What is the best handgun platform for .357 Magnum?

[Gus McCrae]

I'm thinking about it. In a world where you can have one of everything.... What is the best single .357 Magnum out there? Factor everything, including price.


Right now, I'm kinda thinking of a 3 inch, round butt, 686 plus, but I'm still thinking about it.

 

[baboonie]

COLT

 

[JBP55]

I'm thinking about it. In a world where you can have one of everything.... What is the best single .357 Magnum out there? Factor everything, including price.


Right now, I'm kinda thinking of a 3 inch, round butt, 686 plus, but I'm still thinking about it.

Maybe an older L frame similar to the one described above.

 

[rrussotwo]

Ruger GP-100.

^^^ This with a trigger job ^^^

When you're out of bullets, you can beat the BG's skull in with it and polish it with his blood.

Too much?

 

[Gus McCrae]

They do have that 3 inch model with the dovetailed sights.

 

[3fifty7]

COLT

I second the nomination.

Although I suspect you will get more replies in favor of Smiths, which is fine just not my preference.

 

[Tx_oil]

I think that the Python is the finest .357 ever made and I love mine. However, for a 'one gun only' situation I think maybe a Smith and Wesson 66 with 4 inch barrel is the best tradeoff of size/weight/ruggedness/utility.

 

[Wolfgang1952]

I think that the Python is the finest .357 ever made and I love mine. However, for a 'one gun only' situation I think maybe a Smith and Wesson 66 with 4 inch barrel is the best tradeoff of size/weight/ruggedness/utility.

+1 on the Python. But I like a 6 inch or longer barrel, just my preference

 

[ericlosh]

I think that the Python is the finest .357 ever made and I love mine. However, for a 'one gun only' situation I think maybe a Smith and Wesson 66 with 4 inch barrel is the best tradeoff of size/weight/ruggedness/utility.

I've never held let alone shot the colt, but ill cast my vote for the 4" model 66. The gun feels just wonderful in my hand and shoots great.

 

[rrussotwo]

I'd love a Colt Python as well.

 

[leVieux]

Take your Smiths and a good old Python to the range and put 100 rounds through both.

You'll see the light promptly.

I have Smiths and a Python; there is no real comparison. the Python is a Porsche to the Smith's Ford F-150 !

And, there is something about a Python's aiming; it hits whatever I want it to hit.

leVieux

 

[JBP55]

I've never held let alone shot the colt, but ill cast my vote for the 4" model 66. The gun feels just wonderful in my hand and shoots great.

For a steady diet of .357 the old L frame would hold up better than the old K frame. I carried and shot the .357 Ruger's more than anything else but a slicked up S&W trigger is hard to beat. I am referring to the old pre lock models.

 

[ericlosh]

For a steady diet of .357 the old L frame would hold up better than the old K frame. I carried and shot the .357 Ruger's more than anything else but a slicked up S&W trigger is hard to beat. I am referring to the old pre lock models.

Yeah i hear that, but i also hear if you keep to the 158 grain magnums for range use and keep the forcing cone clean you'll be fine. so far i put about 30 magnum through my 4" model 66 and 70-80 .38 spc. I'll put more magnums through as it becomes more affordable, not the best shooting choice for a college student.

 

[Leadfoot]

After having shot both, and not knocking the Python, but for the same money, I would rather have 2 or 3 even, good Smith's than a Python.

 

[catman3516]

Colt python the best of the best

 

[TomTerrific]

I've never held let alone shot the colt, but ill cast my vote for the 4" model 66. The gun feels just wonderful in my hand and shoots great.

I feel the same way about my 4" 686 with a, as they say, slicked-up trigger. It hits what I shoot at.

 

[baboonie]

Here's a testament:

I have sold off ALL of my S&W's (66's, 686's, 13's, etc). I now own a Python and am anticipating the acquisition of another Colt revolver soon. I didn't like the "feel" of the the Python at first. After several different grips I now love my Python...cold dead hands!

Don't forget about the later snakes!

 

[chad]

I say the 686, but I may be biased now

 

[ebayareaguy]

I'm a fan of the Dan Wesson pistol pac.Well built,nice trigger,and accurate.

 

[ericlosh]

I say the 686, but I may be biased now

Aren't we all. After my model 19 as my first revolver, i may be partial to the k frame for quite some time. A little off topic but i really want a super clean model 64. I used to really want a 686 cause that full underlug, but that one faithful day i walked into a pawn shop and spotted a model 19 my heart skipped a beat. Now i love that partial underlug.