Hey guys,

I want to get a nice .357 mag revolver and was wondering if anyone could recommend a good one. My only requirements are that it be single/double action, hold 7 or more shots and cost under $1000.

I was looking at a Taurus - are they any good?

Thanks.

You'll get a lot of different answers about brands but...I don't know what your time frame is but consider shopping for a Smith and Wesson Model 627. There are a few used ones out there. Check Cabela's online gun library or www.gunbroker.com for variations in pricing so you can see what the market is in terms of pricing.

Check this one out one gunbroker.com

Also, S&W offers the standard Model 627 at $1003.00 MSRP.

SKU: 163357

Model: 627
Caliber: .357MAG/.38+P
Capacity: 8 Rounds
Action: Single/Double Action
Barrel Length: 4"
Front Sight: Red Ramp
Rear Sight: Adjustable White Outline
Overall Length: 9 5/8"
Weight Empty: 42 oz.
Grip: Rubber
Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Satin Stainless


OR...


You can step up to S&W's Performance Center's Model 627 at 1375.00 MSRP (as in the link).

SKU: 170210

Model: 627
Caliber: .357MAG/.38+P
Capacity: 8 Rounds
Barrel Length: 5"
Front Sight: Gold Bead Front
Rear Sight: Adjustable
Grip: Wood Grips w/2nd Rubber Monogrip Included
Trigger: .312 Chrome with Overtravel Stop
Hammer: Chrome Tear Drop with Pinned Sear
Frame: Large
Finish: Matte
Overall Length: 9 1/2"
Material: Stainless Steel
Weight Empty: 44 o

I've got the Taurus .357 Tracker. It's the 7 shot one as well. I ended up getting it for $300.00. There are a lot of Taurus detractors on the gun boards, but this thing seems well built and locks up nicely. What I don't like is that the trigger guard sits on the knuckle of my middle finger when gripping the gun. It can be painful shooting full magnum loads. Although the grip is otherwise comfortable, i might have to buy a replacement grip that is thinner to see if that helps. For what I paid for it...I'm very happy...but If you've appropriated that much bread though, I'd go with one of the S&W's...they will hold their value much better.


If you want to save some money and just have a nice .357 that shoots well...then get the Taurus. You can easily find one on Gunbroker for around 450- 500

I say go with a S&W, the 627 from the Custom Shop is really nice. To me, a 5" brl or more is needed to realize the potential of the .357 mag cartridge but I don't know of any with a 7 or more rd cylinder.

I believe the Smith and Wesson 686P is a 7 shot

You are correct...the 686P is a seven shot model.

Very cool- Thanks guys. Looks like I have to decide how much dough I want to fork out for this thing. Whats the word on Ruger? Do they make decent Revolvers? They seem to be in between S&W and Taurus as far as price goes?

Thanks again!

Ruger probably makes the toughest revolvers around. They will shoot forever, I love my GP100 4inch 357. They only make em with 6 shots. Mine in SS was $487 brand new a year ago.

Another vote for GP100. It is build tough. Tough enough to use as a hammer <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />.

Ruger makes a decent revolver.

You won't find a 7 shot Ruger though; at least I can't recall them making a "hi cap" revolver...yet.

However, I'm a Smith & Wesson man.

I shoot pre-lock, six shot, pinned and recessed revolvers.

My current favorites are my Model 19 K-frames (in 4" and 2.5") and my Model 28 Highway Patrolman (4").

They are great shooters, and will hold their value well.

Model 19's


Model 28


19 & 28 size comparison

I am a S&W man---Model 27 with 5" brl.

I am a Ruger man... I think they make the strongest wheel guns out there..at least the older ones were. I have a .357 security-six stainless with a 6" barrel. And I developed a hand rolled load that is pure man stopper... its not a real accurate round, but what it lacks in accuracy it more than makes up for in power.


Doc

Rugers are pretty strong revolvers.

What I don't like about them is two things-
1. They derive a lot of their strength not through superior metallurgy, but through adding more mass to the pistol. As such, most Rugers are "bigger" than they need to be, and this translates into being...well, sort of ungainly. They function fine, but they look kind of "blocky".

2. They also come with a paragraph of "warnings" for prospective shooters. This would be fine if said warnings came in the manual, but Ruger prints them on the gun itself. Again...ugly.

That said, they are strong performers, and often cheaper than similar Colt, S&W, and Dan Wesson offerings.

My brother has one that's a sturdy beast...not pretty, but solid.


See the "warning" on the barrel? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

At least it doesn't have the "lock" like new Smiths do... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I believe the new S&W .357s have 8 shots. The one's made in scandium/titanium.

my wife has a
s&w 13 3" 6shot .357magnum

nice k-frame fixed sight gun

Yes Rugers are "overbuilt" but I don't think this detracts from their looks. I think it adds to their shootability. Rugers are the only revolver that is ok to dryfire and can take repeated hot loads. As for the warning on their barrel yeah it sucks but doesn't take that much away from the gun.

I'm not a big fan of revolvers, but those .357's sure do look sweet.

I picked up one of these at the last gunshow;



They list for 1300 but I was able to pick it up for 799 at the funshow. 8 rds of 357.

Oh yeah, the locks on the new Smiths are easy to deactivate. I found the instructions online. Take off the sideplate and remove one small piece. Keep it in the case and if you ever decide to sell it, you can pop it back in and sell it as it was from the factory.

Doc

Oops, edit to add, not the last funshow. Been about 8 months ago.

i'll give you 799.01 for it.

Doc, that is nice. A local store has a used one with a 4" brl IIRC for about 800. I looked at it but can not get over the side lock. Is there anyway to plug the hole if the lock is taken out?

That's nice Doc...That's just what I'm looking for actually. What brand/model is it?

I've looked a several nice S&W's and some Rugers...tough decision.

Sumo,

This is the video I used to work on my pistol.

Smith & Wesson lock deactivation

You don't leave a hole in the pistol. The outside of the pistol still has the keyhole piece in it, it just removes the part internally that engages the hammer.

Doc

If you want hicap. get a pistol.For revolvers I love my Rugers.I traded in my blue 4" security six for a 6" full luged ss gp100.Glad I did.Super smooth action.Single action is scarry light & I can actualy hit what I'm aiming at with double action.I only feed it 180 gr. loads when in the woods & it will spit em out forever no problem.I wouldn't bet my life on a smitty.Solid frame vs screw on side plate & thick cylinder walls vs scarry thin walls.Get the ruger & a bussekin for price of a smitty.

I want high cap for a revolver but I don't want an automatic - I already have a 9mm and a .45 ACP. I want the revolver for reliability in defense situations...
With a revolver you don't have to be concerned with mis-feeds, stovepipes, racking a dud, etc. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> They are very reliable when you need to guarantee the next shot....I haven't had any issues with my autos but I just decided I wanted the .357 revolver for home defense. Still up in the air between the revolver and my 12 ga. Benelli SUperNova shotgun for the home defense weapon of choice though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I have no experiences with Taurus, but I own many Rugers and Smiths. You can't go wrong with either. In 357M I only own Smiths but I have been keeping my eye open for a short-barreled Ruger. As has been said in previous posts here, Rugers are stoutly built. For a home defense weapon, not carried, the weight may not be undesirable and might be of benefit when shooting magnum loads. I suggest you handle several possible choices and shoot them if possible to see what feels comfortable. With a $1,000 price range you should not be limited by money. For a 7-shot revolver, your only choices may be S&W or Taurus. I own a 4" Model 66 (fairly light) and a 6" Model 686 (more heft), magnum loads are more of a handful in the M-66. Both are 6-shots. I think the M-686P is the 7-shot. Good luck in your search and decision.

I looked at a S&W Nightguard, 7 or 8 shot in 357, it was pretty sweet. We have a Gun and Blade show this weekend too!

Don't be confused. I like the way you're thinking. The wheel gun and shotgun worked well enough at the OK Coral and still do today. Do you live in a house or apartment? How far away are your nearest neighbors? These are considerations to be bear in mind as well. Personally, I keep both weapons at hand...always.

I'm not sure if you really need a 7 shot capacity. Since you're taking about defense, you want something that is small and compact to allow for ease of use in close quarter situations. A big heavy barreled handgun is great but I think your needs are more basic...You're not target shooting and you will not be at long range.

The S&W Model 686 in a 4 inch barrel will come in under your price needs and will serve your purpose quite well.



If you need capacity, add a couple of speedloaders from HKS. Load that puppy up with Glaser Silver Safety Slug Ammunition in 80 grain. With that, you've got 8 to 10 inches of penetration that will do the job on any crackhead trying to take your gear without the worry of whether or not your rounds will hit Mr. Smith next door while he's dreaming about Bambi in the forest.

The revolver and shotgun make a formidable combination but the key will be your ability to act...Regardless of what you purchase, you should frequent the firing range and have a plan about what you would do if faced with an intruder situation.

Here's a little bathroom reading for you guys. Click Here for a USDOJ article regarding Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness.

I would agree with the idea of a 6-shot and speedloaders. My thinking is, in a defensive situation, if you need to shoot and you don't hit what your aiming at with 1 or 2 shots, you probably won't get off any more shots. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

KnotSlip...Check out this revolver

D505, that could be my new woods gun. Man, I like that!

Yep, I agree, it's sweet. If I were in the market for a .357, that would be it.

That's a nice gun...I'll have to consider that one as well. And it's an 8 shot too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />