Seeking .357 Advice from the Experienced Here

[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