I have been a semi-auto guy for the past 30+ years and only recently (about 6 months ago) purchased my first "Nice" revolver, a Dan Wesson 744 44 mag with a 8" barrrel. I love the gun! I recently picked up a 4" barrel for the 744 which makes for a much better balanced gun and the 4" shoots nicely with wimpy handloads.
There is a Dan Wesson 715 (stainless 357) with 8" barrel for sale locally at $700. I love the DW 744 so much adding a very simular 357 is very tempting! But I don't have any other 357's, don't reload for 357 and don't really want to invest in a new Dillon conversion kit for 357. Is there really anything practical that a heavy large frame 357 can do that a very simular but slightly heavier slightly larger frame 44 mag can't? For me revolvers are range toys and semi's are carry guns. The 715 isn't a size that I would ever want to carry, it is just to big and heavy. The only thing I can think of is the 715 can shoot even wimper .38 special target loads than my wimpy 44 mag loads.
I am kind of thinking I would be better off spending the money on a S&W 986 (7 shot 9mm) as I have many 9mm semi autos and already crank out 9mm rounds by the thousands. My only reservation about the 986 is the requirement to use moon clips. One of the things that really appeals to me about revolvers is the almost theraputic feeling of thumbing single rounds one at a time into the cylinder. If I want fast I will shoot one of my many semi autos. I like that loading single individual rounds into the cylinder slows my down which adds to the enjoyment of shooting.... instead of just blasting away with a semi.
As tempting as the 715 is I am thinking I should pass and find a good deal on a 9mm S&W 986 instead.
There is a Dan Wesson 715 (stainless 357) with 8" barrel for sale locally at $700. I love the DW 744 so much adding a very simular 357 is very tempting! But I don't have any other 357's, don't reload for 357 and don't really want to invest in a new Dillon conversion kit for 357. Is there really anything practical that a heavy large frame 357 can do that a very simular but slightly heavier slightly larger frame 44 mag can't? For me revolvers are range toys and semi's are carry guns. The 715 isn't a size that I would ever want to carry, it is just to big and heavy. The only thing I can think of is the 715 can shoot even wimper .38 special target loads than my wimpy 44 mag loads.
I am kind of thinking I would be better off spending the money on a S&W 986 (7 shot 9mm) as I have many 9mm semi autos and already crank out 9mm rounds by the thousands. My only reservation about the 986 is the requirement to use moon clips. One of the things that really appeals to me about revolvers is the almost theraputic feeling of thumbing single rounds one at a time into the cylinder. If I want fast I will shoot one of my many semi autos. I like that loading single individual rounds into the cylinder slows my down which adds to the enjoyment of shooting.... instead of just blasting away with a semi.
As tempting as the 715 is I am thinking I should pass and find a good deal on a 9mm S&W 986 instead.
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