Which .357

S

softouch

Inactive
K frames, A frames, brand bashing, feels like being hit with a hammer in the hand - done lots of searching & gets confused...

If you had to have a .357 Magnum for Home Defence & Concealed Carry and were going to shoot factory .357 Magnum rounds through it (practice, practice, practice), which current model would you buy?

S&W: 686 Plus 3"; 686 2 1/2""; Model 60 3"; Model 60 2 1/8"

Ruger: SP101 3 1/16"; SP101 2 1/4"

Taurus 605 2"

Chiappa Rhino

Rossi R461 3"

Is there a good one that I missed?
Not concerned about price, but am concerned about availability and easy to find. Also not overly concerned with weight...I stand 6'6" & weigh 235#.

Recommendations for sight upgrades & IWB holster also appreciated.
 
I'd stick with a Smith or Ruger. I have nothing against the others, but if you have problems, Smith and Ruger will take better care of you(not sure on the Rhino, since that's kind of an oddball). Resale will also be better with the Smiths or Rugers. I have a Rossi and really like it and never had any problems. But if you have to send them in, I guess it takes forever to get them back. A Dan Wesson is also a good choice if you come across a used one.
 
Myt reccomendations: Smith, blue, 3 - 4"

like this S&W 586:
150909_01_lg.jpg


or this model 60 3":
178013_01_lg.jpg
 
The only gun you listed that I have owned is the Rossi. I had their 2" version though. I loved the gun and sometimes regret selling it. You can't really go wrong with a S&W either though.
 
Ruger SP101. Just fondled one today as a matter of fact . Has my name on it. The new 4.2 in adj sights.$ 530.00.
 
I really like my GP100, but for concealed carry I'd go with an SP101.

It's hard to beat a Ruger for the price.
 
I choose Ruger over S&W. I have not bought a recent S&W because of all the errors in the builds. I've seen too many crooked barrels and mill marks.

I like how Ruger trigger work involves only spring changes and adding shims.
 
S&W ,,,,K frame ...in a 4" would be my choice :

a. if I were going to carry it...( model 19 or 66 )....
b. if I wanted to go a little bigger - I'd go with the S&W 686
c. and if size wasn't an issue I'd go with an N frame model 27 or 28 and again all in 4".

Getting a good horsehide leather holster is the key to carrying a revolver.../like Kramer leather...but each sized frame will need a different holster.

I like a 4" or a 2 1/2" because of the increased length of the sight plane...
I find a 6" too big to carry..

Practice, practice, practice to me ....means at least 4 boxes a week ...but a K frame can handle that...but an L frame is a little easier to shoot with the extra weight ....and the N frame is a lot easier to shoot because of the heavier frame.

There is no wrong or right answer here...its what you want to do.
 
The Ruger equivalent to the 686 is going to be the Ruger GP-100. One of these two might be what you are looking for. They have enough heft to handle the .357 load while still very portable/concealable.
 
From your choices based on your size and practice practice, practicing with .357 loads, the 3" 686+ (or the blue 586 Comp version).

I was gonna say the 327 Nightguard, but I gather S&W no longer catalogs that exact model. 8 rds of .357 in a snubbie N Frame could be a good thing but some will argue power loss of the magnum load due to short barrel... dunno (hence the 3" minimum, 5" being better perhaps from a useful .357 energy POV or just using .38+ ammo in short barreled wheelguns).

Just to add to your confusion, make sure to get good gear to keep it on you as well (belt, holster and ammo pouch).
 
Not concerned about price, but am concerned about availability and easy to find.
Click to expand...

Why?

You're only looking for 1, right?
Gunbroker is a click away.

Buy American

Ruger for the best durability
Smith for the best trigger
Colt for the best looking
 
Ruger's Gp100 is a great gun,
built like a tank, but an older Smith
like a model 19 is such a smooth gun.
I'm not sure but I think I read somewhere
that Smiths won't stand up to full
power loads like a Ruger but you can't
prove it by me.
 
I love my Coonan Classic. I all so love my S&W 627. They are both easy to shoot and very accurate. The only down side is they are both a little big to CCW unless you are very large or willing to carry in a shoulder holster.

Of the ones you listed I would take the S&W or Ruger.
 
None of the above--
Find a good Colt Trooper III on gunbroker. They're built like tanks, great shooters, and they're not making any more. They're a bargain right now. In 5 years you could double your money on it.
 
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