Dumping the 586s

You only go around once Buy and shoot as many as you can. Never heard of anyone laying in their deathbed to say " I wish I spent more time at work". But I'll hazard a guess that a few outdoorsman thought "I wish I spent some more time on the trail with the pup while I was toting my revolver "
 
IMHO, the match Champion is the best out of the box, "do all" 357 revolver Ruger has produced to date. I've owned two of them. That said, both got sold off as even with extensive tinkering and spring changes, I just could never get the action of them to compare to a well Tuned K/L frame. To each their own but IMHO, nothing beats a S&W in revolvers.
 
Not to argue with you but now I'll argue with you :D
but the geometry, I believe, is as much affected by the
choice of stocks and one's hand size.

Which makes all the hand fitment discussion particularly freaky, as the K and L frames utilize the exact same size stocks.

As someone who shoots full underlugged 8 3/8" barreled revolvers both K and L frame (some with scopes) down to 2" snubbies whilst standing on my hind legs I've never gotten the "balance" thing, but that's a whole different subjective matter.
 
Last edited:
Which makes all the hand fitment discussion particularly freaky, as the K and L frames utilize the exact same size stocks.

As someone who shoots full underlugged 8 3/8" barreled revolvers both K and L frame (some with scopes) down to 2" snubbies whilst standing on my hind legs I've never gotten the "balance" thing, but that's a whole different subjective matter.

True, the K and L and, I understand. the X have the same
size for fitting stocks but it's the sizes and configuration
of the stocks that count, not just frame size. Some
find the Magna stocks just about right while others
require a Jordan sized stock.

As for balance, it is both physical and mental and the
right balance is when the firearm hits that sweet spot
of handling quickly and accurately. And yes, balance
can also change with age and physical strength.

To me balance is a 4-inch K-frame, it just sits
well in my hand, with correct stocks, and I'm
able to be adept with it and quick as well. I
could never say the same with an 8-inch revolver
even when I was young and much stronger.
 
My 2 centavos: Most accurate 357 in my hands, ever. in the 80s I bought a 586 4" nickel. First L frame I saw. Use to shoot Michelob bottles at 100 yds with it. I don't shoot bottles anymore.

I've owned 50+ 357s built by Smith. I was a cop in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. We always thought the Ks and Ls would be around forever.
My favorite Smith 357s to date: A 66-1 3" and a 65-5 3" foolishly traded tham away along with 19s, 66s, 586s, 686s, 27s, 28s.
Always wanted a Smith 357 6 shot Mountain Gun, fat chance! Just purchased a Ruger Match Champion and I like it a lot for fast shooting and strength plus carry. No more Smiths in 357 or 38. But I keep my eye peeled for a 357 Mountain Gun.
 
Last edited:
My 2 centavos:


My favorite Smith 357s to date: A 66-1 3" and a 65-5 3" foolishly traded tham away along with


Wasn't aware there were any 3" 66-1s;the -2 were an Ashland special order in the mid-80s IIRC followed by some -3s and 4s

I would guess a "factory" 3" 66-1 would be worth some extra bucks to a collector..................
 
Got the dash # wrong, but it was an Ashland gun. Special ordered it through a local gun store. Sorry about the memory error on the dash #.
 
Anyone claiming "best action ever" or "best DA/SA trigger pull" should really make it a point to state personal opinion. It can't be anything else, each same model gun off the line will differ. No two guns will ever be identical.

So those who like to portray absolutes with "S&Ws have the best trigger pulls/best actions", are you aware guns can be tuned? I could tune ANY revolver and it would probably be the best action/trigger pull many people ever felt if all they have to compare it to is factory spec guns.

Pet peeve addressed! Thanks.
 
Last edited:
I agree, the K frames are much handier all around, but I do think the L frame is the perfect match for the .357 especially if your loading it hot or running heavy for caliber bullets for hunting. Consider the L frame the goldilocks zone for the .357. The N frame is overkill, the K frame a little short on overall utility and toughness.

I agree with the other above. You can't beat a K frame 22 for practicing DA trigger control for all your other S&W revolvers. The heavier action will make it harder but then when you transition to the DA pull on your center-fire K or L frames, they will feel all the better.

As to the 6 -vs- 10, take your pick. I'll stick with 6 but that's my pref.
 
Back
Top