AKElroy
Member
I think if you were to try the trigger on the 19 vs. the Rugers, you would have already made up your mind. I would add one that is not on your list, a good used 686.
Which of these .357 Mags would you buy?
- Thread starter Josh45
- Start date
- Status
Owen Sparks
member
- Joined
- May 27, 2007
- Messages
- 4,523
My vote goes to the Security Six (provided you can find good grips for it) The new Ruger GP-100 is unnecessairily chunkey.
Mildot,
I thought the exact same thing. How on earth are you charging me that kinda tax on a used gun compared to new? Heck, How are you even charging a different amount of tax at all?
I wanted to ask em but I was ready to leave.
So far, Im still stuck. I will be going back tomorrow and asking to fondle the 19-3. I will also ask about the 686.
For the person who asked where am I getting the Security Six at that price, Its at my LGS here in S.GA. I will find out exact price and maybe if he lets me take a pic of it! I will post it here.
I thought the exact same thing. How on earth are you charging me that kinda tax on a used gun compared to new? Heck, How are you even charging a different amount of tax at all?
I wanted to ask em but I was ready to leave.
So far, Im still stuck. I will be going back tomorrow and asking to fondle the 19-3. I will also ask about the 686.
For the person who asked where am I getting the Security Six at that price, Its at my LGS here in S.GA. I will find out exact price and maybe if he lets me take a pic of it! I will post it here.
Doubting Thomas
Member
I like them all, but I have rarely been seen without a Security Six for the last 30+ years. Everything you need, nothing you don't, and pretty much unbreakable.
armsmaster270
Member
I vote for the Model 19 I have a 19-4 4" and have shot it accurately @ 100 yards at the range.
lucky-gunner
Member
I have a S&W 19-3 and it would be my choice out of the choices you gave. Simply because that's a great price and they aren't making anymore of the good Smiths.
There will be a ton of Rugers if you still have the itch for one later on.
__________________
38spl ammo
There will be a ton of Rugers if you still have the itch for one later on.
__________________
38spl ammo
Hammerdown77
Member
My Smith & Wesson 686-1 with 4" full lug barrel is a spectacular gun. Balance is perfect, it's got a little more heft than a 19, making it easier to shoot full bore .357 and also making it more durable. It has a superbly crisp 3 lb. single action trigger break, and smooth double action that makes hitting at speed very do-able. I was hitting a 6" steel plate at 50 yards offhand rather regularly last time out (single action), so the thing will definitely shoot where you aim.
I paid $450 for mine, in very good condition.
I paid $450 for mine, in very good condition.
mdThanatos
Member
I'd vote Security Six as an all around use revolver. It is in between size of the SP and GP and will last and last and last, and 370 isn't a bad price for one.
4" GP can be carried but I would use it for a range gun/hd, which is what mine does.
For me, I'd want an SP with a 3" barrel, not a fan of the 2", plus the price of that seems high to me.
4" GP can be carried but I would use it for a range gun/hd, which is what mine does.
For me, I'd want an SP with a 3" barrel, not a fan of the 2", plus the price of that seems high to me.
Okay, So I called and asked about the 19-3. The nickel plated one I had seen had been sold. I don't know the price. I asked if they had a blued one and he gave me the price on it which was $495+ tax.
Sorry about the wrong price from earlier.
I also asked him about the Security Six and told me I can get it for $350.00 OTD!
Sorry about the wrong price from earlier.
I also asked him about the Security Six and told me I can get it for $350.00 OTD!
gamestalker
member
All are fine pieces, but my personal favorite, if I were the one choosing, would be the GP100, err maybe the SP101, no actually the 19-3 sounds good, but that Security Six is an excellent handgun too.
Get my drift, buy them all and have a great collection of some well made wheel guns.
Get my drift, buy them all and have a great collection of some well made wheel guns.
oldbear
Member
As much as I love my M-19's if I were in the market for a .357 Magnum revolver that I was going to shoot with mainly .357 Magnum ammo I would go with the Ruger. Rugers' are tank tough and should give a life time of solid service. If I waned a classic American revolver that would be carried a lot and shot a little I would go with the M-19 every time.
"The M-19 everything you need in a revolver, and nothing you don't need."
"The M-19 everything you need in a revolver, and nothing you don't need."
I own three of the ones on your list and I have shot the fourth.
If you are going to carry it, the SP101, no questions. I routinely shoot full power .357's (not max/heavy loads) out of it and recoils is similar to .38 SPL's in an AirWeight. The trigger is most excellent, but it has had, according to the previous owner, some smith work done. It might be my favorite revolver... nah, that's probably my 4" Redhawk.
My 19-3 has the best trigger of any handgun I've owned. (I have the target hammer/trigger on mine.) I have occasional light strikes. This gun is too large for me to carry. It gets used mostly for teaching in my pistol classes. Strange that it is a .38 SPL... are you sure?
A 2-3/4" Speed Six is very high on my desireable list, but I own a 4" Service Six. The gun is near 100% and no trigger work has been done. I would like to find a local trade, but I've starting to give up hope. If I could only have one .357 Mag I would probably want a 4" Security Six with a trigger job. The lines and looks just don't get any better, IMO. I got a good deal on it and always wanted one, but it's not "exactly" what I want.
Newly manufactured GP-100's have better triggers that new Smiths or my Service Six. It is a large gun, and if range shooting or hunting is your goal than that would be my choice, but I'd probably go with a 6".
If you are going to carry it, the SP101, no questions. I routinely shoot full power .357's (not max/heavy loads) out of it and recoils is similar to .38 SPL's in an AirWeight. The trigger is most excellent, but it has had, according to the previous owner, some smith work done. It might be my favorite revolver... nah, that's probably my 4" Redhawk.
My 19-3 has the best trigger of any handgun I've owned. (I have the target hammer/trigger on mine.) I have occasional light strikes. This gun is too large for me to carry. It gets used mostly for teaching in my pistol classes. Strange that it is a .38 SPL... are you sure?
A 2-3/4" Speed Six is very high on my desireable list, but I own a 4" Service Six. The gun is near 100% and no trigger work has been done. I would like to find a local trade, but I've starting to give up hope. If I could only have one .357 Mag I would probably want a 4" Security Six with a trigger job. The lines and looks just don't get any better, IMO. I got a good deal on it and always wanted one, but it's not "exactly" what I want.
Newly manufactured GP-100's have better triggers that new Smiths or my Service Six. It is a large gun, and if range shooting or hunting is your goal than that would be my choice, but I'd probably go with a 6".
Iv'e owned, shot, or worked on many different .38-.357 Mag revolvers over more than 40 years and don't consider the Rugers an "equal" to the S&W 19. They're heavy and clunky and the triggers are not in the same ballpark.
I've worked on both, tuning for police and others and the older S&W 19s are the cat's meow for folks who plan to carry often, shoot .38s a lot, and use .357s for serious work. They're not a handgun to shoot 1,000 or more full magnum rounds a year, however. They'll take 100 a year for maybe 15 years, but they last much longer if shot with .38s.
That said, if you want to blast away with heavy .357s, the Rugers are probably a better choice. Their beefy frames and cylinders can take the abuse.
I've worked on both, tuning for police and others and the older S&W 19s are the cat's meow for folks who plan to carry often, shoot .38s a lot, and use .357s for serious work. They're not a handgun to shoot 1,000 or more full magnum rounds a year, however. They'll take 100 a year for maybe 15 years, but they last much longer if shot with .38s.
That said, if you want to blast away with heavy .357s, the Rugers are probably a better choice. Their beefy frames and cylinders can take the abuse.
roaddog28
Member
I would go with the model 19 if the condition is good. Can't beat a model 19 as the best handling and best balanced 357 magnum ever made. Now if the model 19 is beat up then go with the Ruger Security Six. Still the most underrated revolver ever made and in my opinion the Security Six was the best DA revolver Ruger ever made. Except for the SP101 I have all the revolvers mentioned. My pick is model 19 and Ruger Service Six.
Regards,
Howard
Regards,
Howard
Kludge,
It is not a .38. It is a .357. It was my mistake. I had just glanced over it and didn't notice it. Sorry about the confusion.
As of right now, Im looking towards the Security Six. I would like to shoot .357 without worrying to much about abuse. I would of course use .357 for some range time and I would use more .38 for range.
The .357, If carried....Would be the caliber I would like to use in it.
It is not a .38. It is a .357. It was my mistake. I had just glanced over it and didn't notice it. Sorry about the confusion.
As of right now, Im looking towards the Security Six. I would like to shoot .357 without worrying to much about abuse. I would of course use .357 for some range time and I would use more .38 for range.
The .357, If carried....Would be the caliber I would like to use in it.
Owen Sparks
member
- Joined
- May 27, 2007
- Messages
- 4,523
Whatever you get clean it well after shooting lead .38's because a ring of lead deposits can build up in the cylinder and cause problems when you go back to shooting
.357's.
.357's.
I have all 4 and the feel of S&W is tough to beat. However my GP100SS 6inch full lug, is very accurate, feels great in your hand, built very robust, GP101 in 357 is a wonderful carry gun. small, accurate, well built. My S&W was made in 77 with the pinned barrel and I do not use "hot" 357 in it. Forcing cone issues but it is made beautifully. Trigger is nice, quality is first rate. Tough to choose. Security-six another really fine wheel gun. I would go with SP101 if you carry. Will handle hot 357 and 38 very versatile sidearm. Good luck
I love the SP-101. It's tough enough to take a lot of .357 shooting, heavy enough to not beat you up with full power loads, cheaper to shoot with .38 Special loads, and small enough to carry it a lot. Right now, if I could only have one handgun, it would be a 3" SP-101 .357 magnum.
The GP-100 is also a great revolver, but the SP-101 is a lot more comfortable to carry.
I've also owned a Security Six and they're solid guns. The example you cite doesn't seem over-priced. Still, I'd take the SP-101. Also, depending on the age of the Security Six, you might have a hard time finding aftermarket grips if you need them. That's basically the only reason I sold mine. But I have bigger hands, the stock grips were kind of small, and full power .357 loads just caused too much twisting and bouncing around. Eventhough the SP-101 is smaller and lighter, the right grips can keep it where it belongs in your hand.
The GP-100 is also a great revolver, but the SP-101 is a lot more comfortable to carry.
I've also owned a Security Six and they're solid guns. The example you cite doesn't seem over-priced. Still, I'd take the SP-101. Also, depending on the age of the Security Six, you might have a hard time finding aftermarket grips if you need them. That's basically the only reason I sold mine. But I have bigger hands, the stock grips were kind of small, and full power .357 loads just caused too much twisting and bouncing around. Eventhough the SP-101 is smaller and lighter, the right grips can keep it where it belongs in your hand.
Last edited:
Snubshooter
Member
I'd JUMP on the sec six for that price. Then the SP101, and then the GP100. Any one of which will last a lifetime of 357 mag usage.
mrbro
Member
Security 6. Use the money saved to buy a set of Pachmayrs and as a down payment on some reloading equipment.
Stainz
Member
If the 19 is in nice shape - grab it. If you want an SP-101 sized .357M/.38Spcl, consider the S&W 60 series. A particularly nice example, with a 3" target barrel, tritium Night Sight on front, nice wood grips, and a decent trigger, consider a new 60 Pro, like mine below:
Sure, it'll be more than the others - but it's a new revolver - with a great warranty. Mine was $651 OTD new at a local Ma/Pa gunstore in January - they actually list for a little less now. Just the right size for coat pocket carry - in/outside WB carry in a holster. Recoil with +P .38's is fine - and my choice for protection (158gr LHPSWC +P). It's a great plinker with 125gr .38 loads - hard to miss the SPC targets at 12-15yd (Good thing - you only have 5 shots!).
Stainz
Sure, it'll be more than the others - but it's a new revolver - with a great warranty. Mine was $651 OTD new at a local Ma/Pa gunstore in January - they actually list for a little less now. Just the right size for coat pocket carry - in/outside WB carry in a holster. Recoil with +P .38's is fine - and my choice for protection (158gr LHPSWC +P). It's a great plinker with 125gr .38 loads - hard to miss the SPC targets at 12-15yd (Good thing - you only have 5 shots!).
Stainz
- Status
