.357 Revolver suggestions please

Leviathan024

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hello gun nutz,
i am looking to purchase my first ever revolver in .357 and i could use some expert knowledge. My two choices so far are a Ruger blackhawk 4.6 SA and the S&W 686 4.2 DA. I have chosen the .357 for the fun factor of a magnum and the low cost .38 option.

I should add that i MUST have the revolver in stainless with wood grips. the "shine" factor is a big plus and something i am really looking for

Thanks!
 
If you can afford it there is no real choice here. The S&W is hands down far and I mean far nicer to shoot then the Blackhawk. Now before Ruger fans get bent here, there is nothing wrong with Blackhawks and yes I have owned them and I still own them. But single action is a pain to load and unload. Also the trigger is no where mear as nice on the Rugers as it is on the S&W guns. So if you can afford it don't even think about buying the Ruger just get yourself the Smith.

Graydog
 
Both Ruger and Smiths are awesome guns. I have both. Why would you compare apples to oranges in your choices? Single action versus Double action. A double action is the way to go unless you are into Cowboy Action shooting. Also check out the Ruger GP100 Stainless.
 
thanks for the advice. i do like single actions and i love the feel and look of the pistols. i have fired the gp100 and like it but the smith has such a nicer look to it in my opinion. i am not torn between single or double as i like them both. has anyone owned the "Canadian edition" 686? how is the finish on it? once again i am simply in love with shiny metal! is there a large difference between brushed and satin stainless?
 
When I was looking for a .357 revolver I debated between the GP100 and 686 for awhile. Finally decided on the 686 and I love it. The double action on it is very smooth and the single action is even better, very light and crisp. Also very accurate, I'm no great shot and was able to shoot less than 2 inch groups at 15yds standing. I highly recommend getting one.

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I have the 22 ver 617 and everything Tactical said about accuracy applys to my revolver as well and a great double action pull and single action.. can't go wrong..
 
tactical_tech and graydog thanks for the pics! how hard is it to change out the grips and what "new" features have been added over the old versions? will some metal polish bring out a nice shine?
 
tactical_tech and graydog thanks for the pics! how hard is it to change out the grips and what "new" features have been added over the old versions? will some metal polish bring out a nice shine?

Grips are very easy to change. As far as features over older ones I don't really knows what's changed other than the addition of the "Hillary hole" safety on them. If you wanted to make it even shinier yes you could, some metal polish or very fine sandpaper would do the job. I did that on the slide of the gfs SAM commander and it turned out very well, almost blinded you in the sun.
 
I have both a Blackhawk and a 586 (same as 686, but blued), and the Smith and Wesson is by far the nicer revolver to shoot for me. That said, my wife prefers the single action style grip over the double action because it hurts her hand less with magnum loads. Mind you she was comparing my 66-1 to the Blackhawk, which is a fair bit lighter than the 586. The triggers on the Smiths are a lot nicer than on my Ruger, as well as the fit and finish.
Kristian
 
Ruger GP100...when you can find one!!!

Built to last.

Smiths are good...great trigger (worth a few $100 more tho?)...but if your a HEAVY shooter they WILL come out of time. Also the frame "lock out" on the new Smiths is but ugly!!!

Don't forget you can also get trigger work done on a Ruger too!!!
 
Ruger GP100...when you can find one!!!

Built to last.

Smiths are good...great trigger (worth a few $100 more tho?)...but if your a HEAVY shooter they WILL come out of time. Also the frame "lock out" on the new Smiths is but ugly!!!

Don't forget you can also get trigger work done on a Ruger too!!!

I have had a Ruger GP100 on order for over a year now! It was a wrestle between the Smith 686 and the GP100. I went with the Ruger. The frame lock out was the main reason I did not get the Smith!
 
I love the internal locks on guns, as I hate trigger locks. My 460V and Raging Bull both have internal locks and have never had a trigger lock on them.
 
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