Start with the registered magnum - after that, everything else will seem cheap!
Punch List for 357 Collection
- Thread starter Marine24
- Start date
Dont want to scare the guy off, lol
I think my "bare minimum" 357 collection would be
Mod 19 P&R 4"
Mod 66 P&R 4"
Mod 27 P&R 3.5" or 5"
Mod 586 4"
I guess I could ask my wife to move out too. If I show up with a registered magnum, she might make that decision all by herself.
Good list. P&R? Pinned barrel and recessed chambers?
Any particular dash variant for the Model 19 and 27 more attractive than others?
Assume anything prior to the 66-4 or 586-4 would be preferred since they added MIM parts during that time.
You'd "have to" include the stainless versions:
Model 66 (2.5", 3", 4", 6")
Model 65 (3" and 4")
Then there are the transition M&P 357's:
Model 10-6 (transitioned to the Model 13)
Model 64-1 (transitioned to the Model 65)
Then there are the pre-war "Original" 357's (in all their various barrel lengths):
Registered Magnum
Non Registered Magnums
It is a fun quest - one that I have been on for a lot of years and I still love. I however, have "limited" my 357 collecting to the pinned and recessed models (pre-1982ish), which effectively limits it to Pre-War: RM's and Non-RM's; Post War: Pre-27's, 27's (through 27-2), 520 NYSP, Pre-28's, 28's, non model market Combat Magnums (Pre-19's), 19's, 13's, 10-6 (in .357), 65's, 66's and 64-1 (in .357)
Enjoy the journey,
Richard: Thanks. Reread your post, which answers which models are P&R. Good to know about adding the 10-6 and 64-1. Thought they were just 38 Specials.
JCS&W
US Veteran
My absolute bare minimum for .357's, blued finish are:
M586 4"
M13-2 4"
M19-3 4"
M28-2 4"
M27-2 4"
There are so many other models, but you will not be disappointed with any of those I have listed.
M586 4"
M13-2 4"
M19-3 4"
M28-2 4"
M27-2 4"
There are so many other models, but you will not be disappointed with any of those I have listed.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Well here's what I got in .357's
66-1 4"
686-4 4"
681 4"
686-4+ 2.5"
SP101 2"
When I first started out, I wanted a representative gun in each frame size stainless with a 4" barrel. My collection way back then was:
63 4" J frame
617-4 4" K frame
686-4 4" L frame
629-4 Mountain gun N frame
Nice and simple-four guns, each a nice representative sample of an adjustible sight 4" barrel in each frame size. BUT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO then it took off and now...well lets just say that I got more than I need and less than I want.
I sneer at gun shops because my collection is nicer than their inventory.
I snicker when the news speaks of that crazy lunatic that has, GASP four (or a bit more for that matter
) handguns in their house!!! 
Hell, I bought a Ruger 9.5" Super Redhawk with a scope on it for no other reason than to be the winner of the biggest gun when everyone whips theirs out (that and because nobody matched my opening bid of $465 on gunbroker-but that's another story)
66-1 4"
686-4 4"
681 4"
686-4+ 2.5"
SP101 2"
When I first started out, I wanted a representative gun in each frame size stainless with a 4" barrel. My collection way back then was:
63 4" J frame
617-4 4" K frame
686-4 4" L frame
629-4 Mountain gun N frame
Nice and simple-four guns, each a nice representative sample of an adjustible sight 4" barrel in each frame size. BUT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO then it took off and now...well lets just say that I got more than I need and less than I want.
I sneer at gun shops because my collection is nicer than their inventory.
I snicker when the news speaks of that crazy lunatic that has, GASP four (or a bit more for that matter
) handguns in their house!!! Hell, I bought a Ruger 9.5" Super Redhawk with a scope on it for no other reason than to be the winner of the biggest gun when everyone whips theirs out (that and because nobody matched my opening bid of $465 on gunbroker-but that's another story)
P&R 357's go like this:
13, 13-1, 13-2
19, 19-1, 19-2, 19-3, 19-4
27, 27-1, 27-2
28, 28-1, 28-2
66, 66-1
65-1, 65-2
Well here's what I got in .357's
66-1 4"
686-4 4"
681 4"
686-4+ 2.5"
SP101 2"
When I first started out, I wanted a representative gun in each frame size stainless with a 4" barrel. My collection way back then was:
63 4" J frame
617-4 4" K frame
686-4 4" L frame
629-4 Mountain gun N frame
Nice and simple-four guns, each a nice representative sample of an adjustible sight 4" barrel in each frame size. BUT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO then it took off and now...well lets just say that I got more than I need and less than I want.
I sneer at gun shops because my collection is nicer than their inventory.
I snicker when the news speaks of that crazy lunatic that has, GASP four (or a bit more for that matter
Hell, I bought a Ruger 9.5" Super Redhawk with a scope on it for no other reason than to be the winner of the biggest gun when everyone whips theirs out (that and because nobody matched my opening bid of $465 on gunbroker-but that's another story)
Now there is some encouragement. Wonder if Charter Arms has a forum?
Tracking a 19-3 and a 28-2. Let the fun begin.
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JC: Why those particular dash variants? I understand they are all P&R (except for the 586), but are they considered the more collectable or more available?
I'm seeing some nice examples of the Model 19-3 and 28-2.
Dash 1's are always nice and usually fewer made.
Personally I want nothing newer than a dash two, and also prefer either no dash, or PRE model guns.
The pre guns are going to be higher money.
Have fun!
mg357
Absent Comrade
Marine24: here on my two favorite s&w 357 magnum revolvers i suggest you add them to your list if you want to.
1. s&w model 686 4 inch barrel 6 shot cylinder
2. s&w model 60 3 inch barrel
1. s&w model 686 4 inch barrel 6 shot cylinder
2. s&w model 60 3 inch barrel
Hmmm......didn't see Uncle Elmers name mentioned.
Mr. Keith was a pioneer there is no doubt, and did some crazy stuff with his reloads. He also had a great amount of influence on the handgunning industry in his time and I respect and honor him for that. And, that being said, he wasn't the only person who saw the shortcomings of the existing .38 special loadings and knew they could be improved upon. The H/D was the firearm platform developed by S&W to be able to safely fire hotrodded .38s, and was a direct predecessor of the Registered Magnum. Just look at the quality of construction of the early HDs! Checker the top strap, add adjustable sights and a checkered barrel rib, and whaddaya got? Throw in the ingenious marketing ploy of "registering" the then most powerful handgun in the world, and the rest is history!Sorry for the thread drift.....now back to our regularly scheduled programming......
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Fortunately the one S&W .357 Mag revolver I do have is a 4 " no dash 686. Model 60 is on the fence. I'm not a J frame fan based on previous experience, but can't argue with their concealability.
I'm sure there are forums for such junk like hi-point, charter, kel-tek, etc
Hmmm......didn't see Uncle Elmers name mentioned.
Sorry for the thread drift.....now back to our regularly scheduled programming......
The debate of Elmer's Keith role in the development of the 357 Magnum cartridge is an interesting one. Some references I've seen state it was a collaboration of Keith, Phillip Sharpe and Col Wesson, but details are sketchy.
No question that Keith was hot rodding 38 Specials, along with a number of others in the early 30s but hard to connect the dots on his role with the development of the 38-44 and ultimately the .357 Magnum.
And then add in the nickle or stainless cousins for a proper family album.
I can see where my simple objective to collect a representative 4" revolver will mushroom in to the same challenge Cajun is encountering. Not sure that is a bad thing.
Don't forget the 627s. The 627, 627-0, 627 PC, 5 inch and 2 5/8 inch "Bloodwork" guns, 627-2 and a host of others as well as the blue 27 8 shooters.
M3Stuart
Member
That reminds me; I was at a LGS this week and they had a 620 in their rental counter. I asked if they wanted to sell it and the guy said "probably" - I need to check back with him.
That 620 is, to me, maybe the closest they (recently) made to a 'mountain gun' - true MG's being nigh-impossible to find.
That 620 is, to me, maybe the closest they (recently) made to a 'mountain gun' - true MG's being nigh-impossible to find.
