.357 Revolvers

Vapor

Vapor

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Alright gang, I need some help selecting a revolver in .357. I'm trying to not go too insane on price, but I want something that will last/ be reliable. Id like to to have a good bit of pop, but still be carryable, perhaps even concealed in winter. That means I'm probably looking at a 4-5" barrel. Finish wise I actually like black, but maintenance wise probably stainless is the better bet?

I've been looking at a gp100 with a 4 or 5" barrel, but feature wise I've been drawn to the Taurus tracker too with a ~4" ,but I'm not sure I can trust a Taurus. My friend pushed the 8 shot Redhawk, but it looks like a heavy girl.

I'm looking for some of you with more experience. I know a little about them, but my main wheelhouse is more modern semi auto stuff.
 
kev74

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I like older Smith & Wesson. Seems like guns from the 70s and early 80s have the best combination of quality and value. If you're patient, you can find great deals on revolvers with holster wear and low mileage.

I have a Taurus Tracker in 41 magnum and like it, but it's not like S&W.

I'd have no problem with a Ruger GP100, just never found one I wanted badly enough.
 
Vapor

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Bustedknees said:
I'm thinking you'll get over carrying anything bigger than a snub nose in a hurry..
Click to expand...


Part of the carry is on trails and hiking where I might run into a good sized PA black bear. I believe I'm also allowed to carry a side arm hunting in PA.

For EDC I have a Glock 19 clone and a lcp max for the other kind of wilderness.
 
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Ruger security 6, Dan Wesson (repete had one for sale) , smith, colt,.

Everyone else. Charter Arms, etc..
Depending on how much you shoot, A cheap brand works, Dan Wesson used to make Rossi iirc.
 
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Robin

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This little nugget makes a willing trail companion. A classic in a classic caliber.
charterfirearms.com

Model # 34431

Bulldog® is a powerful, but compact revolver. The Bulldog® is ideal for concealed carry and target practice. Its ergonomic, finger-grooved rubber grip minimizes recoil for maximum comfort and control, while the potent .44 Special chambering delivers almost twice as much muzzle energy on target...
charterfirearms.com charterfirearms.com
Robin
 
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Smith all the way for me have an older 686 with out the lock out 6 " barrel stainless sweet revolver got rid of my Ruger gp100 not a bad gun but a bit clunky compared to the Smith Benn looking at the new Colts but haven't pulled the trigger on 1 yet
 
VietnamEraVet

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My first EDC after I got my NY CCW was a used stainless 5 shot Ruger SP101 snubby (2.25" barrel) in .357. Still have it and will never sell it. Added a Crimson Trace LG303 red laser sight grip to it for shits and giggles, - and also because it gave me a slightly longer 3 finger grip. It's a pretty healthy kick when fired, - and the muzzle flash will very likely blind your attacker, - temporarily at least.

It is dimensionally identical to Smith Model 60 in .357, but none of those were available in new condition at the time that I could afford to buy my first one, so the Ruger it was. I think it is built a bit heavier than the Smith? Very easy to conceal with an OWB Desantis leather thumb break holster at 5 o'clock, as the widest point is 1 and 5/16" wide at the cylinder. Mine is slightly older than the one in the picture, made in 1995, - it does not have an adjustable rear sight, and the front sight that I replaced with a Meprolight ML-10992, and later to a HiViz Red RG2006 night sight uses a roll pin.

sp-101-2.jpg
 
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Koz

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My woods gun is a 4" stainless steel Ruger Security Six from the mid 70's. I had a SP101, but sold it. A fine gun, but one of my workers wanted it more than I did. I have S&W Models 27 and 28 and a nickel 586 among a few others. For the woods, the S S is lighter, more compact, has 6 rounds and is comfortable to shoot and easy to target on follow up shots. Nothing wrong with the Smiths, but N Frames and even L Frames are fairly beefy. If you do go the S&W route, I'd advise you on a nice used pre-MIM and pre-external lock model. Snubbies in .357 (M 60) are generally more than a little "snappy" to shoot with flip and recoil. I'd feel safe with a .357 to encounter a PA black bear or anything else you might stumble across. In your application I'm not sure you need a .41 or .44 (I have a M 657 and a M 29) but both are great rounds and I would never try to talk anyone out of a gun!
Good luck. A lot of fine choices out there and EVERYONE NEEDS at least one .357!!!
 
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Combat Magnums are my first love. I personally won’t buy any Smith made after 1980 so I’d be looking for a 66 no dash or a 66-1, which is the Combat Magnum in stainless.

Here’s my latest Combat Magnum pick up, a 19-2 in nickel that left the factory in 10/62 according to Mr. Jinks. IMG_1027.jpeg
 
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FP1201

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Rugers are indestructible and heavy.
S&W has had essentially the same design for >125 years and has plenty of tips & tricks for making them smooth.
New Colt's are a bit of a different animal from previous designs. I have a "new" King Cobra that's not too bad, (also see Viper and Grizzly) but the previous owner hated it.
Taurus: well, they've improved over the years, but it's still a S&W copy with a hit or miss history. Rossi, Rock Island and Charter Arms revolvers fit into this second tier category...better than nothing, but I'd rather save up a few Dollars more for better quality.
Chiappa Rhino is a white elephant.
Weihrauch Guns Windicator, SAR_USA, I know nothing about reminds me of the Rock Island Revolver.
Henry Arms has turned out a few new Revolvers, but I haven't handled one, so all I can judge is aesthetics from pictures.
Kimber has their K6 in DAO and DA expanded from the original K6R (snub/DAO) I've shot both and found them very well built, much like a Ruger with the edges polished & smoothed (also a little heavy for CCW, subjective)

What I always recommend with Handguns is to find one that feels good in your hands, one that you like the design and action of and go from there, because if you don't really like it, you'll never really embrace its use; sure, you might get to where you qualify with it, but it's just not your cup of Tea.
4" Barrel is a good choice for carry, target, and getting out and onto a pissed off Bear...longer barrels have better sight radius than short, velocity increases/decreases with length, but only a hundred fps or so, quickly deploying longer barrels can be ungainly depending on sizes and how carried.
take yourself a notepad and go to a few Shops and even gun shows, handle a few, make written notes of what you like and don't (and price)
I dare say most if not all new, modern guns will handle +P and even hundreds of rounds of full house without issues, but historically the cheaper it is, the less abuse it'll take before getting sloppy or breaking...."Don't marry the first date".
 
dsdmmat

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I carried a Dan Wesson 715 with a 6” barrel for years before I went to carrying a Government sized 1911. Should have never sold that gun. Never really had any issues carrying the revolver in a vertical shoulder holster under a light jacket or button up shirt.

I have a few 357s ( Colt, Ruger, Smith and Wesson and Dan Wesson) I prefer a 6” barrel in a revolver as a balance for velocity and recoil control.
 
Vapor

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Well it looks as though my financial situation is not going to be as advantageous as I had hoped. This will have to get side barred for now.
 
cgrutt

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VietnamEraVet said:
My first EDC after I got my NY CCW was a used stainless 5 shot Ruger SP101 snubby (2.25" barrel) in .357. Still have it and will never sell it. Added a Crimson Trace LG303 red laser sight grip to it for shits and giggles, - and also because it gave me a slightly longer 3 finger grip. It's a pretty healthy kick when fired, - and the muzzle flash will very likely blind your attacker temporarily at least.

It is dimensionally identical to Smith Model 60 in .357, but none of those were available in new condition at the time that I could afford to buy my first one, so the Ruger it was. I think it is built a bit heavier than the Smith? Very easy to conceal with an OWB Desantis leather thumb break holster at 5 o'clock, as the widest point is 1 and 5/16" wide at the cylinder. Mine is slightly older than the one in the picture, made in 1995, - it does not have an adjustable rear sight, and the front sight that I replaced with a Meprolight ML-10992, and later to a HiViz Red RG2006 night sight uses a roll pin.

View attachment 255399
Click to expand...
My first was a Model 60 in stainless. It's a nice gun but pretty "snappy" (kicks like a mule more like it) and breathes fire with the short barrel. Fun gun to shoot... a few times hahaha.
 
That_FNG

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Vapor said:
Alright gang, I need some help selecting a revolver in .357. I'm trying to not go too insane on price, but I want something that will last/ be reliable. Id like to to have a good bit of pop, but still be carryable, perhaps even concealed in winter. That means I'm probably looking at a 4-5" barrel. Finish wise I actually like black, but maintenance wise probably stainless is the better bet?

I've been looking at a gp100 with a 4 or 5" barrel, but feature wise I've been drawn to the Taurus tracker too with a ~4" ,but I'm not sure I can trust a Taurus. My friend pushed the 8 shot Redhawk, but it looks like a heavy girl.

I'm looking for some of you with more experience. I know a little about them, but my main wheelhouse is more modern semi auto stuff.
Click to expand...
The ruger GP100 is the most reliable rugged revolver you can buy. Never seen one go out of time. Easy to work on. Colts and smith&wessons have nicer triggers out of the box but the ruger GP100 is the most reliable.

my GP100 was made in 1994. Has fired thousands of rounds and never an issue. I bought it used from a friend who had bought it new. If you want a revolver that is going to work every single time, never give you a problem, and can handle a steady diet of full power 357 magnum, the GP100 is the one you want.

IMG_6081.jpeg
 
FP1201

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I too have a GP100 and gifted my Son the SP101
The Trigger on the GP is much smoother and lighter than the SP despite supposedly being the same lockwork and springs...never tore it down to work it over, and the Son never complained.
They are "bulletproof" and hefty....Paraphrasing a Ruger Engineer once about a Super Black Hawk "try to blow it up, you can't and if you do, I'll send you another one."
 
Catskillkid

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I have a S&W 686 six inch that I use when I walk around my property (stumbled upon too many bears and don't want to take the chance to get mauled). I also have an S&W 649 (which I don't think they make anymore) also in .357. I would just suggest if you do get a snubby don't make a habit of shooting .357 out of it too much. Your hands will thank you.

I have a Ruger Vaquero, also in .357 which is fine gun, but it's Western themed and not really meant as a carry gun. I've heard lots of good things about the Ruger GP100 and SP101s and don't think you could go wrong with either of those.

I think wheel guns are an underrated firearm that more folks should get experience with. Yes, my go to carry gun is my Sig P365 but I wouldn't turn down a J-Frame on my side either.
 
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