Which S&W .357 should I buy?

[fondulac]

Hi,

I have the 642 but I am looking for a S&W .357 revolver to carry. If the handgun doesn't already have a bobbed hammer I will need to find a skilled gunsmith to take care of this. I prefer the frame not to be larger than "K" and the barrel to be under 4 inches. New/old/used it doesn't matter to me, I just don't know what to look for. Any recommendation/suggestions are appreciated.

Thank you,

Mary

 

[MetalMan]

I'm a sucker for the Model 19/66 in any short barrel configuration. I have a couple of 2-1/2 inchers and lust for one in 3"....maybe someday.....

Really, the only thing to watch for aside from the usual suspects of mechanical condition is to look closely at the forcing cone in the 6 o'clock position. Cracking of the forcing cone may be evidence of an excessive number of hot .357 loads having gone down the tube.

Particularly with "older", pre-2000 guns with a flat area at the bottom of the forcing cone. This issue seems to have been addressed in current production guns such as the Model 66-8.

A 60-15 ("mini-686") chambered in .357 may also fit the bill and has the added benefit of being easy to carry IWB.

 

[Grayfox]

JMHO: I think a 3" K-frame is the perfect carry revolver. In .357, you would want to be on the lookout for either Model 13 or 65. However, fair warning, they're hard to come by and they ain't cheap.
You might also be interested in a 2 1/2" Model 19 or 66.

 

[yrunvs]

Model 649. It has a bit of a flat hammer if you desire single action.

 

[JH1951]

Consider a J-frame Mod. 49 or 649. The shrouded hammer allows SA or DA operation without any modifications.
Many are .38 Spl., some of the later ones are .357.
These are very easy to carry concealed, and the .38 Spl. is quite easy to put and keep on target.

 

[loeman]

After 20 years, I'm still in love with my 649-3. This is a 2 inch barrel J frame chambered for .357. Has a shrouded hammer (no need to bob) and very easy to pocket carry. It is my most carried gun.

I editing to add that it is rather heavy which I view as a plus making magnum loads very manageable with some practice. I also am partial to having the single action option with the 649-3.

 

[Tradewind36]

I like my 640.

 

[ShadyDrifter]

I like my 640.

Same here.

 

[oldiesradio1560]

Since the 70's I've owned a 66 4", 640, 686 4", 640-3 and my current concealed carry is a 640 Pro Series. My Pro Series is better fit, finish etc. Not just talking about the night sights, moon clips, internal hammer, performance center action job. If you're looking for a great concealed carry .357 you can't do better.

 

[D Brown]

Welcome to the Smith & Wesson Forum from Central Florida taycheedah!

I agree wholeheartedly with MetalMan on the Model 19/66 with 2 1/2" barrel as being the best of the .357 Magnums for a carry gun.

If stepping down to a J-Frame, I'd look for a Model 649-3, the Magnum version of the Bodyguard.

Best of luck with your search!

 

[KalamazooKid]

I'm also a huge fan of the 640 Pro. Just the right combination of size, weight, and concealment - no hammer to catch on stuff. With the factory night sights it's perfect. I added CT laser grips with 3 finger grooves.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dr. mordo]

I love the M19. If you are looking for a new gun, they still make the M66 Combat Magnum in a 2.75" barrel.

I honestly think you should at least consider an L frame, which is a tiny bit larger than a K frame but offers more options. The 7 shot 686 can be gotten with a 2.5" or 3" barrel, and Ruger has just introduced the 2.5" 7 shot GP100. If I didn't own the 686 already, I'd have bought the GP100 right when it came out. If you are fixed on getting a S&W, I'd shop for a 686 Deluxe, which is the 7 shot, 3" barrel config.

If I was shopping for a pocket .357, there is absolutely no question I'd be looking for an Ruger KLCR 357. I have a .327 magnum LCR, and I unreservedly love it. My 327 lives in my front pocket, while my S&W J frames usually stay in the safe.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Same here.

I'll double that....

 

[one eye joe]

Hi,

I have the 642 but I am looking for a S&W .357 revolver to carry. If the handgun doesn't already have a bobbed hammer I will need to find a skilled gunsmith to take care of this. I prefer the frame not to be larger than "K" and the barrel to be under 4 inches. New/old/used it doesn't matter to me, I just don't know what to look for. Any recommendation/suggestions are appreciated.

Thank you,

Mary

HI MARY, WELCOME TO THE FORUM. IMHO THE M686 IS THE FINEST .357 MAGNUM REVOLVER IN CURRENT PRODUCTION. I EDC A 2 1/2" M686+. THEY ARE NOT SCARCE, AND CAN BE READILY FOUND USED, ON GUN BROKER, OR OTHER SITES, INCLUDING THIS FORUM......

MINE IS A NO-DASH THAT I PURCHASED ON GUNBROKER. BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT A GUN WITH AN INTERNAL LOCK, I CHOSE TO GO WITH AN OLDER USED ONE. (LOOK FOR ONE UP TO A -4 VERSION. THE -4 IS THOUGHT TO BE THE FINEST ITERATION OF THE M686, BY MANY) THE NO DASH 686, AND THE 686-1 ARE SUBJECT TO A FACTORY RECALL, AROUND A FIRING PIN ISSUE. SINCE MY GUN HAD NOT BEEN MODIFIED, AS PER THE RECALL, (MODIFIED GUNS ARE STAMPED WITH A LETTER M, UNDER THE CRANE) AND I INTENDED TO CARRY IT, I SENT IT TO THE FACTORY, WITH FREE SHIPPING BOTH WAYS, IF YOU CALL AND REQUEST A SHIPPING LABEL......

WHILE MY GUN WAS THERE, I REQUESTED THAT THEY FIT IT WITH A 7 ROUND CYLINDER. UPON ITS RETURN, I SHIPPED IT TO DENNY REICHARD @ SAND BURR GUN RANCH, FOR HIS "DELUXE ACTION JOB", WHICH IS 100% RELIABLE WITH ANY FACTORY AMMO, AND RENDERS THE GUN, SLICKER THAN SNOTS......

I SOLD MY ORIGINAL 6 ROUND CYLINDER, AND MY WOODEN COMBAT STOCKS ON THIS FORUM. I REPLACED THE STOCKS WITH A SET OF WELL USED MAGNAS, THAT I PURCHASED ON THIS FORUM. A FELLOW VIETNAM VET BROTHER REFINISHED THE STOCKS FOR ME, AS A FAVOR, AND I ADDED A TYLER-T GRIP ADAPTER....

I LIKE THE WAY THE PROJECT TURNED OUT, AND I DIDN'T BREAK THE BANK DOING IT. IF YOU CHOOSE TO FOLLOW A SIMILAR ROUTE, DENNY REICHARD COULD BOB YOUR HAMMER, AND YOU WOULD BE EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH THE QUALITY OF HIS WORK. HE IS MASSAD AYOOB'S GUNSMITH OF CHOICE, FOR ALL OF HIS S&W REVOLVERS.......

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Your call, but I can carry this 357 revolver all day long - in my pocket. I like 357 Mag. too.

 

[DD357]

I would look for a 19, 66, 13. or 65. J's are a handful with full load 357's and after carrying snub L's & K's I found the K to be much nicer to carry.

 

[Flyingfool]

Ruger speed six or sexurity six would be two additional options.

Kimber K6s they make in variety of configurations and even a 3" barrel option.

Ruger SP101 they offer in bobbed or spur hammer and also 2-1/2" and 3" barrel options.

 

[Eddietruett]

3" Model 65. No sights to snag and K Frame along with 3" Barrel makes magnum loads easy to handle even though I keep mine loaded with +P 38s

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...3 inch model 13 with a T-Grip...

 

[Bill In Texas]

Howdy taycheedah, welcome to the Neighborhood!

I cast my vote for a couple of .357 mag wheelies. The first being my current EDC and forum favorite the 640 in it's various combinations. The gun is easy to carry for me in either a pocket or on my hip. Full house mag rounds can a handful, but practice with .38 specials is a lot of fun.

My second would be a k frame, specifically a model 66. You can get them new or used. Bigger of course, but that will make the magnum rounds a little easier to handle.