One of the two best 357's ever made...

S

Snub357

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How's that for a conroversial title?

In my opinion, the best 357 Magnum revolvers ever made are the Smith and Wesson Model 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum, and the Ruger GP-100.

My favorite of the two is the 686, and this is my newest, a 686-4 with a square butt and four inch barrel.

N frames are great, but they are more gun than needed for the cartridge. Pythons are fantastic, but my opinions are about fighting handguns that can take a lot of punishment and keep on shooting. Concealment is not the issue, although I can EASILY conceal this gun.

This one is from the last run of the square butt S&W's and has the firing pin on the hammer, and no MIM parts. Sweet double action pull and immaculate SA break. Bigass wood Target grips. ( I love these grips on this gun, they just feel "right")

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My intention is not to start any BIG arguments, but to stimulate a little discussion on your favorite 357. and why you like it.

We've all got our opinions and our reasons. let's hear yours! :D
 
Great minds think alike *G*

Well, I just bought a 686 4-inch today, so you won't get TOO loud an argument from me :D

Why do I like this one? I...
  • like the double action for ease of loading and unloading, and flexibility of single action or double action operation at my choosing
  • like the Smith for its' trigger, looks, and quality
  • as you, think the L-frame is the right size for this caliber
  • like the 4" as the best compromise barrel length for a do-everything handgun. It's light enough to not be too heavy for holding out on the end of the arm for a long range session, or to make carry impossible. It's small enough to allow carry. It's big enough to give an accurate sight picture, good bullet acceleration, and soak up recoil and flip for shooting comfort and effective followup shots
 
586/GP-100? Me too!

Snub.357,

I'm with you on the 586 (686) or Ruger GP-100 revolvers! These guns are versatile and deadly for self-defense as well as hunting and vamint control. To be fair, hunting would require a 6-inch barrel and careful cartridge selection for any 4 legged critter over 150 lbs.
This would be my gun if I were allowed just one. I own both, by the way. The graceful, smooth and accurate Colt Python is in a different league. I many ways the Python leaves the rugged, affordable and reliable GP-100's and 586's in the dust! I've never enjoyed firing any gun more than a 4 or 6-inch barreled Python! My accuracy with a Python exceeds what I can do with the afore-mentioned models.
But the Python is hand-tuned at the factory, expensive (and why not?) and like a fine Italian Sports car, in need of occasional tune ups. "Rugged" is not a word I'd use to describe the otherwise perfect Colt Python. Pythons have a "fun factor" like NO other gun! I've sold the three I formerly had and WILL someday acquire a blued 4-inch model :)
I've got a fine Beretta 92FS. It's ammo is dirt cheap and it digests ammo of every kind without a hiccup. Soft recoiling,too. And shooting it feels like walking in a pair of high heel shoes compared to my Smith and Ruger .357's!

Larry C.
 
I agree 100%!! Here is my older 686 dist combat magnum too. :) The trigger one of the absolute best that I have ever felt on a stock gun from any manufacture.. Ill never get rid of this jewel of a .357

Frank
 

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A 686 4" is high on my most wanted list. I also like the gp100, but do not see myself owning both. Of the two, the 686 is my choice. Money-wise the gp100 is very tempting though.

Jeff
 
The 686 is a nice gun. but I think there is better. Hay I have a 586 and I think it is one nice gun. But if I want to go out and shoot the crap out of 357 mags! My 627 and 27 handle that little power house with ease. I took my 627 out today and run some ammo through the gun. I just think that gun will last forever.

I don't have anything bad to say about Rugers but I really love the Colt 357 mags for there beauty and accuracy. I think hands down the Colt is the best 357 you can get. It just a work of art!

I don't like to bash guns makers and I see that many people do! This just MHO! I think Colts are the best! them Smiths and then Rugers. If I found a good deal on any of these guns (and I'm always looking) I would be more than glad to add them to my collection.
 
First of all I have to congratulate all of you on mentioning the GP100 and 686 in the same thread without bashing one and praising the other! Yes , I agree they are both great 357s!

I'll admit that I am partial to the 686 since it was my first handgun. I have also owned a GP100 4" and it was one I definitely should have kept. A guy at the gun club offered to sell me his not long ago but it was a 6". I currently have the Smith in the 6" and would like a 4" GP100 to go along with it. Each time I am at a show and see a 4" GP100 I have to pick it up and hold it - one of these times it will actually leave with me!
 
All of the above mentioned revolvers are great! I love the 686/586 & the Colt pythons. Nothing wrong with the Rugers either... I have a 686-6
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I admit I have my mind set on an N-frame soon!!!(Model 29-2,Model 57,model 25)
 
The 686 is a fine revolver, but any top .357 list must include the Python and the Freedom Arms model 97.
My old Python had the cripest, lightest trigger I have ever tripped. With its fast (1:14) twist, accuracy with 158 and 180 grain bullets was unparaleled, even with my T/C Contender. No, it didn't have the ruggedness of an AK, but I never had any trouble. The Ferrari of revolvers.
The Freedom Arms 97 .357 4.25" is my replacement for the Python. For such a tiny gun it is incredible. Full power magnum loads are easily handled, and accuracy is right up there with the Python. The trigger is not quite as light, but it is crisp as glass. Besides it's as light as I'd want in a field pistol.
The Model 97 DOES have the ruggedness of an AK.
 
There will be one that is BEST in accuracy, one BEST in ruggedness, one BEST in concealability, one BEST in quality, and one BEST in economy.

It's my opinion that the 586/686 is the BEST combination of all those traits. Especially with a four inch barrel.
 
I am going to have to disagree on both counts. I own a 586 Smith, and while I love it very much, I dont think the L-frames qualify at the top of the list. The GP100 is an abomination of a revolver in comparison to the slick and svelte Security and Speed Six revolvers, and even the original Redhawk.

The two best .357s are very hard to narrow down. I feel it liesomewhere in the real of the Smith Model 27, the Smith Model 19, and the Python. I cannot narrwo the two Smiths down, but I feel that the 27 may have it. Im not a big Python fan, but one cannt argue the extreme quality and beauty of the Python. The quality of any of these three guns is heads and shoulders above the guns mentioned in the leading post.
 
S&W Models 19 and 27?

Lilysdad,

I'm a bit embarrased to admit to having never fired a S&W model 19 or a 27. I'm assuming that these are .357's on the "K" frame? Sounds like I need to take the 19 and 27 on a "test drive" soon :)

Larry C.
 
I like the 19 or 66 better than I do the 686 but the 686 and the GP100 are both nice guns for some reason I just like the K frame better than the L frame.But I do have all four and shoot them a regularly :)
 
For me it would have to be the Colt Python and the S&W 686. I favor the Python a little over the 686 but it was just me. It's like if I was to go target shooting, pick up the Python. Daily defense carry, pick up the 686. I am not saying the Python is not a good defense gun, it is just in a different class and I want as little ware and tare on it as possible. :D
 
Let's not forget about the Dan Wessons.
I wish I could afford a Colt Python and/or a S & W 686, but untill then
I still love shooting my DW 357 with the interchangable barrels, from 2"
up to 12". And the trigger breaks smoothly at 3 1/4 Lbs.

The other gun that I think is great is the Ruger Bisly. Both of these guns
fit my hands just right.

That's my $0.02 worth.

Happy shooting
Scott5
 
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