1st 357 S&W = Which one??

[Sportsterguy]

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.

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.

 

[roaddog28]

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 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

66-4

686-2

 

[C/O]

+1 for the 686 4inch.

 

[tomuchiron]

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

 

[Knightrider03m]

Model 19 or 28...... both are fine

 

[Sparrowbird]

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.

 

[wnr700]

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.

 

[Ursoboostd]

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-

 

[ab4ka]

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.

 

[lhump1961]

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.

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.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

I'd just buy my first S&W .357 Magnum and start eyeballing a second. heh

Hard to go wrong with a S&W .357 Magnum; enough out there to suit your needs.

 

[rhetlaw]

I enjoy both my 19-3, 4" and my 28, 4". Although I have a holster to carry the 19-3, I am enjoying the m28 a bit more.