Good day! Sir im planning to buy a Smith and Wesson revolver preferably a 357 Magnum with a 5 or 6 chamber load. can you suggest the best model? many thanks!

Lots of possible answers to that question. In my opinion it would be an "L" frame model 686. Mine is a 7 shot and I love it.

I think the important question is best for what? Concealed carry? Home defense? Hunting? Target shooting? I'd probably give a different answer for each one. Let us know what you plan to use it for and I'm sure you'll get a lot of helpful suggestions.

Depends on, are you going to use it for concealed carry, plink with it, hunt with it, competion target shooting? We need to know more, one size does not fit all.

__________________
Dick

According to the latest, "Gun Week", there will be a six month ban on owning guns in the Phillipines. What's the story on that? If so, you won't be able to own this gun. ??

For carry I recommend a model 65 or 13 with a 3" barrel. For target shooting you just can't beat a model 686 with a 6" barrel. Just my humble opinion.

Chuck

__________________
Tennessee Hillbilly

if you going to be shooting targets i highly recommend the smith and wesson model 686 its a really nice gun

I can't let this go beyond seven responses without suggesting the Model 27.

well because of the election period. but we in the armed forces is exempted for that. tahnks!

My plan is for shooting and for house defense. thanks!

S&W Model 28.

For target shooting and home defense, I'd recommend a longer barrel, such as a 6" version. It makes really accurate shooting easier, and thus more FUN!

The bigger and heavier the gun, the less felt recoil you'll have. Again, more fun. Thus, a Model 27 would be wonderful, but more expensive, than the smaller, more common models.

If you are looking for a fine used S&W, the Model 28 joins its fancier brother, the Model 27 as great choices too!

In the mid-sized frame guns, the Model 686 (new or lightly used) also will be fun and very accurate!

I hope this helps, and best wishes,

Tom

thank you very much sir's for all your time to respond and great ideas.

Get a 27 and 686!!!

__________________
Always look for the Blue Box

Get a model 27 with 5" barrel ( if you can find one and afford one) and a 586 6" and you won't go wrong--IMHO

You won't be able to stop with just one .357! I've got a J-frame and N-frame so far and am working on finding a nice used 581 and M13.

RJ

In my opinion, the 4" Model 66 is the most universal S&W ever made.

4'' model 66 or 4" model 19

Just got me a s&w 686 plus 3 inch 7 shot for xmas, gift from wifey. Love that gun,recoil very manageable using 357 ammo. "Musta na Pinas kapatid ?"

__________________
M4A1 SIG 225 PSG1

I have a M-66 with 2.5'' BBL and a 586 with a 6'' BBL. I like them both,but I want a 3'' 586 so bad I cant stand it!! The 586 is my HD gun.

I would have to say a 340, its gotta be on the cutting edge of 357s.
I know--- but I love to carry and shoot it.

Well it depends on what you want it for. If you want to shoot targets or hunt with it, a longer barrelled heavy gun like the Model 27 would be better. Heavy guns absorb recoil better and are more fun to shoot. If you plan to carry it for self protection, a lighter gun with a 4 inch barrel would be better. The heavier the gun, the harder it is to carry; even with a good holster. However, lightweight guns are less pleasent to shoot because of increased recoil.
I found out that there are some guns designed to shoot alot but carry a little, while others are designed to carry alot but shoot a little.
The model 686 is a popular model available with long barrels for accuracy shooting or short barrels for concealment. The 4" version would be a decent carry gun. For lighter weight, consider the model 620.

Best all around .357 IMO is the 4" 686. Great for the range, perfect for home defense, and still can be carried if necessary.

Best all around is the Model 19/66 with the 2.5" barrel. A very close second, in fact, virtually a tie, is the Model 13/65 with the 3" tube. Either is the "perfect packin' pistol" as gunwriter John Taffin is so fond of saying. Not too much weight, but has six shot capability. The 19/66 has adjustable sights and a shrouded ejector rod, and the 13/65 has fixed sights with an unshrouded rod. Can't go wrong with either one, and either is as valuable as the other.

I am with Camster. A model 27 or 28 will shoot 357s as well or better than any L frame. I have a 28 and a 686 and I still prefer the 28. The N frame model 27/28 were overbuilt for a 357 round.

The MOST used revolvers that I own are three inch K and L frames pre lock revolvers. If I was pushed to pick one it would be a three inch model 686 CS-1. There is just not much that I CAN'T do with it.

I would say a 686...the barrel length would be a matter of personal taste. If i could only have one and i carried...which i do...it would be a 2.5. If i didnt carry, it would be a 4 inch

__________________
Marcas Registradas

I love the classic looks of the 586!

Another vote for the 686/586/681/581 family. They are to 357 magnums what the BMW 3-series is to sports sedans.

I would sugguest an N-Frame .357 like a model 27 or 28.

grizz

Hard to beat the M 19/66 in any configuration.

This about sums up my opinion on .357 magnums too.

The best, for me, is 3" M66.

In that case I suggest a fixed sight stainless medium/large frame revolver. A 681 comes to mind for pure durability. If adjustable sights are your thing, I suggest a 686 or a (gasp) Ruger GP100. All of these should be with a 4" barrel.

__________________
Forum consigliere

27-2 with a 4"bbl

I bet your real confused now

A 4" 686 would be a very good candidate for the uses you mentioned. Good barrel length and weight for general shooting and for keeping around the house.

__________________
Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

hahahahaha. yes sir! but im very happy for all your respond. actually all your suggestions are all included on my list. Thank you very much!

Well, as others have mentioned you did not say what you needed it for but I'll chime in. If I had to have only one it would be my 19. I could just sit around all day and just look at it. (I'd rather shoot .38 for fun anyway.)
If my life was going to depend on it (for food or defense) I'd keep my 686.

Maybe its just me, but the N frame .357s have always seemed like full size trucks with six cylinder engines! All kidding aside, you would have to shoot a .357 in all of the frame sizes to see what YOU like...blonds vs. brunettes ya know

__________________
Marcas Registradas

Model 27 or 28.
Nuff said.

__________________
Need 1/2 moon Chiefs special

Greatest danger is getting too many in posession. You will never make up your mind which one to take along. +1 on M27 or 28 for all round use.

Rodger 10-4

Attached Images

M-27-2 Austin PD.jpg (20.2 KB, 154 views)

Since CCW is not a consideration I'd go with a 27 or 28 with somewhere between a 4" to 6" barrel. I really like the 8-3/8" one as well but those are really field guns.

I would go with a N frame 8-Shot Model 27, 327 or 627.

686 would be a good choice

hard to beat a 6" 586

^^^ this

3 or 4 inch barrel. i have the 3 inch, and it is plenty accurate for any shooting out to 25 yards. it also has better balance (at least in my hand) than the longer barrels

686 with 6" barrel.

__________________
USMC 68-70

686-4 with a 4" or 6" barrel.SS is good in humid conditions.

__________________
WALSTIB