357 MAG/ 38 Special opinions?

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Senatormac

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Hi:

What would you recommend in a 357MAG/38 Special revolver? I am leaning towards a 686 S&W, but am open to suggestions. This is not a request to buy. I just wanted to hear some opinions.

Thanks.
 
I have a whole bunch of 38s. Out of the box, the Colt (Python is the best), followed by the S &Ws. Rugers are very good, but triggers are not as good as S&W,

I had my Riger GP100 trigger polished up by a gunsmith and it became my favourite shooter.

A best buy would be a lightly used Ruger Securty Six. Not as massive as the GP100.
 
Can’t beat a Smith 686 4.2” bbl. Even with the mim parts and lock.

Check the barrel to make sure it’s aligned with the frame.

If you want to spend the $$, a Python is real nice.
 
I had a ruger security six it was a nice gun and easy to take apart. Now I have a ruger sp101 in .357 it is also a very nice gun a lot smaller than the old security six and only 5 shots but it handles nicely and feels good to shoot. I pretty much only shoot .357 but it is nice to shoot .38 target loads at some of the local indoor ranges with it as that is the max they will allow.
 
Are you talking a new gun or EE shopping? I personally feel the Smith's and Colts from 30-40+ years ago are nicer guns.
Will it be a steady diet of hot .357 or mostly .38spl with the occasional .357? If the latter a good S&W Model 19 is a lovely gun.

As Harry Callahan asked What's the budget? You can spend $600 or $6000. ;) If you're serious about .357 and lots of it then a Manurhin MR73 or MR88 is a great choice but $$$
 
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Probably just me but I find 686's from about 20 years or about are much better guns than new ones. I have a 686 8 3/8 barrel that is a pleasure to shoot. The Rugers mentioned I haven't shoot but they have a good reputation. The Ruger Blackhawks I have. Single action six gun but well built. My 357 came scoped , a fun gun to shoot the 50 and 100 meter gongs. Buy quality don't gone for cheap.
The 686 would be my choice as a first 357.
 
What will it shoot most of the time, .38 or .357? What’s your budget?

If you’re sub $1000 and it’s mostly .38 with occasional .357 then I would buy a S&W 19 or 66. If it’s a healthy mix .38/.357 then I would consider 586/686, but also closely look at new 66’s. I prefer the K frame to L. If you can do without .357 and go solely to .38, then hands down get a S&W 14; that’s what I ended up doing.

If you’ve got $3k+ to spend skip the Python and jump straight into an MR73 or MR38.

Colt’s are beautiful but are very expensive for what you get, and in my mind over-rated. The single exception that would fit your .38/.357 request is a Colt 3-5-7. Ruger’s aren’t to my taste but lots of people swear by them. Both Ruger’s & Smith’s can benefit from careful tuning.

Good luck!
 
Its really personal preference. We cant tell you what to like you need to go handle some guns!
Personally i have a Gp100 with pachmayer grips and a pair of blackhawks for cowboy. Very happy with them all great fit for me. Smiths are great too but luckily got to shoot a model 27 with the wood coke bottle grips before buying. Discovered it really bit into my palm and didnt like it at all. Which stinks cause i love the look of it. I seem to have trouble with the frame shape of most smiths ive tried. Get shooting if you can you will no doubt find what works for you!

Oh hell here is my opinion, get one of those Chiappa rhinos not many people have them a friend and me really want to try one!
 
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