Greetings all,
Four or so years ago, I posted a thread saying
Information Sought re: My Daddy's .357 Magnum (6 pics)
And then later, I posted another thread asking for help learning what S&W models there were out there chambered in .32 H&R Magnum, and received great help, that lead me to purchasing a pair of 431PDs, which I love!
But all in all, I long for more revolvers. Lots of semi-auto pistols. Way too few revolvers.
And lately I've been feeling the need for a .357 Magnum.
But I can't be dragging my Dad's Combat Magnum around, a pre-model number Combat Magnum with a very early s/n.
So I need to get one of my own, but again a-l-l the model numbers!!!
Was hoping my post here might help me get my mind around the .357 Magnum model numbers, and also just hear which ones you guys really LIKE.
I think I've got an idea of the basic structure, did it go something like:
S&W's N frame was really too big for the .357 Magnum (Bill Jordan thought so anyway)
So they built a beefed up K frame in .357 Magnum, which everybody loved!
But maybe it really wasn't purely up to that load, over time anyway. (???)
So they came up with the L frame, which was in between the K and the N.
So, the history went:
Pre ’55 big N frame .357 with no model number, later became the Model 27.
The Highway Patrolman was a Model 27 with less polish and cheaper grips, etc., and got the number Model 28.
Then they came out with the Combat Magnum in the new K frame.
Which later became the Model 19.
Then when they came out with the L frame, is this what the Models 581/586 and 681/686 are?
So that's about what I know. (if that's correct)
Which means I don't know what a model 66 is.
Or a model 327?
Or even if everything in the above paragraphs is correct.
So can y'all take over from here.
1- correct my errors.
2-and add what I'm missing, other .357 models?
3- AND TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE S&W .357 MODELS, AND WHY
I will add only this:
1- I don't want a snubbie in .357 For that caliber, I think I (me) would want a little more gun. A 4" barrel I'm thinking? 5" ? :-)
2- This isn't carved in stone, but I'm really "seeing" this gun in something "silver". Nickel? Or stainless steel? (which then I might polish up to a nickely shine? or... would you guys ban me if I did that????)
Thanks,
JamesD
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