Who makes a good quality, inexpensive .357?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Who makes a good quality, inexpensive .357?

Posted: 5/20/2005 12:30:36 AM EDT

I've been looking at buying at .357 lately, preferably one well suited for the outdoors with good accuracy and reliability, and probably a 5-6 inch barrel. As I'm getting ready to move soon, I don't want to invest too much money into a new firearm right now, preferably not more than $400-450, less if possible. Unfortunately, I don't know a lot about the reputations of some of the more economically priced pistols and their manufacturers (so any help you can give in this area will be greatly appreciated

).

I noticed the Rossi and Taurus models were very economical. I've shot Taurus' revolvers on several occassions and have never had any complaints. However, I don't have any experience with Rossi's revolvers. What's your experience been with them? What manufacturers and models would you reccomend? Which ones would you not reccomend?

Posted: 5/20/2005 12:37:22 AM EDT

[#1]

Ruger

an old Security Six or Gp100..... money to spare

Posted: 5/20/2005 3:29:23 AM EDT

[#2]

Taurus.

Mike

Posted: 5/20/2005 3:53:02 AM EDT

[#3]

Ruger GP100, unbeatable for the going prices at funshows.

Posted: 5/20/2005 5:10:19 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Ruger GP100, unbeatable for the going prices at funshows.

yup

Posted: 5/20/2005 5:24:53 AM EDT

[#5]

You can get a very good used Smith for under what you want to spend.

Posted: 5/20/2005 5:42:55 AM EDT

[#6]

Taurus

Posted: 5/20/2005 7:50:42 PM EDT

[#7]

For that kind of money you could get a used S&W .357,A case of ammo,speed loaders,holster,and grips!!! Use the ammo to become real good with your weapon and carry it everywhere you go with confidence!

Posted: 5/20/2005 7:58:59 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
For that kind of money you could get a used S&W .357,A case of ammo,speed loaders,holster,and grips!!! Use the ammo to become real good with your weapon and carry it everywhere you go with confidence!

+1. Love the Smiths. Pick up a copy of the Shotgun News and browse the ads for LE trade ins. You can get some great deals.

Posted: 5/21/2005 1:23:41 PM EDT

[#9]

I picked up a Dan Wesson .357 recently for a couple hundred dollars. It is in pretty good shape for it's years, but it wasn't a safe queen. Since the barrels are user interchangeable I will probably start watching the E/E and some auction sites for spares/different sizes.

I found it at a fun show just after I was at the table that I was told had a S&W 686 for $350. I took 10 minutes too long BS'ing and missed out on that deal, but I am not too disappointed since I found the DW.

Posted: 5/21/2005 2:26:10 PM EDT

[#10]

One of my first 357mag revolvers was (and is) a Ruger Security 6, 6" w/adj. sights. It has been an excellent revolver and it built like a tank. I see them on www.GunsAmerica.com and other sites for sale and they are quite reasonable.

It's just my opinion of course, but I think the Ruger Security 6 is just what you're looking for. Try and find one with low "mileage" and you'll be set to go. I certainly think the Ruger is better quality than the Rossi.

I have no problems with Taurus. At least with Taurus you get a lifetime warranty. But, I love my Ruger, it resides in the nightstand by the bed on the off chance that uninvited guests stop by at night.

Best Wishes.

JP

Posted: 5/27/2005 7:27:05 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
For that kind of money you could get a used S&W .357,A case of ammo,speed loaders,holster,and grips!!! Use the ammo to become real good with your weapon and carry it everywhere you go with confidence!

+1

Hit your local gunshops. Seems like ours always have a few used .357's setting around. My local one had a nice used S&W 686 stainless, 7 shot , 4" barrel for $425 last weekend.

Posted: 6/2/2005 8:33:34 AM EDT

[#12]

Here ya go.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=88&t=255667

Richard

Posted: 6/2/2005 8:36:58 AM EDT

[#13]

I would reather go with a used S&W then anything else

Posted: 6/2/2005 8:50:08 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Ruger

an old Security Six or Gp100..... money to spare

+1 on Security Six my dad owns one and it shots great

Posted: 6/2/2005 4:19:41 PM EDT

[#15]

an old Security Six or Gp100..... money to spare

My dad has a security six that has seen 15,000 plus rounds down the barrel without a single problem and half were full load .357. Its an amazingly accurate revolver and is so easy to take apart and clean.

Personally I think the Gp100s look better but have never fired one so wont say to much about it. The Gp100s I belive are also just as easy to take apart and clean.

I had a Taurus 627 7-shot .357 revolver with ported barrel and liked it a lot. Plenty accurate and only had a few very minor issues.

Posted: 6/2/2005 5:38:36 PM EDT

[#16]

I like my KGP141 (stainless GP100 4"). It is a fine looking revolver. The full shroud under the barrel looks nice. It fits in the hand well, and even with hot .357 loads, it's not hard to handle. I kept the factory grips, as they look pretty good, and the rubber helps absorb shock. It is pretty accurate, and I have not seen any noticable difference between .38 and .357 loads. I do need to take a dremel to the trigger, as it's a little sharp on the edges, and it chafes my finger a little bit.

I got mine new for $400 or so. Used can go for $300 or less.

Posted: 6/2/2005 5:50:06 PM EDT

[#17]

Rossi, Taurus, Ruger.

Posted: 6/5/2005 9:18:13 PM EDT

[#18]

S&W used, or ruger, try locol gun shops sure they would have one, or even a pawn shop...

Posted: 6/11/2005 11:18:45 AM EDT

[#19]

AFAIK Rossi's revolvers are made by Taurus these days, so their quality should be pretty much even.

Posted: 6/15/2005 5:39:22 PM EDT

[#20]

Ruger Security Six or GP100

Posted: 6/22/2005 12:16:37 PM EDT

[#21]

Paid $460 for my new S&W 686+ .357 with 6 inch barrel. (I'd get the 4 inch if I was doing it all over again).

My Ruger SP101 with 2 1/2 in barrel was $360.00, (new). Added laser grips for $180.00 and it will shot great groups with .357 ammo if you can hold on.

Posted: 6/25/2005 6:45:43 AM EDT

[#22]

+1 on the used Smith. IMHO, the older S&W revolvers are markedly superior in quality to anything now in current production. Find a 66 or 686 and make it your own.

Posted: 6/25/2005 7:19:45 AM EDT

[#23]

Many people like the Rossi and Taurus,I do not think they are a great value.
A S&W or a Ruger will hold their value much better and aftermarket stuff such as grips,speeedloaders,spring kits are available.
If you want dirt cheep buya Used Ruger single action.If you want a double action save up a while longer and get a S&W,I favor the 686 model-decent used one should be $275-$325ish.
The ruger double action guns are overbuilt like a brick shithouse and some like them for that but to me they are so heavy they are almost brick like and although they are accurate they are a stinker to shoot well because of the beastly triggers.
The S&W 686 has a pretty good trigger (mostly) from the factory and a $17 wolf spring kit will give you a great trigger. Great triggers are where it's at when shooting a revolver.A .357 is a great choice as you have such a wide variety of avalible ammo to fit so many uses.
A used Ruger or S&W is usually priced on cosmetic appeal more than mechanical condition as they are carried more than they are shot.A S&W 686 that is all scraped up because somebody carried it under the seat of a pickup banging around with a bunch of tools could be your best buy.

Posted: 7/3/2005 6:40:00 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
Taurus

+1 on the Taurus

Posted: 7/9/2005 8:13:25 PM EDT

[#25]

The first gun I ever bought online was my 6" S&W model 28-2 Highway Patrolman.

No, box, instructions, but it was mint/unfired and already had a nice set of Pachmyr grips on it.

After shipping and the FFL transfer fee, total cost was $420.00

Looks great. shoots great. It's my nightstand gun. I really like S&W's when it comes to revolvers.

Scott

Posted: 7/13/2005 11:03:34 AM EDT

[#26]

I was just in a gun show here that had the following used (and great condition) guns in your price range with lots of cash to spare:

4 inch barrel GP-100 (Stainless, bull barrel)
Smith 19 times 4 or 5 (from snub to 6 inch barrels)
Smith 66 times 3
Colt Trooper (not quite as good condition)
And I believe there was a Model 27

If you were looking at .38's they had a TON of:
Model 10's and 64's
Model 60's
Model 15's
Model 36's

I would say you have a LOT of options.

Personally, I love my old GP100. I would have bought one of the older Smith's (frmo back when they had better bluing and better triggers) I was just looking at if the wife wouldn't notice.

Shooter

Posted: 7/18/2005 8:47:47 AM EDT

[#27]

I bought a Smith 686P (7 shot) for about $485 brand new. I am very pleased with it. I prefer Smithies over any other revolver.

Posted: 7/31/2005 7:01:38 PM EDT

[#28]

I'll give another kick for S&W revolvers. I've seen a few S&W 28's turn up at gun stores around me for around $300 and I picked up a used 586 for $250 over the weekend. Its definitly worth looking around for a S&W as they turn up frequenlty, normally if you try a few you can find one with a sweet trigger and L and N frames will eat almost any mangum load you can throw at them. Hope it helps and best of luck in your search. Let us know what you get!

Posted: 7/31/2005 9:10:01 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
LE trade ins. You can get some great deals.

That's the ticket!! You can get a used S&W 66 for <$300 easy. Maybe a little more for 686.

Regardless of brand, think hard now about what you will really use it for so you can choose your barrel length/underlug wisely... weight vs. accuracy vs. recoil.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Who makes a good quality, inexpensive .357?

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