Want another trail gun in .357 Magnum

[Sebago Son]

One thing to consider when loading 358429 in magnum cases is cylinder length. The K-mags will let you seat the slug out far enough to use the crimp groove. N-mags will not. With a 27 / 28 you'll have to seat the bullet deep and crimp over the top shoulder. Not that this is too much of an issue... I've shot 10's of thousands of such loaded rounds with satisfaction. Just keep it in mind.

This is my .357 "Trail Gun" and frankly, probably the last S&W I would ever let go of. A round butted 66-2 PD trade in.

 

[Mule88]

The 686 mountain gun would be a great choice if you can find one. I love mine for trail walking.

 

[kbm6893]

None of the above. Ruger Security or Service Six. .357 Magnum K frame size, but more robust than a K frame. No need to worry about which .357 load you use in a Six. And you can find them cheaper, too.

 

[steamloco76]

I got rid of my trail gun .357's to buy a couple higher priced S&W collectibles since my feet no longer allow rough terrain walking(nuts!!). The trail guns were a 2 3/4 inch Ruger Security-Six and a 6 inch Security-Six. Both were accurate, handled any sane load and lost no value from being used. You can find blued ones in the $350 to $450 range, less if you don't mind a finish challenged gun. The stainless versions are $25 to $50 more. Consider a 4 3/4 or 5.5 inch Ruger Blackhawk too. I had two and both were accurate and built to last forever. Single action is NOT a drawback in a trail gun. Prices similar to the Security-Six too.

Now, if you are a S&W purist and as stated like 170 grain loads, then the 686 is the way to go. The 19 will need more finish care and is becoming increasingly valuable to collectors. The 28 has a short cylinder. Good used four inch 686's are expensive, most going for $700 range. Six inch versions are $550-to $650 and make great all around target and hunting guns.

 

[ACP230]

I have carried my four-inch M28 out trout fishing.
It worked fine. I used a Ted Blocker or El Paso Saddlery holsters with it.

The best trail revolver I have, however, is an old Ruger Blackhawk
.357. Even with the six-inch barrel the old single action carries better in the woods for me. (In cheap leather, at that.)

My Blackhawk shoots most anything well including heavy bullet
.357 rounds that are too long for the 28's cylinder.
Just a thought.

 

[flagman1776]

My vote is for any 3" K framed Smith preferably a HB. My ex-GF refused to sell the 3" M13 I bought her back again... (Yeah, pay for the same gun twice!) so I consoled myself with a 3" M66-2 which was a superb Off Duty, Trail & HorseBack gun over many years. I still own it which should tell you something. Stainless is preferable for rugged low fuss outdoor use but I'd not turn down a well worn blue gun. There are lots of LE trade ins out there.
It'll do to ride the river with.

Sorry... I didn't get a better photo... right out of the safe.
As long as I had it out I snapped a shot of the hand made holster I made for it... near copy of the Bianchi 5BHL which was not offered at that time for the 3".

Now this is an ideal & I understand might be hard to find.

I settled on a 4" late model M66-7 ex-Aussie (I think) LE trade as one of pair of bedroom revolvers, admittedly backing up a pair of shotguns... the point being that either of us can use either gun.
A lot of LEOs carry bug revolvers in part because when the flag flies you may not be able to choose your companion & the option of arming a qualified other person could be the deciding factor.

 

[holo]

this is my woods gun when I am doing a lot of walking/hiking

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Another vote for a K frame 357. 170gr loads aren't going to hurt it so long as you stay within published margins and work your loads up. As others have pointed out the 358429 is long in the nose and will require deep seating or trimmed brass, so again start your loads low and work up.

 

[sapo]

I use a 4" model 19 in a diamond d chest rig for this purpose. Sometimes I'll take my 2 1/2" Sapo model 66 (kinda like the Wiley clapp gp-100 but cooler). I use the buffalo bore 180 cast load.

 

[cometpx4]

.357 Woods Gun

Ok-I am going to throw something radical at you. First let me say i love my Smith revolvers and have posted pictures of my Smith family (in its ever changing form) many times on the forum. I frequently hike , and i live in the northeast so a wolf, black bear or rabid coyote is the biggest thing i am likely to encounter. So, lately i have been carrying a Gen 4 Glock 32 with a lone wolf extended barrel.
I load it with 147 grain corbons, 125 Speer Gold Dots, or any other really hot stuff i can find. The extended barrel gives me the max velocity, 10 shots, and the package is light and weatherproof. I know I will hear that the .357 Sig is not .357 magnum, but in my chrono tests i am getting 1400 fps + even with the heavier stuff, and the wound channel and penetration these rounds make in gelatin tests are devastating. Gotta believe 3 or 4 shots will stop anything i might encounter.
Just something to think about thats a little different but also serves to keep a nice smith stainless revolver warm and dry in your safe and exposes the ugly Glock to the elements.

 

[RonS]

I'll throw another dark horse in the race. An old model Ruger .357 Blackhawk 4 5/8", with the alloy grip frame and ejector rod. About the same weight as a K frame, simple, sturdy and reliable. Pick up a half or full flap holster or a good cross draw and a 6 round belt slide and you are set up for a nice walk in the woods.

 

[Ranger514]

Lots of good choices and solid reasoning put forth in these posts. I don't think you could go wrong with any of your choices. FWIW, nowadays my main outdoors carry is a stainless 4-5/8" Ruger Vaquero, loaded with 180 gr. hard cast. I carry it in an El Paso Saddlery Doc Holiday chest rig that doesn't interfere with pack straps or waist belts. Years ago, I had a 4" 686 that I traded for another handgun that I no longer own. Big mistake...but that's life.

 

[Dale53]

Spending over sixty years woods rambling, I have come to appreciate certain things:
1 - Adjustable sights:
Edible small game are always (in season) something to consider.
Even tho' they are small (generally speaking) they require precise
placement of shots. Adjustable sights will allow you to do that with a
variety of ammo. I have NEVER had a problem with adjustable sights
in the field. It CAN happen but is not likely.

2 - 4" or longer barrel for precise shot placement (you DO want to hit
something, don't you)? LOL The 4" barrel is a great compromise
between the target length (which can be a pain to pack) or the
really short barrels that compromise power AND practical accuracy.

3 - I MUCH prefer stainless revolvers. In the woods where I hunted and
hiked so much, it seemed like it rained half the time (or, in winter,
snow often got dumped on me and my gear). In those cases, you can
almost WATCH a blued gun rust.

4 - I favor a 686 due to several factors:
a. Robust enough for any reasonable .357 load
b. Cylinder length long enough for any reasonable bullet while allowing
the cartridge to be loaded properly (utilizing the full case and
crimping in the proper groove.
c. Stainless construction (see above)
d. Mine work well with both .357 magnums AND .38 Specials and the
adjustable sights enable me to get full measure of each.

This would be my first choice:


That is certainly not the ONLY choice but it dern sure is a good one if you are going to limit yourself to the .357 Magnum.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[DGNY]

Dale 53 - that is a fine recommendation. Looks like a .38 Special Model 60-4 on steroids. David - seem to recall that you had cast some EK type 358429s of around 170+ grains. That 686 would be a handsome, practical platform for launching them with power and accuracy.

Best of luck as you move toward a decision.

Regards,

Dyson

 

[Jaymo]

I like the 3" heavy barrel K frames myself. This S&W 65-5 goes to the mountains with me and is worn around the house. If we go hiking I wear my S&W 1006.

I like your Kershaw scuba diver's knife.
I had one in the late 1980s. Wish I still had it.
I wonder if they still make that one?

 

[one eye joe]

686+ Mountain Gun. 4" taper barrel. 7 shots of 357 goodness on a L frame.

IMHO, THE 686 MOUNTAIN GUN IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, AND UTILITARIAN REVOLVERS EVER MANUFACTURED. IT WOULD BE MY CHOICE FOR YOUR PURPOSE. THEY DO NOT COME CHEAP, IF YOU CAN EVEN FIND ONE FOR SALE, HOWEVER……...

 

[fastwally]

I use a 3" model 60 PRO for the purpose you stated, I like the light weight when I'm trekking in the woods.

 

[4330Inroute]

Did you happen to see the 581 for sale on the forum? Excellent photograph of it as it appears to have been used very little. Just a suggestion.

I have no interest in the sale of the 581 just thought I'd pass it along.
Jim

 

[mikeruns]

I like a Model 29 mtn gun 44 mag that has seen my most recent hikes into the woods....before the mtn gun, I have more often than not carried a Ruger Speed-Six 357 in a Galco slide, and a couple different medium size automatics. That Ruger is handy with it's shrouded 2-3/4" bbl and round butt, but the M29 mtn gun is not much heavier and packs great in it's Bianchi Cyclone.....good luck deciding....

 

[BigBill]

I been having a problem with choosing a carry handgun. I like the choices but to me there worth too much to carry in the woods. Every time I purchase one I want to carry either it becomes collectable, rare, sought after or discontinued and the cost goes up. I would go with a 357 in stainless. 686? For a woods gun the stainless is perfect. I hunted and carried my 44mag redhawks for eons in stainless.

Example, I just purchased an excellent condition s&w m28 w/6" barrel for $695. I just checked the online sights last night and found the m28 priced at $750 in good condition to a very good condition minus maybe. To me seeing this higher price for a gun in worse condition. What kills me is I think mine is worth more because of its better condition. Now I hate to carry it but I'll handle it carefully when I shoot it.

I need a decades truck gun revolver. Something that looks doesn't matter yet is as reliable as throwing a stone.