.357 Revolvers
I am interested in getting a double-action .357 revolver with a 4" or 6" barrel. Smith & Wesson of course comes to mind as arguably the most famous revolver manufacturer, but I like the looks of the Ruger GP100 too. Of course there are the Taurus', Rossi's and Commanche's in the world of cheaper imports. Are there any real differences in all these different makes? Any distinct advantages/disadvantages in barrel length? I am not opposed to buying used, and I would like to spend less than $400. Please fire away with your opinion.
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Well, thats pretty wide open! As far as quality goes, you cannot beat the Smith! I particularly love their smooth as glass DA pull and the looks of them as well. Colt's surely makes a fine gun as well, I'm just not as fond of their trigger pull or the aesthetics as well. The GP100...now there is a tank! Very durable pistol and will last for longer than either of us ever will!
A lot of this depends on your specific purpose/purposes for the weapon too. Do you intend to hunt with it? Will you use it as a CC weapon? Would you like a hunting handgun? Barrel length among other things would be a determinant in this case, so you'll have to post back and let me know what you intend.
Taurus is the class of the second tier you mentioned, and it is getting to be a closer run race between them and Smith (of which it is an external copy) as to who makes the superior gun in terms of bang for the buck. It is also getting to be a litle of a closer thing in price compared to several years ago too! What with the new metals being used etc... they offer a similar line.
A longer barrel will add a slight increase in velocity, but the real advantage lies in the sight radius and recoil absorbing propensity of the added barrel weight. Post back if you could and let me know what use/uses you will put the wheel gun to and I'll try to tailor my answere to that!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
Mainly it will be used in recreational shooting, and of course reside in the top drawer of my dresser in case needed! I wouldn't rule out trying to hunt with it, but I don't anticipate that being a regular occurrence. I am a pretty big guy (6'6"/250lbs) so I figure I can probably handle the recoil ok. 0 -
I don't suggest ruger often but since your looking for a wheel gun I'd say get a ruger security six with a 6in barrel.
Guns kill people like spoons made Rosie O'Donnell fat0 -
In that case I would go with a "6 barrel, heavy or full length shroud. A "4 would do almost as well but I would think that the extra few inches of sight plane, in addition to the fact that concealability wouldn't be a concern would come in handy for your various needs. Being that you are a pretty big guy, the extra weight would not affect you adversely either.
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
I used to think that the Smith & Wesson name wasn't worth the extra money you pay for their revolvers. I used to think that Ruger and Taurus revolvers were basically on par in quality with the Smiths.
The Smith & Wesson 4" model 19 that I purchased about a month ago has changed my mind. The extra money you invest in a Smith is not just for the name...it's for the trigger. There is no trigger as smooth as the Smith. I highly recommend a Smith--new or used in good condition. The extra premium is definitely worth it in my book.
If you aren't hunting, I like the 4 inch. It's much handier.0 -
I think Bigride has put it pretty well. I feel that Taurus is making a pretty nice gun these days, but they use a diferent trigger system and as mentioned, the Smiths is likely not bettered by any wheelgun in the world (Except the Korth, and I don't want to start you down that sad/expensive/desireable path!). I would, however, really urge you to go for the longer barrel ("6 will do) as it will aid your accuracy, especially in DA mode.
I now only own 1 Smith (there are several I wish I still had! DUH!!) that is my wifes favorite gun, and sits in the cubbyhole next to my nitestand. It hits what you point it at, and what you hit with it won't get up again! Keep in mind too that the worlds fastest revolver shooter (who competes often times against semi-auto shooter...and often wins!), Jerry Miculek, uses Smiths, as I recall, exclusively! No better endorsement than that!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
I too prefer the Smiths, not only for the trigger, but resale value. A good Smith&Wesson holds its value better than most out there, if you keep it in good condition. If you want something that is going to be abused, buy a Ruger. They are very reliable, almost indestructable, just not the work of art of the Smith&Wesson brand. 0 -
Let me through the Dan Wesson Models into the mix. Very sturdy, accurate and with the availabilty of interchangeagle barrels. The new models are not cheap but they are good. Very short quick action with very good triggers but if you want the epitome of a 357 I would still say the Colt Python. This is coming from someone with a lot of S&W 357s (J,K,L, and N frames!) 
AN ARMED SOCIETY IS A POLITE SOCIETY0 -
The only thing worse than a Taurus trigger in a revolver is the customer no service department no wonder they are cheaper than quality revolvers they lose value faster than a new car.Spend a little extre and get the S&W or be sorry like me.Just my experence with Taurus.
David Collins0 -
If you can find a S&W M28, you won't be sorry. 0
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