Revolver recommendation

Hecktor Peabody · Apr 29, 2020

I got my wife a stainless S&W 686+ with a 4" barrel for Christmas a few years ago. She prefers .38+P over .357. But even with .357, the overall weight and balance of the gun is still manageable in her hands.

Zorros · Apr 29, 2020

Going thru old issues of GUN TESTS looking for an article for the gent who wanted a .357 for his wife as i recalled an article about used revolvers and their ratings. These are used revolvers and their june 2017 ratings:
SW M 649 .357 2.125” barrel A
Colt lawman mk III .357 4” B ( heavy trigger, small sights)
Ruger security six .357 4” B+ ( good sights, bulky )

Cold Steel · Apr 29, 2020

sxs said:
I was surprised it took so long for someone to recommend a GP100 over an SP101. While women in general gravitate toward smaller handguns, the GP100 is usually less punishing to shoot....especially with +P or 357 ammo. It also holds an additional round over the SP101.

The three guns I would recommend are the S&W 686, the 13/19/65/66 and the Ruger Security-Six. I wouldn't recommend the Colt firearms, particularly the Python. Why? Because they more properly belong in safes. If you use one in self defense, it'll end up in a plastic bag in an evidence room for heaven knows how long.

The other revolver that many people like is the Smith 686 L frame. I won't take exception though to people who recommend K frames like the Smith model 19 or the model 13.

I love the 686 and believe it's the *BEST* production .357 ever made, depending on what you want. It shoots 158gr and 125gr equally well and comes with a smooth trigger/action.

Also, snubbies tend to maximize recoil and muzzle blast which isn't exactly conducive to proficiency. 4 to 6 inch barrels tend to be easier to handle and also give you a bit extra velocity....especially with the .357.

Agreed. If one can find a S&W 13/65 or a 19/66 that is in excellent condition, get if the price is right, and you'll have an excellent find. The Ruger Security-Six was produced for years and no one complained of recoil or blast. It was designed from the ground up to be a .357 magnum, and they have a superior balance over the GP-100. Just my two cents.

Bisleyfan44 · Apr 30, 2020

Cold Steel said:
The Ruger Security-Six was produced for years and no one complained of recoil or blast. It was designed from the ground up to be a .357 magnum, and they have a superior balance over the GP-100. Just my two cents.

Agreed.
Same size(ish) as a k-frame, but can handle hotter loads much better.

calicojack · May 3, 2020

Why is it the best guns Ruger ever made are the ones they stopped making?

Cobol2Java · Jul 21, 2020

Art3 said:
I really like this:

https://ruger.com/products/sp101/specSheets/5771.html

It is a small frame, so little and/or feminine hands can handle it, but, somehow, my fat paws can too. It's got good sights and a 4.2 inch barrel, so you can have some accuracy at the range, too. It's heavy enough to soak up enough recoil for .38sp to be pleasant to shoot, but you always have the option of .357 if things get serious. Being Ruger, it should last for generations.

The only downside is 5 round capacity. They do make a 6 shot version in .327...but you lose some ammo versatility.

I just bought a GP100, Model 1704

https://ruger.com/products/gp100/specSheets/1704.html

Waiting for the red tape to complete before taking possession. Looking forward to shooting it...

Cold Steel · Jul 21, 2020

Hecktor Peabody said:
I got my wife a stainless S&W 686+ with a 4" barrel for Christmas a few years ago. She prefers .38+P over .357. But even with .357, the overall weight and balance of the gun is still manageable in her hands.

It's very difficult to find a bad .357 stainless steel Ruger or S&W revolvers. Even butt-ugly guns tend to be good shooters. Me, I like the second generation revolvers, particularly the Security-Six (pictured here, unloaded, in the lap of Sarah Conner in Terminator.)

And can you dig this 3-inch Speed-Six! It started out as a .38Spc, but Sandy Garrett, in Fairfax, reamed out the chambers to .357. This is my favorite "go to" revolver for going cross country (especially if I were David Mann), and was my choice for having a revolver in my glove box in the movie Duel.

Bisleyfan44 said:
Agreed.
Same size(ish) as a k-frame, but can handle hotter loads much better.

Yep, the Ruger Security-Six and other "Sixes" were designed from the ground up to be .357es. The same wasn't true of the S&W K-frames.

--

Art3 · Jul 21, 2020

Cobol2Java said:
I just bought a GP100, Model 1704

https://ruger.com/products/gp100/specSheets/1704.html

Waiting for the red tape to complete before taking possession. Looking forward to shooting it...

Congrats!

I have that exact model. Normally finger grooves don't fit me well, but those do. I have a whole lot of handguns that I shoot poorly. That one is in about the top 3 that I shoot well.

Magnumite · Jul 21, 2020

Cold Steel said:
It's very difficult to find a bad .357 stainless steel Ruger or S&W revolvers. Even butt-ugly guns tend to be good shooters. Me, I like the second generation revolvers, particularly the Security-Six (pictured here, unloaded, in the lap of Sarah Conner in Terminator.)

And can you dig this 3-inch Speed-Six! It started out as a .38Spc, but Sandy Garrett, in Fairfax, reamed out the chambers to .357. This is my favorite "go to" revolver for going cross country (especially if I were David Mann), and was my choice for having a revolver in my glove box in the movie Duel.

--

Millett sights on the Security Six

308Scout · Jul 21, 2020

+1 on the GP100 recommendations. There is also the 8 shot Ruger Redhawk. It is heavier, but .38spl+P HD rounds out of it recoil about as much as a .22lr.

ted76 · Jul 21, 2020

Ruger Six series revolvers are built like a tank, I have a nice blued 6" .357, that I've had since the late 80's and picked up a very nice Stainless 6" .357, from a member here this past spring.

AKbythebay · Jul 29, 2020

I have a Ruger GP101 that has been terrific. Bought it used 20+ years ago and it has been perfect. Great wheel gun

kolohekanaka · Aug 5, 2020

Cuttyfunk said:
So I am looking for a 357 revolver. Nothing fancy just home protection for the wife. She is scared of the slide on my 9MMS but loves shooting my single six. I figure a good 357 would work. I know nothing about revolvers but looking for a decent recommendation. Also should I consider a used gun? Not looking to buy anytime soon with all this panic buying.

I would recommend a used Colt Trooper Mark III DA in .22 magnum to start. As her proficiency and confidence evolve, end up with .357 mag.

Blaster229 · Aug 5, 2020

kolohekanaka said:
I would recommend a used Colt Trooper Mark III DA in .22 magnum to start. As her proficiency and confidence evolve, end up with .357 mag.

Nonsense.
Shoot 38s out of the 357 for practice. There are MANY successful self defense shoots with untrained people on large guns. Self defense distance inside a dwelling is minimal.

What is lacking is the will to actually use it. That cannot be trained.

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