357 revolvers

[Vita Brevis]

One point to mention - prelock 686's are CHEAPER than new 686's. Granted we are talking 6 shot vs 7 shot. And yes, they are used, but a lot were safe queens and not used much.

But for $200 less (not counting tax, ect for a new gun - which bumps it up to $300 or more delta), you can have a gun that will keep it's value for a long time. And be as reliable 20 years from now as they were then. And the sights on my 686 are as good as any day sight you can find. Bright orange front sight, and I paid to get the rear (leaf) sight with a small white outline on it. It makes a difference.

Nothing against Ruger either - you are buying from a great company and they are great at revolvers.

.

I'll second this. Used is a good way to go with revolvers for a couple reasons: 1. No stupid lock to mess with (if you have little crumb snatching hands running around you may want a lock, though), and 2. They tend to be pretty simple mechanically (compared to some semi-automatics), and what can go wrong with them tends to make itself pretty apparent upon first looking at / handling the gun, in my experience.

I have an old S&W Model 28-2 taking up residence under my bed right now, and after countless .357 magnum rounds through it since the 70's, I have yet to experience a single hiccup with it. I wouldn't think twice about trusting that gun with my life should the time come.

Also, I've only had the opportunity to handle a GP100 once, but from what I recall, that thing felt like it was built like a brick ****house. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

[beerman]

Uhh, OP wants a 357 round. Yes these will chamber a .357.... And are highly desirable, but are not designed for steady diet of .357.

If OP wants .38 spl, all guns listed above will do fine.

Ive owned several 357s, i doubt anyone will shoot a steady diet of full house 357s.Most folks will target with 38s and shoot a limited number of 357s.(unless its your carry gun)Back to the post,both are excellent revolvers.I lean to the S&Ws (older ones)

[orangeusa]

Agreed, just pointing out that the 66's ect are more costly (due to their collectability and scarcity) and the 586/686's were designed to handle 100% .357 rounds. No biggie. thx..

Ive owned several 357s, i doubt anyone will shoot a steady diet of full house 357s.Most folks will target with 38s and shoot a limited number of 357s.(unless its your carry gun)Back to the post,both are excellent revolvers.I lean to the S&Ws (older ones)

[Mr. Beretta]

Older S&W model 28.

Shoot 357 mag all day long.

Will out live it's owner.

[JTROKS]

Aren't you glad Colt's Mfg doesn't make DA revolvers anymore? I think the King Cobra is best as a defensive revolver and that's coming fron a die hard Ruger revo guy.

[den888]

The S&W will likely be smoother, while the Ruger will be more rugged. Both are fine choices.

[Old4eyes]

You won't go wrong with either one. While the trigger is smoother on the 686 I don't know how much it would enhance the situation in an adrenaline fueled encounter at 3am. My guess on your statement that the Smith sights look cheap must be about the plastic insert on the front sight, which is an aid in seeing it. It does help.

I ended up painting the front sight of our GP100 to make it easier for me to see.

A 686+ will be more expensive, but you do pick up that extra round. You'll have to make the decision if it's worth the cost. My wife wanted that 7th round. One thing to note is that if you prefer the Safariland (and I do over the HKS), Safariland does not make one for the 7 round Smith.

We have the Smith and the Ruger, and I'd trust either of them to be there when needed.

[glockman19]

IMHO, the S&W 686 4" is a great choice.

[Fishslayer]

For $1K you can take yer pick of almost anything on the market.

If you held a gun to my head & FORCED me to buy new... GP100. I just can't get past the S&W infernel lock, and I am a S&W fanboi.

If it was my grand & had a choice of pre lock 686 and new GP100, no contest. Used 4" 686 & have $$$ left over for a pretty good load of ammo.

FWIW I own both a 4" 686 & a 4" M66. The 66 is what sleeps next to my bed.

[glockman19]

For $1K you can take yer pick of almost anything on the market.

If you held a gun to my head & FORCED me to buy new... GP100. I just can't get past the S&W infernel lock, and I am a S&W fanboi.

If it was my grand & had a choice of pre lock 686 and new GP100, no contest. Used 4" 686 & have $$$ left over for a pretty good load of ammo.

FWIW I own both a 4" 686 & a 4" M66. The 66 is what sleeps next to my bed.

Don't let the internal lock dissuade you from getting a S&W. The lock is Benign.

[Fishslayer]

Don't let the internal lock dissuade you from getting a S&W. The lock is Benign.

Actually, it can be made to disappear.

[pdq_wizzard]

Look around, I fond my GP100 for $300, it was like new in the box, had 50 rounds down the pipe. that will give you $600+ after DROS for ammo and a holster

[glockman19]

Actually, it can be made to disappear.

Exactly...

[TheFlash]

Have a pre-lock 686 with 4" bbl with the wood stocks (like the CHP used to carry before the switch to semis).
That revolver shoots more accurately than I do and it's a beautiful revolver.
Up until a few months ago, that was my HD weapon until switching to a S&W 6906 9mm (not sure why I did that although I'm very familiar with the operation of both and can do either 'in my sleep'...)

Rugers are awesome and I have several, but I just love my 686...

Regards,
Mike

[RedFord150]

...I ended up painting the front sight of our GP100 to make it easier for me to see.....

Replaced the front sight on my GP100 with 1 tool in about 30 seconds;

http://shopruger.com/Ruger-GP100-Red-Front-Sight/productinfo/90074/

Just use a small punch to push in the pin on the front of the barrel and slide out the old sight blade. It can go right or left and the new sight goes in same way. Cost is under $20.