Non S&W or Ruger .357

K

Kirkpatrick

New member
I'm thinking my next handgun will be a .357. I was wondering if there are some good models out there that aren't Ruger, S&W, or Colt. I know that all three of those are solid, no brainers when it comes to choosing, but I'm wondering if you could recommend a revolver that I would be happy with that is less expensive. I'm looking for a 3" to 4" barrel manly for range shooting.
 
Check out the EAA Windicators and the Taurus/Rossi revolvers. These revolvers get mixed reviews; I don't think they're up to par with Smith or Ruger, and definitely not up to par with Colt. But they are more affordable, and some people seem to think they're fine.
 
I have a Taurus 627 7 shot 4" 357, Taurus 617 7 shot 2" 357 and a Taurus 605 5 shot 2" 357. All have been excelant shooters the actions are smooth and trigger pull is light. The 617 2" is DAO. All of them are easy to shoot accuratly. The 4" 627 is ported from the factory. All have been shot with 357 ammo and have held up well with no flame cutting by the forcing cone.
 
Despite the spotty QC reputation, I've been fortunate enough to get a couple of good Tauruses (Tauri?). Scroll up to Jim March's revolver checkout above and treat even a new, in the box, gun as suspect. If it passes, odds are that you found a good one.
 
To be honest with you I would just keep saving and get a good used Ruger or Smith. I have played with Taurus before and after mailing themback for repair on my dime and waiting months for them to be repaired, really dont think it's worth the trouble (and expense) and I did not have my guns for months. I know there are alot of people who say they had no problems with theirs but I did. Good luck with your search.
 
Despite the spotty QC reputation, I've been fortunate enough to get a couple of good Tauruses (Tauri?). Scroll up to Jim March's revolver checkout above and treat even a new, in the box, gun as suspect. If it passes, odds are that you found a good one.
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This is my standard. I've been quite pleased with the Taurus 357's I've owned over the years. I had to sell them during a time of "economic downturn" shall we say, (I was out of work) which is the only reason I don't still have them.

I look for the older models with wooden grips from the 80's and early 90's. The ones I had, I'd have put up against any Smith & Wesson I've owned, and I've owned a bunch of Smith & Wesson's. But the Taurus guns cost about half, or maybe less than half what a comparable S&W did at the time.

Check them out just like you would any other gun, and you'll probably be happy with them.

Not a 357, but a 44 Special to give you an idea what the one's I'm talking about look like.



And, again, IMHO, those are about the most comfortable grips I've ever used.
 
Maybe a finish damage S&W??

I guess I'm saying that a cheaper 357 revolver will likely leave you disappointed.

This is considering that you can find a slightly rough looking S&W 19 for $350.
 
.357

I'd stick with S&W or Ruger but look to get one that is used, cosmetically rough finish but in good working order. They are out there if you don't rush and look around. Maybe an old police gun that's been traded in. I like Colts but even in poorer condition they will probably be more expensive than the other two. All three are American made and top quality.
 
I agree 100% with what CajunBass wrote above.

Look for some older Taurus 65/66/669/689 models from the late 80's/early 90's and you will be very happy.

Here are a couple from gun broker to give you an idea.

Full Lug model 66 (like a 669)
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=502603008

Model 689 (vent rib barrel)
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=502803643

Now those two above are in ecellent condition and would represent the high end you should expect to pay for these guns. You can find them almost as good, or as good,for much less if you look around locally.

If you were going to buy new. I would recommend a Taurus or Rossi over one of those EAA Windicators. I've handled some of those and it is my personal opinion that Taurus, modern examples included, are much nicer. The Windicators I've seen personally were pretty horrid. The models I would recommend new are the Taurus model 65 and Model 66. For Rossi, the R97104. These are the models that have been produced the longest and have the best track record for quality and reliability.

Oh, and here is my 1989 Taurus model 669 (6" barrel). Very smooth, very reliable and very accurate. NO complaints at all and it is nicer than my two Rugers (no lie).



Double action at 30 feet.

 
I was wondering if there are some good models out there that aren't Ruger, S&W, or Colt
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as far as I can see, no. And, when you add in cheaper, then definitely no.

I don't have anything personal against Taurus, apparently the good ones are good. But I've been watching these boards for several years now, and generally it seems that if you get a less than good Taurus, it is a major pain in the rear before it is finally fixed or replaced.

Colt has essentially been out of the revolver business (outside of their custom shop) for a long time. Good smiths who will work on Colts are getting harder to find.

Ruger & S&W are known for taking care of their customers. AND, they're in the US.

I'd buy a beat up looking Smith or Ruger before getting a new foreign gun for less money, mostly because I can count on Ruger & S&W to fix it, if it needed anything more than cosmetic work. I don't have the same good feel about south American, or Spanish guns. Not that some of them aren't good, just I've met too many that weren't.
 
Not quite a revolver

A couple of years ago, I managed to pick up a Coonan Model B for $500.

Keep your eyes and ears (and options) open and shop around.

Lost Sheep
 
Check out the Rossi offering. More like a K frame than the Taurus guns and no ports.

Among those who own and shoot them they get good reviews. I fondled one before my last .357 purchase. It felt good, looked good and seemed well made, should have bought it - ranks very high on my gun regret list.
 
Buy used. I'm a huge S&W fan I've got 2 686's 4" & 6", M-19 2.5" in 357 all were used sub $500 and the M-19 is 48 yrs old in near mint condition. My Ruger Blackhawk 357 w/ the extra 9mm cylinder was $400, but that's SA only.

If you look it's not hard to find a solid used Smith or Ruger in excellent condition for the same price, or lower, that a new Rossi or Taurus would be. I've owned a great Rossi knock-off of a Smih M36. Great gun, good quality. But I'd have more faith in buying a used Smith or Ruger with no warranty and having it be trouble free than a brand new Taurus or Rossi with a warranty. They'd hold their value if you don't like wheel guns or the 357 and sold it. I wouldn't loose a dime if I sold any of the used Smiths I've bought.
 
You've been given some great advice, and I'll only add this:
Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and Colt are the most renowned revolver manufacturers in the world for a very good reason.

S&W filled 85% of police holsters in the U.S. for 80+ years, and no small number of military pistols as well. Their trigger pulls, shoot ability, accuracy, and reliability are absolutely legendary. A good used Smith' is a GREAT value.

Colt darnd near put the revolver on the map as a military and police arm in America, and officers looking for an upgrade for their S&W often looked to the Colt Python as the creme de la creme of combat wheelguns. Most Colts will be out of your price range.

Ruger was started in 1949, a relative latecomer...but they are the standard of strength that all other revolvers are judged by. When you see VERY HOT revolver loads, they are often labeled "Ruger only". Not at slick in the finish as a S&W or Colt, its durability is second to none, and it's accuracy is well know by the hunting community. Occasionally older Service/Speed/Security Six models can be found at VERY reasonable prices.

Taurus, RossI, EAA, Charter Arms, etc, will usually go BANG!, and SOMETIMES will even shoot to point of aim without radical sight adjustments or Kentucky windage. Taurus is probably the best of the breed, but compared to the others they are...something less. All factories make mistakes and lemons...but these guys make them more often than the other 3.
 
Llama

You MIGHT just get a good one. You'll have to buy used and you better know how to check one out because there are undoubtedly lemons out there.

I've seen one that worked fine from when it was new and took everything the owner put into it and shot well for years and years. But that's ONE sample.

Eliminating Ruger, Colt and S&W is really being 'penny wise and pound foolish' IMhO. Save your money. Improve your chances of getting a keeper.
 
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