Black powder occupies a far greater volume than smokeless. A .357 Magnum revolver for concealed carry really? The King Cobra is a medium-frame 6-shot revolver with a 3-inch barrel, sporting a brushed stainless steel finish. One more thing, actual front and rear sights earn the K6S extra points. My daughter liked it and now she is downright deadly with it. The development of the .357 Magnum cartridge was shepherded by some of the most brilliant minds of the era. Very light and small .357 Magnum revolvers tend to this sort of experience. For a small person, it fits me like a glove and is a beast that with the right ammo can do any kind of shooting you want to do. The recoil is very mild. While every effort is made to include accurate and correct images, descriptions and pricing for all products, inadvertent errors may occur. This statement in the article is incorrect, "the .357 Magnum round also needed a 1/8 inch longer case to hold more gunpowder." I dont have anything else but I think thats enough to get it done. .357 is the only way to go. The very first gun I ever bought was a Taurus Model 66, 357 mag. Factory Glock 33 .357SIG - 9 Round Magazine Subcompact $ 27.95 Magpul Polymer Trigger Guard $ 11.99 Ghost 17 Parts Kit W/Black Slide $ 609.99 Sig M17 Bravo 9mm - 21 Round Magazine P320 $ 79.99 PMAG 10 GL9 (G19) magazine $ 14.99 Ghost 23 Parts Kit w/Black Slide $ 609.99 G17 Barrel $ 109.99 M1911 Parts Kit .45 ACP Commander 4.25" Stainless Steel There is a but to this that well go into greater detail on in a moment. As with the small frame revolvers, I prefer DA/SA trigger action and stainless steel. Earning its name from its commanding 500 S&W Magnum caliber, this five-shot . I certainly didnt go wrong with this group of firearms. its all subjective and opinions we all have them just like a holes. Performance Center Edition. I have owned 2 Model 66s (6 shot), with 4 barrels and a 2 Model 606 (not 605). Perfect for concealed carry. The grips, barrel length, weight, and good DA/SA trigger make this revolver very balanced and pleasant to shoot without being unwieldy. While heavier than the standard Colt Cobra, the extra weight helps tame the recoil of the .357 Magnum cartridge and increases service life. Effective. Thanks,Tad. According to Frank Barnes' "Cartridges of the World," the .357 case was made 1/8 inch longer in order to keep it from being chambered in .38 Special cylinders that were not strong enough to handle the much higher case pressure of the .357. It is not in S&W or Ruger league or prestige but for basic day to day practicality on the street or bedside I'd put it up against anything, really. Its factory grips are a bit small, but easily upgradable with plenty of aftermarket options. This is using the gun in single action. View. However, the occurrence is rare enough to be negligible. What do you think of the Ruger GP-100? I was in my twenties and knew nothing. It's about as pleasurable as this sized magnum gets. My selection for a fine short-barreled .357 Magnum Revolver is the "S&W", Model 686 Plus with a 2.5-inch barrel, with shroud for the ejection rod. But not a lot of them in brush killing much. MODEL 351 PD. But having said that, it's way more accurate than I am, and it never has any issues with anything. This gun is FABULOUS! All in all, apart from the inherently higher quality that you get with S&W and Ruger, the Windy is pretty much equal to any gun on this list when it comes down to all practical purposes and I'm quite fond of it. ALWAYS will be. To simulate the carry .357 Magnum ammo, use .38 Special +P or low velocity .357 Magnum ammo. 357 MAGNUM $1139. Love the way it handles. That's it. Review, 8 On-Target Concealed Carry Insurance Options (2022), 10 Affordable Double-Barrel Shotgun Options (2023), Best AR-15 Options For Any Budget And Buyers Guide (2023), Best Concealed Carry Handguns For Women (2023). . I bought mine new in 1974 (I think it was in '74) and still haven't shot any that I like as well. I bought my heavy vented rib model with 3 barrels (2.5", 4" and 8") back in early '70s (1974 I think). Thanks for the article. Revolvers are easy to use and are flat-out reliable. I would wholeheartedly agree that perhaps another article addressing specifically SA revolvers might help. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Another advantageyou can choose to load this gun using an 8-round moon clip. 22 LR $839. sticking with the old .38/.357 combo. Add to Wish . You want J frame size 6 shots get a Kimber K6S they are excellent out of the box, You didnt even mention the model 19? If I gotta have a second choice, It's gunna be Ruger or "Other" SAR that can handle .357 Mag rounds. More barrel affords me a balance I am very accustomed to. Unless otherwise indicated, EveryGunPart.com is not affiliated or endorsed by manufacturers of parts sold on this site. Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus 357 Magnum 7-Shot/4-inch Revolver. If you are referring to police work they all are obsolete. The newer Model 627 is a beautiful handgun, but I like my Model 28 best. These revolvers usually weigh between 20 and 40 ounces unloaded. My 2nd revolver was a Rhino. cases were difficult to load with light loads in the early days due to *excessive* volume. But man what a smooooth double action trigger. I thoroughly enjoy your articles. For target practice, I still recommend using .38 Special ammo to save money. View. 19% Tax. You will get better accuracy in rapid-fire on the second and third shots. Packaging was excellent, parts look to be in great shape and the shipping was very fast. The .357 Magnum revolver soldiers on, but not every make and model is ideal for concealed carry. Eight major concealed carry insurance programs are now available to the millions of Americans who carry concealed. Theres an elephant still in the room, the but we mentioned above, and it's particular to many concealed carry .357 Magnum revolvers. Sorry but the S&W 19/66 is the finest .357, period. Tested. *to be pedantic, Americans people often pronounce "Windicator" as intuitively spelled for us "WIN"-dicator; but being a German gun, it's pronounced "VIN-dicator", same as the English word "vindicate." I loaded it myself using 180 grain bullets and Hodgkins h110 powder. This revolver is ultra-durable and is a relatively soft shooter while maintaining a reasonable level of affordability. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Taurus 357 Magnum Revolvers Home Revolvers Just .357 Magnum Just .357 Magnum Revolvers All 2 in. anything extra and your Their prices are still reasonable, but they are starting to climb, as the name start to get respected again. Smoothest DA and a super clean trigger break in SA. I love to share appreciation for your efforts. Lucky to see light of day once a year. That is why I love this combination caliber. I put the 2 and 1/2 inch barrel on, loaded with .357 and with no hearing protection, pulled the trigger. Also, the Python is just too iconic to not mention. In the past 6 months I purchased a 1972 Smith and Wesson 27-2, a 1968 Colt Trooper (Python style action), and a 1965 Colt Python. Shop for new and used revolver handguns in stock online at Guns.com. I've tried the .44SW Mag. 22 MAGNUM $839. All three were great, just prefer the 44 mag for police work. Theres a reason why the guns have the dubious moniker knuckle busters. Currently they sell for 3-5k USD. The K6S design is sleek, reducing the chances of hanging up on the draw, hastened further by a concealed hammer. You have the date incorrect on the release of the Ruger GP100. We already have an account registered for email address In fact I ordered 2 S&W 640 Pro series revolvers but did not take possession of one of them because it kept locking/jamming up while cycling PLUS the cylinder HAD TO BE FORCED OPEN! Above anything, it has an excellent trigger. 1 - Incomplete: Missing most of the main kit components. You must not have fired the Taurus Tracker. Considering this, a bit of extra weight on the hip is a worthwhile tradeoff for what will likely lead to more consistent accuracy. For small frame revolvers, I dont recommend always shooting heavy-loaded .357 Magnum ammo. The N frame is the largest frame used for the S&W .357 Magnum revolvers. . SMALL. Gotta love 357 in a good frame! There is no "proven stopping power" for a particular caliber gun. I like the stainless steel version since it handles moisture better than blued steel. It was done intentionally to prevent accidentally loading the .357 into a 38 special gun. SMALL. I have reduced my 357 Mag Revolver holdings to the Ruger Security Six, Ruger SP101 and Ruger GP 100. The DA trigger pull was silky smooth. I also owed a Ruger Blackhawk w/6 1/2 barrel. MSRP: $899, colt.com. I do not have a 5 shot 7 shot or 8 shot yet in 357..The model 60 is on my to get list, the pro series. One of the GP-100's claims to fame is its robustness. Not wanting to blow big buck on one, I found mine at Academy for 429, so I went ahead and bought it.. I enjoyed reading y'all's comment. 6rd swing-out cylinder with reusable BB and pellet cartridges. 6.75 in. A Micro-Compact 9mm with Class Leading Capacity, The most advanced 22 LR pistol on the market, A Hammer-Fired line of compact and full-size performance pistols, An unrivaled, performance leading icon in 45 ACP & 9mm, An innovative full-sized 9mm with an ultra-reliable design. 9 Cleaning Kit with Aluminum Rod.38/.357 Caliber, 9mm Pistol Visit the Hoppe's Store 11,902 ratings | 114 answered questions Price: $13.99 - $36.25 Size: Select Size About this item NEW 2-PACK Featured items you may like The MR73 is the most exacting and high-end production revolver ever made. You might want to check it out for future reviews and lists. .357 MAG REVOLVER . Before you quit shooting for the day, shoot at least two cylinders of your defensive ammo. I shoot exclusively reloads now, but 357 or 38spc both run excellent in it. A staple in Smith & Wessons J-Frame catalog, the snubbie .357 Magnum revolver is a gem of its class. Reliable. For general target practice, shoot .38 Special ammo. It was popular with the public and used in the U.S. military from 1873 to 1892. I have a couple blackhawks and they are fine guns that will last a lifetime super strong. I agree what about the s@w model 66 combat revolver, I have a new 66-8 2.75, stock trigger and hammer about 16-18lbs horrible I installed a Wilson Combat spring kit runs smooth like butter it's very accurate. I can smack pop cans at 100 yards all day long. With practice it runs fast. I also have a PC 642 for EDC, but would recommend the LCR with fiber or tritium from sight as a better alternative, due to improved second shot recovery. Powerful. Save my name and email to use for future comments. That was my first gun. Chiappa the new 357mag revolver with the 3' is easier to carry than the 4 inch but gives you better control than the 2 inch, so dont knock it till you try it. I have a mid eighties Dan Wesson 357 mag 6 inch barrel ventilated rib (model is 13 V). For context, thats the neighborhood of many .270 Winchester loads out of a 7-pound rifle. Hmmm. It is a stainless-steel handgun and is in the "S&W", L-Frame Theyre basically Troopers but less expensive with fixed sights and not quite as gussied up. Ive owned a Ruger GP-100 since the late 80s-first handgun I ever purchased and 100% agree with your points on the gun and versatile ammo options in general. . Manageable For MostUnlike almost any other handgun magnum, everyday shooters can master the .357. Go a .357 Magnum revolver, youd better practice your emergency reloads! Thanks for the rec, Colin! Item Number: 164194. Item Number: 150855. 2. Performance Center Edition. Also own a 4.2 SP101 polished in and out and springs. Easily a thousand through it. I just still don't understand why they are suddenly worth so much money. All in all though it is as good a choice I'd say as any on the list as far as practicality goes and at a much better price; only drawback being concealability but the Windy is similar to most of the revolvers mentioned above in that category. The Kimber feels beefier, it is finished better than any gun for the money. And yet the Security-Six is missing from the list and the GP-100 is on it. MODEL 351 PD. Over the years I have owned most of the 357 Mag Revolvers you listed and since I reload I have put a lot of lead through them. Gun Cleaning Kits To buy, select Size Choose from options to the left Have one to sell? I definitely want to own a dan wesson one day. It is a bit heavy in weight but, with an excellent OWB holster, it can be carried concealed. SW are fantastic guns, just never loved the short hammer pull, again, not what I was used to. and hunt with a 8" Dan Wesson. What all revolver enthusiasts seek in a hunting revolver. Let us know in the comments below. ), it looks just like a Colt .357 Magnum Python and it comes in 2inch and 4inch, not 6 as you stated. Smith & Wesson offers the plain Jane version of the concealed-hammer 640 and a Performance Center Pro Series option. I own a Taurus model 608 stainless 8 Shot .357 magnum 4 inch barrel. ), but its like silk compared to most factory switches. But realize, out of a snubbie ammo wont live up to the box-side ballistics. The Blackhawk never missed. Certainly some classic model revolvers mentioned. Nope, y'all missed this one.The S&W 66-2 is the Finest .357 Revolver. 357 Magnum Revolvers do not have "Proven Stopping Power". For the better part of the 20th Century, perhaps only the .38 Special overshadow its use by law enforcement. S&W Model 19 w/ 4" barrel, Pachmayr grips, and a sweet trigger job. Fixed that by replacing the original with a Hogue monogrip. Limited CapacityExpect 5 or 6 rounds at best. Great series! And am in love with it. I won! In other words, sure - a Bugatti is one of the pinnacles of cars. I have sold my others over the years,, many of which I would love to have kept so Ive decided to get ones I want and I dont want to sell. I keep mine because I know it, use it, and have speed loaders that work. - too big to carry; and too much for me to handle. Indeed. In terms of personal defense firearms: Concealability: Were looking at concealed carry revolvers, in turn, were sticking with smaller .357 Magnums. When not at his press or the range he can be found chasing mule deer around the Rocky Mountains. And a Ruger BH ss 6 1/2 brl. For pythons now. These happen to be some of our favorites. This gun is also quite stylish with an 8-round fluted cylinder and choice of black synthetic or wood grips. The LCR is also intuitively laid out, with a button cylinder release on the left side that picks up the pace of the DOAs reloads. Tested. price range, or lower, than Taurus, they can be found at $300 or lower even. We have a much longer write-up on the pros and cons of .357 Magnum as a personal-defense option, well worth checking out if youre seriously considering this route. s/w 686 367 mag or Ruger Gp100 this is my first revolver Need advise. Not much else to say. MODEL 317 KIT GUN. Mostly it's concealed but not totally. gear. Strong and very accurate. I've owned and shot all. (I also love my Henry .357 Carbine.). Hey AJ, you can find the author and bio linked at the bottom of every article. Barrel lengths differ based on which model but most float between 2 and 4 inches. Kinber revolvers from now on for me. ever made, the Ruger Security Six. Weve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. Practice with light .357 Magnum ammunition to simulate heavier loads. I own 3 of them(One happens to be an "Ashland"). There was (and is) PLENTY of volume in the 38 special case since the 38 spl was originally a black powder cartridge and the .357 was developed using denser smokeless powder. Truth be known, the revolver-cartridge combination is a proven, reliable, popular and powerful systemstill considered by many among the most trustworthy for self-defense. Product Description Blast pellets up to 435 feet per second! Performance Center Edition. The Kimber is also cold weather CC. The problem with reviews of the BEST .357 Magnum revolvers is that the reviewers tend to be in the pockets of the advertisers. any review giving is a matter of opinion of the person giving it. In 1972, Ruger introduced the Ruger Security-Six, Service-Six, and Speed-Six Revolvers for law enforcement, civilian self-defense, and military markets. This semi-automatic revolver offers a modern take on classic revolver styling and incorporates a comfortable finger-groove grip design. Most of their models start at $3,000+, that just isn't reasonable for most people. mitigates recoil and muzzle lift. Additionally, reloads are no walk in the park, involving many more steps than a semi-auto pistol, taxing fine motor skills under stress. Clean and mean. I bought a Galco D.A.O. You can swap them in a matter of seconds. In 1972, Ruger introduced the Ruger Security-Six, Service-Six, and Speed-Six Revolvers for law enforcement, civilian self-defense, and military markets. You can load enough bullseye in a 38 special case to blow just about any 357extra powder room is not needed or required. Only test fired the Python as it is in pristine condition. Case in point, the Ruger GP-100, an outstanding range gun. I have an old model 19 and just recently started shooting again. If I could only have one revolver off this list, it would be the GP100. Then you are obligated to consider all the magnum revolvers in and out of production. No, the case was made longer to prevent loading in a 38 special. In making our selections of best concealed-carry .357 Magnum revolvers, we stuck to our usual criteria for separating the wheat from the chaff: Reliability: The guns are well made with a reliable track record.