What .357 Revolver $800-$1000?

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MidWestDisappearance

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Hey Guys,

So I am pretty set on my semi auto handgun arsenal and I have gotten the itch for a revolver. I have told myself that i am just going to do it more or less right the first time so i have a budget of as much as $1000.00.

My personal requirements are:

Chambered in .357 magnum
Double action
maximum of 3 inch barrel
Stainless steel

I am looking at the Smith & Wesson Performance Center 627-
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...75655_757896_757896_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

but i am more than willing to hear any other suggestions.

Thanks Guys,

MWD
 
You don't need to spend near that much, maybe half of it, for a high quality .357 magnum revolver. With a budget like that, take your pick. :D Oh, there are a few high end guns that are more, then there's the S&W custom shop, but just get a 686 or a GP100 if you don't mind a bigger gun and live happy. The custom shop gun you looked at will fill the bill, but I don't find an out of the box production gun any tougher to shoot well, personally.

Me, for a carry gun, I'd go SP101, myself. I'd add a Hogue grip and a Wolff main spring. I don't think there's a finer 357 belt carry on the planet for a PDW. JMHO With the money you'll save on it, you could get an action job done, too, and still have money left over.
 
Consider the Ruger GP100 "Wiley Clapp", 3" of very fine revolver at closer to $650. I believe it's a Talo special. In any event, I own one and consider it money very well spent. To be perfectly honest, my wife liked it so much I gave it to her, but she still lets me shoot it :)
 
The S&W 627 and 686 are excellent revolvers. I have both and find that I shoot the 686 better since the L frame fits my hand better than the larger N frame. Try holding both to see which one is best for you. There is no need to pay the extra for a Performance Center model as they are all very accurate.
 
If you're looking at the 627 with a 3" barrel thinking it will be a pocket or EDC gun, remember it's an N-frame, the same as Dirty Harry's infamous .44 Magnum. It's a BIG revolver. (Something has to give when you cram 8-rounds of .357 into the cylinder don'tcha know...)

Now, with that budget you have your pick of the Wiley Clapp GP-100 from Ruger, a S&W 686+ with 2.5" barrel, or any number of clean used revolvers. My choice would be to find a 2.5" barrel Model 66 or used 686 without the internal lock.

Actually, thinking about it some more, with $1000 to spend I would find 2 used revolvers: something like a 4" K or L-frame S&W (19, 13, 66, 65, 686, 586, 581, 681) and a J-frame .38 (assuming you want the shorter barrel for carry in the first place). And you might even have $100-200 left for ammo or holsters after. ;)

(May I ask why you want a 3" barrel max? If it's for carry, I understand. But for range use, be warned, lighting even .357 Magnums off from short barrels is, uh, not for the faint of heart. My 4" guns will usually bring a range of semi-auto shooters to a stop when I'm running full power ammo.)
 
If you can stand that extra inch, another vote for the 686. There just isn't another like it.
 
In your case I'd be a fan of the 686+, a 7 shot .357. My favorite is the model 66 which S&W abandoned.
 
My 4" guns will usually bring a range of semi-auto shooters to a stop when I'm running full power ammo
Click to expand...

You should try this with a 5" 460 magnum. It's hillarious. It will stop the semi-auto shooters, the mailman, the neighbor's dog, the mayor of the next town over, and possibly the IRS. It may even wreck the alignment on whoever's car is parked closest to you. Exagerating of course, but it is a little insane.

To the OP, Ruger and S&W both make a variety of 686's 627's, SP 101's, and GP100's that will fit your specs. Pick the one you think is prettiest. For a full size 3", I'd probably look at the 686 TALO's or the 686+ with the 2.5" bbl. I've always wanted one of those. If it's for carry, the Ruger SP101's are great.

I plan to order a 686 "Competitor" myself. I've always wanted a Smith with an adjustable bbl weight system.

I just emailed S&W to see if they will make one in 627 with 8 shot capability or not. Obviously it needs a different name if it's 8 shots though. Maybe the "Overkiller".
 
You should try this with a 5" 460 magnum. It's hillarious. It will stop the semi-auto shooters, the mailman, the neighbor's dog, the mayor of the next town over, and possibly the IRS. It may even wreck the alignment on whoever's car is parked closest to you. Exagerating of course, but it is a little insane.

To the OP, Ruger and S&W both make a variety of 686's 627's, SP 101's, and GP100's that will fit your specs. Pick the one you think is prettiest. For a full size 3", I'd probably look at the 686 TALO's or the 686+ with the 2.5" bbl. I've always wanted one of those. If it's for carry, the Ruger SP101's are great.

I plan to order a 686 "Competitor" myself. I've always wanted a Smith with an adjustable bbl weight system.

I just emailed S&W to see if they will make one in 627 with 8 shot capability or not. Obviously it needs a different name if it's 8 shots though. Maybe the "Overkiller".
Click to expand...

If grabbing attention at the range is your goal, load up a Ruger Old Army with 777 and a 220 grain .457" conical and let her rip. They all have to stop, anyway, because they can't see the targets through the smoke cloud. :D
 
Were it me, I'd get a 3" Ruger GP100 and use the remaining $500 to throw into customization from Gemini Customs or the like.

For $1000 you could have a gun that would be accurate as all get out, beautiful, and uniquely YOURS. I once did that with an SP101 and it was a joy. Amazing trigger, perfect finish, recrowned, chamfered chambers, melted edges, etc...
 
Thank you for the replies folks,

To answer the few questions that have been posted-

Wanderinwalker: I want the three inch because i simply like the way it looks. i may or may not carry it, but i am aware of the weight.

19-3ben: I have considered Gemini and the one thing that concerns me is lead time on customizations. plus, the added cost may very well blow my budget.

Further, i really liked the concept of the 8-shot and the unfluted cylinder.

I did, however, go to the gun shop today and handle a 686 plus, a gp100, and a sp101 with thoughts to customization. there is, in fact nothing wrong with any of the guns mentioned, i just like the look of the 627.

The problem with the 627 is that it looks to be about impossible to get right at the moment.

Keep the suggestions coming, i appreciate it.

MWD
 
I have a 627 in my hand right now. Mine has a 4" barrel. It has a lock. I LOVE it. No problems at all Shoots great. I have had cheaper 357's but you deff get what you pay for. I sold my others after shooting this one.
 
Take a look at the Smith and Wesson 586 L comp. It is an L frame with a ported, 3 inch barrel. Sports 7 rounds as well.
 
with that budget sky is the limit. I think a sp101 is pretty rad 3 inch barrel. You could buy one of those and a used smith with that budget or that custom shop smith is pretty sweet looking. Your money, lots of options.
 
5171.jpg

I always thought this smith 327 pc was pretty cool looking.
 
Remember one thing, the three inch and shorter barrels really compromise the velocity of the .357 Magnum cartridge. I have a 3 inch 686, a 5 inch 627, and a 6 inch GP-100. You can not go wrong with any of them. But, to get the most out of .357, you need at least four inches in barrel length, preferably six..
 
Well, if you like the looks of the 3" 627 with unfluted cylinder, I see no reason not to hold out until you can get your hands on one! Besides, it's not like it will be your only revolver ever either... :evil:

460Kodiak, if you had said the .460 sets off car alarms at the range, that I would believe.

As for the 3" barrel .357 velocity, I seem to recall seeing an article in American Rifleman on the Wiley Clapp GP-100 and one of the 158gr loads they tested chronoed 1200+ average. That's still more boogie than your standard semi-auto service rounds can muster.
 
I just hope it isn't six months before they are back in stock.

I have even begun to bend a bit and started looking at the 4" 627's.

The gentle nudging of you folks really makes a guy think, lol.

I appreciate the advice, really have narrowed it down to more of an N-frame 8 shot .357. selection is pretty limited in my budget range though.

Thanks,
MWD
 
Try and rent an 8 shot before you buy. I've owned 6, 7, and 8 shots and now have only 6 shots. There is a difference, other than round count.
 
Ruger now makes an SP101 in 357 with a 4 inch barrel and adjustable sights. If I didn't already have the 3" version...
 
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