Seeking .357 Advice from the Experienced Here

[Sealevel]

I wish to add a stainless .357 model to the modest shooter's collection obtained over the past several months (10, 15, 17 & 36) The primary purpose is recreation shooting .38 with a secondary of HD with magnum loads.

Too date I've shot a 686 4" (nice) and a Model 27 4" (seems a little large for my hand). So I've decided on the "K" or "L" frame models 66, 681 or 686. Perhaps a 6" barrel 66 and the others in 4" or maybe a 686 "Pro" or "TALO" varient with 5" barrel.

Appreciate any thoughts on the first choice, or any two of them? thanks.

 

[murphydog]

Either a 4" 686 or 4/6" 66 would be a good choice. The 6" 686 is nice but a big gun. A fixed-sight 65 or 681 would also be good if you will not use wildly different loads.

 

[BUFF]

All of your handguns so far are K frames. I would tend to stay with that frame size for your .357, depending in the volume of .357 Magnum rounds you plan to shoot.

Staying with K frames lets you use the same holsters, speedloaders and other acccessories you already have and use.

There are an excellent range of choices in Magnum K frames, fixed sight in blue, nickel and stainless in the Models 13 and 65, in addition to adustable sight in blue, nickel and stainless steel in the Model 19 and 66 Combat Magnums.

People wonder about the K magnum's durability. I carried a 6 inch Model 66 to work daily, loaded with .357 Magnums for over ten years and shot it a lot with Federal 125 grain Magnums, Winchester 145 grain Silvertips and Federal 158 grain Hydro Shocks. At least 5,000 rounds of those, another 5,000 rounds of handloads that duplicated the fctory loads' ballistics, and then 5 or 10,000 rounds of assorted .38 Specials. No repairs ever needed.

One can gain a ligher level of strength going to an L frame .357, so if your shooting is biased to the Magnums, the Models 581 and 681 fixed sight guns and the Model 586 and 686 adjustable sight guns are tremendous. They are heavier, reducing recoil some and may last longer with Magnum ammo, but you will need different holsters and speed loaders for them.

Any choice you made here would be a good one, all guns mentioned are excellent.

 

[steamloco76]

The four inch 686 would be my choice if I only had one S&W .357 magnum revolver. It is strong enough to eat a large diet of magnums, balances well, looks cool and is very accurate. My best shooting S&W .357 is a 586-4 six inch, however any barrel longer than 4 inches is tough to use as a self defense gun, so the four inch tube 686 wins.

 

[fyimo]

The four inch 686 would be my choice if I only had one S&W .357 magnum revolver. It is strong enough to eat a large diet of magnums, balances well, looks cool and is very accurate. My best shooting S&W .357 is a 586-4 six inch, however any barrel longer than 4 inches is tough to use as a self defense gun, so the four inch tube 686 wins.

Another vote for what he said

 

[18DAI]

I vote for the 66, pre lock of course. Handles faster and points more naturally than a 686, for me.

I've also fired thousands of 357's through my K-frames for over 43 years and have yet to have a problem or need a repair. I do keep mine clean and lead free though.

The pre lock 66 Combat Magnum is everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't. Regards 18DAI.

 

[ldp4570]

The primary purpose is recreation shooting .38 with a secondary of HD with magnum loads.

A small piece of advice from someone who was in a home serving a warrant when a .38Spl. 110gr+P+ load was fired(Basicly a .357 lite). You don't want .357 magnum loads for HD, it will damage your hearing!!!!! .38 special in several +P loadings will work fine(I recommend the 158grSWCHP+P).

 

[Sealevel]

>357 Advice

I appreciate the input - just what I expected from this forum.

I'm really interested in a 6" model 66 as it should have pretty much the same sight picture as the Model 17 - right? I'm negotiating with the sellers of two different ones in excellent condition. I'm also pleased to hear that the "K" frame is not considered delicate to shoot the magnum loads.

Anybody else with an opinion please weigh in.

 

[pennlineman]

The 17 and 66 would be close to having the same feel both being 6" K frames. Back in the day lots of guys that carried K frame .38's or .357's would buy a 17 to practice with.

 

[williamlayton]

HUMMMM- I think the fitting of the hand can be done with the stock's chosen---wheather it be a K-L or N frame.
I like N frames.
Blessings

 

[Jst1mr]

Ask yourself why the L frame was developed....it was because K frame guns fed a steady diet of magnums (especially 125 grain) were taking a battering. Try and find a replacement barrel for a 66 or 19. Some got lucky, but many others didn't and ended up with cracked forcing cones. Steady diet of the hot and heavy stuff? L or N frame all the way.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I have those you have listed and more. I have a 65-3 3" RB that is by far the best hand gun of any caliber in a K frame-regardless of size, that I have ever shot. My Target Masterpiece, while a completely diferet gun, is equal to it. Straying from you perameters, I have a 627-0 5 1/2 inch that is the handiest, most fun to shoot, and just plain beautiful .357 I couuld ask for. Not cheap, but there's a reason. Flapjack.

 

[Sportsterguy]

IMO a 3" 66 should be in everyones safe. Great all around/do anything revolver. Mine is super accurate as it believes it has a 6" barrel, handles and balances great, easy to pack either OC or CC and fits my hand like the proverbial glove. If I was limited to just one .357 caliber revolver it would be my choice. It has well over 15k rounds (mostly .38's and 158 grain .357's) down the pipe and it's still tight and accurate.

Following a very close second is my 4" nickeled 586. 4" 686 in nickel. It's my second most accurate S&W (6" 17-3 is the winner). Handles recoil very well, has a fantastic trigger and is easy to pack with it's 4" barrel. Another big time winner from S&W! I like the adjustable sights for dialing in different loads on both revolvers for longer range work. With a good rest, no coffee in my blood either is capable of taking a deer out to 100 yards with a 158 gr. hard cast LSWC or Speer Gold Dot round.

The N frame revolvers (27's and 28's) are great for hunting, handle .357's with ease but can be challenging for folks with small hands doing rapid fire SA shooting.

These are just my suggestions. Lots of nice revolvers have already been mentioned but I am no fan of any IL weapon that is to be used for SD and don't like the lines of the new slab sided revolvers, but it's YOUR revolver. Good luck on your search!

 

[Maximumbob54]

See if you can find a Model 28 Highway Patrolman that cost less than the 27. 28-2's pop up fairly frequent. If you don't like that then you are a K frame guy for sure.

I love my 28!!!

 

[Cavaliere]

I'd opt for a Model 13, or the stainless version Model 65... in my not too limited experience these are the best packin' .357s Smith made.

 

[Sealevel]

OK, more to think about 65's, 13's, 27's and 28's. I find it interesting that no one has an opinion on the 686 Talo and only one mentioned the slab side barrel. I really don't like the non fluted cylinder or a barrel that has flat sides, so those two are not really under consideration.

There are enough choices in K & L frames that I'm pretty comfortable in selecting from among those families. I'm still thinking 6" 66 for the first one to satisfy the stainless and long barrel desire. Although if I saw a 3" like the one pictured that would get bought. I also like the thought of returning to blued barrels with a 586.

Like I read some where in this or another forum "there is a fine line between being a shooter and a collector".

 

[GearHead_1]

The four inch 686 would be my choice if I only had one S&W .357 magnum revolver. It is strong enough to eat a large diet of magnums, balances well, looks cool and is very accurate. My best shooting S&W .357 is a 586-4 six inch, however any barrel longer than 4 inches is tough to use as a self defense gun, so the four inch tube 686 wins.

I agree with steamloco76's post as stated. That said, I would not for a moment be hesitant or disappointed with a 66 for the same purpose. If the revolver were going to be shot hard with heavy loads the 686 will potentially hold up better long term but I'm also talking about extremes and thousands of rounds here.

I have multiple revolvers in each of the models listed. I typically use the 686's when planning to shoot .357 Magnum's and the 66 when shooting .38 Special's. My rationale is exactly what you might expect. The full under lug is a bit more comfortable with full house loads in .357's and as has been stated the 66 is a bit easier to maneuver when I don't need the added mass. Both of these models are beautiful examples of the art and visual appeal of Smith and Wesson revolvers. YMMV

 

[dubhelix]

.357 choices

I am lucky enough to have both a 66-1 and a 686-3. As others have stated, the 66 carries a bit better, and the 686 is a bit easier to shoot with full house magnums. Since your original post did not make any mention of concealed carry, the 686 may be the better choice. The best solution, of course, is to get one now, and save up for the other.

 

[papajohn428]

I'd get a three inch or four inch 686 if you want to shoot magnums more than once in a blue moon, otherwise a 65 or 66 should serve you fine. I have smallish hands, love the K/L frames, the N-frames are a bit of a handful, even with my favorite grips. I have a couple of J-frames as well, good for CCW, but I do my best shooting with the K frames.

 

[BUFF]

"I'm really interested in a 6" model 66 as it should have pretty much the same sight picture as the Model 17 - right?"

Most Model 17's with 6 inch barrels have a flat rear faced Patridge front sight, while most 6 inch Model 66's have a ramp front sight, usually with a red insert. I don't find that trading off between a ramp sight gun and a Patridge sight gun to matter much, which seems better at the moment kind of depends on the lighting present. If the difference mattered and I had a strong preference one way or another, I could always have one switched to the one I liked better.

The overrall feel between the two guns would be pretty similar, though, and the ability to set them up with the same grips, hammers and triggers is a real advantage.

 

[TDC]

Well...much the whole gambit of choices have been covered by posters and you can see the opinions are diverse and the preferences inconsistent.

Trying to decide which S&W to buy is like trying to order a meal when you're hungry from a restaurant menu with 100 choices. Asking others which handgun you should buy will just increase the confusion.

You've received so many opinions, all of them experienced, well considered, and valid. Never-the-less, I'll bet you aren't any closer to a decision now than when you first posted....

I believe everyone who has posted will agree you need to try to handle them all, shoot them all, then come to your own conclusions with what your preferences and needs are... It appears you have done much of that already, selecting K frames with your own good reasons.

Any of the K, L, or N frames mentioned are excellent guns and will serve you well. So will any of the barrel lengths. If you decide on a different choice later there are people waiting in line to purchase any of the guns you may choose... Go with the Mod. 66 6" you've mentioned and never look back. I can assure you it won't be your last purchase.....

JMHO

 

[DGNY]

.357 advice

One of my all time favorites is the ~2005 stocking dealer 686 L-frame with 5" half-lug barrel. Verrrry nice.

Whatever your decision, good luck in your quest,

Dyson

 

[Will Carry]

I don't have any recommendations for you but I'd like to take my hat off to you for your obvious love of the wheel gun. I am looking for a model 27 and one day I'll find one. I get more enjoyment shooting my revolvers than shooting semi-autos and I know that, on this forum, people love and respect the smoke wagon.

 

[roaddog28]

Here is what I own in S&W 357 magnums.
Model 13 4 inch

Model 19 4 inch

Model 66

686 4 inch

As you can see I like K frame magnums. Reason: They are the best handling, fit my hand the best, are balanced the best and have the best double action trigger.
While I like my 686 I will pickup one of my K frames first before I consider my 686.
As for the issue with 125gr full power magnums. I don't shoot them much. Too hard on the revolver and me. For range and practice, I use cheap CCI Blazer 158 gr hollow points. They will not hurt a K frame and are accurate. And afterall, wasn't the 357 magnum designed around a 158 gr SWC 357?
Regards,
Howard

 

[Sealevel]

.357 Sound Advice

I had the feeling when I asked the question "which one" that the answer would not be that simple. As TDC suggested I am probably no closer to a decision now than when the thread was started. True enough!

You guys could sure turn someone into a collector in a hurry. But at age 67 I think its too late for that. I'll continue to enjoy shooting the S&W .38s and the .22 I have and stop looking at all the pretty S&Ws for sale on the web. They are so tempting. I'm going to concentrate on looking for a .357 shooter in the local gun shops & shows around Daytona Beach, Orlando and Jacksonville. I'll expand my revolver of interest to one or more of the many choices that were offerred. I still intend to buy a 6" barrel 19 or 66, but now also a 3" Model 65, a 4" 586 and a 4" 19 plus any 5" barrel of those same models plus a Model 27 as well as nickel finished ones. It seems that the "discovery" is a good bit of the satisfaction.

Thanks for your thoughts and the sound advice.

 

[RHINOWSO]

I vote for the 66, pre lock of course. Handles faster and points more naturally than a 686, for me.

I've also fired thousands of 357's through my K-frames for over 43 years and have yet to have a problem or need a repair. I do keep mine clean and lead free though.

The pre lock 66 Combat Magnum is everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't. Regards 18DAI.

I agree. Kind of like this one...

Rhino

 

[cjtraining]

For your consideration

My M66's are two of my favorites. You could hardly go wrong with a M66. IMHO