Looking at a .357 for my first Revolver

MTURBO said:
I'd go for a S&W model 19 with a 4 inch barrel. Cant go wrong with that.
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Or a S&W 13. Only difference is the sight. I carry a M13 daily with with Fed Fusion cartridges having 158 grain hollow points with a muzzle velocity of 1240fps and muzzle energy of 540ftlbs. It's a great cartridge.


M13 Canadian import. Even with a trigger job, factory combat grips, and changing to a target hammer, I've only got $168 into it sometime about 5-9 years ago. I'd probably get that for the grips alone today.

S%2526W%2520M13.JPG
 
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Two(2) 66 3", Mod 65 3" in .357 and SP101 3 1/16" in .327.

Just an old trigger puller however I can shoot a 3" as well as a 4" and prefer the full length extractor rod over the SUB-3" barrels shorter rod.

Consider used and plan on doing most of your shooting with .38 wadcutters..you don't need cases of full house .357 s to develop safe gun handling and shooting skills.

Best.
 
Unk said:


Two(2) 66 3", Mod 65 3" in .357 and SP101 3 1/16" in .327.

Just an old trigger puller however I can shoot a 3" as well as a 4" and prefer the full length extractor rod over the SUB-3" barrels shorter rod.

Consider used and plan on doing most of your shooting with .38 wadcutters..you don't need cases of full house .357 s to develop safe gun handling and shooting skills.

Best.
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That's what I'm going for but I'm considering a 4 inch barrel bc everyone seems to enjoy it more. I don't mind the extra length
 
SynSerp said:
I'm looking for a conceal carry that can handle weather
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If you want it for concealed carry then that changes things a lot. I don't recommend the SP101 for general shooting but it is a good choice for concealed carry but it is pretty heavy. S&W makes various small models in .357 mag such as the model 60. There are other small models similar to the 60, some of which are very light.

A lot of people have mentioned the model 19. For general shooting it is a good choice with a 4" barrel. With a 2.5" barrel it is usable for concealed carry. Similarly other S&W k-frames and L-frames are available with short barrels for concealed carry such as the 66, 13, 586, 686, 65(?), etc. The S&W models will be more expensive.
 
We've had S&W 686s and 66s and they (and the S&W 19) are outstanding firearms. Having said that, you will tend to pay much more for one of them than you will for a comparable Ruger.

Opinions vary but most people seem to give S&W a slight edge for looks, handling and trigger; but Ruger typically gets a substantial edge for durability (particularly in comparison to the K frame Smiths).

My three current .357s are all made by Ruger.
 
The .357 is a great all around caliber and can be had in a wide variety of double and single action revolvers as well as semiauto pistols like the Coonan Magnum Auto. Besides the ability to shoot .38 Special and .357 Magnum from the same gun you can also get a Ruger Blackhawk convertible and shoot 9x19 as well.

You have a wide variety of revolvers to choose from depending on your intended use from five shot models like the S&W J frames and the Ruger SP-101 to the large S&W N frames in 8 shot versions.

My personal experiences involve the Ruger GP-100 and SP-101 models, Colt Python & Trooper MKIII and S&W Models
66 and 28. All are more than adequate though some like the Model 28 and the Colts are no longer made but can be found in the secondary market.

I've been thinking lately about which one I'd keep if I could only keep one. So far I've been able to narrow it down to either the S&W Model 66 or the Colt Trooper MKIII, both with 4" bbls. For me at least, either would work for ccw, home protection, etc.

Here are some pics that might help you out.

Trooper MKIII

DSCF0205_zpse02a4ebf.jpg


S&W Model 66
M66Left_zps29369a20.jpg


Colt Python
Python_zps576e121d.jpg


S&W Model 28

28forsale.jpg
 
Maverick299 said:
S&W 686 is hands down my favorite .357 from S&W. Great weapons.
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Agree with 1 caveat: stay away from the newer models that have the trigger lock/safety. A co-worker had a new 686 that refused to fire after the safety mechanism failed and
some research found that this is quite common on ALL S&W revolvers equipped w/ this feature. My personal 686 is old enough not to be troubled by this.

My other .357 is a 1963 Colt Python; fantastic trigger and accuracy but not as robust as the Smith.
 
For concealed carry, but also something your wife can shoot I would recommend either a sp101 in 4 inches or a S&W 66. DON'T get one of those super light j frame deals. Not only do you give up the extra power that .357 would give you the recoil and blast is painful actually painful, If your not an experienced shooter you will develop a flinch, those super compact revolvers are uncomfortable in .38 even.
 
SBaker34 said:
For concealed carry, but also something your wife can shoot I would recommend either a sp101 in 4 inches or a S&W 66. DON'T get one of those super light j frame deals. Not only do you give up the extra power that .357 would give you the recoil and blast is painful actually painful, If your not an experienced shooter you will develop a flinch, those super compact revolvers are uncomfortable in .38 even.
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Agree.

I had a Ruger Speed Six 2.75" and it was no fun to shoot with any .357 load. Extremely loud, massive flame, massive recoil. After just a few rounds, wife would flinch even after switching back to .38 target loads. Traded it in on a 6" Security Six - much better.

Personally, I'd never use .357 in 3" for any role. YMMV.
 
TravisH said:
Agree.

I had a Ruger Speed Six 2.75" and it was no fun to shoot with any .357 load. Extremely loud, massive flame, massive recoil. After just a few rounds, wife would flinch even after switching back to .38 target loads. Traded it in on a 6" Security Six - much better.

Personally, I'd never use .357 in 3" for any role. YMMV.
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I'll shoot a 4 inch model 66 one handed no problem. I find my Rock Island 10mm quite comfortable. But I wouldn't shoot a stubby .357 mag if the ammo was free, I'm not sure if the concussion or stinging hand would be worse.
 
leghog said:
Or a S&W 13. Only difference is the sight. I carry a M13 daily with with Fed Fusion cartridges having 158 grain hollow points with a muzzle velocity of 1240fps and muzzle energy of 540ftlbs. It's a great cartridge.


M13 Canadian import. Even with a trigger job, factory combat grips, and changing to a target hammer, I've only got $168 into it sometime about 5-9 years ago. I'd probably get that for the grips alone today.

S%2526W%2520M13.JPG
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Yes, a Model 13 (blue) or 65 (stainless) would be a good choice, but I would look for one of the old 3 inch barreled models like the FBI carried for so long. The TALO S&W 586-L Comp is very nice, too and holds 7 rounds and so does the standard 686 Plus, which is cheaper.
 
Model 19, Model 686, and the Python are all phenomenal shooters.

I have the Model 13 as well... not as sweet a shooter, but definitely less cash out the door to get one. Robust too.
 
I like the 686. But it's a bit heavy, a nice condition Ruger Security Six would be a good choice.

A LEO trade-in 66 would be a good choice if you have an experienced S&W guy look it over. Many of the ones I checked out for friends either had yoke end shake (very common), some had sprung cranes, and quite a few were out of time. Very few folks know enough about S&W's to know what to look for or how to check it out. I found about one in ten I'd buy myself.
 
JB in SC said:
I like the 686. But it's a bit heavy, a nice condition Ruger Security Six would be a good choice.

A LEO trade-in 66 would be a good choice if you have an experienced S&W guy look it over. Many of the ones I checked out for friends either had yoke end shake (very common), some had sprung cranes, and quite a few were out of time. Very few folks know enough about S&W's to know what to look for or how to check it out. I found about one in ten I'd buy myself.
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End shake is fairly easy and inexpensive to take care of. You can finds a video on Midway USA's page about correcting it.


http://www.midwayusa.com/product/39...earings-s-and-w-k-l-n-frame-002-package-of-10

[video]https://youtu.be/JII__KNLYY0[/video]
 
I'm thinking that a ruger would be my go to. I'm thinking of something a bit heavy in the hand to make the shooting more comfortable. I don't mind if it has weight to it! I like it when I can feel the tool in my hand, plus I pm going to use a bag made for ccw so I won't really notice it's there. I live in a tropical climate so lighter outerwear is optimal. The self defense aspect for me really goes in stages, if it's within 5-10 feet I can closet he gap and use (preferred)my hands
 
I would stick with either Ruger or S&W and get what you like. The 4" GP-100 would be my suggestion for a first center fire revolver. I would suggest a 22LR handgun also if you don't already have one.

That said, my favorite 357 is a 6" Colt Trooper Mark III (blue). I have a 3" GP that is a dominant home defense gun.
 
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Something appropriate for most people to conceal carry makes a big difference in choice. The Ruger SP-101 is about as big and heavy as I could stand. The LCR's are popular. The grip is a tad large, but that makes shooting them more comfortable. But I prefer the lite S&W and Rugers. I carry a S&W M442 (blue version of 642) and have been pleased with it. I don't see much need for 357 in such a small light revolver. I would call that pain. But many do buy the 357 version and carry 38 spl's just for the potential flexibility. I wonder what flexibility does one want really?

I much prefer to shoot a full sized revolver in 357 mag. It will also be more pleasant to shoot by others who might not be as able to deal with the recoil. The GP-100 is too large for most to carry concealed.
 
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