Best .357 Magnum...
- Thread starter B-Fox
- Start date
B-Fox; I packed a S&W mod 66 21/2' barrel for alot of years in the woods. With pachmayr grips it was controlable with all loads. It's hard to beat a Smith revolver but I've got a Taurus mod 617 .357 mag snubbie that I'm very pleased with. The bluing is excellent and the trigger pull is outstanding. It's a seven shot snubbie. I like it alot. C.R. Sam recommended the S&W mod 28. I've got one to. A 4" barrel. There're stout guns and work well with Federal's 180 gr. hardcast loads. I take it camping. There're fairly inexpensive at gun shows and gun shops. Good Luck, J. Parker
Bill in NM
New member
Personally, I prefer the Ruger GP100, stainless, 6" bbl with full shroud. Love that pistol!
B-Fox; The GP-100 has a real nice grip straight from the factory. No need for an aftermarket. The GP-100 is built hell for stout! I don't care for the trigger pull on the Ruger however. Just a personal thing. The Smith 686 IMO has a nicer trigger pull. With the 686 you can get a seven shooter. Both very nice guns. Can't go wrong with either. Good Luck, J. Parker
I'll most probably get 4" barrel 686 or 686P with Pachmayr Bill Jordan Combat Grips (check em out)...
If money's not a problem, gotta be the Colt Python.
I, however, made my choice between a Ruger GP-100, stainless, 4" fully lugged barrel and a Smith 686 comparably set up. I shot them both and bought the Ruger. Smith had the better double action trigger but wasn't as good a feeling gun in my hand. Accuracy was equal and I actually think the single action trigger on the Ruger was better.
Saved $75 and haven't looked back back in the year-and-a-half since I made the decision.
Just my two cents.
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Take the long way home...
I, however, made my choice between a Ruger GP-100, stainless, 4" fully lugged barrel and a Smith 686 comparably set up. I shot them both and bought the Ruger. Smith had the better double action trigger but wasn't as good a feeling gun in my hand. Accuracy was equal and I actually think the single action trigger on the Ruger was better.
Saved $75 and haven't looked back back in the year-and-a-half since I made the decision.
Just my two cents.
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Take the long way home...
B-Fox,
I know you requested no discussion of Smith's CUSTOM SHOP 627, but how about S&W's 627 SPECIAL EDITION? I think so highly of the 627 Special Edition, I own two of them. They are essentially the same design and the same quality as the Custom Shop's, but priced around $600 -- not $1000.
The 627 Special Edition is an "N" frame, all stainless, six round revolver with five-inch barrel, full under-lug, and front gold dot sight/rear adjustable sight. It is exceptionally accurate, reliable, and durable, with superb design and manufacturing quality. I see little real difference in the quality or accuracy of the 627 Special Edition when compared to the Custom Shop's 627, but the price is about $400 less. Incidentally, the Special Edition is not found in Smith catalog or web site; however, USED 627 Special Editions are available -- I simply cannot buy a new Smith now, regardless of their intrinsic excellence.
A final comment: my third .357 magnum revolver is a Ruger GP-100 (the KGP-141 model); this is the four-inch barrel, full under-lug, all stainless, adjustable rear sight model. It is also an outstanding revolver. I find it marginally less accurate than either 627 (my deficiencies, not the weapon's) but absolutely excellent in every respect. In addition, it is inexpensive -- I bought one over the Internet within the last six weeks for $315.
Hope this information helps.
[This message has been edited by RWK (edited August 19, 2000).]
I know you requested no discussion of Smith's CUSTOM SHOP 627, but how about S&W's 627 SPECIAL EDITION? I think so highly of the 627 Special Edition, I own two of them. They are essentially the same design and the same quality as the Custom Shop's, but priced around $600 -- not $1000.
The 627 Special Edition is an "N" frame, all stainless, six round revolver with five-inch barrel, full under-lug, and front gold dot sight/rear adjustable sight. It is exceptionally accurate, reliable, and durable, with superb design and manufacturing quality. I see little real difference in the quality or accuracy of the 627 Special Edition when compared to the Custom Shop's 627, but the price is about $400 less. Incidentally, the Special Edition is not found in Smith catalog or web site; however, USED 627 Special Editions are available -- I simply cannot buy a new Smith now, regardless of their intrinsic excellence.
A final comment: my third .357 magnum revolver is a Ruger GP-100 (the KGP-141 model); this is the four-inch barrel, full under-lug, all stainless, adjustable rear sight model. It is also an outstanding revolver. I find it marginally less accurate than either 627 (my deficiencies, not the weapon's) but absolutely excellent in every respect. In addition, it is inexpensive -- I bought one over the Internet within the last six weeks for $315.
Hope this information helps.
[This message has been edited by RWK (edited August 19, 2000).]
Guy B. Meredith
New member
I have the 686+ which comes with the Hogue rubber grip. I like it so well that I installed one on my Performance Center 627 V-Comp. The wood grips that came with the 627 were just too small for my hands and I like the nonskid nature of the rubber.
If you decide on a 686 and want to use the revolver for IDPA get the 6-round, 4" barrel version.
If you decide on a 686 and want to use the revolver for IDPA get the 6-round, 4" barrel version.
Robert Foote
New member
I have a 4" GP-100 with an excellent action job from an estate that I bought for its silky smoothness. As someone said, there is nothing more that it needs, and it is an excellent gun. I have a very soft spot for M28s (had two) but all N frames are too big for me no matter how hard I try.
As good as the GP is, my daily piece is a 4" Security Six due to its handiness. Same would pertain to a 4" M19/66 although they are not as durable. All pretty good guns!
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As good as the GP is, my daily piece is a 4" Security Six due to its handiness. Same would pertain to a 4" M19/66 although they are not as durable. All pretty good guns!
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B-Fox,
You are right. I have shot S&W 686s many times (although the only Smith .357 magnums I own are the two 627 Special Editions mentioned in the earlier posting).
Conventional wisdom indicates that the 686 has a slightly smoother trigger pull than the GP100, while the GP100 is marginally more durable in its design. I agree with these generalizations, but emphasize that the differences are very slight and extremely subject to individual judgment.
The one somewhat substantial difference I have noted is the 686's front sight. Both the Ruger GP100 and the S&W 686 have "ramp" front sights, but the 686's day-glow red is easier for me to use. This problem is easily -- and inexpensively -- corrected by: (a) painting the GP100's ramp with a day glow color of you choice; (b) buying (<$15) a set of drop-in color sights from Ruger; (c) buying (<$15) a drop-in gold dot front sight from Ruger; or (d) having your smith add a gold dot to the GP100's factory ramp front sight.
My "bottom line" for you is easy: I recommend either the Smith 686 or the Ruger GP100 with no reservations. Find the one that feels and shoots best for you! You will be very satisfied with either of these revolvers.
You are right. I have shot S&W 686s many times (although the only Smith .357 magnums I own are the two 627 Special Editions mentioned in the earlier posting).
Conventional wisdom indicates that the 686 has a slightly smoother trigger pull than the GP100, while the GP100 is marginally more durable in its design. I agree with these generalizations, but emphasize that the differences are very slight and extremely subject to individual judgment.
The one somewhat substantial difference I have noted is the 686's front sight. Both the Ruger GP100 and the S&W 686 have "ramp" front sights, but the 686's day-glow red is easier for me to use. This problem is easily -- and inexpensively -- corrected by: (a) painting the GP100's ramp with a day glow color of you choice; (b) buying (<$15) a set of drop-in color sights from Ruger; (c) buying (<$15) a drop-in gold dot front sight from Ruger; or (d) having your smith add a gold dot to the GP100's factory ramp front sight.
My "bottom line" for you is easy: I recommend either the Smith 686 or the Ruger GP100 with no reservations. Find the one that feels and shoots best for you! You will be very satisfied with either of these revolvers.
The quintissential best factory .357 is supposed to be the Python. I've shot it, and I like it. However, I'm told that because the action is a very old design, it's more prone to breakage than the newer designs.
I think that the GP100 and various Smiths are excellent guns, as well. Can't really go wrong with any of them.
However, the "best" for me is the S&W model 60 (with the chief's special grip). I use ankle carry a lot, and that's the only .357 I can carry there.
I think that the GP100 and various Smiths are excellent guns, as well. Can't really go wrong with any of them.
However, the "best" for me is the S&W model 60 (with the chief's special grip). I use ankle carry a lot, and that's the only .357 I can carry there.
Robert the41MagFan
New member
Why not a 627 Performance Center gun? That is like saying, what's the best single action revolver and no mention of Freedom Arms. What the best 1911 and not being able to mention Les Bear or Wilson. Performance Center guns are expensive. That they are! But, they are also the best DA 357 Magnums EVER made. And comes with performance that can rival some of the best auto's in the market.
Robert
Robert