Poll - Your favorite .357 frame

[bronco45]

L Frame 6 shot is my favorite. No worries about ammo or breaking due to flimsy forcing cone. Extra muzzle weiht like a Python and K frame grip size. Smith had their act together when they built the 6 shot 357 L Frame.And the L Frame is the perfect size for a 357. An N frame begs for 44 or 45 caliber.

 

[Mickey D]

6" N frame for the pure pleasure of shooting. Large frame, nice barrel length for a good sight radius and weight for taming recoil.
No reason to punish myself with a smaller frame.

Second choice would be a 6" 686 or Colt Python for similar reasons.

 

[palser64]

I like em all, However, I would take a nice Model 27 with 6 inch barrel if I could only pick just one.

 

[cmort666]

The 6" Model 27 is an example of an object perfectly adapted to its purpose.

There are other good .357s. There are no other BETTER .357s.

 

[David Kachel]

I got into a 4" 586 almost by accident and love it. It seems like the perfect size for the .357 cartridge. Single and double action control require almost no effort at all.

All my N frames are big bores so I don't have any basis for comparison. However, this will be rectified at some point in the future. It just seems to me that anything under .40 cal in an N frame is kind of a waste. An N frame just seems to say "I was made for throwing bricks"!

 

[vytoland]

my 686 (6") is the cat's meow

The fat man has spoken and there is nothing left to be said.

 

[powerkicker]

The L frame is perfect.

 

[jspick]

I have owned or own N, L, K, & J frame 357's. I really like to carry my 66. I really like shooting my 27-2, but the sweetest 357 I have ever owned is my 357 Registered Magnum. 5" barrel is the perfect length. It just fits my hand well and is smooooth as silk. It shoots real well. I shot it yesterday for the first time using 38's. Just plain accurate and sweet.
John

 

[myakkaman]

for hunting, I like the 6 inch L frame, for open carry woods bumming I like 3- 4 inch K frame. I dont have to face lions,tigers,hippos,or grizzly bears, so the .38spl FBI 158 grain LSWCHP load is all I want or need, and the K frame is perfect for that.

 

[feralmerril]

I voted K. I have N & K. K will do the job. I carried 35 years and am lazy and already heavy enough!

 

[XTrooper]

I loved my 4" Model 28 Highway Patrolman. I vote N-frame.

 

[Snapping Twig]

I needed two check boxes for L and N.

I examined a 19-7 PC, but I've never shot a K. Looked and felt great, but only part time magnum use isn't my cuppa.

Shooting a 627-0 and loving it.



Had an L frame since 83 and I find the 4" so well balanced that IMO it's a classic.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by DeaconKC:
N frame to shoot, but K frame for carry.

And if I could only have one (heresy!) it would be a K.

Bill Jordan and S&W got it so right......

 

[S&W-Keeper]

The .357 mag. is my favorite round so I have bunches of them, K's,J's,L's, N's,Pythons, even have a Ruger. I think my choice would be what I am in the mood to shoot.

 

[oldschool63]

Mine is the L frame

 

[stevieboy]

I love my L frames.

 

[spearcrow]

If you shoot .357's they should be on a beautiful K frame..they belong on a K frame.

 

[NoirFan]

When I think of a generic "revolver", the k-frame magnum is what pops into my head. I have not experienced a better looking, better handling handgun than the 4" M19.

The n-frame is one of those guns which looks good in pictures, but ugly in person. plus all that steel in the cylinder between the small .357" holes looks inefficient and bulky.

 

[bmcgilvray]

The .357 Magnum's natural home is the incomparable N-Frame. The K-Frame Magnum is so nice for carry purposes.

 

[semperfi71]

I voted K-Frame but its not my favorite. All of them are except the J-Frame .357s [which I consider a bad idea for most shooters].

I have first of all always loved the "looks" of any N/L/K frame S&W .357.

The N-Frames, with their tapered barrels and full array of metal contours are just plain sexy. Full house .357 loads are a pussycat.

But wait....the L-frame is just as sexy, especially in nickel. And all of them are so beautifully balanced. Especially the 4 inch round butt versions. The fixed sight versions have got to be exceptional as to handling as well although I have never handled one.

However....the K-Frame is light, easy to carry, handles well, will shoot the "occasional" .357 load which, probably most shooters also only occasionally shoot fullhouse .357 loads. My most favorite .357 in balance and handling is a M13-2 blued 3 inch with Pachmyers.

If I were an LEO I would carry that with my R-P 140 grain hollowpoint loads anywhere and all day. If allowed of course.