Most Accurate .357 Model?

[Capt. Morgan]

I was at the range with a friend a couple of weeks ago and he let me shoot his Kimber Raptor II. I had never shot a 1911 pistol before, but what a revelation it was! From 10 yards I proceeded to put 7 of 8 shots into a single hole that could be covered by a quarter. I have never shot like that before.

As thrilling as that was I don't want another autoloader, I want a full sized revolver. Since I already own a Ruger SP101 for CC, I would like to stay with the .357 caliber.

So - which of the S&W models should I be looking at?

 

[ChinaSeaSailor]

welcome aboard from Houston - I use a model 686 and am pleased - find one works for you and practice does not matter what model

 

[Nframe357]

First off welcome to the forum, as for your question. That's a tough call but I'd have to go with a 686, I've got a mid 90's 6" 686 that's a one hole gun if I do my part all the way out to 25yds, I've hit bowling pins at 100yds+ with it as well. If you want older Smiths well then that opens a wholee new world! Model 28's,27's, 19's,66's, I've never owned a poor shooting S&W revolver.

 

[44wheelman]

Another vote for 586/686.

 

[tlr16]

I would go with any 586/686 as well if you want an older 4" 66s shoot excellent as well

 

[model17]

fav. .357's

can't go wrong with the 586/686 guns!

 

[Reloader]

Old fart here, can't beat the model 27 or 28.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
A Model 28 w/ 6" barrel using Keith style 158 grLSWC and 7.0 gr unique

 

[Sportsterguy]

Without a doubt a 586 or 686! My 4" 586 is capable of keeping 6 shots on a 12" plate, sand bag rested at 100 yards if I'm having a good day. Them good days are becoming less frequent as the eyes are going south. Still have a good time though.

Anyone else have that problem?

 

[colt_saa]

Welcome to the Forum.

If you are looking at S&W, then most any of the Performance Center offerings will fill the bill. Right now that would probably be a 5" Registered Magnum or if you prefer stainless steel, the 5" 627.

Unlike it's brothers from the production floor, PC revolvers use air gauged, match grade barrels that are held to extremly tight tollerances.

All S&W revolvers are fairly accurate an will please 95% of the shooting community, however Performance Center revolvers are truly outstanding.

However there are other choices when talking about accurate 357 Magnum revolvers.

If you look at Colt, then we are talking a Python. With it's tapered bore the Pythons are some of the most accurate out of the box revovers to have ever been produced. Unfortunatly with their current Custom Shop production the prices are rather steep.

There is the Dan Wesson. With the two piece tensioned barrel design that Dan Wesson pattented over 35 years ago they are very high on the accuracy list as well.

 

[stevieboy]

I own three Smith .357s, a 27, a 66, and a 686. Which is more accurate? It depends. On days when I shoot the 27 I'm certain it's the most accurate gun I own. Same thing when I shoot the 66. And, exactly the same when I shoot my 686. Bottom line: they're all far more accurate than I am and on those increasingly rare occasions when I'm having a really good day at the range each of them is capable of truly phenomenal accuracy.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I would recommend a 586 or 686. I have both and they're pleasant to shoot and accurate.

 

[S&W-Keeper]

Model 27,28. Non Smith get a 6" Colt Python.

 

[davel686]

I would have to give a big thumbs up for the 686 6" if your looking for a spooky accurate hand gun in .357 mag.
the 686 6" is the one gun that can not shoot for months at a time and load it up and hit targets with the first shot.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, FWIW, the most accurate .357 I ever shot was a 6-inch 686 no-dash. It grouped better at 100 yards off bags than my Mini-14 did.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I was at the range with a friend a couple of weeks ago and he let me shoot his Kimber Raptor II. I had never shot a 1911 pistol before, but what a revelation it was! From 10 yards I proceeded to put 7 of 8 shots into a single hole that could be covered by a quarter. I have never shot like that before.

As thrilling as that was I don't want another autoloader, I want a full sized revolver. Since I already own a Ruger SP101 for CC, I would like to stay with the .357 caliber.

So - which of the S&W models should I be looking at?

Welcome to the Forum!

In 1995 I bought a S&W F-Comp. If you're not familiar with it, it's a Performance Center revolver, basically a Model 66 with a 3" barrel, S&W's proprietary Power Port to reduce recoil, a Trijicon front sight, bead-blasted finish, and a tuned trigger. It's extremely accurate, so much so that I'm consistently able to hit the steel pigs at my club's silhouette range with it.

I've owned several S&W PC guns over the years, and I think they offer great value for the money. I recommend them without hesitation.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Sir, FWIW, the most accurate .357 I ever shot was a 6-inch 686 no-dash. It grouped better at 100 yards off bags than my Mini-14 did.

My slingshot groups better at 100 yards than my Mini-14! LOL!

 

[79ipa]

586

with 11.7 grains of aa number seven under a 158 grain hornady xtp my 586 six inch will toss six down a slightly oblong hole at 25 yards.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

My Model 19 with 6" barrel took me through six seasons of practical police competition back in the 1970's. It will consistently shoot 6" groups at 100 yards.

My Model 586 with 4" barrel has fired several "possibles" in police qualifications.

My old Model 10 with 2" barrel (fixed sights, .38 special) will shoot 3" groups at 25 yards all day long.

I've only seen a couple of S&W revolvers with accuracy problems, and that was back in the Bangor Punta days. One was a fixed sight Model 10 that shot 9" left and 8" low at 25 yards. The other was a Model 19 with adjustable sights that simply could not be adjusted to achieve a point of aim shot.

Any of the K-frame, L-frame, or N-frame .357 revolvers should provide excellent performance. The choice of model will be dictated by your intended use. I still like the older S&W's, but the production processes in use for the past decade or so actually produce a superior product in terms of consistency.

 

[PALADIN85020]

If your concern is strictly accuracy, my vote goes to the 8 3/8" Model 27. These are shown as the top two in this grouping of Model 27-2s. The long sighting radius and patridge sights give you pinpoint sight alignment; the long barrel gives you velocity, and the weight gives you recoil control. Both of mine in this barrel length shoot like rifles way out to 200 yards. The 8 3/8" Model 27 is without a doubt the "top gun" in any practical accuracy contest.

The top gun in the picture was used to illustrate an article on the Model 27 I wrote for the March 2008 issue of Dillon's Blue Press catalog/magazine. Here's the link to that article. Scroll down to the March, 2008 issue and click on pages 1 and 2 of that article on Classic Handguns.

Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders