twist here but I'm going to recommend a new
look 3", five shot Smith & Wesson model 60 .357 magnum. It would serve
well for the applications that were mentioned in the opening post~!

If it must have a 4" barrel, my personal all time favorite is the S&W model 19
or 66; but a 686 would also leave a lasting impression.

 

[Guillermo]

I didn't have to spend any money on my GP100 trigger. I just put lots of ammo through the gun.

That would take a LOT of ammo

 

[Virginian]

In single action, a Ruger New Vaquero in stainless 357 is a great woods gun and a fun shooter.

 

[BikerRN]

If you are going to buy a new gun I'd go with a 4" GP100 as it doesn't have the "Hillary Hole" that the S&W's have.

Not to hijack the thread, but I have a documented case of a S&W with a "Hillary Hole" failing me on the Range. It had to be sent back to S&W to be repaired. I'm switching to Ruger if I have a choice between a new S&W and a new Ruger.

If you are looking at a used, "pre-lock" S&W then the 66 or the 686 would be a good choice. I myself like the 686.

BikerRN

 

[baker437]

gp100. it has been a great gun. built like a tank.

 

[hamourkiller]

The original mod 27 is hard to beat and if you dont want to carry that nice of a revolver go with the mod 28 high way patrol. Buy used, with pinned barrel and recessed cylinders. This gun has size, strength and the finest of trigers. No body beats a S&W single action triger.
The mod 19 is also a great revolver, shoot mostly .38+P in it for practice and full house .357 mags in the woods.
Always get pinned barrels and recessed cylinders with S&W. Buy from gunbroker.com or auction arms etc.

 

[Rugerlvr]

 

[jjohnson]

Amen on the Hillary Hole.

Yes, indeed, I love my 686 Plus, but I love my Rugers, too.

I will never buy another S&W (new) because they caved with the Hillary Hole. I will still buy used ones - there are still a lot of them around that somebody bought, shot two boxes of shells through, then left it in a drawer. And I don't like the MIM modifications, either. I can't condone S&W's use of the Hillary Hole - but that doesn't mean the ones made a few years ago in happier times are off limits to me.

I have to agree that the GP100 is, like all Rugers, absolutely solid and reliable.
For my own hands, the S&Ws just fit, feel, and work better for me - I can't knock Ruger at all, own several, but the S&W grip frame is my preference. I think the GP100 doesn't quite have the same graceful lines - but then - I own a couple CZ52s, so what do I know?

 

[rgs1975]

I will never buy another S&W (new) because they caved with the Hillary Hole

The new production Model 40-1's have no internal lock.

 

[71Commander]

You can get a used S&W M28 in the 3-350 range. Last a lifetime.