357 what is your fav
- Thread starter fullbug
- Start date
Unofficial votes thus far
686: 10
686 Performance Centre: 2
Colt Python: 9
GP100: 8
S&W P&R model 27-2: 6
S&W Model 19-5/19-3: 4
586: 4
627: 2
Ruger Security Six: 2
629: 1
Dan Wesson Model 15: 1
S&W 66: 1
Ruger 2 3/4" Security Six: 1
S&M model 28 Highway Patrolman N frame: 1
Ruger Black Hawk: 1
Ruger Vaquero: 1
Taurus 860 stainless 6": 1
686: 10
686 Performance Centre: 2
Colt Python: 9
GP100: 8
S&W P&R model 27-2: 6
S&W Model 19-5/19-3: 4
586: 4
627: 2
Ruger Security Six: 2
629: 1
Dan Wesson Model 15: 1
S&W 66: 1
Ruger 2 3/4" Security Six: 1
S&M model 28 Highway Patrolman N frame: 1
Ruger Black Hawk: 1
Ruger Vaquero: 1
Taurus 860 stainless 6": 1
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
The 686 and 586 are essentially the same guns, the main difference being that the 686 is made of stainless steel and the 586 of blued carbon steel.
IIRC, both were made in different variants, like different front sights (red ramp, partridge or silhouette 4-position), smooth combat or wide serrated target triggers, fixed and adjustable rear sights (the 681 and 581), 6 and 7 shot cylinders. IMO, a vote for the 686 or 586 is a vote for the S&W L-frame.
Similarly, votes for the S&W Model 19 or 66 are votes for the K-frame.
IIRC, both were made in different variants, like different front sights (red ramp, partridge or silhouette 4-position), smooth combat or wide serrated target triggers, fixed and adjustable rear sights (the 681 and 581), 6 and 7 shot cylinders. IMO, a vote for the 686 or 586 is a vote for the S&W L-frame.
Similarly, votes for the S&W Model 19 or 66 are votes for the K-frame.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
A little more info would be nice, in order for some of us to give more sound advice.
1. What is your budget?
2. What is your intended use?
3. What ammo, i.e. 38 spl, 38 spl +p, mild 357 mag, medium or full load 357 mags?
4. How many rounds per year of your answer to question #3?
5. Do you prefer a light weight, medium or heavy revolver?
6. Do you prefer a muzzle heavy bias or want a more balanced weight distribution?
7. Do you have small, medium or large hands?
8. Do you plan to have only one revolver or intend to have a variety?
9. Fixed or adjustable sights?
10. Preferred barrel length? Do you a prohib license?
11. Does a handgun's aesthetic appearance matter to you?
A little more info would be nice, in order for some of us to give more sound advice.
1. What is your budget? not to worried about
2. What is your intended use? debating wether to use it for ipsc
3. What ammo, i.e. 38 spl, 38 spl +p, mild 357 mag, medium or full load 357 mags? 357 mag mild to full
4. How many rounds per year of your answer to question #3? around 2000+
5. Do you prefer a light weight, medium or heavy revolver? medium to heavy weight
6. Do you prefer a muzzle heavy bias or want a more balanced weight distribution? balanced weight
7. Do you have small, medium or large hands?large
8. Do you plan to have only one revolver or intend to have a variety? avariety
9. Fixed or adjustable sights? doesn't matter
10. Preferred barrel length? Do you a prohib license? under 6 inch no prohibs
11. Does a handgun's aesthetic appearance matter to you? not really
1. What is your budget? not to worried about
2. What is your intended use? debating wether to use it for ipsc
3. What ammo, i.e. 38 spl, 38 spl +p, mild 357 mag, medium or full load 357 mags? 357 mag mild to full
4. How many rounds per year of your answer to question #3? around 2000+
5. Do you prefer a light weight, medium or heavy revolver? medium to heavy weight
6. Do you prefer a muzzle heavy bias or want a more balanced weight distribution? balanced weight
7. Do you have small, medium or large hands?large
8. Do you plan to have only one revolver or intend to have a variety? avariety
9. Fixed or adjustable sights? doesn't matter
10. Preferred barrel length? Do you a prohib license? under 6 inch no prohibs
11. Does a handgun's aesthetic appearance matter to you? not really
- Location
- Witness Protection Program
I'm pretty partial to the GP 100 
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Ok, FB, given your replies below,
You have large hands, want a restricted, medium to heavy weight revolver with a balanced feel, that will take a lot of 357 mag shooting, might dabble in IPSC (were medium high 357 loads are needed to make major), shorter than 6 inch barrel.....so for a first revolver, I'd say choose between
1. a new Ruger GP100 in stainless with the 4.2 inch barrel is your choice.
Have the trigger done or if you want to DIY and are handy with some smithing skills, get a hold of the Iowegan GP100 Book Of Knowledge available in the Rugerforum.
or
2. a S&W Performance Center 627 with 8 shots, 5 inch barrel.
For a second revolver, buy the other one.
You have large hands, want a restricted, medium to heavy weight revolver with a balanced feel, that will take a lot of 357 mag shooting, might dabble in IPSC (were medium high 357 loads are needed to make major), shorter than 6 inch barrel.....so for a first revolver, I'd say choose between
1. a new Ruger GP100 in stainless with the 4.2 inch barrel is your choice.
Have the trigger done or if you want to DIY and are handy with some smithing skills, get a hold of the Iowegan GP100 Book Of Knowledge available in the Rugerforum.
or
2. a S&W Performance Center 627 with 8 shots, 5 inch barrel.
For a second revolver, buy the other one.
mudgunner49
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Smith & Wesson Model 27/28...
blake
blake
My thoughts are; the original S&W N-Frame, 357 Magnum is still the best all around revolver. The Colt Python is a shiney one alright but the N frame S&W beats out the Colt with trigger function. Don't get me wrong as I do like my Colts, but when asked which I like best, it's S&W.
Double action with the S&W is about as perfect as you can get. You can pull the trigger back until you hear the second click and then touch it off. Or just pull it back in one go-round. No stacking as you pull back just even pressure as you go.
N-Frame S&W revolvers, well, the Reg. Magnums have always been the serious collectors "gotta have", but the price will scare you off. A M27-2 and older will make you very happy for a reasonable price. A M28 will perform just as good as a M27 and can be had for quite a bit less. The M28 is a plain version of the M27, less the frills.
The M27 is a sight to be hold with it's checkered top strap and extra polishing followed with bright shiney blue like you never seen before. The mid-50's, I think, had the finest finished 357 Magnum . . . That's what the M27 was called before the model number was assigned in 1957. . . Before 1957, a M27 is referred to as a pre M27. . . In 1957 they elimated the 5th S/P screw and become the M27 (M27 no dash). . . Around 1961 they became the M27-1 (signifying the engineering change to a left hand thread on the ejector rod). . . Around 1962-63, the screw infront of the trigger guard was eliminated and became the M27-2.
The very last M27-2's, some were not pinned and some were not recessed. They may be okay for some, but not for me.
So there you have it and yes I'm a tad opinionated but I do have Colts as well as Smith's. Colts are good, but the Smith's, I think, are better. And in a 357 cartridge, you'll not regret buying a S&W Model 27.
Here's one of mine . . 1952-53 pre Model 27
Here's a couple more . . another pre M27 and a M27 no dash
Here, for comparison, is a Highway Patrolman, M28 no dash (1957-58)
Regards:
Rod
Double action with the S&W is about as perfect as you can get. You can pull the trigger back until you hear the second click and then touch it off. Or just pull it back in one go-round. No stacking as you pull back just even pressure as you go.
N-Frame S&W revolvers, well, the Reg. Magnums have always been the serious collectors "gotta have", but the price will scare you off. A M27-2 and older will make you very happy for a reasonable price. A M28 will perform just as good as a M27 and can be had for quite a bit less. The M28 is a plain version of the M27, less the frills.
The M27 is a sight to be hold with it's checkered top strap and extra polishing followed with bright shiney blue like you never seen before. The mid-50's, I think, had the finest finished 357 Magnum . . . That's what the M27 was called before the model number was assigned in 1957. . . Before 1957, a M27 is referred to as a pre M27. . . In 1957 they elimated the 5th S/P screw and become the M27 (M27 no dash). . . Around 1961 they became the M27-1 (signifying the engineering change to a left hand thread on the ejector rod). . . Around 1962-63, the screw infront of the trigger guard was eliminated and became the M27-2.
The very last M27-2's, some were not pinned and some were not recessed. They may be okay for some, but not for me.
So there you have it and yes I'm a tad opinionated but I do have Colts as well as Smith's. Colts are good, but the Smith's, I think, are better. And in a 357 cartridge, you'll not regret buying a S&W Model 27.
Here's one of mine . . 1952-53 pre Model 27
Here's a couple more . . another pre M27 and a M27 no dash
Here, for comparison, is a Highway Patrolman, M28 no dash (1957-58)
Regards:
Rod
I'd toss between my pre 27 3.5", and my Python snubbie. I don't find the Colt triggers objectionable at all (as a matter of fact, a tuned Python probably has the best revolver action you'll ever have the pleasure of stroking), and they are generally more accurate. FWIW - dan
Looks and accuracy in a nice balanced package => 4" Python
Shooting, with a bit of fun added => 3" 686
Beat the c**p out of it revolver => Ruger
Best overall? Sort of like asking which of your children do you love the most.
Shooting, with a bit of fun added => 3" 686
Beat the c**p out of it revolver => Ruger
Best overall? Sort of like asking which of your children do you love the most.
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Don't buy a .357 mag!
Go with the .44 mag.
Ruger Redhawk, or S&W 629.
I did and it just was not as fun as my new Ruger Redhawk in .44 mag. The .44 mag is so versatile if you reload it is like having 5 diferent revolvers. You can load it real light so you barely even feel the recoil, you can do just about anything with different bullet and load combinations. And then there is the Full Power loads with 240 grain bullets that will make people beside you at the range #### their briefs. I sold my GP 100, and don't regret it one bit. Sorry for the Highjack!
Go with the .44 mag.
Ruger Redhawk, or S&W 629.
I did and it just was not as fun as my new Ruger Redhawk in .44 mag. The .44 mag is so versatile if you reload it is like having 5 diferent revolvers. You can load it real light so you barely even feel the recoil, you can do just about anything with different bullet and load combinations. And then there is the Full Power loads with 240 grain bullets that will make people beside you at the range #### their briefs. I sold my GP 100, and don't regret it one bit. Sorry for the Highjack!
Why would you sell one revolver to buy another? Just buy two, and then three, and then.................. - dan
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Because I found no point having a .357 when I can load the .44 to perform just like a .38, .357, .45 colt, 44 special, and a .44 mag.
