Need Advice on which Revolver to buy.

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RudyN

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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:
 
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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
 
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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.
 
Triathloncoach said:
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.
Click to expand...

In my neck of the woods the price difference between the S&W and Ruger is minimal. I am sure others on this forum will disagree but fit, finish and weight of a 4" 686 vs GP100 is very comparable. Hold and/or shoot both, the Ruger may surprise you.
 
Go try them on like a pair of pants and when you find one that fits and feels oh so right your done
 
For a smaller in size I'd go with the ruger it will eat any stout load you feed it and want more. The next size up is the s&w N frame, she's a well balanced piece of machinery. I prefer the 6" barrel.
 
Big Bill beat me to it for the Ruger recommendation. I have S&W revolvers chambered in .357 Magnum in K and L frame sizes, but my favorite .357 chambered revolver, and the one I think is best for all around use is my 4.0 inch barreled, stainless steel, Ruger Security Six. Mine is one of the Puerto Rico State Police trade ins that I bought cheap ($320.00 + tax) locally.

Good luck,

Dave
 

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A 4" barreled 686+ (the + model is a 7 shot cylinder); preferably a 686-4 with forged parts and no lock.
 
Well, I went to my LGS and the price of a Ruger GP100 was $300.00 less than the 686 so I bought the GP100. Of course since this is California I have to wait 10 days to pick it up even though I already own enough guns to outfit a third world army. :D If things go ok, maybe by this summer I can go back and get a 686.
 
I have a nice newer 586 with a 6" bbl that is very nice. It's a lock model, and (despite what some folks say about lock models) very nice. Very accurate, with adjustable sights. I have a stainless 681 no-dash (first version issued) which is probably a better outdoor knockaround gun, as it doesn't have adj. sights to get hung up/snagged in a holster or clothing, is made of stainless steel and is still accurate. Both of these are L frame guns, which are bigger than the standard K frame size , but smaller than the big N frame size.

My N frame .357 is an old Highway Patrolman from the 1950's, and even though it's been refinished and has non-original (but era appropriate) grips, it mostly has collector's interest to me. Being that L frame Smiths handle the .357 load so well, I've come to consider the N frame a little oversized for .357 use. Just my opinion.

So the 586 is kind of my target .357.
The 681 is my utility .357.
The HP is my collector .357.

Each has it's own use. Keep in mind, the L frame guns from my 681's era - early eighties - were recalled for a factory mod for the cylinder. You can still send them back for this.
 
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What length did you get? I have a gp100 in 4 inch and a 686 in 6 inch and I love them both I suspect you will to, its that disease ya know
 
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