Help me pick a .357

[Zimm]

I'm still all over the place in my thinking. This .357 will be just a range gun. I already have a 5" 629 so that's why I'm thinking I don't need another huge N frame.

I really like the idea of the new classic 19 no lock. Something about the k frame just feels so nice to me. I'll mostly shoot .38 wad cutters most likely but the ability to pack full power .357's is nice.

Then there's that L frame mountain gun with 7 rounds.... but it's not coming out for another month.

I never really looked into the pythons. I have 4 smiths and a Freedom Arms .45 colt. I know this is a S&W forum, but are the new colts that much better? I was never enthused with the idea of the cylinder release being a "pull" rather the push that I'm so used to.

 

[sodacan]

Gotta like the 581/681.

 

[Doug M.]

My suggestion will reflect my biases. J frames to me are a niche platform, and not at all "fun". I have an older 4" 66 (-3?) that has been through the PC and has a gold bead, action job, and BMCM made it in to a round butt for me. I pretty much only shoot it with .38 SWC. I do my LEOSA qualification with (along with other formats, just to show I can).

If I was shopping today, that new 7 shot Lipsey's is probably worth the money and wait time. A month is nothing. I don't care for lug barrels, and as noted, an L frame with one is as heavy or more so than most N frames.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I want a .357 for range duty.

I already have a 5" 629 .44. I don't want another giant N frame. So a K or L is in my future. Barrel from 3.5-5 I think.

I've been drooling over a Korth, but I'm not spending $4000 on a revolver.

When I was a cop we mostly had revolvers. The Colt Python was a status symbol.

In 1981 the L Frame S&W revolvers came out and my favorite was the 686 four inch. So recently I bought a 686 Plus a seven shooter and a four inch. The three and five inchers would be my second and third choices.

The MSRP on the 686 Plus is $1000 so you can buy a lot of ammunition.

 

[Beju]

The new Pythons that I've pulled the triggers on have better DA pulls than the originals, but still not as good as S&Ws. It's light, but I still prefer the feel of S&W DA pulls.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

This .357 will be just a range gun.

I really like the idea of the new classic 19 no lock. Something about the k frame just feels so nice to me. I'll mostly shoot .38 wad cutters most likely but the ability to pack full power .357's is nice.

Then there's that L frame mountain gun with 7 rounds.... but it's not coming out for another month.

I never really looked into the pythons ... I know this is a S&W forum, but are the new colts that much better?

The 19 is just a glorified 357 and it really is better as a 38.

The L frame mountain gun caught my eye too. If you want to visit 357 Magnum country you need the L frame (or a N frame)

I had a Python in the 1970s it was a status symbol for cops. Today's Python is $1500 and the 686 is $1000. They are comparable but an extra $500 just for the Colt logo? I pass and take the 686.

 

[SLT223]

If you were ever looking for an excuse to get a duplicate 19-4, I think you found it. I typically have duplicates of older high condition guns so I can have the shooting experience and still feel like a good steward of an old collectible.

 

[Gater]

You might want to consider a M66 4” or 2.5”

 

[Zimm]

I'm going to wait for that 4" mountain gun to come out. In the meantime, I ordered a model 63, because... who doesn't need another .22? I plan to teach my kids how to shoot on it. My 6" 617 is just too heavy for a small person to hold up for a period of time.

 

[mikeruns]

I would 1st recommend an L frame or a Ruger GP100, and 3rd-ly, maybe a K frame if you are talking “new”.

 

[shawn mccarver]

For range duty, the newest Model 19 makes sense. It has so many improvements including the lack of that weak 6:00 flat on the barrel shank, lock up re-designed to the front of the cylinder, etc., and no internal lock, among other things. Plus, you will not hurt its value shooting it. Here is a video by an S&W trained armorer going all through the new Model 19. His has the lock, but you can get it now without the lock. I recommend you watch this:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h9l2ipiKf4[/ame]

 

[SWFan27]

For range duty, the newest Model 19 makes sense. It has so many improvements including the lack of that weak 6:00 flat on the barrel shank, lock up re-designed to the front of the cylinder, etc., and no internal lock, among other things. Plus, you will not hurt its value shooting it. Here is a video by an S&W trained armorer going all through the new Model 19. His has the lock, but you can get it now without the lock. I recommend you watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h9l2ipiKf4

I have the same Model 19 Classic and love it. Fantastic revolver and you can shoot all the magnums you want without worry.

 

[bronco45]

4" Mtn Gun, Ruger MC or new 19. They all shoot well, durable attractive and easy to carry for a full size gun.

 

[Bald1]

3” 13 or 65

 

[SLT223]

Lipseys is offering a 4" seven shot 686 Mountain gun without the internal lock.
The 686 Mg has a narrow rib barrel and even though the L frame has a slightly larger cylinder diameter is actually lighter than your 19-4.

^^^^^This! I can’t wait to get my hands on one. That’s gonna be one heck of a revolver. I have orders in for both new MG’s.

 

[Zimm]

I just "discovered" the Talo edition 686 plus 3-5-7. Now I'm wondering about one of those vs the new mountain 686 that's coming out.

Within 2 ounces of each other. The 3" full lug barrel won't have the same sight radius, but will fit in a shorter holster than the 4" mountain. I love the unflutted cylinder.

As for the internal lock- that doesn't really bother me. The last time I had my 629 taken apart (the grease gummed up locking up the action) I removed the lock all together.

I'm not sure what the extra ball detent the mountain gun has over the regular 686's though.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/l-frame-150853

 

[Birdhunter6]

Sounds like some form of 686 for you.

I have 7 Smith .357s: 1 J, 1 N, 2 Ls & 3 Ks. I don't "need" that many, but I love them all. I prefer the blue finish but my stainless models get more range time.

My understanding is that if you stick with heavy bullets, the old school K frames are fine with a steady diet of magnums.

Nothing carries and handles like 3" or 4" K. The Ls, in my experience are steadier on target in rapid fire strings.

Good luck.

 

[71vette]

I’ve been a diehard Smith guy all my life. I’ve got 357’s in all the sizes, primarily K frames. I’ve owned five Pythons over the years, four old ones and one new one. The old ones have all been sold over the years. Just couldn’t warm up to the stacking double action. On a whim I picked up a 3 inch new Python last fall. The double action is MUCH better than the old ones. Single action was very heavy (has to pass California drop testing), but after a LOT of dry fire it’s much better. On my digital gauge I’m at 4.8lb single, and 9.8lb double. It honestly shoots and handles very well. I love 2.5” K frame magnums and have close to a dozen examples. The 3 inch Python is nicer to shoot at the range, the K is nicer to carry. Ive also got a 586-ND 4 inch and there are a ton of similarities between the Python and the L frame. They handle very much the same.

 

[Rodfac]

Buy a well maintained K frame without a full length lug and stay with the 4' bbl. A M66 & 19 would suit your tastes, or a police turn in M67.38 Spl. Both are easy to carry and more than accurate enough.

A J frame M60 with a 3" bbl. would work as well and be lighter on the belt too; just remember it's going to hurt with full house .357's. Mine rides the belt often as a CC choice, but also for loafing around the farm..

It's usually loaded with either a .38 Special wadcutter hand load or my own version of the FBI/Treasury load (158 gr LSWC HP @ 900 fps). This, as the name implies, is a great CC choice as well.

For town or city carry, I like Speers justly famous 135 gr Gold Dot +P .38 Special. The full length ejector on my 3" M60 makes it markedly easier to eject than any .357. Too, the gun with the wadcutters and/or FBI load is a good plinker and accurate enough for this 78 yo to hit beer cans out to 20 yds.

The full lug 686 et. al. are great range guns, but a bit much to tote all day long for my tastes. And I've come to like Stainless almost as much as blued finishes, especially when I've spent a day in the rain and I'm away from the cleaning set up over night.

HTH's ... but in my opinion for the best all around revolver S&W has ever designed, it'd be the M-66...good for all day with its 38 oz weight, accuracy that's a given, good with light .38 Specials for everyday use, but will do an outstanding job with the magnums as well. Fitted out with good, recoil absorbing stocks, it's a go anywhere, handle any chore in the lower 48 sort of handgun.

Here's one of my son's with his M66 in a holster I made up for his Christmas some years ago, then one of me with my 3" M60. Yep, I dress around the gun. The last one is a quartet of Smith's from 3" to 6" in bbl. length.

From the top down: M19 with 6" bbl., M27 with 5" bbl., M66 with 4" bbl and Mikulek DA stocks which are outstanding, and finally the 3" bbl'd M60 with Hogue Monogrips (perhaps the very best choice for recoil in a J frame).

The last pic is of a police turn in M67, .38 Special with some loads that approx. the FBI prescription for carry. This gun has the best DA trigger of any Smith I've ever shot with accuracy to match. Those are Altamont "Ropers" grips, and the holster is one of my versions of the old Tom Threepersons open top.

Best Regards, Rod