YAGT: help me pick a .357 Mag

[SandEagle]

ok, got my eyes on a S&W .357 Mag 686 Plus. liked the older 65-5 as well. I'm trying to keep it at 3in barrel. but may consider a 4in. any other comparable ones to look at? is the laser grip worth the extra $300? primarily going to use as self defense and concealed carry.

 

[velillen]

Id vote the S&W but i do have a liking for their revolvers. SA i think their trigger is one of the nicest. DA is nice too but so is the ruger's. Theres also a ton of aftermarket parts for them if your looking to change grips out or anything.

As for the laser grip....id say no its not worth it personally. My dad has a M&P40 full size with the laser built in and it seems like if you barely bump it itll knock the laser out of alignment at least a little. For carrying where it will get bumped i dont think i could trust it. Id rather just practice being able to draw, quick target acquisition and the fire and being able ot hit center mass.

The ruger gp101 seems ot get good reviews to so might be worth looking at it...though i think its only 6 shot.


And of course all that is my opinions but i do love my S&W 19-3 and my 629

 

[shortylickens]

S&W is probably the best brand for revolvers unless you want something exotic like a 454.
Get any current model that seems appropriately sized for your needs.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_775660_-1_775655_757896_image

 

[SandEagle]

thanks. i'll look at the ruger, but i think i may be set on the sw. its a beauty :wub:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hd9tkiS9aY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn2XX81_kPU

good info on 3 vs 4in
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/228172-686-3-4-a.html

 

[dennilfloss]

Didn't MPs use Ruger revolvers? How about a Colt Python? They're supposed to be pretty rugged.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Sandeagle is buying a gun....

 

[Merad]

Personally I wouldn't use a .357 Mag for self defense by choice. I know several people who've suffered severe hearing loss after being exposed to just a single un-muffled .357 Mag shot.

If you're set on the caliber though, for me the choice would be down to the Ruger or the S&W's. Probably would just depend on my budget at the time. I've seen plenty of great reviews of both, and like the looks of both.

 

[futuristicmonkey]

I've got a bone stock 686 Plus with a 6 inch barrel (I'm Canadian - barrel length of 4" or less is a prohibited-class firearm). It is fantastic to shoot and as a bonus you can shoot .38 spl rounds if you're doing target shooting.

 

[olds]

Didn't MPs use Ruger revolvers? How about a Colt Python? They're supposed to be pretty rugged.

Expensive.

 

[velillen]

Personally I wouldn't use a .357 Mag for self defense by choice. I know several people who've suffered severe hearing loss after being exposed to just a single un-muffled .357 Mag shot.

Outside of 22lr and maybe 380 (since im not familiar with 380 to be honest) any round is going to be over 140db which will cause hearing damage in one way or another. Well unless you buy light load heavy grain ammo in which case it might not be quite as loud (still probably going to be over 125db).

Biggest reason i keep a pair of those earplugs that are on a band of sorts (god name escapes me but looks sort of like earmuffs with plugs instead and goes behind the neck)in the same drawer as the HD gun. If i hear a window break or anything i can put them on in seconds while grabbing the gun. Also a good idea to keep a bright flashlight as well to blind the person and try for non lethal too. Course once my suppressor finally comes itll be attached to the HD gun full time

But if it comes down to it and i need ot shoot....my hearing is the last thing im going ot be worried about since not shooting could be much worse.


all my opinion though

 

[alkemyst]

You'll break your wrist kid.

 

[Fern]

Didn't MPs use Ruger revolvers? How about a Colt Python? They're supposed to be pretty rugged.

Colt doesn't make revolvers any more IIRC.

They're desired not so much for being rugged, but because the trigger action is butter smooth. They're accurate too.

OP, isn't a 357 mag a bit much for concealed carry?

I've got both a Python and a King Cobra. The King Cobra is a 357mag with a snub nose barrel and I think it's too big for CC. Of course, that's only my personal opinion. I use a S&W Police Chief Special (38 spc) for CC.

Fern

 

[IGemini]

Smith & Wesson came out with a revolver series made specifically for CC called the Night Guard. Scandium revolver with tritium night sights, 2.5" barrel. Almost a full pound lighter than the 686, which makes a huge difference when carrying. Two frame sizes for the .357 I believe, holds either 7 or 8 shots depending on which one you get.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Why get a revolver for concealed carry? They are reliable and simple tools but there are much better concealed carry guns in semi-auto.

If that really is your intent, get one of the smaller frame snub nose .357 magnums. Not a medium frame revolver like the 686.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Colt doesn't make revolvers any more IIRC.

They're desired not so much for being rugged, but because the trigger action is butter smooth. They're accurate too.

OP, isn't a 357 mag a bit much for concealed carry?

I've got both a Python and a King Cobra. The King Cobra is a 357mag with a snub nose barrel and I think it's too big for CC. Of course, that's only my personal opinion. I use a S&W Police Chief Special (38 spc) for CC.

Fern

I never liked the Colt dual stage trigger. I much prefer the Smith & Wesson triggers.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Why get a revolver for concealed carry? They are reliable and simple tools but there are much better concealed carry guns in semi-auto.

If that really is your intent, get one of the smaller frame snub nose .357 magnums. Not a medium frame revolver like the 686.

I can tell you a Cold Gold Cup stainless is the shit. You can shoot the eyes out of a snake at quite some distance.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I can tell you a Cold Gold Cup stainless is the shit. You can shoot the eyes out of a snake at quite some distance.

And your point is?

 

[OverVolt]

M&P Shield

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7pmjCWSgJU

Eh? Eh?

Watch some of his vids about different guns to actually get a feel for them without really having a friend or something to let you try it yourself.

686 3"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6SZP1bMI7o

 

[Jadow]

ive got a ruger gp100 and love it. zero issues with it. rock solid gun

 

[irishScott]

What's this nonsense about Colt no longer making revolvers? It's not their primary business anymore, but they still produce the SAA and the New Frontier. Unfortunately neither is in .357.

OP, just go with whatever Ruger or Smith & Wesson feels the best in your hand. You won't be disappointed.

 

[BudAshes]

today, i napped for 3 hours in the afternoon totally blacked out. woke up thinking i was in an alternate universe, in a different time. it felt surreal. but then again, i am on valium/vicodin/naproxen all day.

This guy definitely needs to be walking around with a gun.

 

[SandEagle]

This guy definitely needs to be walking around with a gun.

do not judge an Arab by his turban. i am taking pain killers and muscle relaxants because i over exerted myself working out. i am a responsible citizen and it is my right to carry.

I looked at all suggestions so far, but I am going to go ahead and go with S&W. They do have a .45 Colt (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57751_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y) but the 686 is what I am leaning towards. all of the youtube vids on it are pretty awesome.

 

[olds]

This guy definitely needs to be walking around with a gun.

He's just a troll. Believe 0% of what he says.

 

[KK]

He's just a troll. Believe 0% of what he says.

I believe he rapes monkeys.

 

[olds]

I believe he rapes monkeys.

Duh!