YET! I'm really hooked on semi-autos and have several more to buy before I start on revolvers. I do think that EVERYONE should own at least a .357 and a .44 magnum. I really would like a 2-3 inch .357 and a 4 inch .44 Magnum, preferably an older S&W, with a nice blued finish. I'm still acquiring new semi-autos, but if something nice comes up in one of these categories on the used market, I'd grab it if possible. I don't like spending more than 5-600 on a gun. What are some nice ones to keep an eye out for?
I'm a HUGE revolver guy and though I enjoy all of mine, I would have to agree with you on the .357 part and DISAGREE with you on the .44 Magnum part. IMO, if a shooter is a hardcore semi-auto guy, then he should still have a solid .357 Magnum, but a .44 Mag is no necessity whatsoever.
I can't argue all too hard against a 3-inch .357 Mag, but I would rather have a 4-inch... but to be completely honest, I truly prefer a 6-inch. But my point is that you
really take a heap of great used .357s out of your grasp if you stick to 3-inch and refuse a 4-inch. For a great
used 4-inch .357 Mag that will see more .38 Special than full bore .357, I would suggest:
--any Ruger Security, Speed or Service Six revolver
--any S&W K-frame Magnum, Models 13, 19, 65, or 66.
--any Ruger GP-100 of any finish or vintage
And if you fancy a used 4-inch .357 Magnum to be used with MORE .357 Magnum:
--any Ruger GP-100 of any finish or vintage
--a S&W Model 28, N-frame, the low-key and lower priced version of the fancier Model 27
--a (rare) Ruger Redhawk in .357 Magnum, but not likely to be cheap
--any S&W L-frame, Models 581/586 or 681/686, but can be a little pricey
For a fantastic .44 Magnum found for decent money on the used market, I can't believe there exists any bigger "bang for the buck" than a nice used Ruger Redhawk. These are fantastic and extremely durable, albeit plain revolvers. I have a lot of fun with mine, but it's a big, long, heavy, Mag-Na-Ported 7.5-inch barrel blued one from 1985. I paid $600 for it in "barely used" condition.
One last bit, purely how I see it:
I would pay
just as much money for a -used- .357 Magnum revolver of my tastes... than I would pay for a brand new, box fresh, never owned, never fondled, never fired example directly from the gun store or distributor.
Absolute truth.