The sexiest 357?

HughD1 · #51 01-09-2021, 01:30 PM

She’s a little battered and beat up and is the cheapest S&W I ever bought but beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Pretty sexy for $285.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Doc44 · #52 01-09-2021, 01:33 PM

K260003, the first .357 Combat Magnum completed by S&W on December 15, 1955. Later engraved and inlaid with gold and silver and fitted with carved ivory stocks for presentation to President John F. Kennedy. Click on the photo for a better look

Bill

rubiranch · #53 01-09-2021, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKmesa

All beautiful guns!!! I'll throw a few up here for consideration...

Thank you for sharing. Its always greatly appreciated by me and I'm sure by everyone else.

rubiranch · #54 01-09-2021, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HughD1

She’s a little battered and beat up and is the cheapest S&W I ever bought but beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Pretty sexy for $285.

I like it.

needsmostuff · #55 01-09-2021, 01:45 PM

I can't compete with engraving ivory and pristine finish.
But how about some good ole broke down , worn out , been around but still gittin it done with out a lot of drama , truckstop hooker kind of sexy.

RKmesa · #56 01-09-2021, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usm1rifle

Where are the 3" Model 19s?...

Not a model 19, but still a 3" Combat Magnum (66-2)...

[

... with its cocobolo Ahrends grips, shiney bright finish, and McGivern bead front sight I find it to be quite easy on the eyes and with its Nelson Ford action job, it is also a delight to shoot.

rubiranch · #57 01-09-2021, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ameridaddy

Contrarian, no pretties here.
My Model 28, beautiful like a battleship, purpose built, all business.

That's just how I feel about my Model 58. All business.

rubiranch · #58 01-09-2021, 02:30 PM

These might not count because I sold them last year.
They are to me the two nicest .357s I have owned.
The top one, a 3.5" pre-27 that was shipped 8/15/1955.
The bottom one, a 4" pre-27 shipped 4/22/1957.

Beautiful handguns for sure.
They were safe queens and I was never going to shoot them.
So I sold them in hopes that someone else would enjoy them more than I did.

I love .357s and I have parted with a lot of them with regrets to only selling two of them. Oh well.

KalamazooKid · #59 01-09-2021, 03:04 PM

Working guns .....

And a shiny 13-3 .....

Tim357 · #60 01-09-2021, 11:55 PM

While I do not own one, to my way of thinking, the Model 19 4" is the sexiest .357 ever made. Only one that might move it to also-ran would be a 3" Model 19.

delcrossv · #61 01-10-2021, 12:22 AM

I'll play. 5" pre 27.

(even tho I still like my prewar 38-44 better.)

nyeti · #62 01-10-2021, 04:21 AM

A 3.5” N frame.....you pick. Reg Mag, Pre 27 and a 27-2.

BAM-BAM · #63 01-10-2021, 10:51 AM

Lots of love for the 3 1/2" .357/27 family..... nice but a little too "full figured"....ok tubby...... for my taste and concealed carry!

The 3" K-frame 66 and 19s have the same overall proportions (barrel to frame to butt) but are more svelte.........

Just kidding guys! Though on an N-frame there is little difference in carry/concealability bulk between a 3 1/2 and 4" gun.

cmansguns · #64 01-10-2021, 11:01 AM

In post 43 RK asked about the serial number on my "Pre-27". I don't think it is an "early" one, and per LOA it shipped 10-16-1952 to Rex Firearms, so well after WWII.

RK also showed another gun with a similar placed roll mark. I'm always learning something on this Forum so my question: Is there some collector significance to the roll mark on pre-27's?

Mine definitely didn't ship till post War, however who knows when the frame was stamped, or the barrel roll marked? Could these (and other parts) maybe have been laying around the factory while WWII interrupted all commercial production, and even after WWII, the Magnum was not highly sought after by shooters, LEO agencies, as "cheaper" (Note the Invoice shows Rex paying some $61 wholesale) M&P 38's?

Anyway...a couple other pics of the pre-27. It IS a treat to shoot with barrel weight and configuration just right for me! Doesn't get out for exercise too often as I'm liking to keep its condition high, and as posted before...I've got others to enjoy (lately I'm getting "miserly" with my 357 Maggie ammo though).

ditrina · #65 01-10-2021, 11:08 AM

Triple 5" 27's with Ivories

Kurusu · #66 01-10-2021, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubiranch

Thank you for sharing. Its always greatly appreciated by me and I'm sure by everyone else.

You can say that again.

Kurusu · #67 01-10-2021, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ditrina

Triple 5" 27's with Ivories

If only I lived on your side of the " big pond".

MetalMan · #68 01-10-2021, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CH4

I agree, but the 2.5” 19/66 is a close second.

Another vote for the 2.5” 19/66’s.....

ladder13 · #69 01-10-2021, 12:36 PM

Rodan · #70 01-10-2021, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladder13

My first training officer carried a 4" nickel M27 on duty, and a 3 1/2" nickel M27 off duty... I always thought they were a striking pair, though with the .38spl ammo we were limited to for revolvers, N frames seemed a bit overkill. Our Sheriff at the time was an old school sort and hated "Magnums" of any sort...

Almost 30 years later, we're finally getting a new duty spec .38 load, but it's only for backups nowadays.

RKmesa · #71 01-10-2021, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmansguns

...I'm always learning something on this Forum so my question: Is there some collector significance to the roll mark on pre-27's?

Mine definitely didn't ship till post War, however who knows when the frame was stamped, or the barrel roll marked? Could these (and other parts) maybe have been laying around the factory while WWII interrupted all commercial production...

Cmansguns:

No real significance with the location of the barrel roll marks, but they were pretty standardized by the early/mid 1950s by barrel length. The most likely answer to why your roll marks were so close to the frame, is that whomever was working the roll mark machine had just roll marked a bunch of 3.5” barrels and forgot to reset the machine for the next batch of barrels that happened to be 6.5”. Regardless of the why, it is a great gun and the roll mark position makes it a little bit unique.

Thanks for sharing the additional photos,

Kinman · #72 01-10-2021, 05:49 PM

Pre number 27 for me...short barrels are nice, this one balances a little better for me.

Kurusu · #73 01-10-2021, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delcrossv

I'll play. 5" pre 27.

(even tho I still like my prewar 38-44 better.)

A 38-44 is out. It is not a .357 Magnum.

Kurusu · #74 01-10-2021, 06:09 PM

By the way.

I like my "workhorse" model 28 too.

Here with his more sophysticated brother

The sexiest 357?-20200616_145310-jpg

series guy · #75 01-10-2021, 08:38 PM

You learn something new on this forum every day. I have 3 pre Model 27s. They are S912XX, S1678XX, and S1252XX. The 91k gun has the roll mark set way back. The other 2 although not as far back on the barrels are still nowhere near centered.

joedegs · #76 01-10-2021, 08:47 PM

Unfluted 3” from the Performance Center wearing Mun Ebony Combats by John Culina.

rubiranch · #77 01-10-2021, 09:07 PM

My 28-2 as shipped from the factory wearing its original Magna Grips.

Wearing its Pachmyar grips that it wore for 40 years.

As it rests tonight on my nightstand.

This is the gun that I have shot the most and killed many rabbits with.

mod34 · #78 01-10-2021, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy

If the cylinder doesn't fill the frame, it doesn't count.

One man's opinion.

Amen Brother!

CQB27 · #79 01-10-2021, 10:00 PM

It ain't much, but it's all I got......

NavySCPO · #80 01-10-2021, 10:10 PM

Lots of power in a small package!

357 Snub on your hip and you’ll never feel helpless.

Keith Brown · #81 01-10-2021, 10:36 PM

A thread full of great 357s, my personal favorite is the JFK presentation Combat Magnum !
I don’t have anything engraved but this Nickel 27-2 is pretty flashy, I actually like the 5 inch 27-2 more.

ME94 · #82 01-10-2021, 10:47 PM

Just don't know. Sexy , favorite I just don't know. Don't make me pick. Pre-2720200122_114810.jpg, 686-1 round butt and 686- no dash20191011_143053.jpg, 19-4 20191004_213025.jpg 19-520191004_211426.jpg ok I can probably pick my favorite 27-220190923_201319.jpg

KalamazooKid · #83 01-10-2021, 11:29 PM

How about a Python from 1978? While I’m a full bore Smith guy, this revolver is pretty damn cool in my opinion!

turnerriver · #84 01-11-2021, 08:03 AM

Here’s another 5” 27-2 with Keith Brown grips. I shot this one over the weekend and Keith’s grips shoot as good as they look.

Regards,

rubiranch · #85 01-11-2021, 08:56 AM

Is my 1983 686 considered sexy?

Doc44 · #86 01-11-2021, 10:07 AM

.357 Magnum from the first production run of this model in the new S&W plant engraved by Harry Jarvis (Class B coverage) in 1950. Further research suggests this is the first engraved post-war .357 Magnum. Click on the photo for a closer look.

Bill

H Richard · #87 01-11-2021, 10:12 AM

W.O.W. It sure seems the Mod 27, and especially the 3 1/2" version lead the pack. But there are a lot for the Mod 19 2 1/2" also. Here's my input.

BAM-BAM · #88 01-11-2021, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyeti

A 3.5” N frame.....you pick. Reg Mag, Pre 27 and a 27-2.

Those Spegel Boot Grips in Post #62 really set off that 3 1/2" 27

Doc44 · #89 01-11-2021, 01:21 PM

S92005, Two tone .357 Magnum with an 8 3/8-inch barrel (one of the first few with this barrel length) shipped in a Registered Magnum box numbered to the revolver (December 1952). Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

Kurusu · #90 01-11-2021, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KalamazooKid

How about a Python from 1978? While I’m a full bore Smith guy, this revolver is pretty damn cool in my opinion!

Bro! I have to admire your pluck.

BigBill · #91 01-11-2021, 02:01 PM

For looks it’s the python in royal colt blue or nickel.
Second it’s the m27-2 in nickel.

Colt and S&W offered the best nickel finishes. I like colts, s&w and Rugers.

rubiranch · #92 01-11-2021, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc44

S92005, Two tone .357 Magnum with an 8 3/8-inch barrel (one of the first few with this barrel length) shipped in a Registered Magnum box numbered to the revolver (December 1952). Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

Thank you for posting such awesome .357s.

PaulDoc · #93 01-12-2021, 08:12 AM

This is all I got. 4" pre 19

texgun53 · #94 01-12-2021, 08:44 AM

19-5.jpg
and it shoots well too

357larry · #95 01-12-2021, 09:11 AM

Colt Python. Nothing else comes close.

I see a couple people say a Model 28? Yeah right. About as sexy as a Mack Truck.

texgun53 · #96 01-12-2021, 09:21 AM

1 Python.jpg
a Python could be the sexiest

RKmesa · #97 01-12-2021, 09:47 AM

If the mood is right - this recessed, but not pinned, bobbed 3" 13-2 with Ahrends grips could be considered pretty sexy...

... and so could this factory engraved (John Pease), high polished 686-3 that shipped in April 1991:

SPEEDGUNNER · #98 01-12-2021, 10:12 AM

No pictures, but you all are plenty familiar with the players...I am VERY partial to the 4" Models 19 and 66, but I think the sexiest .357 is the 5" Model 27. What a thing of beauty!!

rubiranch · #99 01-12-2021, 10:16 AM

My cutest

.357 Magnum. 640-1 shipped April 1995 wearing Smooth Goncalo Alves Combat Grips.
My very first handgun. I bought it unfired since leaving the factory in 2008 with my Obama stimulus money.

rubiranch · #**100** 01-12-2021, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKmesa

If the mood is right - this recessed, but not pinned, bobbed 3" 13-2 with Ahrends grips could be considered pretty sexy...

... and so could this factory engraved (John Pease), high polished 686-3 that shipped in April 1991:

[/IMG]

Stunning and once again thank you.