Best 357 to carry?

I did the action on my ruger. The ball socket on the hammer to recoil spring needed fitting. Lubing the moving parts with moly did the rest.
I also ccw carry a cz82.
I don't ccw carry the s&w revolvers with the IL. there range guns as well as my other s&w without the IL there pampered.
 
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The best one to carry, is the one you like and will carry everyday. Requires a good double thick gun belt and a quality holster.
I chose this one. 686 Plus, 3" barrel. Rides in a Mitch Rosen custom holster.
 
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686+ w/3" barrel. Concealable, accurate and no need to think twice about what type of .357 load you may require.

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Speaking only for myself.. This 627-5 V Comp is my "do all" revolver.

In the Simply Rugged holster, it's very easy to carry and conceal. The weight has never been and issue for me. The holster/belt combo do a superb job of hauling this one around. Conceals fine under a T shirt. The relatively slim Pachmayer's help here too. REALLY want a set of slim Ropers, but can't find anyone to make them.

It's balance with the 5" barrel is superb and handles 357 loads with ease.

It's a joy at the range and has great sights.

The moon clips are speedy and super convenient to reload, or load/unload as needed. Even more convenient to unload than any semi-auto. (no need to clear the chamber) Having 8 rounds in a revolver is nice too.





I fully understand the most people would consider this one to be WAY too big and heavy for carry, but the belt and holster make ALL the difference in the world. It's no harder for me to carry than a 3" K frame.

9 times out of 10, if I'm carrying a revolver , it's this one.
 
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Buffalobillcody said:
Just curious what everybody thinks the best 357 carry revolver is, not just best conceal but overall
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For me (and others will disagree), I feel that if you go smaller than a K frame, the reduced size and weight bring about compromises in "handling"that make the cartridge less appealing, and I would go with a .38 in a smaller gun.

I think a 3" K frame round butt in any of its many flavors is about ideal unless circumstances justify going larger, then go as large as fits the hand and the purpose. A 3" bobbed hammer model 65 has always struck me as a really good defensive choice.
 
Buffalobillcody said:
It would be a universal gun. Everything but hunting. I have an option to purchase a 686+ PC 2.5", a 686+ 3", or an 66-2 3". And I do shoot a healthy diet of warmer 357 magnums. I'm not sure if the 3" with full ejector and slightly longer radius is better than a 2.5" PC gun-which does cost a bit more. Out of those three any preferences?
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If price is not a deciding factor, I would personally prefer either of the 3" guns over a 2.5" PC gun. Between the two 3" guns you listed, it really comes down to your own priorities. Either one would serve you well as an all-purpose revolver. You say you like to shoot "warmer" magnum loads. If you stick with 158 grains (or at least 140-something grains) and above, you shouldn't have any issues with the 66-2 with respect to its infamous Achilles Heel: the thinner forcing cone with a flat spot at 6 o'clock. Just be sure to check the cylinder timing and end-shake regularly and keep the forcing cone free of lead and carbon build-up and you should be good-to-go. Odds are that your hand will tell you it's time to give it a rest long before your magnum ammo would risk damaging the gun.

I'm not as familiar with the production history of the 686+ 3", but if it is post-IL, then my personal preference would be the 66-2. If the 686+ is also pre-IL or has an internal lock and you don't mind, then you need to consider whether the extra round is worth the extra weight and slightly thicker cylinder profile, which is a minor "con" for carry and a minor "pro" for recoil. The L-frame – and in particular the forcing cone – on the 686+ is a little more robust than the K-frame on the 66, but don't think that means the K-frame is weak and must be babied. On the other hand, if you like shooting hot 125 grain or even lighter bullets, then the hands-down winner is the 686+. Other than that, the full length ejector rod on the 3" models makes it easier to eject the ammo/spent brass. But then again, millions of people manage to deal with the short ejector rod on the J-frames so it's probably not a big deal.
 
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BigBill said:
The s&w are worth too much to ccw carry. The ruger is replaceable much easier. If I use my gun here in self defense it gets taken away. Don't want to lose a Smith.
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I posted a pic above of my 649-3 in .357. A gun that I've carried since 1998. However, I'm like you, I DON"T WANT TO LOSE IT! Maybe in an altercation I'd get it back (who knows how long) or maybe I won't. So, I'm considering a CCW that is economical to buy and something I can go to the store tomorrow and replace. S&W and Ruger are both making excellent, affordable (but expendable) guns. Bottom line.... I can't replace my 649-3 at a reasonable price but there are some really good alternatives from both Ruger and S&W.
 
HorizontalMike said:
I agree Bill, with the only exception for me being the little S&W J-Frame for carry.
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But I never seen a used s&w m27/m27-2/M28/m28-2 in probably three +++ decades used. Maybe longer. If I ccw carry it and use it the Leos take it. How can I replace it? I treasure each one I found. Nothing locally these were online.

Fact, The original s&w purchasers hung on to them just like the colt and ruger owners. Never seen a used one. Now the original owners are passing on or cashing in on the higher values.

It's like playing musical chairs. First it's no players, then many players with lots of chairs. The s&w are changing hands to new forever homes again. History repeats itself we won't see these used guns for sale again not in my lifetime. Funny for decades there's was no used revolvers for sale but plenty of metal autos in 9mm and 45acp(1911). Now the used plastic autos have replaced the used metal autos. Times have changed.
 
I like a 4" 686 for a holster gun, but for holster/ccw, a 3" 66 is pretty tough to beat.
 
I need to put my ruger revolver away and buy something cheaper to ccw carry. Taurus? Charter arms? Brand x????
 
For belt carry I have found nothing better than my 586L comp 3".

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Carry gun chambered in 357 Magnum? For me it is a 640 Pro Series.

My bigger 357 magnum wheel guns are more range toys than carry guns.

Now to 357 Magnum... Yes you can in a 640, but generally no I don't. Too much blast, flash, & recoil in a short barreled J frame. It normally is filled with 38 +P unless it is in the woods.

Edmo

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My preference is a Model 65 LS. Matte stainless, round butt, takes all but the Godzilla 357 rounds.
 
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