38/357 for Red Dot Use?

[Rick_A]

I'm contemplating getting another S&W primarily for target shooting with a red dot. After having a 7.5" 629 with an Aimpoint for many years I really miss the long range potential of such a gun. Not wanting anything too bulky or too long I've got a few 4" guns in mind. The 44 was more gun than I needed. A 38 or 357 would suit me just fine.

Model 67

I like the classic lines, the balance, and am okay with it just being a +p 38. Hotter Specials could always be used if needed. I have 357 magnum revolvers already.

Model 66

It was not particularly liked at first, but it has grown on me. It has the classic profile, but is fully modernized with a two piece barrel, ball detent lock, a full diameter forcing cone, and the subtly rounded edges. I'm not among those that believes everything was better in the old days. The 66-8 design changes make a lot of sense in this case. There's a strong leaning towards this one.

686

The 686 is a favorite for many, buy I find them a little chunky and unnecessarily bulky. It would certainly be the best choice for hot loads, but that's not really much of a factor. The weight certainly helps to steady the gun, but with a red dot on top I'm afraid it'll be too much of a good thing.

For the optic I'm strongly leaning towards a 1" tube UltraDot. The Aimpoint micros are nice, but there's just too much in thickness surrounding the lens. I love the size, but that's a major annoyance.


What say ye?

 

[H Richard]

I think a 38/357 platform is great for a red dot sight for informal and/or formal shooting. With the .357 you have the option of light WC target loads, standard 38 Spec loads, 39 +P loads, or full power .357 loads. If you intend to use with holsters for any kind of competition I would seriously look at the smaller head up type dot sights, such as the Leupold Delta Point, J Point, Burris Fastfire III, etc. The smaller profile of thees type sights is lighter weight, faster sight picture acquisition, less cumbersome in a holster, etc. If you are planning most of the use outdoors, and any action shooting I urge you to look at 5-8 minute size dots as being much easier to pick up and see in daylight. If you are shooting on indoor ranges the 3 MOA dot is more than adequate. Some models come in the options up to 10/12 MOA. If it makes it any easier, this is a picture of my 617-6 with a Burris FastFire III. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Rick_A]

Thanks for the input. It's going to be a target gun/plinker only...something that lets me know how well I shoot without eyes being a factor. Guns like that can keep a man honest. The tube style sights I can get on target quicker than the RMR styles. I'm sure practice and training could fix that, but I'd rather just stick with what works for me.

A 38 Special only gun would be just fine. I have a bad habit of shooting mostly magnums through magnum guns. This would be something to just relax with and enjoy.

4moa usually works pretty well for me.

Upon pondering the choices throughout the day the 67 makes the most sense.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Whichever one feels better in your hands(s) , while wearing the optic of your choice.

You seem inclined to the M67, no reason to avoid it within your stated parmters.

 

[series guy]

Another vote for the Fastfire III. The N Frames are hard to beat for comfort with any type of load. This is a 627 Pro Series.

 

[Dale53]

I kind of "fell in" with this one. I was over at a friend's house and he mentioned he was going to move this revolver to buy something that struck his fancy. I was like new and the price was right. I took 'er home. I have been using Red Dots ever since I lost most of the vision in my right eye. I have Red Dots on a goodly number of my revolvers of various types and calibers. This feller rapidly became one of my favorites for range use using home cast wadcutters and .38 Special cases. It will shoot well under 1" at 25 yards and is a genuine pleasure to use.

Using full charge wadcutters it would also be a dandy field gun. Of course, you always have the option of using .357 magnums (after a good cleaning to get .38 Special fouling out, of course).



Dale53

 

[RV4driver]

I shot Bullseye games with my 686 and a MatchDot Ultradot. Killer combination. It was heavier than necessary, but nice and stable! I went through a couple of "less expensive" red dots before I finally spent the coin on the MatchDot.

 

[Rick_A]

That's the kinda stuff I like to hear.

It'll probably be a few weeks to get the gun, and a few more for the optic.

 

[qballwill]

I have a 6 inch 686 with a Warne Maxima Multi Sight Rail on it topped with an American Defense quick release base and a Vortex SPARC red dot.

The Warne rail uses your factory rear sight and has a front sight mounted on it, so you can still use iron sights if you want. I fabricated a taller front sight on the gun and removed the front sight on the rail so I have a longer sight radius. I am a die hard Vortex optics fan, it does have a little bit of meat around the lens, but their products cant be beat, especially at the price. I shoot 50 yard plate matches with this gun in both iron sight and optic. mounting and unmounting the red dot is simple and doesnt miss a beat.

 

[Rick_A]

I have a 6 inch 686 with a Warne Maxima Multi Sight Rail on it topped with an American Defense quick release base and a Vortex SPARC red dot.

The Warne rail uses your factory rear sight and has a front sight mounted on it, so you can still use iron sights if you want. I fabricated a taller front sight on the gun and removed the front sight on the rail so I have a longer sight radius. I am a die hard Vortex optics fan, it does have a little bit of meat around the lens, but their products cant be beat, especially at the price. I shoot 50 yard plate matches with this gun in both iron sight and optic. mounting and unmounting the red dot is simple and doesnt miss a beat.

That's a cool idea with the irons. I may need to steal that.

 

[Rick_A]

On the optic, I hate buttons. I'd much rather have the 'ol knobs.

 

[Lazarus117]

I have a 6 inch 686 with a Warne Maxima Multi Sight Rail on it topped with an American Defense quick release base and a Vortex SPARC red dot.

The Warne rail uses your factory rear sight and has a front sight mounted on it, so you can still use iron sights if you want. I fabricated a taller front sight on the gun and removed the front sight on the rail so I have a longer sight radius. I am a die hard Vortex optics fan, it does have a little bit of meat around the lens, but their products cant be beat, especially at the price. I shoot 50 yard plate matches with this gun in both iron sight and optic. mounting and unmounting the red dot is simple and doesnt miss a beat.

Can you tell what front post sight you have used and was it hard to modify? I have tried to find a sight that would match the warne base with raised factory sight but no luck

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
M327 TRR8
5in barrel , same size as your 44, comes with rails,similar weight
as your 686.
Mine shoots very well with most anything.
I use a Zeiss reddot

 

[TAROMAN]

As Groo said, TRR8

Mine wears Ultradot, 2x Leupold, or irons depending on the mission.

 

[Jingles]

I put a Bushnell First Strike red dot on my R8. It's a great set up for 100 yard steel targets.

 

[davetnitro]

another vote for R8.. i have a vortex razor on mine.. a lot of fun to shoot