1st 357 S&W = Which one??

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C&R Bill

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I am now getting the urge to get a 357 after too many years without a revolver. Actually I will probably get 2, maybe three, one large frame, the others small frame (OK one will be a Model 63, but its still a revolver!!). I am debating between SS or scandium L frame, a seven or 8 shot model, haven't decided between 4-6 inch barrel, the M&P R8 and the 686plus are the leading choices. I like the moon clip option on the R8. Primary use will be nightstand duty & range enjoyment and this will be my first large frame revolver. Can anyone tell me which one they would chose & why??

Thanks, Bill
 
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6" Model 28, inexpensive and shoot anything in it. 4" Model 19 again inexpensive, handy great for nightstand. I passed on both of these at $400 at the last gunshow because I have some already. Consider a Model 17 or 18 for your .22. Only about $100 more than the 63 but same frame size as the 19. Nice examples are $600+, shooters, a lot less. HTH. Joe
 
pharmer said:
6" Model 28, inexpensive and shoot anything in it. 4" Model 19 again inexpensive, handy great for nightstand. I passed on both of these at $400 at the last gunshow because I have some already. Consider a Model 17 or 18 for your .22. Only about $100 more than the 63 but same frame size as the 19. Nice examples are $600+, shooters, a lot less. HTH. Joe
Click to expand...

I hadn't really thought about a 17 or 18 cause I was thinking about stainless.
 
Get a model 19. Everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't. It doesn't get any better than that in a S&W revolver......except for the pre lock 66. ;)

Good luck! Regards 18DAI.
 
I would love to find a 627 with the standard profile barrel. If you want enjoyment over carry then I would go steel over alloy. Steel eats up way more recoil. I'm getting real "iffy" on alloy frame cracks lately. I will second on trying to find a deal on a M28. I have one and LOVE it. I have also recently become a full on convert to Ahrends stocks. Kim makes the most amazing stuff at a rate I can actually afford. The 686+ is a darn good gun from the few I have held in my hand and fired. I love the stop notches between the chambers. I just prefer the mass and dimentions of the big N frame.
 
4 inch 686 perfect in every way ! Get one and enjoy it for the rest of your life,and your kids, and grandkids.
 
i have the 627 pro series. takes moon clips holds 8 shots 4in barrel s.s. it's my personal favorite. can be had for around 800
 
S&W ?

I really like the feel and balance of a 4" barrel combat revolver. Ideally in stainless and on a K or L frame.
 
Use ?

How do you want to use it ... or use "them" ?
That will help you define what is best for you.
 
I love my 4" 586 no dash I bought new in 1984, I am more accurate shooting 357's double action. I would also consider a 4" Model 65, it is also a great revolver!
 
Here's an unequivocal answer. With the exception of the J-frame scandium and alloy revolvers, they're all fantastic for your intended use. I presently own four .357s, a 27 4" a 28 6" a 66 4" and a 19 2 1/2". I'd be hard put to decide which one of these to keep if someone told me that I'd only be able to keep one. But, if I HAD to choose, I'd keep the 19. I just love the gun's portability and I've discovered that, at distances out to about 15 yards, the short sight radius gives me minimal sacrifice in accuracy.

I also have come to believe that the K-frame triggers, at least in double action, are inherently somewhat better than the triggers on the Ns. Stands to reason, there's less mass to move on the double action pull and the cylinder doesn't have to rotate quite as far as does the big N frame cylinder (at least when comparing a six shot N with a six shot K). The trigger on my 19 is the lightest and smoothest trigger that I have on any of my revolvers. So, if you can find a 2 1/2" 19 or a 2 1/2" 66 (the 19's stainless brother), I'd recommend that you jump on it.
 
686+ in 4", prelock or post, both are "out there". That's what I'm carrying daily these days. Would be my choice if I had only one in .357. Truly "everything you need and nothing you don't". Much more so than the K frame imo in that there are NO issues with ANY .357 loading in L frame. Not so in K.

Now...if you want more than one...then consider a 27-2 in either 3.5" or 5" (or 4"), a 28 in 4", or a 627 PC 8 shooter. ALL of these are available on the new or used gun market right now at varying prices.

Just my .02 but if I was only going to have one, the L frame wins the race hands down.
 
686+ 3" or model 28 6". Well thats what I have,and enjoy kinda covers all the bases for me for 357.Good luck.
 
18DAI said:
Get a model 19. Everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't. It doesn't get any better than that in a S&W revolver......except for the pre lock 66. ;)

Good luck! Regards 18DAI.
Click to expand...

18DAI nailed your answer as usual. Best all around S&W ever made IMO.
I like the stainless 66 pre lock for its corrosion resistant metal as mine gets carried and its very hot here in NC.
 
18DAI said:
Get a model 19. Everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't. It doesn't get any better than that in a S&W revolver......except for the pre lock 66. ;)

Good luck! Regards 18DAI.
Click to expand...
I agree. Here is my 19-2 4 inch and my 66-4 4 inch. My 686-2 4 inch is my next favorite. But the double action trigger on my 19 & 66 is the best in my opinion.
Regards,
Howard
19-2
DSC00033.jpg

66-4
model66-4.jpg

686-2
DSC00005-1.jpg
 
Since you have waited so long, you have a lot of catching up to do.
I'd go ahead and get one of each. shake a leg, your burning day light.
Mike.


686 645 39 66 66 1911 1911 1911 22 22 22 22 22
 
I hate the thought of limits but if I was to choose one for you, the fact you mentioned moonclips, I'd go with a 627 Pro. 8 shots and moomclips makes a great package. Make sure you buy the brass to fit the clips. Remingtom brass is very loose with the clips that come with the gun. Alot of people complain about how unhandy moomclips are but when you mate them to the right brass it's a heck of a combination.
 
Maybe it's because I have owned and shot more K frames and I like the weight of K frames more than the L frames.

My 581 is a tad heavy.

The Model 19 is about all you will ever need. It handles .38 Special quite well and I find .357 spunky but not a big deal.
 
I'm in the same shoes as the OP. I can't decide between a 686P in 4" or 6". I wish the 5" was more common. -Wade-
 
I don't think you can beat a 686 for a .357 Magnum...I like the 6" barrel, but you can't go wrong with any of them.
 
stevieboy said:
Here's an unequivocal answer. With the exception of the J-frame scandium and alloy revolvers, they're all fantastic for your intended use. I presently own four .357s, a 27 4" a 28 6" a 66 4" and a 19 2 1/2". I'd be hard put to decide which one of these to keep if someone told me that I'd only be able to keep one. But, if I HAD to choose, I'd keep the 19. I just love the gun's portability and I've discovered that, at distances out to about 15 yards, the short sight radius gives me minimal sacrifice in accuracy.

I also have come to believe that the K-frame triggers, at least in double action, are inherently somewhat better than the triggers on the Ns. Stands to reason, there's less mass to move on the double action pull and the cylinder doesn't have to rotate quite as far as does the big N frame cylinder (at least when comparing a six shot N with a six shot K). The trigger on my 19 is the lightest and smoothest trigger that I have on any of my revolvers. So, if you can find a 2 1/2" 19 or a 2 1/2" 66 (the 19's stainless brother), I'd recommend that you jump on it.
Click to expand...

I agree. I have 66's in 2 1/2 inch, 3 inch and 4 inch. Great triggers, can easily carry the two shorter barrels with the 4" for the house. I have other guns but these are my favorites. Keep the ammunition pressures in the range of what the gun was made for and they will last forever. Mine are good as new at 30 to 40 years old.
 
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