Author Topic: BEST 357 EVER? (Read 41166 times)

gypsyman · « **Reply #30 on:** November 19, 2007, 08:23:32 PM »

My vote goes for Dan Wesson. Shot myself into International class in IHMSA with one. I don't think my eyes will do the gun justice anymore. gypsyman

LEO · « **Reply #31 on:** November 21, 2007, 09:11:00 AM »

My vote is for the 4" 686, I bought the first one I could find, quite an up grade from the old worn out issue model 15 I had been carrying, when they came out and carried it until we switched to semi-autos in 94. I shot it a bunch and never had a problem with it, I still have it and it is one of the handful of never sell guns that I have. Of course the fact that it was there during many tense situations didn't hurt it cause any.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #32 on:** November 22, 2007, 01:32:46 AM »

Best for what ? Since you've included the Ruger Blackhawk, you're apparently not giving a lot of weight to the DA feature. If that's the case, then considering accuracy, precision fit, and strength (and therefore the ability to handle the heaviest possible loads) the "best" is the Freedom Arms Model 83.

S.B. · « **Reply #33 on:** November 28, 2007, 06:52:14 AM »

Those that didn't vote for the S&W 27, must of never shot one?

SM Bob · « **Reply #34 on:** December 05, 2007, 08:24:26 PM »

No doubt in my mind. The Model 27 is my favorite 357. I had one years ago.
I shot the hell out of that gun! Thousands and thousands of full house 357
rounds through the barrel. It was super accurate. It started to get a little
long in the tooth and, like a dummy, I sold it and bought a Dan Wesson
stainless 44 mag. The Dan Wesson 44 was nice, but it was so heavy, it
was a bear to lug around. I really miss that model 27. That N frame is
as good as it gets in my humble opinion.

Robert

S.B. · « **Reply #35 on:** December 06, 2007, 01:26:47 AM »

SM Bob, first one made and stiill the best! I agree.

SM Bob · « **Reply #36 on:** December 06, 2007, 06:46:14 PM »

SB,
Mine had a 6" barrel with a white outline rear and a red ramp front sights.
I got so I could shoot pretty well at long range with 158gr JHP's and H110.
I could drill a soda can at 50 yards with the first shot almost every time.
I sure would like to get another model 27. Unfortunately they are out of
my price range now, and in the People's Republik Of Kalifornia, where I
live, the model 27 is not on the Kalifornia Department Of Injustice's
list of handguns "certified" for sale.

Robert

Drilling Man · « **Reply #37 on:** December 07, 2007, 03:59:41 AM »

I've had or still have multiples of every gun in the pole... and the "finest" 357 mag. revolver i've ever had in my hands is easily the "old" 27's... You talk about a beautifully put together, long lasting revolver it's the one! It's also the reason i still have one...

Having said that, easily my most favorite revolver of all time is the M-19! I carried one for many many years, and it's still my "go to" handgun for self defence.... I've made some amazing shots with a M-19 and the older ones are nearly as finely finished as the old 27's...

DM

DAG460 · « **Reply #38 on:** December 07, 2007, 06:35:13 PM »

I would say the first one you owned and have the most memories with. For me it is a Ruger BH that I still have and love to shoot.

DAG

Bob96 · « **Reply #39 on:** December 08, 2007, 09:36:51 PM »

My Freedom Arms Model 97 with 10" octagon barrel is about as finely fitted and as good looking as I have see.!

Drilling Man · « **Reply #40 on:** December 11, 2007, 09:28:21 AM »

It would be vary hard today to beat the fit and finish of the old M-27's today... From the finely checkered top straps...

The "bank vault feel" when you open/close or roll one over...

The quality of the blue, the accuracy and the amazing trigger pull, plus the really deep blue finish they have right out of the box!

At least that's the way mine are...

DM

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #41 on:** December 12, 2007, 01:30:01 PM »

The PC 5" 627 I keep around here for unwelcome visitors is a really sweet gun and my old eyes can't do it justice at the range.

BAGTIC · « **Reply #42 on:** December 22, 2007, 06:27:00 AM »

I can not say which of the list is 'the best' as I am not experienced with all of them. The best I have ever shot was the Colt Python.

dougk · « **Reply #43 on:** December 23, 2007, 05:11:49 AM »

Let me put this debate to rest. The best 357 ever is the S&W Model 27 owned by General Patton

sportsman223 · « **Reply #44 on:** December 24, 2007, 03:55:48 PM »

66 S&W Best in my book

blhof · « **Reply #45 on:** January 01, 2008, 01:51:20 AM »

I have to cast my vote for the Dan Wesson. The first 357 I ever fired and still my favorite, alyhough I do love the S&W trigger pull out of the box.

Archblackmage · « **Reply #46 on:** January 02, 2008, 04:10:36 AM »

Dan Wesson I own a monson mass blued pistol pack

then Janz for the rich folks

K.K · « **Reply #47 on:** January 04, 2008, 07:44:03 AM »

I'm gonna go against the grain and vote for my favorite, the Colt Python. I know that Colt isn't a player anymore, but that Python is a thing of beauty! It is smooth, nice trigger, and beautifully fit and finished. Mine shot like a dream. I foolishly traded it years ago for an auto of one flavor or another and never quit kicking myself.

Bowjack · « **Reply #48 on:** January 11, 2008, 03:39:31 AM »

I have 3 S&W .357's, Model 65 3" barrel, Model 686 4" barrel, Model 686 3" barrel. They are like my children picking a favorite, each has its own virtues.

However, my 3" 686 is from the S&W performance center (Lou Horton special), is a 7 shot ported 3" barrel with a custom tune and trigger job. Trijicon front sight. It is sensational carry self defense gun. I keep it loaded with Remington or Federal 125 grain JHP's. I trust my life to this gun. I am very fond of revolvers as I carried them daily for many years before switching over to Glocks. When I pulled the trigger, they always worked!

JHT · « **Reply #49 on:** February 19, 2008, 11:57:57 PM »

One of my very first guns to be purchased was new in approximatily 1971 and was a beautiful Model 27 with what I believe was an 8 5/8" barrel. I do not have to tell any of you the finish that that revolver came with, it was ablosutely gorreous. To date that gun sits in its Custom S&W Wooden Case in its safe. It has less than 50 rounds of wadcutter through its barrel. Someday I may consider "breaking in" the gun as any good gun should be. But then I would have to do the same thing to my Custom Boxed Model 25 with 6" barrel which has NEVER had a round go through it and a similarly boxed 29. All revolvers were purchased within several months of each other and come with similar custom cases and tools.

S.B. · « **Reply #50 on:** February 20, 2008, 02:00:22 AM »

JHT, how do you know if they shoot well and are reliable? To me: new is nice but, accurate and reliable is best. I'm not saying to abuse them just use them.

Dice · « **Reply #51 on:** May 21, 2008, 05:00:56 AM »

The best .357 in my price bracket, by far is the S&W 627 V-COMP bar-non. My Ruger is SP-101 is an awesome gun too. I'd put them side by side any day.

Dee · « **Reply #52 on:** May 23, 2008, 07:18:46 AM »

Back in October of last year I stated that in my opinion, the 4" Model 19 Smith was hands down the best revolver ever made and that I carried. After thinking about that statement for the last 7 months, I will have to say that; I WAS RIGHT!

And of course the Model 66 also.

teddy12b · « **Reply #53 on:** May 23, 2008, 07:34:19 AM »

I've owned 3 357 mag revolvers in my life. The first a taurus 608 about 4" barrel (it had problems), the second a taurus 608 about 8" barrel (it had problems). Both of those taurus's were bought brand new and held 8 rounds. The last 357 I bought was a GP100 6" barrel and it's a keeper. When you combine the rugedness of the gp100, and a hogue tamer grip trips to the range get pretty fun!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #54 on:** May 23, 2008, 08:06:30 AM »

anyone shot a KORTH ? some say it is the best , it is the most expensive . I have never seen one except in adds .

S.B. · « **Reply #55 on:** May 23, 2008, 10:04:15 AM »

Quote from: Dee on May 23, 2008, 07:18:46 AM

Back in October of last year I stated that in my opinion, the 4" Model 19 Smith was hands down the best revolver ever made and that I carried. After thinking about that statement for the last 7 months, I will have to say that; I WAS RIGHT! And of course the Model 66 also.

Till the forcing cone splits?

Dee · « **Reply #56 on:** May 23, 2008, 10:52:41 AM »

Quote from: S.B. on May 23, 2008, 10:04:15 AM

Quote from: Dee on May 23, 2008, 07:18:46 AM
Back in October of last year I stated that in my opinion, the 4" Model 19 Smith was hands down the best revolver ever made and that I carried. After thinking about that statement for the last 7 months, I will have to say that; I WAS RIGHT! And of course the Model 66 also.

Till the forcing cone splits?

Started instructing for a police dept. in 1976. I have shot thousands of rounds thru several Model 19s, and SAW thousands of rounds go thru other Model 19s. Never saw a forcing cone split. Sounds like one of those Internet myths to me, or a poor reload. I have seen them (Model 19s), and Model 28s, and Model 27s, and Model 10s, and Pythons, and one Diamondback go out of time due to wear. New parts were fitted and they were up and shooting again. Some only needed a cylinder hand. Some due to rapid fire drills in the hundreds and hundreds of rounds category also needed cylinder stops also. All were after several thousand rounds thru the revolver, and many of these repairs were made at the range, and firing was continued after the repair. I have fired as many as 1000 rounds in one day thru one such Model 19 many times, with nothing more than a wiping down to get the powder residue off to make it cleaner to handle during the firing drills.
I did see one Model 19 and two Model 10s cylinder blow the chambered rounds on either side of the chamber being fired due to a double charge of Bullseye. But alas the forcing cones on all three held.
Not saying a forcing cone can't fail, just never seen, or even heard of one failing in this particular model.

S.B. · « **Reply #57 on:** May 23, 2008, 11:17:48 AM »

What does being a police instructor have to do with anything? You enclude that line in just about every post you make, even the religious ones. Does that mean your opinions are better thought out or more important than the next guys?

Dee · « **Reply #58 on:** May 23, 2008, 11:46:16 AM »

I don't recall making the reference in the religious forums, I would have to have that one referenced. As far as my experience with the revolver being discussed I simply made reference as to what environment I saw these and other revolvers perform, and this was over a 20 year period.
My opinions are on this particular event that YOU brought up, are not my OPINIONS at all, but rather my EXPERIENCE with this particular Model of Smith and others.
You on the other hand made a statement with "absolutely NO references" to you claim of forcing cone failures on this firearm Brand and Model. Does this statement made by YOU make it a FACT, that it has such a tendency? Is your statement more valid, or thought out than someone else's thought or EXPERIENCE? You gave no experiences with this type of failure, or any other information. Are we to believe it, just because YOU implied it?
Where did you get YOUR experience with this particular weakness on this particular Model and Brand, or did you just hear someone else talking about it, and never actually saw it yourself? Educate us on this failure in the Model 19. I for one have learned many things on these forums thru others "experiences" and have said so many times. You have chosen to go beyond the forum topic, so lets go.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #59 on:** May 24, 2008, 07:25:00 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on May 23, 2008, 08:06:30 AM

anyone shot a KORTH ? some say it is the best , it is the most expensive . I have never seen one except in adds .

My experience with a Korth is, get it within two specs of dirt, and it's done... Also, if you fired it fast so it heated up, that also would also start making it bind up... I would have bought one on the spot but i need a down and dirty kinda a gun. One that you can take into the bush for weeks at a time, even in the winter and it always works... So it's been S&W for me.

As for the M-19's... I've fired them thousands and thousands of times, and never seen a forcing cone split. BUT, i don't shoot full power light weight bullets all the time either... The few forceing cone problems i've "heard" about were traced to constant double action shooting day after day with full power "125 grain" and less jacketed bullets... Even with those, they hold up fairly well...

I have shot 3/4 throttle loads with Sierra 150 HC bullets with no problems at all, and also near full power loads with cast bullets without a minutes problem. I'm talking thousands and thousands, but just a handfull...

DM

Poll

What was ,or is the best 357 ever made?

Author Topic: BEST 357 EVER? (Read 41166 times)