357 questions

[goodtimes795]

Ok here is the problem only have limited funds and want a 357 with 6" barrel everyone says get a old smith instead of a new budget brand but most of the new budget brands have a lifetime warranty and Smith only offers one to the original owner I have 5906 I had sent for repair and had to pay for when I asked why they said you're not the original owner then they had the gun for about 4 months I gave them my new address 3 times before they sent it back and they still sent it to the old address so please no bs about how great Smith's customer service is because IT'S NOT I'm looking for a mechanical sound 357 single and double action 6" barrel that I can put thousands of rounds threw with a great warranty like I said on a budget of 300$ it don't half to be pretty so if you know a budget brand that fits all categories I asked about let me know

 

[P&R Fan]

Welcome to the Forum.
Unfortunately I can't think of any new model revolver that fits your terms for three bills. I suppose a used Rossi or Taurus, but nothing new. If your are concerned about longevity, I would advise you to save a bit more money and get an S&W M28 or M19 used. The latter is a K-Frame and the former an N-Frame. The N-Frame in .357 Magnum will outlast you.
It will cost about twice what you have now, but will be well worth it.
Jim

 

[eb07]

You should save more money and get a solid model like a smith or ruger. If you plan on putting thousands of rounds through it, what's a couple extra hundred. Your budget is too low and you will end up with a Taurus exploding model.

 

[SAFireman]

Find a mechanically sound N frame.

You can find decent used model 28's (Highway Patrolman) for about $500.

I think that $300 won't buy much these days, it sure won't buy anything new (of any repute anyhow).

I know where there is a 4" model 28-2 for $450, it is solid, but it isn't pretty.

 

[clayflingythingy]

Continue saving until you have the $ for a good gun.

Or, consider a used Ruger Blackhawk single action instead.

 

[Arik]

Don't settle. Save more and buy what you want. Don't be impulsive. As the saying goes. ...buy once cry once. Budget brands offer a lifetime warranty because they are budget guns. It's their selling point because they can't sell it as a quality well made gun. ...because it's not.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I think either a M-28 or a L frame 586/686 would do the trick.

 

[old&slow]

What everyone else said.. I'd rather have a L, N, or K frame S&W or a Ruger. Than a dollar two ninety five S. American..

 

[pew222]

686 or ruger. Itll cost you a bit more but its what youre looking for. check gb and you might be able to get one a little cheaper.

 

[ChazFraz]

I saw M65 Police Trade-in for $400 at Buds Gunshop last week. You might go there and look 'em over.

 

[Hapworth]

Ok here is the problem only have limited funds and want a 357 with 6" barrel everyone says get a old smith instead of a new budget brand but most of the new budget brands have a lifetime warranty and Smith only offers one to the original owner I have 5906 I had sent for repair and had to pay for when I asked why they said you're not the original owner then they had the gun for about 4 months I gave them my new address 3 times before they sent it back and they still sent it to the old address so please no bs about how great Smith's customer service is because IT'S NOT I'm looking for a mechanical sound 357 single and double action 6" barrel that I can put thousands of rounds threw with a great warranty like I said on a budget of 300$ it don't half to be pretty so if you know a budget brand that fits all categories I asked about let me know

Welcome to the forum, goodtimes795.

If I've followed you correctly, you want:

1) A .357 Magnum revolver with a 6" barrel.
2) New.
3) Lifetime warranty.
4) Quality built and can handle thousands of magnum rounds.
5) $300.

Assuming this is a sincere request, I'll answer directly: it's not out there, it doesn't exist, it isn't going to happen.

When "everyone" gives you the same advice (to include posters in this thread), consider that there's a good reason.

Wait. Save. Make a sound decision on a quality firearm. Pay more. Cry once over it, rather than many times because you bought cheap.

Accuracy, reliability, hard use and safety come at a price, and understandably so -- they're all important, especially safety.

Curious to know -- when "everyone" has already told you to buy a S&W -- what response you were expecting in your first post at a S&W forum asking for a non-S&W suggestion while bad-mouthing S&W service?

Regardless, get a S&W. Or a Ruger. New. Or used. Just pick wisely. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to get a great gun, but you do have to spend more than $300 to get what you're looking for.

 

[koz5614]

I think your best bet is to find a nice, quality used revolver. There is a chance you could luck into one for the price you are looking for. Half of the the fun is the chase. Good luck.

 

[Black Knight]

Do not go with a so called bargain brand. You will regret it later, and if lucky will only pay for it twice. If you are not lucky well anything could happen. It seems what you really want is a new S&W for $300 or less. If this is true I am sad to say that you are about 25 - 30 years too late. Save up the money that you need and get what will do you the most good, don't buy now until you know what you are getting. I have bought a few revolvers used, a 3" S&W 65 and a 4 Colt Python and both have been just great. Buy quality once, buy bargain brand 2, 3, or more times.

 

[S&W1006]

New for $300 just isn't feasible but there are some bargains in the used market but you will need to save a little more. The model 28 N frame even in an older gun will see you through many years of service. Probably the most common 357 6" will be the L frame S&W in 586 or 686. You can find bargains sometimes. I recently saw a 686 no dash for $425 at a gun show. It was a very solid gun just showed signs of being carried a lot. One that is rock solid but out of production is a Ruger Single Six. They are built very well and can be found very reasonable. I picked up a stainless one for $325. The triggers aren't as nice as a Smith but they are a hell of a bargain. Another non Smith still in production also very solid is the Ruger GP100. You can find a bargain in one on occasion. Taurus I have never owned one but I know a few people that have had good service out of them. I have never heard that you had to be the original owner for warranty I guess I got lucky. I needed the ejector alignment pins for my model 64 and they sent them to me free and I bought it used.

 

[Boogsawaste]

Best gun that fits "closest" to what you are looking for in my opinion is a ruger security six. They are out of production so I'd say no warranty (ruger doesn't express any kind of warranty even for new but that's another topic). Otherwise keep saving for an s&w or newer ruger of your choice.

On a side note I've dealt with s&w customer service a handful of times now and never had a problem. 2 warranty issues. One was back to me in 2 weeks and the other in 3 if I remember correctly. And a couple repairs not under warranty. These took longer of course. It's the way s&w is handling repairs. Warranty takes precedent over non warranty. But wait times were still typical of what's going on with all the big names it seems. Received email notification when all guns were shipping back and I notified fed ex to hold at their shipping hub for me to pick up. Never a problem. Oh, welcome to the forum.

 

[ibewbull]

Before I carried a Rossi or Taurus I would much prefer a BP .44 cap and ball. I am being serious here. I have had the cheap-o revolvers. Been there done it. Never again and was told by Taurus to ship on my dime to FL.
I packed a .36 in the 70s before I was 21. I could have the issue .45 but not buy one. Long story.

There are used Ruger and S&W guns at fair prices but it takes a lot of looking.
Still doubt you will find a $300 .357 maybe $400
If I had a time machine I would go back to 1974 and buy a truck load of 28-2 S&W for $145 retail and bring you back one.
Buy like YOUR life depends on it.

 

[S&W1006]

Before I carried a Rossi or Taurus I would much prefer a BP .44 cap and ball. I am being serious here. I have had the cheap-o revolvers. Been there done it. Never again and was told by Taurus to ship on my dime to FL.
I packed a .36 in the 70s before I was 21. I could have the issue .45 but not buy one. Long story.

There are used Ruger and S&W guns at fair prices but it takes a lot of looking.
Still doubt you will find a $300 .357 maybe $400
If I had a time machine I would go back to 1974 and buy a truck load of 28-2 S&W for $145 retail and bring you back one.
Buy like YOUR life depends on it.

ibewbull if you get that time machine going grab a couple of 28's for me. [emoji2]

 

[meistermash]

If you can't find a good used Smith then a new Ruger gp100 is what I'd get. But you are not finding them for $300. That is probably half.
Have you considered a regular old 38? Like a model 10. Those would be better than a Tarass or Rossi and still doable in your price range.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

The best three hundred dollar gun you're going to find is an ex-LEO M64 in .38 Spl. Those can be found in 2-inch and 4-inch form. I don't think they ever made a 6-inch M64. There's quit a few of these $300 M64's on the market today (I just bought two a couple of weeks ago). I'd hurry, though. They're selling fast and once they're gone I don't know how many more large batches of surplus revolvers were going to see in coming years.

 

[Rick_A]

Bargain brands like Taurus or Rossi have weak cranes and lockwork. That's not conducive to long term use or ownership. Charter Arms aren't bad, but they are small framed, rough fit and finish, and notorious for critical screws and pins coming loose.

As others mentioned, Smith or Ruger.