Educate Me on the 357 Mag

[Glock21sfsd]

I am thinking about buying a 357 Mag. Never owned a revolver and I dont know anything about them. I own a Glock 21 and an XD 9. What brands are good 357's and what should I stay away from?

[bluerider]

I shoot a S&W 66 with a 6" barrel and find it easier to shot than an XD9. It is a large heavy gun and if you are looking for something to carry a 66 is probbably not the best choice. There is a pristine used one exacly like mine on consignent near me for $525

[Fishslayer]

Ruger = GP100 4", 6"... some snubbies
S&W= a whole grunch...M27, M28, M686... 2.5" 4", 6"... longer than that...

You won't go wrong with either. I prefer older S&W but wouldn't sneer at a Ruger wheelgun.

Some will tell you to stay away from this, that or the other. I own a Taurus 669 & have been happy with it. As good as the S&W? No. I didn't get my Smiths for $300 OTD either....

There's info online about checking out used revolvers. Do research.

The .357 is a proven round, LOTS of load data available from mild to wild, a blast (literally ) to shoot, you can shoot .38 if you want...

When I decided to get my first wheelgun the caliber was never even debated. .357 is a no brainer.

[11Z50]

In .357, my favorite is the M27 5", but they are a bit hard to find. My next favorite is the M19 4". Any good brand of revolver in 4" with WW 110 JHP's is an awesome package. Federal 125 JHP's are awesome as well.

[slobson]

anything called smith or ruger will be a good choice. to get more specific than that you'll have to get more specific with your intended purpose

[dunndeal]

If money isn't an object get a Colt Python.

[choprzrul]

I once had a Colt Trooper 6" that was a fine piece of work. Wish I had that gun now.

[Glock21sfsd]

I dont want it to carry mainly just want it cause its bad ***..........I dont have a ton of money...But I dont want th cheapest or the most expensive something in the middle of the road. I saw a Taurus at DGM in Santee the other day for 449, all the other 357's they had were upwards 0f 600-800 So I dont really know what one should cost or which ones to avoid. I just want it to shoot at the range and to use at home as a bed side gun

[Legasat]

If you buy either the S&W or the Ruger, you won't regret it, and they will probably still be in condition to pass them down to your grandchildren or great-grandchildren.

[RedFord150]

Ruger GP100 goes on sale for $500 to $550 at Turners. I think the Ruger SP101 might be a little cheaper.
S&W will likely cost over $700 if new..
Taurus is 'sketchy' on quality. I say this based on my own personal experience. I will not buy another.
If you buy used, you might look at Colt Python, Trooper, or King Cobra.
The Dan Wesson revolvers are also very highly regarded.
Good luck.

[osokne]

Look at the myriad of options and see what's going to suit your needs. If you're going to shoot it a lot, consider the functional differences between single action and double action, the procedures for loading & unloading, etc.

For example... Years ago I had a Ruger New Model Blackhawk, .357 Mag. It was a single action and it loaded / unloaded 1 round at a time. That was a pain, but the gun itself performed flawlessly. Excellent accuracy over longer distances, with the 6.5" barrel. Never had any trouble with it. Shot any ammo I fed it, (including .38 Special). Had to sell it due to circumstances at the time and I really wish I still had it.

Quick word about Taurus... I know their quality has been a moving target, but I have a friend who is a Federal Police Officer assigned to an Indian Reservation that carries a 6" double action, I don't remember the model. It has given him flawless performance, with thousands of rounds downrange, over the years.

+1 for the Colt Python!!!

[farmdwg]

If money isn't an object get a Colt Python.

By far my favorite!

+1

[gzinga]

I have a 686ssr S&W. That is a great gun but you will be looking at 1K OTD (add or shave a few $$$). There are many out there the round in itself is awesome but I would suggest you reload it....

[Kodemonkey]

I have a Smith and Wesson 686P (7-shot) modern pistol (meaning it has the dreaded lock on it). Great shooter in a 4" gun. I shoot IDPA in it and recently sent it to S&W to have it get the "action job" done for $150. Whoa, I thought it was a good shooter but when that thing came back I couldn't believe it was the same gun. The SA on it now is a dream - I still can't really pin down when it is going to break. The DA is now smoooooooth as butter. But it was really good out of the box - don't get me wrong. But after the first time I pulled the trigger after the action job I thought to myself, this gun is staying in the family forever.

I've put thousands of 357 rounds through it and probably an equal number of 38. Still one of my favorite guns to shoot and the large L frame and full underlug make it pretty menacing. Anytime I show it to someone and they handle it I get comments like; "damn, now THAT's a gun!" or "This thing is all business and I wouldn't want to be on the wrong end of that business". It's the HD gun for my wife, with 125gr 357 hollowpoints in it.

But really, what others have suggested are all good. It's just when I think 357 mag, I think S&W.

[faterikcartman]

I dont want it to carry mainly just want it cause its bad ***..........I dont have a ton of money...But I dont want th cheapest or the most expensive something in the middle of the road. I saw a Taurus at DGM in Santee the other day for 449, all the other 357's they had were upwards 0f 600-800 So I dont really know what one should cost or which ones to avoid. I just want it to shoot at the range and to use at home as a bed side gun

I think to start you should get a Ruger GP100 or S&W 686. I think everyone should own a GP100 as it is a tank you'll always be happy to have around. Then get a S&W if you like wheelguns and have improved your double action shooting. If, later, you love them, get a Python.