I am a big fan of the Military Channel's top tens.
In this question I want to stick to top tens not for their collectors value but for gun performance.
I would like to start with .357's as they are popular ( does not have to be S&W's).
Giving the name and model numbers, how do you rate .357's, one being the top choice, and why.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

For number "1" I'd have to say the Model 28.

Use to be the Bible for LE Police Administration was O.W. Wilson's "Police Administration". In his book, Mr. Wilson stated "the Service Revolver should be heavy so that it could be used as a club if necessary".

He certainly must have had the Model 28 in mind when he made that statement.

The next would be the M-19, followed by the 66, 27, 13, and 65.

Ummm. Errrrr. What happened to my beloved Registered Magnums? And why would you rate the coarsely finished M28 over the much more carefully finished M27s? Just doesn't figure to me.

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Dick Burg

Another vote for the Model 27. In my opinion, it is the S&W equivalent to the Colt Python.

I'm biased, of course, since I have one, but I have to say it is the finest revolver I have ever laid my hands on.

Not to be a "stick - in - the - mud", but I for one do NOT subscribe to the one-gun does everything theory. There are concealed carry guns, hunting guns, house guns, Military & Police guns, special purpose guns, etc. etc.

When you ask for a Best .357 I can see your point of interest and or curiosity, but more specific parameters are needed IMHO, like what the purpose of said gun is for.

A 8 3/8" M27 is one of the TOPS for hunting, but would be a poor choice for concealed carry. While a M19 6" revolver might be a GREAT house gun and an adequate small game hunting gun, again I would not reco it for CCW. A M60 would be a GREAT choice for CCW, but a poor choice for target shooting, hunting, or Military purposes.

So I will give you multiple answers here:

Hunting Smaller Game Animals: M27 6" ....... Strong, accurate, stable platform, will handle the use of HEAVY Magnums all day long, beautifully made and attention to detail! S&W's premier .357.

Home defense gun: M19 or M586 6" ..... lighter in weight but will still easily be controllable with Magnum loads. Nice point-ability, reliable, easily mastered, readily available for reasonable prices.

CCW: M65 3" ...... IMHO the BEST CCW .357 S&W ever made! Fixed sights won't hang up, relatively compact, light weight, still controllable in .357 with some practice. Gives better velocities with .357 Mag's than the M66 2 1/2" bbl. and I don't like carrying a concealed gun with adjustable sights.

M60: Best off left to 38 special's IMHO even though the more modern ones are chambered for .357'. You would be MUCH BETTER SERVED carrying Buffalo Bore HEAVY 158 grain LSWCHP-GC +P in a M60 than a .357 Magnum. In a 2" bbl. a lot of the powder that has to propel the .357 projectile is burned OUTSIDE the bbl. thus is not propelling the bullet at that point. Too much recoil, too much muzzle flash, too much recovery time for a follow up shot in a 19 ounce revolver.

Well, you asked so that's my .02 cents..........



Regards,
Chief38

because

For the Classics I agree with the Reg Mag. followed by the Mode 27, but I was answering as "popular" or "use".

I have to say that although I WOULD LOVE to own a beautiful Registered Magnum, I do not view them as one of Smith's "regular line-up" guns. They have basically been relegated to Collector status and I can not honestly say I know anyone that actually buys one to use as a SD, target, or plinking gun. The RM's are the Creme-de-la Creme, but un-affordable or unpractical buy most these days.

Chief38

I'll add a couple:

627-8 rounds,great for HD and everyone knows the Bloodwork Gun.
27-as covered above.
19-in 2 1/2 a great carry option
686 plus--7 rounds-4 inch for HD, a 2 1/2 is one of my favorite summer guns.

I would have to say the Model 27 is on top. I understand that many love the 28 and it can be argued that the 28 is just as good as a 27 sans the beautiful finish and attention to detail. Having said that, I couldn't fault either answer.

I might argue that the Model 27 is NOT the equivalent of the Python as stated above. IMHO, the 27 is superior to the Python in nearly every way. Don't get me wrong, I love the Python. I have 4" and a 2.5" Pythons but, for me, there is no comparison.

I had an occasion to shoot my 3.5" pre-27 and my 4" Python side by side earlier this week. I shot a box of ammo through the pre-27 and then switched to the Python. I was shocked at the difference. The double action of the Python felt rough and "clunky" by comparison.

------ 686 ------

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In dog years I'm dead.

M65 with the 3 inch barrel. Stainless is virtually indestructible. Barrel length is long enough for good velocity, short enough for concealed carry. Fixed sights never move.

No, I don't have one, I have a M13 3 inch.

Second choice, M65 4 inch barrel. Same as above. Might be a little more difficult to "stash" in concealed carry but it can be done.

Third choice, M686 2 1/2, 3, or 4 inch barrel. If concealed carry is not important. This S&W will handle any reasonable .357 load and carries well in a belt rig.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

No Ruger fans here?
I did not want to state my position at first, fearing leading.
I think the case is fairly clear by the way they were produced.
While the 27 may be the cream for finishing the 28 was the way S&W designed the gun in progress from the earliest, which were defecient in several respects (M19).
The 28 is the Russian T42 compare to the American Tanks in WWII--the model 19.
After the 28 is the 27
After the 27 is the 586 & 686
Rugers Blackhawk line comes in somewhere down the line with some of their other models because of single actions.
I was not so interested in barrel length as that is a personal choice for personal use--just the models without consideration of finish or barrels.
The 19 might be in 10th place--not counting some cheap made ones or the snubbies in the J frames which are way down the line for me--below 10th place.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

If I was taking a revolver to a gunfight it would be a 4inch 586 or 686.

I have M-28's, M-27's & M-19's, Python's and Ruger 6-series ..... but the L-frame 586/686's are tops for combat IMO.

Don

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Laus Deo! <><

I don't know where in the top 10 these would go, but the 2 that come to mind that deserve to be in the top ten that are not S&W would be the Python and the very eary chamber restricted Ruger SP101 in 357 that started the small frame 357 trend.

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NRA Benefactor