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

Backwoods said:
Bunch of f%#*in B*%#h as&*#%^$ peer pressuring as&*%#^$ %&&#s!!!!

Well now that that's over, I should be picking up my MR73 tomorrow. ;)

Is there a club? Secret handshake?
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I’ll teach you the secret handshake if you ever come in the Montreal area!

Very nice choice you’ve made.

Did you went with the 5 1/4’’ or 6’’ tube?
 
Purdom234 said:
I opted for the 686+ over the GP100 only because I thought it felt better in my hands at the gun store, not so much the grip as pointability (is that a thing?) No opinion on which is better other than the S&W performs well. I shoot mostly .38 but also .357.

A bit of research and personal preference is my advice.
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My experience reinforces this. A SS 4.2 686 with rubber grips. Like an extension of the grip of my hand it was made for the 20 yard range I shoot on. I wouldn't consider another iron after having the good fortune to try out many others. Mostly shoot .38 special. Confidently duplicate results with the magnums. I wish everyone the same enjoyment from their choice as I have made. I don't need or want any other wheel gun. No other gold standard comparable types I've tried compare. Half of it must be my hand the other 85% is the 686. Gotta love what performs so well after so many rounds. About 900. You will need some polish though.
 
Harry Callahan said:
I’ll teach you the secret handshake if you ever come in the Montreal area!

Very nice choice you’ve made.

Did you went with the 5 1/4’’ or 6’’ tube?
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6”, and that’s the length I was after anyway. I sold my JM 327 titanium a couple years ago and still have a couple thousand rounds, so I was after a 6” gun and this is what they had under the counter, hidden in the back.

SQUAREHEAD1 said:
I think he got the slightly more accurate one, the only one they had left.
He's going to be so pleased!!!
:):dancingbanana:
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hope so! I still want a new smith model 19, but this purchase ate that slush fund. And my MPX slush fund.
 
Squiggy said:
Ruger GP100, usually always a few on EE, definitely will not break the bank and will last. Going to the range with it a few times a year, it will last forever. S&W also have the new model 19's out as well that can shoot full power 357's all day long.


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I owned a GP100 back in the mid 80's.
I didnt like shooting full power .357 ammo through it.
The gun is rather large and the felt recoil was a beast.
I regret not buying a S&W that fight from the grips in my hand to the length from finger to trigger.
Go to the gun store and compare for yourself and you will feel the differance between the two.
I regret only not having waited and saved a few dollars more to buy the S&W and the Ruger was a fun gun to shoot..even if it was .38's most of the time.
Enjoy the research aand share the pics when you choose the best gun for you.
Rob
 
SQUAREHEAD1 said:
As Harry pointed out, I did get the same Manurhin MR73 but in 5.25 inch barrel… They had two for sale and I chose The 5.25… They still have that brand new 6 inch barrel MR73 in the picture looking for a new home...

Here’s a cool video of the same model gun I purchased with the 5 1/4 inch barrel

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Congratulations on buying such a fine revolver! I have never even seen a Manurhin but am told they are nice. At least you didn't fall for the Colt Python hype (nice revolver, but over priced). I may get a little flack from the masses but I think a revolver's ability to shoot well in DA speaks to its quality. I have not shot a revolver in SA that did not go bang and hit the target. I have several S&Ws (ranging from a pre lock 686 to my favourite which is a 627) that all shoot well in DA. I have also had no problem with the ONE warranty issue I had with my S&W 327, which Murray Charlton had repaired and back to me in less than one month. What is the warranty on the Manurhin? Where do you have to send it to get it serviced?
 
Dirt Merchant said:
Congratulations on buying such a fine revolver! I have never even seen a Manurhin but am told they are nice. At least you didn't fall for the Colt Python hype (nice revolver, but over priced). I may get a little flack from the masses but I think a revolver's ability to shoot well in DA speaks to its quality. I have not shot a revolver in SA that did not go bang and hit the target. I have several S&Ws (ranging from a pre lock 686 to my favourite which is a 627) that all shoot well in DA. I have also had no problem with the ONE warranty issue I had with my S&W 327, which Murray Charlton had repaired and back to me in less than one month. What is the warranty on the Manurhin? Where do you have to send it to get it serviced?
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Parts sourced from France, and use a local qualified gunsmith. From what I understand, not difficult to do from the dealers perspective. Heres hoping nothing goes wrong! ;)
 
I had a 6 inch GP100 a few years ago. I lost interest in shooting 357/38 and sold it. A few years later I wanted a 357 again but after loving my 460 & 500 I bought a 4.2 inch 686. I fully regret this decision. I bought it online and when I received it I noticed a few things. The barrel was canted, the cylinder gap was excessive (0.12). The forcing cone was poorly finished. Unfortunately I now see the warranty center is Grech outdoors... one place my firearms will NEVER go. I am currently looking for a good smith who can do the work for which I will be paying out of pocket for.

I am not the only one who has had these issues either. New 686's are horrible. I would go with a Ruger if i were you!
 
First shot at 10m. Hahahaha
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Harry Callahan said:
I wouldn't expect anything less from a Manurhin MR 73. Now, push your target back at the 25 yard line and let us see the one hole 5 shot group that this revolver can do!
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true! The rest of the range session went as expected, a couple of flyers that were obviously my fault, but out to 25m it does the job if I go mine. No one hole groups though. ;)
 
Here is what I did to my GP-100 4.2":

1. Had all the cylinders reamed out to .38"
2. Had the forcing cone cut to 11 Degrees
3. Installed hammer and trigger shims
4. Replaced hammer and trigger return spring
5. Replaced the grips
6. Bought a FO front sight

I shoot mostly lead bullets and lots of them both in 38spl and .357mag. My guns cylinder throats were way to tight for shooting lead bullets. Ruger used gang reamers to cut their cylinders and mine ranges from .355 to .356 in diameter. Cutting the forcing cone facilitates use of lead bullets. Left to do is a full polish job of all the trigger parts. The gun is a dream to shoot. Trigger is super smooth. Actually better than my 686 No dash 105.14MM barreled Smith.

Both guns are excellent and both are built....like a tank. The Ruger is a newer design and is much easier to work on. I could spend some time doctoring up the Smith but right now the GP-100 is my go to choice for IDPA Revolver Division.

If you only are going to shoot plated or FMJ bullets and IF your cylinder throats are .357 then I would no bother with reaming out the cylinders or having the forcing cone cut to 11 degrees. Ruger makes a good gun but they do tend to be "kit" guns.

You really can't go wrong with either the 686 (Older I think is better) or the GP-100.

Take Care

Bob
 
GP 100 all the way I have a stainless 6 inch that I bought back around 1992 ( my first hand gun) It has had 10's of thousands of rounds through it the actual number I dont know I stopped counting years ago. it is still as accurate as when I first shot it has never had any problems that resulted in a trip to the gunsmith. I just had it apart last weekend to do some cleaning and polishing of the trigger group and was surprised how little ware there was after all these years and all those rounds down range.
 
I went a completely different direction on my first .357 revolver... I bought a 1976 Ruger New Model Blackhawk (has "Made in the 200th year of American Freedom" stamped on the top of the barrel, I think that's pretty cool...) shooting heavy loads (16 grains H110 under a Hornady XTP 158 gr) never fails to put a BIG smile on my face.
 
I shoot an older Smith model28-2 and my shooting buddy shoots a 586......we shoot home cast 148-155 full w,c. in38spl.......being both retired old pharts, the looser buys lunch.....
his 586 is much smoother and a bit lighter......my 28 is clunky.......BUT, I seldom buy lunch !!!!!!
as a side note, he loves his 9mm semi auto, me, I hate chasing brass............
hard to beat the smiths....19,27,28,29s.
be sure to shoot befor you buy......glenn
 
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