Author Topic: need help finding 357 (Read 2591 times)

KotaWood · « **on:** November 29, 2011, 09:08:02 PM »

i need to pick out a 357 magnum, 4 to 6 inch barrel DA/SA ,hunting survival and so forth budget is 450 bucks

ted · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2011, 01:42:24 AM »

Years ago when we were dating, I bought my girlfriend a Smith and Wesson .357 magnum 4 inch barrel. She ended up marrying me and still has it. I bought it used for $225 (it was a former police revolver and literally had more holster wear than anythng else). It has been a flawless gun and fun to shoot. I see they are going for about your price range now when I did a qucik search on the net. They are a proven reliable gun that can take some wear and tear and is certainly accurate enough for hunting. I would certainly recommend this to you as it seems a good fit for what you want to do.

yooper77 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2011, 02:48:09 AM »

Easy, Ruger Blackhawk!

yooper77

bmb · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2011, 03:16:57 AM »

sa- a ruger single action in the 4 5/8" barrel config.
da- shop around for a ruger gp100, either 4-6"

either way the ruger will outlast you and the grandkids:)

Indiana Denny · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2011, 05:06:56 AM »

My personal opinion is the 357 is a little weak for hunting. Guns are not cheap in 1971 my first gun was a S&W 28 .357 4" I paid $120.00 for it new. The same gun today used is over 400 bucks. In revolvers I am inclined to go with the 44 magnum. If you reload it is a very versitiale caliber. Taurus make fine guns but not top of the line. Good advice on the Ruger Blackhawk

Gene R · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2011, 07:06:59 AM »

2nd the Ruger Blackhawk or the GP100, both can be found in real good shape in the price range your looking at.
The .357 is plenty for hunting whitetail and simular game, even hogs. Unless you live in (God I hate to say this) BEAR country, the .357 is a good start.

Ladobe · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2011, 08:12:13 AM »

My pick for a 357MAG DA would be a S&W Model 19 4" or 6", or for SA a Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8". Both are easy carry and very reliable, I've killed big western mule deer with both several times, and either could be found to fit within your budget.

evidrine · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2011, 08:21:31 AM »

Rossi has a .357 mag in stainless with a 6" barrel. Can pick one up brand new on budsgunshop.com for about 345.00 bucks. Taurus bought out Rossi in 07' I think, so the disign is nearly the same. Nice looking pistol. Picked one up for myself but have not shot it yet. They have good reviews.

KotaWood · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2011, 09:51:17 AM »

Quote from: evidrine on November 30, 2011, 08:21:31 AM

Rossi has a .357 mag in stainless with a 6" barrel. Can pick one up brand new on budsgunshop.com for about 345.00 bucks. Taurus bought out Rossi in 07' I think, so the disign is nearly the same. Nice looking pistol. Picked one up for myself but have not shot it yet. They have good reviews.

thanx i wud love to hear you opinion of them, i found one locally for 300 brand new, they are trying to cycle out last years order so they look good on paper lol, and regarding the smiths I LOVE THEM FROM EXPERIENCE BUT I CANT FIND THE MODEL I WANT CHEAPER THAN 700, S&W686+ 7shot model

JKump · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2011, 11:52:42 AM »

Try a Taurus Tracker either 4 or 6 inch models. My has been solid for 5 years. Put a bunch around thru it and killed some deer. Can't complain.

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=265&category=Revolver&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=

tacklebury · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2011, 12:05:39 PM »

Quote from: KotaWood on November 29, 2011, 09:08:02 PM

i need to pick out a 357 magnum, 4 to 6 inch barrel DA/SA ,hunting survival and so forth budget is 450 bucks

KotaWood · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2011, 08:00:56 PM »

Quote from: tacklebury on November 30, 2011, 12:05:39 PM

Quote from: KotaWood on November 29, 2011, 09:08:02 PM
i need to pick out a 357 magnum, 4 to 6 inch barrel DA/SA ,hunting survival and so forth budget is 450 bucks
Charter arms:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/203/products_id/411539744 for pricing from Bud's but picture: http://www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Mag_Pug_73540.html
they have a new 5" but not instock anywhere yet:
http://www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Bulldog_73550.html

Rossi:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/386/products_id/80037
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/386/products_id/80038

Taurus:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/494/products_id/31301
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/494/products_id/31302
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/494/products_id/31325
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/494/products_id/31326

EAA Windicator - cheapest of all, but shrouded barrel and life expectancy under 5000 rounds typically, although rated decent:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/231/products_id/411539810

Personally, I'd go with the Charter Arms. I bought my wife a pink lady snubby and I can put 5 quickly into an 8" target at 25 yards fast fire. Very accurate and handles +p loads. Price is right and it's 100% american made and lifetime warrantied. Rossi would be my second or taurus and then the windicator.

thanx I love the loox of the rossi 972 now i just want a personal review of it from sum1 prolly 3, so majority rules, i was playing with a colt king cobra and a smith 44 20 minutes ago at my uncles love the smith love the colt but they both have attributes i dont quite like but i believe rossi blends the best but i gotta get 1 in my hands prolly head to town in a week or two and go check it out

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #12 on:** December 01, 2011, 01:31:06 AM »

this is the best suggestion. thing is in that price range your going to have to look at used ones. Still id take a used smith or ruger ANYDAY over a new rossi, tarrus or charter arms gun!!!!!

Quote from: Ladobe on November 30, 2011, 08:12:13 AM

My pick for a 357MAG DA would be a S&W Model 19 4" or 6", or for SA a Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8". Both are easy carry and very reliable, I've killed big western mule deer with both several times, and either could be found to fit within your budget.

Mikey · « **Reply #13 on:** December 01, 2011, 02:05:10 AM »

Kota: as I see it youhave 3 choices that actually boil down to two choices, since you asked about both sa and da revolvers.

I would simply limit my search to the Smith and Wesson 586/686 and to the Ruger GP100. Good luck and let us know what you decide to go with.

ferryboatcaptain · « **Reply #14 on:** December 01, 2011, 02:07:35 AM »

Ruger security six or a Dan wesson would both work for 450 or less , lots of great used guns out there. Get out and look around I'm sure you can find one that will work for you.

FBC

curteric · « **Reply #15 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:13:12 AM »

Don't over look the Dan Wesson's.

evidrine · « **Reply #16 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:39:33 AM »

I will try my best to put some rounds through my rossi tonight so that I can give you a quick review. The wife has been giving me errands to run after work all week so far. There should be no excuses tonight. I will see what I can do.

S.B. · « **Reply #17 on:** December 01, 2011, 02:59:14 PM »

I agree with Ted, Police trade ins are a real sleeper and a good value. I heard about a S&W model 27 at the local pawn shop, just today for $400, Not a cop tradein but worth looking into. Best of luck with your search.
Steve

anachronism · « **Reply #18 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:10:16 PM »

I've with Mikey. GP100 or S&W 686. I've yet to see anybody locally who had a happy long term relationship with an imported magnum revolver. Around here, we regard them as "trading stock". The only Charter Arms pistol I had was prone to breakdowns, S&W "K" frames like the Model 66 are nice guns, but were designed from the beginning to only fire a limited amount of magnum ammo through, it was expected that most owners would shoot 38 spl for practice, and shoot magnums as a duty or field load. This is why S&W quietly started making all new medium frame magnum revolvers on the "L" frame some time back. I don't know if they ever resumed production of K frame magnums. For long term durability, I'd go with the GP100 over the 686. I have both, shoot both, and will continue to buy both, but after owning them for many years have to give the durability edge to the GP100, slight, though it may be. If you plan to use it mostly as a field gun, go with the 6 inch. If concealed carry is in your future, go with a 4 inch. Ruger also made a limited number of stainless 3 inch GP100s with fixed sights.

tacklebury · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:56:00 PM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on December 01, 2011, 01:31:06 AM

this is the best suggestion. thing is in that price range your going to have to look at used ones. Still id take a used smith or ruger ANYDAY over a new rossi, tarrus or charter arms gun!!!!!
Quote from: Ladobe on November 30, 2011, 08:12:13 AM
My pick for a 357MAG DA would be a S&W Model 19 4" or 6", or for SA a Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8". Both are easy carry and very reliable, I've killed big western mule deer with both several times, and either could be found to fit within your budget.

Have you had any recent experience with Charter Arms Lloyd? My experience in the last 2 years has been stellar.

I've known several guys bitten by used guns which are out of tune, need parts immediately, some shot out and such. I like starting with a new product myself, if it isn't coming from a known source where I can test shoot it anyway.

evidrine · « **Reply #20 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:59:57 PM »

Put a box of .357 mags through my Rossi 972 tonight. I am pretty impressed with it. It is really fun to shoot. Didnt even have to adjust the factory sights, the little lady was on time right out of the box. She has a kind of a hevy double action trigger pull, but single action is light as a feather. Shoots great, locks up good, and easy to carry. Two thumbs up from me.

tacklebury · « **Reply #21 on:** December 01, 2011, 04:39:23 PM »

Quote from: evidrine on December 01, 2011, 03:59:57 PM

Put a box of .357 mags through my Rossi 972 tonight. I am pretty impressed with it. It is really fun to shoot. Didnt even have to adjust the factory sights, the little lady was on time right out of the box. She has a kind of a hevy double action trigger pull, but single action is light as a feather. Shoots great, locks up good, and easy to carry. Two thumbs up from me.

Good to hear. I'd looked hard at that model for a bit, but went with a Match Grade .45 Auto this year.

Maybe next year though. hehe

KotaWood · « **Reply #22 on:** December 03, 2011, 08:47:49 PM »

if i go for expensive i go for new or antique i would like a 686 but i wont own anything made by smith, with a hilary hole simply bcuz smiths are known to have a loose lock on that, and has locked up in my hands before luckily i wasnt depending on my life at the time, not too much a fan of colts except for the rare prototypes that only got 5000 made forgot the model name but my uncle paid 18,000 for his and its the best but i held and shot a few others and im just not a fan

S.B. · « **Reply #23 on:** December 04, 2011, 02:09:44 AM »

I'm lost, why don't you just tell us what you want? Perhaps a Taurus or Rossi or some other off shore pistol? You post you have had bad luck with both Smiths and Colts but, you haven't mentioned Rugers yet?
Could I ask your age? You list quite a bit of experience with both Smihs and Colts, might I also ask how you came by this? Geological location you are in?
Sometimes a little background help responders to come up with an answer. You don't list much?
Steve

Graybeard · « **Reply #24 on:** December 04, 2011, 10:59:13 AM »

I could be convinced to part with my excellent condition S&W 66 4" but to ship it I'd have to have $575. I've not dealt with any FFL holders on shipping guns in a long time so have no clue what it would cost me to have one ship it and being a handgun it has to go UPS over night unless the dealer will agree to use USPS Priority and since I have no arrangements with anyone these days I just dunno.

If you were in Alabama we could do it face to face and save the shipping but I don't believe you are.

KotaWood · « **Reply #25 on:** December 04, 2011, 04:31:32 PM »

been shooting since i was 6, im now 22, father is ex prison sniper, grandfather retired prison sniper, firearms instructor........ mother is a police officer, grandmother is a d.o.c. sergeant working on deathrow unit, i live in southeast texas, im currently looking for a job, as i plan on finishing training as a gunsmith, (just moved recently) grandma carries colts, grandpa carries smiths and twin set of ruger blackhawks, and i havent given much thought to rugers as ive never fired one, altogether in the revolvers category not mentioning the ones they dont carry there are about 32 revolvers in smith, colt, and a few other names but ive never shot the rugers as they are his carry gun and u only see them when u dont know whats about to happen, parents only carried autos from the time they started teaching me

TScottW99 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 05, 2011, 07:53:51 PM »

Hard to beat a new in box Ruger GP100 for $486 http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_49_76/products_id/70257

or a Ruger Blackhawk for $427 http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_49_118/products_id/49728

Both excellent pistols that will serve you well.

JoeLansing · « **Reply #27 on:** December 25, 2011, 03:07:51 PM »

Quote from: evidrine on November 30, 2011, 08:21:31 AM

Rossi has a .357 mag in stainless with a 6" barrel. Can pick one up brand new on budsgunshop.com for about 345.00 bucks. Taurus bought out Rossi in 07' I think, so the disign is nearly the same. Nice looking pistol. Picked one up for myself but have not shot it yet. They have good reviews.

I bought one of them http://www.lotsoffun.org/share/my9722.jpg It's great. In full lockup there is very little cylinder gap and no wiggle. It had some light tooling marks in the finish when I got it. I spent too long polishing it with Mother's Mag Polish and now it looks like a mirror. It's very accurate and I didn't have to touch the adjustable sights. My only beef was the first time I wiped it down with Hoppes the sight paint wiped off. No big deal. Light red on the front and white on the back finger nail polish made it better than new. I got mine from Buds. The grips on it are great. With WWB 38 almost no kick, 38 +P a little kick, 357 still only a little kick.
- Joe

JoeLansing · « **Reply #28 on:** December 25, 2011, 03:19:12 PM »

Quote from: evidrine on December 01, 2011, 03:59:57 PM

Put a box of .357 mags through my Rossi 972 tonight. I am pretty impressed with it. It is really fun to shoot. Didnt even have to adjust the factory sights, the little lady was on time right out of the box. She has a kind of a hevy double action trigger pull, but single action is light as a feather. Shoots great, locks up good, and easy to carry. Two thumbs up from me.

Mine is the same. I got some snap caps and shot it a lot. The DA trigger pull is still long, but now it's smooth. Go to AutoZone or any big car parts store and get Mother's Mag Polish for $5 or so. You can make it look like a mirror. There are vids of how to polish one on YTUBE.
- Joe

sandman31774 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 25, 2011, 06:01:29 PM »

I'm a Ruger GP100 fan.