BEST 357 EVER?

[m-g Willy]

S&W =45.5%
Ruger=25.3%
Colt=11.5%
Dan Wesson=7.5%
 

[mrsjbs1980]

Hope I'm in the right place.
But I'm in the market for a  handgun.
I need it for home protection when my husband is out of town.
I also would like to get a permit to carry it with me when out with my children.
We have shotguns and a 1911 45 at the house now, but husband said we need a 357 for me.
So what would a 5'5" 125 lb. woman that can handle a 1911, and a shotgun! look for, as in make and model for my purpose in a 357handgun?

[Hammerdown]

Hope I'm in the right place.
But I'm in the market for a  handgun.
I need it for home protection when my husband is out of town.
I also would like to get a permit to carry it with me when out with my children.
We have shotguns and a 1911 45 at the house now, but husband said we need a 357 for me.
So what would a 5'5" 125 lb. woman that can handle a 1911, and a shotgun! look for, as in make and model for my purpose in a 357handgun?

 
Hello
Welcome to the forum. If it were for my wife I would buy her a S&W. They were the first one's to make one in the .357 Magnum caliber back in 1935 and have been making fine one's since. If you are not going to carry it I would suggest a S&W Model 27 with a 4" barrel or a Model 28 a bit less flashy. Both are fine gun's that can Take Years of continued punishment. S&W also makes the .357 Magnum cartridge in smaller frame gun's as the Model 586, 686 19, 66 and J-frame model 60 but the heft and size of an N-Frame model in a 27 or 28 will absorb the recoil much better.... Regards, Hammerdown

[m-g Willy]

Hope I'm in the right place.
But I'm in the market for a  handgun.
I need it for home protection when my husband is out of town.
I also would like to get a permit to carry it with me when out with my children.
We have shotguns and a 1911 45 at the house now, but husband said we need a 357 for me.
So what would a 5'5" 125 lb. woman that can handle a 1911, and a shotgun! look for, as in make and model for my purpose in a 357handgun?

For a gun you want to use for home and also as a carry gun for ccw, I would recommend a S&W model 65 with a 3" barrel.
You can find them on auction sites at decent prices if you look long enough.
Get a round butt and they are easier to carry without being seen.
 

[mrsjbs1980]

After doing alot of reading on which 357 is the best on this site, I just wanted to thank you for giving me an idea of what to look for.
Father inlaw showed me a 44 magnum and said it was the same size as a model 27.
He also let me shoot his model 10 which he says is the same size as a model 65.
Of the two, the model 10 felt better in my hand.
I just hope the extra recoil of a 357 isn't to much for me.
So now with MG WILLY'S advice I think I will start shopping for a model 65.
And Mr. Willy,I do work out to keep a round butt ,but I don't see how that will help me to hide my gun
 
 
 

[m-g Willy]

And Mr. Willy,I do work out to keep a round butt ,but I don't see how that will help me to hide my gun

LOL
You had me there for a min.
btw= Along with a round butt (on the revolver) bobbing the hammer(cutting the hammer spur off ) will make the gun easier to hide and less chance of snagging on cloths if drawn from a holster.
And be extra careful with working out.
While a round butt on a gun keeps people from eyeing it as easy,,,a round butt on you may bring alot more attention to it!
 

[damienph]

Deciding on the best EVER 357 is a tough call.  I have four on the list; Ruger Blackhawk, Dan Wesson Model 15, S&W Model 66, and my favorite S&W Model 686.  I enjoy shooting all four of mine, all of them are accurate.  My Dan Wesson is probably my absolute most accurate, but if I had to narrow it down to keeping just one, it would be my 686.

[S.B.]

And Mr. Willy,I do work out to keep a round butt ,but I don't see how that will help me to hide my gun

LOL
You had me there for a min.
btw= Along with a round butt (on the revolver) bobbing the hammer(cutting the hammer spur off ) will make the gun easier to hide and less chance of snagging on cloths if drawn from a holster.
And be extra careful with working out.
While a round butt on a gun keeps people from eyeing it as easy,,,a round butt on you may bring alot more attention to it!
 

And ruin any resale values. Customizing is only good for the owner, at the time. Not everyones tastse or needs are the same.
Steve

[m-g Willy]

[

And ruin any resale values. Customizing is only good for the owner, at the time. Not everyones tastse or needs are the same.
Steve

Some people collect guns as investments,, and some people buy them to use.
If doing some custumizing keeps me from having the gun catch on clothing while drawing in a self defence situation,,,I'm not about to worry about resale values!
 

[gcrank1]

Resale? especially a nice round butt? NO WAY

[FPH]

I've owned or own a S&W 27-2 5", a S&W 686, S&W 19, and a Colt Python.  I'd go with the S&W 27-2. Colt Python and S & W 686 are tied for 2nd.

[S.B.]

Resale? especially a nice round butt? NO WAY

I agree, for me anyway, the diesign  engineer at S&W who came up with roundbutt only N frames, should loose his or her job!
Steve

[SharonAnne]

best 357 ever, the S&W 686-7 in your choice of barrel length.

[S.B.]

Just yesterday, I received from another forum, a scanned copy of Doug Wesson's hunt it Wyoming from  April 1936 Outdoor Life magazine, where he took antelope, elk, and moose, to prove writers of the day were wrong about handgun hunting. Great reading for anyone who enjoys the .357 magnum.
Steve