357??
- Thread starter EMS dude
- Start date
629 shooter
New member
My 357 of choice is still my S&W 686-4. But if I was to buy a new 357 revolver today for under $400 I would go with a 4" stainless GP100 with adjustable sights - owned one shortly after they first hit the market - very good accuracy. The only real downside to me - the trigger when firing in the single- action mode had the ever present Ruger creep. But still probably the best choice under $400 for a new revolver.
Thanks for all the input guys. I've pretty much got it narrowed down to a 4" stainless GP100, for 409.00$
a Taurus 4" blued Mod65 for 329.00$
OR a 686 for 450.00!
Ohh, the decisions.
I was on the taurus company website and it looks to me like they have raised prices a bit. Thanks again to all.
a Taurus 4" blued Mod65 for 329.00$
OR a 686 for 450.00!
Ohh, the decisions.
I was on the taurus company website and it looks to me like they have raised prices a bit. Thanks again to all.
EMS dude . . .
You can save at least $50 on a new Ruger KGP-141 by buying through www.gunbroker.com. Find a reputable seller, with a strong A+ history (there are several excellent choices), and arrange in advance for a local FFL to accept the firearm and process the ATF/state paperwork (should cost no more than $25).
You can save at least $50 on a new Ruger KGP-141 by buying through www.gunbroker.com. Find a reputable seller, with a strong A+ history (there are several excellent choices), and arrange in advance for a local FFL to accept the firearm and process the ATF/state paperwork (should cost no more than $25).
Umm, yes any of those would be really nice guns. Only thing, while I think I do prefer blued revolvers now, if I was to get a Taurus I think I would go stainless (both of my Taurus revolvers are/were blue and I'm not a big fan of the bluing Taurus uses on their revolvers). See if you can take a look at a blue Taurus that has been shot a bit, not horrible but they don't tend to look as nice as other brands' bluing or Taurus stainless- however for a good deal I wouldn't be afraid of Taurus bluing (I got my 605 in blue even though I already knew I didn't like Taurus bluing and if not for a recent unexpected expense I was thinking strongly about a used BLUE Taurus 44).
EMS dude . . .
Two additional comments/suggestions re the often-asked question of Ruger GP-100 versus S&W 686:
1) New Rugers are still available in blue -- as well as stainless -- with the well-known and frequently discussed advantages and disadvantages of both materials.
2) NEW Smith 686s have had some quality issues -- some have traditional Smith excellence, but others do not meet the quality standards normally associated with S&W revolvers. It's "hit and miss", and it would be unfortunate for you to get a new 686 "lemon". Please note, I am referring to recent production only.
Two additional comments/suggestions re the often-asked question of Ruger GP-100 versus S&W 686:
1) New Rugers are still available in blue -- as well as stainless -- with the well-known and frequently discussed advantages and disadvantages of both materials.
2) NEW Smith 686s have had some quality issues -- some have traditional Smith excellence, but others do not meet the quality standards normally associated with S&W revolvers. It's "hit and miss", and it would be unfortunate for you to get a new 686 "lemon". Please note, I am referring to recent production only.
629 shooter
New member
Well you can add Ruger to the "quality issues" list also. Actually looked at a GP100 yesterday at Gander Mountain in Ft.Wayne , IN. There was a machining burr extending from the front sight plunger hole and when opening the cylinder there were visible grind marks on the frame and again another metal burr. It is amazing that Ruger can be so careless on items that were so plain to see. Plus Gander had it way overpriced at $439.
Fans of certain brands seem to believe their company is immune from quality problems. I bought quite a few guns in the last 15 years or so. The guns I bought in the late 80's / early 90's never had to be sent back to the factory. Since the mid 90's on I have bought several "junk" guns. This would include Smith , Ruger , Marlin and Sprinfield Armory. The Marlin lever action would flat out not feed ammo from the tubular magazine but they supposedly test fired it before shipping.
Still I would recommend and did recommend a GP100 in a previous post - I would just suggest to look it over very closely before buying - that would go for any firearm regardless of make. The gun factories today seem to be more concerned with spitting guns out as fast they can - there is no excuse for some of the prducts being shipped to dealers shelves.
Fans of certain brands seem to believe their company is immune from quality problems. I bought quite a few guns in the last 15 years or so. The guns I bought in the late 80's / early 90's never had to be sent back to the factory. Since the mid 90's on I have bought several "junk" guns. This would include Smith , Ruger , Marlin and Sprinfield Armory. The Marlin lever action would flat out not feed ammo from the tubular magazine but they supposedly test fired it before shipping.
Still I would recommend and did recommend a GP100 in a previous post - I would just suggest to look it over very closely before buying - that would go for any firearm regardless of make. The gun factories today seem to be more concerned with spitting guns out as fast they can - there is no excuse for some of the prducts being shipped to dealers shelves.
Guy B. Meredith
New member
All these echos are beginning to sound like a electronic reverb machine out of the early '60s, but low cost and high quality definitely point to either the Ruger or used Smith 686.
One reason I own several Smith and Wessons is that S&W has been giving them to me "free" other than FFL and shipping ever since I bought the 686+. However, if I ever get rich enough to buy my own, the Ruger is near the top of the "wish list".
Guy B. Meredith
One reason I own several Smith and Wessons is that S&W has been giving them to me "free" other than FFL and shipping ever since I bought the 686+. However, if I ever get rich enough to buy my own, the Ruger is near the top of the "wish list".
Guy B. Meredith
braindead0
New member
How about a 4" EAA Windicator. They go for $209 brand new around here. May not be the sexiest thing, or the lightest.. but I've put ~1000rds through my 2".. many of them full power .357 loads with no problems.
This assumes you're into a little 'do-it-yourself', had to clean up the grooved trigger.. perhaps 5 minutes worth of dremel work and some cold-blue and all it well.
(yeah, here come the flames.. I gnow...
This assumes you're into a little 'do-it-yourself', had to clean up the grooved trigger.. perhaps 5 minutes worth of dremel work and some cold-blue and all it well.
(yeah, here come the flames.. I gnow...
$450 for a used 686? I don't think so. You can get a new one for that. Offer them $350 and let 'em take ya back up to $375.
I bought the 686 4" and put a hi-viz front sight on it. I think everyone should have one.
But, I turned down 3 NIB 4" 686's before I found mine. A couple had stars that looked like they went thru a blender and the third's extractor didn't look like it was lined up with the cylinder right. I wouldn't order one unless I had right-of-refusal.
I checked out a couple NIB GP100's and they looked like they were OK, but, it just wasn't the same as a 686.
I'm still recovering from my experience with a Taurus PT92 so they're not even on my radar.
Good luck.
I bought the 686 4" and put a hi-viz front sight on it. I think everyone should have one.
But, I turned down 3 NIB 4" 686's before I found mine. A couple had stars that looked like they went thru a blender and the third's extractor didn't look like it was lined up with the cylinder right. I wouldn't order one unless I had right-of-refusal.
I checked out a couple NIB GP100's and they looked like they were OK, but, it just wasn't the same as a 686.
I'm still recovering from my experience with a Taurus PT92 so they're not even on my radar.
Good luck.
