PLEASE HELP[me choose a .357 from 3 models]

[CRAZYLOCH]

OK: After having own and shot all of them...

To shoot and TONS of parts and mods : S&W 686

To Shoot and Abuse (Magnum ALL DAY..lol), but not as smooth: Ruger GP100

To collect and ocsasional use (forget Parts lol, and no gunsmith): Colt Cobra or Python

 

[Harry Callahan]

The King Cobra was never made w/nickle finish, Colt mfg. stoped making the nickle finish in 1984-1985, starting in 1985 the stainless replaced the nickel in all the revolver line up. The King Cobra was first made in 1986 and they were available in brushed stainless, bright stainless or royal blue finish.

I've personnaly owned three S&W 586/686 and four KC in all finishes available. Now, I now only have one of them, I kept the Colt King Cobra in Bright Stainless. This is by far the only .357 magnum revolver that comes close to my beloved Colt Python in term of accuracy, trigger and overall fit and finish.

S&W 686's are very good revolvers dont get me wrong, but it's not in the same league as a Colt King Cobra.

My Bright Stainless KC is now for sale, I'll only keep my Python as I shoot mostly my service pistol in 9mm, and will use the Python for some bulleye matches once or twice a year with my partner. He will not see a lot of action, it's a safe queen and will stay that way.

I forgot to mention that I had a Ruger GP 100 6 inch in stainless a few years ago. Bought it new for the same price as a S&W 686, wanted to try a different .357 mag revolver. It shot pretty well but the trigger was no where near as nice as the 686-3 I sold a bit earlier and way worst then my beloved KC. Fit and finish was on par with the S&W. The Ruger is really overbuilt tough, it's made for abuse and it shows... I shot three boxes of .357 mag and one box of .38 spc with it on the same range day and sold it a week later.

So it goes like this:

#1 Colt King Cobra

#2 Smith & Wesson 586/686

#3 Ruger GP 100

 

[misfire]

Given your choices I'd opt for the 686 or Ruger if the handgun is going to be shot a lot. My first handgun was an unfluted 6" 686 which I still have and I also have an unfluted 5" 7-shot 686. Nice revolvers! Reliable and accurate! A Ruger would be my choice after the 686. This is not to say the Colt King Cobra is a bad revolver. It isn't. It's decently built and is accurate and reliable as well but you may run into a problem getting replacement parts and service (not too many gunsmiths can properly work on them). Just my .02¢ worth....YMMV.

 

[polaris]

OK: After having own and shot all of them...

To shoot and TONS of parts and mods : S&W 686

To Shoot and Abuse (Magnum ALL DAY..lol), but not as smooth: Ruger GP100

To collect and ocsasional use (forget Parts lol, and no gunsmith): Colt Cobra or Python

That statement is about right, so it deserves a +2

 

[dizzy]

you have chosen 3 good revolvers but don't forget to take a hard look at the colt python, one of the smoothest and most accurate 357's ever made. next choice for me would be a 686. I own them both, colt beats the smith hands down.

 

[Dave_Shotgun]

I own a Ruger GP100 6" and it is really built like a tank. If you're looking for a gun that will last a very long time, then go with the Ruger. SW 686 was my second choice, but I'm happy with my purchase.

 

[00Buck]

686.

 

[easyrider604]

OK: After having own and shot all of them...

To shoot and TONS of parts and mods : S&W 686

To Shoot and Abuse (Magnum ALL DAY..lol), but not as smooth: Ruger GP100

To collect and ocsasional use (forget Parts lol, and no gunsmith): Colt Cobra or Python

+3

These are all rated .357 magnum so they should all take full magnum 24/7.....no excuses will do.

The 686 is a beautifully designed and built .38 spl that can shoot occasional 357 mags. I know because I shoot 1 357 magnum round for every 20 or more 38 spl. Still my 686 is showing a little cylinder lock-up looseness.

My GP 100 has shot about the same number of .357 mags....still as solid as the day I got her.

Had a Python and never shot .357 in her. Sold her because I didn't like the pull-back cylinder release. Personal preference only. That particular Python didn't lock up as well as my 686 or GP so wasn't too impressed with it.

IMO, only the GP should be rated .357 magnum. But nonetheless, I love shooting both 586 and 686 because of their exquisite design, workmanship, awesome triggers and accuracy and will keep them as I can and hope to pass them down to my granchildren someday, just like all my toys.

With 686's about 300 bucks more than GP100s (new retail), I'd buy the GP over the 686 anyday.

 

[BC Mike]

good advice guys.
my question is WHY
im not second guessing your advice i just would like to know what makes the SW superior.
Im bedazzled by the KC nickle finish

Ok the Colt King Cobra is nice to look at but it doesn't have all the same smooth internals as the Python but you are paying close to the same price. The Ruger is tough but rough and will likely need trigger work to smooth it out . The S&W is pretty smooth out of the box although a bit trigger heavy (but buy used and that's already done) it is a tough bas@@rd and you can polish that stainless so it looks almost as shiny as nickle if you want. The key element is best bang for the buck. Then if you want something special wait for a nice nickle python when you can afford it. I recommend the 686 either no dash or up to just before they changed the cylinder release latch to that dumb half-latch to accommodate the dumb internal lock.

Mike

 

[BC Mike]

Harry, i think you know how im leaning

My previous post notwithstanding and I don't have a stake in this but for that price I would highly recommend the KC that Harry is selling. I do know he is a stickler for having beautiful well kept guns.

Mike

 

[NAA]

686.

Yes, that's the one.

NAA.

 

[Mr.x]

If you want to show your gun, get the Colt.
If you want to shoot your gun, get the S&W.
If you want to go to hell and come back with your gun, get a Ruger.

 

[BC Mike]

If you want to show your gun, get the Colt.
If you want to shoot your gun, get the S&W.
If you want to go to hell and come back with your gun, get a Ruger.

That's a nice saying. How many of the above do you own or have shot enough to know what you're talking about? I also read your post about $2500 Pythons being the norm "and climbing". I'll sell you a nice '59 right now for a lot less than that. Interested? I won't comment on your post about people from Quebec.....

 

[Jeff/1911]

They are all very nice revolvers...try handling all three and see which seems to fit you the best.

 

[mlehtovaara]

The only reason I vote ruger over the smith would be if you are planning on shooting .357 all day. I have seen a couple smiths with timing and locking issues from being smashed with .357 extensively. At least that's what their owners claim anyways. They told me the same would happen to my ruger but haven't had heard of this happenning to a gp at all. They are built to take the abuse. Just get a trigger job if you want to shoot double action.

 

[rdelliott]

I'm on the market for a .357, and am leaning towards the Ruger on price point and because the things have such a reputation for indestructability.

 

[RevolverRodger]

Another vote for the 686

 

[Mr.x]

That's a nice saying. How many of the above do you own or have shot enough to know what you're talking about? I also read your post about $2500 Pythons being the norm "and climbing". I'll sell you a nice '59 right now for a lot less than that. Interested? I won't comment on your post about people from Quebec.....

Such kind words, I almost felt tears in my eyes... not.

No don't comment on my post about people from quebec, you'll hurt somebody's Internet feelings.

Like jumping on newbies, superhero?

 

[Goozyman]

Lol

such kind words, i almost felt tears in my eyes... Not.

No don't comment on my post about people from quebec, you'll hurt somebody's internet feelings.

 

[medicstimpy]

Colt is nice but be careful with what you clean it with. Sometimes Nickle (or any plating) will come off.

I have both a 686 (new in box 20 year old) and a GP100.

The Smith shoots as a old Smith should. Nice, refined and accurate. I've fired the new ones and no where near as good as the old ones. Plus the Hogue grip has to be tossed on them.

The GP100 su*ked the big one until I was able to throw out the Hogue grips for a set of old style ones. Now I prefer it to the Smith for accuracy, trigger pull and no worries for those HOT H110 loads. I have yet to see or feel the awful trigger all those S&W people are talking about on the Ruger because I do own and shoot both. It's nice and no better and no worse than my Smith and that one being a "new" classic, I only bring that one out once in a while after buying the Ruger.

If those ones you are looking at are brand new, unless you absolutely need to have the S&W, then save yourself $300 and put that towards ammo or reloading supplies for your new GP100.