357mag - best model for FL

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Looking for ideas/opinions about which manufacturer and model stands up best to a steady diet of factory loads or full throttle handloads in 357magnum. I think my K frame 357would loosen up so it's reserved for 38Special with some +P occasionally. What about the old Dan Wessons?

Bill
 
Best .357

Hi Get a model 28 S&W you can feed this gun anything and everything all the time very strong N Frame ill take all you can feed it . I have one probly put thousands threw it and its still locks up tight . They come in 4" and 6".the one i shoot has a 6" Barrel a very nice shooter too.
 
Ruger Blackhawk, Ruger Redhawk, S&W L frame, N frame, Python, DW 615/15 series, Colt SAA or New Frontier. All these will stand up well, the Redhawk probably the strongest of the bunch. - dan

Not entirely convinced about the Colt SAA with sustained shooting with full house .357's.... I have a 2nd gen SAA [mfg 1961] in .357 and I wouldn't risk it.

But I certainly agree the Rugers and the S&W N frame could take the pounding.... ;)
 
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I have a S&W M19 K frame and a Ruger New Model Blackhawk. I've shot tons
of 357 cast on the 19 around 950fps. Good load no probs. The BlackHawk gets a steady diet of heavy loads. BlackHawk is better suited for hi power.

Tex
 
Pythons are great guns,but from what I have read,you dont want to shoot a steady diet of full house loads through them.They do go out of time,and unfortunately there are not many people around anymore who are able to tune them(only a handful in the states ,and probably no-one in canada) .As they are not made anymore,its getting harder to find spares for them.Probably best to stick with light loads and shoot the full house loads only occasionally.

The K frame smiths(M19 and 66)also are known as not tolerating heavy loads well for a long period
 
Hard to beat a Colt Python, unless it's with a Manhurin MR-73.
Mostly because they were overshadowed in PPC and other competitive revolver events from at least the mid 70's on. At a time when you could choose a Python as easily as a Model 19 (or whatever), competitive shooters overwhelmingly chose the Smith's. If all the guys buying Smiths had been buying Python's instead, Colt would still be making them.

The real value in a Colt Python is what people are prepared to pay for them. I saw a Python in nearly NIB condition in Kalispell a few weeks ago - price tag on it was $1600, and I think it sold as it disappeared within a few days. It might have had something rare and unusual about it, but it looked like your usual Python to me (and I owned one once).

If I were thinking of always shooting full throttle .357 (because???), I think a Smith L frame would head the list. For shooting holes in paper, ripping up tin cans, or knocking down falling plates, more sedate loads work every bit as well. With less wear and tear on you, the handgun, and your pocket book.

However, whatever floats your boat.
 
I have an "N" frame (Model 27) S&W that will take the guff. This is a big, beefy action that should be up to the task indefinitely. Mine is superbly accurate also. Regards, Eagleye.
 
Hello > GP100!

Man.... you need a GP!

Here is mine!
SNV10472-small.jpg


Used to keep the computer viruses away ... lol
:)
 
Actually, the Colt SAA will definately be as strong as any of the regular sized DA revolvers, not as strong as the Ruger BH/RH of course. Lockwork is a little delicate compared to the BH, but still stronger then most DAs. Personally, everytime I owned a 357 SAA, it quickly became something else, I'm more of a big bore fan. - dan
 
Ruger or S&W

I have two revolvers that I would trust for personal defence. I would train with my ruger GP100 all day long and carry it in a 4 inch barrel or on real hot days convert to my S&W 66 2 inch barrel for carry. My practice would be on the ruger because it will stand up to any punishment I can think off. The smaller 66 is just pleasant to carry.
 
I have a smith model 27 with 5'' barrel that will take 357 any time and a smith 686 that will to. I wouldnt want to shoot 357 all the time out of anything that not an L frame or biger
 
To be honest, if you are going to shoot full house ammo, then go for a GP100 or an L-Frame S&W.

K-Frames are not for continuous shooting of full house loads.
 
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