Most Accurate .357 Model?

[David LaPell]

I remember a 8 3/8 inch barrel 686 I had, I wish I kept it. That gun with Hornady leverevolution ammo shot dime size groups at 25 yards. My 5-inch M27-2 is close with my handloads, but right now my really accurate .357 is my OM Flat Top Blackhawk. With 158 grain Hornady XTP's and 6.3 grains of Win 231, groups at 25 yards are very tiny.

 

[Capt. Morgan]

Thanks for the replies! It seems like I can't go wrong with any of the S&W models, so long as I have a decent sight radius. It sounds like just a matter of how much I want to spend. I would definitely go new. As someone mentioned, manufacturing processes now are probably better, plus as a noob I would probably not do as well in the used market.

I've wondered about the PC guns. I like the 627 and the TRR8 or MP version (a love/hate gun, I happen to find it interesting). The resale on the TRR8 might not be as good, but the ability to wear a light or red dot while in the house could be handy.

 

[Capt. Morgan]

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.

I was just at the PC web site looking at the 627 V-Comp. It looks like it would be a serious target gun. I shot FAL's with them and they are softer to shoot, but the with the FAL the ears paid the price (as well as shooters to either side). But how much louder is the compensator on a revolver?

 

[Capt. Morgan]

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.

OK, I got out to Scottsdale Gun Club last week and was able to try two top contenders - the 627PC and the TRR8. Both shot well with 158 gr. 38 Special and even better with 158 gr. 357 Magnum. (I used the house provided brand of ammo, MagTech IIRC.) Both guns were very comfortable, no recoil issue.

The 627 had wood grips, and I did not like them at all. They seemed too small for a comfortable grip. The gun also seemed very front-heavy. The TRR8 was much better. I was always under the impression that revolvers were more accurate than autoloaders. I had a chance to shoot the Kimber again a couple of days later. I did not have the out-of-my-mind group I did the first time I shot it (probably a once in a lifetime group), but it was still formidable. As a noob, I'm still not sure how much of this was due to pistol, ammo (had loads vs. commercial practice ammo), and shooter (who needs work!).

Is a range rental gun (used and abused?) indicative of how a new gun may shoot?

Next step is to rent a 686 and the 327 M&P R8.

 

[michael thornton]

27-2 and older

 

[S&W-Keeper]

There are accurate .357 mags in all the major brands. My experience is with a 6" Colt Python. It is the most accurate of any that I have shot. Some say the N-frames, some the L-frames, and some say the K-frames.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Of all my S&W .357's my two best are a six inch 19-5 and a 8 3/8 inch 27-2. On any given day it's a toss up as to which one is the better shooter.

 

[brucev]

The single most accurate .357 revolver I have ever used was a Colt Python that, with Remington 158 gr. lead round nose ammo, would shoot groups of about 1/2 inch at 25 yds. from a rest. I have owned several 586 and 686 revolvers that would produce 1 inch groups at 25 yds. I currently own a 6" M-28 that produces 12 shot groups of about 2 inches. My eye sight is no longer as sharp as was the case 20 years ago. If someone with better vision were firing it, results might be better. If I were now buying a new .357 revolver, I would not hesitate to buy a S&W 686 revolver. I am convinced that these are some of the most consistently accurate production revolvers that are available. HTH. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[WVfishguy]

This Model 27-2 is the most accurate .357 mag I've shot (and I've shot a lot):

 

[SW357Addict]

I just recently acquired a S&W 4" 581. It is the most accurate revolver I have ever shot. Using Winchester 130gr .38 SPL, I shot two 1" 6-shot groups at 10 yards quite easily without much effort. I then proceeded to shoot a 2" 6-shot group at 20 yards. I don't know how .357 Mag will shoot out of it but I am sure that is will be just as accurate if not more.

 

[ect1222t]

OK, I got out to Scottsdale Gun Club last week and was able to try two top contenders - the 627PC and the TRR8. Both shot well with 158 gr. 38 Special and even better with 158 gr. 357 Magnum. (I used the house provided brand of ammo, MagTech IIRC.) Both guns were very comfortable, no recoil issue.

The 627 had wood grips, and I did not like them at all. They seemed too small for a comfortable grip. The gun also seemed very front-heavy. The TRR8 was much better.

Next step is to rent a 686 and the 327 M&P R8.

Next time at the range, walk around and see who has what- Gun, grips, and holsters. (you need something to carry the gun in.) See if someone has the 627, or a 27 or 28 with different grips and see how they feel. A good set of grips will make all of the difference in the world. Factory grips are a "one size fits all" solution to what to put on the gun in lieu of shipping it without any grips. Packmayr, Herrett, Hogue, just to name a few. If you see someone with a gun you like and/or with different grips, ask if you can hold it or shoot a few rounds. Most are happy to show off their "babies" (unless there is a range rule against it, and I can't immagine why). You ever see a new parent or grandparent with all of the pictures who won't stop bragging? Same thing with us gunowners. That's why we have the forum! -Ed.

 

[kennyb]

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

+1...great shooters

 

[Daimler1989]

27

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

Hi,

that's what I think, too. My 27-3 makes one big hole at 25 meters with 15 rounds wadcutter ammo (no handloads), when I'm relaxed. My best shooter ever (apart from my long gone 29 don't remember what dash, that did put half of 30 bullets in one hole at 25 meters with a handload).

best regards
Ulrich

 

[Beans]

My experience has been great with S&W Revolvers. I shot the second qualify highest score, up to that time 1976, at the Missouri Highway Patrol Academy with a 6 inch model 19. I ended up shooting out the forcing cone and when I had it rebarreled it was not as accurate. So it got traded.

I have in my possession a well used model 28 with a 6 inch barrel. I have won a couple of turkey shoots, @ 42 yard offhand with it, and I have shot some sub 3 inch groups at 100 yards, off a sandbag rest, using the same gun. This was at a 100 yard outdoor range, 15 ft high berms on three sides, no wind and a clear day. Unfortunately I don't think I can do that on demand. But it happens often enough to make it interesting

However I think these are examples of par excellence products from S&W. I haven't found any Smith that doesn't give good accuracy. Although I have head stories/rumors. These are just two examples of ones that have given excellence accuracy.

I am currently working on load development for a S&W 625, 45 ACP, model of 1988, 5 inch barrel. Yesterday it produced two groups that measured CTC of .320 X .320, back to back.
This was at an outdoor range, no side berms, sandbag rest @ 15 yards, this yardage is where I start all my load development. If the loads won't group at that range it isn't going to group at longer ranges

 

[spearcrow]

I absolutely love my 19 4". It was my first revolver and is my favorite, I can usually shoot decent with it too.

But I have to say that the most accurate .357 mag I have shot, would probably be my neighbor's 27-2 5". I'm still thinking I'm gonna need to get my hands on that gal. If I manage it, I won't be letting go either!

 

[18DAI]

My 4" 19-4 is my most accurate revolver. In fact it is the most accurate revolver I've ever shot. Truly capable of 1" groups at 25 yards.....well...with someone else shooting it. Regards 18DAI.

 

[keithherrington]

I shoot bullseye with my revolvers and am very, very serious about accuracy. All my guns have been tested at 50 yards out of a machine rest and the results are startling, at least to me. My Model 17 with a full lug barrel routinely shoots less than 2" averaging around 1.5" with Eley or Federal match ammo. My Model 586 shoots 148 Wadcutter match (either Winchester or Federal) into 5" plus group. I can't get it to group any ammo better than that. My Model 27 will group Winchester 148 Match wadcutter into less than 2" but Federal 148 Wadcutter match groups at over 4" at 50. My Model 625 will group my hand loads into 2" at 50 yards, but hardball won't group worth a darn.

In my experience shooting at anything less than 25 yards doesn't tell you a lot about the gun's accuracy. However, it tells a lot about the shooter's ability.

Finally, the grips will spell the difference between the shooter being able to take advantage of the guns inherent accuracy. I use Nill target grips on all my bullseye guns (Hemphill), and Spegel for all my carry/duty guns with one exception. On my 5" Model 27 and my 4" Model 657 I use Nill Classics, their copy of the S&W cokes. They not only look good but help me control recoil and are very very comfortable.

 

[Capt. Morgan]

In my experience shooting at anything less than 25 yards doesn't tell you a lot about the gun's accuracy. However, it tells a lot about the shooter's ability.

Yes, probably the biggest thing to improve is my own ability. The gun's accuracy is probably more than adequate for any of the ones I am interested in. It's so hard to chose I can see why so many posters here have a table full of them ;-)

 

[stevieboy]

I totally agree about those Nills classic cokes. I have 'em on my 686 and they are a delight. The highest complement I can pay any grips is that I don't notice them when I'm shooting and I can say that about the Nills.

So much of what we describe as "accuracy" depends on the shooter as much as or more than the gun. I'm just a so-so shot at distances outside of 15 yards. My vision simply won't correct well enough for me to see the front sight clearly and, as a result, my sight picture is always an approximation. I'm a good shot at 10 yards, mediocre at 15, lousy at 25, and that's the way it will always be. On a good day, however, any one of my .357s will give me an inch or less at 10 yards and two inches at 15. That said, the best group I ever shot was with my 3" fixed sight model 36. The other day I put five in one 1/2" hole at 10 yards. It was the group of a lifetime and I doubt that I'll ever repeat it.

 

[Bob D]

An 8-3/8 686 was the most accurate 357 I've owned.