I presently own a 686 6" and also a Model 60 3". I am considering my next SW purchase to be an blued N frame in .357 Magnum with a 4" or 5" barrel. While my other guns were bought new, I am leaning toward buying an older gun this time. If I buy a used gun, I'd buy it locally so I can check it before I by it. So this reduces my options to what is available locally but since I am not in a hurry, I can wait to find the right gun.

This will be a range gun not a safe queen.

Suggestions as to what model to look for?

I also posted this in the 1980 to Present section of the forum.

Txs!

I would say a four inch Highway Patrolman/M-28 should suit your needs quite nicely.

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Stay safe people!

If it's going to be a range gun, I'd get a model 27 with the longest barrel you can find. Why not a .44 or .45 Colt though? N frame says "big"!

Okay, it's not an old gun, but it's blue (kind of) and the best shooting .357 Smith I've ever held. It's a TRR8 327, 8-round, moon clip ready, PC, with a scandium frame and two-piece barrel. The trigger breaks at 9.5# DA and 2.5# SA, and very smooth.

Top and bottom rails are included, but I don't care to install them. As is, it's no larger than an heavy-barreled 27. At 35 oz, it's heavy enough to dampen full-bore .357 loads without imparting pain or discomfort.

If you shoot competition, perhaps a 627PC (5" barrel) would hold up better, but much heavier. I prefer the 4" 627 PRO for something I occasionally carry, otherwise different by a lack of the trigger stop, but still very smooth. I really like the looks of the tapered lug of the 627s. It also makes the handling and holstering more nimble.

I would highly advise against buying an older Smith, especially an N frame in .357. It will lead to an addiction, from which I suffer that has been very costly and has no cure. I was going to get 1 older Smith and chose a 5" 27-2. There was no going back.

Unless you are talking about serious competitive range shooting, the best choice - hands down - would be a Highway Patrolman (Model 28) with the 4" barrel (or the 6" if you prefer). It will shoot every bit as well as a Model 27 and will cost you half as much.

Here is a target I shot with one of mine a couple years back. About half of these rounds were squeezed off rapidly in double action mode. I know I cannot shoot my 5" Model 27 any better than I can this Model 28-2.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

A Model 28 would be a good choice IMO. I have a 6" no dash from 1960. Shoots quite well. Bob

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Either a Model 27 or 28. It's a matter of preference and both would are fine revolvers. The 27 will cost more than the 28.

Txs for all the g8 ideas!

You can't go wrong with any of the suggestions offered above. Although I am very partial to my 5" Mod. 27!

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Tim
SWCA #2697

I third or fourth the model 28. Lots of them around and good prices.

6" M27-2 would be my choice...

You already have two guns, isn't that enough, I really don't think you need another one, but since you asked, a model 27 is a sweet gun, and like others have said the 28 is nice, also it's a little cheaper. Also as noted, when you talk N frame , you have the .41,.44,.45 options. I will reiterate, you have two guns already you don't need another one. Don't forget the pictures !!!!!

My humble suggestion is a 44 special. The 44 can pull double duty, range and ccw. My every day carry is a 44 special with 4 inch barrel and 240 gr JHP.

Since you already have a 6" 357 I'd go for a 4" 28.

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K & N S&W revolvers

That's the direction I am leaning.

I just bought a model 28 4 inch last month. I understand the whole addiction thing.

S&W model 24-3 3" bbl, 24-3 4" bbl,24-3 6.5" bbl and 624 3" bbl, 624 4" bbl and last but not least 624 6.5" bbl and all are in 44 special. Frank

You want a M27-2 or a M 28-2.

Anything else is a drop off in quality and value, as well as future value appreciation.

I just got my first M28, a dash 2 4", last week. I really like the look of it with the bead blast trigger guard and barrel rib.
I think this gun will take the place of my 586 when it's time to shoot 357 mags.

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"I gots to know"

After talking to a buddy and reading the comments, I think I am going to change course and go for a Model 29 4". Prefer a used one, so I will be making the rounds to my LGS and attending some gun shows in the area. Wish me luck!

You might consider Gunbroker. I think I'd die of old age before I found a Model 29 around here. LOL.

Good luck with your search.

BTW, I also think a model 28 would be a good choice.

I love all my N frames shoot them all!!!!!!!

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Flipper

You can add .38 Special to that list. A very, very hot .38 Special.

1950 Outdoorsman:

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

Unless you reload, I would not go with a 4" 29. 4" 29s are loud, and recoil rather much with factory magnum loads. 6 or 6 1/2" are much more civil. You can shoot 44 Specials, but much better Special loada can be made than can be bought.

If you do load, don't pass up a 4" Model 24. I load ..44special ammo with a Keith type 240 from rather mild to almost wild.

The 27 and 28 models are always winners as are the 1950 Outdoorsman.

Best wishes,

Jack

I like model 28s, I love model 25s. A model 25 in 45 acp is cheap to shoot, lots of bulk ammo available and easy to reload, makes big holes and doesn't have a lot of recoil. Better yet is a model 25 in 45 colt with the cylinder cut so it can also fire 45 acps.

Checked in the two "best" LGS. So far:

LGS1: 1) Model 29-3 4" in very good condition for $850
2) Model 28-2 4" in good condition for $600

LGS2: Model 28-? 6" for $700. I could not get my hands on it,
so I don't know the dash number of the condition

A few more LGS and a gun show in a few weeks to go.

Since you already have a 357mag I'd look at the 44spl as recommended above or a 4" 25-5 45 Colt made after 1981.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

I have 2 N frames, a 27-2 with an 8 3/8" barrel and a 6" 57. I had the opportunity to buy a Model 28, but chose a Trooper MKIII instead.

I have used my 27 for 200m silhouette and bowling pins, it shoots great. I bought the 57 for handgun hunting, but I never got the opportunity before becoming disabled. For me, I reload, so I am not a slave to ammo availability. In addition, you never know how your shooting tastes will change over time, and what will be available.

If you reload, and handgun hunting could be in the cards, I would suggest that you might look at a Model 57 in 41 Magnum. The 41 Magnum can handle up to black bear. Otherwise, I would suggest either the model 27 or 28 with 6", which should be adequate for boar or deer, with acknowledgement of limitations.

For me, I have shied away from the 44 Magnum, because I felt it was too much gun for me. You can look at a variant of the 29, but you may decide the 44 is too much for you, after the purchase.

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Judge control not gun control!

At the risk of heresy, why not go for a 629? Much easier to find than a 29 (there's a passel of 'em on a certain website); easier to clean, and shoots very well. I put 100 rounds of .44 Special and 25 of .44 Magnum through my 629-5 this morning; embarrassingly better than my new 9mm Shield PC.

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50 Years of DSOTM

No. The 6 1/2" barrel in the 27-2 was discontinued before the serial prefix "N" took the place of the "S". In this one instance, I maybe would prefer the dash 2. Rather have a no dash if possible. Why not all of them, like some of these guys can? Too rich for my blood.....which leads me to say:

Enjoy the hunt for your new N frame. One will come along that must go home with you at that right price.

My search would've ended when I found that 29-3. Just got back in from shooting my -2 and the way it shoots Specials is amazing. Shoots mags just as well.

Dan

Ditto this. I have a 28-2 and it is without a doubt my "go to" range gun for shooting anything with a "357" prefix. 38's feel like 32's, and I can tolerate some of the really fun hot stuff from Buffalo Bore, Underwood, and the like. Only thing I did was get a set of Pachmayr rubber grips to swap in for heavy loads, otherwise it's old school stocks and a T grip for me. Mine is ugly, but it never starves for attention!

Ditto on the m28/m27 but if you feel like venturing to unmarked territory look at a m57 in 41mag.