The L frame and K frame .357 magnum were made side by side for 25 years. if the problem was THAT bad, why would S&W have continued to make them? Nobody is denying that the L frame is better suited for lots of .357, but as someone who sold his 686 and still keep my K frame .357 (model 13), I feel i made the right choice. K frames point better and just look better. I shoot a box of .357 158 grain a year. And I also am super anal about keeping the gun clean, something that I doubt many owners who had problems were, cops in particular. When I used to go to the range to qualify, cops used to unholster their model 10's and petrified french fries would fall out of the holster! I use a Lewis Lead Remover after every range trip to clean the forcing cone and barrel. If i really want to blast off some hot .357, I'll use my ruger service six. I can use the same holsters as my 13, too.
While I (and most every other rvolver shooter) will admit that the S&W K frame is very smooth and points naturally, Ruger did something right with the Six series, and as far as durability goes, the Six series beats the k frame magnums hands down. L frame strength in a K frame package. I sold a GP100 but kept my Service Six.
