357 Revolvers

[Siggy]

I was so excited looking at the Single Six for my kids,  (KNR4) I'm considering a GP 100 4" or 686 for myself primarily for recreation.  I'm sure there have been posts before...any new opinions re trigger (I hear Ruger has made some big improvements), accuracy, durability and value.  Also, is there good value with S&W by moving up to the Pro Series if available?

Thanks.
Siggy

[sledgemeister]

The best thing about a Ruger Revolver is that they will work, pardon the pun but they are near bullet proof.
That said there is nothing wrong with a S&W if you want a little more polished bit of finery, but then your looking at some serious $$ more for essentially the same thing.
Buy a Ruger you wont regret it, a revolver trigger shouldnt be too light in anycase unless your using it for serious comps, for plinking, and genral use factory set is probably ok. If its rough then if your not capable of doing it get a smith to polish it, will still work out way less cost than a S&W.
Hell buy two one for you and one for the kids to build up to, you can load .38s so mild it offers no more force than catching a pea with a baseball glove.

[tombogan03884]

Sledge said it all pretty much. a 4' .357 gets my nod for best do everything pistol.
Plinking with .38's, self defense with SD ammo, the 4" barrel is short enough for concealed carry, some hunter back in the 30's or 40's took every type of game animal in North America with a .357.

[fightingquaker13]

A GP 100 or Redhawk is real hard to beat. A Colt is a Colt, a Smith in between. Others swear by the Smith and I won't say them nay. Still, a Ruger and a trigger job (if necessary) is cheaper, and they are a sturdier gun. If I were to buy one tommorow, it would be the GP-100.
FWIW
FQ13

[alfsauve]

I love the classic S&Ws.   (pre-2000)   In .357 I now own a 66 and two 686s.   (4", 6" and 8-3/8")  I bought the 66 used on a lark but am struggling with the idea of selling it.   Some of the classics can be found for less than $400.  Unless you're going to get serious at NRA Action or IPSC or IPDA revolver class, I don't know that the Performance Center is worth the extra.

I owned an early model SP100 and it was okay.  I traded it for a Smith and the difference was like night and day.  Now if Ruger has made improvements it may be the best value.   But if you look at most any competition listing and what people are shooting, there is a reason why they all picked Smith.  I think at the last Int Revolver, they did a survey and 249/250 where shooting Smith.     You won't regret the decision to buy value.  As my daddy use to say,  "The bitter taste of poor quality remains long after memory of the sweet taste of low cost is gone."  (Okay, dad never said that.  I read it on a poster somewhere. It's a good mantra, though.)

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

I guess we shouldn't compare apples to oranges here. I don't compete. I don't know what's better or worse in that arena. In a handgun, I look for reliable, sturdy and accurate enough. The Rugers and Smiths I've shot both seem to fit the bill. The Rugers just do it for less. I don't want this to be a which is better deal, as I'd be happy to own either. Just if I were given a "get one production  4" barrell .357 free" gift card, I'd probably go Ruger. But that's just me. Of course, I'd want it as a drag into the woods loaded with Buffalo Bore gun, and keep on the nightstand deal, not a target piece or competition gun. Maybe the two aren't that different? Thoughts?
FQ13

[sledgemeister]

I guess we shouldn't compare apples to oranges here. I don't compete. I don't know what's better or worse in that arena. In a handgun, I look for reliable, sturdy and accurate enough. The Rugers and Smiths I've shot both seem to fit the bill. The Rugers just do it for less. I don't want this to be a which is better deal, as I'd be happy to own either. Just if I were given a "get one production  4" barrell .357 free" gift card, I'd probably go Ruger. But that's just me. Of course, I'd want it as a drag into the woods loaded with Buffalo Bore gun, and keep on the nightstand deal, not a target piece or competition gun. Maybe the two aren't that different? Thoughts?
FQ13

I think a lot is to do with personal preference these days, Rugers have always been pretty much built over spec ie saami specs + a bit more.
Smiths went through a quality slump a little while ago's however are now from what I see producing good quality gear, ie their barrels dont drop off no more.
Either way its a .357, its going to be reliable, its not probably going to be abused and it will serve siggy and probably his kids well for many years.
If I was Siggy I would get to a range, try a few different types out, there are a heap of different choices.  Dont forget to have a look at Taurus. they make some ok stuff now too and some are 8 shots and have ported barrels making them pleasant to shoot with full factory loads even in 4 inches.

[crusader rabbit]

Alfsuave: As my daddy use to say,  "The bitter taste of poor quality remains long after memory of the sweet taste of low cost is gone."  (Okay, dad never said that.  I read it on a poster somewhere. It's a good mantra, though.)

Many years ago I bought a small sailboat from an old codger who gave me a similar thought: If you buy quality, you only pay once.  If you buy price, you pay every time you use it.

That said, my favorite wheel gun is a Redhawk in .44 Mag.  But, my current carry is a .357 snubby by Rossi.  I sometimes carry its bigger brother, a 4" Rossi in .357. All of these are double action in S/S.  I find no fault in any of them with the exception that the snubby can bruise a knuckle on the trigger guard. (so, if any of you know where I can find non-factroy grips for a Rossi 461/462, lemme know).  Anyway, these are all decent quality guns and will please nearly any owner--UNLESS you happen to be into action shooting.  For that, the single action Ruger is not a bad choice.  (IMHO)  In other words, just because all the mechanics at the shop are using Snap-On tools doesn't mean Craftsman tools won't do the job.  Smiths cost a lot, and some years back they did that stupid gun lock thing that really annoyed me.  I'd rather not give them my business just for that reason.  (yeah, I tend to hold grudges.)

[Siggy]

Crusader Rabbit--what makes the Redhawk 44 your favorite? I have a Redhawk 7.5 that's from 1980, though NIB.  I was thinking of trading it for the 357 to shoot a lighter gun with lighter ammo.

[Jrlobo]

Folks,

      My 357 is a Colt Trooper Mk III, used for home defense only. Accurate and easy to use with the 4" barrel. As for Rugers, I have the Blackhawk 6" in 44 Mag. The latter is too big and recoilly to handle in a home defense scenario. I like the 357 4"! If I buy another 357, it will probably be a Ruger as I'm impressed with the quality and sturdiness. Besides, my wallet can better afford a Ruger as I am now retired. Anyone else out there with  a Colt Trooper?