Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-07-2011, 01:29 AM
JohnHO JohnHO is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Albany, OR
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Best value for a general plinking .357?

I am going to look for something used to practice with. I have a lot of .357 brass as well as .38 Sp. brass so I would prefer a .357. I am not stuck on any particular gun, but I would like to have something with adjustable sights and a 4 inch barrel. My father had an M19 many years ago and it shot quite well, but I am unfamiliar of current values of used revolvers. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks, John
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-07-2011, 01:43 AM
gr7070's Avatar
gr7070 gr7070 is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 53
Liked 234 Times in 147 Posts
Default

Best value would probably be a used K/L-frame.

These are all 38s:
Revolver

Or a GP-100.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-07-2011, 02:10 AM
NE450No2 NE450No2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 7
Liked 469 Times in 278 Posts
Default

If I was going to do a LOT of 357 Mag shooting I would get either an L Frame of a N frame.

Best value would probably be a Mod 28. It is an N frame.

However I would handle the L and the N and get the one you like the best.

The K frame 357 is a great gun, but is was designed for mostly 38's for high volume shooting with the 357 Mags for serious stuff, in low volume...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-07-2011, 02:51 AM
Titegroups Titegroups is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 65
Liked 247 Times in 166 Posts
Default

586/686 would be ideal.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-07-2011, 03:55 AM
gumpys's Avatar
gumpys gumpys is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 571
Liked 626 Times in 296 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Titegroups View Post
586/686 would be ideal.
Like others have said, gp100, 586, 686.
Eric
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-07-2011, 05:34 AM
blujax01's Avatar
blujax01 blujax01 is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: C-Bus
Posts: 6,335
Likes: 4,311
Liked 4,916 Times in 2,086 Posts
Default

I see a few Model 28's on the auction sites for $400 - $500. N frames are a dream to shoot and are built to take .357 ammo all day long. It is something your great-grandchildren won't wear out!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-07-2011, 06:16 AM
Smith357's Avatar
Smith357 Smith357 is offline
Moderator
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 931
Liked 3,590 Times in 816 Posts
Default

6" x86s and 28s are reasonably priced on the used market with the x86s being a bit more plentiful. Both the L and N frame guns are nice heavy guns that have the mass to make shooting .357s pretty comfortable and rugged enough to take a steady diet of full boat magnum loads. Ruger has the GP100 and the Blackhawk that are generally less expensive, and Colt had the Python which is generally more expensive than a S&W.
__________________
Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-07-2011, 06:38 AM
sheriffoconee's Avatar
sheriffoconee sheriffoconee is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Watkinsville, GA
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 0
Liked 180 Times in 73 Posts
Default

I am emotionally attached to Smith revolvers, but for someone who wants a budget 357 plinker/carry/truck or car gun, my NEXT favorite is the "Six" series of Ruger revolvers...a lot of times you can pick one up used in a pawn shop or LGS at a steal of a price...and they will outlast you and whoever you hand it down to. I have a Service Six with fixed sights, the Security Six has adjustable sights...good luck with your search
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-07-2011, 10:36 AM
williamlayton's Avatar
williamlayton williamlayton is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Deer Park, Texas
Posts: 3,357
Likes: 1,057
Liked 2,608 Times in 1,104 Posts
Default

N framed M28 for a good shooter.
Blessings
__________________
TEXAS, by GOD
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-07-2011, 10:59 AM
Lou_NC Lou_NC is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 564
Likes: 102
Liked 398 Times in 162 Posts
Default

Since you said "plinking", it makes me think that you may be interested in shooting your .357 brass with reduced loads. I do a lot of that and have had no problems putting .38 special loads and .38+P loads in .357 brass. It keeps that nasty "crud ring" from forming in the chambers of my .357 revolvers and making it hard to insert .38 spl cases in the chambers.

So, if you're not planning a steady diet of full-power .357 loads, I'd suggest a K-frame for a great balance of moderate weight and adequate durability. My personal favorite is the model 66 with 4" barrel.

Lou
__________________
NRA Certified Instructor & RSO
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-07-2011, 11:02 AM
Dragon88 Dragon88 is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 107
Liked 456 Times in 205 Posts
Default

4" Ruger GP-100.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-07-2011, 12:06 PM
Titegroups Titegroups is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 65
Liked 247 Times in 166 Posts
Default

Another thought a Dan Wesson, pretty much any Ruger SA/DA.

Last edited by Titegroups; 10-07-2011 at 12:13 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-07-2011, 12:54 PM
JohnHO JohnHO is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Albany, OR
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for all the advise. Yes, when I reload .357's, I would make them like a plus p .38. I don't need to impress anyone on the range how I can take recoil.

There are a couple of shops around here that sell used guns and one of them would accept a shipment from an internet site and honor the price. That is how I bought my 642.

I do like the Smith over the others only because of tradition, and the Colt Diamondback is too pricey. Python? I'd probably have a better chance of aquiring a python snake over the Colt.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-07-2011, 03:45 PM
M3Stuart's Avatar
M3Stuart M3Stuart is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Northeast Texas
Posts: 2,861
Likes: 921
Liked 1,326 Times in 723 Posts
Default

+1 on the suggestions. I have and like the 4" 686 and 64. The 65 and 66 are good choices too depending on your sight preference (and they shoot .357s).

You can't go wrong with any of them. I don't have a GP100 but have shot them and they're nice.
__________________
But then, what do I know?
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-07-2011, 03:57 PM
Sportsterguy's Avatar
Sportsterguy Sportsterguy is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ask the NSA
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 111
Liked 119 Times in 73 Posts
Default

S&W = 586 or 686

Ruger = GP 100

Prefer the S&W's by far. Much better trigger and one tough revolver.
__________________
V/R
Roger / SG
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 10-07-2011, 04:14 PM
What the What the is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 7
Liked 27 Times in 23 Posts
Default

Another vote for the Dan Wesson, they are very nice accurate revolvers with the ability to change barrel lengths in a couple minutes. You will find only used ones but they will always be less expensive than almost any S&W.

They are a short action revolver that holds up well to all manner of heavy or light loads. They are often overlooked by many because of name recognition. The triggers on the ones I own/owned have always been as nice as any of the Smiths I own.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 10-07-2011, 04:17 PM
JohnHO JohnHO is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Albany, OR
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default I found something

I went to a local shop and I spotted a S&W Model 19-3 in decent shape, very tight to I decided to trade a Norinco 1911 which I never use at all. I had to pay a balance but I am happy with the gun I got.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg P1010988 (1024x768).jpg (117.5 KB, 35 views)
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 10-07-2011, 04:33 PM
47D's Avatar
47D 47D is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 164
Likes: 5
Liked 334 Times in 12 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by What the View Post
Another vote for the Dan Wesson, they are very nice accurate revolvers with the ability to change barrel lengths in a couple minutes. You will find only used ones but they will always be less expensive than almost any S&W.
Maybe not: CZ-USA -> DAN WESSON 715 Revolver
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 10-07-2011, 07:56 PM
Titegroups Titegroups is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 65
Liked 247 Times in 166 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 47D View Post
News to me too. I have a model 15. It would be pretty awesome to buy a pistol pack new and in stainless, a shooters gun.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 10-07-2011, 09:23 PM
44wheelman 44wheelman is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 313
Liked 777 Times in 390 Posts
Default

Can't go wrong with a 19!

I would have recomended a 6" 586, but only because I've seen a couple around here for under $400 in like new cond.

Enjoy!
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 10-07-2011, 09:30 PM
JohnHO JohnHO is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Albany, OR
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I guess it was a case of it being there now and no assurance how long it would have stayed. I didn't think I did too bad, although had there been an L frame there for an affordable price (for me, anyway) I might have gone for that. It's all about budgets.

What I need to determine is a pleasant load to shoot at steel targets. When I shot it today, I had some old stuff I had loaded years ago for my previous .357 and I could tell pretty quickly how bad my arthritic hand and wrist still are despite of three surgeries. I looked through some past threads here and I will have to start somewhere soon. I have plenty of .357 brass - some brand new - as well as .38 brass.

Getting old sucks.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 10-08-2011, 12:58 AM
Poohgyrr's Avatar
Poohgyrr Poohgyrr is offline
Member
Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357? Best value for a general plinking .357?  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Retired to South Carolina
Posts: 868
Likes: 2,548
Liked 231 Times in 119 Posts
Default

Congrats on your 19-3. Great choice, and the same 4"er that many of us have.
__________________
July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
1911, 586, 642, 686, colt, dan wesson, k frame, k-frame, l frame, m19, m28, model 15, model 19, model 28, model 66, norinco, ruger

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Plinking is the best! beagleye The Lounge 1 07-25-2014 07:36 PM
Need a place to go .22 plinking pistolite The Lounge 18 02-23-2013 10:45 PM
Plinking Targets Richard Hurts Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 7 02-03-2013 12:16 PM
First plinking session with the K22 ponykilr S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 8 09-16-2009 07:24 AM
State Attorneys General Letter, June 11, 2009, to U. S. Attorney General 625 Shooter 2nd Amendment Forum 15 06-18-2009 04:34 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:53 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)