Help Me Pick A .357

T

threefivesevenmag

New member
I am looking to make a new revolver addition in the coming months.

I want to buy used more than likely. Smith & Wesson pre-safety lock models. My barrel length choice is either 4" or 6". I am leaning towards getting a blued gun, as most of my handguns are stainless. Here are my choices:

S&W 28 Highway Patrolman
S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum
S&W 586 or 686
S&W 66

I am leaning towards the 28. I like the lines. Which would you all pick? I am probably not going to carry it often. It will be more of a range/bed side handgun.
 
If you must have a 357 Magnum, your list is too short. S&W J, K L and N frames are good choices. Colt Lawman MKIII or Trooper MKIIIs or Pythons are good choices too. There are a few Rugers I would consider too. If you only limit yourself to blued S&Ws, look for a 3.5" RB, M27. The best ever.
 
Check out the Ruger GP-100

The Ruger GP-100 is a great gun, especially for the price. It's solid, and accurate, and feels great to shoot.
 
Out of a similar list, I ended up choosing the S&W 19-3. Now I am tempted by another 19-3 with nickel finish, even though the rest are still options (are available).
I did not like the trigger of the 28 as much. The 686 was not as balanced, though the frame is stronger. This might be a factor for you. The 66 didn't have the beautiful blueing that older S&W's have and that made the difference for me.
 
Great list. Stick with Smith.

I'd go with a 586 (the 686 is stainless, 586 is same gun in blue). If you haven't fired an L-frame revolver, be prepared to fall in love. Accurate, balanced, versatile, reliable and gorgeous. It will soon become your favorite.

My 586-7, seven-shot, 4-inch:

gun2.jpg
 
If you intend to shoot a lot of .357 get a N frame or a L frame for the superior durability and comfort. If you shoot mostly double action get a L frame, 586/ 686 designed by S&W especially for DA shooting. Also N frames have the reputation for going out of time if shot rapid fire DA over a long time, it's the momentum of the large, heavy cylinder hitting the cylinder lock and peening the locking recesses.

If you are going to shoot mostly .38 the K frame guns like the 19/66 are fine.
 
If I was to buy new it would be a Ruger 100, in fact I own one in 3 inch with fixed sites, great gun bomb proof would be an apt descreption.

Of the choices you mentioned the 28 highway patrollman is the obvious winner, It's based on the 27, the orginal 357, you don't plan to carry it so size / weight are less of a concern, the N frame will take all you can give it in 357 and not have a problem and while not as rare / desired as the 27, the 28 is the less common of the smith 357 guns so I think if you found the right one now and took good care of it, it will likely apreciate in value while I see the others as staying more or less static value wise.
 
With all due respect to everyone, don't you think we're kinda nit picking this to death???

The correct answer has always been, "get the one that catches your eye and fits your hand." I have all of those mentioned on this thread , except the one Sir Will recommended. I like them all, they're all great shooters. But if I had to pick just one it would be the Python, followed by my Trooper MKlll.

If I had to pick a Smith it would probably be my 686, or my 586, or my 66 or my 19.

Very close behind (here we go) would be my Taurus 689.

So get the one that turns you on. ;) Don't buy them all or you will turn into a boring old man like me...:eek:
 
Check out the Ruger GP-100 in 6" if you can find one, 3-5-7. It's reasonably priced, ruggedly built, and extremely accurate. Personally, I wouldn't go with the old Smith 28, but that's largely because I have relatively small hands and the 28 is a big, honkin' N-Frame. I have one in 4" and it shoots beautifully and has about the smoothest action of any revolver I've ever fired. It is bigger than it needs to be though. When Smith offered the 28 they simply took the exact same frame they were using for their Mod 29 .44 Mag and fitted a .357 cylinder to it.
 
all good advice.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I actually owned a Ruger GP-100 4" stainless model. That was my first handgun. I regret that I sold it, but the Beretta I purchased just kept calling my name.

I really am leaning towards a 6" barrel. I like Rugers, but I think I'll stick with the Smith's for now. I am sure I will eventually pick up another GP-100 though, or an SP-101.

I keep looking at the 27s, 28s, and 19s on auction sites. They just look beautiful. I also don't want a full underlug like the newer 586 and 686 have. Thanks for all your input though, anymore suggestions are welcome. I believe I am pretty much going to stick to wheelguns after I pick up a 1911 for graduation. Well...I might get a CZ-85 or a HP but that's a whole other story.
 
I like my 686. For a range gun, I'd go with a 6" tube. If it will also be a night stand gun, I'd go with a 4" gun.
 
All good choices except the M28 Highwayman I have one and just not that fond of it.Only reason I keep it is my daughters favorite to shoot:)
 
Just looking at what you are looking for, it seems to me that you might be best off getting a 6" Model 19. Nice at the range, blued, and it isn't like you don't already have some nice bedside guns already. Just don't try to feed it a steady diet of hot light bullet mag loads.

If it were me, I think I'd be more likely to go with a pre-lock 686, 6" barrel -- I've got a 4" one love it, but I think I'd like to get one with a 6" barrel for longer range work -- somewhat higher velocity and longer sight radius, maybe I'd scope mount it. And I happen to like the full lug, and I also like stainless finishes.
 
I have all those mentioned on your list. They are all sweet revolvers that will surve your purpose well. I would have a hard time selecting just one. Couple other thoughts for you to chew on.

1) Don't overlook the mod 27 (!) if you can find one. Same as the 28 but much more nicely finished. Same goes true for the mod 13, 65, 581, 681 etc.
2) the extra weight of the L and N frames will be comforting if you plan to shoot 357 mags allot. IF your mostly going to practice w 38's, and occasional 357's, the K frames seem "handier" to me.
3) Shouldn't have a problem finding any of these betwen $250 and $350 if your patient.
4) I like the Ruger 100's but feel that the triggers, actions and overall fit/finish of teh S&W's are superior out of the box.
5) S&W revolvers are like potato chips. BEt you can't get just one!
 
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