What is the ultimate end all be all revolver in 38/357 ?

[gregintenn]

Ok. I’ll concede the L frame Smith is superior to the model 19 K frame. I’ll go further and say that purely from a shooting standpoint, I prefer the N frame Model 27 or 28. The K frame sure is easier to carry.

A J frame, in my opinion, should have never been chambered in 357 Magnum.

[JN01]

Excluding high-end guns like Korth and Manurhin, I'd opt for a pre-lock S&W 686 Plus or a Ruger Security Six.

For current production guns, GP100.

[Grayfox54]

1 hour ago, gregintenn said:

A J frame, in my opinion, should have never been chambered in 357 Magnum.

You got that right! 

[tercel89]

I had the chance to get an older Ruger Security Six a few years ago. Boy I was dumb by letting that chance go by. 

[TGO David]

12 hours ago, gregintenn said:

A J frame, in my opinion, should have never been chambered in 357 Magnum.

I had a pretty great one that I think @MacGyver owns now.  It was a handful when you were squeezing off full house .357 Magnum rounds.  Definitely one of those things that everyone ought to try at least once! 

[MacGyver]

3 hours ago, TGO David said:

I had a pretty great one that I think @MacGyver owns now.  It was a handful when you were squeezing off full house .357 Magnum rounds.  Definitely one of those things that everyone ought to try at least once! 

The 340PD is probably the ultimate J-Frame sized .357/.38 pistol.  It’s lightweight and just disappears.

That light weight also might cure you of wanting to shoot it a bunch with full house .357 loads.  

[Eddie Southgate]

The Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum in double action and the Ruger Blackhawk in single action are the ultimate in .357 Magnum for me. I have a 1956 Ruger but have never been able to afford the Registered Magnum. Actually I can but I wont pay what they bring.

[bubbadavis]

31 minutes ago, MacGyver said:

The 340PD is probably the ultimate J-Frame sized .357/.38 pistol.  It’s lightweight and just disappears.

That light weight also might cure you of wanting to shoot it a bunch with full house .357 loads.  

I've got a 360PD and shooting 357s will make you want to buy a 22! I'd rather just hit my hand with a hammer a few times and save the money. It is a great pocket carry gun.

[bubbadavis]

There obviously isn't one ultimate 38/357 revolver. It all depends on what you want. S&W and Colt make great revolvers which can be passed down generations. But finding an older, nice, and affordable Colt Python of S&W model 19 isn't easy. Both Ruger and S&W make great carry guns. Several companies make S&W clones which are inexpensive. 

It all depends on what your needs (or wants) are for the gun.

[gregintenn]

22 minutes ago, Eddie Southgate said:

The Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum in double action and the Ruger Blackhawk in single action are the ultimate in .357 Magnum for me. I have a 1956 Ruger but have never been able to afford the Registered Magnum. Actually I can but I wont pay what they bring.

If we’re going that route, make mine an engraved Colt Single Action Army.

[gregintenn]

4 hours ago, TGO David said:

I had a pretty great one that I think @MacGyver owns now.  It was a handful when you were squeezing off full house .357 Magnum rounds.  Definitely one of those things that everyone ought to try at least once! 

When we took our carry permit class, a young lady next to me was shooting a model 60 with full house loads to qualify. She passed, barely, but she sure looked miserable. I felt sorry for her and also admired her tenacity.

[bubbadavis]

1 hour ago, gregintenn said:

When we took our carry permit class, a young lady next to me was shooting a model 60 with full house loads to qualify. She passed, barely, but she sure looked miserable. I felt sorry for her and also admired her tenacity.

If anyone thinks shooting a 60 with 357s is bad, they should not try a 340PD! The 60 is significantly heavier.

[tercel89]

Thank you to all you guys  and thanks for the information. I'm going to start looking but not get in a rush.

[JustEd]

Have liked the look and feel of the Kimber K6s and K6s DASA.  However, just never could convince myself to shell out for one

Beautiful too look at and dry fire in the store.  But there is just something sacrilegious about a revolver made by Kimber.

 

disclaimer: am not a Kimber hater

 

Edited November 20, 2022 by JustEd

[hipower]

On 10/28/2022 at 10:28 AM, gregintenn said:

Pinned and recessed Model 19 Smith and Wesson.

Winner!!

[hipower]

16 hours ago, tercel89 said:

I had the chance to get an older Ruger Security Six a few years ago. Boy I was dumb by letting that chance go by. 

Yes. That just might be so. LOL! I have an old, beat up Security Six. Looks like crap. Shoots great and locks up tight. Don't expect to ever let it go.

Not what you asked about initially buddy...but for just plain old revolver fun, try a Ruger New Model Vaquero. Any caliber. They are great! I got one a few years ago in 45acp. It's a blast! Pun intended. Just tiring having to reload so often.

[JonDaddy82]

Just depends. 

If you're filming a movie, S&W Model 327 TRR8.

If you're a movie villain with style and class, Colt Python 6".

If you're actually trying to run and gun with it, my personal fav S&W Modell 66 Combat Magnum.

If you're trying to carry it in your gym shorts, a Ruger LCR.

If you're trying to shoot full house magnum loads every single day for the rest of your life and you don't care about it being fancy, Ruger GP100. 

[AuEagle]

S&W Model 27-3 1/2" Bbl-Pinned-Recessed

The 5" Version was also great.

Edited November 13, 2022 by AuEagle

[Kenneth stocker]

On 10/28/2022 at 6:15 PM, TGO David said:

I think I've shared it before, but this was my grandfather's duty gun when he was a police officer back in the 60's.  Smith & Wesson Model 19.

He left it to my dad and I inherited it when my dad passed away.  This is one of those guns that my kids will inherit one day, and hopefully their kids as well.

 

 

Beautiful

[kwe45919]

S&W 19-2

If it was good enough for my papaw and my father to carry while while on duty for Knox City and County, seeing as how it's passed on to me now, it's the only one I will ever want. 

[Quavodus]

On 10/29/2022 at 9:43 AM, TGO David said:

I had a pretty great one that I think @MacGyver owns now.  It was a handful when you were squeezing off full house .357 Magnum rounds.  Definitely one of those things that everyone ought to try at least once! 

My 2" Taurus 605 is way brutal. I've shot .44 magnums that are more fun. I've got a 6" Securuty Six, and it's a great old gun. They should still make them. Built like a tank.

Edited November 20, 2022 by Quavodus

[RandyB]

On 10/28/2022 at 10:00 AM, tercel89 said:

I have my semi-autos , and now I want the "end all be all" revolver in 38/357mag ?  

Two choices. Freedom Arms or Korth

Edited November 20, 2022 by RandyB

[1gewehr]

Overall best .357 revolver:  Original, pre-1980, Colt Python 4".

Best trigger and balance: Pre-lock S&W Model 19 (Tend to get loose with a steady load of heavy .357 use.

Under-rated:  Colt MKIII Trooper.  Not a Python, but pretty darn close!

Best currently available new manufacture:  Colt Python. 

Ruger certainly builds a durable revolver.  Overweight and triggers are just OK.  I won't touch a trigger lock S&W.  

[bye losers]

Pretty much any Smith N frame made prior to 1980....theres no going wrong with that.

 

[tnhawk]

On 10/28/2022 at 5:15 PM, TGO David said:

I think I've shared it before, but this was my grandfather's duty gun when he was a police officer back in the 60's.  Smith & Wesson Model 19.

He left it to my dad and I inherited it when my dad passed away.  This is one of those guns that my kids will inherit one day, and hopefully their kids as well.

 

 

The Model 19 was my first handgun.  Although I've had several newer revolvers none has been enjoyed more.