357 Magnum Choice

My vote is for the 686. Love my 686-0.

686

The Kimber is finely made but limits you to a small, lightweight, short-barrel revolver. You didn't state what your purpose was, but a lot of people choose a gun like that for concealed carry. I think it's a poor choice based on comfort instead of capability. If your purpose doesn't involve concealed carry, even then the short barrel doesn't begin to exploit the potential of .357 Magnum for any other purpose - hunting, range fun, sports, competition etc.

Among the 4, 5 or 6" barreled guns, or even a 3" gun (which Kimber offers), S&W offers more features on some of their models that Kimber, Ruger and Colt do not. They offer factory action tuning (Performance Center models), they offer models that work with moon-clips (PC, and Pro Series), and they offer more models with adjustable sights (than Colt and Kimber). I believe Ruger does offer moon-clips on 10mm and 9mm models, and the Redhawk-size Super GP-100. They also offer adjustable sights on a lot of models. Features can be added by a gunsmith, but it takes more money and time, sometimes many months.

If you determine the barrel length and features you want, that will narrow your choices down.

Of those three?

for me it's 686

If you plan to use it for ccw I would get the K6S. I don’t think I’d shoot magnums through it though. In the 686 and GP100 magnums are fairly comfortable but the K6S is better suited for 38s in my opinion.

Best is very subjective. The K6 wild probably be the best carry gun of the three. While the 686 would be the better range/hunting gun especially with a longer barrel.

My early first year of production 4" 686 is probably my favorite handgun barr none.

Others have answered, but of the three, assuming for an all around gun, I'd take the GP100 in its 6 round Lipsey's addition configuration with the 5 inch barrel. It will have the barrel length to take better advantage of the round, without being too bulky, and still concealable, if you dress around it. It has the gold bead front sight and lovely grips.

Years ago I had three .357s and could only keep one due to financial considerations. They were a S&W Model 686, a Ruger GP100, and a Colt Trooper Mk.V. The GP100 was the first to go in as much as I loved every Security Six I ever owned, I really didn't care for the GP100. Toughest choice was between the S&W and the Colt. The Trooper Mk.V had great ergonomics and always felt just right in my hand. Where the Model 686 ultimately won out was that it had the best out-of-the-box DA/SA trigger of any revolver I have ever shot.

All three are good, but I vote 686.

Which one do you shoot best?
I'd say thats the one

New? GP100. Used? Depends on what you want it for and what's available.

If you feel comfortable with a little kitchen table gunsmithing from YouTube videos, I'd say get a GP100 and slick it up. Mine has been shimmed, honed, and resprung. Talk about smooth!

Uses????

For what application ?

I have a JM 327 and it is great for it's purpose (for me, that is field carry and some target)

IMHO a S&W 327 is hard to beat if you want a full size for target or home defense, - shots, no waiting. There was a nice one in the WTS section if you wanted a snubbie. The thread is closed but you could probably still get it if you DM'd the seller. It's a decent price.



https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/wts-s-w-327-performance-center-montana.854126/

My choice would be a S&W 327 RD for home defense because you can attach a light:



https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/performance-center-model-mp-r8
Or a TRR8 which is similar:
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/performance-center-model-327-trr8

However, these are not ideal for concealed carry.

For CCW you would probably be better served by a KImber K6s or a Chiappa Rhino. The Chiappa Rhino gets great reviews from users but I'm wary of the burning your hand problem.

I would take a Dan Wesson 715 as my first choice, with a 4" 686, pre lock, of course, as my second.

686, pick your size

If current production, I'd go with the GP-100. If used is on the table, then a pre-lock 686 or earlier GP-100.

Hi...
My favorite .357Mag revolver is a 686.
Stunningly accurate with a variety of bullet styles and weights.
Mine is a Silhouette Model with an 8-3/8" barrel with adjustable sights front and rear.

I have several .357 revolvers. The weight of the GP100 puts it out of the running IMHO. I have a Ruger LCRx 3" that comes in at 21 oz. that would fill the bill for you. It's easily concealable and is light enough to carry all day without noticing. The 3" barrel helps capture a lot of the raw power available in the .357 cartridge, If you're sensitive to recoil there is a myriad of different load and bullet weights available plus newer bullet technology for shorter barrel guns. One that comes to mind is the Inceptor ARX round that is discussed here in another thread.