Shopping for a 357 revolver, help!!

Speedo66 said:

When your life depends upon it, or even while engaged in hunting, you'll never even feel it go off.

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Yep my 12 year old son that was 75 pounds never felt the recoil of the 3" 20ga Turkey load when he shot his first Tom

Clearly, I'm gonna say go with Ruger, but only because they're tough.. I open carry a gp100 4" in 357 and couldn't be happier.

You can get a blue, 4” GP100 for $544 on Grabagun.

JeeperCreeper said:

I'm newly married and starting a career and trying to "adult". So obviously finances are top priority, but it's going to be a gift to myself.

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https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/31325/taurus+66ss4+m66+7rd+357mag/38sp+4"

JeeperCreeper said:

So if something is worth the money and will hold value and be something my future kids and grandkids can enjoy, I'll do that.

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https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...mith+&+wesson+m686+plus+7rd+357mag/38sp++p+4"

I have both, I recommend both. If a good shooter at a good value is your goal, go for the Taurus. If a good shooter that will hold value and your kids and grandkids will enjoy get #2. Want something in between or can't decide? Get a Ruger.

JeeperCreeper said:

Yeah it's kinda about the deal.

I'm newly married and starting a career and trying to "adult". So obviously finances are top priority, but it's going to be a gift to myself. So if something is worth the money and will hold value and be something my future kids and grandkids can enjoy, I'll do that.

But yeah, finding a good deal is key as I am not a revolver expert nor have fine taste... Yet.

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Spend a little more and buy something nice now. 20 years from now you will be happier you did and will have forgotten about the price difference.....I bought my first new revolver in my early 20s. I could have saved a few bucks and got a Taurus or Ruger. I am glad I bought that Ultimate Bright polished Colt.

I own a lot of police trade-ins. They tend to be carried a lot and shot very little. There is nothing wrong with "settling" for 38 special. They work just fine.

One of my best friends bought a surplus S&W Model 10 for her first handgun and was extremely happy with it. IIRC it is still her preferred HD gun.

My police trade-in S&W 38 special has a exquisite trigger and was around $300 OTD. You can't beat that for the price.

Speedo66 said:

When your life depends upon it, or even while engaged in hunting, you'll never even feel it go off.

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When you are training how to use it you certainly will feel it. If one wants to shoot magnums my recommendation is; S&W "L" frame or Ruger GP100.

P5 Guy said:

I have an opinion which many disagree with, but as it is my opinion I will share it with you.
Smith&Wesson made a mistake by chambering their "J" and "K" frame size revolvers in 357MAG.
At nearly twice the pressure of the 38SPL, magnum level rounds fired in the smaller frame sizes stresses the shooter excessively, and the gun itself.
I will stick to shooting 357MAG in "L" frame revolvers.

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Or as I do, load 357 magnum at various levels, suitable for the gun. I use 357 brass but on a small, light gun may load it down to approximate 38 Special or +p..

RealGun said:

Or as I do, load 357 magnum at various levels, suitable for the gun. I use 357 brass but on a small, light gun may load it down to approximate 38 Special or +p..

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Yes, that is what I do, but not everyone reloads or even wants to. I can't understand that, but the real world confuses me sometimes.

P5 Guy said:

Yes, that is what I do, but not everyone reloads or even wants to. I can't understand that, but the real world confuses me sometimes.

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If not reloading or planning on it, one needs to choose a gun that is suitable for typically pretty hot commercial ammo. Either that or realize that a smaller gun pretending to be chambered in 357 is effectively a 38 Special.

P5 Guy said:

Yes, that is what I do, but not everyone reloads or even wants to. I can't understand that, but the real world confuses me sometimes.

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It's a lot better to cook your own food, too. Healthier, cheaper, you know exactly what you're getting, etc.

But a (whole) lot of people don't. Don't have the time or desire. And/or what's available to purchase is "good enough". And/or better than they feel they could do themselves. Pretty much the same thing.



If you cook a bad meal - it is unappetizing or maybe you get sick.
You probably will suffer some discomfort at most.

If you double-charge a round when you reload or make some other critical mistake - ??

MidRoad said:

IIRC there was a "rim lock" issue where the rims would get stuck together and not eject after firing with certain ammos.on the 7 shot gp's.

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This was true, certainly of the early run of 7-shot GP100's. Later ones, I believe manufactured in or after early 2019, seem to have solved the issue. I had a TALO 7-shot GP100 made in 12/2018 that exhibited no issues with any ammo, but the rim clearance was practically zero. Comparatively the S&W 686+ appears to have more clearance and I don't think those ever had an issue.

My 65 digests 125gr magnum without a hiccup. I don't do it often at all, my 65 probably hasn't had more than 100 rounds in it's lifetime but I bought it as a carry. I never regretted the fact that it was way overpriced either, my life is worth it but my needs have changed drastically and other than a few J's and Glock SA's comfort has replaced everything else.

OP, get a surplus M64, it's as strong as a 65/19/13 and can be had for around $350. If I owned one I would just ream out the cylinder to accept 357 but I'm not advocating this, just suggesting it can be done fairly inexpensively.

The Ruger GP100, you need look no further. All you have to do is choose which barrel length you want.

The GP100 comes in a 7 shot variant, just have to be careful with which .357 ammo you use. Apparently Blazer Brass is a no no.

maxxhavoc said:

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/31325/taurus+66ss4+m66+7rd+357mag/38sp+4"

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Thats a really good price on that Taurus revolver. If I needed yet another 357 I would give that gun a hard look. I have owned several Taurus guns and neved had any problem with any of them. I don't like the matt finish or the 7 shot cylinder but for that price I could learn to live with it.

FANTASTIC choice. I said earlier that K frames aren't workhorses, but that doesn't diminish their awesomeness. Great size, great triggers, great shooters! Enjoy.

JeeperCreeper said:

Sooooo.....

OP here,

Snagged an excellent condition S&W model 66, prelock for about $500 at a LGS.

Now, it's time for new grips and a Lee pocket reloading kit!!!

Thank you all!!!!

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Nice score! We need pics.

I own several GP100 revolvers and with the sole exception of the GP100 Match Champion, their triggers all suck. Very gritty, and heavy. The Match Champion isn’t and is my main ridge walking gun.

for everyday carry, I stick with the new Colt King Cobras. Superb triggers, 8 lb double action, 3 lb single action. The 3” model is my EDC.

Match Champion in a Diamond D Guide’s Choice chest rig. My ridge walking companion.


these are three of my Cobras. The 3” King Cobra 357 magnum in the bottom is my EDC, in a G B Leather Co OWB open top pancake holster.


My EDC Colt King Cobra with it’s holster. Since taking this picture, I removed the brass bead sight and replaced it with a Hi-Viz front sight. I can see it better outdoors.




Newest addition...2019 King Cobra Target. Don’t have a chest holster for it yet, otherwise would be taking it out for ridge walks. Got George Bowers of GB Leather Co making a FBI Forward canted OWB open top pancake for it now. Apparently only the Sourdough Silver Dollar holster with the Chesty Puller harness is currently available as a chest rig.