I am looking at 357 mag / 38 special revolver handguns.

 

What would the major considerations be when judging by brand ? How would bang for the buck compare with

 

Colt

S&W

Taurus

 

How much difference does porting make ? Is it a highly desired feature ?

 

Enquiring minds want to know.

Ruger. There is no comparison.

I picked up a TAurus revolver a couple years ago to use for IDPA. O could have waited 2 months and saved enough for a S&W but the permit was burning a hole so I got the Taurus. The timing was off so I had to send it back to Taurus for repair. 3 months later I got it back. It works fine now and I enjoy shooting it but hind sight being 20/20 I shouldda saved for the S&W or gotten a different GP100.

Ruger. There is no comparison.

 

Sure there is, if you're comparing it to a Python.

I second a Ruger. An overpriced Python does little for me and wouldn't make sense unless you are going to add it to a collection. In particular, for value, I like the GP100 and the older Speed/Security Sixes. If you want interchangeable, adjustable sights go with the GP100. However, I have a crush on a particular older Speed Six with a 3" barrel. This might border on collectible status, too, though.

 

Although I like the look of a blued revolver the best, I would recommend a stainless, 4" barrel one if you intend to shoot it a lot. That would probably give you the most versatility.

 

A older Taurus 66 is also built like a slightly lesser tank and you might be able to find a bargain. A S&W 686 would also be another fine choice, if you found a nice used one. Stock, it probably has the smoothest trigger. But, I would prefer the rugged Ruger GP100 and its springs.

 

Depending on what you are going to do with it, a Ruger Blackhawk single action in .357/.38 would also be very nice. In fact, I cannot think of a much better survival gun combo than a stainless Ruger Blackhawk with a 5" barrel and an additional 9mm cylinder and a Glock 19.

A 4" S&W L-Frame (586 or 686) is always a great place to start with a wheel gun.

 

Of those you list or were added:

 

Colt - Lucky to find a current production Colt D/A revolver. Pythons and Diamondbacks are in the collector realm. Trooper MkIII's and King Cobras might fill the bill, but are hard to come by and I have always preferred S&W to the Colt offerings, but that could just be me.

 

S&W - Already expressed my opinion

 

Taurus - Never a big fan of imported revolvers (unless it's a Korth). Taurus quality seems hit or miss. Why settle for a copy when you can have the real thing (S&W).

 

Ruger - Built like a brick. Doesn't necessarily make them better. It's more because they are investment cast as opposed to forged. Weight is only a benefit up to a certain point. Not knocking them, they make a great product and stand behind them - again, my preference, in a .357 D/A revolver would be for a S&W. S/A's? Ruger all the way.

 

Porting? Not a big deal and may actually hurt your ability to resell (not everyone thinks it's a great thing). .357 in a medium frame revolver (especially one with a full underlug) has negligible recoil. Most people shoot .38's in them anyway. I wouldn't go out of my way to buy a ported gun. Likewise, if you find a gun you like, and it just happends to be ported, I wouldn't let that be an impediment.

 

HTH

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob<------S&W Fanboy (did it show?)

Check out the S&W 686 Pro Series.

I feel like porting is unnecessary in a 357. The recoil is not enough to need it, and it is a **** to keep the porting slots clean. Unless you plan to stick with 38 specials or want a wall hanger, I would avoid the Colt Python (even though there is nothing that comes close in looks to a Royal Blue Python). They are known to loosen up after enough stout recoiling 357 loads, you will feel like you are depreciating an investment every time you take it shooting (hence you will shoot it less), and there are fewer and fewer gunsmiths that are familiar with working on the Colt lockwork (since the gun has not been mass produced in a long time). I can't say much for or against Taurii revolvers. I know that I am not a fan of their pimptastic design schemes (Does the logo really have top be in 24 point bold italicized font?). Between the Smith and the Ruger, I would choose S&W if buying used and Ruger if buying new. To me the S&W has the appeal of classic looks, and the function is never in question.

If it was going to be used for home defense at night, I would not get one with a ported barrel unless I had sun glasses on.

I think Taurus gets a bad rap. If I had a pistol permit and wanted a 357 I would go with a Tracker or a GP100, whichever was available in the local gun shop.

686 pre-lock hands down. You can't wear them out. I have one with thousands upon thousands of rounds through it and it still gauges better than a factory new gun.

 

That is one gun I will never get rid of. Plan on adding a 4" to the stable to compliment the 6" someday

Plan on adding a 4" to the stable to compliment the 6" someday

 

 

+1. There is something just right about a 4" barrel 357 revolver. The barrel is long enough to not lose a lot of velocity, but short enough to be handy.

All I own are S&W's (when it comes to revolvers) because they fit in my hand nice. Compare the S&W to the Ruger at the same time and see which fits you better. I like my 686 with the 6" barrel the most for shooting indoors. I also have an 8" ready to pickup, and a Model 64 with a 4" barrel. I have a few others too, but shooting .38's are cheap and I can't shoot .357 indoors at my club.

If you want to shoot a lot of .357 mag out of that gun, don't go with a colt python. You'll pay out the a** for a used one anyway. Go with a S&W or Ruger. They both make excellent revolvers.

+1. There is something just right about a 4" barrel 357 revolver. The barrel is long enough to not lose a lot of velocity, but short enough to be handy.

 

A 4" 357 is just about the perfect do it all handgun. You also have a long enough barrel to give you a decent sighting radius but not too long to carry concealed.

 

Colts are way too overpriced and they are all used. Good guns but to to some they have a mystique that warrants a high price. I'd get a GP100 or L frame S&W as a first choice. I own 3 Taurus revolvers and have had no problems with them. I'd get the Taurus if the price difference was substantial between the Taurus and a Ruger or S&W. I wouldn't hestitate to buy another Taurus but too many places have them priced too close to a Ruger or S&W. The GP100 or L frame sized gun will be better it you want to shoot a lot of 357s as will a used Ruger Speed or Security Six if you want a K frame size gun.

 

Porting is not needed in a 357 and limits its use as a SD weapon as where do you think all that blast goes if you have to hold the gun lower than eye level. I wouldn't buy a ported gun. Buying a stainless gun makes sense AFAIC.

There is a reason why almost every revolver in the competitive circles is a S&W. Ok, every revolver I've seen.

 

For range stuff, I love the Colts... but alot of money to invest, and quite honestly, I would be hesitant to even shoot it, and would want to keep it as an investment.

 

Out of all the revo's I've shot, I prefer the Colt single action, S&W double action.

 

Rugers are nice guns, but for some reason the triggers feel gritty to me.

 

(just my very limited revolver view point)

Well, Ended up getting a pre-lock Smith & Wesson Model 686-3 Distinguished Combat Magnum 6-shot revolver in .357 Mag /.38 S&W Spl.+P caliber.

 

Due to OGAM, I will not be able to pick it up until Oct 4th so i just have to put it out of my mind until then.

 

Now i have to start looking for good deals on ammo , speed loaders and whatever other paraphernalia a revolver should have

Good, cheap 357 ammo.

 

125 grain HP (my favorite) - http://georgia-arms.com/new357mag125grgolddothollowpoint100pk.aspx

158 grain lead (i.e. not jacketed) - http://georgia-arms.com/357magnum158grrdnoseflatpt100pk.aspx

158 grain jacketed - http://georgia-arms.com/357magnum158grplatedsemi-wadcutter100pk.aspx

I am looking at 357 mag / 38 special revolver handguns.

 

What would the major considerations be when judging by brand ? How would bang for the buck compare with

 

Colt

S&W

Taurus

 

How much difference does porting make ? Is it a highly desired feature ?

 

Inquiring (FIXED) minds want to know.

 

Look at Colt King Cobras. You can get used and new ones for a good deal (if you're patient and know where to look, and they're better than most modern p.o.s. revolvers with their MIM parts and Hillary Locks.

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/9402-the-official-njgf-photo-thread/page__view__findpost__p__349776

 

That, or old S&Ws and Rugers. Preferably before 1993.