Considering a .357

B

Blast

New member
I'm considering a .357 4 to 5 inch barrel; what would be the better choice, S&W, Ruger, Taurus, or other?
 
You are going to have people like the previous poster tell you the 686 is the best. Then you will have people like me tell you that the Ruger KGP-141 is the best. Truth is, they are both great. Get the one that feels best to you.
 
When it comes to revolvers I like S&W and Ruger. I stick with these two companies and have never been dissapointed.
 
Get a Ruger GP100 4". You won't be disappointed. And, if you're like me, you'll savor the fullhouse loads you can shoot through it but not the S&W.

Chris
 
Smith & Wesson's L-frame 686-5

One fine handgun. It will handle any load that the Ruger
will handle, as the -5 has "beefed up" parts and pieces. I like
my 6" barrel version really well, cuz its accurate as all get out.
notbubba and Navigator gave you some real good information,
now its up too you to carry one for a test drive.:cool: :D :)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
NAVIGATOR

I'm looking at a real nice 686-3 with the thought of getting another one. Does the -3 have the "beefed-up parts also?
 
Navigator,

As per the Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson 2nd edition the 686-3 had two update's. In 1988 a new yoke retention system, and in 1990 the 2.5" barrel version was
introduced. The -5 updates are: change frame design to
eliminate cylinder stop stud; eliminate serrated tangs, change
to MIM trigger and hammer with floating firing pin, and change
internal lockwork.

* page 212, 2nd edition by Supica and Nahas.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
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Ala Dan,

I'd say the MIM parts are "beefed down" replacements for their milled steel predecessors. ;)

I dunno where you got "beefed-up parts" out of "change frame design to eliminate cylinder stop stud; eliminate serrated tangs, change to MIM triggerand hammer with floating firing pin, and change internal lockwork." :confused:
 
I vote for the Ruger GP 100 SS 4" and/or the Smith & Wesson 66 SS 3" (old style). 357 revolvers .. some of my favorite guns!
 
Older Smith & Wesson Model 19.

No finer combination of power, balance, weight, size, appearance and "other" has ever been offered.
 
What do you want the gun for?

If CCW is in the cards, then a 4" 13/65, 19/66 or a 581/681.

If not, then a 586/686. :cool:
 
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Personally I prefer the model 66 over the 686. The 66 balances better for me. The 686 is stronger, but I don't shoot a lot of .357s out of my 66, so the extra strength of the 686 would be lost on me.

The GP100 is stronger than the 66, but the trigger is not as good.

M1911
 
Both the Ruger and S&W will serve you well.


My opinion is to buy the Ruger, and get some trigger work done to it (out-of-the-box Ruger DA triggers leave a lot to be desired). That way, you'll have a super durable (strong) gun with an acceptable trigger pull. In the end though, you need to decide what YOU like better. The extra money you put up for a trigger work is payed for by the extreme durability and ruggedness of the Ruger GP 100.
 
I think both Ruger and S&W make top quality guns. I chose the S&W 686plus, becouse of the extra round, but I think you would be very happy with either gun.
 
I'm considering a .357 4 to 5 inch barrel; what would be the better choice, S&W, Ruger, Taurus, or other?
Click to expand...

Hard to say, depends upon what you want to do. They are all good guns.

Taurus makes great revolvers (though I'd stay away from the titanium guns for a while as some people here seem to have had more problems with them than the steel or aluminum guns- though not a knock on Taurus, S&W seems to have trouble with their titanium and scandium too, and many manufacturers had trouble with their aluminum guns when they first came out too). They are modified S&W designs. One of the changes is using a coil mainspring, it hurts the trigger pull a bit but is more durable than the leaf spring S&W uses. Most Taurus revolvers will last you a lifetime. Their snubs are probably better than the S&W J-frames (I love the trigger on my Taurus 605). They are also probably the most innovative revolver company right now. If what you want is a medium framed gun you will do yourself a disservice if you don't at least check out the steel framed Trackers. These are still a little less than the others so they are probably the best value.

Rugers are extemely rugged. Probably the strongest of the three, though at the price of being the heaviest and hardest to carry when comparing like sized guns. They also have the worst trigger of the three. These are great guns though and many swear by them (as the fans of all three do). They are also a great value, being about 10-15% less than a comprable S&W.

S&W is the standard by which the rest are compared. The 686 is the quintessential .357. The K-frame .357s are probably the best size and weight for a general duty .357 (big enough for comfort, small enough for concealment with a 4" or 3" barrel, strong enough for most .357 loads, light enough to carry comfortably). The J-frame snubs are classics and offered in more variety than you can imagine. While the K-frames aren't as strong as the Rugers they are handier, the L-frame is nearly as strong as a Ruger and, if you go used the N-frame (.44mag frame) is virtually indistructable. The trigger on these, especially the used S&Ws, will generally be better than the rest.

Any of these brands should be just fine. What do you want?

If you want pure strength check the Ruger GP 100, S&W 686 (or used 586), used S&W 27 or 28 (N-frame), or Taurus 608 (built on their .44 mag frame). If you want a medium framed, general duty, gun check the 4" S&W 686, the S&W 65 or 66, the Ruger GP 100 (with 3" or 4" barrel), the Taurus Trackers, and Taurus 65. If you want a .357 snub the Taurus 605 will probably have the best trigger, the Taurus 650 is the 605 with no external hammer, the Ruger SP 101 will probably be the most comfortable to shoot (though least comfortable to carry) and durable, and S&W has several models to choose that are great guns. If you are on a budget a new Taurus may be your best bet, though used Rugers and S&Ws are good deals too.

What do I have? I had a Taurus 82 (.38spl, K-frame equivelent) that was a great gun (I was an idiot and sold it when I got my S&W 65- at the time I didn't want 2 medium framed revolvers). I have a 3" S&W 65 (K-frame), a Taurus 605 (2" snub) and I just bought a used S&W 586 (the blued version of the 686) online (I will have it in about a month- MD one a month law). My next revolver is probably the Taurus 44 (.44mag) or a Tracker in .357, followed by a Ruger GP100. I like them all. They all have their places and will give you more than acceptable service. Find the one you like best.
 
Tamara
I want to upgrade. My old '60' is ready to retire. As for purpose, it will be my new general purpose workhorse. (plinking, back-up, change of pace carry, ect.) The 60 has 3" barrel, I want to go 4 to 5;)
 
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