I'm not a regular poster here so if this needs to go in another part of the forums let me know. I have a family member who's in the market for a revolver chambered in 357 mag. He used to carry one before his department switched to the Beretta. Anyone have suggestions on where to direct him that's reasonably priced?
Looking to buy: Revolver in 357 Mag
- Thread starter Urkie1979
- Start date
OldFrankHog
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Gatineau QC
Well it all depends on what he actually wants. There are dozens if not hundreds of revolvers chambered for .357 at prices from 400$ to 10 000$. The most popular revolvers in .357 mag are Smith & Wesson 686 and Ruger GP100. Both can be had fairly cheaply used in good shape ~700$-800$ and in 4.2 inch or 6 inch barrel length. New they are priced similarly and offer most of the same features. If your family member can give you a more detailed description of what he wants we can help you narrow down the options.
Hope this helped.
Hope this helped.
I asked for a price range but nothing specific. "Reasonably priced depending on the gun", is what I got. I think he's looking at around the $500 mark. That's just a guess on my part, though. I know that leaves the query wide open and very ambiguous. Stainless finish is preferred along with standard barrel. I don't think make/model matters. I've seen a Smith 686-1 for $750 and a Ruger GP100 for $700, used. Those were a bit higher than he was looking to pay. All comes down to price and condition. I'm getting info as things progress.
He might find a stainless Taurus in the $500 range but even that would be a push.
Posted on EE, one of the finest if not the finest revolver ever made. Its in 357 as you desire.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1367686-1982-Colt-Python-Blue
That Alfa's that I've handled or shot have been rough around the edges. I believe most of them will require some work to make them nice....Depending on what each of us means by "nice", I suppose.
Personally I'd watch out for a used GP-100. I had one that was quite nice right out of the box.
You might find a 586 or 686 for under $700, but you won't find it here on the EE.
Personally I'd watch out for a used GP-100. I had one that was quite nice right out of the box.
You might find a 586 or 686 for under $700, but you won't find it here on the EE.
If he carried a duty gun then it was likely a S&W. So he may want to stick to that brand.
If he's so wishy washy that he doesn't have a brand in mind and is not even set on price too firmly I doubt that there's much you can do for him. He needs to go shop for himself.
Alfa guns are OK. But the stock trigger is a bit rough. Rusty Wood Trading has reduced strength main springs that make the trigger pull a lot closer to a S&W pull. And in truth owning an Alfa that I put the spring into after around 100 rounds I'd suggest that the RWT spring is pretty much a mandatory accessory.
And while inside the gun to swap the spring some cleaning and re-oiling the action can smoothen the trigger up a little more. Aside from that the trigger does start out a touch gritty feeling but even after a couple of hundred trigger pulls smooths in quite nicely.
From the sounds of his budget only he will know how much he's willing to spend on a used gun. But I'd also suggest that he up his budget to closer to $650 if he wants a nice clean used Smith. The options for a nice clean one at $500 are going to be few and far between unless he trips over one helluva private sale deal.
If he's so wishy washy that he doesn't have a brand in mind and is not even set on price too firmly I doubt that there's much you can do for him. He needs to go shop for himself.
Alfa guns are OK. But the stock trigger is a bit rough. Rusty Wood Trading has reduced strength main springs that make the trigger pull a lot closer to a S&W pull. And in truth owning an Alfa that I put the spring into after around 100 rounds I'd suggest that the RWT spring is pretty much a mandatory accessory.
And while inside the gun to swap the spring some cleaning and re-oiling the action can smoothen the trigger up a little more. Aside from that the trigger does start out a touch gritty feeling but even after a couple of hundred trigger pulls smooths in quite nicely.
From the sounds of his budget only he will know how much he's willing to spend on a used gun. But I'd also suggest that he up his budget to closer to $650 if he wants a nice clean used Smith. The options for a nice clean one at $500 are going to be few and far between unless he trips over one helluva private sale deal.
Thanks! I do believe it was a Smith so I'll see about sticking to that or a Ruger. He may be amenable to adjusting his budget. All will depend in what can be found and the condition. I'm just doing the searching for him as a favor. I'll keep searching. Thanks again.
A couple years ago when I first started shooting, the Ruger gp100 was $699 now I see them for $1000 or more for the stainless 4.2". I know Al simmons has a used one but I believe it is still $749.
Good luck though. Maybe try some gun shows?
The GP100 with Stainless finish and 4.2" barrel. I just sold one for $725. It seems like $700 is the bottom of the barrel for prices lately. I suggest he buy sooner than later. The prices are just going up and up.
Not that I want to argu BCRider (cheers), but recently I've seen higher prices than $650 on EE for the nicer S&W..., I would go for a budget of at least $750 for a nice 686, you also have to consider having a seven rounds barrell with the 686p.
redshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Ontario
Do we see any 6" Ruger Security Six's. I really like my 4", solid beast with a decent DA trigger. If he had 12(6) he'd be laughing.
I have really liked every minute of owning my Dan Wessons in .357. They are accurate with nice triggers. You can also purchase different barrels and shrouds as funds permit, so you can shoot anywhere from a 4.2" (custom) barrel up to 15" barrels/shrouds. I will never sell mine, they are just too much fun to shoot. Oh - with a DW, you don't need to worry about splitting your topstrap from shooting hot loads unlike some S&W models
