A .357 for Christmas... But which one?!?!?

tactical_tech

tactical_tech

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Ok so it's that time of the year and the gf said she wants to buy me a gun for Christmas. I've decided I'd like to have a .357 revolver with a 6inch barrel. Now the tough part is I've been spending the last few hours reading about the eternal debate between the GP100 and the 686 and have come up with a coin toss. Both seem to be praised. I've also looked at the Taurus .357 but haven't found much as far as reviews go.

Now I've gone to my local shops and no one has any of the afore mentioned revolvers for me to handle in person, so I would like your guys opinions on them. Also if any one would like post pictures of theirs to help me in this decision.

Now the gf has said if I want the S&W she will get it so the higher price of it is not an issue.
 
I have DA revolvers from both companies. They are both very nice but I do prefer the S&W trigger feel over the Ruger's by a fair amount. So I'd have to vote for the 686 option.

I can't help with pictures of a 686 because I don't actually have one. Instead of the L framed 686 I've got a few K frame earlier models and a couple of N framed early models.
 
My wife says you have a good gift... I read her the post hoping to drop the hint to her... Oh we'll, my 686 is in the middle, love my Ruger semi's but I love my S&W revolvers more

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I have the S&W 686P , ''P'' for ''plus'', it is a 7 rounds barrel, this is THE Gun to buy, quality is there !!!!

I also have the S&W 629 .44 magnum, S&W with no regret, I love those two revolvers !!!!!!!!!!!
 
I don't have any experience with Taurus but you can't go wrong with either the Ruger or S&W.
The tough choice is to get one in stainless or blued..............;)
 
tactical_tech said:
I've also looked at the Taurus .357 but haven't found much as far as reviews go.
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Which model? They do have a few on the market ;).

The large frame Taurus are actually pretty good quality, obviously not a Smith or a Colt but good quality for their price class. The 608 is probably the only way to get into a 8 round .357 wheelgun under $1000 short of getting a stellar deal off of the EE.

I'm a bit of a stickler for my revolvers and I must say the Taurus large frames are pretty good, I was suprised.

Now if you can talk her into a S&W performance center 627, 627 Vcomp, or R8 well then go for it man, go for the gold :D.
 
Dont overlook a nice, used Colt. Some say that Colts are smoother and nicer than both S&W and Ruger. I recently picked up a beautiful Mk.3 Trooper off the EE, complete with original box and everything. I dont have a second revolver to compare it to, but man this thing is slick. Shoots like a dream, smooth as butter and typical outstanding Colt quality. I payed quite a bit less less for it than any new/used 686 or GP100. They don't come up too often though.
 
I have one of the 4.2" GP 100 and must say its quite a nice gun.
Although it may be a little bit less refined than the 686 I have no complaints with it, especially for the price!
 
I just bought myself a S&W 686+ in 6" for my birthday. I went for the 7th round but kept the fluted cylinder for tradition. For a couple-few hundred over a Ruger I couldn't resist. I still could have been just as happy with a Ruger but the S&W has been on my want list for about 30 years ...ya... I'm old ;)

And colts... drool... but finding one on the EE is going to be a chore. If it's in good condition at a good price... you'd better be checking the EE three times a day to catch it.

Re new VS used. There was a nice one that went for $700 on the EE a week or two ago. He dropped the price from $800 and it was gone in a flash. New is going to run you 2-300 more.
 
I too have a GP 100 and also a 586. The Smith has a better finish and the trigger is outstanding, although the Ruger feels a bit rough (for lack of a better word) maybe utilitarian the thing is solid and when loading this is the gun I fire my new mixes through first (the thing is solid). Price is good too. If I wanted a nice finish and smooth trigger I would get the Smith,IMHO.
 
Any feedback on the Taurus models? I too have been trying to do some digging/research and there isn't much information on the newer Taurus .357s .. and any feedback on the Charter Arms?
 
mk3 said:
Any feedback on the Taurus models? I too have been trying to do some digging/research and there isn't much information on the newer Taurus .357s .. and any feedback on the Charter Arms?
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See post #7 ;).

loki_81 said:
Which model? They do have a few on the market ;).

The large frame Taurus are actually pretty good quality, obviously not a Smith or a Colt but good quality for their price class. The 608 is probably the only way to get into a 8 round .357 wheelgun under $1000 short of getting a stellar deal off of the EE.

I'm a bit of a stickler for my revolvers and I must say the Taurus large frames are pretty good, I was suprised.
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loki_81 said:
Which model? They do have a few on the market.
Click to expand...

Guess I should have specified. I was looking at the 608.

Since what I want is just a really nice, smooth and gorgeous wheel gun, it seems the 686 is the favourite. I've also read the 686 has a much nicer trigger than the gp100. Also read the gp100 trigger can be made as nice as the 686. However I feel why would I want something ill just have to upgrade to be on par with the 686. So I think my mind is almost made up.
 
tactical_tech said:
Since what I want is just a really nice, smooth and gorgeous wheel gun, it seems the 686 is the favourite. I've also read the 686 has a much nicer trigger than the gp100. Also read the gp100 trigger can be made as nice as the 686. However I feel why would I want something ill just have to upgrade to be on par with the 686. So I think my mind is almost made up.
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This is subjective AFAIC. I prefer the robust looks of Rugers. You can read all kinds of opinions on the net re trigger feel. To tell you the truth I don't shoot nearly as much as the experts who can tell the dif between a Smith and a Ruger trigger to make a difference to me. I find the trigger on my Ruger just fine (but this is my subjective opinion). BTW...I have owned a 686 and shot other Smiths.
Here's my Ruger...Big and Beefy
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mk3 said:
Still wondering about the Charter Arms though! :confused:;)
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....You're really starting to think in the wrong direction now:stirthepot2:

Spend the $$ on the best you can get now. Or better yet, save until you get the one you want. This will save you in the long run. You will be so much happier. Been there...done that.
 
The S&W will hold its retail value better, that or a gently used COlt would be my picks. Colt stopped making revolvers so as an investment they can only go up (provided they are cared for)
 
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