recommendations on a 357

I am sure this topic has been done to death however I didn't find a previous topics that I thought adequately convinced me so...

I am looking getting my 1st 357

not looking for ccw gun as I have plenty that fill that role, so I am thinking either a 4" or 6"

I don't plan on competition shooting with it, I will probably carry it as a back up when I go hunting, as well as target shooting, and I would like it to serve as a good work hoarse combat revolver as well.

basically just a good, accurate, reliable workhorse 357

I also cannot spend $1000 plus on it, my price range is looking around $500-$650

my initial feeling was to get a ruger gp100, I like that it is supposedly a tank of a revolver and owners of it seem to think very highly of its performance, its also a current production weapon so if it ever has issues parts shouldn't be a problem.

however there is a gun show coming up soon and with it the opportunity to eyeball some various used s&w and colt 357s

I have been looking into different S&w 357 such as the 686 and so on. supposedly they have a much better trigger than the ruger but are not as robust and rugged, and with the issues with the locking mechanism as well the diversity of all the different models I am a bit confused as to a particular model I should look out for.

lastly in years past I have also seen a number of used colt troopers and trooper mark III revolvers for sale a decent price, I have always had an affinity for colts and I have been told that the trooper is a tank of a 357 similar in ruggedness to the ruger but with a better trigger. it is however an orphan gun and parts could be an issue later down the road.


so my question is this, should I just take the plunge and get a new gp100 now, or should I wait and see what used colts and s&w revolvers will be at this gun show. and if I should wait, what models should I stay away from and what models should I look for.

If you can find a pre-lock L-frame S&W 586 or 686 (shouldn't be too difficult) go for that. Probably the best all-around workhorse .357 out there. Nice trigger and action, very accurate and built to withstand constant use with heavy magnum loads. Stuff one with .38s and it's like shooting a .22. The GP100 is nice too, but it's trigger and action are not as smooth as the S&W and both weapons are as rugged as they need to be.

The only issues I can think of with the S&W L-frames were with a very few early production 586s. No-dash and -1 models IIRC. There's still a S&W recall out on them to replace the firing pin and a couple other small bits. If they've already had the recall done there will be a "M" stamped in the yoke of the frame and you're good to go. The newer guns are all good to go.

I own two 686+ models, one 3" and one 5". They are by far my favorite wheel guns and I even have a Python sitting in the safe (and it stays there more often than not). They are both pre-lock versions, so there is no issue there. I would say if you can find a 686 without the lock go for it. Otherwise, swoop up a Ruger and call it good. Its really going to come down to preference on which of the Big Three you are going to enjoy most.

A good but used N frame - 27 or 28.

Here's a picture of a couple of old 28's.



and a 27;

Ruger Security or Service Six are viable options also. They preceded the GP series and some folks like them better.

ETA: There's also the Speed Six.

I love my GP. I can ring gongs at 100 yards with it! Stay the course... especially with the numbers of "lawyer-locked" guns coming out.

586

pre-lock 586/686

Model 13-2 I picked up LNIB for $435. 4" barrel, smaller and lighter than an N-frame. Fixed sights, nothing to hang up on but the hammer (which when covered by the thumb is a non-issue).


AFAIK not rated for constant .357 use.

Based on your needs I'd get a S&W md28 6" and then look for a S&W md13 round butt 3".

The S&W 686/586 are PLENTY strong. They are made of FORGED Steel
Rugers are investment cast, and may look beefier, but not necessarily stronger

the S&W's are smoother, especially after a tune up and Wolff spring kit.

you can get a great S&W model 66 for that price range.

I recently bought a 19-4, ( pinned and recessed ) for $400



Some holster wear, but, timing, crown, endshake, forcing cone, all perfect.

As stated look for a Smith&Wesson model 28 with a four inch barrel (N frame) or a pre lock 586/686 with four inch barrel.

The L frame Smiths (586/686) will have no problem handling a lifetime of .357. Same goes for the N frame models 27,28.

Good advice all, and I laughed at the "thicker" ad- haven't seen that for a while.
OP, Colt, DW, Ruger all make or made fine guns. I am a fan of S&W myself.

If you find a nice M27 in your price range, buy it:

If you find a nice M28 in your price range, seriously consider buying it:


Or, and more likely, you may find a nice L frame- either the 586/686 or the 581/681's:



Or, M13, M19, M66, if you like the K frames. They are nice handling guns, but I (regrettably, now) got rid of my last K magnum, a M66 snub, a decade ago and just decided I could make the adjustment to the L frames. Still got Dad's old M15, though ;)

Read the Revolver Checkout by Jim March, and happy hunting!

I just picked up a 2.5" 66 for $420.

J&G currently has 4" Smith 66's for just over $400. I can promise you..... you'll never see "trade in" 66's again (I'm actually rather shocked that they found these!). While not quite as beefy as an L frame (586/686), they're still one of my favorates. I've got 2!

<<< double tap>>>

$469 is a little over "just over" $400.

Get the L frame 686 and don't look back. The Rugers are good guns but not nearly as refined as the S&W. Try them both side by said and you'll know...

+1. This. Plus the resale value on S&W is much better than Ruger.

I could've sworn I saw 'em at $449...... whoops!

Still not a bad deal at $469....... though not quite as good as the $200 retail I bought my 66-1 for about 15 years ago.

686

I vote S&W 28.

My first issue was a Colt Trooper 4in .357, then a S&W model 19 4in, 66 4in, 686 4in. The 686 was the most accurate of any revolver I had ever used and as the range officer and armorer tough enough to last. I have a couple but my favorite is my 686 RB 4in. You can’t go wrong with a 686 in 4 or 6 in depending on your size.

exellent, I am deffenately leaning toward the S&W now. and thanks for the line on the model 66 that jg sale has, I will be looking into that.

some great options so far, but what should I look out for, what models that may look like a deal should I run from? I know to check for the obvious, timing, lock-up, nicks on the crown, ect... but any real models to stay away from? aside from ones with the hammer lock?

I've got one of those too!

Good thread. I was in the same boat as you ,OP. I wanted stainless or nickel 357 from Colt, S&W or Ruger. I didn't care which one just whatever I found and liked first.

I found a nice S&W 66-2 with a 2 1/2" bbl from a guy at work. It was a ex Sheriff Dept. gun,and the next week at the fun show I found a 66 no dash with a 4" bbl. It was also an ex trooper gun.

So...I got both, and am very pleased. Here's a crappy pic.

This times 1000, also, how do you like that TR-3? Been thinking about picking one up.

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