Buying first .357 revolver... need a bit of guidance

Steady diet of .357 magnum: Ruger GP100 because they are built like tanks and have the reputation to back it up.

The GP100 can be worked on very easily at home.
Long video but very much worth it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txbCmzM4v6A&app=desktop

You can also easily add a Weigand rail in order to mount a scope.

Also, front sight is super easy to swap since they are held in with a plunger pin.

Accuracy wise, 6" barrel due to longer sight picture.
Heck, 357 revolvers even came with 8 3/4" barrels.

The S&W 686 out of the box will have a better trigger but the 686 of late may have barrel indexing issues.
The 686 is more challenging to work on at home.

Either way, do as much research as humanly possible.
Try to shoot both and once you're ready, handle, inspect and purchase in store.

Btw, the GP100 is now also available in 7 shot configuration.
 
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hatman1793 said:
The new S&W 4.2" model 66's & 19's are still "K" frame revolvers that occasionally see .357 magnums. A steady diet of magnums will loosen & beat up these guns. Its an old story but S&W brought out their new "L" frame revolver to address the all the wear problems with "K" frame tevolvers firing magnums.

As a newby, buy a six shot S&W 586, or a 686, 6" barrel revolver. Ruger's GP100 is just as good or better and both can handle magnum loads before you call it a day.
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They are NOT the same old K frames, I posted this vid now twice on other model 19 threads. It's a completely new build with N frame strength. Sorry to bore those who have seen the vid but these new K frames are different. Barrel is sleeved and the barrel stress in now at end of barrel. Barrel is same thickness as N frame guns. The cylinder lock up is different as well.

 
SQUAREHEAD1 said:
Looking to buy my first 357 revolver, I have owned and still own many semi automatic pistols most of them SIGs, German ones, many years ago I owned a Smith and Wesson model 19… Sold it two decades ago.
My gun technician tells me that I should look for older Smith and Wesson‘s, that the new ones are not built nearly as well as the older ones, over 10 to 15 years old…
I’m just trying to get peoples opinion on this, or what would you suggest would be the best 357 to shoot at the gun club, targets between 15 and 40 yards… my revolver of preference would be the Smith & Wesson model 686 or 686 plus. I have looked at the Performance Centre stuff but he says to look for older guns.
Thanks for any suggestions from your experience, guys…
Have a wonderful weekend,
KEITH
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First thing is you never mentioned your price range . the Smith's from the Performance Center are vey nice looking revolvers but out of my price range. many years ago I bought a Smith 586 and reloaded for it . the loads were all book loads or lower and I didn't think it was a very strong revolver as In I had been shooting a buddy's model 27 and it seemed to walk all over this 586 in the strength aspect . of course an L frame compared to an N frame . now I shoot a GP 100 and it's one strong revolver . sure it needs a trigger job but as many others have said it's built like a tank .

many of the old Smiths have external firing pins and the new ones have internal firing pins . in the end the choice is yours . there is also a Ruger Match Champion available . it has already had a trigger job . you also want to go into a very well stocked gun store and handle the revolvers that have bee mentioned . see the way they point and the heft . then go from there . good luck in you choice .
 
If i was looking for a great 357 mag, the new model 19 is my choice, this is not your old K frame, this one can be feeded 357 mag no problem




.
 
4n2t0 said:
Get a GP100 if you want a "gun that will handle a regular diet of 357". After the novelty wears off and your extremities quake at the prospect of full house .357 loads get yourself a S&W 66 and shoot .38 special.
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Why would you change guns just to shoot 38s?
 
That new Smith model 19 looks like a nice revolver but after watching the video and hearing it's a two piece barrel I'd pass . and if I'm not mistaken Jerry said all the pressure is at the front ? he's an excellent shooter and a very knowledgeable guy but I'd pass on that revolver. brother buy either one of those fancy Smiths out of the custom shop or a GP100 and be done with it . now that's only my opinion .don't forget he's sponsored by Smith & Wesson .also I like proven stuff for my hard earned money .
 
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Kosmonument said:
Why would you change guns just to shoot 38s?
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Because the 66 is a better revolver, lol. I would only buy a GP100 if I was going to shoot a lot of .357 full house loads. Don't get me wrong, I like Ruger firearms, but the K-frames are the perfect revolver. Just my .02, probably not even worth that much!
 
One thing to note on the new S&W Model 19's is that the new lockup and tensioned barrel system they've implemented is the same they used on the S&W V460 X frame revolvers. I love old smiths too but have been really considering a new Model 19 because of the new lockup. Shooting 357's in a K frame is a lot of fun!!!

I have been quite impressed with the accuracy and build quality of my V460 X frame S&W. I've pushed over 1000 rounds of 300gr boomers through that revolver and it's still tight and accurate. S&W has really won me over with their new revolvers. I also have a great Talo 357+ 7" barrel that is built just as good in my opinion as my older smiths.

The one thing that was mentioned before in this thread is that Murray Charlton does any of the lifetime warranty work for S&W and they are top notch quality and service. The old S&W's do not come with a lifetime warranty and the truth is, I've bought a number of old ones that needed work despite the EE ads saying "timing is perfect" or "action is tight!"

I did need some warranty work done on my X frame when I first got it. The MIM trigger broke after the first shot. Murray Charlton had it back to me 1 week later with a new trigger and it's been an amazing revolver ever since. Are some of the claims of quality of the new S&W's true? Yes. Is S&W's warranty service adequate to overcome those quality issues, I believe so and wont hesitate to buy new S&W's if the model suits my needs.
 
Another point for Ruger goes to cleanability. With the SRH and GP you clean as normal BUT you can easily strip the whole gun down in minutes with it's removable trigger group. I love the ability to completely strip and clean every part of those guns. Try cleaning the innards of a Smith or Colt!!! I started Compete stripping of my revolvers after shooting my Uberti 1858 BP gun. These are easily stripped and that's lucky because the amount of soot and crap that got into the depths of that action was mind boggling.
 
The OP mentioned he wanted a stainless revolver so that rules out the new Model 19, strong as it may be. Perhaps if Smith comes out with a new 66, it would be a great option.

Seems like S&W just “somewhat” copied the Dan Wesson cylinder lock and barrel design/install concepts.

Being old school, I’d go with 6 inch 686-3 (6-shot, non MIM, no lock) or GP100 (6-shot, any year)
 
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I really like my GP 100. Gives me all the confidence I need that I can shoot magnums all day. Of course, my hands and arms won't shoot magnums all day...

Gilbert
 
From an aesthetic perspective, I've always been fond of the 586 and 686 series, though have encountered my fair share of people with issues. Same thing goes for the pre-lock oldies, some of which I've owned. That said, you really can't beat their triggers for a mid-tier revolver. My last was a 27 with a glass breaker of a single action. Would make you weep.

If you plan of feeding her 357 on the regular, I'd highly suggest a GP100 with a cushy set of grips, like from Hogue. Though the triggers could use some love, I couldn't argue the durability and reliability for the one I had, and countless others I've known over the years.

In the end, you could get a lemon either way. Haha. If i were buying a double action again - cause heavens knows that SAA are where it's at - I'd likely buy a used 4.2inch GP100 of the EE. It'll be a little smoother, and kink free. Well, if it's an honest ad.
 
can14 said:
Get a m27 or m28 Smith and wesson
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GOOD ADVICE !!!!!! my shooting partner (We're old pharts)...has a 586,i have a S&W m-28-2 hwy patrolman...for our target shooting.....
the 586 feels very comfortable but my old N Frame outshoots his ''nice'' 586.
Any S&W , be it a 19,27 ,28 ,586 or 686 in .357 are hard to beat........I do shoot heavy for calibre 180 gr. sil in .357,. but for paper targets ,148-155 gr. hbwc or solid wc which we cast ,are easy,very accurate and cheap to shoot......I like ''titegroup'' because it lasts forever,that being said,, 3.4 gr W231 is as good as it gets!!!
 
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