I have neen shooting around for a first revolver for me
and i have plenty of semi autos but no wheel gun. I was looking for a 357. 4in barrel. Also im looking used that way i save a few $$.

So far here is what i found.
$330 S&W 65 stainless Oklahoma state Police.
$450 S&W 686 (dont think it has a lock)
$599 S&W 29 blued with 8 3/8 barrel. Clearly not a ccw gun but sooo awesome looking and feeling.

I d prefer one with actual rear sights as apposed to the notch. I jist cant get used to that notch but i pick up the regular sights quick, closer to my semi autos. The 686 is the only one that has this (not counting the 29)

How good or bad are these
Any other suggestions?

Hey, welcome to the revolver area, We all love our wheel guns over on this side of the fence. The .357 is a great round. You can use it for several things like home defense, hunting, and plinking.

If you are going to shoot a-lot of .357 magnum rounds I would say get the 686 or 586, they are both L frame revolvers and were designed to shoot a steady diet of .357 magnum rounds. The K frame 65 you are looking at was meant to shoot a-lot of .38 special and only shoot .357 magnum rounds every now and then. You have to make sure that if you get the model 65 you only shoot 158 grain .357 magnum in it. With the 686 and 586 you can pretty much shoot what ever you want.

The model 29 is a .44 magnum and is considered a big bore round. This is mainly used for hunting purposes. Some of us crazy revolver freaks love the .44 round for home defense and carry because it is an awsome round. If this is your first revolver I would say get a 686 or 586 and shoot .38 specials out of it. then shoot some .357 magnum rounds through it and see how you like it. If it kicks too much for you keep shooting the .38 specials out of it.

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M.J.Hanna

I ve shot both the 357 and the 44 mag i just dont own any. Im not recoil sensitive i own a 10mm and used to have a 50AE.

How can i know which revolvers can eat a steady diet of 357 and which cant?

That specific model 29 is too big to carry, almost 9in barrel. Its just so freaking cool!

I have two model 65's, a 3" and a 4". Not being able to handle .357 magnums is internet lore and not true. If you prefer fixed sights the 686 you mentioned is a great revolver. You could also look for 66's,19's and 586's as well as others. Find the one that feels good in your hand and fits your budget. You can't go wrong with a Smith & Wesson revolver. Just be warned, revolvers are addicting!

You might look for a model 27 or 28. They are both 357 magnums. Both have adjustable sights.

The 28 would be less expensive. It doesn't have the high gloss finish of the 27.

In the S&W line the "L" frame .357's are beefed up to accept the 357 Magnum's punishment. They can go all your life shooting 357's with no issues. The "K" frame guns are not as beefy. They will shoot .357's (If Chambered for them) but if you feed them a bunch then you can have issues with failures.

The "L" frame guns are the 686, 586, 681, 581 models. The 81 models are fixed notch sights while the 86 models are adjustable sights.
You can find TONS of used 686's on the market. The 586 is not as easily found. 686 and 681's are stainless while the 586 and 581 are blued carbon steel. S&W no longer makes the 681 or 581 and just released the 586 again this year at Shot Show. I would say that the 686 has the most options available with barrel length 21/2-8 inches with some are 7 shot while others are 6 shot.

Hope this all helps.

Get that cool N frame Model 29. Then sit down and rewatch " Dirty Harry "...... when you go to the range shoot 44 Specials.

I have a model 58 N fame in 41 magnum, I reload to 41 Special velocities with cast bullets. There is just something way cool about the big bores. You will not regret getting one.

My next favorite gun is a Model 64, K frame , 38 special. It's a stainless steel model 10. But 38 specials get the most range time and the K frame is just the right size.

gary

The S&W 686 is a superb revolver. The 6 inch model makes a wonderful range gun and also hunting if you're so inclined.

The Ruger GP100 is also an excellent 357 revolver.

IMO you've already found your new revolver, that price is not at all bad for a 4 inch 686 in good condition. What you will get is a revolver that was specifically designed for the 357 Magnum. This means that it's strong enough to tolerate lots of shooting with 357 Magnum but there isn't any excess weight like there would be with a model 27 or 28.

BTW, not knocking the larger N frame models because IMO they feature the best triggers on the planet. However the N frames do carry more weight and also command a higher price.

Sum it up and that 686 is a perfect fit for what you are looking for. BTW, while that long barreled model 29 is very cool looking they are also SLOW sellers on the used market. To put it simply you'll find it difficult to get a "fair" price for an 8 3/8 inch model 29 because so few people are out there looking for one.

That's probably about the worst advice one could give to someone looking for a first revolver. Although you may very well be saying that tongue in cheek.

To the OP's post:

Not a bad price for a model 65, let alone an ex-cop gun, which have some intrinsic collectible value to some people. Unless it's mechanically or cosmetically flawed, I would jump on that. You mention you dont like fixed sights. I can respect that, I am kind of the same way. But you could do a lot worse than this gun for this price.


Excellent gun. Good Price too. Jump on this, assuming it's not a trashed gun.


Slow down there Dirty Harry... you dont want this for your first revolver.

Buy the 686, start with 38 specials, eventually try some 125 grain hollow point 357 magnum's in it, then if you can handle that, maybe consider a 44 magnum down the road.

Above and beyond the (im)practicality of a 44 mag, it's an expensive gun to shoot. The lighter 44 special loads are even MORE expensive than the magnums because it's pretty much a dead caliber outside of people who frequent this forum or people who have not discovered the internet.

You also dont say what barrel length these are, the 65 is most likely a 4", because that's what like 99% of them are, but what about the 686? The 4" will be a more maneuverable and concealable gun than a 6". But the 6" will shoot better.

I love .357 Magnum revolvers and own/have owned quite a number over the years. Best of the bunch for size, durability value and strength are the S&W 586/686 or for $100 to $200 less the Ruger GP-100. The GP-100's can be smoothed out to feel mighty 'Smith Like' with a couple of Wolff springs and a bunch of dry-firing. The Rugers are selling for $375 to $475 used in my area with the Smiths at $550 and upward.

The 686 and 65 are 4in barrels. 6 in seems to long for carry and smaller seems to waste the 357 potential.

Im not sure if i was explaining it right about the sights but the 2 versions ive seen greatly very. One is like the top of the revolver had a U channel machined into it. This is what i dont like. Rather i keep trying to find the sight and then "Duh its the notch". The other type is basically the same as on a semi auto. Its easier to spot and align them.

I was actually looking at the Ruger as well but im coming from semi autos where high double digit ammo capacity is the norm and here the Ruger only has 5 where a standard revolver has 6 and the 686 holds 7

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

Seems simple to me, 686. Good price for a great gun. I have a 581 and 681, love those L frames. Now go git it, shoot it, and post some pics!

If you have shot the 50 AE you could always start with a SW 500 and work your way down. That is an awesome revolver and it sounds like you are up to the recoil. Of course you have to shell out a cool $1K to start plus ammo at $3.00 a pop Personally if you are not buying to carry but for fun.. get the .44 magnum. They are a blast to shoot as well. As for the .357's. I would go with the lighter K frames. They are also a blast because you get more bang with the lower weight frame, it is easier to conceal and that myth about not handling .357's is truly a myth. If you don't use the hot 125g loads you can't find enough time or ammo to wear one out. IMO Or go with the Ruger... but keep it light weight.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

I agree with the majority of posters here...get the 686 and you won't be disappointed. As for the Ruger, the GP100 is also a good revolver as Invictus stated. If you were looking at a 5-shot Ruger .357, it was probably an SP101. The GP100 will be a six-shooter.

I forgot to mention the .357 J frame model 60.

Now there is a hand full when it comes to recoil and a blast to shoot. And it truly is CCW as well. It has the adjustable sights and it's SS. They have been around a long time so you should be able to get a pre lock if you look around. (Assuming by your post that matters to you). Here is a line to the SW website for the Model 60.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...7_757751_image

I would poke around the web store at all the models listed. You can learn quite a bit from that about the look, size, weight etc. Of course the new prices are MSRP and most if not all stores I've been in sell under that price. And of course a used one is "usually less" The K frame .357's aren't there (model 19), because when SW came out with the hotter loads they had some frame cracking issues. That's why folks say they can't handle lots of .357 rounds. The fact is that they can handle all of the 158 gr you can feed them. But then the model 19's are not cheap anyway. For a gun no one wants they command a pretty good price these days.

Another way to go is the N frame .45 ACP revolvers. 25-x or 625-x. these are great shooters and you only need one type of ammo if you have a .45 semi auto. I have been wanting to get one for awhile. Maybe my next revolver...

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Hey, get the 686 you will thank yourself for it... you can shoot the heck out of it and carry it comfortably,...

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M.J.Hanna

Of what you mentioned, depending on condition, the 686 may be your best bet. I have a 586, which is the same thing in blue. Really like it. They will take plenty of .357's. Of course so will my 28. I do not have any lock guns, but many want to stay away from them. Good luck on your hunt! Condition means alot. Bob

Get a Model 10 or Military Police K frame .38 special. Everyone should have one. Used models are readily available, fairly cheap to acquire, fun to shoot, extremely reliable and hit what you aim at. Anyone can shoot these guns well... kids, women, newbies, old farts... whoever. Ammunition is not expensive and everywhere. Train up. Practice. Then get another Smith & Wesson. You won't want to get rid of that .38. Clean Break

I agree with most of the other guys. I n a 586 nickle finnish 4 inch barrel. Small enough to pack and like the other have said you can shoot any load you want including 38 specials. The 38's are cheaper and you can shoot them all day. This gun is very well balanced. I also own a Model 19 ith a six inch barrel that has super smooth trigger ( Better than the 586) deep blue finish an acurate. I shoot 158 grain 357's ad have never had any issues. Kee the forcng cone clean so thatyou don't have any pressure issues and you can shoot it for a life time. I have to say that N Frames and big bores are my favorite. I have a Model 25-2,27-2, and a 29-2 all in 98% + condition all with 6 1/2 barrels. I hunt hogs and whitetails with these . There is no equal to N Frame IMO, but old not recommend as a first gun just for the cost of both gun and ammo. I own a lot of semi autos to, but my adiction is wheel guns. I'm 53 and my dad bought my first S&W when I was 14 ( My model 19) and that's a sickness that I have yet to be cured. Da is now 83 and still does all my reloading and we till shoot a lot together. hank ou Dad.
Fred

The L frame .357 would be my first choice.

What does the number after the dash mean? Like XXX-2

The x is the dash number designation. Original issue is called by most a no dash.
Then as engineering changes come along the designation of the model # is changed for instance model 29, 29-1, 29-2 etc up to current production #.
Like on on 4506 there is also a 4506-1 and a 39-2 in semi auto world.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Of those you list, and wanting the adustable, versus the fixed, sights - then your best choice is the 686 for $450.

Actually, it's your only choice based on what you said you wanted.

Just FYI; the Ruger 5 shot DA revolvers are the SP101's (probably), the 6 shooters are the GP100's - they make both. Plus a whole sleuth of single action revolvers that I know nothing about.

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But then, what do I know?