Need a new 357

[StrawHat]

If accuracy is a factor in your decision, get a S&W. I never saw a Ruger in the winners circles at a PPC meet.

 

[mhblaw]

Or, if you want to be the first kid on the block to have one, consider a USFA Shooting Master in 357 Mag. 7.5 inch barrel, and if you are familiar with USFA products, they are very well made and finished. I have a USFA SA in 38 WCF that is one of my most accurate revolvers and that with the basic sights of a SA revolver.

 

[Aktarus]

The Bull, has nothing to do with the GP100.
The RUGER GP 100 6 "is really resistant to all" loaded magnum and like all RUGER, can last for your entire life. I have a stainless model and it is fabulous.

 

[Niel4]

+1 on the Ruger....got my 4" GP100 about a month ago.....Love it.....

My 2 best guns (out of 10) are the Ruger and my CZ75B.

 

[roaddog28]

- Either. I prefered DA, but if everyone said the gp100 was junk then I'd stick with the good old SA. I've never had or heard of a real bad problem with them. Everyone seems to like the ruger though so thats probably the one for me.

Only reason I say S/A is a option is the Ruger Blackhawk is a great revolver that will take any kind of ammo you shoot. Even the GP100 although strong is not a strong as an Blackhawk. The Blackhawk is not the best choice for home defense but will work. Its just slower loading. I know of shooters that are faster with a Blackhawk shooting than any double action. Just a option.
roaddog28

 

[okespe04]

how is the gp100 preformance-wise?

Bar none.

 

[Aktarus]

for roaddog28

you're right, in some cases the SA is faster than a DA

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fast+draw&search_type=&aq=f

 

[RJM]

I like the 686 more than the GP100, but I own a GP100. I don't think the Smith and Wessons are worth $150-200 more than a comparable GP100, but I do think they have a better out of the box trigger and a bit more attention to fit and finished is shown during production.

I do like my GP though, and after 300-400 rounds the trigger did become very good.

 

[Aktarus]

Just "polish" the backflow to improve the "snap" of the GP 100. After you've explode 600-800 shots, the shot becomes "perfect". Without "polish". ---- You may also "lighten the shot" of 500gr with no problems.

 

[Artiz]

There is not a single problem with GP100s. Some say they suck because top competitors don't shoot them, but they don't understand that these people are paid to use these guns and will, every time, shoot as well with any other comparable handgun as with the Smith.
Best bang for the buck= GP100.

 

[svtruth]

Just my $.02

Try a Model-19, great trigger, ergonomics, and visually stunning.

 

[shotgunmessenger96]

Even the GP100 although strong is not a strong as an Blackhawk

True. The Ruger Blackhawk is consitered by everyone I know to be the strongest SA around They even make +p rounds marked "ruger only" for it. The Blackhawk .357 also comes with a spare cyllinder that will let you shoot 9mm luger rounds out of it. the .45 colt blackhawk's spare cyllinder shoots 45 autos.
It's the perfect SA but I want at least one DA. That taurus is the only Double action revolver I have. had.

 

[ronto]

If you want to show it off to your friends...Get a Colt.

If you want to sip on a cup of tea with one hand and shoot with the other...Get a Smith & Wesson.

If you own stock in UPS or FedEx...Get a Taurus or Rossi.

If you plan on going into hell and want to come back...Get a Ruger.

 

[atlanticfire]

shotgunmessenger96 let us know what you decide, and post pics!

 

[roaddog28]

True. The Ruger Blackhawk is consitered by everyone I know to be the strongest SA around They even make +p rounds marked "ruger only" for it. The Blackhawk .357 also comes with a spare cyllinder that will let you shoot 9mm luger rounds out of it. the .45 colt blackhawk's spare cyllinder shoots 45 autos.
It's the perfect SA but I want at least one DA. That taurus is the only Double action revolver I have. had.

I have or had every 357 mentioned in this post. If you want the single strongest revolver today then a New Model 357 Blackhawk. The 4 5/8 inch barrel is a excellent field revolver. This revolver is built on the 44 magnum frame. Now the SA/DA revolvers. Best buy today new is the Ruger GP100. As strong or stronger than a newer Smith 686 plus they are about $200.00 less money and you are not getting any lesser quality revolver. It your looking for used I suggest a prelock Smith 686, model 28 and a model 19/66. On the model 19/66 just limited the amount of 357s. Now for the best bang for your buck in a 357 revolver. Its the Ruger Security Six series revolver. Strong enough to shoot factory 357s all the time yet light enough to carry. This revolver is much stronger than the famed Smith 19/66. I know because I have two model 66s and one Ruger Service Six. By far the Ruger is more rugged and will hold up longer than the Smith. Price from $325.00 to $400.00 in my market which is California. Just a excellent buy.
Good luck with you revolver hunt and let us know which one you decided on.

roaddog28

 

[WVMountainBoy]

I'm actually wearing a Security Six as we speak so I'm going to have to give it the nod hehe. I was going to ask you in the know types if the grips from a Gp100 would fit a Security Six as I've been wanting to get some finger position grips for it.

 

[Stainz]

I started with Ruger revolvers. I've had SP-101, RH, and SRH models, as well as a bunch of SAs, from .22-.454. Everyone came new with some form of QC problem, with the .454 SRH being the best and the .45 RH and .32 SP-101 bringing up last place together. Over seven years back, I discovered new S&Ws - and now have all S&Ws and no Rugers. Fewer revolvers, but what I want and enjoy.

If you compare the 6-shot 686, SKU #164222 & MSRP $909, to the Ruger GP-100, KGP-141 & MSRP $701, you'll see they even have similar weights: 39.7 & 40 oz respectively. Of course, construction is different - hammer forged and heat-treated for S&W and cast SS for Ruger. I had the GP-100's lockwork in my SRH - and a down-sized version in the SP-101. While they are better than the old RH lockwork, the S&W is finer and capable of a far better trigger.

Something else to consider - if you like more rounds, S&W makes the 686+ and 620 with 7-shot cylinders. Also, the slightly larger N-frame 627s are 8-shooters - just not available from Ruger. The 627 Pro is a particularly fine .357 Magnum that comes with a great mix of 'extras' as standard - but it's MSRP is $1,059, making a great discount price, like my local pusher's of $769, more than the Ruger's MSRP. Of course, they aren't the same thing at all.

The best buy from S&W in a .357 Magnum is the 620, SKU #164401 & 36.9 oz - a 4" 686+ 7-shooter with a partially lugged barrel with an MSRP of $893. S&Ws come with a warranty that connects you to their Customer Service via an 800 number - and free overnite shipping. Ruger even makes you pay for the call. As I got older, I found my interests changed - and I enjoyed my S&Ws more. YMMV. Good luck and please keep us apprised.

Stainz

PS That 627 Pro is my favorite .357 Magnum.

 

[sonier]

686 is a good pistol, the GP-100 was made fo 357 magnum.
GP-100 is better deal than 686, and i like its design better, too me it looks a lot nicer than any S&W.

BUT the best pistol EVER made in 357 magnum,
COLT PYTHON i have one from my grandfather who carried it threw 3 tours in vietnam, that gun saw more hell than most. ive seen that gun shoot a bottlerocket out fo the sky, till this day i dont know how but it did. THIS gun has the SMOOTHEST trigger and the sweetest shooting. it will handle any load out there.

i have been searching for a good carry gun, i dont want to carry my python its a heirloom. the only pistol ive found that comes close to it is a ruger, all the ruger lines seem to be just as good in my opinion.
i guess im not S&W guy i pick one up, if you look at my face, its a face of disgust.
but hey thats cause i shoot a python

 

[ky40601]

Sonier,

I love my Python as well. They're three other .357 Mag I have, Trooper Mark III, Lawman Mark III, and a Border Patrol (2nd Issue). Love my Colts.

Jackie

 

[herbie1]

I have both and here is how I would briefly compare them:

GP100

• More rugged
• Longer and often heavier trigger (you can smoothen it, but it will still be longer)
• Handles heavier loads (i think), if that is your thing.
• Uglier (in the eye of this beholder)
• Cheaper up front, but you won't get as much when reselling it.
• Better, modular design. (no sideplate, no bent extractor rod problems, etc.)
• Ruger has no internal lock
• Ruger has fewer options and configurations (i.e. no 7-shot, etc.)

686 (& varients)

• More delicate
• Better trigger pull
• Prettier
• Internal lock
• More expensive, but has better re-sale
• More options and configurations. (go to smith web site and look at all of Smith's revolvers, including Performance center. It is impressive)

I like Smith and Ruger equally. They are different. It is like comparing an F150 to a Mustang. Which is better? It depends.

BTW, the Smith 620 has a 2-piece barrel. Some say there is some controversy with them. I would not go with a 2-piece barrel because very few gunsmiths will have the specialized tools to work on them if you ever needed barrel work.

H.

 

[V1ROT8]

Ruger quality. I continue to be pleased.

 

[Mike J]

If you want to do something different than the Smith or Ruger you could always look around for an old Dan Wesson model 15.

 

[notbubba]

DO NOT listen to these people...GP100...686 no no no

Cowboy up!!

Get the SSA clone.

You know if swing those newfangled cylinders open a few times they could just fall off.

 

[warnerwh]

If you want accuracy in a well designed and built revolver get a Dan Wesson which were designed to be tough and very accurate out shooting other brands for years at silhouette competitions. Well they only won 90% of the tournaments. Go here: http://www.danwessonforum.com/ if you want to learn more of what some of us, probably mostly older guys, who believe the Dan Wessons are the best design in a revolver. They're unusual in that the barrel is under tension, hence the accuracy. The lockup is in the front where it does the most good. Btw Smith and Wesson custom guns use the lockup up front unlike their regular guns. You can only get them used now and there's not a million to choose from like a Ruger or Smith but being as they're not well known the prices for them are an excellent value.

 

[6_gunner]

I love the Ruger Security-Six. It's the best general-purpose revolver ever made, in my opinion.

Any Ruger will be a rugged, high quality piece of hardware; but I prefer the traditional grip frame on the Six series over the setup on the newer revolvers.