Need Advice on which Revolver to buy.

R

RudyN

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2014
Messages
411
Reaction score
550
Location
Silicon Valley in Califor
I am new to the S&W forum. As of right now my only S&W is a Shield in 9mm. I want to buy a revolver in .357 magnum and am looking for some help on which one to buy. The only revolver that I have had other that several single action ones is a Colt Trooper that I carried when I was a Reserve Deputy Sheriff many years ago. What I would like to get as I said above is one in .357 with either a 4" or 6" barrel. Any advice would be appreciated with the proviso that it has to be California legal. :( :confused:
 
Register to hide this ad
K frame blue steel M19, stainless M66
L frame Blue M586, Stainless M686. Hopefully if you look a bit you can find one in a no lock.
 
J frames like the Mod 60 in 3 inch are nice for 38 spc. But, they have pretty strong recoil with commercial 357 mag. loads. If you want to shoot 357 loads frequently, you would be better off with at least a K frame like the 686+. That is what I am looking for right now. If you want something to carry, or as home protection with carrying potential, the 60 and other J frames are great.
 
Dependent upon your hand size and potential grips you may need to purchase aftermarket if at all possible purchase a 586 or 686 because they are tough. If I could only own (1) firearm the 686 6" I purchased in 1993 is my choice personally. I cannot offer advice on CA Laws; just glad I only lived in Fresno for a year from 1985-1986. Now I just have to live long enough for political change in CO or to retire in the free state of WY!
 
Well, there's a lot of good advice there but you never said why you want this revolver/what you plan to do with it. Most modern revolvers operate basically the same, with some exceptions, and I think any standard revolver is California legal but you can check here:

http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/safeguns_resp.asp

It's a long list. J-frames are on it, K frames, L frames, plenty of choices.

It's easy to recommend a Model 27 and call it the King of .357 as the writer did just above but being the King doesn't make it the gun that you want or need. I have a Model 27, it's definitely a top contender for King, but it's about tenth on my list of guns I might carry, or maybe even lower on the list if 1 is the top, yet leads the list for easy shootin' guns at the range. Leads the list for packin' in the field, too - but I'm a city guy, and it's far, far too large for an every day carry gun (EDCG) for me or even a sometimes carry it socially gun. That role is totally taken by any one of my many short barreled revolvers. M642, M638, M10, M19, M686 - all short barreled, concealable handguns and the latter two are .357s.

So trying them out at a range is a great plan - but knowing its planned use makes the decision far easier.

***GRJ***
 
Well since you are already familar with Colt Trooper , and didn't have negative comments about its size, and in Cali the odds are extremely against CCW , I'll narrow the field a little.

In new mfg , M686. Used M19 or M66 . Both use K Frame sized grips, The K Frames will have a balance similar to your previous Trooper III , the L frame wll be more muzzle heavy, somewhat in a 4in , moreso in a 6in. Comes down to personal preference , handle a few , and see which feels better to you.
 
I will probably go with the 686 in a new revolver, but will check on a few used ones to see how the feel. I will be going to my LGS. Monday. Thank you everyone for the help.

Sent from the Telegraph Office
 
Last edited:
If you aren't going to carry it I'd get a L or N Frame, 4 inch minimum. Or if $ is tight I'd check out a Ruger GP100.
 
4" 586 or 686. If you find a nice looking -1 -2 -3 or no dash buy it. They are great and versitle revolvers. The 6" L frames are great shooters too!
Good luck
Jim
 
I handled a new 4" m27 with magna style grips and while it probably wouldn't be my first choice in a ccw it was no less the king of .357 magnum revolvers from s&w.

John.
 
It will not be a ccw gun and will be mostly for paper punching so a 6" wouldn't be to much, but a 4" would also be nice for me.

Sent from the Telegraph Office
 
With these limitations I would agree with the 686 or 586. Barrel length is your preference. A 627 or 686 pro are also options.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Hello from IL. Would like your advice!
Replies
19
Views
524
Thiokol
Thiokol
J
Which 357 revolver is next?
2 3
Replies
47
Views
3K
Crookedcreek
C
H
Need some advice
Replies
0
Views
392
Hoosierville IRN
H
A
New to me gun. Need help.
2
Replies
29
Views
1K
autogun1
A
R
Do S&W model 360 revolvers come in calibers other than 357 mag??
Replies
6
Views
182
326MOD10
3

Latest posts

Back
Top