Favorite .357 magnum handgun?

M1A762

I really like .357 mag revolvers, mainly S&W's but the Ruger and Colt offerings are also nice - except for the Colt price! I have had S&W L frames, Ruger Blackhawks and even a Colt Python years ago (got married). My favorite hands down is my S&W Model 27-2 with a 3.5" barrel. It is a joy to shoot, and is very accurate[:)]. A close second would be the Coonan .357, I don't own one but I have fired a friends Coonan a few times and they are awesome!

So what say ye GB forum members? What is your preference for a .357 handgun??

k.stanonik

Colt Python and S&W 586/686

retroxler58

S&W M27-2 w/6" barrel

xxx97

Sp101

Sperry

I shot a friend's 6" barrel S&W once. It was a beauty.

But my favorite was the short barrel bobbed hammer SP-101. KSP-321XL.

DONDALINGER

Ruger GP100

35 Whelen

Ruger Security Six w/ 4" barrel, blued.


[img]http://www.*/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Ruger-Security-Six_gebr.jpg[/img]

William81

2.5" S&W 66 followed closely by the 6" S&W 686.

17tobyracing

S&W Model 27 or Model 19

savage170

S&W 19 Followed real close by Dan Wesson 15

reloader44mag

Dan Wesson model 15 6'VH barrel

asop

S&W 686, aside from the Python of course. The GP-100 isn't a bad revolver either.

e8gm

Was at the range this afternoon with my S&W Mod 19 6".

shilowar

6" blue python

hdcolt51

S&W 586/686 4"
Python 4"
S&W 19 4"
S&W 27/28 4"

searcher5

I only have two, these days. Of them, I like my 6" Python best, But my 2" Smith 19 is pretty nice for easy carry, and a lot more accurate than you would think.

bpost

hands down the 686.

M1A762

No love for Freedom Arms or Ruger single actions?? Colt SAA? Do double actions rule in .357?

dreher

Smith 19 6". I've had it for over 40 years and put over 50,000 rounds through it. That 19 taught about reloading. That is the reason for the high round count, mostly 38 Special target loads. I bought it used from an Ohio State Trooper. He had won more than one Ohio State Trooper State Championships with my 19. The exact number escapes me now, over 40 years later but one thing I will tell you, if I aim at it I usually hit it.

About 20 years ago when I lived in Arizona I was at the Rio Salada Range outside of Mesa, Rob Lethham's home range. I took a couple of ranging shoots, reloaded and put all six in a 12" target at 100 meters. That 19 was my first handgun. I have had a love affair with her for over 40 years.

CoolhandLuke

quote:Originally posted by 35 Whelen
Ruger Security Six w/ 4" barrel, blued.


[img]http://www.*/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Ruger-Security-Six_gebr.jpg[/img]


years ago I had one with six inch barrel that Ruger ate up some very hot loads for quite a while.
That piece is hands down one of the strongest 357's ever made!![^]

Marc1301

My S&W 686 no-dash, Ruger SP-101, and Ruger GP-100,......in that order.[;)]

montanajoe

6" Colt Python Royal Blue '75-'79

Mk 19

My favorite and one of the only guns I will ever sell is my 2.75" Speed Six, my dad bought it new and had the action and trigger completely worked over as well as the competition hammer and trigger installed. It has the best double action trigger pull as well as a single action pull that is better then most of my Blackhawks. It'll shoot 2" groups at 50 yards with 3.7gr of Unique under a 158gr SWC, My favorite trick is to hit the 200 yard gong at my local range with that little snubby, I have made a lot of money with that little pistol doing that.

Sperry

quote:Originally posted by Mk 19
It'll shoot 2" groups at 50 yards with 3.7gr of Unique under a 158gr SWC,


Single or double action?

topdad

I have not yet seen a 357 mag that I would trade
my S&W 66, 4'' for. I like it lots

Horse Plains Drifter

quote:Originally posted by topdad
I have not yet seen a 357 mag that I would trade
my S&W 66, 4'' for. I like it lots

I have a 4" 66 as well. Til death due us part. I would like to get a model 27, or 28 some day though.

JnRockwall

I only have 2. First place is the King Cobra 6" stainless 2nd place is tied King Cobra and the Ruger GP100 4" stainless.

Colonel Plink

I've shot S&W's and Rugers that I really liked. When I needed the money for a project, though, I let the Ruger go and kept the 28-2.

Mk 19

quote:Originally posted by Sperry
quote:Originally posted by Mk 19
It'll shoot 2" groups at 50 yards with 3.7gr of Unique under a 158gr SWC,


Single or double action?

Single action rested, the gun is much better then I am

kannoneer

Never fired an S&W .357 that wasn't a quality piece. I own a Model 28-2 six incher which I bought new in 1981 for $250. Over 30,000 rounds of .357 through it. It has fired not a single .38 Special and very few (2000-2500) lead bullet rounds. If I want to shoot .38 Special ammo I shoot them in a .38 Special. It is loaded to the max every time it goes off. I favor Hornady XTP 158 gr. bullets over a max charge of W296. Never been out of time or had a part break. I have other .357s (S&W, Colt, Ruger, Llama) but this one is my favorite.

Idahobound

Freedom arms model 97

grumpygy

Dan Wesson.

grizzclaw

M19

dcs shooters

Well lets see [8]
My 66-1 or 586 or 6"27 or Dan Wesson pistol pac [;)]
Sure liked the Coonan with 38 conversion before letting a friend talking me out of it [:(]

zink

My Coonan![:D]

Second is my Korth,
Third is my worked GP-100.

Lance

Doc

I have more Model 27s (and variants) than any other gun. I also like the older Colts and have numerous examples of the older E and I frame models. Even have a few D frames hanging around the house.

If I had to choose just one as the favorite, likely go with a 5" Model 27 in nickel.

He Dog

quote:Originally posted by DONDALINGER
Ruger GP100


+1. Python a close second.

Dads3040

Dan Wesson 15-2 VH take your pick of 2", 4", 6", & 8" barrels.

Happy to shoot it against anything.

kabar

Ruger Security Six, blued w/ 4" barrel.

shilowar

quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
6" Colt Python Royal Blue '75-'79


[:D]

ChrisStreett

I love my Model 66 (no dash) 4" bbl...my first duty gun, followed by my Ruger GP-100 3" bbl...both great pieces.