Hi my new question is already in the subject line. Which s&w 357 mag revolver would you recomend for the above mentioned purposes.

Thx for your answers in advance. Greetings from austria.

Hi my new question is already in the subject line. Which s&w 357 mag revolver would you recomend for the above mentioned purposes.

Thx for your answers in advance. Greetings from austria.

686.

I'll never replace my 4" M13. Fills both bills nicely.

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The earth laughs in flowers

66 or 19 probably in 4 inch.

Hi agent00,

Every answer given so far is the correct answer.

You can't go wrong with any of those. A lot of people might tell you to get an L-frame over a K-frame if you're going to shoot a lot of .357 magnum loads, as opposed to .38 Special. They might have a point...BUT...I've had a few shooting sessions with my Model 13 and magnum ammo, and the recoil wasn't that bad, for me anyway.

Supposedly, though, the L-frame is more durable...and the N-frame (27,28) even more so. The "trade-off" is size and weight.

If I could only have one S&W .357, it would be an L-frame in 4" with adjustable sights...586 or 686.

It's difficult to just have one though...they're all nice and desireable in their own way.

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'Merica!

If you are primarily shooting .38's I'd go with a "K" frame 19 or 66 3 or 4". For a steady diet of magnums magnums go for the beefier "L" 586 or 686 4" barrel. I like the 4" and shorter barrels as they are much handier to carry and can be used for CC. You will have a hard time going wrong with either. I like the 66 best myself as it is just a fantastic all around revolver. JMO

66-2 3" K frame


586 4" L frame

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V/R
Roger / SG

Sometimes you open a thread and there just isn't anything left to say.

Yes there is:

NO, GET A RUGER! (said as I clear phlegm from my throat and spit)

I'm a big fan of the K frames for their light weight, supreme looks and perfect balance.

Thus a Model 19 (or similar stainless 66), or their fixed sight brothers (Model 13 and 65) would be great choices indeed.

I'm kind of partial to the 3" M13/M65 the most for a great, simple and accurate little .357 that is fun and easy to shoot.



T.

Ditto on the 581/681 (fixed) or their 586/686 brothers if you plan to shoot a WHOLE lot of brutal type ammo in 'em. They're a tad "sturdier" than the K frames . . . but not enough to sway me from the K's. I haven't had a 686 for many years.

If you had asked this question two weeks ago I'd have told you to get a 686. That's what I've owned and shot for years and I love that gun. But, this morning, having just come back from a range session, my answer would be a 4" 66. That's what I picked up at a show last week and it's by far the most enjoyable shooter that I've owned. It's amazingly accurate and it points better than a 686 because it's not so front end heavy. The only caution: be prudent firing the really hot magnum rounds with it. By reputation it doesn't necessarily stand up to a steady diet of 125 gr. magnums. But, that's the only drawback. Otherwise, it's perfect.

Thx for your answers.I will check the prices of the sixguns you have mentioned. For plinking I will primerly use 38 special, und onyl for sd I will buy some corbon dpx, or powerball, or some 158 grain softpoints. Using hp bullets (with lead core) is not possible, because jhps are prohibited in austria. It is only allowed to use full lead, copper or soft point bullets.

Any S&W larger than the J frames should work well for plinking and seld defense.

In addition to the models already mentioned, I would look at the N frame models M27 or M627. If I could only have one S&W .357 Magnum, the M627 Pro is what I would probably buy (for a new revolver). If I could buy used, then I would look for a good K frame model 19.

Whichever you buy, best and enjoy it!

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July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909

I use .38spl 148 grain wadcutters for my plinking fun.

If you've never seen a wadcutter, you'll be shocked. The bullet has a flat front and sits almost totally recessed in the cartridge case.

Recoil is very minimal and accuracy can be truly amazing. They are also called "Target Wadcutters" and they are made specifically for accuracy target shooting.

They are easy on the gun and the shooter, and you can shoot some amazing groups with 'em.

T.

I like the 148gr HBWC myself, in a 686 it is almost like shooting your 617. They are alot of fun. Wouldn't want to be shot with one, you would bleed like a stuck pig.

thx for your recomodations. Which wadcutter factory load would be the best choice for plinking.

And has someone allready experience with the corbon dpx rounds?

I will visit my local gunstore tomorow to check the prices of the sixguns you have mentioned.

In the meantime I have checked some sixguns, and I like the 568 4 inch barrel and the model 66 best. I have also seen an used model 27. The gun would be in a great condtion, but it's too expensive for my budget.

Agent 00-

If you are unable to legally carry the gun in Austria, but want to fire a considerable number of magnun loads, I'd get the M-686. I prefer its stainless steel construction over the blued M-586.

If you were able to carry it on your person, and especially when concealment is concerned, I might lean toward the M-66.

I have an Austrian friend and her father told her that your nation doesn't allow carrying guns other than for hunting and target shooting.
No concealed carry permits.

Is that correct?

T-Star

@Texas Star Yes, that is correct. It is not allowed to carry an an gun as a civilian. A And thx for your tipp. I haven't seen the 686, but the 586 would be available at a good price.

I is hard to beat a M-19 or M-66 with a 4" barrel. Just my $.02

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????? ???E!

Everyone knows that the best S&W 357 is the Model 28.

Thx for your tipp. I will check out if I can get the model 28 at a good price. I have also seen an used model 19 in very good condition at a good price. I have also the chance to test it a the range.

ps: which non jhp load in 357 mag would be the best choice for self defense? An 158 grain softpoint laod, or somehting exoctic like the corbon dpx, corbon powerball. In my coutry only jhp rounds (with lead core) are prohibited, it would be no problem to use lead, or full copper hp rounds.

agent00:

I have a Model 66 with a 2.5 inch barrel that I carried for many years. It is still a favorite, but I've gone to the smaller J frame for daily carry. I also have a 6.0 inch barreled 686 - the stainless steel version of the 586. It is extremely accurate and appropriate for target/recreational shooting, as well as for self defense. My favorite non-jhp type bullet is the 158 grain semi-wadcutter. This is sometimes called a "Keith" style bullet in honor of Elmer Keith who popularized this type of bullet. It is an excellent all around bullet suitable for target, small game hunting, or self defense. You can find this loading in either standard velocity or magnum loading easily here in the U.S. Hope this helps.

Regards,

Dave

I would have to agree that the 4" 66 is probably the best choice for your use. An excellent all-around revolver !!

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Ernie Groves

@Double-O-Dave Thx for your ammo tipp. Which 357 mag factory wadcutter would you recomend?

I haven't reloaded a quite a while, so my memory may be fuzzy, but I believe wadcutters are not recommended for .357Magnums as the high speed (and pressure) of the load shreds the bullet as it travels down the barrel. Someone please correct me if I am wrong here. If I recall, this was particularly true for those that liked to load the wadcutters backwards (hollow base forward) for maximum expansion as a self defense round.

Regards,

Dave

I agree there's no one right answer. Here's one that's pretty extravagant, in my opinion, it started off as 686-5 Mountain Gun, a seven shooter with a tapered, partial lug 4-inch barrel. The Mountain Gun looks like this:



Posted by forum member j38 here.

Then it got morphed by Cylinder & Slide into a customized 3-inch gun with impressive double duty capabilities as sought by the OP. Here it is:



Cool article here.

Of course the 686 Mountain Guns are hard to come by and pricey even before customization. But this seems like a really good result. S&W should take notice, IMO.

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Bob

And everyone knows that a lawyer would never mislead anybody...

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'Merica!