.357/.38 special revolvers

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - .357/.38 special revolvers

Posted: 5/11/2002 8:11:41 AM EDT

Which would be a better gun, a ruger speed six, taurus model 66, or a S&W model 66 or L frame? I want a stainless model, but I cannot decide which one would be more reliable in the long term. I want to get them as long term keepers, and get more than one. Your opinions and experinces would be app.

Posted: 5/11/2002 8:55:40 AM EDT

[#1]

I think you would be served well by any of your choices. If you can find a way to try all of them first you should do it because some will feel better in your hand more then others.

Posted: 5/11/2002 9:01:52 AM EDT

[#2]

IIRC, the Ruger Security Six (Cousin to the Speed six) has adjustable sights, an advantage, IMHO. At gun ranges that rent revolvers, Rugers have a reputation for durability second to none.

Posted: 5/11/2002 9:06:11 AM EDT

[#3]

they all will give you a long service life 10,000 rounds plus...

shoot them all before you buy and go with the one that feels the best to you.

Posted: 5/11/2002 9:20:22 AM EDT

[#4]

All of them would be fine handguns, the Ruger and Smith a little finer overall. However, I would go with a Ruger GP100 or the L frame smith, they will be slightly more durable with full house 357 loads. Depends really on what they will be used for. I have a GP100, and the trigger is sweet, surprisingly enough...Lol.

Posted: 5/11/2002 9:26:16 AM EDT

[#5]

A friend of mine has a real nice Smith 686. I love that gun. Its a .357 If I were you I'd look at that model too.

Posted: 5/11/2002 9:58:04 AM EDT

[#6]

I know you didnt mention this one, but I have a Ruger GP100 SS 6" BBL. The quality of this firearm is amazing. My friends reload books have "special" loads just for this gun. And when you run out of ammo for it, it doubles as a sledge hammer.

This thing will last forever!

Posted: 5/11/2002 10:00:48 AM EDT

[#7]

I'd recommend the SP101. I've owned a lot of Turuses (66,85,99,605) and all were great firearms, but IMO the Rugers seem more durable.

Posted: 5/11/2002 10:10:26 AM EDT

[#8]

S&W and Ruger have better finishes , while Taurus's are better priced , can't really go wrong with any of the three . Love my stainless Taurus 669CP .

Posted: 5/11/2002 10:12:15 AM EDT

[#9]

I like my Taurus 608:

I've got the 4 1/2" barrel SS model. 8 shots of .357 GOOD!

-Gloftoe

Posted: 5/11/2002 10:23:43 AM EDT

[#10]

raf is right about the Ruger Security-Six; they are very nice, and they are indestructable.

CAPITALIST is also right about the S&W 686; they are also a very good choice, with the addded advantage (along with Taurus) of being easier and cheaper for a gunsmith to do trigger work on.

Posted: 5/11/2002 10:28:22 AM EDT

[#11]

If you are shooting mostly .38 then the smaller frame weapons will suit you well. The larger frames such as GP-100 and the 686 will eat many, many more .357 loads without trouble than the security six or K frame smiths. I shoot a Model 681 smith myself.

Posted: 5/12/2002 5:20:37 AM EDT

[#12]

I love my Smith 686. I don't think you could go wrong with one. That being said, all of the revolvers that you mentioned are good. Pick the one that feels best to you.

Posted: 5/12/2002 6:12:55 AM EDT

[#13]

I only own S&W 686's (have 3) and never owned the Rugers listed (my Rugers are all single action). I do notice that the Ruger's I see at local gun shops are always priced $50-100 less than a comparable S&W. I have questioned many people about his, and the most common answer is that the Rugers are less popular.

OSA

Posted: 5/12/2002 6:49:25 AM EDT

[#14]

Colt Python

Posted: 5/12/2002 7:02:07 AM EDT

[#15]

Ruger GP-100.
With sights, the GP-141 (blue) or KGP-141 (stainless).
Without sights, the GP-331 or KGP-331.

Posted: 5/12/2002 6:21:09 PM EDT

[#16]

Ruger revolvers have a well deserved reputation for durability. My personal GP100 had more than 40k rounds through it when I retired it. I would highly recommend them.

Posted: 5/12/2002 6:26:19 PM EDT

[#17]

I have a Smith 66 in 2 1/2" bbl stainless that I love. I shoot that better than any gun I own. Fit and finish are flawless. The longer I own it the more I admire the workmanship that went into it.

It will be the most expensive of the three listed however...

Posted: 5/12/2002 6:42:57 PM EDT

[#18]

Ruger GP100, 4inch heavy barrel,in stainless.You'll be very happy,also you might want to try hogue grips...I really love mine.

Posted: 5/12/2002 7:09:35 PM EDT

[#19]

What g45_70m said. My exact same set-up. All the semi auto guys tell me how useless it is till they shoot it. Everyone who shoots it loves it. You won't be disappointed in a Ruger kgp-141. Shop around and find a good deal. If you keep it clean it will hold its value.

Posted: 5/12/2002 8:21:55 PM EDT

[#20]

RUGER!!! at the prison where i work we use ruger service-six .38's. these guns last darn near forever. if you want to see if a gun is durable, just give it to a dimwit corrections officer. if it can be broken,we will break it. we also have a few s&w model 10's that you can't hit the broad side of a barn with.

Posted: 5/12/2002 8:53:38 PM EDT

[#21]

Hi, I looked long and hard at all the revolvers that were on the market, read every article that I could fined. I ended up getting the SW stainless 686 with a 6" bar. With the Hoag Combat grip, this gun just fit my hand much better than the Ruger GP100. SW stands behind there guns, not sure about Ruger, they both are considered to be some of the best revolver's that you can get, a Colt Python is also a very nice gun, they are a bit more pricey thou. You see more S&W's at shooting matches, and there a more smiths that preffer the S&W over the ruger.

Posted: 5/12/2002 9:24:15 PM EDT

[#22]

Good choice, although I have a ruger, nothing against the Smith. I did have to put a hogue on my GP100, helped the fit immensely for my hand. Just a word on price diff between smith and Ruger. I think it is probably because Ruger makes use of a lot of Investment Casting, so this keeps cost down. However, even though cast is a dirty word for AR's, I've never heard anyone say that Ruger's aren't durable. Yep, I've shot some pretty hot handloads in my Ruger, and never had problems. All the guys with 44's use to come over and ask me what I was shooting...LOL. One of these days though, I hope to find a mint Smith Model 27...:-)

Posted: 5/12/2002 9:42:16 PM EDT

[#23]

S&W 686 (or 686P if you want a 7-shot cylinder). Stainless steel, 2.5" bbl., hogue rubber grips. Kind to the hands, even w/ hot .357 mag loads, mainly due to the weight (about 32 oz.), but the grips are good, too.

I have the 7-shooter, & I just carried it in my fanny pack while walking around Greenlake (4 mi.) this A.M. w/ the fiance & our collie. I wouldn't necessarily go jogging or running w/ it, but it isn't uncomfortable either. BG's are sure to be intimidated by it's appropriately powerful appearance.

Another good choice would be the S&W Lady Smith, which has 5-shot capacity & a unique 3" bbl.. This is really a nice gun. I almost got it, but could only afford 1 revolver & wanted to have the higher 7-shot capacity, which I tend to favor because of the contemporary verbotten frutzen status of hi-cap anything. But, the LS is a really nice gun. Originally envisioned as a female-friendly CCW gun, it is probably a better choice for CC in general than even my 686 series.

Posted: 5/13/2002 3:09:03 PM EDT

[#24]

The Smith may be more accurate and should ahve a better trigger, but the Ruger will outlast you.

Politics aside, when I buy revolvers, I buy Rugers. They are reliable as an AK, and they can easily handle loads you would not consider putting in a Smith, much less a Taurus.

Posted: 5/13/2002 3:41:52 PM EDT

[#25]

I don't know what you feed your Ruger in terms of HOT loads- Ive had both a Smith and my current 357 is a Taurus 689 6". It will handle any load in a recognized reloading manual that you care to try. So would a Smith. I reload and have tried most including 180 gr JHP loads! My current Taurus is going on 5000 rounds with no parts broken- Imagine that, and a very fine out of the box trigger. Can't beat the price either.

Posted: 5/13/2002 3:57:18 PM EDT

[#26]

Go with a Dan Wesson. Top notch revolver.

Posted: 5/13/2002 4:17:52 PM EDT

[#27]

I'm a big fan of old (pinned& recessed) S&W revolvers.
I think a 2.5" 19 or 66 is a very handy gun BUT if your looking
for durability get a Ruger security six/GP100 or L frame S&W.

The L frams is just as durable as the Ruger.
It's really closer in size to an N frame S&W.

I have a 2.5" nickel 19 & a 3" 686 7 shot.

I really enjoy shooting the 686.

Posted: 5/13/2002 4:22:22 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
Colt Python

Nuff said

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - .357/.38 special revolvers

Armory » General Firearm Discussion

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us